The larger of the Havalon knives and some of their competitors were on top of my list. I’m a little concerned about going through $50 in blades trying to get through all that hair on a bear. I guess that’s pretty much the definition of putting the cart before the horse since I might not even lay eyes on one.
Actually I'm impressed at the blades. Cut that bear hide from the inside anyway, that blade will last.
I ordered my Piranta Edge with a total of 24 of the 60a standard blades and 12 of the 22xt blades. So 36 blades total and that was $45 shipped knife included from Midway. It's been a couple years but for sure I have done 2 coyotes and 2 fox, 3 goats, 1 sheep, maybe 10 chickens, 2 geese, 2 turkeys, at least 4 deer, at least 4 elk, 2 domestic hogs (325lb and 500lb) and a bunch of squirrels. I also carried it as my pocket knife for awhile until the rivet worked loose. I have plenty of blades left. Probably maybe have to order more next year but I'm set this year. I use my knife and I kill and help kill a lot of critters. I doubt that total I listed is all inclusive and by "doing" I mean gutting and skinning, or quartering and field butchering.
Point is blades last awhile and buying more doesn't break the bank. I honestly have rarely wished for a larger knife when doing elk. I've thought about it and would like to try a bigger one sometime but that little Piranta gets in there and cuts up elk like nobody's business. In fact there are times when I'm elbow deep in a bull elk carcass trying to cut the windpipe and pull the heart/lungs out and I'm glad I only have that little blade because they are sharp as hell and it gets hard keeping track of the knife from your fingers with all the heavy elk organs in the way.
Here's an elk heart extracted with the Piranta:
Skinning with the Piranta:
Quartering and field butchering with a Piranta (That's a Buck folder on the carcass, also a fine knife, the Piranta is in my hand):
I feel like Havalon knives are the least classy way to go and if I was to have a choice of knives to lose it'd be that one because it's the cheapest to replace. But 2 ish years ago after pricing good knives and good sharpening equipment after years of carrying two knives and a steel with me and sharpening as I go... in my opinion the Havalon wins in sharpness and handiness. I'm happy with my decision. I tried to dislike Havalon. Every time I'd guide an elk down and someone would say "here, use my Havalon" I'd accept only to be polite. But once I got to cutting I didn't mind that ugly scalpel blade so much. Nothing cuts like a scalpel blade. Havalon knives are the bees knees. There, I said it. Took me a long time to work up to that admission
P.S.
Congrats on your relocation. I'll be visiting your old stomping grounds, headed to Upstate NY this year to hunt deer
