What Is A Gut Hook Knife Used For Exactly? (2021 Guide)

Have you ever gone hunting?

Then you might be aware of the gut hook knives. Just as the name indicates, these knives are used mainly for hunting purposes.

While researching for this knife, you will go through a lot of guides that will tell you how to use the gut knife for the deer.

Well now let’s have a look at the details of the gut hook knives.

How to use it on the deerskin?

The most common and the most important usage is for the field dressing of the deer.

This enables you to keep the meat from smelling bad even when you want to travel a large distance.

However, if it is your first time using it and want to know the procedure of the field dressing, you should read the given steps.

Step-by-step Procedure

Keep the point of the knife on the area where the ribs meet. Make sure to bring the deer in the position that provides you with maximum balance.
Here it is worth mentioning that the sharp edge of the knife must be opposite to that of the skin. Many people are not aware of this part and commit the mistake of not keeping the knife‘s sharp edge against the skin.
After completing the above step, you should move the sharp edge of the knife towards the rear and then forcefully remove the skin. It will help you in lifting the skin away.
Remember that your core purpose is to reach the body cavity. In the cavity, the most important thing is the windpipe. When you cut the windpipe, you will get control. It is better to cut and remove the intestines as well, as they are of no use for human beings.

Well, do you want to know more about why this procedure is so important? The field dressing skin prevents the meat from spoiling. So if you are out there in the forest hunting and worried about how you will get the meat right to your home or the cold storage, you must keep it with you.

However, using it requires some know-how of knife cutting techniques. Using it on the deer may seem strange but it is a must-have tool whenever you go out hunting.

Well, you have now read about the method of using it on the deer, we are going to provide you with some pro tips that will help you in more efficient cutting processes.

Pro Tips

Here the 3 pro tips that will be very helpful for you in the process of field dressing. Let’s get started.

Remember to clean it

The efficiency depends on the sharpness of the blade. If you have already done the field dressing and the blade already has some kind of flesh or blood on it, the sharpness of the blade will be badly affected.

This is where many people fall into trouble.

They use only the cleaning detergent and water to clean it. It is the wrong approach. The flesh particles accumulate in the small shape spaces blade. So you should use the toothbrush for a thorough cleaning.

Use medium-sized knives

As discussed earlier, you have to curve the sharp edge while keeping the less-sharp edge on the deerskin. This action can be performed efficiently only when you use a medium-sized knife. A too big or too small blade cannot be used for the efficient field dressing process.

Here you might be wondering:

Why do too small or too large gut hook knives work for field dressing?

The answer is:

Too small knives take much longer to cut the skin, while the longer knives do not curve easily.

So using the medium-sized one is the perfect solution.

Dry it after use

The blades of the gut hook knives often rust. So if you will not clean and dry the knife after each use, the blade of the knife will start deteriorating. It will not only impact the performance of the knife but also decrease the span.

Want FREE Knives?

We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!

By subscribing, you agree to get emails from me, Ryan Leavitt. I'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe any time.

Final Verdict

Apparently, a gut hook knife may seem like a complicated knife, but it is not. However, the use of gut hook knives requires a bit more care than the other knife types.

By the way, have you ever used the gut hook knives? What is your experience regarding its usage?

Let us know in the comments section below.

Ryan Leavitt

Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.