Elk Knife Setup

[Ross]

that combination will work it is nice to have a replaceable blade knife as they are razor sharp just have a few extra blades and I use small pliers to change my piranta as these surgical knives don’t let you make cutting mistakes on yourself and then a fixed blade on items not needing to be so sharp and you don’t have to be quite as careful not needed but my preference...

 

[lif]

I run an Outdoor Edge Swing Blade and I also carry a Havalon.

I use the exact same setup.

 

[trophyhill]

I bought the Havalon for my January deer hunt. Now come to find out, it may not exactly be ideal for elk. I got the one with the smallish surgical blades on one end, and the permanent blade on the other end. I think it's 2 or 3" long which I'm sure will probably be ok. I may buy one with different/longer blade(s) on it.

What I have now is probably sufficient and worked great on my deer.......

 

[ljrunyanii]

The Havalon works well but struggles to pop joints and stuff. Having a solid blade for that kind of work is worth while.

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[WannabeHunter]

Haven't used for elk, but I've processed all matters of game in the Southeast with a Cold Steel Mini Pendleton hunter. It's small. Like 3 inch blade and 6.5 in overall. I can get it scary sharp and it stays that way. I plan to only carry that one blade out west this fall. But I'll have 3 other hunters with me, all carrying various knives.

 

[Felix40]

I find that I can go a lot faster with a non replaceable blade. You dont have to be quite as gentle.

 

[Savage99]

Which Mora are you guys running that use one? Stainless? High carbon?


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[Jimss]

I've tried quite a few knives over the years. I've pretty much switched over to Outdoor Edge removable blade knives. They are one of the best blades I've ever used for caping game. Their edge even lasts well on thick hided species such as mtn goat. I do a lot of lifesized skins/capes, turkey skins, etc and they work super well. No problem gutting and boning out an elk. Their blades hold their edge well and I've never had a problem with them. The Outdoor Edge blades are a lot tougher than the Havolins I've used. In fact, I had a Havalon blade snap while in a super remote area in Alaska quite a few years ago and almost go into my arm.....I tossed it after that close encounter! I had several other Havalon blades snap befpre that....so knew it was time to search for a different knife.

 

[2five7]

I can't even remember how many animals, mostly Bull Elk, that I've done with my orange Havalon. It's the only knife I ever carry in the field, and I've never felt like I needed another one.

 

[jolemons]

Havalon/any other scalpel style handle and mora combo is solid, cheap and proven.

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[smith777]

Lots of good info, thanks for the responses guys.

To address a good question because I’m also curious, Carbon or Stainless Steel blade?

 

[Newtosavage]

Gerber folder with the guthook for me, plus a chopped-down Accusharp. Whole thing takes up no space at all, weighs about 5 oz. and took care of my buddy's dandy bull last October with no problems. That knife has been through countless animals now. I have no reason to change.

https://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Profile-22-01708.php

 

[Doc Holliday]

...
A great one knife option is a Cutco serrated. It is one of the most effective knives for elk or deer I have ever used. It works great. It just looks and feels like a piece of crap and I can't get myself to like it.

Yep, the Double D edge. I have had one since the late 1990s. Done alot of field dressing, probably cut through 40 sternums.

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[DenverCountryBoy]

Mora companion stainless works well. I'm going to get a second one and try grinding the blade into a slight recurve to get more belly for skinning.

 

[AG&Company]

I use a Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter. Haven't had the need to make the jump to a replaceable blade.

 

[LostArra]

Never underestimate a Little Vickie

 

[Dukejb]

Last year I carried a Fallkniven F1 and an ulu style skinner. I will probably replace the ulu with a havalon this year, but the F1 is a great lightweight fixed blade.

 

[bummer7580]

I probably won't be real popular with the knife makers here but I just go to Walmart and pick up a contactor utility knife. Most allow you to exchange the blades if need. Blades are stored in the handle and take seconds to change. The knives are light and most can be bought for less than $10. Normally one blade is enough to gut, cape and quarter an elk. I have noticed on return hunts the guides I hunt with now are carrying utility knives.

 

[huntsman22]

Real contractors don't shop at Walmart......

 

[dkhunter02]

Great Info