Knife setup

[g2mike]

Im a bit unsure what I want to run for knives next year. Whats everyones goto set up for the knives you carry, especially backpacking/camping?

I like to have a general use Spyderco folder on me (in my pocket, or hip pouch of my backpack). And I have a havalon in my kill kit.

Havelons are good, but I like using a larger knife also while breaking down an animal. Do you guys carry a 3rd knife or use your general knife?

If you use your general knife during the breaking down process, do you find its sharp enough? I don't plan on sharpening in the field.

I like breaking an animal down better with a fixed blade instead of a folder and will pick up a good one this season, but Im not sure if throwing a fixed blade in my pack that only comes out if an animal is getting packed out, is the right idea, and I dont know about carrying one on my belt with a pack on instead of the folder.

[allan]

All I ever carry my crkt everyday carry pocket knife and a havalon with lots of blades.
My crkt goes hunting, and to weddings with me.
Several moose, deer and bears done this way.

[whitlers]

Spyderco in pocket. Buck 110 on pack waist belt. Havalon in the kill kit. Could probably drop one of them but I like always having a knife of me.

Spyderco for daily utility things. 110 for gutting and breaking down. Havalon for skinning.

[Blacktail]

damascus skinner
longer hunter style blade
Also have a folder in the pocket for everyday chores

[decker9]

I just upgraded my knives, from havalon’s. Havalon’s are nice, but their not a solid knife, pretty chincy. A few years ago, I had a knife built for a good friend of mine. I nearly kept it once it got here, and Iv been drooling over this guys custom knives ever since.... “The sheep skinner” and “the goat caper”, should arrive later this week I hope.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x12wmvck1f...%20PM.jpg?dl=0

[albravo2]

Leatherman Wave is always on my hip. Never understood the idea of an everyday carry knife when a Leatherman is a knife PLUS a small took kit.

I have a few nice fixed blade knives that I carry while hunting because I really like them but I don't really need much more than the Leatherman and a Havalon.

[SaintSix]

I don't bring a sharpener to the field. Id suggest looking into higher quality steels. theres lots of youtube videos out there. 2 steels i've used and would recomend would be CMP 3V and Elmax. these steels hold a edge way longer then your traditional carbon steel. Bark River makes a lot of varity but they are costly. To answer your question I bring one full tang hunting knife and a havalon for caping. I just purchased the bigger havlon this year to try their bone saw out but havent put it to use yet.

[g2mike]

Ya am aware of steel quality. Most of my good knives are s30v and I keep them fairly sharp

Im just having a hard time wanting to use the knife I use for everything, on game too. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to buy another knife lol

[decker9]

I’ll echo the steel quality. I’m not familiar with what’s what, but I do know the s35vn gets good recommendation. The knife I had built for my friend, has a few deer and a couple bear under it, and has never needed sharpening. If your looking for a custom knife, I highly recommend Gary Bolduc from bolduc knives. Their $$$, but they will last you your life time, and your grandkids too.

[AgSilver]

Leatherman Wave is always on my hip. Never understood the idea of an everyday carry knife when a Leatherman is a knife PLUS a small took kit.

I have a few nice fixed blade knives that I carry while hunting because I really like them but I don't really need much more than the Leatherman and a Havalon.

I tend to agree - Leatherman is way too useful not to take. Havalon is great for a lot of the breakdown process. But.....I carry a New West Knifeworks Hunter/Forager because it also is great at the skinning part, in particular and i'm still trying to figure out if I like it better than the Havalon with just a quick touch up here and there in the field.

And then, because I just like to have it with me, I'll often carry a (yes I know....) Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife...as cheesy as it is, the setup on that thing has proven useful several times. I was once pounding stakes into the ground and there was legitimately no useful rocks around...but the butt end of that knife was perfect. Sometimes I drop that and just carry a Benchmade Bug Out because it's so small and light but nice as a backup and a little more "wieldy" than the Leatherman.

Eventually, I'll either drop the Havalon or the NWK H/F (probably will drop the Havalon for the stability of the fixed blade). But I'll always take the Leatherman and may still keep a small backup knife like the Bug Out.