Thread: Question: Scalpel Knife options

Asking for suggestions on Scalpel Knife options that work well for hunters. Intended uses would be mainly caping but occasionally a bit of gutting and butchering as may be necessary. I used to have an older model Havalon but donated it to a guy who really needed one.
I know other brands are around these days so there is a bit of choice. Features I like are exchangeable blades, lightweight but durable and availability of spare blades. And a proven brand / design. Blades need to keep an edge for a while. Thinking of looking for something at the Sika Show.
Thanks for any advice offered. Cheers.

I've been using an Outdoor Edge knife for a while. You can buy them on AliExpress cheap. I like that the blade is supported on both sides, so unlikely to snap. Blades are sharp, but edge retention is appalling. Fine for a young goat, but won't even make it down the back of a big pig. When I shot a boar recently, I had to borrow my mate's "grown up" knife. Keep a few spare blades on hand. I resharpen the blades, so have yet to discard one. They are easy to sharpen.

Ive got one of these in my pack as a spare: https://www.havalon.com/titan-wred-insert-1-fixed-

The advantage being that it has an ordinary blade for heavier work and it has a decent handle. Bigger blade keeps an ok edge for deer boning and the scalpel is always there for caping/what ever.

I brought myself a 50 pack of carpet stanley blades for about $30 and a cheap folding stanley knife works amazing for gutting, skinning and hocking, each blade has 2 edges so you can just flip them around if they get a little dull

Outdoor Edge are pretty sweet, had one when I was in the states, one of my staff must've nicked it from my office when I was leaving.

Have EagleHawk knives (all of them) and they're a bloody nice scalpel handle.

Or just grab a handle from the local vets..

AliExpress

I've not bothered buying one myself, but it will be worth the tenner, at least.

Why not stick with the havalon?

@Carl 9.3x62
No reason to not go with Havalon again. Eventually I will choose from the currently available options after first learning a bit about what my choices are.

+1 for the Outdoor Edge. I mistreated mine on a couple of carcasses till I learned to treat it with more respect but just gave it a quick lick with a diamond hone and she was hunky dory again. The OE is a very comfortable knife to use, fits the hand very nicely, and doesn’t need any pressure to cut your way around an animal.

Originally Posted by Dan88

I brought myself a 50 pack of carpet stanley blades for about $30 and a cheap folding stanley knife works amazing for gutting, skinning and hocking, each blade has 2 edges so you can just flip them around if they get a little dull

Those hooked carpet blades are awesome for skinning!

Originally Posted by Bradp

Those hooked carpet blades are awesome for skinning!

I was just going to suggest this, they are great for the gut area too. Also can be handy for some of the boning out areas - more useful than you would think! Plastic handle with the easy open catch and the finger grooves are quite nice in the hand and easy to open to change blades.

The 22xt blades are a bit thicker for the havalon
And rounded they seem to last better

I have the duel blade Havalon, heavy normal folder and the replaceable blades.
Works for me as I mostly take legs and back steaks.
Z

Mercator.

https://tytoknives.com/shop/hollow-bone-knife
spendy but awesome.