Havalon piranta

[TheGDog]

3 or 4 extra blades should be plenty.

I've typically only needed 2 for Mule Deer, when using just the Havalon only. Because I carry out the hide as well, and want to cut as striaght as possible. I now always use regular blade plus Havalon. Regular blade for cuts around knees. For separating the backstraps out, those cuts where you slide along the ribs/vertebrea as a guide. And for separating the skull at the atlas joint. Can sometimes do the atlas joint with the Havalon.

Big thing is with the Havalon, you gotta think "Finesse". Not man-handling it... finessing it like a surgeon.

 

[Phaseolus]

Changing blades on my Havalon scares the crap out of me, Whne I’ve got blood slickened fingers it seems hard to change without fear of a bad cut. I changed to Outdoor Edge and haven’t looked back

 

[Bubblehide]

be plenty.

Big thing is with the Havalon, you gotta think "Finesse". Not man-handling it... finessing it like a surgeon.

Finesse is exactly it. When I am cutting around bone (for example the front shoulder), I feel my way around all the bone contours with a light touch sliding the blade along on it's cutting edge. Guys that complain about the blades breaking are simply not using finesse, and the force they are using breaks the blades. I can do 1-1/2 deer with one blade before the blade dulls. A wild pig take 2 blades for me. But in general I carry a 1/2 dozen spare blades. I also carry a tiny multi tool to change blades. The multi tool is nice to have when the blades are all gummed up with fat and such. The tiny multi tool fits in the case with my Piranta and spare blades making one nice neat package.

 

[Scrappy]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F7FLS0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x8fkFbM1F7SM0

The 60A blades are the blades you guys want to use. They are thicker and hold an edge better than the blades that come with the knife.

 

[wapitibob]

2 blades for an Elk, and I don't separate at the hind qtr knee anymore. Separate at the next joint up, at the end of the femur. Cut the shank muscle off the bone then cut thru the few tendons holding it all together and it falls apart. That shank muscle will be semi loose but you won't have that 12" long bone sticking up out of your pack.

 

[Scrappy]

Replaceable blade skinning knives and hunting knives by Havalon Knives. #8P Economy Plastic Scalpel Handle

Lightweight plastic scalpel handle with a comfort grip. Fits our #60XT and #22XT blades.

www.havalon.com

You really really don't need no fancy handle with a fancy name. This handle is like 2.50 and it will do every thing that you need to do without the fancy name and price tag. Ya can thank me now

 

[doverpack12]

That would be awesome if you could!

Agreed, I’ve found Havalon 60A are the best so far at least out of other hunting brands available. Would be interested if there is a sharper or better edge retention blade available. I’ve found 60A to be very sharp and durable though.

 

[TheGDog]

And just so I'm being clear, I'm talking about deboning the deer and I leave all those heavy bones out there. Only the skull, hide, and muscles comes back with me. Figured I should mention that since some fellows might not remove the muscles from the quarters, and leave the bone in. So I'm sure cutting thru all those tendons probably has an effect as to why I sometimes need a 2nd one.

 

[Troy614]

I just bought one of these. How many replacement blades should I bring on the hunt this year? I was thinking 3 or 4 but do they really dull quick?

Last year I boned out three deer with one blade. I would bring a couple just in case you snap one.

 

[TheGDog]

One time... and I can NOT figure out how I did this.... one of those blades?... I somehow magically wound up with needing to remove it from the knife.... and get this... there was a tendon going right thru the opening thru which you slide it into the knife/holder!

I have pondered the piss out of that day... and for the life of me I cannot figure out what manner of sorcery occurred for it to result being stuck with that tendon thru that hole like that! I had to cut the tendon to release it!

I am a coder, a person of logic. And an A-theist. And for the life of me I don't understand the mechanics of how this happened. Just a weird thing I thought I'd share. I'm sure some kind of magician's knot type of trick occurred without me knowing it.. but boy.. it sure stumped me as to how it happened.