Thanks Tom, it was a good score.

Leave it to Cleaver

I have only ever (actually) cleaned, gutted and dressed-out 2 bull elk & 1 cow...but a "gut hook"? Man: I wasn't "fishing" for them...I shot the sons-a-bitches! What purpose does the gut hook hold in processing an elk?
Just curious, Capt. Chris

Perhaps Jimmy Lile knew. He made the first one.

I can see an application whereas the blade would be inverted and this cutout would serve well for running the length of the belly..."without" piercing into the intestine & guts to prepare for animal for butchering, similar to a "gut blade". That "has" to be the explanation. I have used gut blades by several makers, including "Bubba-Blades" (Warren Glover, custom maker from Georgia) making me one of my own design, and Boker Treebrand and a combo folder.
Best, Capt. Chris

Here's a BMK Woodcraft just back from Mudbone's magic.
Grant sent these pics today and we are just blown away with Mudbone's costal tribal artwork inspired by the fossil walrus net weight handle. What's not to like about this package it's got everything; a great hammermarked blade, musk ox spacer, artifact walrus handle, and of course the Mud artwork. Also, can't leave out Miss Teresa's latigo braided edge.
Thanks all around to BMK and Roger Mudbone Jones.

Beautiful pairing Warren.

Thank you Steve. Oh bye the way, the holes in the hands you may be wondering? That's a Mud thing. Any guesses as to what that means?

Zoom in to see fine details.

More on the knife itself.

That is EXCEPTIONAL Mudbone work! !!