Skinning and Gutting Rabbits and Knives etc

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Didnt know where to put this post so put it in here seen as im on this section most of the time these days...

 

I hadnt skinned and gutted rabbits before last week, ive always just fed whatever i caught to the ferrets. Anyway we went ferreting and we bagged 7 and mates freezer was getting full so i had 5.

 

First one was a disaster and went to the ferrets, after that i started to get the hang of it and by number 5 i had 4 ready for the pot as shown below...

 

 

Basically i cut down the middle with sharp knife and removed the guts and all insides. Then cut the feet off, then the head with a meat cleaver and then basically removed the skin like a coat by turning legs inside out kind of thing.

 

Cleaned up in a bucket of salt water after.

 

Firstly is this the right way to go about it? Secondly is there a knife that will sufficiently do all of this in the field? Can anyone reccomend a good one? ie sharp enough and strong enough to cut feet and head off? If not then what is the usual way? Gut in the field and skin at home?

 

Dont fancy carrying a meat cleaver around with me, lol.

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

[The one 8,585]

Any knife will do it mate , but they would get covered in hairs etc better doing it when you get home in a clean environment and you can rinse them off and pop them in a bag right away

[hullhunter 219]

you dont need to use a cleaver just snap leg at joint and cut same with the head

[The one 8,585]

Aye cut at the joints same with the neck stretch it and your only cutting threw skin

[masmiffy 82]

Check out a pot called knife recommendations

There was advice on there

[Carraghs Gem 1,699]

i use a small folding knife with 1in blade. make small incision in belly and using fingers stretch skin and shake out guts and carefully remove bladder, leave skinning till i get home

 

 

just the way i do it.

[Ideation 8,217]

I use an opinel, they have a good blade, that keeps sharp. Gut in the field, at least the green offal, bladder etc. Usualy take kidneys, heart lungs etc out at home and feed to ferrets etc. Then twist/snap all legs and head off and cut through skin to remove. then stick thumbs under skin in middle, pull up and either with a knife or scissors cut it through and then just full apart and off either end. Job done.

 

Also, soak over night in a pot of salt water (but dissolve the salt on the boil and leave cool). The salt will remove the urea / ammonia with the blood and it will improve the taste no end.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Thanks for all replies. The opinel seems a popular choice from what ive seen on other threads.

 

Cheers

[bunnys 1,236]

good idea to eat those rabbs gareth theyre crazy money in the game shops now afwew of them will get ya money for flesh for a few weeks for the dog and the ferrits plus its far more healthier flesh his the rabbit good luck hows the dog going his he coming together ,atb bunnys.

[charlie nelly1 142]

I also use a opinel number6

just gut it and so the rest at home, the whole process can be done with any decent knife

cheers

[lawrence 657]

i add a touch of vinegar to the salted water for the overnight soak.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I really like the look of the Opinal Slim No.10

 

Does anyone know of a reputable online stockist for Opinal?

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

[swarmcatcher 15]

Hope i'm not about to embarass myself, but i thought it was illegal to carry around a knife with a locking blade whatever its length?

So even though the opinel is only 7cm it is still illegal to carry around unless on private land?

Probably been discussed here previously.

Whats a good useful knife for skinning that wouldnt be breaking the law whilst walking to permission? Any thoughts anybody

[bush wacker 77]

if you on permission you can carry any thing.you can take the locking ring off the opinel to keep within the law if you wander off your permission

[masmiffy 82]

Try this site http://www.outdoorgb.com/c/opinel_knives/?gclid=CKnF8uqM0KwCFYYPfAodCU11qQ

 

I would personally go no bigger than a No 8 and def locking blade its far far safer!!!

Go for carbon steel blade rather than stainless, carbon is easier to sharpen in my opinion.

May need a bit more care ie wipe with an oily rag after cleaning.

If you want 'fancy' they are available in a range of timbers.

 

Check this for 'law stuff' http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8233