Havalon Knives

[brent.wheaton]

Just received my Havalon knife for my subscription. Are these good knives? What do you think about them for deer and elk? I would think for skinning they would be great.

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Varied opinions:

http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3532

I really, really like mine, and I have used it for years.

[sjsmallfield]

I don't have any experience with elk but for deer I love my Havalon. I have used mine to field dress, skin, quarter and cape. Just be careful around the joints. If you put too much pressure on the blade it can snap!

[In God We Trust]

I used mine for the first time last week on my elk. One thing I will say is the blade can pop off if you get a little rough with it. I had that happen once and it could have turned out bad. Those things are extremely sharp and if you loose a blade and get your hand the cut will be deep. They are great knives though and the blades are easy to replace.

[Wyoflightmedic]

Used mine on 2 elk and 1 deer so far. I love it. I am going to buy the longer bladed one next week.

[spotnstalk1]

i have used them to skin and bone a few bulls now and i love them. There are other knives that are more durable but these are very, sharp. They will break if you're not careful around bones. Usually takes me anywhere from 3-5 blades to completely skin and de-bone a bull. I love them because they are light for backpacking.

[Edelweiss]

Dangerous Junk!

You can buy 3 or 4 Cold Steel Finnbears or Mora knives for the same money. The biggest difference is that the Cold Steel and Mora knives won't break apart and cut you to smithereens in the back country.

For $100 you can buy a Spyderco or CRKT with a ATS-34 blade that will do damn near a whole elk.

For $500 you can buy a Diamond blade knife that will do 10 elk without being sharpened again.

I used to have a love affair with razor bladed swap handle knives at work. I figured out it's easier to sharpen a good knife than get stitches over a crappy one.

[HiMtnHnter]

Havalon's are awesome! I've used mine on antelope, deer, and elk.

[Ikeepitcold]

I don't care for mine. To flimsy and the blade can snap off. I've heard the bigger blade works better.

[BKC]

I've had my havalon for about 5 seasons now and have used it for about 12-15 animals. It is perfect in the field if you use it for skinning and getting rid of the belly. Be careful around bones because as everyone else has said, they will snap if you twist it the wrong way. The new longer one looks like it will break easier, although I have never used it . I pack band aids with mine because you will cut yourself eventually. If you concerned about weight, this is the knife. Buy it in orange so you dont lose it.