For the last 45 years, I’ve worked in big beef packing plants. On the Fabrication side (Processing where the steers are boned out), we use a handheld meat hook in our off-hand to grasp the meat. The first month or two that you are learning to use a meat hook, it is awkward, to say the least, but after you get accustomed to it, it is just like an extension of your hand. In fact, you can grasp and control the meat that you’re cutting better with a hook than you can with your hand since the meat is wet and slippery.
Smith’s Big Game Bone Hook
Plus, it is safer since it holds the meat a little bit away from your hand, so you’re not as likely to cut yourself as you might if you were holding it with your hand. So, you can hold the meat steadier while cutting on it, pick up a deer carcass better than with your hand, or maintain a firmer grip on the chunk of meat that you’re cutting on than if you were holding it with your hand.
An experienced meat cutter is helpless without a meat hook. It would slow them down big time, and they couldn’t work as fast or do as good a job. Years ago, I noticed that there were no Outdoor Companies that offered a hand-held meat hook for us outdoorsmen, so when I approached Ricky at Smith’s, he jumped on it and made us one. So, Smith’s is the only Outdoor Company that offers us a meat hook to use when processing our big game.
It will probably take you 30-40 hours of working with one to become semi-proficient, but after you get used to it, you can’t do without it. You’ll see what I mean once you buy a Smith’s Big Game Bone Hook. You can hook the foreshank and pull it outwards when removing the front shoulders. Or hook the backstrap when removing it. It allows you to pull the backstrap and mark along the flat bones/rib bones so you can get the bones cleaner.
But suffice it to say, once you get proficient with using the Smith’s Big Game Bone Hook, you’re going to love it and be lost without it when processing your antelope, deer, elk, bear and moose.
OK, as my daughter once stated, Daddy, you’re not exactly known as Captain Safety after some little minor mishap or the other. Here’s why I say this. When you’re pulling on the hook and flipping meat around the hook can pop out and rip a gash in you. I’ve had this happen at least three times. Once, it buried the hook under the bone in my hand, and twice, it ripped a deep ¾-inch gash in my palm. Another time I was trying to drag a hindquarter off the table and it popped out and the handle hit me on the cheek bone and knocked me to my knees. It almost knocked me out. I’d rather get cut any day with a knife than have a gash ripped with a hook. It hurts twice as bad. So beware of the dangers that can happen.
The only change that I’d make in the Smith’s Big Game Bone Hook is to curl the point 1 /2 inches closer to the shank.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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As we come to a close on this Product Review, I’d strongly encourage you to buy a Smith’s 6-inch boning knife and a Smith’s Big Game Bone Hook and learn to bone out your own deer. Once you do, you’ll have a sense of pride at being able to do so plus feel a lot more self-sufficient plus, it extends the pleasure of your hunt.
The MSRP is $9.99 and as is usual, we will close with the company specs.
Product Features:
- Stainless steel meat hook, will never rust, not easily deformed. Ensuring quality and longevity
- Ideal for butchers, chefs, meat processors, perfect tool for hunters, BBQ grill masters, butcher shops, restaurant kitchens or other food prep settings.
- Use non-slip grip handle which is polypropylene textured plastic material, keep your operation sanitary and safe more save effort.
- The hook is sharp, you should store it where the children cannot touch it. Each meat hook includes a plug, which is prevents from getting scratched.
- Simple and convenient, is one of the necessary tools to hunters, butcher shops, restaurant kitchens, grocery stores, and other foodservice settings. Note: Please be careful when you take the plug off.
About Tom Claycomb
Tom Claycomb has been an avid hunter/fisherman throughout his life as well as an outdoors writer with outdoor columns in the magazine Hunt Alaska, Bass Pro Shops, Bowhunter.net and freelances for numerous magazines and newspapers. “To properly skin your animal you will need a sharp knife. I have an e-article on Amazon Kindle titled Knife Sharpening for $.99 if you’re having trouble.”
I process out 3-7 deer a year. Usually do friends n family while they go back to work cause I took weeks of vacation during season and now I’m retired. Can’t say as I’ve used one. Looks like a smaller hay hook. Might have to try it seeing as my hands get stove up more now when cold usually around deer #3
That’s a reasonable price for a handy tool .
Great article. I’m going to pick one of these up. Looks like some thought was used when designing this tool.
I have used a hook for many moons and find it invaluable performing butchering duties. I like the stainless steel aspect of this tool.
Until now, I have used an A. M. Leonard carbon steel hay hook. It’s a bit bigger with a drilled wooden handle that makes cleanup harder. Plus the wooden handle deteriorates after awhile from the water and soap. And the handle spins on the shaft making it harder to control at times.
Thanks for the review.
I’ve found a carving fork does the job when processing wild game. Applies the same principle for keeping the hands clear of the cutting knife.