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

[bpitcher]

I wanted to try out the removable blades last year. I cleaned 3 Cow Elk, 2 Whitetail, and 2 Mule Deer with the Outdoor Edge over the course of the season.

Maybe it's just me, but I found that I'd have to change blades 1-2x for most animals. The knife itself is difficult to clean and gets gunked up easily with meat and fat. This can make blade changes more difficult. I will say that the blades I kept resharpened well.

I think I will keep the Outdoor Edge for certain situations but I will be returning to fixed blades for most jobs. My wife bought me an ESEE AGK for Christmas. Hopefully I'll get to test it on some Aoudad soon.

 

[eaglemountainman]

So you don’t butcher in the field? Quartering isn’t butchering unless you’re cooking the whole quarter? And if you don’t want your cape to spoil on a long hunt you best believe you should take care of the head in the field.

It’s ok you have a lot to learn, should of known when you said you take your meat to a butcher

Scalpel > any knife for all around use on an animal .

Reread my post. You either responded to the wrong post, or have a comprehension issue.
I'm 68 y/o and admit that I'm always learning. But there's nothing you could teach me.

EDIT
What I said was that I've never seen a professional butcher with a scalpel in his hand. I did NOT say that I have a butcher process my game animals. Again, a comprehension issue. Try harder.

 

[makersmark32]

Fixed for tough parts and having for delicate parts, 3 blades max

 

[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