Impressed by Paklite Elite

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Wramo

Joined
Feb 26, 2015
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I picked up Buck's Paklite Elite awhile ago and I really like these knives. The Paklite Elite is the 136 Paklite Boning knife and the 135 Caper together in s30v. The sheath is well designed and super compact. The 135 sorta piggy backs on the front of the 136. Super lightweight, the sheath will drain moisture well and is easy to clean.

When I first got these knives I thought the handles were ok - for skeletonized knives - but when I started to use them the design really shines. The jimping is in all the right places, the contours make sense when you start cutting, the choil on the 136 makes for a secure grip, the hollow ground blades are nice and thin and have great cutting performance. The 135 blade is about 2.5'' long and the 136 blade is about 5''. I wouldn't want to use these knives for an extended period of time with a saber grip to forcefully whittle wood, but these are great in the kitchen and for working on deer, hogs, turkey, fish, ect. Both knives are super easy to clean, and if you wanted to slap some handles on them they would make great kitchen knives.

Edge retention is stellar, being Buck's Bos treated s30v. You can find the Paklite Elite out there for a little under $60. For an average of under $30 a knife (sheath included) they are probably one of the best deals w/r/t edge retention out there.

I only wish Buck would make something that is between the 135 and the 136, sorta like the Paklite 141 but thinner and less of a skinner design. Such a knife would make a great EDC fixed blade.

The Paklite Elite doesn't look too enticing, but in use the performance is there. I could see some disliking the handles, but for me they work great, and if you can get one in your hands to try out I highly recommend it.
 
It sounds like you found a good set for your needs. I use the PakLite Field Master set, it is 420HC but it works great for my processing needs. The boning knife looks interesting, I may have to get one to try. There is a thread on here (oregon posted) with videos for Shot Show with new PakLites. I like the looks of the 141 with a guthook. It would make my PakLite carry easier as my set is 3 knives including the guthook.
I usually process one sometimes two deer a year, so I do not know if the upgrade to S30V is necessary for me. That being said the boning knife in S30V would work for me. Does the boning knife hold a edge if you hit the bone much?
 
In my experience the edge holding is very good. I like to maintain a high level of sharpness, and I rarely need to touch it up. I'm not scraping across the bone with my knife, but I have no problem doing a whole deer and keeping a sharp edge. If all you did was two deer a year and only used the boning knife you could probably go a couple years or more without sharpening. When you split the work between the 136 and the 135, they stay sharp for a long time. Buck's 420hc I like to touch up after every deer.

Too bad the boning knife isn't available on it's own in s30v. If you don't want to go all in with the Elite kit your only option is 420hc, but $20 or so retail for the 136 Boning is not a bad deal. I hope to use the 136 on some smaller fish once there is a little more ice on the ponds. While not as flexible as a filet knife it does a good job, and that swedge on the top of the blade allows it to glide through fairly well. For a slicer in the field the 136 is tough to beat, especially for the cost.
 
I am currently using a Buck Filet knife for boning. I do have to sharpen it frequently when boning a deer, which means more work. I guess I could order a 136 in 420HC and if I like it then get an Elite. I do have a KAALA in S30V, but I don't use it on deer, so I do have some experience with that steel. It is mostly for around summer camp. It holds an edge well and usually a touch up is all it needs.
I think the 141 with a guthook and a 136 would be a good set for game. I like the 141 for skinning and the 136 would cover meat process. I use my 135 caper as a "back up" for skinning, or cleaning the skull when I am ready for that part.
 
I picked up the Elite set the other day and I love the S30v holds a great edge I cleaned a couple chickens the other night just to play with them some had chicken noodle soup tonight. After using them alittle I was glad that
Buck had not sharpened all the way down the blade on the boning knife I would have cut myself had they done that. I'm not 100% on board with the skelitonized handles yet they may grow on me with use. They would be great for backpacking very very light weight. The caping knife is of slightly thinner stock than the boning knife but for its intended purpose I don't see that as an issue. I really just picked them up to play around with the S30v steel a bit to see just how well I felt it holds its edge and so for so good in that department
 
Ha! So I am not the only one who uses the Paklite boning knife for processing deer and chicken?!
 
No you aren't the only one.

I still really like these knives. They really shine when it comes time to clean them. Like Kansaswoodguy I am not necessarily 100% on board with skeletonized handles, but for skeletonized handles, these Paklites are some of the best ones I've had. Would scales make them more comfortable? Yes, but they are light, compact, easy to clean, provide good grip, and for skeletonized handles they are pretty good. I understand they may not be comfortable for everyone, but you could do way worse.

One could always make scales for them, or look to the Open Season line, but for value and compactness these are really great knives.
 
With a small kydex sheath the Paklite Caping knife makes a great edc. I wrapped the handle on mine with leather, and I need to make the kydex sheath. Amazing slicer, though, and so light you won't know you have it.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
 
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