I have on my belt the Havalon basic knife as pictured below and have been using it for a year or so and what a fantastic idea and design.



I pack in 10 or so spare blades in the sheath and it is seriously multipurpose folder. My skinner has one and has caped out many an animal in the field with nothing else.

The only negative is that it is being a scalpel it can easily cause serious injury by accident or misuse.

Seems like a good plan Andrew. Where did you get it from?

The first two times I used my Havalon,cut myself to the bone! Both backcountry and alone. Used tape and then glue as they were both two late to stich! Buyer Beware! They have since come out with some new models, one new one with a pretty stout blade(replaceable) and another, The Titan, with the standard replaceable blade and a stout fixed blade. I carry no other knife. Find that you can, if careful, completely take an animal apart with a single blade. On backcountry/backpack hunts I use the model with the 6" replaceable blade.

While the small Havalon Piranta knife is exceptionally sharp and is outstanding for caping, I think you'll find that Havalon's Baracuta fillet knife is even better for general skinning work. The blade is larger and stronger, while still being exceptionally sharp. When I'm hunting, I carry both and find them to be a very useful combination. I used a baracuta to skin and completely bone out an elk with one blade.

One word of caution, be especially careful not to get cut with either blade, as they are the sharpest I've ever seen. It would be just like cutting yourself with a sharp broadhead, maybe worse.

Thor, you can order them through Cabela's or Bass Pro, and I imagine through Amazon as well. Be sure to order packs of extra blades, especially for the piranta.

A few years ago I followed Jim Shockey (and his camera crew!) into a camp in Namibia and at least at that time he was sponsored by Havalon. When I asked the PH if there was anything I could bring over, he said "Bring me one of those knives!"

As far as I know he is still using it.

quote:

Originally posted by Thor Kirchner:
Seems like a good plan Andrew. Where did you get it from?

You will get in Denmark if not ask one of your clients to bring one over and a hundred or so blades.

Check on Amazon.

This is revolutionizing skinning !

For years I used to carry surgical handles and scalpel blades in my caping kit. The neat part of this apart from the fact that you simply drop in a new blade when it blunts is that there are a wide variety of blade shapes available in the surgical market.

The basic BP scalpel handle after Bard and Parker who patented the handle for these blades come in various sizes ( the no 3 and 4 the most common) . The size of the mounting lug and slot differs between the two and blades have to be compatible with these.

The best surgical blades IMO are made by Swann Morton of Sheffield !

These are skinners and best for fine work caping !

Having said that this does not replace a good fixed blade utility knife !

A number of years ago I had to deal with a lone injured hunter who rolled his Side by Side and the roll cage pinned his left arm and hand . He was actually crawling along with the side by side when the shoulder of the road he was on gave way.

His hand was severely injured and there was no help. He was going to die from exposure as there was already snow on the ground.

He dug his arm out using a old school Buck Fixed blade 119 model and then proceeded to right the S X S using one hand and the winch ! That for me reinforced the importance of carrying a decent stout fixed blade !

quote:

Originally posted by crane:
The first two times I used my Havalon,cut myself to the bone! Both backcountry and alone. Used tape and then glue as they were both two late to stich! Buyer Beware! They have since come out with some new models, one new one with a pretty stout blade(replaceable) and another, The Titan, with the standard replaceable blade and a stout fixed blade. I carry no other knife. Find that you can, if careful, completely take an animal apart with a single blade. On backcountry/backpack hunts I use the model with the 6" replaceable blade.

Like I said you have to be careful. Cut away from you like your Daddy taught you. Close the blade when not in use.

This year it was the only knife I used with the exception of a massive Buck knife that can cut through bone.

I use an Outdoor Edge EDC, which is the same concept but has a more "traditional" knife-like feel. Like the Havalon, replacement blades are cheap, it's easy to switch them out, and the sharpness is outstanding.

quote:

Originally posted by Overland:
I use an Outdoor Edge EDC, which is the same concept but has a more "traditional" knife-like feel. Like the Havalon, replacement blades are cheap, it's easy to switch them out, and the sharpness is outstanding.

Overland,

Havalon has now expanded to many designs including utility knives. What I like is the the basic use of the generic scalpel blade that is widely available or the oversize blade which can now also be bought in bulk. The fitting is the same for all scalpel blades.

Be aware the blades on those Havelons can and WILL pop off if caught just right. After some people started posting on the Net(I was one of them the Blade popped off while I was gutting an Elk) Havalon changed their Literature to read for skinning only!!!

I’ll stick with good old knife ( quality steel )
Sometimes I feel like all this technology in hunting industry takes away some of the experience
I’ll leave it at that...

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
I’ll stick with good old knife ( quality steel )
Sometimes I feel like all this technology in hunting industry takes away some of the experience
I’ll leave it at that...

+1

Seems like use of whet-rock is a dying art.

They look like they would go well with a Blaser.

We use the small one back at camp on the ears, eyes and lips

When I was skinning up to 10 animals a day I knew I needed something better than having to sharpen a knife constantly. I bought a extra large scalpel handle and autopsy blades which are almost identical to the Havalan extra thick blades. I buy up to 8 boxes of a 100 at a time. The decreased stress on the wrist and hands of using an extra sharp blade on a small handle is incredible compared to a large fixed blade knife.
While hunting in Canada, my buddy shot a moose. I asked the guide if he minded if I butchered and cut up the moose? He looked at me like I was crazy! 20 minutes later, I had the moose skinned, skull removed and completely cut up using 2 of my autopsy blades. He couldn't believe it and tried to hire me on the spot.
That being said, if you're only skinning one wt buck then you don't necessarily need a blade like the havalon. I take a couple of extra handles and a box of blades every time I go to Africa. The guys love them!!!

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:
While the small Havalon Piranta knife is exceptionally sharp and is outstanding for caping, I think you'll find that Havalon's Baracuta fillet knife is even better for general skinning work. The blade is larger and stronger, while still being exceptionally sharp. When I'm hunting, I carry both and find them to be a very useful combination. I used a baracuta to skin and completely bone out an elk with one blade.

This is my current practice, as well.

I've seen a lot guides in North America that have gone to this type of knife. For them (and you) it makes sense given the volume of game processing and the time constraints in their profession.

For me I so far don't really care for them. I've seen too many guides make too many holes in capes from that little scalpel blade. But I suppose some practice with them helps.

There aren't many blades that will beat a good quality German or Japanese kitchen knife which is also far easier to sharpen.

Cheaper to lose, cheaper to replace and cuts just as well as the expensive, fancy ones.

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:
There aren't many blades that will beat a good quality German or Japanese kitchen knife which is also far easier to sharpen.

Cheaper to lose, cheaper to replace and cuts just as well as the expensive, fancy ones.

They are a bit flimsy for my taste. I've used them for caping out elk heads a couple times and they seamed to dull very fast. Fast enough that I could not get through one head without a blade change.

Note to self :

Dont kneel on a opened Havalon in the heat of getting a Mountain goat skinned ! This baby will cut as Doug Marcaida of Forged in fire is so fond of saying

yep right through the patella tendon ! seen it happen !

and just as a side note.... get the bright Orange one, might not be cool but most skinning ofter happens at last light or even in the dark and this bright orange version does not get "lost" in the process

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
I’ll stick with good old knife ( quality steel )
Sometimes I feel like all this technology in hunting industry takes away some of the experience
I’ll leave it at that...

+1

Seems like use of whet-rock is a dying art.

Not at all Lane and my last client showed me how to use a leather strap (cartridge belt) to finish a hone on a knife.

There is a degree of satisfaction in getting a blade razor sharp and a degree of disgust to see a good knife misused.

The Havalon is a great little idea and I used it often in the home and around the workshop.

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
Note to self :

Dont kneel on a opened Havalon in the heat of getting a Mountain goat skinned ! This baby will cut as Doug Marcaida of Forged in fire is so fond of saying

yep right through the patella tendon ! seen it happen !

and just as a side note.... get the bright Orange one, might not be cool but most skinning ofter happens at last light or even in the dark and this bright orange version does not get "lost" in the process

Yup, I got to agree on the orange handle knives. Mud, brush or snow they still can be seen.

quote:

Originally posted by McKay:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:
There aren't many blades that will beat a good quality German or Japanese kitchen knife which is also far easier to sharpen.

Cheaper to lose, cheaper to replace and cuts just as well as the expensive, fancy ones.

They are a bit flimsy for my taste. I've used them for caping out elk heads a couple times and they seamed to dull very fast. Fast enough that I could not get through one head without a blade change.

Try getting a second opinion from a professional butcher - he processes more varieties of meat in a month than most of us would shoot in a lifetime.

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Originally posted by McKay:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:
There aren't many blades that will beat a good quality German or Japanese kitchen knife which is also far easier to sharpen.

Cheaper to lose, cheaper to replace and cuts just as well as the expensive, fancy ones.

They are a bit flimsy for my taste. I've used them for caping out elk heads a couple times and they seamed to dull very fast. Fast enough that I could not get through one head without a blade change.

Try getting a second opinion from a professional butcher - he processes more varieties of meat in a month than most of us would shoot in a lifetime.

Think he was referring to the Havalon and not the good quality carving knives.

My skinner carry a few good blades which are swiss kitchen knives.

There is another downside to the Havalon knives: They are almost impossible to keep. So far, I have had one stolen from my luggage in Bloemfontein, and have given two away to tracker/skinners. Fortunately they are cheap. For several years now, there has been a vendor at the SCI Convention that has sold the full line at a good price. As others have said, get plenty of extra blades. There is also a polymer tool sold for safely changing blades, but a good multi-tool with pliers can be used as well.

The new Havalons that I have recently bought have the changing tool included. I did have them graciously give me 3-4 of the changing tool for free when they found out how many I owned!

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
The new Havalons that I have recently bought have the changing tool included. I did have them graciously give me 3-4 of the changing tool for free when they found out how many I owned!

This necessity of needing another "tool" or a leatherman just to be able to change blades is why I bought the Gerber version (they both use the same blades). Simply push the button and the blade is loose. I have had it for two years now with no issues and it is MUCH safer during blade changes!

http://www.gerbergear.com/Kniv...ket-Folder_31-002736

Video of the blade change system........

https://youtu.be/J-Z1n3DbcDY

The “tool” is a small, clear, orange plastic device that you slip the blade into, close the device and then pull up on the base of the blade (non sharp end) and release. The blade comes off and you dispose of it and then re-install a new blade by reversing the process. Keeps you from cutting your fingers or hand. Easy and simple.

Just got one of the tools as well. I have a lot of Havalons and like them. Like nice custom knives as well and generally carry both. One for light work and to be pretty and the other for the real work. Now if I could just convince my wife to a similar arrangement.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Just got one of the tools as well. I have a lot of Havalons and like them. Like nice custom knives as well and generally carry both. One for light work and to be pretty and the other for the real work. Now if I could just convince my wife to a similar arrangement.

That was funny.

I prefer a heavier blade for general field dressing and butchery but I used a Havalon to skin out black bear paws and don't think I could have used anything better, it was really precise and fast.