Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Havalon Piranta

Excellent idea, that would minimize the need for a suture kit. I'm sorry that would be crossing that CF/puss Rambo line, wouldn't it?

Only if you get hungry and use 'em to skin a snake to eat.

yep probably, but I wimp out and use a lighter to start fires too, no rubbing sticks together.... I know fail... I'd rather spend my time hunting.

I use the new blade to change the old one.. Just peel back the package of the new blade enough to expose the butt end of the new blade,keeping the rest of it in the package. then use it to pop the old one up and push it forward.

TAK, just wondering..How many times have you drank your own piss?

Only once, after it was distilled in a homemade solar still.

I'm only 48 years old. I've never had to use pliers to change blades on any scalpel or piranta type knife.

Yes it might be safer and it does work, but I've never done it.

Just pay a bit of attention and be careful.

If I had to for whatever reason, arthritis, age etc.. I"d do it with the smallest vise grips they make...

In an OR, you use a needle driver forcep.

Your hospital autoclaves Pirantas?

Or do they toss them?

Toss per patient IIRC

Needles and blades go into a "sharps" box. A red box with a biohazard placard on it. As I understand these get incinerated. A small screw-top vial would work in the field.

To answer part of the OP's question, I saw them recently either at the Sportsmans Warehouse in Colo Springs, or possibly the new Cabelas in Lone Tree...don't recall which one.

Midway usually has them.

I know all about sharps boxes and incinerators. I was trying to glean your OR background.

Nurse, OR tech, surgeon?

Thanks. I bought mine there, already used it, and as I said, liked it.

I purchased one to try on my moose hunt in Alaska a couple of weeks ago, I also brought my traditional skinning knives along just in case. I loved the Piranta; it was the best piece of gear I purchased for that hunt. My friend and I both got moose and both were skinned and caped with the Piranta. I think we used about 4 blades per moose.

Can you split a sternum with one?

not sure, I use the gutless method. (i have a gerber saw for bone if needed)

I would never try to with a Havalon. If you twist or pry the blade too much they will most certainly break.

They are great lightweight knives, but they have their limitations.