Gutting deer is one of the many skills that deer hunters have to learn. Luckily, this is an easy task to complete if you use the correct knife and know what you’re doing.
Your gutting knife should be razor sharp with a blade that’s between three to four inches long. The knife should be small enough so you can use it in tight spaces and make cuts with surgical precision.
Having a sharp knife is critical for gutting a deer quickly and in the cleanest way possible. A knife that’s dull, or losing its edge, will make the job more difficult. Additionally, dull knives require more force to make cuts, increasing the odds of you accidentally cutting something that can potentially taint your meat.
(Click this link to read my article “The Only Tools You Need to Gut a Deer”.)
Should you buy a fixed or replaceable blade knife for gutting deer
Since having a sharp knife is so important, the question you have to ask yourself is if you want to worry about sharpening your knife.
Sharpening a dull knife to a razor edge is a skill that many people don’t have. If you’ve never done it before, it’s more difficult than you might think.
Reasons why you shouldn’t buy a fixed blade knife
- You will have to sharpen it
- You will have to learn how to sharpen it
- You might have to buy supplies to sharpen it
- You will have to remember to sharpen it
- You can’t fold the knife or stow it away easily
Reasons why you should buy a replaceable blade knife
- They are extremely sharp
- You never have to sharpen them or learn how to sharpen them
- You never have to worry about having a dull knife if you forget to sharpen it
- You don’t have to purchase any sharpening supplies
- They are safer to carry since they can fold and can be stowed away easily
I’ve used all kinds of knifes over the years to gut deer with, but there is only one knife that I consider to be the best. That knife is the Outdoor Edge RazorPro 3.5”.
This Outdoor Edge RazorpPro 3.5″ is the best knife to use to gut a deer with. Here is a list of a several reasons why it’s the best:
- It’s razor sharp and has replaceable blades so you never have to sharpen it
- It’s a folding knife so it’s safer to use
- It’s the perfect size and length
- It’s a great everyday carry knife and fits easily in a jean pocket
- It’s got a rubber grip that makes it easy to use when your hands are bloody
- It can be purchased with gutting blades, caping blades, and a gut hook
- It’s very affordable
Conclusion
Replaceable blade knives are your best bet for the purpose of gutting deer. They perform extremely well and are easy to maintain without having to worry about sharpening a knife. This allows you to focus on more important things like killing your next deer.