Cheaper scalpel style knife

[spandit]

The knives with the replaceable scalpel style blades seem to be useful for processing deer in the field but they're pretty expensive. I see that Stanley do a folding utility knife and blades:

Stanley Folding Pocket Knife

Stanley 10-598 attractive, epoxy coated, die-cast, metal body, folding pocket knife with a simple spring mechanism which enables the blade to be locked securely in the extended position or stored safely within the body. Supplied with 2 x 5901 blades....

www.axminster.co.uk

Stanley 5905 Craft 5 Pack - For Stanley Craft Handle 0-10-598 - Fast & Free p&p | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Stanley 5905 Craft 5 Pack - For Stanley Craft Handle 0-10-598 - Fast & Free p&p at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Looks like a much cheaper option if that's the kind of thing you're after

 

[bullet chucker]

Cripes! you are gralloching it, surely not operating for a life saver?

BC.

 

[spandit]

It was this kind of thing I was thinking of:

Havalon Piranta-Edge

Originally a manufacturer of scalpel blades, Havalon has took a brave step and transformed a highly specialized instrument that is difficult to use on the go into a highly functional, versatile pocket knife that gives a great service to hunters and fishermen dressing game.

www.heinnie.com

Easy to keep knife blades clean and always sharp

 

[Overlay]

Havalon are scalpels, mate of mine had one in his pocket, reached in to get it, the blade had come slightly out of the handle showing the point it slit his finger to the BONE right up to his hand, just by the action of putting his hand in his coat pocket

If you get one put it in a box in your day bag

The Stanley one gets rusty quick I found when using on Rabbits, sharpness goes off pretty quick as well

 

[enigma]

This knife with this blade ....job done. no nasty cuts as above and throw away gut hook.

 

[spandit]

Havalon are scalpels, mate of mine had one in his pocket, reached in to get it, the blade had come slightly out of the handle showing the point it slit his finger to the BONE right up to his hand, just by the action of putting his hand in his coat pocket

If you get one put it in a box in your day bag

The Stanley one gets rusty quick I found when using on Rabbits, sharpness goes off pretty quick as well

You can buy the PM60 blades quite cheaply on eBay (eBay)

Surprised it didn't lock closed a bit better but easily remedied by not keeping it in a pocket as you say

 

[spandit]

This knife with this blade ....job done. no nasty cuts as above and throw away gut hook.

The points on those hooks are pretty sharp, got to be careful that you don't puncture something using them (I use them on rabbits)

 

[Freeforester]

Havalon are scalpels, mate of mine had one in his pocket, reached in to get it, the blade had come slightly out of the handle showing the point it slit his finger to the BONE right up to his hand, just by the action of putting his hand in his coat pocket

If you get one put it in a box in your day bag

Sorry to hear about your mate's misfortune, but at least it would have been a clean cut!

On a less flippant note, I'm not sure why it is felt the use of such a knife is considered necessary? Surely just about everyone involved in the further processing of a carcase (after a suitable time hanging and having skinned the animal according to preference) will cut away the 'rhind' or thin strip of hardened belly skin/tissue either side of where the abdomen was originally opened between the pelvis and brisket anyway? I'm pretty confident that's what happens in many, if not most game dealer establishments (usually at point of skinning) and whilst I've no complaint in anyone commendably seeking to maximise the yield of their carcase if for home consumption, I'm equally sure again that many, of not most will discard this thin, usually dry, hardened and often hair-bearing slender strip of rhind-like material in any event? Pictured is one of said bits of 'belly elastic' off one side of the abdomen of a doe heading toward final butchering imminently, weight appx 6 grammes:


I have to admit to giving these to my old dog as a post breakfast treat, though they can hardly be described as being fattening, lol.

Or is the use of the scalpel knife just intended to be instead of having a 'normal' sharp knife to, er, hand with which to undertake the task? Perhaps any proponents of this method can kindly explain, I'm genuinely interested in understanding this, and why this may be a better method for some, as opposed to just carrying the one, 'normal' sharp knife for this duty, thanks.

 

[spandit]

I suppose it's guaranteed to be extra sharp and instead of having expensive and ineffective sharpening equipment, you can just put on a clean sharp blade?

 

[Freeforester]

It would indeed seem that Philip's mate would lend some credence to the first part of your explanation, but I'm not so convinced by the rest? But each to their own, and there's certainly merit in it if decent sharpening stones are considered to be expensive, as opposed to being a reasonable (and sustainable) investment over time, or are found to be hard to use, and nothing is lost if the blade of either knife is 'clean', for sure.

 

[nun_hunter]

I have a Havalon Piranta and it uses a magnet to keep it closed so I can see where it may have slipped dopen while loose in a pocket, probably why it comes with a cordura belt pouch.

For the more intricate work of gralloching it is amazing as it's so sharp and the blade size and profile is superb for the gralloch. I don't use it for "cleanliness" as such more just have a blade sharper than I could ever achieve with my usual knife sharpening kit. The blades are cheap enough (circa 24p each) that you'd never be able to achieve the same level of sharpness especially if doing multiple deer in one go for that price.

 

[penta]

Swan - Morton, are good blades and have fixed or retractable blade holders.

 

[Overlay]

I’m pretty happy with my knife kit, it’s all scary sharp and does everything I ask of it and more, I really can’t say I would have a use for such an awesomely sharp blade, particularly after I had used half of my first aid kit stemming the blood flow from that one long incision - each to their own and enjoy the experience ( safely).

 

[Cyres]

You can buy v large Swann/Morton blades which we use in Histology for cutting up pathology specimens. Also re folders that take Stanley blades you can buy gut hook style blades which are designed to cut lino.. Handy to keep such a knife in your jacket just in case you forget your main knife.

D