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

[Shrek]

I would make sure you have tried the havilon knife out before you need it. I broke 5 blades on the first little deer I cut up. It has its pluses but it also has some real drawbacks. A couple of the blades broke for no apparent reason and I struggled with it because I like to lay my finger on top of my blade while I cut to guide the blade. Not really safe with the super thin blade than snaps in half a lot. My more sturdy drop point is back in my kit and I don't even know where I put the havilon and don't care. I'm probably going to find it and put it back in my kit for delicate work as it is really sharp for a little bit.
I won't freeze either way with whatever bag I have because I'll just crank the kifaruvision up and feed it all night if need be.

Quoting myself here and paraphrasing. Try the havalon before you go , personal experience is first try with it I broke a lot of blades , didn't work well with my personal style of cleaning , I put my trusted knife back into the kit , expressed personal frustration , going to keep it around and use it some . What I didn't say but was inferred. Knife is junk and you shouldn't try it. Later post clarifies my original intent that you shouldn't take you trusted knife out of your kit before you have mastered the havalon.
Aron , I ran a tackle shop and I would have told you to stick with a spinning reel unless you wanted to spend the effort to learn to use a baitcaster. I use both and always have. One is not always superior to the other. I will probably keep both type of knives handy also.

 

[Jon Boy]

This horse has been beaten to death, im going elk hunting.

 

[Ozz08]

Shrek, there was nothing wrong with your comments. You got your ass jumped for sharing your first experience with and recommending to try the knife before it's go time on an animal. I use a havalon and like it a lot but I didn't feel the need to come to the knife's rescue over your comments.

 

[Matt W.]

I used the Havalon on my ram this year. Worked ok, but agree it requires a bit of use to be proficient. It will stay in my pack for 2014 though.

As for upgrades?
For years I have never been a believer in high end glass... But, I have been convinced, mostly in part by Aron's pictures of them Muleys, that its time to upgrade the Vortex Nomad... My 2014 sheep hunt will be a lot of more efficient with high quality glass...
Boots: Ordered the Zamerblan Ibex Pros. My Cabela's Alaskan Miendls are great boots, just looking for something that it is a little stiffer. (If anyone else is looking for these boots Barney's Sport Chalet in Anchorage has a size 9 on sale for $350.)

I will also replace my old Mont-Bell puff with my new First Lite Uncompaghre. I think this jacket is so versatile a few layering pieces will be replaced.

 

[Nick Muche]

I like you Shrek, so take this story for what it's worth

The first time I went Bass fishing, I was told I should buy a "level wind/bait casting" real/rod combo. I was told this by MANY professional fisherman, so I figured this set-up would be bad ass and I'd be slaying fish like a champ!

So off I went with the bait casting real in hand! Now keep in mind I'd been catching trout for YEARS, but I was running 4lb test and a UL rod/reel combo. I had also done a bunch of fly fishing for steelhead and been very successful........ SO I THOUGHT I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING.

My first cast off the boat was with a Texas rig (I think), but it was my last cast for a while, as I bird nested the piece of chit bait casting real (it looked like an eagle could live there)!To make a long story short, this continued all day and by the time I got back I was so pissed at the "professionals" that told me use one, I felt like punching them!

I quickly swapped back to my trusty open bail real and went back to fishing, but this time we were using spinner baits and rattle traps (I think). Anyway, these made my my line twist up like crazy, which in turn caused my line to spin out like crazy when I went to cast. This was just as bad as the level wind, as the wind was stiff that day too.

So there I was, thinking that if I would have listened to the guys that did this EVERYDAY I would've been several steps towards mastering what was best for bass fishing.....BUT NO, I knew what was best, but I actually knew very little and trout fishing wasn't even close to the same thing!

Having said all of this, I don't feel superior to you, but I do feel that if I need help with fishing in Florida, I would LISTEN to YOU, as you'd be the expert in that and I'd be the rookie.

I hate fishing.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

In the summer i have pretty, much traded out the spinning rods for a spotting scope in the summer.

 

[Shrek]

I dug my havalon out and cleaned it up. It has #60 blades. How much stronger are the 60xt blades and how strong is the barracuda blaze knife by havalon ? Also , are the blade holders a standard size across the scapel industry ? I see different number handles but are they standard or unique to each maker ?

 

[Justin Crossley]

Shrek, there was nothing wrong with your comments. You got your ass jumped for sharing your first experience with and recommending to try the knife before it's go time on an animal. I use a havalon and like it a lot but I didn't feel the need to come to the knife's rescue over your comments.

I agree 100%

 

[doverpack12]

I dug my havalon out and cleaned it up. It has #60 blades. How much stronger are the 60xt blades and how strong is the barracuda blaze knife by havalon ? Also , are the blade holders a standard size across the scapel industry ? I see different number handles but are they standard or unique to each maker ?

The stronger blades are the 60A blades. The ones that say just 60 are the standard 60XT blades. I can't say how much stronger but my blades always cracked right on top at the end of the support and the 60A blades do not. The knife I use is a Piranta Bolt not a barracuda (I said Blaze in my original post and that is incorrect). The barracudas are much bigger. I don't know the other answers to your questions. The Piranta Torch also will take the 60A blades.

 

[fulldraw1972]

My major upgrade is a new pack. I will be going with a BT2.
After last years wet elk hunt I have been thinking hard on new Sitka rain gear as well. With that said it won't rain at all next September.

 

[Huntr]

I need to upgrade my spotter. Hoping to find a deal on a Swarovski 20-60x65. I am definitely looking to upgrade sleeping bags to cover cold weather hunts, but no rush there.

 

[Matt W.]

I need to upgrade my spotter. Hoping to find a deal on a Swarovski 20-60x65. I am definitely looking to upgrade sleeping bags to cover cold weather hunts, but no rush there.

I am with you, deals on a Swaro would be ideal.... Need me a good cold weather bag as well...

 

[Jager]

Do we have to continually bash Shrek over the head with the Havalon thing, I mean, what's the point? He has started a pretty interesting thread, know there's a posse chasing him.

Havalon's really are a great tool for their intended purpose, I carry one purely for face caping, but they just won't measure up, for me, in breaking down a carcass. Little Chital deer, native to India have had to evolve over thousands of years as a prey species of Tigers, know the top line on their cape is so thick it is not funny, and it will take a few new quality scalpel blades to make that one simple cut, very hard work with even a sharp fixed blade.
Swinging a good fixed blade through a carcass though, touching it up periodically through the process on a steel, will have that job done a hell of a lot faster.

As for the 'extra' weight thing, well, next we'll be carrying slingshots cause their lighter than a bow or rifle...joking ok. I am more than happy to have the extra knife on me.

When its all said and done though, if it works for you, that's all that really matters.

The breaking blades issue, well as in everything, there is quality and there is not quality. Swann-Morton carbon blades, again, for me, are the only ones worth buying, check out what surgeons use, they won't be the 'stainless' ones off ebay.

Shrek the numbers refer to the blade style mate.

there's a reason surgeons use scalpels and not a buck folder too....

...and there's a reason why meat workers don't use scalpels.

Good stuff Shrek, I have enjoyed reading the majority of the thread, have fun in the bush.

 

[lintond]

I'm adding a puffy vest for when the temps dip down. Also new boots and some gaiters. Have my eyes on the Crispi Idahos. Also will probably switch out the para tarp for the super. I just like to buy gear!

 

[tttoadman]

A knife can be a survival tool as well and the Havalon falls short in that department...if you are only carrying one cutting tool there are better choices..

That is really the only reason I take the folder. I just use it first to clean up animals because I want to keep my buck knife shiny because its new(i like shiny new things!!).

 

[luke moffat]

Biggest change will be using the new Lowa Hunter Techs from L&S. Only have walked around on flat with them so can't comment too much, but they are stiff enough that they should work like a champ in the mountains. More hiking will be in order though.

Pack frame will be the same, maybe mix up my packbag on the frame a bit...we'll see on that.

Going to run the paratipi for the emergency/bivy shelter for trips when its just Becca and I.

I think thats really the only major gear upgrades I can think of off hand.

 

[O'Really]

I think I will be looking into a digiscope set up for next year. Other than that, I do believe I finally dialed my gear into the perfect combination that works for me, no need for much to change.

 

[carpssublime]

definitely a new pack for me.....hopefully

 

[7mag.]

I just ordered a EE revx quilt today, so I can scratch that off my list. Now I need a tripod and head, and hopefully a new solo shelter. The SL 3 works great for two of us, but it is a bit much when I am by myself.

 

[rodney482]

Pocket rocket and a titanium pot. Super lite, always gets the job done but holy crap was the jet boil blowing if away. Not that I need to be in a hurry while cooking since it's always at night ( I don't cook for breakfast) but the weight savings in fuel for long trips makes up my mind. And probably money savings on fuel in the long run

Not only waaay faster but far less fuel