The pelvic bone splitter (10) has a shaft (12) with a slot (18) and a knurled surface (26) on its free end (24). A first end (34) of a blade (14) is pivotally retained in the slot (18) by a pivot pin (16). Cutting edges (40, 42 and 44) on the blade (14) are movable into the slot (18). During use, a free end (24) of the shaft (12) is passed under the pelvic girdle (64) and out through an aperture (66) in the hide (68). Pressure is applied to the hand grip (50) to move the cutting edge (42) toward the slot (18), compress the pelvic girdle (64) between the cutting edge (42) and the anvil surfaces (28 and 30) and split the pelvic girdle.