Havalon Pirantas

[JohnFitzgerald]

I just picked up the Havalon SS. Wow, you talk about surgical sharp.

For those who've used them, how many blades per elk?

[Indian Summer]

One. As long as you don't put pressure on it sideways and snap it off. Not only are they wicked sharp but they steel is pretty hard and the edge always lasts until.... you snap it off. So usually two. lol

[kevin_t]

Havalons are scary sharp and effective. Another good option is Nathan at Kestrel Knives
http://kestrelknives.com. These knives are light, and require occasional sharpening but other than that offer almost havalon like performance.

[AmericanBwana]

We used one on my elk. It took two blades. The first one broke off making it impossible to change the blade without a multi tool.

They are on my short list of things to get.

AB

[LckyTylr]

I used two on the elk that my buddy shot this year. Very pleased with them, but the first one did break which kind of surprised me. The broken tip was never found and made me nervous the rest of the time, wondering when it would poke me.

For the first time in umpteen years, I cut myself. I didn't even know it. I thought the elk was just bleeding a lot, but I was nowhere near any fresh blood, found out that I slipped the point right underneath the back of my fingernail and didn't feel it. WOW . . . SHARP!

[Glacier Country]

Seems like I break a blade about 3/4 through the job. So 2 blades. I always keep a cheap small multi tool in with this knife just to change blades.

[Indian Summer]

I just finished quartering 4 rabbits with one. I get a whole rabbit season out of one blade plus one whitetail deer.

[BrentLaBere]

I used two on the elk that my buddy shot this year. Very pleased with them, but the first one did break which kind of surprised me. The broken tip was never found and made me nervous the rest of the time, wondering when it would poke me.

For the first time in umpteen years, I cut myself. I didn't even know it. I thought the elk was just bleeding a lot, but I was nowhere near any fresh blood, found out that I slipped the point right underneath the back of my fingernail and didn't feel it. WOW . . . SHARP!

I just got one and this^^^ worries me. I think it can be a great tool but wont be able to trust it until I try it out next season.

[pointysticks]

Havalons are scary sharp and effective. Another good option is Nathan at Kestrel Knives
http://kestrelknives.com. These knives are light, and require occasional sharpening but other than that offer almost havalon like performance.

Link takes you to a weird password protected place.

[Still Hunter]

I have the Havalon Bolt. It has a little thicker blade, and holds up better. Grip is a bit bigger too.

http://www.havalon.com/skinning-knife-p ... abolt.html

[Huntrgathr]

I was skeptical about the Havalons at first. Now, I leave my "real" knife at home. I quartered two elk, two deer, a bear and a bunch of birds with it this year. Pretty much every animal took two blades. My elk took three but I was working in the dark. I always break them about 3/4 of the way through the animal. Once they start to dull you start putting more pressure on the blade and snap it. I love mine. Don't think I'll ever go back ...

[Wapiti]

I use them up here as well. My buddy Dan and his wife Danielle were the Alberta distributors until Dan passed away suddenly this summer. I believe Danielle has since gave the distribution up.

We would have our booths set up beside each other at trade shows and they would sell out almost every show !! They are so sharp they are scary !! I also used two blades on my elk this year. The blades do not like side pressure at all and I use a leatherman to change the blades !! Dan's fingers were wrapped in bandages at the end of shows from taking blades on and off all day !!

This is the only knife I carry with me now except for a Bear Grylls knife on my belt for safety right beside my bear spray !!

[Still Hunter]

It was hard retiring my old knives. Especially, my old 70's version Buck 110. If I had a dollar for everytime I sharpened that old Buck I could buy a new Jeep.

Anybody thinking of buying a Havalon. Don't buy the Piranta. Get the Bolt I showed in the link. I never break a blade with it.

[Huntrgathr]

I did want to add something. My Piranta has been great except for the hardware loosening up. I lost one of the belt clip screws before I knew it. Then the clip moved around and wore a groove in the handle do I took it off. Now the main screw/bolt holding the knife together is starting to loosen. Wouldn't be a big deal if they didn't use Torx fasteners. Now I have to go buy some Torx bits just to tighten my knife up...

Like Stillhunter said, it was hard giving up my Buck knives. I have that same 70's style fixed blade and 90's Buck with the guthook. I miss that gut hook the most...

[>>>---WW---->]

No thanks! They scare the crap out of me! I'm just waiting to hear about the first guy that butchers himself with one. To me, it wouldn't be a very good feeling to break a blade off inside an animal, not knowing where it went and then have to reach in there to finish the job. Besides, I know how to sharpen a knife and never have to replace the blade.

I used to help a taxidermist that used scalpels and have vivid memories of swore fingers from razor cuts!!

[Freebird134]

I did want to add something. My Piranta has been great except for the hardware loosening up. I lost one of the belt clip screws before I knew it. Then the clip moved around and wore a groove in the handle do I took it off. Now the main screw/bolt holding the knife together is starting to loosen. Wouldn't be a big deal if they didn't use Torx fasteners. Now I have to go buy some Torx bits just to tighten my knife up...

I switched to the Piranta a few years ago and I have no interest in any other knife for any kind of hunting. I love mine. I had the same problem as Huntrgathr, and the way Havalon handled the issue solidified my dedication to their products.

Last summer I was preparing to headed out on a bear trip in northern wisconsin and then drive straight to Idaho for my mule deer hunt (gone for 22 days). I noticed that a screw came out of my piranta belt clip, so I called Havalon and asked if they could send me a new screw. I explained that I was leaving for this trip in 10 days; I wasn't going to send it in for repair because I wanted to have the knife for my trip. The woman I spoke to said "no prob. Mail back yours immediately. I'll package up and address a new piranta including extra blades and a holster for you and I'll mail it the second yours arrives." That's just what I did and it went as planned.

Fantastic product and FANTASTIC customer service.

[danarnold]

I bought a Piranta and some extra blades last year , super sharp, weighs nothing, I broke 2 blades and somehow lost my sheath with extra blades ( my fault) in the back country quartering my 6X6 while it was raining its ass off, not much fun changing them with your fingers that are wet.
I've never cut myself while sharpening my conventional knives

while hunting I need a knife for a tool at times and this falls way short of that! it serves a purpose but wont be the only knife in my pack

[Freebird134]

This is the only knife I carry with me now except for a Bear Grylls knife on my belt for safety right beside my bear spray !!

I can't tell if this is a joke or you are serious. A Bear Grylls knife?