Havalon Knives?

[WapitiTalk1]

Have you guys that carry these things as your sole knife for big game ever really used it "by itself", solo, to break down a big game critter?  Just curious. I've used them and have my own opinion but want to hear from others.

[gasman]

Love mine...... did a hold elk on one blade 

Got the kit with multiple blades a for Christmas and love it,

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Three blades per elk. They don't sharpen. Hard steel.

[ctwiggs1]

Did my deer last year with 1 blade

[dewandgin]

Did two elk last year with 3 blades total all the way to the cooler for the trip home boned out.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I just like to cut quick. Can't stand a dull blade and like I said the sharpener did little to sharpen the blade. I'm sure a stone could get a new edge but I don't carry a stone just a few small hand held sharpeners.

[j_h_nimrod]

I've done mtn. goats and brown bear with a blade and no problems. Not a blade to pry with obviously, but more than capable of taking apart any animal I have ever dealt with. It takes more skill and patience to use a Havalon effectively, but they work great if you can get away from hacking and chopping. I carry a small diamond sharpener that works fine to improve the edge, though they are never as sharp as new so carry a few new blades just in case I need one. I have used a knife with a small blade for years though and am proficient without a massive blade, just ask my wife

[Weehunt66]

I went with the Gerber Vital folder. It does a great job. About a blade per deer. I really like how the blade is changed.

[Mfowl]

I've done several elk with just a havalon. It usually takes me 2-3 blades per elk. I do use a tougher knife to remove a head but the havalon does everything else. Be careful though, they will slice you with the simplest touch.

[Wolfdog2314]

http://m.havalon.com/double-blade-hunting-knife-shockey-titan-red-xt-tred.html

Best of both worlds!

[dscubame]

Used one for 2 years and never got comfortable with the dangerous edge.  My tried and trued Kershaw was never broken anyhow so went back to it.

[Mfowl]

Used one for 2 years and never got comfortable with the dangerous edge.  My tried and trued Kershaw was never broken anyhow so went back to it.

I have an Alaskan blade trader that I won't ever get rid of!

[dscubame]

Used one for 2 years and never got comfortable with the dangerous edge.  My tried and trued Kershaw was never broken anyhow so went back to it.

I have an Alaskan blade trader that I won't ever get rid of!

Same.  Love the Blade Trader!  Just saw one at the local store and decided I need to go pick it up for a spare in 20 years or so if they stop making them.

[Tjv28]

They are handy and lightweight, but I would never use one for my only blade.

[Sneaky]

I have five various models of havalon knives plus the multi tool. Never again will I use anything else. Have done deer, elk, lingcod, halibut, rockfish, salmon.

[Reidus]

man you guys are frugal. I go through about 5 blades per elk and never thought about sharpening one. I bought a 100 pack off ebay for about $35.  I use em to completely debone, remove the head, remove lower jaw, remove the eyes and trim meat and tissue off the skull.

I've used the outdoor edge but not quite as sharp and the narrow blade of the havalon slips in around the joints a little better.
once i got used to just cutting with it and not prying i dont break many blades.

[bowhunterforever]

Used one for 2 years and never got comfortable with the dangerous edge.  My tried and trued Kershaw was never broken anyhow so went back to it.

I have an Alaskan blade trader that I won't ever get rid of!

X2 I carry and use both

[buglebrush]

Only thing I use.  But I go through about 5 blades per elk. But the hundred pack and it is cheap.  I refuse to use a dull knife.  Carry the outdoor edge as my backup, but it just isn't as sharp as the Havalon.   I have broken down many many elk.   

[Stein]

Total game changer, but I carry more than one.  I don't like the skinny blades for gutting or skinning.  I have an Outdoor Edge wider replaceable blade for that, but the skinny Havalon is the go-to for taking the animal apart.

I've only ever broken one blade and it was doing something I shouldn't.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I have done everything many times, but with a scalpel handle and large scalpel blades and/or disposable poultry blades (same as large scalpel blade but not sterilized). 

[Doublelunger]

I have the outdoor edge version.  I like that the blade is fully supported all the way along the edge.  I don't have any experience with the havalon personally but I would think that the outdoor edge would be more durable.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

The havalon lock will release the blade if you push on the tip. It's not super loose but kind of annoyed me.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I have used it on alot of elk as the only blade and rarely use anything else. I have no reservations if its the only knife at a kill site. But I am not stingy with blades. They are light and cheap. Also the use of the havalon is almost exclusivley for breaking down game. General cutting chore I leave to a sturdier knife.

[pianoman9701]

The havalon lock will release the blade if you push on the tip. It's not super loose but kind of annoyed me.

Me too. I like the Outdoor Edge better for that reason.

[X-Force]

I like the havalons but admittedly haven't tried anything else. It took a year or 2 to break the plastic model but I went with the aluminum frame and haven't looked back. I don't count blades because i usually carry 3-5 and haven't ran out yet. I would recommend a #5 cut resistant glove to cover your hands because the blades are unforgiving.

I haven't had problems breaking down joints or heads. Just some patients and paying attention to cuts will get you where you want to go.

[Jellymon]

The havalon lock will release the blade if you push on the tip. It's not super loose but kind of annoyed me.

I just tried pushing the tip in every direction with quite a bit of pressure and the rear of the blade never moved. I don't see how it can. Maybe I'm missing something?

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

The stabbing motion would push the blade back off the lock. I might have been using my thumb on the back of the blade and been pushing it off too.

[westside103147]

I have had a great experience with havalon, my only issue with them is that the blades seem to be brittle and tend to snap. I skinned out a wild pig with one blade and it was still sharp at the end of the process.

[Magnum_Willys]

Make sure to use the heavier 60A/70A blades not the XT blades to reduce breakage.  They still break though.  Someday they will come out with a bimetal blade that doesn't snap maybe.  They are too sharp for some caping though for me unless I go really slow..
Guthook blade out now haven't tried it yet. 

[HighlandLofts]

When I was working at the dairy farm I'd gut, skin and quarter up dairy cows with one blade. I used a sawzall to cut the cows legs off, cut them in half and a heavier knife to take the head off and cut the halves in half.

Best knife in my opinion, very sharp knife at a good price. Every one should have one.

I bought mine from E-Bay.

[Jason]

One Blade per Elk for me. Only had one break over the years and it was on the neck as I was cutting and twisting at the same time and it snapped it. No worries, put a new blade in it and the old blade in the spent wrapper.

[Reidus]

One Blade per Elk for me. Only had one break over the years and it was on the neck as I was cutting and twisting at the same time and it snapped it. No worries, put a new blade in it and the old blade in the spent wrapper.

Do you just gut it? 

[fowl smacker]

The stabbing motion would push the blade back off the lock. I might have been using my thumb on the back of the blade and been pushing it off too.

A stabbing motion would ouch the blade ON the knife.  The blade slides off away from the body.  I love mine.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I pulled mine out and realized that. I know the blade has popped loose while skinning. I'm sure it was while in a tighter spot but other than the hard metal blades and it coming loose a few times it's been great.

[carpsniperg2]

They are great knives and have there place. I like the outdoor razor lite for all around work. For capping and skinning the havalons are great and I have taken many animals from field just using them. I pack both the outdoor lite and havalon most of the time.

I picked up this new havalon and really like the fit for me better then the standard handles.
http://www.havalon.com/piranta-skinning-knife-forge-orange-xt-60arho.html

[Dan-o]

Well, with a recommendation like that, I think I'"ll try a Havalon.   

[Woodchuck]

Well, with a recommendation like that, I think I'"ll try a Havalon.   

Didn't you buy like 65 of them from him not so long ago? 

[Dan-o]

I may have bought more than a handful of Havalons from him.     

I'd buy Havalons again and I'd buy from Carp again. No doubt.