Best Gut Hook Knives for Every Budget [2024]

There are many different hunting knives, and each is used for a different purpose. One type of knife you will use is a gut hook knife. This is used for opening the animal to remove its organs. There is a wide selection of knives for this purpose and each has its own features. The following is a guide to some of the things you should consider when choosing a gut hook knife, followed by reviews of the best gut hook knives available.

Top Picks for this Season’s Gut Hook Knife

If you are looking for a knife with a gut hook, the choice is almost overwhelming. To simplify the buying process for you, here are some of the best gut hook knives for hunting available now.

1. Buck 660 Folding Hunting Knife With Gut Hook

Arguably the best gut hook knife on the market for the money. Before we talk about the knife, let’s touch on the brand itself real quick, Buck.

• They’ve been around since 1902
• They offer an impressive ‘forever warranty’ on every knife
• Most models (including this one) are made in the USA
• Buck Knives are famous for their heat treatment/hardness

The 660 here is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a gut hook knife. It comes with a very solid non-slip Versaflex handle with a contoured grip for comfort.

The full tang durable steel blade with gut hook is super sharp, and has excellent edge retention. It has an impressive design, and comes with a nice heavy-duty nylon sheath. You can safely store and carry your knife when it is not in use without worrying about injury.

Key Features:

• Excellent edge retention & corrosion resistance
• Buck ‘forever warranty’
• Quality long-lasting materials
• Made in the USA
• Nice quality sheath included

2. Gerber Gator Fixed Gut Hook

Coming down a little in price, this blade by Gerber is another solid choice for anyone wanting a fixed gut hook. Gerber’s Gator range of knives are well known for their handles. Super nice to use, grippy and comfortable.

It has a 4.02-inch, stainless steel blade in Gerber’s 420HC, has a total length of 8.5-inches, and a weight of 5.4oz. The gut hook is elongated for a deeper cut that is ideal for game with a thick hide.

It’s a full tang knife, and it comes with a nylon sheath included. Great value for money, coming in at around $50.

Key Features:

• Fixed stainless steel blade
• Non-slip grip handle
• Deep gut hook
• Ballistic nylon sheath

3. Buck 191 Zipper With Leather Sheath

Another great gut hook product from Buck, the 191 Zipper is a beautiful looking knife with a contoured walnut handle for comfort and grip.

The 191 is made from the great quality materials, has some excellent features, and is made by one of the most reputable American brands, Buck, who have been around since 1902. The full tang durable steel blade hook is very sharp, and retains it’s edge well.

This knife comes with a nice genuine leather sheath that makes carrying/storing very easy, e.g. on a belt.

Key Features:

• Fixed blade & full tang construction makes it very sturdy
• Excellent edge retention
• Leather sheath included
• Corrosion-resistant
• Quality materials
• Buck lifetime warranty

4. Elk Ridge ER-274RC Fixed Blade Knife

The overall length of this fixed blade gut hook knife is 8.75-inches. The blade is made from durable and rust-resistant stainless steel and the gut hook has enough depth to easily tear through skin. The handle features a fun red camouflage design and it is textured to give you a good grip. It is also shaped and has a thumb groove for extra safety when using your knife.

This knife comes with a sturdy nylon protective sheath in which you can store your knife safely when it is not in use. This is one of the cheapest gut hook knives on the market, so it is a great option for people with a limited budget.

Key Features:

• Low cost
• Funky handle design
• Textured grip
• Deep gut hook

5. KA-BAR 2-1234-5 Game Hook Leather

This is one of the smartest looking knives available and it is made from good quality materials. The handle is adorned with stacked leather, which gives it a wonderful pattern. The Handle is shaped with finger grooves for a secure grip, which improves safety when using this knife. Although it is an attractive knife, it is also a practical option as it is tested to ensure quality and durability.

The blade and the gut hook are both very sharp and the blade has excellent edge retention. This knife comes with a stunning stacked leather protective sheath, which will keep you safe when carrying this fixed blade knife in your pocket.

Key Features:

• Stunning design
• Stacked leather handle and sheath
• Durable
• Good edge retention

6. Elk Ridge ER-129 Outdoor Fixed Blade Knife

For those who want a knife that has a traditional look, then this is possibly the best choice.The traditional look of this knife is predominantly because of the burl wood handle that is shaped with finger grooves for a better grip.

Another element of this knife that gives the traditional feel is the genuine leather sheath, that is embossed with the deer logo of Elk Ridge. The 3.5-inch fixed blade of this knife is made from stainless steel, so it is durable and rust-resistant. The blade has a full tang and a deep, narrow gut hook. The curved belly of the blade is ideally suited to skinning.

Key Features:

• Traditional style
• Burl wood handle
• Leather sheath
• Full tang

7. WatchFire Guthook Skinning Knife

This sturdy skinning knife with gut hook has a black-coated stainless steel blade, which is rust-resistant, sharp, non-glare, and has good edge retention. The gut hook blade is located on the blade’s spine close to the tip of the knife. There is a protective sheath included so that the blade and the gut hook are not exposed when carrying the knife in your pocket.

The rubber handle of the knife is textured and skid-proof, so your handle will not slip onto the blade when using the knife and this increases safety. The overall length of this knife is nine inches.

Key Features:

• Skid-proof handle
• Stainless steel blade
• Protective sheath
• Non-glare blade

Best Field Dressing Knife Sets (Knife Set with Gut Hook)

For those who want multiple knives to use for hunting and field dressing rather than just a gut hook knife, there are many fantastic knife sets from which you can choose.

The following are some of the best field dressing knife sets available.

1. Elk Ridge Hunting Knife Two-Piece Set

There are two knives included in this set; a seven-inch straight-edged knife for skinning and hunting and a 6.5-inch gut hook knife. The blades of both knives are made from 440 stainless steel, which gives the knives a high-level of hardness and good edge retention.

Both handles are made textured ABS and have a camouflage design. They are shaped for easy grip and to stop fingers from sliding along the blade. The set comes with a black nylon carry pouch that fits both knives. This means you can safely carry your knives around when you are not using them for hunting and field dressing.

Key Features:

• 2-piece set
• Dual carry case
• Durable materials
• Sharp blades

2. Gerber Moment Field Dress Set

This dual knife set consists of a Moment Fixed Blade Pro Knife with a gut hook and a Moment Compact Fixed Blade Knife. These knives are packaged together to create a complete field dressing solution. Both knives are made from good quality materials with stainless steel blades and handles that are textured and shaped for comfort, grip, and safety.

Key Features:

• Gut hook knife is also available to buy separately
• Textured handles
• Sharp blades
• Nylon scabbard included

A Buying Guide for Knives with a Gut Hook

If you need a gut hook knife for hunting, you will find a vast choice of knives available. This guide highlights the different things you should consider to help you find the right gut hook knife for you.

Blade Type and Materials

The most important aspect of a hunting knife is its blade, so this is the part that you need to give the most consideration. Think about the following points:

• Materials- The blades of hunting knives are always made of metals and the most common of these is stainless steel. This is a hard and durable material that does not stain and is rust-resistant.
• Trailing point- Also referred to as skinning knives, trailing point knives are the knives that most commonly have a gut hook. A skinning knife with gut hook has a curved blade and spine with an upward point. These knives include a gut hook so you can complete both the gutting and skinning elements of field dressing using the same knife.
• Clip point- This style of knife is based on the bowie knife. It is called a clip point knife because it appears to have part of the blade clipped off. The point of the knife is good for puncturing, while the sharp blade is multifunctional. Therefore, this is a versatile and general purpose knife.
• Drop point- The drop point knife has a curve from the spine to the tip that creates a lower point. The large belly of the knife makes it a good choice for slicing. The shape means that this knife is easier to control and less likely to cause unwanted nicks.

Handles

After the blades, the handles are the next most important consideration when choosing a gut hook knife. Think about the following points:

• Materials – Handles are available in a wide range of materials, including metal, plastics, wood, and bone. The materials affect the price and the aesthetics of the knife, but which you choose is personal preference.
• Design – An ergonomic design means you will have a good grip, which is important for both comfort and safety. This can include the handle having a shape that is easy and secure to hold.
• Non-slip – When out hunting, your knife can easily become slippery due to the weather or simply the nature of hunting. Look for a handle that is non-slip as this will reduce the risk of you injuring yourself as you will retain good grip, even if your knife becomes slippery.

Fixed or Folding

You can choose between fixed blade or folding blade gut hook knives. Here are the pros and cons of each:

• Fixed blade knife with gut hook – most hunting knives have a fixed blade. The advantages of these are they are ready to use immediately, and they are easy to clean because there are no additional parts. On the downside, they are larger and you need a protective sheath.
• Folding knife with gut hook – Although folding hunting knives are less common, they are available. These are harder to clean and have parts that can become faulty. However, a folding knife with gut hook is a lightweight and compact option and you do not need a protective sheath for a folding gut hook pocket knife.

Other Features

There are some other features that come on some gutting knives that may appeal to you. Some extra features to look out for include:

• Protective sheath – A protective sheath is not a necessity for a folding gut hook knife as the blade is not exposed when it is folded down into the handle. However, it is essential to have a protective sheath if you use a fixed blade knife. If you choose a fixed blade knife and it does not come with a protective sheath, this is something you will have to buy separately.
• Hand guard – As a safety feature, many gut hook knives have a hand guard. This protects your hand from sliding onto the blade, even if the knife becomes slippery during the field dressing process.

Price

When buying any product, its price is a big consideration for many people, especially for those with a limited budget. Consider the following in relation to the price of a gut hook knife:

• The price depends on the brand, the style of the knife, the materials used, and any other features.
• You can usually save money when buying your knife if you buy it online rather than in a bricks-and-mortar store.

FAQs

What is a gut knife and why do you need one?

A gut hook knife is a sharp knife with a hook feature that hunters use to open the abdomen of an animal. The hook slices neatly through an animal’s undercarriage to expose their internal organs. The hunter can then easily remove the guts of the animal.

The blade is usually the same as trailing knives but differ because of the hook on the spine of the blade. A gut hook knife is one of the knives most commonly used by hunters as it is a versatile item.

You could argue they aren’t always necessary, but certainly handy to have. Especially for beginners.

What types of knives are useful for hunting or field dressing?

Although a gut hook knife is probably the most used hunting knife, there are many different types of knives that hunters take with them for hunting and field dressing.

Some of the most common knives used by hunters include:

• Boning knife- This is a version of a traditional hunting knife that is adapted for the specific task of separating the flesh from the bone. They have a narrow and flexible blade.
• Bowie knife- A bowie knife is used for killing animals and it has a clip point blade. For most types of hunting, the hunter does not use a knife to kill game. However, they are used for hog hunting.
• Buck knife- Originally a brand name, buck knives is now a generic term to describe a style of hunting knife that was popularized by the company ‘Buck Knives’. They usually have clip-points and are used as a versatile pocket knife as well as a hunting knife.
• Camp knife- This is the most versatile of the hunting knives as you can use it for multiple tasks, both for hunting and for around the camp. They are a larger drop point knife that takes attributes of some of the other hunting knives.
• Caping knife- Caping is the process of removing the skin from an animal’s head and neck. This is done when the hunter is keeping the head of the animal as a trophy. They must carefully preserve the skin in this process. The caping knife has a smaller blade and an upturned point. You can use these knives for other tasks even though they are designed specifically for caping.
• Hunting knife- Also called a hunting dagger, the purpose of this knife is to kill. For many types of hunting, a knife is not used as the method to kill an animal. The exception to this is hog hunting.
• Skinning knife- You need to remove the skin of your game without it tearing. These small, curved knives with thin blades are perfect for this task. You need a knife handle with a good grip and a blade with good edge retention.
• Hunting knife set- Some people prefer to buy a set that contains all the different knives you need for hunting. The best field dressing knife sets will also include other tools for hunting, such as a bone saw.

Final Verdict

A gut hook knife is a useful and versatile piece of equipment to take along on your hunting trips. You will find many different styles of these knives available and each has its own features.

One of the best gut hook knives available is the Gerber Gator Premium Fixed Blade Knife. Made from good quality materials, the blade of this knife is extra sharp and has excellent edge retention. It is also a smart-looking knife with a stylish leather sheath.

If you have a limited budget, one of the best options you will find is the Meyerco MSG6241-BRK Guthook Skinner. Despite the low price of this gut hook knife, the deep hook and sharp skinning blade mean that this is a versatile item to have in your hunting gear for very little cost.

For those who want a full knife set for hunting, the best field dressing knife set is the Gerber Moment Field Dress Set. Manufactured by one of the leading brands in the field, this set contains the three most useful and versatile tools you need for hunting or field dressing. The set is made from durable stainless steel and have a lightweight and minimalist design. It also comes with a protective sheath and belt strap.