By Joe Ferronato
“Please remove your knife from my arm,” I asked in a very condescending tone.
As we were working diligently on a mule deer buck my friend’s wife had just shot, he slipped and stuck the Havalon into me instead of the deer. That could’ve happened with any knife, and that friend gets extra personal space whenever we clean an animal together now. A couple of years later, he had to head to the hospital after burying the same knife into his thigh. That one was serious. Another knock against Havalons in my mind.
Judging blades based on operator carelessness isn’t exactly fair, but it does point to a metric to be considered. While I have always understood the usefulness of scalpels, the ones available on the market seemed more like a liability than an asset. While it’s nice to always have a surgically sharp blade at your disposal, the chance of cutting yourself when changing a blade with bloody hands is high. Plus, most replaceable-blade knives are cheaper and don’t feature comfortable ergonomics or high-end materials that allow for easy control while in use.
After receiving a multitude of scars on my hands and fingers, I swore off the scalpel blades and made do with my high-end fixed blades. Now, though, I have the Hogue Expel Folding Scalpel in my kit because their innovative design convinced me to employ the functionality of a razor-sharp scalpel again.
There are two key design features that make the Hogue worthy of being in my kit. They’re simple but are game-changing. First, the folding knife is graced with G10 scales on the grip that feel good in the hand and ensure control of the blade even when covered in blood. The second is the most important: The blades can be ejected and reinstalled without being touched.
The flipper tab, which helps with easy one-handed operation, also functions as a blade release. When the blade is at a 90-degree angle from the grip, pushing down on the tab will eject the used blade. When paired with the Expel Blade Dispenser, you can pop the blade into the container, negating the opportunity for accidents. The dispenser is also used to install the new blades; with a simple push, the new blade is installed, and you’re back to work. It’s a slick system—and you’ll never be guessing if the blood on your hands is the animal’s or your own.
I recently used the Expel Scalpel while cleaning an axis deer in Texas. It worked well, and when partnered with the Extrak Fixed Blade, it was easy to break down the buck. While the scalpel will always be in my pack, it will never serve the same function as a fixed blade for quartering and boning purposes. But for the finesse work, I’m happy to have the Expel with me.
I knew this knife was legit when I saw the outfitter and guides in Texas also using it. So, if you don’t take my word for it, just know that the true experts trust this knife in the field. While I clean my fair share of animals in a year, these guys clean hundreds. They know what they’re doing and only use what their experience shows to be the best gear.
Cost: $125 (Blade Dispenser sold separately; $25)
Pros: Comfortable in the hand; lightweight; always razor sharp; can change the blades easily without ever touching them.
Cons: The most expensive scalpel on the market.
