Havalon type knife

A

ASBOB

Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
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I’m thinking of getting a scalpel type folding knife; Havalon is a common brand. I’m considering their Piranta model.

However, I am partially paralyzed and have limited use of my left hand. Some questions:

--how easy is it to change the blades on this knife? How much will I have to use my left hand?

--any other brand/model I should look at for ease of changing blades?

--has anybody seen/used this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/09/opinion/coronavirus-vietnam-veteran.html?searchResultPosition=1


Is it any good? Would it resolve my issues?


My thanks for any advice.
 
I've seen the Havalon at a knife show. I had to use to two hands. The way the lock mechanism is designed and oriented, you hold the knife in the right hand, and use the left to take off the blade. If you hold the knife with your left and use the right hand to remove the blade, you really can't see the tab/lock.

Given your situation, you'd ideally want to hold the blade with your left and use the right hand for the more complex dexterity tasks. The Havalon doesn't seem to fit your needs imho.

The Gerber Vital fixes that problem by using a button type lock. It looks like it is much easier to change a blade compared to the Havalon. No clue on the quality of the Gerber product. Biggest complaint I've seen, due to the locking mechanism, you don't have use of the full blade length.

Outdoor Edge Razor series has a button lock too. The downside, the button is by the pivot and could by pushed in while you grip the knife. I also have no clue on the quality of the Outdoor edge stuff. I just happen to have seen it at Lowes.

I tried clicking the link, it wanted my google username/email address to continue so I stopped. Maybe try listing the product name so we can search for it.
 
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i've used a havalon a couple of times and did not find the blade easy to remove.
I ended up using pliers to hold the blade during removal to keep from cutting myself.
 
I have a couple of Havalon knives. I’ve used my Piranta to skin deer, and it does a great job. I use the Havalon plastic tool to remove and replace blades, but still a two handed operation, IMO.

Havalon also makes a newer larger model, and that one uses a button to release the blade. It’s also larger and has a number of different types of blades (drop point, with gut hook, filet, etc).
 
I have heard the Havalons are 2 handed affairs. I have never used these kind of knives, but had a Gerber Vital gifted to me at Christmas. I will be using it for skinning deer this season. It uses a button type lock, but I am fiddling with it right now and I dont think it would be very safe to use 1 handed. You can get the blade off and on 1 handed (its a little scary), but you need the other hand holding the handle of the knife.
I would say your best bet is a fixed blade knife if you want 1 handed use. Sorry I couldnt be more helpful. Good luck!
 
f1addict said:
I have a couple of Havalon knives. I’ve used my Piranta to skin deer, and it does a great job. I use the Havalon plastic tool to remove and replace blades, but still a two handed operation, IMO.

Havalon also makes a newer larger model, and that one uses a button to release the blade. It’s also larger and has a number of different types of blades (drop point, with gut hook, filet, etc).
Click to expand...


--I definitely have some use of the left hand, just limited. How much pressure would you need to hold the blade remover in your left hand, while switching blades with your right?

--what is that new model with the button lock? Sounds promising.
 
I don’t think it’s that difficult using the blade remover. It takes a little bit of pressure, but nothing crazy. I normally hold the blade remover in my left hand and the knife in my right hand.

The new Havalon with the button is called the Talon. I haven’t used it yet for skinning, but plan to this fall. It definitely feels more substantial in the hand.
 
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