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.
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.
