razor-lite razor-blaze knife
Chris Maxcer

Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite Knife Review

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I am not particularly good at sharpening a knife. Could I be? With enough practice, yes, but right now it’s not on my get-it-done list. Enter the Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite hunting knife, which includes a new Razor-Pro option.

Basically, the Razor-Lite takes the standard lock-back folding knife design and delivers it with a set of replaceable razor-sharp blades in the shape of a standard 3.5-inch knife blade. When your blade dulls, you can quickly and easily swap it out for a fresh new blade.

It’s damn cool.

Here’s how it works: The blade consists of two components, a black frame and a razor blade. You slide the razor blade into the black frame, where it fits snugly. A hole at the handle end of the razor blade locks the blade into position at the handle of the knife.

The result is a surprisingly sturdy razor knife system that mimics the size and style of a standard folding hunting knife. I like that form factor.

Each knife comes with six blades, which are stored in small plastic guards that fit behind the knife in the included Razor-Lite knife case. You can buy replacement blades at reasonable prices, too.

razor-lite razor-blaze knife
The Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite, Blaze, and Pro hunting knives use an ingenious blade system so you always have a super sharp knife.

The case is sturdy. In fact, the fit and finish of the entire knife is surprisingly solid for the price — I’m impressed. One note, though: Once you remove a couple of the extra blades, the knife becomes looser in the case. I always pack a backup knife, and I usually don’t trust any case when it’s strapped to a belt or pack. Why? It’s far too easy to pop open a top when you’re fighting your way through brush . . . and lose your knife and not notice while a branch is scratching your face.

I lost a Leatherman in Alaska this way, and a buddy managed to lose a .44 revolver while crawling through thick brush. The brush pops open the snap on a case, and then when you bend down and step through some tight spot, you knife falls out of your case and is gone. You would think a guy would notice, but you don’t. Just saying.

While guys who don’t have knife sharpening skills are an obvious match for the Razor-Lite series, hunters who need to skin and quarter elk or deer in the field can likely get through the job more quickly with a Razor-Lite — even boning it all out in the field. If the blade dulls before the job is done, they can swap in a new one.

Of course, the steel isn’t particularly hard, but the blades are strong enough to let you touch up each blade a few times with a sharpener if you want to extend their use.

To give you an idea of how long a blade will last, I quartered a whitetail buck with one blade and quartered an elk with two blades. I did hit the blade release button once with my thumb, and the blade popped out. I carefully slipped it in and went back to work.

Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite Knife Systems

Outdoor Edge offers three options, all of which come with grippy, rubberized handles:

Razor-Lite – black handle with a black case
Razor-Blaze – orange handle with a camo case
Razor-Pro – black or orange handle with an extra gutting blade with black or camo case

Personally, I went with the blaze orange version. Why? The last thing I want to do is set my knife down in the dark then try to find it hiding in grass and weeds. It’s just wicked sharp.

All-in-all, the form-factor is great, the quality is solid, and the price is fantastic for the Razo-Lite series of knives. Even if you already have a favorite knife, I like the Razor-Blaze as a gift for a new hunter or as a backup option for experienced hunters who get off the beaten track, which is why it’s in our 45 Best Gifts for Hunters guide. Highly recommended.

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