I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer

38 special · 12-02-2009, 06:25 PM

Every year I try to cut up my deer without cutting my fingers but it never works out that way. This year I cut my thumb to the bone with the meat saw.I'm hacking away and it slips off the bone so now I have this huge wrap on my thumb. Last year it was another finger I sliced with the fillet knife. I have got to slow down. But it takes almost a day to process the deer cutting all the suet off and getting perfect steaks and roasts. It's a lot of work. Anyone else have this problem?

GMFWoodchuck · 12-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 38 special

Every year I try to cut up my deer without cutting my fingers but it never works out that way. This year I cut my thumb to the bone with the meat saw.I'm hacking away and it slips off the bone so now I have this huge wrap on my thumb. Last year it was another finger I sliced with the fillet knife. I have got to slow down. But it takes almost a day to process the deer cutting all the suet off and getting perfect steaks and roasts. It's a lot of work. Anyone else have this problem?

You need to really invest in those kevlar gloves. If nothing else they'll improve your grip.

Make sure you see a doctor about those cuts though, deer blood in a person isn't a good thing.

tim peterson · 12-02-2009, 07:41 PM

It seems like every year ! This year I have dressed and deboned two nice bucks and happy to say only four nicks. Back in 1998 I was sking a deer leg with a very sharp Kershaw when my daugher ( twelve at the time ) came up behind me and grabed my shoulder to tell me its time to eat. I was so startled that I pulled the knife clear throught the hide and into my index finger. To make it short, I ended up in the ER with eleven stiches one expensive Deer.

cycloneman · 12-02-2009, 07:52 PM

38 if you keep having trouble just bring it to someone to process it for you. Believe me it will be cheaper in the long run.

zkovach · 12-02-2009, 08:25 PM

I use to sell cookware and knives for years and 90% of the time when someone cuts themselves their knife is dull. just my 2 cents And another 2 cents i pay 60 bucks for my deer to get processed and i havent cut myself yet.

jim summers · 12-02-2009, 10:39 PM

Sounds like you need to slow down,and watch a little closer to what you are doing.

38 special · 12-03-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim summers

Sounds like you need to slow down,and watch a little closer to what you are doing.

You're right ,there. It's just a matter of paying close attention to what I'm doing and not trying to go to fast. If I think about I think that is the problem. When I'm retired and dont have to go to work the next day Im sure Ill be a little more leisurely and relaxed when I go at it.

user · 12-03-2009, 10:21 PM

Zkovach is right - dull knives are hard to control and will slip more easily than a sharp knife. And having the right knives for the job is important. I know there's ol' geezers who can whittle down a big buck with a scout's pocket knife, but who'd want to?

I've come to the conclusion that one ought to have a good general purpose hunting knife suitable for pig-sticking, bunghole removal and blooding; one good skinning knife; one good boning knife; and one good slicing/quartering knife; plus a hatchet or saw for the pelvis and sternum.

woolleyworm · 12-04-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMFWoodchuck

You need to really invest in those kevlar gloves. If nothing else they'll improve your grip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycloneman

38 if you keep having trouble just bring it to someone to process it for you. Believe me it will be cheaper in the long run.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zkovach

i pay 60 bucks for my deer to get processed and i havent cut myself yet.

Pretty much already summed up my thoughts. Hope your thumb heals up alright.

Terry_P · 12-12-2009, 09:41 PM

Before I gut the animal I take a deep breath and out loud tell myself it's time to slow down. I then cut deliberately and can avoid cutting or even nicking myself. I have cut them up and keep my knives sharp and get really deliberate and talk to no one while I'm cutting.

OBrien · 12-16-2009, 12:33 AM

If it makes you feel any better I know a guy who processes upto 3 moose a day from swinging sides to packed in a freezer after season and has been cutting meat his whole life. At least once a year he ends up with stitches. Even the pro's who have done it forever slip sooner or later.

12-02-2009, 06:25 PM	#1
38 special Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 548	I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer Every year I try to cut up my deer without cutting my fingers but it never works out that way. This year I cut my thumb to the bone with the meat saw.I'm hacking away and it slips off the bone so now I have this huge wrap on my thumb. Last year it was another finger I sliced with the fillet knife. I have got to slow down. But it takes almost a day to process the deer cutting all the suet off and getting perfect steaks and roasts. It's a lot of work. Anyone else have this problem? -->

12-02-2009, 07:41 PM	#3
tim peterson V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: COLORADO Posts: 277	Re: I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer It seems like every year ! This year I have dressed and deboned two nice bucks and happy to say only four nicks. Back in 1998 I was sking a deer leg with a very sharp Kershaw when my daugher ( twelve at the time ) came up behind me and grabed my shoulder to tell me its time to eat. I was so startled that I pulled the knife clear throught the hide and into my index finger. To make it short, I ended up in the ER with eleven stiches one expensive Deer. __________________ The great objective is that every man be armed. Every one who is able may have a Gun. Patrick Henry

12-02-2009, 07:52 PM	#4
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,397	Re: I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer 38 if you keep having trouble just bring it to someone to process it for you. Believe me it will be cheaper in the long run. __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

12-02-2009, 08:25 PM	#5
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer I use to sell cookware and knives for years and 90% of the time when someone cuts themselves their knife is dull. just my 2 cents And another 2 cents i pay 60 bucks for my deer to get processed and i havent cut myself yet.

12-02-2009, 10:39 PM	#6
jim summers Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: I reside in southern Indiana, you can almost step out of my back door and be setting on Patoka Lake Posts: 1,056	Re: I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer Sounds like you need to slow down,and watch a little closer to what you are doing. __________________ To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required.

12-03-2009, 10:21 PM	#8
user Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern piedmont of Va. and Middle of Nowhere, West Virginia Posts: 1,013	Re: I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer Zkovach is right - dull knives are hard to control and will slip more easily than a sharp knife. And having the right knives for the job is important. I know there's ol' geezers who can whittle down a big buck with a scout's pocket knife, but who'd want to? I've come to the conclusion that one ought to have a good general purpose hunting knife suitable for pig-sticking, bunghole removal and blooding; one good skinning knife; one good boning knife; and one good slicing/quartering knife; plus a hatchet or saw for the pelvis and sternum. __________________ ===== Daniel L. Hawes - 540 347 2430 - HTTP://www.VirginiaLegalDefense.com By the way, nothing I say on this website as "user" should be taken as either advertising for attorney services or legal advice. Everyone having a question regarding the application of law to the facts of their situation should seek the advice of an attorney competent in the subject matter of the issues presented and licensed to practice in the relevant state.

12-12-2009, 09:41 PM	#10
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer Before I gut the animal I take a deep breath and out loud tell myself it's time to slow down. I then cut deliberately and can avoid cutting or even nicking myself. I have cut them up and keep my knives sharp and get really deliberate and talk to no one while I'm cutting. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

12-16-2009, 12:33 AM	#11
OBrien Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bangor Maine Posts: 554	Re: I always cut my fingers when I cut up my deer If it makes you feel any better I know a guy who processes upto 3 moose a day from swinging sides to packed in a freezer after season and has been cutting meat his whole life. At least once a year he ends up with stitches. Even the pro's who have done it forever slip sooner or later.