who's using replaceable blade knives?

[HIGHLANDER HUNTING]

I made the switch to a replaceable blade razor knife last year.
For the kind of backpack style hunting that I do, it's great.

Just wondering who's using them, who isn't and why?

Cheers.
John
highlanderhunting.podbean.com

[madball]

I've been using the Gerber Vital for a few years now and I love it. I've done a number of deer and I did my elk with nothing but it this year too.

[elkhunter11]

I had my first experience with a Havalon in cold temperatures last month, and was not impressed. Once the fat and blood froze on the blade, it was very difficult to change out the blade.

[Drewski Canuck]

Been around for a VERY LONG TIME.

Very handy for gutting (incorporates a Gut Hook) and for skinning.

Blades are about $7.00, and are very very sharp.

Cannot really re sharpen the blades, but typically not an issue at the price of a new blade.

Drewski

[madball]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I had my first experience with a Havalon in cold temperatures last month, and was not impressed. Once the fat and blood froze on the blade, it was very difficult to change out the blade.

If you like the knife other than that issue I'd look at the Vital from Gerber. It uses the same blade as the Havalon but it has an actual button to release the blade and works a lot easier.

[Dick284]

Yup I'm using them now too.

First it was because I was gifted a Havalon. They sure are sharp, but man are they delicate, nick a bone and it's dull. Then there's the nightmare changing one of them, I won't do it without a multi-tool(I see that Havalon has a tool now).

Then I bought an Outdoor Edge model, just cuz the price was right. Maybe not as sharp as the Havalon, but way more rohbust, and blade changes are a breeze.

The only take away I have with both models is safely disposing of the blades.

For the money they are a win.
You don't have to have a sharpener, which I still do.....
They aren't a butcher knife, so if you wanna try breaking a critter down with one, enjoy yourself.
Great starting point for the beginner, but may I recommend a knit Kevlar gloves, as there is the inevitable cuts and knicks that will happen.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by madball

If you like the knife other than that issue I'd look at the Vital from Gerber. It uses the same blade as the Havalon but it has an actual button to release the blade and works a lot easier.

I still prefer a different blade shape myself.

[wildwoods]

I use a Havalon Piranta. The barracudas are good but the blades are way too expensive to justify heavy use. I simple use the piranta for skimming (2 deer roughly) and back a Henkel boning knife for quartering.

[agentsmith]

I have a Havalon Piranta, though due to my relative inexperience it's only been used on 2 deer so far. Used it to gut, skin, and quarter a good sized buck last week. I even used it to separate joints, but if you're really digging & prying on something, you'll want a more sturdy blade. It was getting kinda dull by the end, but still usable. Only nicked myself twice. When it's clean I can CAREFULLY change the blade with just my fingers, but when it's dirty I definitely need pliers.

[Mike_W]

I dislike the havalon. I cannot speak for the gerber or the outdoor edge versions.
I tried one on an elk and for my style or maybe I required a learning curve, I felt the knife was too small, which made things slow, it was too flimsy and broke a few blades, I also found the blades to dull very quickly.
Myself I am use to using hard high quality D2 tool steel knives where I can cut through hair on legs and push and pull hard and having a 4 inch blade to allow for longer skinning strokes.
At the end of the day I hated the havalon I feel it is a cheap gimmick for guys that are use to crappy knives and cant sharpen. I would hate to use one in cold weather as well, although my experience was in early fall where getting an animal quartered and out cooling in a speedy time is important the time spent ****ing around was far too long not to mention unsafe and small blade that dulls far too quick.

It does work nice for caping back at camp and it might be ideal for a sheep hunter where every ounce is important however I still feel there are better options for this.

[HIGHLANDER HUNTING]

Originally Posted by Mike_W

I dislike the havalon. I cannot speak for the gerber or the outdoor edge versions.
I tried one on an elk and for my style or maybe I required a learning curve, I felt the knife was too small, which made things slow, it was too flimsy and broke a few blades, I also found the blades to dull very quickly.
Myself I am use to using hard high quality D2 tool steel knives where I can cut through hair on legs and push and pull hard and having a 4 inch blade to allow for longer skinning strokes.
At the end of the day I hated the havalon I feel it is a cheap gimmick for guys that are use to crappy knives and cant sharpen. I would hate to use one in cold weather as well, although my experience was in early fall where getting an animal quartered and out cooling in a speedy time is important the time spent ****ing around was far too long not to mention unsafe and small blade that dulls far too quick.

It does work nice for caping back at camp and it might be ideal for a sheep hunter where every ounce is important however I still feel there are better options for this.

D2, sounds like you know your tool steels.
I've been thinking of attempting to make a knife out of D2. Maybe when I'm retired.....
Anyhow, the Havalon I have was a gift. I like it for the speed of it. However it does take a while to get used to it. They're so sharp you need to always keep fingers clear.
For blade changes I used to use a multitool but now just use my fingers, just be careful.

Most of my animals are done gutless now. So I think it's a good fit for that style, but I still have a sharp lock blade knife for the heavy duty jobs.

I'd like to try another brand as well. I imagine other company's have taken the initial idea and improved it in some ways.

Cheers
John
highlanderhunting.podbean.com

[HIGHLANDER HUNTING]

Originally Posted by agentsmith

I have a Havalon Piranta, though due to my relative inexperience it's only been used on 2 deer so far. Used it to gut, skin, and quarter a good sized buck last week. I even used it to separate joints, but if you're really digging & prying on something, you'll want a more sturdy blade. It was getting kinda dull by the end, but still usable. Only nicked myself twice. When it's clean I can CAREFULLY change the blade with just my fingers, but when it's dirty I definitely need pliers.

Smith, did you connect with your mountain mule deer?

[Hogie135]

I'd rather carry the rather small but very effective knife sharpener I have in my pack than having yet another piece of equipment to spend money on i.e. replacement blades every year. Replaceable blade knives have never really appealed to me.

[Freerider]

I have the larger havalon barracuda really like it I don’t find blade changes to difficult but the smart thing to do is use a multitool I am not that smart and haven’t cut myself yet. I just bought the Havalon Jim Shockey multitool because it had the gut hook and the smaller blade I thought might come in handy used it for the first time and first time ever I broke a blade. With the barracuda I’ve done 3 elk and 6 deer and a bear no issue.

[Battle Rat]

Yes replacable blades are sharp and cheap.
The are cheap because of the low cost/quality of the steal used.
A good quality steel, such as D2 that has been mentioned, will alow you to two skin moose before sharpening.
I can touch up a blade quicker than I can change out a blade on a disposable.
A small steel is used frequently will help keep any type of edge last longer.
To use a disposable blade knife to me is akin to putting a Tasco on a #1.
Spend wisely and buy quality is better in the long run.

[CritterCommander]

Have the Outdoor Edge and it's great for field work and skinning. Replacing blades is a snap, have done 2 elk with one blade, this year 3 moose took a blade each. Light, small, and sharp as anything out there.

[Peebles]

I use a Havalon Piranta but I can't imagine it being the only knife in my kit or doing a whole deer with it, let alone anything larger. It's my tool of choice for fine work, caping, and removing the head. Some hunters like it for the anus but I'd rather use a real knife there.

It's good for its specific tasks, but the blades are fragile and can't cover the range of scenarios I count on my pocket knife for. I have a Ritter Griptilian in M390 that handles my other cutting chores with ease.

I strop the blades with 1μm diamond paste at least once before disposing of them. Good as new and economical too. I bought what looks like will be a lifetime of blades for under fifteen bucks. Changing the blades without pliers is certainly a pain, so I always use the proper tool.

[LJalberta]

Love mine. Have the long and short bladed havalon. I also have a Tyto which is my favourite now.

[thumper]

As much as I enjoy good quality, good looking knives - I find myself reaching for the Havalon more and more often. They're small, light and always sharp. For the heavy lifting, I'm ashamed to admit I use a Cutco! They stay sharp, the orange handle means that I'm never searching for them, even in the dark, I can lend them to others and not worry that they'll be abused, and if I do lose one - it's no big deal.

[Smokinyotes]

I have done beef elk moose and deer with the outdoor edge razor blaze. They work great if you put a new blade on for each animal. Cut against bone and the edge is done

[kw12]

Havlon have had zero issues with either of them. Always have my multi tool for changing blades. Did my elk and moose this year with one blade on each knife.

[rem338win]

I am a recovering knife snob. I love good knives. I love good steel. I love wonderfully useful blade styles, shapes and grinds and edge geometry. I love nice handles and a well made sheath. I've made knives, commissioned knives, traded and drunken purchased knives.


............


And dammit I use a Havalon too. The entire idea of the souless little beast makes My inner elitest scream. But they are light, sharp, utilitarian. And they work great for the type of hunting I do.

That said I always have a good fixed blade with. I use my gifted Dozier (again D2!) Or a custom my father had made for my 18th Bday thats in L6.

I have made knives out of D2. I wouldnt attempt L6. That stuff is like diamond.

I like having both in my pack now to say the least.

[Sask Bearman]

You bet. Outdoor Edge for 3 years now. Love it!

[Scottmisfits]

I have the outdoor edge version. I also have the every day version of the outdoor edge. I like the fact that you can sharpen the blades as well. I have many times. They still aren’t as robust as a full blade knife but not having to stop to sharpen your blade in -20 weather is nice.

I am still going to purchasing a nice fixed blade knife but for the foreseeable future, my Outdoor Edge will be in my bag.

[last minute]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I had my first experience with a Havalon in cold temperatures last month, and was not impressed. Once the fat and blood froze on the blade, it was very difficult to change out the blade.

I often wonder about fat and the cold

Good to know in cold weather bring a couple of knifes.

[58thecat]

Yup, just cut up, deboned an entire deer, start to finish in an hour with an ezacto knife. Been doing it for years.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by last minute

I often wonder about fat and the cold

Good to know in cold weather bring a couple of knifes.

Have a few and when one bungs up slip it into the ribs, grab the other, repeat as required pulling the warm knife out and removing the fat prior to start cutting.

[Dean2]

I have used a number of the various replaceable blade knives. Went back to a regular knife. I have no problem getting and keeping a razor edge on D2 or SV30 steel so I see no advantage to the changeable blades and the regular knives are far more robust. Try splitting a brisket on a deer or moose with one of the changeable;e blade types, not going to happen but I do it all the time with a good folder or fixed blade.. I can put a diamond steel to a blade faster than I can replace a blade and no danger of cutting myself or needing a multi tool.

The only use I have for the replaceable blade knives is fine work around eyes, lips etc when capping. There the thin flexible blade is an advantage. To be honest I am too cheap to buy replacement blades so I resharpen them once I get a couple replaced. With a good stone and a leather strop I can get them back to as razor sharp as they were from the package.

[MountainHunter7]

I use a Havalon piranta as well. Works Great. Skin, Cape and Debone with it. I have no Complaints with them other then changing the blade. For what its worth in money and weight I carry the blade remover for them now. If I don't have it with me i use a multitool. Got myself a Nasty cut changing out the blade a couple years back.

[CF8889]

Been looking at a Tyto knife. I always carry 2 knives when hunting. So having one being light weight, and super sharp. Seems like a good combo. Hopefully I can test one out during sprinh bear