Piranta-Original

On the recommendation of many veteran hunters i purchased this knife to have in my kill kit. Until I got my first deer Id been practicing working with this knife on Doves Id occasionally get with AirRifle. In 2015 got my first deer and the Piranta was pretty great. Skinning process seemed pretty darned easy. I even inadvertantly severed the shoulder from its connection to body before Id finished skinning that arm. What a difficult time-waister trying to skin a floppity barely-connected arm.  Later on during the deboning process I messed-up (was running on 3hrs sleep)  and sliced the index figure of my opposite hand pretty deep. Thankfully with the Piranta it was a clean cut and relatively easy to patch-up, put a new set of gloves on, and slow-down and keep going. The 2 big things I want the reader to take away from reading this review are SLOW DOWN!  These are scalpels, they are seriously sharp, one lapse in caution can result in a bloody mess you dont wanna have to deal with... all alone, in the forest, in the middle of the night. The only things on my deer I didnt use the Piranta for were cutting off the backstraps, the brisket, and removing the skull from vertebrae. For those tasks I used a traditional fixed blade since they are deeper cuts where you drag the knife along the sides of bone as a guide. I didnt want to mess-up the scalpel blade by scraping it against the bones and/or apply too much force to it and snap it. Plus I wanted one long contiguous cut for those meats so used a 5 fixed blade there. And I know you can remove a skull with a Piranta, but I was exhausted and didnt remember the trick to how you do it, so I reached for my lil backpack axe instead, hehe.

When you want a knife to work for you, this is the one that will save you the hacking and sawing typical of lesser tools.  The rope will get cut, the un-tyable knot is done and gone and you are quickly on to the next task.  Easy to open and easy to close it will become your most trusted and reliable hand tool.  Also watching someones face when you change a blade will make you smile unless of course you dont watch what you are doing.  The only improvement over the piranta is a light saber. It comes with me every day all day.--Keep it away from children and city boys who think they have to touch the blade to see how sharp it is.  You can show them with a feather.

I used this knife in a hunting trip in Northern Maine while bow hunting moose.  My buddy and I downed two moose.  The time it took me to get to bagging meat, he was not even done processing the hide in order to start cutting the meat.  So before he started to sharpen his knife for the third or fourth time, I let him use my Havalon.  He was completely blown away at how easy it was to process the hide and meat.  I would have never expected such a performance out of a small knife.  The best part was that we were able to process both animals and the blade still had a usable edge.  Please do not let the blade attachment fool you, this blade is completely locked in and changing it out can be done in a few seconds.  I will never go on another hunting trip without my Havalon.

The hard part is getting over the fact this knife is not fragile.  Cut that extension cord in half, scrape the junk off the bolt, cut the 1" rope.  I do it all now and dont worry about the knife failing.

I have now owned three of these knifes, and just ordered number four, as it seems like I cannot hang on to it.  It is a daily carrier and used for a multitude of uses.  Definitely recommend this knife for any need to cut something; however blades break easy.

When its below freezing, this knife is deadly cold in your bare hand. Even wearing a thing rubber glove doesnt help. If you plan on cold late-season or winter (in the snow) hunting, Id avoid this one.

I love this knife but its pocket clip sucks there was to much play in it the screws back out to easy now i have to see if i can get another clip and screws mine fell off now cant find screws or the clip. otherwise the best knife ever

I use this knife for skinning bobacats, deer, and elk primarily and have no complaints.  My friends have seen me use it and are impressed at the sharpness and long lasting blades and have got one themselves.  Nice job and just what I was looking for.

I use this as a pocket knife and for skinning and capeing trophy animals.

I always carry my Havalon and a small Kershaw, I always reach for my Havalon for everything from stripping electric wires to opening feed bags to digging out splinters, havent skinned anything yet, but I will as soon as I get a deer.

I have owned it for more than  5 years and have used it on Brown bears, Dall sheep, Roosevelt Elk, Sitka Blacktail Deer, Caribou, Reindeer, Moose, Mountain Goat, Musk Ox, and fur bearers all in Alaska and a whole slew of different skulls to European mount. Each whole animal generally takes one occasionally two blades based on task. I have used 150+ blades and is my go-to hunting knife.  The down side is it cannot be used in a pry type motion, the blades are too weak.If you know this then you generally dont have a problem. I have also had it close on me because the lock is wearing out.  The other problem is the blades are so sharp there is no margin for error!  I have sliced off several knuckle tips on my left hand cutting too fast with my right hand.  I also poke my self several times every animal trying to reach into tight spaces or holding back meat/hides. There still is no better product out there period.  As a previous biology student i always used to carry scalpel blades with me, this is just the evolution of a better product all around.

Blades are brittle

liked it well enough to give as gifts, and all positive feedback

This day and age of all the different choices in knives this product is just outstanding.

This great compact  tool makes the job of cleaning and skinning a deer so musch easier

Im in construction and need to cut a lots of things thru out the day and this knife comes in handy very time.

I love that I dont have to worry about a sharp knife! I just change the blade really quick and easy and keep on going with what Im using it for at the time!!

Sharpest knife ever......Watch your fingers....Easy to keep clean

This knife fills all of my needs while hunting and due to its size and light weight never gets left at home.

After using these in my outfitting business for years , skinning and capeing I have given them to guides in Canada and Africa, they all love them .
Watched my Canadian guide field dress and huge bison bull with only a Havalon . I have video proof !!

It is a fabulous knife for detail gutting work around the pelvis area
Easily interchangeable blades keeps the blade sharp and keeps you moving along with your tasks
I bought my first piranta and was so amazed by its quality and ease of use I have bought a few more for family and friends !!!!!

I have field dressed a moose, an elk and two deer and then skinned them, always able to have  a razor sharp knife. cant ask for any more than that. Love it!!

I bought this knife about 3 years ago to give it a try as a skinning knife.  I have skinned several coyotes, a few whitetails and this fall my first black bear.  I love this knife.  The blade is a little thin to use it as a field dressing knife, cutting open the ribcage, etc.. but as a skinning knife, it is absolutely perfect.  I holds its edge very well and when it does finally go dull, simply snap off the old blade and replace it with a new one.

I use this knife for everything that has to do with skinning or gutting.  What an amazing concept to always have a sharp knife.  I am always amazed at how easy it cuts through an elk hide.  I will never have a different knife for skinning and gutting.  The blades are very thin, and this wouldnt make a great all around utility knife, but thats not what its made for.  my only gripe is the handle is a little small, but thats not enough to make me give it less than five stars.  Well done Havalon!

I have had my havalon for 5 years+ and it is one of the first things I pack for my hunting trips.  I have used it solely to quarter multiple elk in the field. i have shinned and caped a few trophies with it too. I like that you always can have a sharp blade. The only complaint is the blades are fragile as long as you use it to cut not pry it works awesome...everyone I hunt with now carry a havalons and some use the fillet knife for the meat cutting...awsome knife..

Dont know how I processed deer without it.  Amazing versatility. Never dull.

Best investment in a knife I have ever made.

This was the first Havalon knife I bought. Use this knife not just for skinning. Its always sharp and the blade is really easy to change. The only thing I could find wrong with this knife is maybe the handle needs to be a little wider for grip. If you get this one youll want the skinning knife and also the fillet knife!

The first time I used this great knife was for processing my wifes 4 point Muley. I processed it right down to it hanging on the hook in the butcher shop. With one blade!
The only blade Ill ever need. The same goes for everyone. Get yours today!

other then the blades breaking and it being kinda hairy when repalcing blades which makes you think your going to cut your finger off there so sharp haha its a great product

These make great gifts!

I love this knife.  I have broken many blades in other knives and of course had to go and buy a whole new knife.  When I bought this one I bought a box of 100 replacement blades.  Its like having 100 knives.  Plus the blades are easily replacable.  Great product.  I recommend it to all my friends. I recieved this knife as a present from my wife.

I skin and assist with the skinning process of animals harvested and have done 3 animals on one blade. Have bought several for friends and giving away for gifts. Highly recommend them! Been using the Knife for just over a year.

I have 2 of the Havalon knives and they are the best skinning knives Ive used.Lightweight and the blades are easy to change out.

I love not having to sharpen a knife in the middle of skinning a deer.  I have done rough necropsy during a breeding chronology study on 7 deer without changing the blade.  When collecting CWD samples I dont worry about the blade or handle breaking like the cheap plastic scalpels that we used to use.  When I hunt on my own time, my Piranta stainless pro is in my pocket!!

I carry the piranta in front pocket, like a gentlemans pocketknife,and i never have to sharpen it when putting it to work,a real time saver

I have used my Piranta on everything from upland game to elk. It has replaced all other knives and sharpening equipment in my pack. I hunt big game by backpacking so it is the perfect knife. Its super lightweight and fantastically sharp! I have used just on blade to gut, skin and de-bone an entire elk with out it breaking or going to dull. I have also used it to butcher all my big game. If a blade does break you just throw on a new on and keep going. The blades are very affordable so having plenty is very cost effective. The only down side Ive encountered is that a new blade is so sharp that it will cut you if you look at it funny! Seriously though, you do have to be careful because it is not very forgiving if your finger gets in the way. I have converted all of my hunting buddies to Piranta users! They make great gifts!

Only knife i use or carry.  Always sharp with the change of a blade.

I carry this knife daily. Bought my first one in 08-09 to use for caping skulls and have never been without one. I purchased 20 of the blue handle ones for presents. Carry a couple extra blades in my wallet and this knife has never failed me.

I use this knife to break down game animals with ease, after a few animals under my belt I hardly ever break the blades anymore. I average 2 blades per elk, one blade for deer

I have this handy knife in my pack on every outing. I can use it from food prep in the woods to skinning hides before tanning. It is desirable in its sharpness, so I have to hide it at work from the boys! Actually they turned me on to it and I now want another.

The best knife ever. Sharp as hell! Real easy to change blades.

As an avid hunter and taxidermist, this knife is an amazing tool. Great for cleaning, skinning your game animals, removing the cape and taxidermy prep-work. The best thing I carry in my pack.

Used the same knife for 30 years now that Ive done the Havalonthe old one went into retirement

This my third Havalon knife. They simply cannot be beat for skinning.  I recommend buying the orange one.  That is the reason that this is my third.  The first two were stainless and black and lost in the woods.  The blades are individually wrapped surgical steel and are easily changed so you always have a sharp edge.  The replacement blades are inexpensive and make this knife a total WIN, WIN!

I use everyday for mutiple uses, It suits my needs very well.

I use this knife to process deer.  Its usually cold, dark, and not a great atmosphere  when Im cutting up a deer.  I want to get the job done quickly.  With this knife if it goes dull (takes a long time) I just pop in another blade and Im ready to go...dont need to spend time sharpening.

I carry it everyday, can cut through things i would have to saw through with jackknife.  have not tried to gut or skin a whitetail, cant wait! The only problem i have had is if you put to much pressure the wrong way the blade will break.

I got this knife as a birthday present a few years ago, Ive kept it in my pocket since. I use it as an every day utility knife because I dont hunt or fish. So far I havent found anything it wont cut. It goes right through those annoying plastic clam shell packages with no effort. Ive used it for working on vehicles, and computers, and pretty much everything from cutting vegetables to re-sizing a heater hose for my truck to opening bags of snacks. The blades are very durable, I havent broken one yet. For a while I thought the only way it could get better is if the blade were slightly longer for cutting through thicker things in one slice rather than having to cut each side separately, then I finally found the place that makes them a saw they make a longer knife also, I plan on buying that one very soon as well.

I have several Havalon knives and this one is by far my favorite knife. Great product. I always have a sharp knife with Havalon.

This year I purchased the Piranta after borrowing one from a friend who is a hobby taxidermist. I enjoyed its performance so much that I also purchased one for my brother. The skinning is effortless and the blades work with a feather touch. The blade glides through the animal with very little pressure. Traditional skinning knives, even when sharp, do not match the performance. And the part I like best is no more sharpening. I received depredation permits to shoot does this year on a soybean farm and harvested six does in three days. I used four blades on the six deer and this even included some boning work after the skinning. I will never go back to my other knives and I tell all my hunting buddys all about it. Top notch!

Ive had the original Piranta for a few yrs now and its become my favorite knife and I make sure it comes with me on all my hunting adventures. Its my go to gutting & skinning knife or when I need a razor sharp knife for cutting. Actually lost it on the mountain after gutting my daughters deer this season and will be replacing it pronto!!

Works lika a charm for field dressing most game.  Its so much easier to just change the blade than to have to hone a knife edge while in the field.  This knife is properly sized for use on squirrels and rabbits too.  Impressed my hunting buddies so much that they now have them as well.  These knives are equally great in concept and quality of production.  I recommend Havalon to everyone.

I received this as a Christmas gift in 2012. I used the knife for the 1st time in October to clean and skin Moose and the knife worked really good. The blades are razor sharp. The only thing I did not like was once I changed the blade I found that clip area became diry and allowed the blade to come loose, but if I would have paid attention to this it would have been a non issue. Overall the knife performed as good or better than I thought it would, and for skinning the knife worked great, and there are no knives to sharpen at the end of the day. I will certainly be looking to add some more of these to my knife collection.

I have used mine to dress out and skin my elk.Then the next day my brothers elk.used it around camp and at home as a all around pocket knife.Just dont apply side pressure or twist blade and it is a wonder knife. I really love it. Have talked several buddies into getting their own and may have to get another myself. Great knife concept.

I use this product for caping and trimming out skulls in my taxidermy related business.  I like having a sharp knife all the time because it speeds up my production.  In making deep cuts and applying to much pressure in trying to change the direction of the cut too fast I sometimes break a blade off.

I have skinned and caped numerous elk and mule deer with different types of knives and by far the piranta is hands down THE BEST!!!!  Awesome knife that everyone should have..

I bought the silver knife for my husband last Christmas and the orange one for my brothers, they are the best knives that they have ever used. The orange is perfect because its bright and easy to see.

I use it skin and de-bone deer, its awesome

Easy blade change

I have used this knife for 3 years. After using it for the first time on an elk I realized this was not just a knife. If used properly, one blade can be used to bone out an elk. This knife has been used to skin badgers to bone out elk. I would not hunt without it.

Gave to son in law as gift.  He used small game in Africa and big game in Texas hill country.  Says he loves it.  Even uses it as a pocket knife when not in the field.

This knife is amazing, it makes quick work of any game.