Well, after 50 plus years of hunting and couple hundred whitetail and mule deer later, I made a move almost 15 years ago to what has far and long exceeded my expectations. I have and still own a Buck folder, old Schrade folder, CRT, Fixed Schrade, a custom knife, Wyoming Skinner, and a host of others. I tried on a knee jerk reaction a little knife with replaceable blades from Havalon. Was getting frustrated with the need to sharpen all the time and the plethora of sharpening methods i bought or were given. Just thought it came with the territory.
Started with the Piranta and now carry it and their hydra, a two blade replaceable, as well. One end has a Piranta sized gut hook blade the other has the larger hunting knife blade. First year I used that little knife I field dressed 5 deer, skinned those 5 plus another 5 and then quartered all of them before I changed the blade. Havalon has long made surgical scalpels also used quite a bit in the taxidermy industry. Will it chop a branch, pry or chop bone, no. It will however never cause me hand fatigue and is so dang lite I don't even know I'm carrying it.
WARNING!! - It is a surgical scalpel in your hand. All of us have made mistakes with knives that have cost us a stitch or two. The Havalon is so sharp you'll be down to bone before you ever realize it!!
I carry about 4 different blades, from the standard, to a larger blade for bigger game, to a filet and a gut hook. All fits well into a small case and the blades are very reasonable. Have I broken a blade, yep, and every time it's my fault. Most of the time I'm trying to hurry instead of taking my time. They also work great if your doing the gutless method of field dressing. Oh, I also carry a Sagen Saw should the need arise.
It's so lite, it allows me to carry a heavier rifle!
REMEMBER, YMMV (your mileage may vary)!!
