does anyone only carry 1 knife for hunting

WyoKid

WKR
Joined
Aug 6, 2019
Messages
335
I used to carry 3 knives, then went to 2 and now 1. It took some time to get comfortable with taking only one knife. I tried everything from fixed, folders and changeable bladed knives. I always went back to a folder since the blades on Havalon weren't durable enough for me. I like fixed blades but found a good folder was more convenient for carrying. I ended up going with a Spyderco Stretch as it is light, grippy and a lock back.
I have used the same one 12 years. Never had any issues with processing game, fish or wood for kindling. Never lost a knife but I also never put it on the ground and I always zip up my pockets.
 

TheGDog

WKR
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Jun 12, 2020
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OC, CA
Love my Altitude, knife weighs only 1.67 oz.

That said, once you put the Altitude in its .6oz plastic sheath you might as well carry a Mini Bugout. The folder may be more practical since the all-in weight is less.

Altitude weighs about 2.3 oz with sheath and Mini Bugout weights less at 2.02 oz

Both knives area SV90 steel.

JL
Negative - Mini Bugout (takes it out of his pocket to re-confirm) is S30V steel.

I bring the Mini-Bugout in my pocket always. It'll be what I use for occasionally cutting off pokey branches when you're trying to back-up into a bush for am ambush sit. And then the Argali Carbon for processing. The Havalon and a few blades thrown-in there as well since no real weight penalty. And sometimes it can be more helpful for disconnecting the Atlas joint than a regular stiff blade. When it's a stubborn animal that doesn't wanna rip just from trying to twist the head around.
 

Rfranke

FNG
Joined
Dec 13, 2022
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31
Location
Bozeman, MT
I use the Havalon Titan. Been very happy with it over the years. My buddy had one and the safety has had some locking issues. It’s does not “feel” like the highest quality knife but it has been great for me @ $65.
 

GotDraw?

WKR
Joined
Jul 4, 2015
Messages
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Location
Maryland
Negative - Mini Bugout (takes it out of his pocket to re-confirm) is S30V steel.

I bring the Mini-Bugout in my pocket always. It'll be what I use for occasionally cutting off pokey branches when you're trying to back-up into a bush for am ambush sit. And then the Argali Carbon for processing. The Havalon and a few blades thrown-in there as well since no real weight penalty. And sometimes it can be more helpful for disconnecting the Atlas joint than a regular stiff blade. When it's a stubborn animal that doesn't wanna rip just from trying to twist the head around.

Ha! OH-Nooo! @TheGDog -

OMG! I feel so sad for you!! You unknowingly still have the same-old/same-old, pedestrian, outdated, (affordable), everyday S30V Mini Bugout and clearly have not been keeping up with the latest and greatest of "all things Benchmade" on the knife "dating" sites.

So... I'll just have to see your "Negative" and raise you a "Negative"!

(...goes to BENCHMADE's knife-porn web site, rummages around... spies the new, (super secret) Mini Bugout SV90 with Carbon Fiber Scales for the very affordable price of $320...)

HERE: SV90 Mini Bugout

Sorry to be the one to inform your current S30V that there's a new girl in town. She's hot, knows it and she ain't a cheap date.

JL
 

GotDraw?

WKR
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Jul 4, 2015
Messages
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Location
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Glad I am not the only one that is a Spydie fan...while Benchmade and othere are good knives, I have always liked that big thumb hole.
@WyoKid-

TMI !!!

Butt, thank you for sharing that you've always ",,,liked big Thumbholes...".

This confirms what I've heard- once you go "Thumbhole", you never go back!

JL
 
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GotDraw?

WKR
Joined
Jul 4, 2015
Messages
1,320
Location
Maryland
UPDATE RE New S90V Bugout & Mini Bugout w/Carbon Scales

These are NOT cheap but are super light and with some of the best blade steel available!

I was wrong on an earlier post regarding weight for the Mini, so am posting weights for both here.
  • Mini Bugout- 1.62 oz, with 2.82in blade. This is as light as the Altitude 15200 w/o the sheath!
  • BugOut- 2.02 oz, with larger blade at 3.24 in and it is as light as the 15200 is WITH sheath!
Hope this helps some folks!
JL
 

TheGDog

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2020
Messages
3,415
Location
OC, CA
Ha! OH-Nooo! @TheGDog -

OMG! I feel so sad for you!! You unknowingly still have the same-old/same-old, pedestrian, outdated, (affordable), everyday S30V Mini Bugout and clearly have not been keeping up with the latest and greatest of "all things Benchmade" on the knife "dating" sites.

So... I'll just have to see your "Negative" and raise you a "Negative"!

(...goes to BENCHMADE's knife-porn web site, rummages around... spies the new, (super secret) Mini Bugout SV90 with Carbon Fiber Scales for the very affordable price of $320...)

HERE: SV90 Mini Bugout

Sorry to be the one to inform your current S30V that there's a new girl in town. She's hot, knows it and she ain't a cheap date.

JL

(In his most aged and humble of English servants voice) "Please forgive me your most lowly servant oh humble Faarquad!"
 

BigVick04

FNG
Joined
Jan 4, 2023
Messages
37
Location
Montana
Buck folding hunter 110LT. 3.2oz, holds an edge well enough to easily get through a couple deer, and easily resharpens. $38
 

Hnthrdr

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
Messages
3,607
Location
The West
Pack 2, steep country Benchmade/ or iron will fixed blade and my havalon with 3 (blades) deer 6 (elk). Small iron will sharpener as well.
 

TheGDog

WKR
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Jun 12, 2020
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Reporting back on the Argali Carbon. I've caped out two Coyotes so far and I gotta say that I like it better than my Havalon. About the only thing I think the Havalon does do better is processing Doves, and when you have to cut all around the Anus when harvesting the hides on your smaller furbearers like coyote. The Argali Carbon isn't "bad" at it, just that the smaller blade on the Havalon is just a hair easier to maneuver and cut around that circle more cleanly is all. I haven't really had any occasional accidental nicking of the hide with that Carbon. and I think the longer blade length and wider blade profile are why. Just that sometimes when you're being a little too rushed with the Havalon I'd say it's a bit easier to oopsie and nick the hide a lil.
 
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
97
I only carry a havalon, also something I carry is the smallest leatherman they make, nice to have a little set of pliers with a small knife on it.
 

KM5019

FNG
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
19
just wanting to simplify and keep my weight down...I am wanting to leave the replaceable blade knife at home, and instead just rock a single knife, maybe a Mora or something else. along with a simple sharpener.


Does anyone do this? any horror stories of only having the 1 knife and it backfiring? I have always had 2 but only ever used 1.
I carry this Gerber with interchangeable blades. The saw blade comes in handy for cleaning up around the climber stand. I must have had this knife for 30 years. Keeps an awesome edge.

The only horror story I have is following a long night out when let’s say I was not in great shape the next day. I did not realize until after I shot a nice buck I had left the knife home. Well, after rummaging through my truck I made the most out of what I had. Certainly not ideal and I knicked my hands up good, but I got the job done. I do keep a second knife in my truck now.
 

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Zerk

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 20, 2022
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906
I carry an anus knife in additon to gutting knife.

Just small knife, or caper for cutting around anus. I think this depends alot on if you are just gutting , or quartering. I bring lots of knifes when skin and butcher deer in barn, Sometimes I just get tired of using one knife, and convince myself this other one is better.
 

Big_wals

WKR
Joined
Mar 14, 2020
Messages
410
Location
W Texas
1 knife in the pack, and I never go anywhere without a pocket knife lol. I carry an essee 4 in s35vn. Have I ever actually needed that much knife? No, and probably never will. But I love using a solid fixed blade and would rather save a little weight elsewhere. For a pocket knife, my spyderco para 3 lightweight always finds its way to the woods with me. It's the lightest one I own, and one of my favorite knives anyway
 

S.Clancy

WKR
Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Messages
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Location
Montana
Yes, a Benchmade Steep Country. I don't even bother with the sharpener, easily gets through and elk or 2 without need for sharpening.
 

FlyAK

FNG
Joined
Nov 20, 2017
Messages
43
Location
Colorado
Mora knife in the pack and Havalon in the bino harness. The mora would be the survival/bushcraft knife if required. I use it for initially opening up the animal and making any “dirty” cuts. The Havalon is the “clean” knife and touches meat only. Never fur or hair.
 
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