Warthog Sharpeners Gut Hook File | Review

If you have a skinning knife with a gut hook then you ought to check out the Gut Hook File made by Warthog Sharpeners. Imagine that at the end of the blade that it had curled up like a wave. Near the tip of the spine there is a concave cutting edge. Similar to the divot on a serrated edged knife.

When gut hooks first came out, my first thought was yea, they probably work ok but what about when they get dull? You’re sunk. There’s no way to sharpen them. Then when pen steels were invented to my knowledge to sharpen serrated edges that it was quickly discovered that they could also be used to sharpen a gut hook.

Warthog Sharpeners Gut Hook File

But the Gut Hook File works better because it has a thicker diameter than most pen steels-the whole length of the steel. So that’s why I am recommending that you buy one of these.

To use the gut hook is simple. Press the handle of the knife against a counter surface (Or table) with the gut hook protruding out free. Then rub the Gut Hook File up and down on the cutting edge of the gut hook. All of the knives that I have with a gut hook are sharpened on both sides. So just like when sharpening your knife, you rub it three times on one side and then rotate to the other side and rub it three times as well. According to how dull your gut hook is will be how many revolutions you have to sharpen it. I’d recommend not letting it get too dull so it only takes 6-8 revolutions.

The handle is made out of plastic and has slots cut in it which helps enhance your grip. I wish that the handle was 1” longer to help strengthen my grip but if I choke down on the handle and press my thumb against the front end of the handle then I found that I have a firm grip.

The Gut Hook File has a “Medium” grit (600 Grit). The thought just hit me that it’d be a lightweight sharpening tool to carry in the field. You obviously could use it to sharpen your gut hook in case you’re skinning an elk that is caked with mud from wallowing and it gets dull before you get him opened up.

But then you can also use it to sharpen the regular cutting edge on your skinning knife. Use it just like you use any steel. This application just hit me so as I am typing this Product Review, I whipped out a cheap EDC that I’m carrying at the moment and testing.

Within less than a minute I had an edge back on the folder. But it wouldn’t be my first choice since it has a 600 grit and is a little too coarse if you want a fine edge. But, in a pinch it would for sure work.

I’d recommend after using it to clean it in warm soapy water and then dry it off good and then put a few drops of oil on a rag and coat the steel. I doubt that it would rust but why chance it?

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The MSRP on the Gut Hook File made by Warthog Sharpeners is $44.99. (On the package it is called a Gut Hook File but if you look for it on the Warthog Sharpeners website you will see that it is listed as a Gut Hook File).

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.”