Table of Contents
Gutting knives – Buying Guide, Reviews, and Comparison
Even if you’re short on time and can’t spend the time reading through all of the gutting knife reviews available online, but you’re still interested in some product recommendations, this short guide should be of assistance to you. The Elk Ridge ER-300CA two-piece set will meet the needs of the vast majority of hunters and fishermen, according to our research, which included a large number of customer reports, professional reviews, and product comparisons. The dexterity provided by the dedicated gutting knife, which is equipped with an amply curved short blade, a finger hole, and a gutting hook, was highly regarded. The set also includes a small piercing knife for added versatility, and despite the high level of quality reported by owners, the entire package is very reasonably priced at under $20. If money isn’t an issue and you want the most up-to-date purpose-built design available, the FieldTorq GLS-114MH might be the right choice for you.
Comparison table
3 Best Gutting Knives (Reviews) in 2021
With so many options available, choosing the best gutting knife may not be as straightforward as it appears. Following a thorough examination of the products on the market, we’ve compiled a short list of the best-performing items for your consideration.
1. Elk Ridge ER-300CA
The majority of experts agree that the ideal blade shape for gutting an animal is short and fat, with a lower section that is relatively straight and then curves extremely steeply towards the point. A nearly 90-degree angle between the base of its belly and its flat tip ensures that the ER300CA adheres to this requirement, allowing you to comfortably apply slices in a wide range of directions. There’s no need to be concerned that such a high level of specialization will limit your ability to move around because the set includes a small piercing blade with a very sharp, thin point that’s ideal for getting inside bone joints. Their blades are both made of 440 stainless steel, which has been highly sharpened and provides a good balance between edge retention and corrosion resistance. This may also come as welcome news to less experienced outdoor enthusiasts, because, in addition to providing excellent all-around durability, the 440 is relatively simple to sharpen and can be stored and transported with relative ease in a good backpack with relative ease. They also have full tangs, which means that the metal extends all the way to the back of their non-slip camo-green handles, providing additional durability and allowing them to be used for a longer period of time. The price of the kit is significantly lower than you would expect given the manufacturing quality, making it an excellent value for money. It comes with some good hunting bibs and a crossbow target, about which you can find out more here, making it suitable for a beginner.
Pros
The gutting knife included in this kit is ideal for performing slices with ease because its design provides you with the necessary strength and ease of movement required for such an operation, making it an excellent choice for this task. A piercing blade is included with the gutting knife, ensuring that you have all of the versatility you require in a product that will be of great assistance to you while hunting. Because edge retention is such a significant issue for hunting knives, high-quality blades are essential; in this case, the 440 stainless steel that comes pre-sharpened does the trick. Because the blades are made of high-quality material, they are resistant to corrosion, so you can rest assured that you are making a wise investment if you decide to purchase this kit.
Cons
People with large hands may have difficulty using these blades due to the fact that the handles are too small, according to one reviewer.
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2. FieldTorq GLS-114
Its patented blade shape design, which is specifically intended to provide good service through all stages of gutting an animal, including unzipping, slicing through flesh, cutting through rib and pelvic bone, and all while avoiding any unwanted ruptures thanks to its remarkably flat tip, is what makes this FieldTorq product stand out the most. The majority of owners report that it performs as advertised and that it can significantly reduce the amount of time required for gutting, especially for casual outdoorsmen, allowing you to spend more time figuring out how crossbow cocking devices work. Because of the rigid, well-sharpened blade, it has the ability to cut through the ribs of large game in a single motion. In addition, the build quality is said to be exceptional; with a fiberglass reinforced handle and a full tang, this knife is expected to last for a long time. With a Rockwell hardness of 58 HRC, the steel was used to create this hunting knife, which provided it with excellent edge retention properties as well as adequate corrosion resistance. It also had a sharp edge with excellent retention properties and adequate corrosion resistance. Because the handle is said to be extremely comfortable, you may want to consider using heated gloves to keep your hands from becoming cold. You may also want to consider purchasing a bib to keep you warm. However, because it was designed in-house, it comes at a relatively high price. However, you do receive a few premium extras, such as a leather case and an in-built sharpener, to compensate for the higher price.
Pros
One of the first things you’ll notice about this model is its unique design, which provides excellent assistance throughout the entire process of gutting a wild animal, from capture to slaughter. While cutting through flesh and bones, the flat tip design is intended to provide you with excellent performance because it will not cause ruptures as it does so. With this simple knife, even the most time-consuming and difficult tasks, such as cutting through the pelvic bone of large animals, can be completed successfully and without error without any complications. People who prefer to invest in long-lasting items will appreciate the full-tang construction of this gutting knife, which makes it a better option for those who prefer to buy only the best. Another reason to like this knife is its excellent edge retention.
Cons
At this time, there do not appear to be any negative reviews or outstanding complaints for this product, but given that it is on the expensive side, it could be interpreted as indicating that this knife is not suitable for the budget-conscious hunter.
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3. Elk Ridge – Outdoors Fixed Blade Knife
This Elk Ridge gutting knife provides all of the functionality of a gutting knife in a package that is very affordable. Among its features are a small, thick blade with a flat tip and a small hook, as well as an ergonomic handle with a full tang and good weight distribution. It is made of stainless steel. When used to hold your finger against the partially serrated spine, you’ll have greater dexterity, and the small hook has been praised for its ability to remove membrane and skin without causing any unwanted damage. Even though its edge is said to hold up well over time and with repeated use, the convex section of the blade should make it particularly easy to sharpen, which is extremely convenient if you are not a fully proficient outdoorsman. In addition to the color of the handle, which is bright orange, it will be easy to see in tall grass if the knife is dropped or falls from your hunting bag, which is another unexpected convenience feature (why not try these out). The same handle, on the other hand, has drawn some criticism due to the fact that it is made of cheap-looking plastic. This is somewhat mitigated by the knife’s full tang design, which will allow it to be used even if the handle snaps off completely.
Pros
The Elk Ridge ER-274RC gutting knife has been designed with this purpose in mind, which is an excellent thing because good weight distribution is critical for gutting knives in general. The overall design is what you’d expect from a proper gutting knife, with a fat, short construction that provides you with the power you need to cut through the flesh and bones of the animals you’ve taken down in the field. You’ll notice that the knife has a partially serrated spine; this allows you to hold one finger against the spine and apply more force if necessary. A small hook should be present on a good gutting knife in order to minimize damage to the skin of the animal while gutting it, and this blade accomplishes this admirably. Buyers also appreciate that the blade is simple to sharpen, which is a bonus.
Cons
A few customers have expressed concern about the fact that the handle appears to be too hard, and they have speculated that the grip may not be as good in wet environments or conditions.
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Buying guide
It’s possible that there is no such thing as the best hunting knife for all purposes due to the wide range of applications for which they are used, but when it comes to skinning and gutting an animal, some characteristics stand out as more important than others. To assist you in your search, we’ll take a look at a few of them in the following section.
The blade’s shape
This is arguably the most important consideration to keep in mind because you will be performing a great deal of precision operations, and a properly shaped blade will be extremely beneficial. When it comes to factors like blade sharpness, it’s simple to remedy the situation by carrying a sharpener with you, but forging steel into a new shape is not so simple. The blade should be relatively short, as you will be required to make a large number of small, precise cuts rather than slashing movements. It should also be able to be used comfortably from a variety of different angles, as well. Typically, this is accomplished by employing an angular section towards the hilt that dramatically curves as it approaches the tip, occasionally into a straight angle. In this manner, the user will not be required to bend his hand in order to cut bits that are directly in front of the knife. Because a thin tip runs the risk of accidentally piercing through things that should be kept intact, such as the guts of an animal, it is also important for the point to be blunt and unpronounced as possible.
Steel
Hunting knives are typically made of high-carbon steel with a high degree of hardness, ranging from 56 to 62 Rockwell hardness on the most widely used Rockwell hardness scale. This gives them good edge retention, which means you’ll have to sharpen them less frequently, but it also allows them to maintain a sharper cutting edge for longer periods of time. Typically, one of two types of steel is used to accomplish this: high carbon steel, which produces a sharper edge but does not hold up well to corrosion, or stainless steel, which is slightly softer but does not rust as easily. Which one you prefer depends on whether you sharpen knives or clean knives more frequently.
In addition
there are some other features. The presence of a hook on the opposite side of the blade is, in my opinion, the most convenient feature. The best gut hook skinning knives will provide you with the ability to cleanly remove the pelt from the animal without the need for any special skills or techniques. Also keep in mind that your hands will be covered in greasy fat on a regular basis, so make sure that the handle is comfortable and provides good grip before making your purchase.