GutHook or No.....What Do You Prefer??

[Nala]

Hey all,

I have been nosing around for a new hunting knife.  It will be used mostly for pigs....I HOPE, but it could be pressed into deer service too.  There are so many really nice knives and choices.  I'm not even talking about the GORGEOUS customs that the makers post here.  I wish I could get one of them, but my budget is pretty tight right now so I'll have to stay with production.

Anyway, I wanted to see what you all think about a GutHook on your knives.  Are they pretty much useless or do you find them a valuable addition that makes things much easier?

Also if you have any suggestions on a knife I would like to hear them.  I have been thinking about trying a Helle where I can make the handle.  They have a nice GutHook model too.

Thanks for your help and time.

Nalajr

[jamesh76]

I have only harvested whitetail and I prefer one for that. As for hogs. I have no advice. Its easy to slit the hide with them.

[rastaman]

A Helle would be a good choice.  i don't use a guthook.

[Stone Knife]

I have never used a guthook on big game, I have never gutted a pig but if I do I'm just going to open it up like a deer.

[Orion]

I don't like gut hooks.  To use one pretty much forces one to turn the cutting edge of the blade toward your body.  I've never found it difficult to use two fingers to guide the knife up the body cavity to cut the skin and soft tissue without poking or cutting the stomach or intestines.  I don't open up bigger critters like elk, but use the gutless method for them.  Some folks like em.  To each his own.

[bhalbert]

A couple of years ago I bought a gut hook knife for my son as a present, I had never wanted one for myself but he really thought the gut hook would be the ticket. Well, he was right, the gut hook worked very well on deer. Not really sure how well it would work on hogs.

[Barney]

I've used a "wyoming knife" for about 30 years now. Wouldn't be lost without it but I'd sure miss it. Also always carry a fixed blade.

[easyup]

No hook for me.  They do a job I am sure but it is a tiny fraction of the time you are using the knife and gets in the way for some tasks like reaming a deer pelvic cavity to pull the entrails out w/o breaking or sawing the pelvic bone.  I know several outfitters/guides and only one carries a gut hook and that is on an extra skinning knife he carries in his pack when guiding elk hunters.

[easyup]

sorry about the double post

[Canyon]

I've played with gut hooks on and off. I have concluded for opening the belly on deer and elk I gain no advantage in time or effort than a standard blade. The guthook can get in the way when working at finer tasks.

[mnbearbaiter]

A good compromise knife is the Outdoor Edge Swingblade

[Mike Vines]

I have never used a gut hook knife.  The traditional straight blade has worked for centuries, so why mess with it?

[Ratatat]

I use a gut hook.  I have used the Outdoor Edge Whitetail Skinner for about ten years now and it is the only knife I take when heading out hunting, Big or small game.  I like the T handle.

[Curveman]

Originally posted by Canyon:
I've played with gut hooks on and off. I have concluded for opening the belly on deer and elk I gain no advantage in time or effort than a standard blade. The guthook can get in the way when working at finer tasks.

Ditto.

[straitera]

Skinning & separatihg meat should be as quick & painless as you can make it. I've had a few guthook wrecks so haven't used one in decades. *Don't cut intestines! My favorite knives are fixed short blade drop point skinners razor sharp. Quick, secure, & easy to sharpen. The Bark River scalpel may offer the same & more especially for fine bonework. Currently use a very old KaBar with 2" blade for at least 25 years or more.

[AZ_Shooter]

When I was younger I thought the hook looked neat, and therefore wanted one.  Then I harvested my first deer, used the two-finger method, and haven't looked back.  However, if one was given to me I certainly wouldn't be above using it, I just don't have any need to purchase one.

[Don Batten]

I like a gut hook, but funny thing is I never use it to gut. I use it more to zip open hides when skinning. Don

[yukon chuck]

I've found the guthook feature to be pretty handy on Whitetails. I received a Buck Crosslock knife a number of years back, as a gift and this knife has a standard blade and a stand alone guthook blade. The hook makes quick easy work of the initial slit without damaging anything inside. Then I can move to the standard blade and complete the job. All that being said, My favorite knife for hunting use has been an old Buck with an approx. 3" blade for the entire job. A little caution on the initial slit and no worries on pucturing the paunch. I havfe found the 3" blade perfect all around for field dressing. Not too big and not too small. Easily handled and easy to control.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

I've never cared for sandard gut hook blades for many of the reasons already stated. Several years ago, a good friend gave me a Buck Crosslock, and I absolutely love it. Like Yukon Chuck stated, the stand alone gut hook eliminates all of the potential problems associated with normal gut hook blades.

[freeman]

I don't care for them. Easy enough to do without, just don't see the need.