If your talking this one or this style I would think twice. We bought a bunch of them a very long time ago. Every one in camp had them. Thought they were very handy, and they were. But after a few animals one of the guys at camp was gutting an elk and had left( lost, or forgot ) the cover on that other blade ( skinning blade) and his thumb slipped off the handle and he split his thumb down to the bone, through his finger nail and every thing. Looked like a bloody hot dog split down the middle a boiled. It was bad, real bad. And we all threw them out that day, and every time I see or think about these it makes me cringe remembering the sight of his thumb. And the bloody mess, it was getting him to a hospital. The gut hook part worked ok as long as it was sharp, but that other blade sticking up like that is not a good idea in my experience.

 

yep..... that’s the one. I’m just looking a light weight option to keep on my pack to drop the guys out of a Whitetail to make the drag easier.

 

I won’t go without mine. Just have to be aware of the blade.


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I had one of the original metal framed WY knives. I used it forever until it got stolen. I was still using the original blade. I would just take it out and sharpen it on my Lansky or KME. Unfortunately, it was stolen so I replaced of with the plastic version. It is a fraction of the knife the original was.

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Benchmade altitude, under 2 ounces and a quality knife

 

Can not say enough good about this. Its is light weight holds and edge great and is actually really easy to sharpen with a Lansky type system. I have never had to worry about cutting any fingers off.
Vital Skin & Gut Knife | Gerber (gerbergear.com)

 

Won't leave home without it. That and my Sagan saw-I'm good to go👍👍
I've been using both over 25 years.

 

Had one, tried it on an elk. No go, absolutely would not cut through the hide on the back. Belly maybe, but then I'd need two knives.

 

That's interesting. Now, I have never skinned an elk, but I skin large wild hogs almost weekly. It takes a little effort, but I rip the WK right down their spine and through the shield to the back of their neck. Are elk hides that much tougher? No doubting you, just curious.

 

I still have an original stainless one that I use all the time. Hoyt fo Life555 is correct in that top blade can be scary if you don't pay attention, have a slip, or don't have the cover. I use it mainly for the hook and how well it rides under the skin. That top blade is pretty good for skinning the rest, but I find myself putting it down and using my other knives lately once I've "unzipped" the animal.

If you just want that hook function and don't want to worry about that top blade, I think it's Gerber that makes one without that. I'm not completely sure on that brand, I just happened to find one in a recent purchase of a bunch of used hunting gear from someone quitting hunting. That model is shaped just like the WK, but without the top blade. It is also made to use those replaceable carpet knife blades, so that's pretty convenient. If I get time later, I'll dig through that box again and get the brand name.

 

Just to follow up on my earlier post, I found the other knife I was talkiing about. It is a Gerber, does not have the outside blade the WK does, and uses the replaceable carpet knife blades. However, I see why it was thrown in with that lot I bought. It is a plasitc frame and it broken. I suspect any one using this model for anything other than really light skinned game would break it easily. So I'd stay away from that one.

I'll keep using my original WK, p Probably use it tonight in fact.