Butchery on the Belt

Durable Edge

The sheathis made from black nylon and includes individual compartments for each tool, with a flip-out section for the saw. On the back, you'll find a sturdy belt loop that accommodates belts up to 65 mm wide. The back of the sheath is lined with a layer of soft, breathable mesh. The sheath secures all the tools firmly with a combination of snaps and Velcro, yet they are easy to remove and replaceas you proceed with butchering. Assuming, of course, that you are willing to properly clean the sheath afterward. After all, it is nylon, not an easier-to-maintain plastic. The sheath is more on the economical side, but I'm confident it will last a few years without issue. The entire set, including the sheath, weighs a manageable 590 grams.

And now for the most important part—how the set performs in practical hunting situations when processing game. So far, I've used it to butcher a fallow deer—a spike buck, a few roe deer, and a wild boar. In all these cases, the knives did not need to be resharpened, and this wasn't just for gutting, skinning, and basic butchering. I also used the knives for more thorough testing during the boning and portioning stages before the meat went into the fridge. The blades retained adequate sharpness throughout the entire process. So unless you’re planning to process multiple animals in one go, you can leave the sharpener at home with peace of mind. I touched up the knives on a basic travel sharpener only after I had finished, and restoring the edge was quick and easy. Cleaning the knives is also hassle-free, with no tricky spots where residues might accumulate. The blade finish and the polymer used for the handles are non-stick, and the teeth of the saw can be cleaned with just water and a simple brush.

The larger knife is quite versatile. It can be used for both skinning and butchering game without significant compromises. It weighs a bit more, specifically 220 grams (exactly double the weight of the smaller knife in the set), but thanks to its good balance, you hardly notice it. While skinning, I didn't experience any hand fatigue, although it's true that I spent about a third of the total processing time using the skinner. I found myself reaching for the lighter, smaller knife a bit more often. That said, the skinner's blade is long and "belly-shaped" just right for most tasks. Only occasionally did I need the smaller knife to assist during skinning. As for the distinctive gut hook, it works as intended. It allows you to make cuts for gutting without risking damage to the entrails and also to make "opening" cuts from the inside of the legs. The edge extends to the deepest part of the hook. It does take a bit of practice to get the hang of it, though. If the hook doesn’t suit you, you can use the smaller knife to make the initial cuts; its blade is well-shaped for that purpose. The problem with the hook is that it can only be sharpened with certain round-section sharpeners with a diameter of up to 7 mm. Anything larger won't fit.

The skinner knife has a gut hook on the spine, which facilitates certain cuts without risking damage to the game meat or entrails. However, it requires some skill to use properly.

The smaller knife in the set is very handy, easy to grip, and gets into tight spots. Thanks to the groove, you can hold it closer to the blade.

Good Ergonomics

The handles of the knives are very well designed ergonomically. Nothing digs into your fingers, they allow for various grip styles, and they feel excellent in hand. The smaller knife, in particular, is very cleverly shaped. Thanks to the groove, you can hold it closer to the blade for fine work, or grip it traditionally when cutting larger portions. Perhaps only those with smaller hands might find the skinner’s more substantial handle somewhat cumbersome. The material provides a sufficiently firm grip, but I would have preferred a more"rubbery" surface for better adhesion. Only the central part of the handles is textured, and even then, not very aggressively. However, I never experienced the knife slipping out of my hand during work or felt like I was losing control of it. I also didn't find that the design of the tools limited me in any way, nor did I feel the need for a different knife shape. Every aspect of butchering could be carried out without any issues. While a larger set might offer more options to simplify certain tasks, the three-piece set is a balanced and significantly more compact alternative overall. The protrusion between the handle and the blade, which acts as a guard to prevent your fingers from slipping onto the edge, deserves praise. There is also a textured section on the spine of the blade for more secure knife guidance, and each handle has a hole for attaching a lanyard if needed.

In summary, I am very satisfied with the HME set. It's hard to find any real downsides, especially considering the more than reasonable price. Perhaps the handle could be a bit more grippy, and a polymer sheath might be better suited for easier maintenance compared to nylon. Also, while not particularly stylish, as practical working tools, they are an excellent choice that I can only recommend.

The set also includes a practical black nylon belt sheath, where the tools are secured with a system of snaps and Velcro.

Perfect Saw

The saw works exceptionally well! It cuts smoothly and quickly through locks, ribs, and vertebrae without getting stuck. Worth mentioning is the "stopper" atthe tip, which allows you to use the entire length of the teeth without the blade slipping off the cut. Some might find this feature slightly inconvenient, especially when cutting locks, but overall, it's a good improvement. The transverse handle is highly commendable. The ergonomics are excellent, and I find it significantly easier to work with than a traditional handle. Perhaps only those with smaller hands might struggle to comfortably grip the blade between their fingers. There will certainly be some who prefer a different style of saw, but personally, I am completely satisfied. It’s important to note that the saw’s teeth are specifically designed for bones. It’s not a wood saw, which would clog up with chips and be difficult to clean. However, despite this, the saw can also handle wood. It’s not ideal for such work—certainly not something you’d take camping for firewood—but if you need to adjust a blind while hunting, the blade will cut through moderately thick branches without any issues.

The saw with a transverse handle is held in such a way that its blade passes between the index and middle fingers. This makes it relatively short and very easy to control.