Which Havalon?

[cwoodyt87]

Piranta or Baracuda? Which do you like better and why?

Probably going to purchase one this year, since everyone seems to love them.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Of the two I like the Piranta, might take a look at the Torch or the Bolt too since its your first.

 

[Daniel_M]

Most all field skinning only requires a 2" blade. That said, I use a Piranta.

 

[Solitude]

I have them both and choose the Piranta over the Barracuda every time for field use. The Cuda blade is simply overkill and a bit of a hazard (sharp tip/flexible blade/slicing like butter) IMO when deboning in the field.

For butchering and cutting steaks the Barracuda would get the nod, but typically butchering is happening where I have plenty of other knives better suited for the task.

 

[cwoodyt87]

Of the two I like the Piranta, might take a look at the Torch or the Bolt too since its your first.

Just took a look at the Bolt - I'm guessing the main difference is blade thickness? Looks like the Bolt also accepts the regular blade also.

 

[bbrown]

Have 2 of the Piranta - only time I wished I had the 'Cuda was trying to fillet some fish. Other than prying - not much that these knives can't handle.

 

[KHNC]

i have skinned muleys, whitetail, hogs and bears with the piranta. Ive broken several blades in the processes but they are still great! Especially when it comes to caping around the heads. love those knives!

 

[realunlucky]

I also like the original but I've never tried the others

 

[justin davis]

I've got a couple piranhas and one torch. They are all great! Can do everything with them.

 

[doverpack12]

I would suggest the Bolt. It is the newest of the piranta knives. I think the barracuda is a little big for field dressing and deboning and animal in the field. The bolt take the 60A blades which are thicker and much much more difficult to break than the original 60XT blades. It will also take the 60XT blades or 22XT but I prefer the 60A. The torch will do everything the bolt will do very similar size its just heavier because it doesn't have the abs plastic handle. The original piranta edge is a great knife and I really like the orange abs plastic handle I just find I like the thicker blades more which this one will not accept. Take your pick out of the piranta knives by Havalon none are a bad choice.

 

[cwoodyt87]

Looks like I'll be getting the Piranta Bolt - thanks guys!

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Just took a look at the Bolt - I'm guessing the main difference is blade thickness? Looks like the Bolt also accepts the regular blade also.

Exactly right.

 

[HUNT]

I would go with the Barrcuda. But I wouldn't go with the fillet blade for it. Go for the hunting blade.

 

[Tag stew]

I have been looking into one also, I have a question which may be lame so I apologize if it is. Are these knives only used for skinning or do they hold up for quartering and deboning also? Again I apologize if that's an obvious or previously discussed answer, but the knives I currently use are not an option for backpack hunting, which is new to me.

 

[realunlucky]

Tag you can break down the whole animal with one. The blades will break with side pressure so that might take some getting use to if you pry with knife.

 

[realunlucky]

Practice changing the blade at home its real easy after you do it once. It's amazingly sharp

 

[Daniel_M]

Here's another little gem I like. Cutco DD in Stright handle or a Folder.

 

[worx53]

I have them all and like the Torch the best. I'll take metal over plastic in a knife anyday. The blades are tougher than the Piranta and my big hands fit the torch handle better. I've only used the barracuda once.
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a625/worx53/Hunting Gear/bth_002_zpsbfa65729.jpg

 

[Becca]

I have been looking into one also, I have a question which may be lame so I apologize if it is. Are these knives only used for skinning or do they hold up for quartering and deboning also? Again I apologize if that's an obvious or previously discussed answer, but the knives I currently use are not an option for backpack hunting, which is new to me.

Not that easy to see, but I am deboning a caribou with my havelon in this picture:

The blades are great, and a single one easily skins, quarters and bones out an animal and stays sharp through out. In fact, I usually use my havalon at home if I am breaking down a critter further for freezer sized packages.

As others have mentioned, they don't take sideways pressure at all and are prone to snapping if you do any prying with them at all. We usually have a small leather man along, and use that blade when probing for ball joints or trying to find the space between vertebra.

 

[Yellowknife]

I've used the original Piranta on 6-8 or so critters in the last two years. I have yet to break a blade, although for some reason every single person I've loaned it too has. Just takes a light touch to take the joints apart, but I've found that a sharp knife and gentle hand is often as fast as the brute force approach when it comes to bone.

Yk