Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Favorite tools for cleaning deer??

Our favorite setup this year was the Gene Ingram/Josh Clarke combo! Worked pretty slick......

I knew the Gene Ingram would be fantastic and it definitely was but the real surprise has been these Josh Clarke axes! This Rifleman's Belt Axe showed up as sharp as a knife and splits a deer pelvis like butter! It was so sharp, I even used it to open up the sternum on our last deer tonight and it was absolutely effortless.

Swedish Mora Knife and a Gerber Saw.

I use a hatchet when E is not available. E = reciprocating saw ! lol

I use Gut Hooks every time. I have one that zips the hide. Another one zips the abdominal membrane in the true
Gut Hook sense.

Jerry

I don't recall ever seeing a tool used for zipping the hide other than my knife.....can you post a pic/link?

That!

I once had a spell where all I used was a hatchet to gut. Keep it razor sharp and could do it faster than most can with a knife. A knife is lighter though so the hatchet stays home unless I'm elk hunting.
I prefer a stiff big blade when gutting but can do it with a pocket knife pretty easily too when called upon. Those gut zipper knives work well when gutting Buffalo or elk while they are hanging nose down. I thought it was a rediculous was of doing it until I did it. It's super clean and relatively easy.

Buck knife 110

I carry a couple of fixed blades on me and a hatchet for splitting the pelvis if the knife isn't quite enough on older deer.

Older Pachmayr, Buck 119 or a USA made Cold Steel.

I use a small knife to skin, gut, and remove the meat from the carcass. If you know where to make the cuts in the joints you don't need anymore than a Knife. A 3 or 4 inch narrow pattern blade like a trapper is what I like best. I don't have a big enough freezer to freeze a bunch of bones.I use a hatchet or saw to cut off antlers.
With the chronic wasting regulations we have it won't be long till we will have to debone ours before hauling the meat home. I am almost there the way I clean deer.

I use these as a gut hook and hide zipper.


https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/knives/all-knives/strap-cutter-black-22-01944



P

Super sharp razor-knife for skinning
Sturdy knife for sternum, etc
Loppers for forelegs, etc
Saw for dropping the rear legs off the spine
Cut-down plastic drum for the refuse
Overhead electric hoist
Gambrel
Marine cooler full of cool water to cool quarters
Water hose
Tasty beverage


That's what I've used for years.

I use nothing but a havalon piranta to take a deer (or anything else, including moose) from being whole to completely skinned, quartered and broken down.. At times I will also carry a Wyoming Saw or a Gränsfors Bruk outdoor axe, for taking off skull plates.

I may as well sell my other knives, but old habits die hard so I still carry a sturdy fixed blade in my pack. I haven't used it in years though.

I need to try one of those Havalons.

If you suck ass at sharpening like I do, they're golden.
You just have to not torque the blade around joints, as you'll spend more time changing blades than cutting through the deer. You're also not going to be splitting any pelvis' with one, so if that's part of your MO be aware.

I'm a believer.

Never needed anything but one good skinning knife to dress and quarter a deer.

If I couldn't sharpen by hand, that's what I'd do
and not look back. I can't see paying a bunch
for something to sharpen with that needs
to be plugged in the wall socket, especially since
I've never seen a wall socket in the woods.
You CAN carry a pack of spare blades in a pocket,
and your pockets go everywhere you do.
I'd be using one and be tickled to have it

Yes, I will. Today I'm having trouble getting 'light' right for a good pic.

I have an 'old' Winchester brand skinner with gut hook. It's g h is on the larger size and works great on zipping the hide.
I have a Remington lock folder with a small gut hood. It's great for opening the body cavity.

I'll post a pic when I can get a decent pic. No problem.

Jerry

zipper linky poo......

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14351434/all/compact-little-zipper

2-3 1/2" knife and a cold beer.
Phil

Now we are talkin!