Beginners butchery equipment list

[big bang]

I couldn’t see another thread for this so apologies if this has been done (am sure it has).

I want to start butchering my own deer. What are the bare essentials that I need, and if possible links to the specific items (brand / model etc.) would be really appreciated? I’d ideally like to get reasonable gear without spending the earth, even if this does go against my usual stance of ‘buy once, cry once’.

I figured I would at least need the below but happy to be corrected:

- chain mail / cut resistant glove
- knife (not sure if different knives are required throughout the process - advice welcome)
- hacksaw / bone saw
- apron

 

[lochty]

As above plus a decent chopping board. Personally I'd add a mincer and vacuum packer, but that depends on how much you're doing.

 

[VSS]

Victorinox 5" flexible boning knife.
You can butcher a whole deer with one of those.
Everything else is an extra.

 

[big bang]

As above plus a decent chopping board. Personally I'd add a mincer and vacuum packer, but that depends on how much you're doing.

Thanks for that @lochty . Good thinking. Any recommendations for actual models would be really welcome

 

[big bang]

Victorinox 5" flexible boning knife.
You can butcher a whole deer with one of those.
Everything else is an extra.

That must be the knife that you see all over YouTube…has a blade that curves backwards? As you can see, I’m a complete novice when it comes to butchery… hoping YouTube hasn’t made this look easier than it is

 

[provarmint]

All I use

 

[FISH BOY]

As above, normal 5” Vicnox will do the majority of the work.

Would also get one of these to unzip the jacket on the inside of the legs when skinning.

 

[big bang]

That must be the knife that you see all over YouTube…has a blade that curves backwards? As you can see, I’m a complete novice when it comes to butchery… hoping YouTube hasn’t made this look easier than it is

Replying to my own post but it is. Not expensive at all: Victorinox - 5

 

[big bang]

All I useView attachment 458410

Any recommendations for the bone saw? Model etc?

Also, what’s the big knife for? Is it for cutting steaks?

 

[provarmint]

Any recommendations for the bone saw? Model etc?

Also, what’s the big knife for? Is it for cutting steaks?

HANDSAW 20" | Scobies Direct HANDSAW 20" | Scobies Direct

 

[FISH BOY]

Monarch on here could probably sort you out a deal for the lot.

 

[provarmint]

Any recommendations for the bone saw? Model etc?

Also, what’s the big knife for? Is it for cutting steaks?

Cutting steaks, rolled joints etc

 

[big bang]

Monarch on here could probably sort you out a deal for the lot.

Thanks for the recommendation. I have sent @Monarch Country Products a dm

 

[Tim.243]

I couldn’t see another thread for this so apologies if this has been done (am sure it has).

I want to start butchering my own deer. What are the bare essentials that I need, and if possible links to the specific items (brand / model etc.) would be really appreciated? I’d ideally like to get reasonable gear without spending the earth, even if this does go against my usual stance of ‘buy once, cry once’.

I figured I would at least need the below but happy to be corrected:

- chain mail / cut resistant glove
- knife (not sure if different knives are required throughout the process - advice welcome)
- hacksaw / bone saw
- apron

I take all joints off a deer with it hanging on a gambrel and put them in a small chiller when I cut one up, what I will say is if you look at a rear haunch the lines to follow are quite clear like a very simple "map" also you can make a small cut and push you thumb between the muscles.
Personally I cut from past the hock at 90 to the leg bone find the knee joint and off it comes as I am not mincing so that is not needed as I cut 2/3 big deer in the year for the land owners.
5" knife or what is to hand and the sharpest at the time lol
No chain mail glove, have big bone saw just to cut the spine up or ribs off if someone wants red/fallow ribs.

 

[willowbank]

Rob @Monarch has all you need.. and will see you right

Willowbank

 

[Stumpy2]

BushWear Economy Mincer

The BushWear Economy Mincer is a great addition to any home kitchen. This durable and easy-to-use meat mincer allows you to grind meat to your desired texture, making it perfect for creating your own burgers, sausages, and meatballs. This sturdy electric mincer is ideal for household use. A...

www.bushwear.co.uk

Yes it’s a bit of a spend but it really opens up the options for produce, burgers, koftas, and sausages. Remember, burgers are the gateway drug for new venison consumers!

It’s also where the butchery ‘mishaps’ go so any steaks that look like they were cut by Stevie Wonder can magically become mince!

Butchers Sundries Domestic Vacuum Sealer/Packing Machine with Embossed Bags

Our Vacuum Sealing Machine is a dedicated 3-in-1 multifunction home vacuum packaging machine ideal for protecting and keeping food fresh for longer. This machine is fully automatic and easy to use, removing air and sealing within seconds. Perfect to help prep food in advance or for cooking using...

butchers-sundries.com

Cheap, reduces freezer burn risk and makes everything look a bit more professional. Probably my top recommendation

Burger Press With 100 Discs

Everyone loves a burger and you can get really creative with adding healthy ingredients with your own burger maker. Simply load the burger maker with mixture and press down the handle to produce a perfect thick round burger.

butchers-sundries.com

Used one for years when I first started and perfectly adequate

You might need a bigger freezer!

 

[Bsmall1521]

EKA Butcher Set – Deer Central

deercentral.co.uk

This is the set that I have. I've done quite well with it.

 

[weblyish]

You can absolutely get away with a normal kitchen knife and some freezer bags for your first few deer. You really don't need to buy anything at all

But a good thin boning knife and a large chopping board are going to help a lot and you can get that for 25quid

Then comes the bigger spends when you realise it's hard work without some bits of kit :
Vac packer. Mincer. Saw. Sharpening steel
Lidl vacpacker. B&Q hacksaw and a cheap mincer or 2nd hand Kenwood chef mincer attachment and you can do that for £100-150

At that point you can easily do a small deer every few weeks and replace most of your other red meat at home and see where you go from there

If it works for you then start spending good money on good kit. But don't spend in advance of what you need



Edit: just reread your list
Cut resist gloves is a personal preference. I used to use one when working in a kitchen a doing dozens of birds a day. If you are confident with a knife there is not need if you take it slow

Apron? Again personal choice but probably worth it for the small spend or just designate a freshly laundered t shirt as the butchery one from now on. I do have a specific skinning hoodie I always put on top of whatever I'm wearing for skinning so the hair gets on that not my other clothes. And it goes in a separate wash from "good" clothes. That's worth having

 

[willowbank]

You can absolutely get away with a normal kitchen knife and some freezer bags for your first few deer. You really don't need to buy anything at all

But a good thin boning knife and a large chopping board are going to help a lot and you can get that for 25quid

Then comes the bigger spends when you realise it's hard work without some bits of kit :
Vac packer. Mincer. Saw. Sharpening steel
Lidl vacpacker. B&Q hacksaw and a cheap mincer or 2nd hand Kenwood chef mincer attachment and you can do that for £100-150

At that point you can easily do a small deer every few weeks and replace most of your other red meat at home and see where you go from there

If it works for you then start spending good money on good kit. But don't spend in advance of what you need



Edit: just reread your list
Cut resist gloves is a personal preference. I used to use one when working in a kitchen a doing dozens of birds a day. If you are confident with a knife there is not need if you take it slow

Apron? Again personal choice but probably worth it for the small spend or just designate a freshly laundered t shirt as the butchery one from now on. I do have a specific skinning hoodie I always put on top of whatever I'm wearing for skinning so the hair gets on that not my other clothes. And it goes in a separate wash from "good" clothes. That's worth having

All good until the “the hair gets on that” part… skin properly, don’t cut hair and it’s not a problem.
Tip.. to remove any hair wipe the skinned carcass when hanging on gambrel in one direction ( downwards) with disposable cloth soaked in hot water, wipe just once with each cloth then bin….I check and wipe again joints ready for butchering on table.

WB

 

[sy247]

Victorinox 5" flexible boning knife.
You can butcher a whole deer with one of those.
Everything else is an extra.

Exactly this