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Author Topic: Knife recommendation  (Read 12311 times)

Offline dmv9

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Knife recommendation
« on: November 04, 2014, 07:56:36 AM »
What's a good knife or set of knives for field prepping a deer/elk?

Thanks!

Offline h20hunter

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2014, 07:59:14 AM »
I'll tell yah......I've got some knives of alaska, some buck, some random ones, and my first time this year using a havalon. The havalon with a pair of forceps for changing blades will never leave my pack.

Offline Big Horn

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2014, 08:07:44 AM »
Get a havalon torch, best money ever spent
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Offline Kittman

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2014, 08:09:15 AM »
Kershaw Alaskan Blade Trader is very versatile and is what goes with me in my day pack.  You will not need to keep a bunch of extra blades because this one holds it's edge.  Just butchered a deer with it and did not need to sharpen, used from field to vacuum pack bags, same blade.

Offline lokidog

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2014, 08:34:26 AM »
I've only used one Havalon blade per animal as well and it is a lot lighter than that Kershaw set.  I don't use a saw for butchering though.   

The Outdoor Edge replaceable looks like a good one as well.  The Edge looks like it could take more lateral force than the Piranta.  I did break a blade once with my Piranta, although I can't remember what I was doing at the time.  Probably was something I shouldn't have been doing.   :rolleyes:

Offline kirkl

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2014, 02:11:52 PM »
Havalon, I've gutted and skinned two elk so far on one blade. I'll never sharpen another blade again.

Offline skeeter 20i

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2014, 02:16:53 PM »
Havalon torch  :tup: 

That being said I won't give one to either one of by boys yet,  :bdid: they are that darn sharp.  I bled pretty good the first time I used one.
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Offline Bean Counter

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2014, 02:18:46 PM »
Costco has a brand of white-handled knives in the warehouse that are great. Super sharp out of the package.. You can get 4 small pearing knives for like $5. That and a  couple of drop points were enough for my buddy and I to do 5 deer/pronghorns in Wyoming without having to sharpen. I don't particularly like sharpening my blade but I can do it while I watch a movie or something

Offline CAMPMEAT

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2014, 02:32:17 PM »
A little Swiss Army knife is all I ever used or use....
I couldn't care less about what anybody says..............

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2014, 03:33:42 PM »
I did the switching blade thing for awhile, then bucks with gut hooks, then opinels, then and Alaskan kit but now the mora knives are where it's at. Good grip and you can get them in carbon steel for a scary sharp that holds. Some years here I'm doing 15-20 deer by myself so I have time to test them out and a $12 carbon steel mora with a rubber grip is hard to beat.
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Offline Stein

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2014, 03:53:29 PM »
The Havalon knives are very sweet.  I held back for a long time and finally got one free from Eastman's.  I now have their filet/boning size as well as the skinning version from Outdoor edge.  You really can't beat a scalpel sharp knife with zero effort.

Offline ellensburgpo

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2014, 05:38:04 PM »
I've been using a knife from Rainshadow on here for the last three or four years and love it. As I recall its made from an old bandsaw blade. It's a pain in the rear to sharpen, but man does it stay sharp a long time once it is. I cleaned/skinned three deer including quartering one during deer season this year without re sharpening it. I boned out a bull a few years ago using just that knife and also didn't have to re sharpen. Cost me like 30 bucks, is light, and has a nice kydex type sheath, great deal.
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Offline Eli346

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2014, 08:42:19 PM »
 I've bought and used both the Outdoor Edge Razor's Edge  and the Piranta. Both are great but I lean towards the Razor's Edge as it is so much tougher, especially for elk. I carry them both in my pack plus a good guthook made by Outdoor Edge also. I think it's called the Swingblade. Overkill for sure, but I use all three!                                                                                                                                                                                                                              PS. Just bought and used the Outdoor Edge Razor Pro for last season and it's cool to have the guthook and the interchangeable blade on the same knife. I used it on 2 deer and 2 elk last year and it is worth it. I think it goes for $6o at the regular price but I found mine on sale for $50.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2015, 08:21:57 AM by Eli346 »

Offline Mike450r

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2014, 08:55:39 PM »
I used a little 3 blade old timer for years.   Was a little small for elk maybe but did the job and was just fine for deer.

Used a havalon for my buck this year and it sure unzipped that sucker real slick.  Gotta pay more attention where your fingers are but it was nice.   Will never stop carrying the old timer since I am a creature of habit but the havalon is in my pocket or pack as well.

Offline Stein

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2014, 09:27:32 PM »
I've bought and used both the Outdoor Edge Razor's Edge  and the Piranta. Both are great but I lean towards the Razor's Edge as it is so much tougher, especially for elk. I carry them both in my pack plus a good guthook made by Outdoor Edge also. I think it's called the Swingblade. Overkill for sure, but I use all three!

Funny, that is exactly what I carry.  I use the swingblade for gutting, the Edge for skinning and the Piranta for separating the quarters and the rest of the meat.  The Edge is also great for brute force work like taking the lower leg off and head.  At home the Piranta is perfect for trimming and boning although I do wish it had another inch or two.

Offline jasnt

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #15 on: November 06, 2014, 09:48:10 PM »
I went with the outdoor edge razor blaze. Works great!
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Offline kevinlisa06

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2014, 09:17:44 PM »
I have the outdoor edge kodi pack. I like the set and stays sharp. Last season I got my spike bull gutted skinned quartered then brought it home and butchered it with no sharpening. Very satisfied!


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Offline T-Dozzer

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #17 on: November 11, 2014, 10:05:09 PM »
I've dumped some $$ in custom knives, but always come back to my havalon.

Offline kukusya

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #18 on: November 11, 2014, 10:08:34 PM »
Gerber knife as long they made in USA. Hard to find but worth every penny. Don't buy Gerber made in China. You will be disappointed.

Offline Jellymon

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #19 on: November 11, 2014, 10:18:23 PM »
I love my havalon piranta. I carry my gerber gator as well in case I need a knife for tougher work, but you can pretty much gut, skin and quarter a whole elk with just the piranta.

Offline KFhunter

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #20 on: November 11, 2014, 10:22:33 PM »
The havalon won't ever leave my pack.

Offline yorketransport

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #21 on: November 16, 2014, 07:48:53 PM »
I know a few people who used the Havalon this year and they love them. I can't remember which model they were, but the blades seemed pretty thin to me. I'm a big fan of a sturdy blade.

I've used my Leatherman to field dress an elk and a few deer and it worked find for me. A few moths ago I picked up a new knife for every day carry and that's what I used on my deer. It's a Hogue (yup, the gun stock guys) EX01 3.5" folder with a drop point blade. It's razor sharp and has a good solid blade. It's sturdy enough to split the pelvis and rib cage on a deer with no problem.

Offline Magnum_Willys

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #22 on: November 16, 2014, 08:10:09 PM »
Havalon Pirana for skinning.   Either Havalon Barracuda or Outdoor Edge Razor's Edge for Boning.  Still undecided which for a boning knife - Havalon Pirana was too small for boning big game.

Offline timberhunter

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #23 on: November 16, 2014, 08:21:44 PM »
after using a friends havalon i thought it was pretty flimsy so i ended up buying the outdoor edge razor blaze. it has skinned and quartered at least a dozen animals and is the only knife i will ever carry now. the blades are very sharp and will take a lot more abuse and easier to change than the havalon.

Offline MtnMuley

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #24 on: November 16, 2014, 09:00:10 PM »
You won't find a better gutting knife than an outdoor edge swing blade or swing blaze. :twocents: That knife and the Havalon never leave my pack.

Offline GurrCentral

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #25 on: November 16, 2014, 10:11:39 PM »
Though skeptical at first, I have really been impressed with the Havalon Piranta. I have skinned and boned 1 elk and 2 deer. Like it so far! Be careful when caping tho...they are sharp!!

Offline gunrinwa

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #26 on: November 17, 2014, 02:06:52 PM »
Huge fan of Silver Stag knives. Made in USA in Blaine WA.  Handcrafted. I have 2 and I love them. Just something different than a massed produced item. http://silverstagknives.com/index.htm
 :tup:

Offline fisheral87

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #27 on: February 14, 2015, 12:12:11 AM »
Havalon worked well this year. I broke a couple blades. Just gotta watch the lateral movement as others have said. Super light and the blade does re sharpen well IMO.

Al
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Offline Taco280AI

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #28 on: February 14, 2015, 12:38:48 AM »
Gene Ingram

Offline Firedogg

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #29 on: February 14, 2015, 12:50:26 AM »
 I've used lots of knives over the years, but it's tough to beat the Fallkniven Idun I've been using. I like my knives sharp, but this one gets crazy sharp and holds the edge through a lot of work.
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Offline Karl Blanchard

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #30 on: February 14, 2015, 01:55:46 AM »
Havalon piranta for absolutely everything!  I bone everything in the field and usually end up breaking down 20-30 deer/elk a season (my friends do it wrong so I jump in :chuckle:).  I still carry a fixed blade buck knife but its more of a survival tool than anything.  Haven't used it in 3 seasons.  You can do everything from take off legs and heads, to skin and bone out meat with the little havalon.  Never have i wished i had more knife.  You just gotta know where to cut. 
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Offline Spawnstar

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #31 on: February 14, 2015, 03:01:08 PM »
Havalon torch
Romans 8:28 Semper Fi

Offline jay.sharkbait

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #32 on: February 14, 2015, 03:21:09 PM »
Matt Lamey

Offline Biggerhammer

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #33 on: February 14, 2015, 05:31:22 PM »
Gene Ingram :tup:



Offline Firedogg

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #34 on: February 14, 2015, 06:24:00 PM »
Biggerhammer, that's got nice clean lines to it.

I just looked at his website, the Lite Combo looks good.  Needs a stacked sheath for it though.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2015, 06:30:33 PM by Firedogg »
There is no greater respect to have for wildlife than to harvest an animal fairly and use it's flesh to feed your family.  ~me

Offline JJB11B

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #35 on: February 14, 2015, 06:31:11 PM »
knife is blocking my view of that gorgeuos piece of machinery.....
"Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever."
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Offline jdb

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #36 on: February 14, 2015, 06:46:52 PM »
Puma
nuke the gray whales for jesus!

Offline follow maggie

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Re: Knife recommendation
« Reply #37 on: February 15, 2015, 10:51:18 AM »
I've always been a big fan of Buck knives. Still using their 110 folder I bought in 1990

 


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