Knife choice

I've got a bunch of skinning knives from my father in law's meatworks days but I think I need a more general purpose folding knife. I've got my eye on a Spika Challenger with guthook (Aus 8 steel) which would do the trick, but I don't think I can justify getting it to the minister of finance.
The alternative is a plain folding knife in 440C steel which would hold a less keen edge, but for longer. It's half the price, and will likely hold its edge better, but I won't be able to get it as sharp.

The question is, is the gut hook worth the extra money? Should I just take a steel and use the skinning knife for everything?

Thoughts appreciated

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

I like the guthook, mainly for doing the skinning cuts (which is what they were invented for).
I got one of these while back, it works well. https://www.guncity.com/allen-drop-p...ouflage-381170
Though I see you can get the Spika Challenger for a similar price here: https://55six.co.nz/product/spika-challenger-gut-hook/

you DONT NEED a fancy pants knife...a $15 bacho will do anything you ever need done.....but if n when the funds allow,go and make your own knife at one of the courses that cater for it... in my mind its $400 well spent on something personal.
gerber gator is a good folder for hunting. I dont need a gut hook as have a pair of saturday night fingers on my left hand.

buck folder with guthook.

I have a Fallkniven which I use for hunting, I can only justify it because I have no kids or mrs and I hunt almost every weekend. I love my toys and gear so I spend good money on it. It’s good steel that barley needs sharpening from animal to animal. You don’t need a gut hook, if you skin a lot of animals then it may come in handy. I bone out meat in the field and the gut hook would have little use for me

Honey Badger.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

you DONT NEED a fancy pants knife...a $15 bacho will do anything you ever need done.....but if n when the funds allow,go and make your own knife at one of the courses that cater for it... in my mind its $400 well spent on something personal.
gerber gator is a good folder for hunting. I dont need a gut hook as have a pair of saturday night fingers on my left hand.

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yup agree with Micky Duck - gut hooks waste of time - try sharpening the gut hook - pain in arse -and they can block with hair

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Originally Posted by Eat Meater

I've got a bunch of skinning knives from my father in law's meatworks days but I think I need a more general purpose folding knife. I've got my eye on a Spika Challenger with guthook (Aus 8 steel) which would do the trick, but I don't think I can justify getting it to the minister of finance.
The alternative is a plain folding knife in 440C steel which would hold a less keen edge, but for longer. It's half the price, and will likely hold its edge better, but I won't be able to get it as sharp.

The question is, is the gut hook worth the extra money? Should I just take a steel and use the skinning knife for everything?

Thoughts appreciated

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

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Get the 440c knife (assuming it's a decent treatment of 440c) it will last a bit longer edge wise.

Don't worry about the ultimate sharpness capability, you won't ever reach this level of edge with standard sharpening, at a practical outdoor finish of 400-1000 grit the difference in sharpness between the 2 steels will be negligible.

If you can swing a couple more pennies the honey badger and civivi knives offer great value with excellent steel choices for folders