Let’s Talk About Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo is a comprehensive kit designed to make game processing a streamlined and efficient process. This kit, manufactured by Outdoor Edge Cutlery, includes a variety of knives and tools to handle everything from caping to butchering, all conveniently stored in a hard-sided carrying case.
I’ve spent years field dressing and processing game, often cobbling together a collection of individual knives that never quite met every need. The allure of the Game-Pro was the promise of a complete, purpose-built system.
Unboxing the kit revealed a well-organized set of tools. My initial thought was that the hard case felt robust and the tools themselves looked well-formed, though I immediately wanted to test the sharpness.
Compared to piecing together my own kit, the Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo seemed like a significant upgrade in terms of organization and completeness. I briefly considered the Gerber Gator Combo Axe II and a separate skinning knife, but the all-in-one nature of the Game-Pro won me over. My hope was that the quality would match the convenience. I was excited to put it to the test.
Real-World Testing: Putting Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo to the Test
First Use Experience
I first tested the Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo on a recent deer hunt in the Appalachian Mountains. The weather was damp and cool, typical for late fall.
The caping knife and gut-hook skinning knife performed admirably in the field, even with wet hands. It took a few minutes to get used to the grip angle of the caping knife, but after a short time, it became intuitive. I experienced no slipping, even with the TPR handle material being wet.
The only initial issue I encountered was that the included gloves felt a little thin for the task, and I ripped one while trying to pull the hide off a hind quarter.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of use on multiple deer and a hog, the Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo has held up reasonably well. The 420J2 stainless steel blades have required occasional sharpening with the included two-stage sharpener, but they have retained their edge adequately.
There are some minor scratches on the blade of the butcher knife from contact with bone, but no significant signs of wear or damage. Cleaning the knives is straightforward; a quick wash with soap and water followed by thorough drying has prevented any rust or corrosion.
Compared to my old system of individual knives, the Game-Pro offers superior organization and convenience, although I will admit some of my older knives were of higher steel quality and kept an edge longer. The Game-Pro is a step up in terms of organization, but is more middle-of-the-road in terms of raw performance.
Breaking Down the Features of Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo
Specifications
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo includes:
- Caping Knife: With a 4.3-inch blade and 9.1-inch overall length, it’s designed for detailed work around the head and antlers.
- Skinner Blade: Boasting a 4.5-inch blade and 9.5-inch overall length, featuring a gut hook for efficient skinning.
- Boning Blade: With a 5.9-inch blade and 10.8-inch overall length, suitable for separating meat from bone.
- Butcher Blade: Offers a 8.3-inch blade and 13.2-inch overall length, ideal for larger cuts of meat.
- All Knives: Made from 420J2 stainless steel for corrosion resistance.
- Saw Blade: Features a 10.2-inch blade and 15.4-inch overall length, constructed from 65 Mn steel with a chrome coat for bone cutting.
- The kit’s total weight is 5.9 lbs.
- Handle Material: constructed with a durable TPR material
- Package Type: Box
These specifications provide a versatile set of tools for processing game of various sizes. The different blade shapes and lengths allow for specialized tasks, while the stainless-steel construction ensures durability and ease of maintenance. The Outdoor Edge Cutlery has created a very complete kit.
Performance & Functionality
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo performs admirably in its intended role. The knives are sharp enough to make clean cuts, and the variety of blade shapes allows for efficient processing of game.
The gut hook on the skinning knife is particularly effective, making quick work of removing hides. The bone saw cuts through bone with relative ease, although it requires some effort for larger bones. The sharpener helps maintain a working edge, but a higher-quality sharpening system would be beneficial for those seeking razor sharpness.
The kit meets expectations as a comprehensive game processing solution. However, the steel quality is a slight compromise for the price point, requiring more frequent sharpening than higher-end knives.
Design & Ergonomics
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo features a practical design with comfortable TPR handles. The knives feel balanced in hand, and the textured grips provide a secure hold, even when wet.
The hard-sided carrying case keeps the tools organized and protected, making it easy to transport the kit to and from the field. While the design is functional, it lacks the refined aesthetics of some higher-end knife sets.
There is a slight learning curve associated with using the different knives and tools effectively, but the kit is generally user-friendly.
Durability & Maintenance
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo is reasonably durable for its price point. The 420J2 stainless steel is corrosion-resistant but softer than premium knife steels, meaning it will require more frequent sharpening.
Cleaning the knives is simple, and the hard-sided case provides adequate protection during storage and transport. With proper care, the Game-Pro should last for several seasons of moderate use.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo comes with the following accessories:
- Caping knife
- Gut-hook skinning knife
- Boning/fillet knife
- Butcher knife
- Game shears
- Wood/bone saw
- Ribcage spreader
- Two-stage sharpener
- Game cleaning gloves
- Cutting mat
- Hard-sided carrying case
There are limited customization options available for the Game-Pro. However, it’s possible to replace individual knives with higher-quality alternatives if desired, although this would negate the purpose of having a complete kit. The accessories are adequate for basic game processing tasks.
Pros and Cons of Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo
Pros
- A truly complete kit containing nearly every tool you would need for field dressing or butchering most game animals.
- The TPR handles provide a sure grip, even when wet.
- The hard sided case keeps tools protected during transit.
- The variety of blade shapes allows for specialized tasks and ease of use.
- It’s an exceptional value given all that is included in the kit.
Cons
- The 420J2 stainless steel requires frequent sharpening with heavy use.
- The included gloves are of marginal quality.
Who Should Buy Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo?
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo is perfect for hunters, particularly those who are new to game processing or who are looking for a convenient all-in-one solution. It is also suitable for casual campers and outdoorsmen who occasionally need to process small game.
Those who prioritize top-tier edge retention and are willing to invest in higher-end knives should skip this product. The included gloves should be upgraded for better protection, and a higher-quality sharpening system would be beneficial for maintaining optimal sharpness.
Conclusion on Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo
The Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo is a well-rounded game processing kit that offers excellent value for the price. While the steel quality is a compromise, the convenience and completeness of the kit make it a worthwhile purchase for many hunters.
The price is justified given the number of tools included and the convenience of having everything organized in a hard-sided case. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive and affordable game processing solution. If you’re tired of rummaging through drawers for the right knife, the Outdoor Edge Cutlery Game-Pro 11-Piece Knife Combo is definitely worth considering. Grab yours today and make game processing a breeze!