Kestrel Knives

[blacktail sniper]

I am really thinking about pulling the trigger on some kestrels to get away from my outdoor edge for backpack elk and mule deer. Not sure whichdirection to go and could use some advice as I have never used their knives.

Option 1: Skelton Skinner, Ovis Hunter and then the Mt. Scalpel or a Tyto
Option 2: Skinner, EDC (once avail) and a scalpel
Option 3: Ovis Hunter and Scalpel
I wonder if the hunter can do everything the skinner can and then some?

for those of you who have used them I hear hold an edge very well and wont need to bring a sharpener which would be great at 48 trying to save weight anywhere I can. With that said how hard or easy to put a good edge back on? I am by no means an expert at putting a good edge on a knife and what technique do u all use for them. Thanks

Tom

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I have their skeleton skinner for skinning and popping joints off at the lower legs and a folding boning knife for taking off the meat (the average steel in that holds up fine just cutting meat). I don't like a short little blade for taking off all the meat, a long and somewhat flexible blade is great for deboning w/o multiple passes from a short scalpel blade and it isn't prone to breaking off either.

 

[AK Troutbum]

The Kestrel knives will hold an edge very well and I have skinned out animals without having to resharpen them, but I always carry a knife sharpener in my kill kit anyway. This little Smith will put a really nice edge on one quickly, and with very minimal effort. They cost about $3, take up very little space, and only weigh about an oz. For me, there’s no reason not to carry one.

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[SkunkCabbage]

Option 3.

I own Handled Ovis, muflon, mountain scalpel and I’m currently waiting for a mountain caper.
I could get everything I want done with a handled Ovis and a mountain scalpel.

Ovis blade shape rocks and I think for a bunch of work it’s a perfect blade shape and design. Handle cuts down on handle fatigue.

The scalpel will hopefully be put to use this fall, I am going to carry the mountain caper as a bit of an edc instead of a folder. See what it’s like when it gets here.

 

[blacktail sniper]

Option 3.

I own Handled Ovis, muflon, mountain scalpel and I’m currently waiting for a mountain caper.
I could get everything I want done with a handled Ovis and a mountain scalpel.

Ovis blade shape rocks and I think for a bunch of work it’s a perfect blade shape and design. Handle cuts down on handle fatigue.

The scalpel will hopefully be put to use this fall, I am going to carry the mountain caper as a bit of an edc instead of a folder. See what it’s like when it gets here.

funny u say this Nathan emailed me and I was waiting for an EDC thinking that and a scalpel be way to go to replace my outdoor edge and he recommended for elk and mule deer to go with the Ovis and the caper. I imagine the ovis would do just about what the skinner could do but be better on meat and use my scalpel vs the Mt. Caper whether a kestrel or Tyto for caping? I use a havalon for that now just don't want folding scalpel anymore makes me nervous and hard to clean. Or you guys think better to wait for the edc?

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Unless your being a gram weenie there are just trade offs.

I too started with a foldable havalon. Hard to clean is my beef. That’s my reason to going to a scalpel Handle from Nathan. The caper I think will be a nice addition, I’m patiently waiting since Feb for one to be back in stock.

The Ovis rocks. Handled version makes it my favorite knife. I have no problem putting and maintaining an edge on a blade but I’m not the kind of person who wants to pack a sharpener so the scalpel blades have their place. I can pack 5 blades and the handle weighing an ounce.

Mind you I have done multiple blacktail in a day with a sharp S30v Ovis and I have no doubt I could probably handle a whole elk start to finish without a touch up.

 

[blacktail sniper]

Not a gram weenie to ancertaon test but def looking to lighten load where I can these Mts are starting to kick my old ass. Looks like that Ovis way to go! Thanks guys I just couldn’t find a lot of reviews on it mostly edc stuff

 

[fwafwow]

funny u say this Nathan emailed me and I was waiting for an EDC thinking that and a scalpel be way to go to replace my outdoor edge and he recommended for elk and mule deer to go with the Ovis and the caper. I imagine the ovis would do just about what the skinner could do but be better on meat and use my scalpel vs the Mt. Caper whether a kestrel or Tyto for caping? I use a havalon for that now just don't want folding scalpel anymore makes me nervous and hard to clean. Or you guys think better to wait for the edc?

FWIW, I purchased a used Tyto from a member here, and have an order pending for an Ovis. Did Nathan mention any update on timing?

 

[blacktail sniper]

Just got an email from him. Said skeleton Ovis be ready in about a month and short blade Ovis be ready by end of the year. I should probably order one asap. imagine theirs a waiting list

 

[blacktail sniper]

Ordered a skeleton ovis so hoping get here by end of august

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Those things are rad, have any of you done a whole moose with them??? how did they hold up edge wise???

 

[AK Troutbum]

I’ve done several moose with my skinner and EDC. Although, I prefer an ulu for skinning moose.


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[chiefhoyt]

I own the EDC, Ovis, and Mouflon Skinner.

They are all very sharp hold an edge extremely well. I typically bring the EDC and the Ovis on backpack trips because i like having two knives. When i do this, I will leave the sharpener at home because i can get through a deer with one knife no problem and then have a back up if needed. If i am elk hunting ill bring the sharpener showed above by AK Troutbum since the hope is to go through multiple elk in one trip. I have found that i can get through an elk without sharpening but i will generally touch up the edge when i am half way through breaking it down.

The Ovis is by far and away my favorite knife i have ever owned. This knife stays in my pack for everything from an off the road hunt to a ten day backpack hunt.

Hope this helps.

Joe

 

[FlyGuy]

I switched to a tyto last year and I’m really impressed with it. I still like to have a real knife tho and I’ve been eyeing these for a while, but I’m really not sure which one would pair best with a tyto?

I’m drawn to the caper, but also find the skeleton skinner intriguing... and then everyone seems to like the ovis...



You can’t cheat the mountain

 

[blacktail sniper]

Thanks for all the help guys I was hesitant and was going to wait for the edc or a short ovis but pulled trigger on an ovis to go with my tyto. Now just hope the ovis gets here in time for the trip leaving 8/28.

 

[Jardo]

Never used these knives before. How do they compare to bark river or fallkniveven.


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[worx53]

Option3..I run tyto and Ovis...perfect system,I carry a micro sharpener and dont need it for one animal...d
Have done the havalon and tyto is better setup