Upgrades , what are you changing out in your pack for next year ?

I have added KUIU gators and Guide Gloves...even though my season isn't technically over yet...as I'm headed ot chase elk next weekend, and ordered Lowa Cevedale from Lathrop and Sons.
 
Shrek, like you I've cleaned thousands of fish and hundreds of hogs. I switched to havalon this year, and love the thing. I've cleaned 5 hogs so far and haven't had a broken blade. Ive even removed the head and cut thru ball joints with no problem. My suggestion is think more filleting fish than sawing the meat. Havalon blades are so sharp you just touch the meat and it cuts. Touch the skin and it peals back. Much like filleting a grouper, snook, redfish, etc. follow the natural muscle lines of the animal and fillet it like a fish and those blades will last forever. Like Stid said, you can even take them home and sharpen them later. I hope this helps and you give the havalon another try.
 
DeepMauka , I'm not tossing the havalon in the trash but my folder is just as sharp most days and doesn't snap off if I torque it. Even in Steve's photos there is a second more sturdy knife. I will also probably carry both and if I find I'm not using my folding traditional knife I will drop it or vice versa. I really don't need the disposable blades because I have no problem putting a very sharp edge on my regular knife that will last through most animals I clean.
 
I do carry a cutco folder as it is my daily carry and I do like to be able to "put the stink on it" when needed. In that photo I used it to remove the head which at times can be tedious.

Another thing I recommend is a light pair of cut resistant gloves. I know these youngsters are all Breast Mode and all and I have rocked the bloody hand thing for years as well. But, after getting cut several times by my friends "helping" and also because of a blood born disease called "bear finger" I now always use a pair like these. Even just a thin pair of dipped gloves will save you as they slow the blade enough to avoid a bad cut. I severe cut can end a trip and an infection can cost you a finger or hand.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/sal...large-1-pair/3943710GL.html?utm_source=Amazon
 
Stid2677 said:
Another thing I recommend is a light pair of cut resistant gloves.
Click to expand...

+1 on these. I haven't taken down an animal with them yet but I used them extensively while fishing for salmon this year. We had them lying around work and I figured it would be worth a shot. Not only do they help avoid those little nicks while filleting a fish but I could literally "lip" a salmon without getting cut. That right there sold me and I will have a pair with me for any hunting or fishing trip to come. Just be aware that having gloves is not an excuse to get sloppy.
 
Stid2677 said:
I do carry a cutco folder as it is my daily carry and I do like to be able to "put the stink on it" when needed. In that photo I used it to remove the head which at times can be tedious.

Another thing I recommend is a light pair of cut resistant gloves. I know these youngsters are all Breast Mode and all and I have rocked the bloody hand thing for years as well. But, after getting cut several times by my friends "helping" and also because of a blood born disease called "bear finger" I now always use a pair like these. Even just a thin pair of dipped gloves will save you as they slow the blade enough to avoid a bad cut. I severe cut can end a trip and an infection can cost you a finger or hand.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/sal...large-1-pair/3943710GL.html?utm_source=Amazon
Click to expand...

For the head...cut down to the vertabrae...make some cuts...then twist it like Arnold! Head comes off like a glove.
 
Stid2677 said:
I do carry a cutco folder as it is my daily carry and I do like to be able to "put the stink on it" when needed. In that photo I used it to remove the head which at times can be tedious.

Another thing I recommend is a light pair of cut resistant gloves. I know these youngsters are all Breast Mode and all and I have rocked the bloody hand thing for years as well. But, after getting cut several times by my friends "helping" and also because of a blood born disease called "bear finger" I now always use a pair like these. Even just a thin pair of dipped gloves will save you as they slow the blade enough to avoid a bad cut. I severe cut can end a trip and an infection can cost you a finger or hand.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/sal...large-1-pair/3943710GL.html?utm_source=Amazon
Click to expand...

Are these one use and toss, or just wash and reuse? From the description in the link they looked disposable but the reviews made it sound like they were multiple use
 
Travis1984 said:
For the head...cut down to the vertabrae...make some cuts...then twist it like Arnold! Head comes off like a glove.
Click to expand...

I will keep that in mind... :)

But heads like this take a little more effort than your average deer. :) I'm sure you have no way of knowing that I have removed a few hundred heads. What I has saying is that it is not that easy with a Havalon or that it takes more Patience to keep probing and not break the blade.

big moose and bears take some effort to separate from the spine.

Colone100 is right, never get careless with a sharp blade.

IMGP0304-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
Stid2677 said:
I will keep that in mind... :)

But heads like this take a little more effort than your average deer. :) I'm sure you have no way of knowing that I have removed a few hundred heads. What I has saying is that it is not that easy with a Havalon or that it take more Patience to keep probing and not break the blade.

big moose and bears take some effort to separate from the spine.

Colone100 is right, never get careless with a sharp blade.

IMGP0304-1.jpg
Click to expand...


One day...so awesome!
 
realunlucky said:
Are these one use and toss, or just wash and reuse? From the description in the link they looked disposable but the reviews made it sound like they were multiple use
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the ones that Stid linked but they do look pretty similar to the ones I have. For me, they easily lasted 2 weeks but that was cleaning fish where I could constantly rinse them off. Even then, they would stain and began to acquire a funk. If you were cleaning an animal in the field, I would guess that it would be one and done once all the blood dried into them. I think you can find them much cheaper then what is linked above. Check around with any industrial supply company as they are pretty common. Then again, the cut resistance rating might be different.
 
Shrek said:
I have no problem putting a very sharp edge on my regular knife that will last through most animals I clean.
Click to expand...


im damn good with a stone but you cant get anywhere close to a scalpel blade. havalons are the best back packing knife there is hands down. i carry a fixed blade marbles also but thats out of tradition, ive never hunted with out my grandfathers knife in my pack, its what takes the heart out of all the animals i kill.
 
I buy the gloves at a local store (Alaska Industrial Hardware), but they are like the ones in the link. I just rinse them while in the field and toss in the washer along with my game bags with a splash of bleach once I get home. Been using the same pair for a couple years. I also wear disposable latex or vinyl glove under them just to keep my hands clean.

Another handy item for skinning bears and caping is a utility knife handle with roofing blades. The blades are cheap and make an excellent gut hook. Really nice for making the long cuts for caping without having to start and stop and causing the cut to be crooked or jagged. Just cut with the grain of the hair and not against it.

Like this but I know use a lighter handle.

IMGP2265.jpg
 






This moose was the 4th I'd done with a Havalon.....including taking off the head:) There was A LOT of twisting involved.

I'm not trying to pound my chest or anything, but after this season I've done over 80 animals with the Havalon and it's the best option for me. The only other knife a bring along is a small folder, but that's it and it doesn't get used on the animal.
 
Wait till you guys try one of these.


Get them for 15 $ if you look on Amazon. Better steel and 3/16ths inch thick through spine. Makes Cutco Diamond D cry for momma.
 
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