Real Avid Viscera

The concept of a double-ended, swing blade knife is not new and for the hunter offers possibilities. OK you have your standard drop-point build for the general cutting stuff; belly open and guts out etc., given you know how to do the job and are adept at it. But there are other tools/blades that can make the job easier and more efficient and also reduce the chance of accidents too.

This is where the aforementioned swing-type blades come in as this double-ended style normally offers some form of gut hook with a flat back and edge on the upside that can be used in confidence that you will not pierce the guts and contaminate the carcass. Two makes that spring to mind here are the SOG Revolver and the EKA Swing Blade.

Gut Hook and Bone Saw

Real Avid, who have made a name for themselves with cleaning kits and multi-type gun tools have now turned their attention to knives with their new Viscera. At first glance it looks conventional if modernistic with a 440 stainless hollow ground, 3.75” blade with jimping on the spine and it’s comfortable orange and black handle. Look a bit closer and you will see a round extension at the front with a button on it, which is a hinge/locking point that allows you to deploy the second and third functions.

Press it in and push down on the back of the blade and it will roll into the handle, so deploying a combined gut hook and bone saw; now you’re getting the idea! The gut hook is over-sized and designed to easily cut through thick skins of animals with winter fat with no risk of piercing the abdominal cavity and spilling bodily contents everywhere!

The bone saw shows twin rows of diagonally opposed, pointed teeth, that give a 2.75” cutting stroke which is the best design for the job and will deal easily with heavy sternums and pelvises. Used vertically the blunt nose of the gut hook acts to a degree like a bumper and should reduce damage to organs underneath. The handle is well shaped and hand-filling and offers a secure grip. The orange inserts add to this ability and also let you know where the knife is when you put it down. Believe me this is useful, as it’s easy enough to forget were your knife is and run the risk of kneeling on it…

A Working Tool

The knife is packaged in a simple black nylon sheath with press stud retaining strap and plastic liner to stop damage when it’s put away. In use the blade is securely locked in either position and the Viscera is easy enough to keep clean. This is no fancy custom blade or a traditional style but a well thought out working tool that will be of use to most hunters.

The Real Avid Viscera is priced at £57 including sheath. Contact Viking Arms Ltd, 01423 780810 or visit www.vikingarms.com for your nearest stockist.