I've never done this but apparently others do, in particular to cut down the backbone (I don't bone out ribs). What blade is the best one? And, how well does the sawzall work?

works super--fast--neat--wood cutting blade--cuts straight--

Ztreh: Thanks!

Try searching the forum for using the cordless Sawzall for moose in Sweden .There were some excellent photos and description.

Don't know about field dressing, but I thought this was a pretty innovative use. Assume they used the variable speed model.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...sity-p_n_830423.html

Grizz

Chainsaw works well also. Members of my last hunting group just carried a small Stihl. For bar lube they used vegetable oil. But it didnt seem to matter as the moisture in the meat and fat offered plently of lubrication.
Kind of messy though, lots of bone chips.

I just carry a Stanley crosscut saw with a blade about 15 inches long. Light, cheap, and easy to clean. Will cut through bone like it is butter.

Like Snowwolfe I use a small bow saw for deer and hogs. We also use lopping shears for the legs. If it is quick and easy, I'm a fan. I would think that one would need a lot of help with a moose!

We toyed with that idea for awhile then we started using the "gutless" method and haven't looked back! All you need is a small folding saw to cut the lower legs off and if you know where to cut you can use a knife. I'd never split any game down the backbone again.

In cooking school all our beef was split down the backbone and considering that that's how I learned to cut meat and am quite comfortable with it I still would never split one again. It's just extra work for nothing.

The other consideration is that the guy on the electric saw/chainsaw can do a shitload of damage to the best parts of the animal. I'd stay away form the idea.

I have used a sawzall for whitetaile, cause I wanted full racks with ribs in tact, I found the bone chips to me minimal with the right blade. A bi metal blade is the best, though they do now offer specific butcher quality blades for the sawzall.

Like Calgary, I too have worked on split animals in culinary school, It all depends on what type of cuts you want.

We've used a dedicated chainsaw for moose. With care, it works fine. It's been a couple of years but as I recall, we used salad oil as the lubricant. Haven't used a sawsall but I'd think it'd work fine. We do like dressing out using the "gutless" method. Easier & less messy.
Bear in Fairbanks

My cordless DeWalt sawzall with a wood blade has been used more on critters than for what it was intended....that thing is awesome!!! Will admit though that it's never touched a moose but it has zipped through plenty of elk, whitetail, aoudad, etc...

quote:

Originally posted by mete:
Try searching the forum for using the cordless Sawzall for moose in Sweden .There were some excellent photos and description.

I searched under "sawzall", "sweden", "moose", and "butcher". Not sure what else to do to find this thread - any help?