Havalon vs KOA Jager

[TradLife406]

A while back a friend sold me his Knives of Alaska Jager. Great blade. But with that I need a sharpener.

Seems everyone is going to the Havalons and a pack of spare blades.

Are they that much better than a conventional quality knife?

Thanks

 

[realunlucky]

Always sharp and convenient add a lite wieght package what's not to love

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[TradLife406]

Dang it now I gotta finally get one!

 

[TradLife406]

Piranha or Baracuta for boning?

 

[realunlucky]

Barracuda was designed to fillet fish. I'm still using a piranha but the bolt can use the heavier duty blades for those who have broken blade problems

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[mtnkid85]

You might look at the outdoor edge knife too, Blaze I think its called. It takes a little burlier blade than the Havalon.

 

[svivian]

You might look at the outdoor edge knife too, Blaze I think its called. It takes a little burlier blade than the Havalon.

It's the razor blaze. Every company now has a version of the havalon. Gerber, kershaw, outdoor edge... There is a reason for this.

 

[Bughalli]

Go Gerber, same blade as Havalon (literally), just as light weight and much easier to change it (safely).

 

[Yellowknife]

Drawbacks are that the Havalon sucks for daily and camp duty, requiring you to carry at least a decent folder as well. They also won't match a real boning knife on larger animals and occasionally lose blades when they get hooked on connective tissue. That can be scary till you find the blade again. I have mixed feelings about them.

Plus side is that they are awesome for caping, great for bears, and ok for quartering and boning smaller big game.

Basically I think they are great for deer, sheep, bear, and mt goat. Ok for caribou/elk, and mostly suck on Alaska moose.

I'm on my second or third one. Not a chance I'm giving away my fixed blade though. I keep this one around mostly for doing caping work and turning lips, ears etc.


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[TradLife406]

Well I successfully lost my Jager this past week! No issues with carrying a normal pocket knife or a Leatherman. I've heard the Outdoors Edge is a little better.

I usually ran a Wyo knife with that Jager. I'd do the skinning and getting with the Wyo. But then I'd use the Jager for a boning knife.

The other option maybe is the Benchmade boning knife...

 

[fort fireman]

I just got the outdoor edge EDC folder this week. It was on sale at tractor supply so I figured what the heck. Haven't used it for anything hunting related so far however. I came with 6 extra blades.

 

[freebird134]

I love the piranta and suggest it 100% for hunting. I've had problems with them handling EDC, but all I'd take on a hunt.


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[doverpack12]

I like the blade changing system better on the Outdoor edge but its blades are nowhere near the Havalon's for an edge and really dull fast. I have a Gerber I found on sale on the way now to try out their blade changing system. I thought the answer to avoid carrying a small leatherman would be Havalon's blade remover they came out with this year but when the blade is bloody forget that thing working. Hopefully the Gerber blade retainer doesn't get in the way because it really sticks out there but is convenient for changing blades. I really like the havalon size 60A or 70A blades for boning and really an all around knife. I primarily use them on elk and have not found myself wishing for more knife. I do carry either a buck 135 Paklite caper or Benchmade Steep Country depending on how lightweight I am trying to go. Those knives don't come out though typically.

 

[5MilesBack]

I used the Piranta for the first time this year and broke 5 blades on my bull. Not one of those breaks was I doing anything that I ever thought would have broken one, so time to find the thicker blades and which model to go with them. Other than the breaks, it worked very well. I also broke out my fixed knife as well. One issue is not expecting these blades to slice through certain areas quite as easily as they do. Working in a blind spot and having it slice completely into the cavity instead. Oops. Need to be more careful for sure.

 

[ckleeves]

Check out the Havalon Titan. The folder blade is a pretty good piece of steel and it's nice having a piranta blade for when you need it. I have used it all season and love it.


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[TheHunt]

You break those blades because of twist. It takes a little getting use to it. I broke a bunch the first time. The breakage goes down the more you use it.

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[MuleyFever]

I like my Havalon but I think I like my Outdoor Edge better. One thing with the Havalon is that the blades do break. I can easily get through an animal with my Outdoor Edge and don't even worry about breaking a blade, and they change easy. I know the Havalon blades break and I still break one on every animal I have done even trying not to.

I find it easier to remove the hide with a regular knife so I still carry a small folding blade. The replaceable blades are so sharp it is so easy to slice through the hide.

 

[16Bore]

Good from dead to carcus. After that, a real boning knife for making steaks. Depends a lot on how you roll. Boning out in the field Id want a little more ass in my blade. At least longer to get the cuts right.

I'm a pretty picky bitch when it comes to the final cuts, so take it with a grain of salt. And pepper and olive oil.

 

[Beendare]

I tried the havalon......sure its light, but I will take a good quality fixed blade any day of the week.

Those Hava's are good for caping the head....is about the only positive i can think of. My buddy broke 4 blades on an elk this season and just about lost a finger changing a slippery blade....he will be switching. So if you need a multi tool to change the blades safely- that negates the weight advantage.......

 

[Boudreaux]

Here is a quick look a the different replaceable blade knives, hopefully this will help some.
[video=youtube;DtJoeO2Fcjk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtJoeO2Fcjk[/video]

Thanks,
Boswell