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Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
#8954760
11/13/23 09:23 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267 |
Who uses Havalon, are they the best? Need something with a gut hook.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954780
11/13/23 09:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 840
Double AC
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 840 |
I use havalon but have never used a gut hook from them or in general. I think they are pretty great.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954783
11/13/23 09:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,396
Pope&Young
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,396 |
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Pope&Young]
#8954786
11/13/23 09:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 35,407
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 35,407 |
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954787
11/13/23 09:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 268
Andrewhunter08
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 268 |
I've skinned three deer this year with a Buck 110. Stay old-school, it works.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954789
11/13/23 09:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267 |
I skin with a golf ball and winch. I gut them after they are skinned. But, I have to cut the skin down the belly before I put the winch to them. Was thinking the havalon with gut hook might work great.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954808
11/13/23 10:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,195
Texas buckeye
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,195 |
I dont gut anymore…process the deer down using the gutless method. Quite easy, less mess, and i know my cuts of meat.
I use a havalon.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954931
11/14/23 12:32 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,931
maximum
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,931 |
I don't gut deer anymore. Hang head up with the waste exits pointing downwards and skin. I've used the golf ball/rock /rope method before, and I ended up messing up some meat where the hide was hard stuck to the carcass.
Use a mixture of Forschner and Old Hickory and Dexter Russell depending on where and when, and a regular steel. I've tried other blade configurations, ulus, etc. but regular butcher patterns do best for me. I've had to improvise at times. Had to use a small Mini Buck knife with the tiny little blade one time, and a fairly dull work knife. Known one or two that lost or forgot their knife and used a broadhead. I've read about a man using a sharpened soup can lid for lack of a knife
Pretty much like everything else. Different people have different ways
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Andrewhunter08]
#8954958
11/14/23 01:13 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,211
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,211 |
I've skinned three deer this year with a Buck 110. Stay old-school, it works. I like this. I have several Havalons, but only use them for caping or Euros. Had 5-6 break on me while trying to use like a knife so not a fan (not even being rough). Learning how to sharpen a knife and keep an edge on it ain’t hard. I prefer to gut 80-90% of my kills and there is nothing like a real hunting knife. I keep a box full in my truck that serve different purposes. I went to Havalon when I was cleaning 2-10 pigs and several deer/week, but went back old school. To each their own. ![up up](/forum/images/graemlins/default/cup.gif)
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954971
11/14/23 01:27 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16,291
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 16,291 |
I don’t gut them anymore either. I skin and debone them with the same knife I’ve used for decades, a Browning 3 blade with Japanese steel. Holds a great edge and is easy to bring back to super sharp. And sometimes I’ll skin hogs with my Benchmade Griptilian, which also holds a good edge, but not as good as the Browning.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8954992
11/14/23 01:55 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267 |
I'm proud of you guys. I also use old school knives. I guess I should have simplified my question. I need a knife with a gut hook, just to cut the skin (not gut) before I golfball his skin off. The golfball winch trick works great when they are freshly killed. So, does anyone have a preference for a knife with a gut hook.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Pope&Young]
#8954998
11/14/23 02:00 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,396
Pope&Young
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,396 |
I'm proud of you guys. I also use old school knives. I guess I should have simplified my question. I need a knife with a gut hook, just to cut the skin (not gut) before I golfball his skin off. The golfball winch trick works great when they are freshly killed. So, does anyone have a preference for a knife with a gut hook. Same as I mentioned
Last edited by Pope&Young; 11/14/23 02:00 AM.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955002
11/14/23 02:04 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,267 |
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955004
11/14/23 02:06 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,188
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,188 |
One of my hunting knives has the blade with the hook. Works great doing the gutless method.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955005
11/14/23 02:06 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,188
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,188 |
One of my hunting knives has the blade with the hook. Works great doing the gutless method.
Last edited by Wilhunt; 11/14/23 02:07 AM. Reason: double post
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955008
11/14/23 02:12 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,211
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,211 |
I'm proud of you guys. I also use old school knives. I guess I should have simplified my question. I need a knife with a gut hook, just to cut the skin (not gut) before I golfball his skin off. The golfball winch trick works great when they are freshly killed. So, does anyone have a preference for a knife with a gut hook. I use a Klein box cutter with a hook blade for quick scoring. Not as forgiving but works great once you get the hang of it.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955010
11/14/23 02:20 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,516
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,516 |
Who uses Havalon, are they the best? Need something with a gut hook. dont use a havalon for any thing other then caping a skull out. blades are way to fragile the Dexter and Victorinox are easiest to sharpen and maintain. Reason why all processors use them. Time is money if you want a razor blade style gutting blade look at raptor razor https://www.raptorazor.com
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955017
11/14/23 02:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,921
Adchunts
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,921 |
I’ve been using this Hunter Specialties gut hook for a number of years. Takes a box knife blade: ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2023/11/full-61160-405402-img_5593.jpeg)
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: skinnerback]
#8955022
11/14/23 02:31 AM
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 268
Andrewhunter08
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 268 |
I've skinned three deer this year with a Buck 110. Stay old-school, it works. I like this. I have several Havalons, but only use them for caping or Euros. Had 5-6 break on me while trying to use like a knife so not a fan (not even being rough). Learning how to sharpen a knife and keep an edge on it ain’t hard. I prefer to gut 80-90% of my kills and there is nothing like a real hunting knife. I keep a box full in my truck that serve different purposes. I went to Havalon when I was cleaning 2-10 pigs and several deer/week, but went back old school. To each their own. ![up up](/forum/images/graemlins/default/cup.gif) I have seen guides use them. I am scared to cut myself when the razors break inside the animal. I've cleaned so many deer without gutting them using a Buck 110 or a simple little fixed blade. It takes less than 30 minutes to meticulously cape a deer for a shoulder mount and quarter a deer if you know what you are doing. A few zips here with a pocket knife does the trick. Did two deer from laying on the ground to quartered in an ice chest in under 40 minutes two weeks ago. Watch a few youtube videos or ask someone that has done it a few times. I stay away from things that break and could cut me like those little razors. Good on someone if they can use them but better for me to stick with what I know. Good luck.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955050
11/14/23 03:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,624
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,624 |
I use a 4” bone handled knife made by Keith Richards.
I have a pouch full of browning knives that the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation gifted me that I’ll use as well, but the bone handled blade stays on my belt.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955132
11/14/23 11:35 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,137
soooo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,137 |
https://wyomingknife.com/knives/I was skeptical of these until Santa brought me one. Feels awkward the first time you hold it, but it works like a charm.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955212
11/14/23 01:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 231
Coastalquacker
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 231 |
I have a havalon that I used around the butthole. then for skinning I have a custom knife an uncle gave me. I did have a SOG with a gut hook and never had problems with it until it got dull.
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955226
11/14/23 02:20 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,821
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,821 |
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: soooo]
#8955280
11/14/23 03:13 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 910
bholt
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 910 |
I just got one this year (Blackfoot Magnacut) and I must admit I am very impressed, two deer and a hog still sharp. I have several by various people and companies but for opening the skin/gut I use a utility knife with a Roofing blade in it. I've never found gut hooks on knives any good.
Last edited by bholt; 11/14/23 03:15 PM.
B Holt Shoot-em in the ear
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Re: Gutting & Skinning Deer (Knives)
[Re: Stompy]
#8955501
11/14/23 09:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,019
HornSlayer
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,019 |
I own no less than 20 different Folding Hunters. Everything from Kissing Cranes to Fighting Roosters, Puma's to Case, Gerber's to Buck's. I have to admit, my go to skinner is a Havalon Baracutta. Light weight razor sharp, easy to clean; sharpen or blade swaps in less that 30 seconds. Hard to beat a knife like that. Only problem I have had is hanging onto them, they seem to walk off a lot.
They make ammo specifically for hunting for a reason!
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