Bird Knife

DKL

DKL

Steelhead
Curious how many of you use a bird knife with the hook to gut your birds. Is it pretty easy to use? Seems like it might be easy to accidentally poke a hole in the guts and make a mess. Thinking of giving one a try but thought I’d ask first. Thanks
 
I grew up hunting pheasant and quail. My dad showed me how to slice along both sides on the back of the bird along the neck and then along the breast bone. Most of the guts would come out removing that section intact. We always removed the wings and lower legs first, then skinned the birds.
 
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I never have just because we were taught to do it with sheers and your hands. Not a tough guy thing, that’s just what we did. That said, I do use a fillet knife to breast ducks sometimes or turkeys.
 
I’ve always used a filet knife for ducks and we always removed the breast meat on pheasants and quail. Nothing like a mess of fried quail. The legs are the best.
 
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DKL said:
Curious how many of you use a bird knife with the hook to gut your birds. Is it pretty easy to use? Seems like it might be easy to accidentally poke a hole in the guts and make a mess. Thinking of giving one a try but thought I’d ask first. Thanks
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Looks like they are just for removing the guts if you are going to not clean them right away in the heat.
 
Russell said:

Looks like they are just for removing the guts if you are going to not clean them right away in the heat.
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Yes, that is my understanding too. Just curious to hear from those that have tried it.
 
Always used a gut hook to remove intestines. It’s easy. Push hook in through the vent, twist, pull out the attached. Made em outa clothes hanger, about 6 inches long with like a shepherd’s crook at the end. Most knives seem pretty big to me but they do work nicely on geese and ducks. The old Browning bird knife had a great blade, a choke wrench, and a perfect size gut hook. Lost mine of course, haven’t seen another in years.
 
Guy Gregory said:
Always used a gut hook to remove intestines. It’s easy. Push hook in through the vent, twist, pull out the attached. Made em outa clothes hanger, about 6 inches long with like a shepherd’s crook at the end. Most knives seem pretty big to me but they do work nicely on geese and ducks. The old Browning bird knife had a great blade, a choke wrench, and a perfect size gut hook. Lost mine of course, haven’t seen another in years.
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Interesting, so these knives that typically have the gut hook are for bigger birds? You wouldn't want to use one on quail, chuckar, huns, etc?
 
DKL said:
Interesting, so these knives that typically have the gut hook are for bigger birds? You wouldn't want to use one on quail, chuckar, huns, etc?
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I gave the Buck (top knife) to my dad back in the early 80's. I grew up duck hunting and as @Guy Gregory states, it works quite well. Personally, I have only done it on ducks and geese, and I don't hunt either anymore. I can't explain why, but I don't see a purpose for it on pheasant or grouse, and definitely not for smaller birds. The blade is more critical, and is nearly perfect for delicate work on breasting out birds, should it come to that.
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Replicant said:
I gave the Buck (top knife) to my dad back in the early 80's. I grew up duck hunting and as @Guy Gregory states, it works quite well. Personally, I have only done it on ducks and geese, and I don't hunt either anymore. I can't explain why, but I don't see a purpose for it on pheasant or grouse, and definitely not for smaller birds. The blade is more critical, and is nearly perfect for delicate work on breasting out birds, should it come to that.
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Thanks, I appreciate the information. For now, I'll keep doing it the way I have been.
 
DKL said:
Interesting, so these knives that typically have the gut hook are for bigger birds? You wouldn't want to use one on quail, chuckar, huns, etc?
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I don’t know that they are “for bigger birds”. The Browning (and the Remington) had a slightly smaller hook than some others. Haven’t shot a partridge around these parts in some time.
 
Well now I want one of those vintage Buck knives with the hook! I like birds and old Buck knives!!!
 
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