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Abraham · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 3:32 pm Post subject: Havalon Knives

Anyone here use Havalon knives on hogs?

If so, what's your opinion of them?

Thanks

VTDW · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

There is a great product review on those at Marlin Owners.
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David K · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject:

never used a Havalon...is there a certain model of theirs that you were thinking?

what I use on everything, by recommendation from multiple butcher shops....a Victorinox paring knife, model 40600, I get them for about $2.80 each, I usually carry 4 in their plastic sheath wrapped in something else, I do a whole elk with 2 or 3 of them and a stick sharpeners gets them sharp fast, but i carry a few so don't have to resharpen while I'm cutting up an animal

Randy Tausch · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:20 pm Post subject:

David, Gerald has several of those in the "boning" knife size. They work very well.
Randy
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David K · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:10 am Post subject:

Paul Schwartz · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject: Havalon Knives

Hi Gang,
I am new to this forum, but can shed light on the question of how Havalon Knives do on boars. The short answer AWESOME. The details: I have been told by several people at the Texas Outdoorsman Expo in Ft. Worth, that they could process an entire hog with one blade, and others said they used one blade on two hogs. If it takes 4 blades for one hog/boar, it takes about 30 seconds and .49 cents to put a brand new scalpel blade on the knife. My time is well worth that and more.

The knife, holster and 12 blades weighs approx. 3.5 ounces.
If you go to their website you can read many testimonials about how the knives do perform, and don't forget that the knives carry a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You will get 100% credit if you are not happy with how the knife performs.

Hope this helps.

Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

I just bought 2 of the knives and 24 blades off ebay,sounds like my kind of knife.Chuck
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David K · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:13 pm Post subject:

chuck, let us know how they do, my problem with them....i won't own any folding blade knife as the guts, blood, etc get stuck in the hinge element and if i don't have time to wash them off right away then a pain later on and i noticed any folding knife doesn't fold as good over time

mley1 · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:45 am Post subject:

I have a Queen D2 knife that I like. It's a fixed blade skinning knife. That D2 steel takes and holds an edge pretty durned good. I've done several multiple hog skinning sessions(with as many as 13 in a session) in the past couple of years using it, and it holds an edge all they through with no problems. I love the D2 tool steel, but it's a bear to sharpen. You gotta have diamond honing stones to sharpen it. I use a Lansky sharpener with diamond stones for the sharpening job on it.
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FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

Abraham · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:41 pm Post subject:

Great information and no I didn't have a particular model in mind.

In fact, I thought there might be one especially suited for hogs over another model that could be pointed out...

I've been away for awhile since I started this thread and I'm grateful for all the input.

Thanks everyone!

FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

I got the Piranta Edge in orange so I would not lose it. Seems like it will be great for skinning anything!

Gary Rapp · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 10:45 pm Post subject:

I bought a Havalon after skinning a hog with a dull knife a couple months ago. I used it Saturday night. I broke 3 blades before the hide was off. It is as sharp as anything I know of, but could be more ridgid, at least where the blade clicks into the handle. All 3 blades broke at the same place.

FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

Gary it is made for skinning, we use a hook blade utility knife (Gerber or Sheffield) for getting through the hide for the initial cuts, never through the hide...or a hook blade on the back of a knife. I have the same blade after 4 hogs.

Randy Tausch · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 3:17 am Post subject:

I was given one as a gift and used it for the first time last night on a 70# sow.
I was very pleased with the performance and would guess that I could easily do 3 or more hogs like it with one blade. They are scary sharp and I would for sure not recommend this knife to any one who is new to butchering hogs.
It is so sharp, it could be dangerous in in-experienced hands.
I am looking forward to using it more and getting a better idea how it performs on hogs of various sizes.
Obviosly, I have skinned hundereds of hogs and having a very sharp knife is a must. This one was incredibly sharp and felt the same when I was finished. I will use it more and report further findings later.
My initial reaction is quite good.
Randy
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FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

I have the Piranta but am also going to buy the Baracuta, it is twice as large and may be easier to handle. For skinning there is no substitute. I use very little pressure and never cut the hide with it. This is my Hide splitter is a gerber or sheffield utility and the a solid knofe for going thru the bones.

Randy is right, you need to be careful they are so sharp a beginner may want to start with a regular skinning knife.

This is my kit I always carry:

Randy Tausch · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:07 am Post subject:

I have used the Havalon Knife on about 15-20 hogs now and I am quite pleased with it. It does not work for every part of the process since it is so small but it really stays sharp. I am only on my 2nd blade at this point.
I use it only for the skinning process and it does a great job.
Randy
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FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

Randy I have found that too. The hook blade in the pic makes the initial cuts thru the hide, the Havalon only is used for skinning the hide off, the others are used to cut thing off and when you need a heavy blade. But for taking the skin off easy a quickly the always very sharp havalon does it the very best, you just cannot get a knife that sharp and it stays that way!