By Pat Carrothers, President & CEO
Nice and Easy Does It Every Time
Now that we’re into the various hunting seasons (at last!), I know a lot of people will be skinning and deboning a deer, elk or other large animal with one of our knives for the first time. Havalon knives are different from traditional skinning knives. You may need to learn a slightly different style of cutting to get the most out of your Havalon.
First, the blade you are using is ground and honed exactly the same way we hone a delicate surgeon’s blade. With a Havalon, you’re working with an exquisitely sharp blade, what many guys call “crazy sharp.” You wouldn’t picture a surgeon twisting and gouging real hard with a surgical knife during a surgery, right? So, you too should avoid twisting and gouging with your Havalon.
Let the “crazy sharp” edge do the work with easy slitting and slicing motions. Start twisting the handle to force your way through a tough spot and (“oh @#%&) you won’t be happy with the result. You’ll either break the blade or snap it off the handle. Some guys twist and pry so hard they actually break the stop pin on their knife. If that happens to you, call us and we’ll replace it for you. But avoid this altogether by learning to go easy.
Even when busting joints you don’t need to use brute force with your knife. Slow down and take the time to cut the ligaments. Then break the joint apart using your hands.
When you find yourself applying a lot of pressure to cut with a Havalon, it’s time to change the blade. At a cost of about .50 cents for a Piranta blade, do you really need to worry whether it takes two blades instead of one to skin an elk? This has to be the least expensive decision you will make during your hunt. Not to mention the time you’ll save using our Quik-Change method instead of sharpening.
Thank you for the great support of Havalon Knives we are experiencing. And please share the “easy-does-it” message about slitting and slicing motions for success with a Havalon. Good luck with your hunts this year!
Any tips for guys using their first Havalon?
how are these knives for pelting furbearers like thin skinned coyotes or fox ? is cutting through the hides a problem with your knives?
Thanks for your comment. Sorry for the delay in responding, but we get so much spam that our filters somehow blocked you. RE: “cutting through hides” is not a big problem with our knives, but that really depends on the user. Taxidermists have been using our blades and knives for 20 years. Many like the blade #22XT because it has a rounded point and a dull spot right at the point so it doesn’t easily poke thru a hide. We’ll go so far as to say that there are no better knives for furbearers like coyote or fox. Have had satisfied customers like this for really more than 20 years.
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Archery shot a 400# Bear this year in Colorado and tracked it well into the darkness, recovery at 10:15 pm. Typing up an article for a Bow hunting Magazine as we speak. Guy that was with me after Pic’s of course said try my new blade. First cuts up the Bears belly to the jaw was easier than utilizing a zipper. Maybe Misses Santa will see which website I finally visited. 8^)
Love the knive. Used it to skin a couple elk this year and it takes a lot of the work out of the job. I go through 2-3 blades per elk. I have snapped a few blades but it really is no big deal since it means you get to start off with a new razor sharp blade.
I would like to see the blade get incorporated into a utility style knive like a Leatherman or similar. For me that would be the perfect tool.
I did kill an elk in the winter last year where I only finished half of the skinning and boning before it got dark. The next morning it was semi frozen. A heavier bladed knife is really required for semi frozen hide.
Hi Paul. I am glad to hear you like your Piranta Knife. Can you clarify your idea of incorporating our blade into a utility style knife? We are always interested in getting feed back from our customers.
I think what the above poster means is a tool like a Leatherman or Gerber multi-pliers not a utility knife as such. If not I am suggesting just that because with a blade/knife system like yours on it. I actually envision this creating the ultimate pocket tool. The blade on my and my wife’s tools are the ones I have to sharpen the most as it is always in my pocket when sometimes even my knife is not. We have used them for everything from peeling apples and cutting up cheese as a picnic snack to cutting heavy rope (not often but it has happened) and simply replacing the blade versus sharpening would be awesome. In fact I see the tool and it’s pouch having a pocket for like 5 or so spare blades in it.
a tracer 22 in Blaze orange, seems to be the only model missing to complete the range, does Havalon expect to roll out this option? thanks in advance.
Ian
Ian,
Thank you for your comment, that’s an excellent suggestion, and we’ll be sure to discuss that idea this week.
Keep checking back to the website for new knives, that just might be one of them!
Sincerely,
Havalon Knives
My husband is a big outdoorsman. He the kind that does hunting, guiding, trapping, taxidermy, and scoring. He got excited over being introducted to your knives. He operated off two models of actual surgical knives for over 10 years for most of his delicate work. To have someone built a design for hunting is great. Thank you.
Your welcome Denise. Thank you for the support. Feel free to drop us a line anytime with comments or suggestions, and check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well. Havalon Knives
In looking at these knives, had to wonder if they would work well for us guys skinning buffalo and if so; which system would you recommend.
Will a Baracuta skinning blade fit the Baracuta fillet knife?
Carson, yes the Baracuta blades are interchangeable for any Baracuta knife handle. So the 115XT blades do fit the Baracuta knife with the fillet style blades (127XT). Thanks for your question.
Richard, we don’t have anyone with personal experience skinning a buffalo here in the office, but we have never heard anyone tell us about a hide that the Piranta didn’t do a good job on. Hogs are probably the toughest hide I have used it on and it works great for that. Bear hunters rave about the Piranta knife for skinning. I recommend you try the Piranta knife for skinning and the Baracuta knife for boning out the meat. We’ve had a lot of good feedback on the fillet style blades being good for boning out. As always, you get a money-back satisfaction guarantee so if you are not satisfied with any Havalon knife, you tell us about it in a timely fashion and we will refund your money.
Anybody have any good tips for using a Havalon on a buffalo?
Would it be possible to re sharpen a dull blade if you had to.
Yes, you can re-sharpen if you have to. Hopefully though, you’ll have enough extra blades available so you don’t have to.
Is the Havalon piranta edge a good knife for filleting fish?
Carson, you can use any Piranta for any job when it comes to your “catch”, they will all perform excellently. However, if we’re going to be specific, the Baracuta-Edge and Baracuta-Z were specifically made for filleting fish. Check out the video by Capt. Dave Sipler, a charter boat captain in Florida, he uses our Baracuta knives soley in his business.
Have You ever considered a 8 or 9 inch filet knife. I would buy one for fileting salmon tuna and halibut. The small 5 inch filet knife really isn’t what I need for these larger fish. I have a Piranta Edge and love it for many different uses. I can hardly wait to try it out on game. I will probably buy the larger knife also, but the filet knife is probably to small for what I want.
THANKS ALOT TONY
Thanks for your question Tony. We have been trying to lengthen our fillet blades, but it is difficult to achieve our level of sharpness with the thickness that a longer blade requires. Otherwise they become too breakable. We are working on it!
I realize the Baracuta blades can’t fit onto the Piranta frames because their too long. Can the Piranta blades fit onto the Baracuta frame. I guess what I’m asking is, is the cut out on your blades ( the hole where you attach the blades to the frames) the same size? I would love to get the Baracuta frame but with the extra cost, i would love to be able to use the blade that looks kinda like a hook bill.
Sorry Jeremy, the Piranta blades cannot fit the Baracuta handles. As you guessed, the fitments are different sizes and not interchangeable.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Havalon
i was reading some of the Responses from people and how to use your knifes. why don’t use make a protection that where the blade locks in and comes out a little to give the knife more strangth. also if i where to buy one and it breaks like i read in your statement do i get a new one for free? plus if u do replace it and i dose it over and over again hgow many times do u keep giving me a new one? are your knife ganrenteed for life? i want to get one before this up coming season but i keep lookin g atg them they just look like it will break real easy and when im using it and it dose break i dont want to find little peases in my meat.
Ryan,
Havalon Knives will replace your knife for any reason from one year of purchase. If after one year it is lost, or damaged, the warranty is void.
As far as the blade breaking, that has happened on occasion, when the user is applying too much pressure. It takes a little practice to allow the sharpness of the blade to do the work for you, they are surgically sharp blades like a scalpel, so you don’t have to apply pressure and torque. If the blade does break, it will break in half. You will not find “little pieces” of blade throughout your meat.
I hope this answers your question. If you still would like to speak with someone, you may call our customer service at 1-888-836-3204.
Hello, I have a similar question to Jeremy above. I understand that the Piranta and Baracuta frames are different and require different blades, but do the Piranta taxidermy blades (#22XT) fit in a standard #4 scalpel handel? I like to use the scalpel handle for the fit and feel in my hand, but appreciate the idea of the blunt tip for the #22 blade. Thanks
The 22XT will not fit in a #4 surgical handle because it is a thicker blade, however, it will fit a #8 pathology handle http://www.havalon.com/han8.html.
Hi, were are Havalon piranta knives made.
The knives are designed by Havalon in the US, but manufactured overseas.
Havalon,
I just purchased the Piranta Edge and it is awesome ( and I haven’t even cut anything yet!).
You mentioned that it was possible to resharpen the blades, if one HAD to. If so, what is the recommended blade angle for sharpening? Something like 15-17 degrees? Not that I have any near-future plans to do so as I have 36 spare blades! Just wondering…
If I were to sharpen one, I’d probably go with the most acute angle possible with my sharpening tools. That might not match the angle, so I’d probably be giving it a new angle. I think the bottom line is that most people won’t get the blade as sharp as it originally was. However, 15-17 degrees is probably about right.
Here’s a URL that gives lots of info on knife sharpening angles:
http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Detailed-Discussion-on-Knife-Sharpening-Angles-W28C60.aspx
Steve Sorensen
Contributing Writer to the Havalon Blog
I haven’t officially purchased one of these knifes yet, was just turned on to them last night actually! But my question is what blade would you suggest for field dressing a deer or any medium to large game at that? There’s many to choose! The reviews from what i read are great and i’m planing on purchasing one….Just need a suggestions on blades cause i’m wanting to purchase a few boxes!
Thanks
Hi Nick,
Sorry for the delay in responding. Many hunters find the Piranta-Edge to do very well, even on large animals, including bear, moose, etc. However, if you feel you may need a larger handle/blade, you might try the Baracuta-Blaze. Keep in mind that Havalon has a 100% satisfaction guarantee (from one year of purchase), so if it doesn’t live up to your expectations or suit your needs, you can return it for refund or exchange.
Thank you for your interest,
Havalon
I have both the piranta and baracuta edge.
A multi tool with a piranta blade in it would be an ideal tool
Thanks for the suggestion Darren, we’ll keep that in mind when looking at new designs.
Havalon
Any plans for a hooked blade similar to the carpet cutting or gut-hook style blades / knives? That your system is designed around interchangeable blades, it could give the hunter that likes to use a hooked blade for starting the process, to then switch over to the cutting blade – but sticking to a single system.
The idea has been suggested by several hunters, and discussed by the Havalon team, but at this time there are no plans for a hooked blade. However, we do have several other new styles that will be coming out this year. Thank you for your suggestion.
Havalon