It is sharp when you cut yourself gutting a deer and never realize you are bleeding until you wash up once you're done.
Havalon knives are amazing. I personally like the thinner blades of the pirhanta more than the thicker blades on the newer model. I don't attempt to pry through bones with it, so the thinner blade is WAY better for skinning, caping, fleshing, and does just fine cutting meat. I have done an ENTIRE caribou with one blade (skinning, caping, quartering, and cutting out all trim meat).
I just got a havalon knife and can't wait to test it on some flesh Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Finch I've used the piranta for 3 seasons and the blades are scary sharp but not terribly sturdy(but not too bad either). Havalon makes one now with a bit bigger blade. Outdoor Edge has a pair on the market now as well, looks like they are targeted at deer hunters: Razor-Blaze | Outdoor Edge Cutlery http://www.outdooredge.com/Razor-Lite-p/razor-lite.htm
NEW...a few reviews I've read said that the blade had broken on them during the quartering process. Guess they were pushing the limits of the knife. So at least I know their limitations going it. Thanks for the link to the Outdoor edge but I'm gonna place my order for the regular piranta. Got some Cabela's bucks burning a hole in my pocket. :D
Man you guys got me wanting to buy a new knife. The Havalon knives look sweet. I might have to pick one up before the season.
I went hog wild and ordered the Piranta Bolt for field dressing. And also the Baracuta Blaze which is the bigger one for de-boning and cutting up the meat. Also you can put their fillet blades in that barracuta one so I ordered a package of that for fish.
My problem is I dont know what one to order. Im just looking to use it for field dressing since I dont have the place to process my own deer.
You wont be disappointed. I've only ever broken a blade when I've been around that ball joint in the ham(which I probably shouldnt have been with those blades). A helpful tip would be when replacing the blades definitely use a small leatherman or something(although it can be done by hand) and when you open a new blade save the small package it comes in to put the old blade in. That will keep you from cutting the bottom out of a trash bag because even when these blades get dull they are sharp. I'm gonna try the Outdoor Edge only because I like the rounded look of the blade which I prefer when caping and I like the gut hook option simply because I am scared to gut one with the Piranta, one tiny slip and it's cutting anything it touches. Hopefully I can give the OE model a review real soon...urban archery starts Saturday
When I can split a RCH after cutting the sternum open on my next knarly ole buck.. :0) I got a KMART Sharpe folding knife that has field dressed over 30 deer and has never had the edge touched on it since it was first sharpened! Some things are golden. If you find one that suits with ya stick with it!
Sharpest Knife I've ever owned. This baby will cut a sheet of newspaper w/o any effort, shave hair off my arm or face, and recently 'fileted' (sp?) a musk melon like a fish. Customized from a kit by a machinist buddy of mine.
I just skinned an quarter an Elk on Saturday with a havalon piranta knife. It actually took two blades which is nothing when they're so cheap. I won't be using another knife anytime soon. The trick is to not bend the blades. If you can make straight cuts its the knife for you.
I'm intrigued by these knives. My only question is would those blades hold up to field dressing on a deer you don't intend to have mounted, as in cutting through/around the sternum? That's a tough cut. Will it hold up to that kind if treatment or would you just use a different knife for that?
Blades are too thin to punch through rib bones of you want to split the sternum. But, for 100% of boning they cannot be beat. Sent from my soup can and string
I've only used mine on my Elk an a Mule deer. Both were gutless quartered. That being said I cut both animals legs at the join of the knee then broke the bone. As I was cutting the tendons it actually went through the Elk's bone. I don't think it would be a problem.
