Who uses Havalon, are they the best? Need something with a gut hook.

I use havalon but have never used a gut hook from them or in general. I think they are pretty great.

Outdoor Edge Swing Blade. I've never cut into the gut when using the gut blade.


https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Edge-SwingBlade-Rotating-Drop-Point/dp/B001EICTAG?th=1

I've skinned three deer this year with a Buck 110. Stay old-school, it works.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Thanks P&Y

One of my hunting knives has the blade with the hook. Works great doing the gutless method.

One of my hunting knives has the blade with the hook. Works great doing the gutless method.

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.

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

I’ve been using this Hunter Specialties gut hook for a number of years. Takes a box knife blade:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.