Bring sharpener for fixed blade or ditch it for a Havalon?

[doc holiday13]

A good blade shouldn't need sharpening after boning 1 animal. when you're done boning use a knife steel and a strop. a good blade should last at least 2 animals

 

[Weldor]

I use both, I like fixed alittle better. My issue as of late is sharpening in general. I seem to have lost my edge no pun intended. I can keep those replaceable blades sharp as a razor with my Japanese stone, but as of late can't sharpen my fixed worth a crap.

 

[HMM]

My only issue with disposable blade knives is that there are those who dispose of them in the field, sometimes in the gut pile. I have personally witnessed this happen, often with some sort of lame excuse like “it will rust away” or “ there are too many coyotes, maybe this will reduce the number some”. Just don’t be that person.

 

[Weldor]

That's bad, bring it in haul it out. I just keep the plastic case they came in and put the used ones in there til I can sharpen them.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Havalon for me 100%. It's saves weight in the knife itself and I don't need to pack the extra weight of a field sharpener. Bring a few spares > go to go. Plus, I'm not great a getting a surgical edge on a knife > I admit that. I could use the Havalon blade for a 2nd field dressing but I always change the blade so I have a fresh sharp blade.

I use the Outdoor Edge ZipPro for the hide. I only use the Havalon for the soft tissue (meat, tendons, ligaments, etc.). With this method I have only ever needed one Havalon blade per animal. The hide dulls surgical edges quickly. This method, for me, solved that issue. The ZipPro style blade is ridiculously efficient, fast > saves time, and only weights 3.1 oz.

Not sure what other mean by learning curve. I have used them for years and never broke a blade. My background is in medicine so I feel very comfortable field dressing so maybe that's why. IDK.

 

[mostlybirch]

My only issue with disposable blade knives is that there are those who dispose of them in the field, sometimes in the gut pile. I have personally witnessed this happen, often with some sort of lame excuse like “it will rust away” or “ there are too many coyotes, maybe this will reduce the number some”. Just don’t be that person.

who raises these people

 

[mostlybirch]

I've used an Outdoor Edge on the last two caribou, no broken blades and switching blades was easy enough with bloody hands. Will continue to use.

I still bring an old fixed blade and fine stone for backup or for my assistant