Havalon knife question

[Bigfeet]

My hunting partner just picked up Havalon Pirantas for both of us. Great looking knife. But, in looking at the blades I'm not certain they will hold up to completely quartering up an animal (they might break?). If you're careful (I know - you should always be careful with sharp knives, and not run with scissors too!) can you cut up an elk with just this knife (popping the ball joints, etc.)? Should I carry another knife with me for handling those kind of things or will this knife take care of it all?

 

[Daniel_M]

If your handy with a knife and can apply some clean finess you can quarter up a moose with a havalon. That said I prefer a Cutco DD knife for chore work on an animal.

 

[Rent Outdoor Gear]

Yep you can, but you'll want to bring replacement blades because you may break one or need a fresh one if the first dulls. I usually pack half a dozen but never need more than two.

 

[Yellowknife]

My hunting partner just picked up Havalon Pirantas for both of us. Great looking knife. But, in looking at the blades I'm not certain they will hold up to completely quartering up an animal (they might break?). If you're careful (I know - you should always be careful with sharp knives, and not run with scissors too!) can you cut up an elk with just this knife (popping the ball joints, etc.)? Should I carry another knife with me for handling those kind of things or will this knife take care of it all?

I think it kind of depends on the kind of knife user you are, but yes it's quite possible to quarter a animal with just a Havalon. I've helped cut up 8+ critters since I've got mine two years ago and haven't broken a blade yet. Last weekend I helped quarter a caribou on the side of a mountain. One of the guys had a serrated Cutco, and my sharp thin blade was actually faster at taking apart hip and knee joints than his bigger knife. It's just easier to slip that little blade in in the joint and slice the tendons than it was to saw and pry at it with the big knife.

That said, there are other advantages to a real fixed blade, both around camp and for making deeper cuts on large animals, so I still use mine quite a bit. I'm leaving this afternoon on a sheep hunt, and although the Havalon is the only knife I'm taking, I know my dad will be carrying a good fixed blade. Between the two of us we have the bases covered.

Yk

 

[gobbler1662]

So i have had a havalon for three years now and yes you can cut up an entire elk with one of these. For me its a tad easier i dont pack any quarters everything is deboned on site and just meat is taken out. My first year with the havie i shot a big 6x7 bull and was going to quarter it. I was almost done had the back quarters off front shoulders off and just skinning the hide high up on the neck and i broke a blade. So yes they will break if you are not careful, but the benefits are nice with these things. Talk about surgical sharp man these do some cuttin. My goal was to cut up the entire bull with one blade but havent managed that yet. I carry 4 extra blades and carry a box of them at the truck if needed. Usually you can get by with one or two blades on an animal. Now i have heard of guys doing 1.5 or two carribow. But they are obviuos more careful than me.

 

[fillthefreezer]

seems about 1.5 blade per animal for me. only knife i use cutting u critters anymore

 

[Backpack Hunter]

No problems here just using the Havalon.

 

[trdhunter]

First time I used one I broke about 4 blades. Once I quit prying and just cut I have lot better luck. Last few years havalon is all I have used on deer and elk.

 

[KMT]

You can de-bone an entire elk with the havalon once you get used to it. Be sure not to put ANY torque on the knife or the blades will snap. But if you're not cutting elk hair like a madman, one blade will finish the job and remain SHARP. I take 5-6 extra blades with me every time though. Also, I bring a cheapo Outdoor Edge Flip and Zip with me. The reverse curved blade in incredible for skinning although you would probably bet $100 that it couldn't do it in a million years. Also, its nice to have a longer blade for backstraps and never hurts to have a strong fixed blade.

 

[IrishnId]

After four muleys,an elk, couple hundred ducks, geese, grouse, and rabbits, I'll never be in the field without one. Absolutely my favorite tool picked for last year. Caping is a breeze with it. I bought six of the replacement blade packs because everyone said I would be breaking blades all the time. And I've only used four blades total. I love the Havalon, Its what all my family members and friends get for there Bdays, when I remember.

 

[Hardstalk]

All the animals I have done I have learned a few things. I carry it daily as a pocket knife as well. Mine has been thru the ringer! Dont grab it like a machete. Its a finesse tool. I usually only hold it with two fingers when skinning. No extra weight necessary. Youll blast thru the hide in a heartbeat if not careful. I did it on an antelope last year not paying attention. You wont notice how close you are to hair and you will be splitting the skin. I ended up with a 6" slip on the lope hide. Luckily it was far enough back to cut off after mounted.

 

[Muledeernv]

Love mine had it for two years I have boned several deer and a few elk and have not broken a blade. I let a bunny of mine use mine while I was going back for the packs lasts year and he broke 2 in 30 minutes he was used to his old folding buck he said that the havalon was junk. But I finished boning and capeing with one blade. just make it work with you not against you.

 

[keep]

seems about 1.5 blade per animal for me. only knife i use cutting u critters anymore

Same here. About 1.5 for a cow elk and 1 per white tail and zero for bear(I let someone else clean that stinky thing)

 

[Justin Crossley]

Only thing I carry is the Havalon. Like everyone has already said, be careful and it works like a dream.

 

[HighHunter1232]

I used mine this spring on a bear. While it was awesome for much of the job, I was happy I had my sturdy cutco as well. I will be packing both in my next hunt.

 

[Liljozie495]

We used one blade last year starting September early goose did 9 geese, then 3 deer, and one full elk, and probably 300 ducks and geese all year... Basically a full season off one blade! I think the blades hold up plenty if your careful enough and not hitting bone. Be careful tho, my buddies dad put his right into his hand doing that elk and never even felt it cus his adrenalin was still rushing... So careful! But great knife for the price wouldnt trade mine for anything! Really good to breast out ducks and geese if you hunt waterfowl!

 

[Brock A]

We used one blade last year starting September early goose did 9 geese, then 3 deer, and one full elk, and probably 300 ducks and geese all year... Basically a full season off one blade! I think the blades hold up plenty if your careful enough and not hitting bone. Be careful tho, my buddies dad put his right into his hand doing that elk and never even felt it cus his adrenalin was still rushing... So careful! But great knife for the price wouldnt trade mine for anything! Really good to breast out ducks and geese if you hunt waterfowl!

Think you might put a new one on for this year? ;-)

 

[Manosteel]

It's great for takin apart a animal but I would carry a backup blade if you haven't used it before. I always have a leatherman in my pack( have deboned a whole moose with it last year when I forgot my havlon) and that's all I had with me) just in case and for other uses - camp chores etc...

 

[Liljozie495]

Think you might put a new one on for this year? ;-)

Ehhh it's still sharp lol just changed it the other day when getting my pack together

 

[Rucker61]

How do you think the new Outdoor Edge replaceable blade knife will compare?

http://www.outdooredge.com/Razor-Blaze-p/razor-blaze.htm