SHORT BLASTS
The author uses two different knives with
replaceable blades for field dressing and
skinning, and Kershaw’s Alaskan Blade Trader
for bigger jobs.
A sharp knife is hard to keep when you are skin-
ning and quartering an elk or deer. Stopping to
sharpen the blade means digging in your pack,
pulling out the sharpener and honing the blade
on a steep hillside. Plus, carrying the sharpening
stone adds weight to your pack. For a few years
now companies have come out with replaceable
blade knives. The idea is that when one blade be-
come dull simply put on a new blade and keep
working on the animal. Some knives even have
the ability to switch out blades to ones that are
specific for a certain job.
Last fall I used a Havalon replaceable blade
knife to skin and de-bone three elk and a mule
deer. The knife made quick work. I did cut myself
a few times without knowing as the blade are
basically a razor blade that is attached to a metal
post. If there is one problem it is that the blades
are thin and prone to breaking when working
around bone, such as trying to remove the cape
from around the antlers or taking out the ivories
from an elk jaw.
Outdoor Edge makes a replaceable blade
knife that also uses razor sharp blades but they
are inserted into a metal sheath that holds it in
place much like a traditional blade. I have used
this knife several times over the years and hav-
en’t cut myself yet but I also noticed that if you
are working on an animal with a lot of fat, such
as a bear, it can be difficult to change blades as
the metal sheath collects debris and the blade
won’t lock in.
The multi-blade knife is a great way to light-
en your pack when you need some specialty
tools like a saw. I use the Kershaw Alaskan Blade
Trader that comes with a standard blade, a
curved skinning blade with gut hook and a fine-
tooth saw that makes cutting antlers off much
easier. This knife doesn’t use disposable razor
blades but instead heavy-duty blades that hold
an edge but still need to be sharpened after the
hunt is over.
If you are looking for a way to lighten your
pack and carry multiple sharp knives, take a look
at the different options that have interchange-
able blades. Just remember that they are razor
sharp. I recommend carrying a few Bandaids ® as
well.
JASON BROOKS
20
WESTERN HUNTING JOURNAL
No Reason Not To Hunt With
Knives and Replaceable Blades
Making A Case
for Lightweight Rifles
T
hroughout the many miles of
steep hills, through all kinds of
weather from hot and sunny to
freezing cold, the rifle will be on
your shoulder or in your hands. So why
is it that some hunters don’t think about
the weight of that rifle when purchasing a
new one? Could it be the popularity of long
range shooting? Or possibly that some new
caliber that only comes in a few base rifles.
More than likely the weight of the rifle
is overlooked because hunters often get
caught up with features such as a long bar-
rel, laminated stocks, bi-pods or a 15-power
scope. All of this adds a lot of weight to the
rifle, which is mostly unnecessary.
Thanks to the popularity of backcountry
hunting in the recent year’s gun makers are
offering quality rifles in ultra-lightweight
configurations that meet the demands of
all hunters whether it’s for someone who
prefers to hike miles into the high country
to the hunter who returns to the camper for
a mid-day lunch. A lightweight rifle is versa-
tile enough to accommodate each of these
hunters.
Many manufacturers offer lightweight
hunting rifles around six pounds or under,
such as the Browning Micro-Midas, Win-
chester Featherweight, Savage Lightweight
Hunter, and even a budget conscious Moss-
berg Patriot. The specialty firearms compa-
nies offer even more options, which come
with a higher price such Kimber (Mountain
Ascent, Hunter and Montana series) and
Christensen Arms (Ridgeline or Summit
TI).
Regardless of which make or model
of rifle you choose they are making them
lighter by saving weight through modern
milling and materials. Such as carving out
the bolt handle knob, fluting the barrel and
making it “pencil” thin. Many stocks are
made with carbon fiber materials, and offer
an internal box magazine. Those that sport
wood stocks are shaved down and non-use
areas such as under the forearm have wood
removed. Some rifles are so light that even
small calibers can kick a bit and it’s worth
the extra few ounces for the muzzle break
and a good recoil pad.
There really is no reason to lug around
a heavy rifle on your next hunt. Instead,
lighten the load with one of the many light-
weight rifles, either a custom one or one
right out of the box from your favorite gun
company.
JASON BROOKS