what's your best knife for the deed?

[bigredfeather]

I use a 4" filet knife. I like to use a filet knife as it is thinner than other knives.

 

[booker81]

I like my scalpel with disposable blades for everything - killing, deboning, gutting, anything. Mine isn't a folding one, but a standard handle. I get them at havels.com

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I'd advise you try with the sharpest knife you already own that feels good in your hand. You may already posess the best knife for The Deed. If you really want to be prepared, buy a package of utility knife blades or an inexpensive filet knife, but keep them in the packages and hold on to the receipt.

Your weight or strength shouldn't factor much into it, not like with the ability to swing an axe or machete.

The essential thing is to locate that spot where you're going to cut, just behind the point of the jaw, which should be relatively free of feathers. Pull the head a bit to make the skin taut, make sure your fingers are out of the way, and cut deeply & decisively. I have the bird's throat facing me, I cut in & then forward.

 

[DCasper]

I shave with straight razors, so I have an old straight razor that I keep sharp and set aside just to open the jugular vein. If is very sharp and doesn't cause much pain to the chicken or any other animal that is being moved to the table. I try to be as gentle as possible since my animals deserve to be treated as humanely as possible considering the circumstances.

 

[booker81]

Here's a pic of where I cut (sorry, pic is sideways) I gently "scruff" the chicken to make the skin taut, and since they're hanging upside down (noose around the legs), they just zonk out anyway.

 

[Life is Good!]

Thank you for all the different types.

Thanks to our fishing gear, our camping/Scouting gear, kitchen gear from 3 generations, and a house that is in constant repair - I think I have just about EVERY one of those items listed (perhaps not the straight razor), although our scapels got used for eyeball dissection in science, so I'll have to replace those! I guess I'll have to hone up on my honing skills - bwahaha! Yes, our filet knives are incredibly sharp, some other ones not so much at this time. Although I'm sure I've got a package of box cutter knives (straight edge razor blades) around here somewhere...

Booker, thank you for the images - they help.
Like anything else in life, it's a matter of practice to know what tool works best for you. Be it painting a room, painting a picture or painting your toddler's toenails!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

...If is very sharp and doesn't cause much pain to the chicken or any other animal that is being moved to the table. I try to be as gentle as possible since my animals deserve to be treated as humanely as possible considering the circumstances.

Very very good point. I consider this the final kindness I can bestow on my meat birds, to make their end as stress-free and painless as possible, to move them quickly Across The Road without causing them fear or concern before they go. A really sharp blade helps make that journey possible.