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What is the best kit for field dressing deer on a hunt? I think I’ve found a great kit, but is it the “best?” Let’s find out.
For years, I carried a big, heavy field dressing kit into the backcountry during my hunting trips. A Buck 110, a Buck Pak-Lite Guthook, an axe, and a Butt Out. This was a LOT of stuff to carry in my hunting EDC pack for field dressing deer. It was cumbersome, heavy, and took up a lot of space.
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Best Field Dressing Kit?
A couple years ago, I found a product from Outdoor Edge that really seemed to fit the bill. The Outdoor Edge RazorPro with Saw Combo came in one, neat little package that included a replaceable knife, a gut hook, and a bone saw. This replaced my Buck 110, Buck Gut Hook, and the axe that I would normally carry in my pack. The kit includes a few extra replaceable blades for the knife and a beautiful camo sheath that has spots for the knife, the saw, and the replacement blades. It was perfect! Or, so I thought.
My current field dressing kit includes:
That’s it!
Description of the Outdoor Edge Razorpro Saw Combo:
The ultimate double-blade knife/saw combo set for big game. With our patented replacement razor-blade knife on one side, plus our signature gutting blade on the other, the Razor-Pro is the sharpest, strongest, replacement razor knife available. The black-oxide coated blade holder supports the razor-blade for the strength of a standard knife and sharpness of a surgeon’s scalpel; and the blades change safely and easily at the push of a button. Our signature gutting blade cuts underneath the skin without cutting hair or piercing internal organs. Both blades open and close independently with one hand and lock securely. Rubberized blaze-orange TPR handles ensure a safe, non-slip grip, even when wet. Also includes a 4.4″ aluminum handle folding saw with triple-ground tooth pattern for penetrating tough bone and wood. Comes complete with six 3.5” Japanese 420J2 stainless replacement blades and a Mossy Oak® camo sheath with pockets to hold the knife, saw and spare blades.
– Outdoor Edge
Outdoor Edge Field Dressing Kit Review
The knife is great. A solid, sturdy, and thick plastic handle makes this knife much easier to handle than the Gerber or Havalon branded replaceable knives (which I also have and have tried out in the field). The blades are sharp and fairly easy to remove and replace. Just don’t leave a dirty blade in the knife — it will be very difficult to remove.
The gut hook works really well. The blunt end prevents any unwanted punctures of the belly and just zips right through the skin and outer tissue to open the deer up. You do need to close the knife to use the gut hook, but this is more for safety than anything else.
The bone saw is a bit disappointing. It works, but it catches on the bone and can be challenging to use. I think the teeth on the saw are just a bit too deep. Outdoor Edge should have built a saw that had shallower teeth, similar to other bone saws. I use the bone saw to split the rib cage and sometimes, the pelvis. In both instances, the bone saw allows you to avoid puncturing tissue or muscle when using it, but does catch on the bone.
Is the Outdoor Edge Combo the Best?
The Outdoor Edge Razorpro Saw Combo does make an excellent field dressing kit and it’s what I carry in my hunting pack, currently.
I would note, though, that my old Buck 110 seems to be sharper than the Outdoor Edge replaceable blade and sometimes, more effective for field dressing deer. My Buck 110 will cut through the rib cage without an issue (tried the Outdoor Edge to do this in 2020 and it worked just fine). As of the last two years, I have not been splitting the pelvis (our processor and several YouTube videos pointed out that it’s cleaner and more preferred to leave the pelvis intact), so this eliminates the need for an axe or bone saw.
In my old kit and new kit, I still brought along the Butt Out. I think this tool is indispensable. It weighs almost nothing and allows you to remove a very dirty part of the deer in a clean and effective manner. I could remove the butt with my 110 or the Outdoor Edge without using the Butt Out, but it’s worth it to keep the meat clean in the hams. This seems to be a wash, as I will always carry the Butt Out in my kit.
One area that the old Buck 110 falls short compared to the Outdoor Edge is in the gut hook. While the Buck Pak-Lite Gut Hook doesn’t weigh much, it’s one more thing you have to remember to bring out to the field. I can use the old method of putting the knife between my two fingers and cutting away from the deer with the 110, but this is less efficient and does risk punctures to the stomach and organs.
I love my Buck 110. It’s a classic hunting knife for a reason. For a one stop, all you need in the field option though, I believe the Outdoor Edge Razorpro (with or without the saw) wins for the best field dressing kit.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission from those purchases.