Product Review: Havalon Piranta-EDGE Knife (with Blaze Orange Handle)
When I was doing all of my hunting on the East Coast I didn’t have to travel very far to get to my stand. Hell, I didn’t have to walk over a quarter-mile to get to a spot. It was easy walking, not much in my pack and I was able to take a relaxed approach to the weight of my gear. Now that I live on the West Coast I take a much different approach to what I carry. I want my pack to be lightweight, but to have quality gear.
One of the most important tools in my pack is my knife. One of the knives I have been testing out is the Havalon Piranta-EDGE Skinning Knife. This knife is unlike any knife you will ever use! It’s a folding knife that is perfect for any hunter that does any sort of hiking to get to a spot or just wants quality, lightweight gear.
From the Havalon website:
The Piranta-Edge features surgically-sharp replaceable blades and an easy-to-find blaze orange handle. It’s always sharp – just replace the blades and go! Each knife includes 12 additional stainless steel #60XT blades. The overall length of the knife open is 7-1/4″. You’ll like the easy-grip black rubber inlay, liner-lock construction and pocket clip.
You’ll appreciate the light weight of this skinning and caping knife: less than three ounces. And no need to carry extra knives, heavy files, stones or other sharpeners.
It’s “The Sharpest Knife You’ll Never Lose!”
That quote is dead on. It weighs less than 3 ounces, yet it is super sharp and durable. Like all of the products I review, I start testing with an open mind, but sometimes it’s hard not to have some doubts. When I first opened the box containing my Piranta-EDGE I thought it was a joke. What knife could be this lightweight, be a folder and have the durability and skinning capability of a fixed-blade knife? I’ll say that I was pleasantly surprised. This knife is exactly what The SoCal Bowhunter needs!
First off, this knife can do it all! Field dressing, skinning, caping and even eating your venison steak dinner. (Trust me, I tried it and it was sharper than any of my steak knives!) It has a blaze orange handle which I believe is critical for any backcountry hunter. If you have ever set your black-handled knife down on the ground, had to walk to your pack and turn around to try to find it again when it’s dark you’ll know. It’s an uneasy feeling. Now imagine being 5 miles in and you can’t find your knife. That shouldn’t happen with this knife. It’s bright orange and heck, you can fold it and put it in your pocket if need be. There is a clip on the knife if you want to clip it to your pocket or belt. I prefer to keep it in the carrying case with the blades.
Second, it’s lightweight so you’ll probably never feel the weight in your pack or on your belt. This is a major plus!
Third, it comes with 12 replacement blades AND they fit right in the knife case so you won’t misplace them.
Now here is one of my suggestions and it’s not to Havalon, it’s to you hunters. When you are replacing blades, BE CAREFUL! You WILL want to practice replacing the blades at home before you go on a hunt. There’s a small trick to it. It took me some practice and watching a few videos to get the hang of it.
I did all of my testing in mostly very hot and some cooler temps, but never on frozen tundra. This may not be the knife for some of you going hunting in the land of ice and snow, so be prepared! When my hands get numb and I have to field dress an animal, holding on to a knife can be tough and this knife is smaller than most. It does have a plastic handle, so that should help. I really can’t say for sure, but this is one reason why I carry a backup knife. The other reason is if I had to change blades in freezing cold temps I might have to reconsider my choice in knife. I am very cautious when it comes to my gear, what I use and when. For now, hunting in SoCal, you can be sure that this knife stays in my pack!
Many bowhunters I have spoken with carry the Havalon Piranta-EDGE and they swear by it. Some say it’s the only knife they ever use anymore. I highly recommend this knife to any hunter out there and for around $30.00 you get a great deal! You can do away with an extra knife (unlike me) and a sharpener. You can just carry the knife and extra blades and you are set to go! now I am off to see if I can fill my tag and put mine to good use!
Thanks for the review! I've been looking at these knives and wondering if they are as good as they sound… nice to hear from someone who's used them. Hope you have a great deer hunt!
Something to think about getting, though I'm usually more of a traditionalist.
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
God Bless You 🙂
~Ron
Thanks to all.
@suzee – Yes, they really are as good as they say. I truly like mine a lot.
@Gorges – It's a personal preference for sure. I still carry a fixed blade because I am a bit of a traditionalist, but to be fair to my readers I wanted to review a product that they may want to use.
@Ron – Thanks for joining! I'll pop on over and check your blog out. Welcome!
Nice post.