Replacement blade knives in the field.

[dresnor]

I am trying to finish off my loadout for archery season in Maine. I have been looking at the replacement blade knives like Havalon, Outdoor edge, and Tyto. I really like the idea of being able to switch out the blades when the need comes.

Do any of you use a knives like these in the field?
How do they perform? Any advice?

I am more attracted to the Tyto knife since it is a skeletonized fixed blade.

Jeremy

[MnFn]

I wondered about them also. Then I went bear hunting and the guide used a Havalon.
It looked like it worked very well.

So, I have bought one for my own future use.

[Doug_K]

Used a Kershaw interchangeable blade setup ~20 years ago. Worked well, but a bit weak for my taste. Never tried the new scalpel knives. I use my knives for more than field dressing, so I prefer a good full tang fixed blade. If your not proficient in sharpening blades I can understand the attraction though.

[Tim in Wa.]

I don't like them because I need some sort of pliers to change blades with out impailiing. myself
Here is a good field  condition test for my area.
Cover your hands with bacon grease, plunge them in a big bowl of ice water for 10 minutes than try to change blades

I use a Havalon all the time. You have to be careful if you are doing something like separating the ball joint of the ham because the blade will break if you torque it too much. Other than that, it's the best hunting knife I have ever had. Sharpest too!!!

Bisch

[96ssportsp]

I  use an outdoor Edge.....… I think is the greatest thing since sliced bread! But I am sharpening challenged.

[smokin feathers]

Ive used  oth the large n small havlin knives n love them especially on hogs, where u having to cut through dirt mud n coarse hair n dulls a blade very quick. Like bisch said u got be carefull with the smaller thinner blade knives as u will easily break one n a joint

[kadbow]

Used one for the first time in the field a few days ago. The Havelon worked great skinning, quartering, removing back straps and tenderloins on a cow elk. Didn't break any blades, put a new blade on when I started and didn't need tools to do it, and one blade did the job. It was hot and the job needed to get done fast and the piranta did the job.

[TDHunter]

Halavon , used it on sheep, goats bear and moose. Would never go hunting with out it

[TaterHill Archer]

They work great.  safest way to change the blade is with a set of pliers or hemostats.  I still like my traditional knives, but a Havalon is pretty sweet.

[-Zor]

I use a havalon with an assist from a fixed blade Bark River to split a joint or chop through a bone or sternum. Like mentioned above, stabbing a log to pull a dull/fatty/greasy blade works fine. I just stab the same log (used a total of three blades to quarter and debone my last elk) and then collect the blades once the work is done and it's time to clean up and pack out.

[old_goat2]

Bought Havalon Piranta and their filet knife whatever it's called to replace my heavy nice knives in my quest to lighten my load, pack was just too damn heavy. I love the idea of the Tyto, but afraid my hands would cramp up on that skinny handle! The outdoor edge model is supposed to have more robust blade system!

[cacciatore]

I am sure they work incredibly well, but I like custom knives I like to sharpen my blades too, so life is too short to use an ugly knife.

[BWallace10327]

Replacements razors have a place in my tool bag- not in my hunting pack.  They don't impress me too  much.

[huskyarcher]

Havalons are awesome. I hse my Piranta all the time. Lije Bisch said, the blades will break on you if theyre torqued. Talk about sharp though, good lord. The Outdoor Edge version is pretty nice too, i just like the smaller havalon better for weight and ease of use in tight quarters.

[woodchucker]

One of the 1st things I was taught MANY years ago, when I was given my 1st knife... (a brand new, official Boy Scout pocket knife) Was how to sharpen it!!!!! It saddens me that many "outdoorsmen" do not possess the simple skill, to sharpen a cutting tool??? In this day & age, are we so rushed, or "lazy" that we can't learn (and pass along) simple outdoor skills??? (Sharpening, Firebuilding, Reading a Map, Using a Compass? etc) As time goes on... I just see each generation getting "dumber"... But heck, I'm just an old guy? Maybe in the next few hundred years, we'll "discover fire"???
Just one old fart's oppinion.....

[Terry Lightle]

What woodchucker said!

[TOEJAMMER]

I'm with Felix.

[-Zor]

Originally posted by woodchucker:
One of the 1st things I was taught MANY years ago, when I was given my 1st knife... (a brand new, official Boy Scout pocket knife) Was how to sharpen it!!!!! It saddens me that many "outdoorsmen" do not possess the simple skill, to sharpen a cutting tool??? In this day & age, are we so rushed, or "lazy" that we can't learn (and pass along) simple outdoor skills??? (Sharpening, Firebuilding, Reading a Map, Using a Compass? etc) As time goes on... I just see each generation getting "dumber"... But heck, I'm just an old guy? Maybe in the next few hundred years, we'll "discover fire"???
Just one old fart's oppinion.....

While I agree with the point you're making, there is a time and a place for everything, including innovation. Here in Arizona time is not on your side when it comes to preserving meat. If I'm hunting solo and have a four mile one way trip to my truck, then I want to be as time efficient as possible when gutting, quartering, skinning and deboning my meat. Last September the temperature was almost 80F where I killed my bull. It's been in the nineties where I'm hunting coues deer this year. If I can shave off a few minutes here and there getting meat cooled off and packed out, I'll use the right tool to save time. I can and do sharpen every edged tool I own, use a map and compass, carry two sharp fixed blade knives and can start a fire any way you like, but I'm not above using the right tool for the job.

[dresnor]

When I posted this thread I knew it would take a someone would post a "learn how to sharpen a knife" comment.

I can't agree more honestly. I own a metric butt ton of knives, I even make knives. I do know how to sharpen a blade.

However, there are times when I don't want to sharpen a blade. Being cold, bloody and loosing light is not a situation where I would WANT to resharpen a blade. If I HAD to, well that is a different story.

Being a knife nut, I was just wondering if other hunters on this board find them useful. This board seems to be more level headed than some I frequent. Less apt to rush out and buy the latest and greatest. If these types of knives made it in packs of this forums members, then I know it has to fit a nitch.

As for learning and passing on outdoors skills. Man, your talking my language. I truly enjoy passing on the wilderness living and bushcraft skills I have learned over the years.

I too see the next generation "getting dumber" and I am not even that old.

Thanks to everyone, especially woodchucker.

Jeremy