I have an Eberlystock skycrane for the heavy loads. It holds a lot of weight! You can fit two - 50lb bags of dogfood while bearbaiting in there if you're feeling froggy!
It really depends on the abuse they will be put through and how long between sharpenings. Dexter is a good medium steel as is the KRKT, the work good on the boat, just need to have a sharpener handy after a few Halibut/cod. The bush fillets knives I have can handle quite a few fish before...
I haven't had much luck with those calculators either - they all say for me to shoot a stiffer arrow than what actually flies good and true. It appears your bow is digesting those arrows just fine but I am really surprised that you can get good flight with Blazer vanes - this might be covering...
This bow shoots 535gr. hunting arrow (12.44gpp-32.5"BOP-20.77% FOC) @ 31 1/4" DL, 171fps. 25/50 grains extra doesn't make a huge difference at close range fps, but it sure does on trajectory. The Vortex just slings the heavy arrows out there.
I have the 17" Apex riser as well - with 39@28" recurve limbs. It pulls 43.5lb's at my draw length with two turns out from bottom on the limb bolts. That is one of my favorite bows, extremely accurate and I can pull it all day long. That is the bow I set up for ariel archery - shooting disks...
I've go a Vortex with 50lb recurve limbs. Love that bow, smooth draw all the way out to 31 1/4". It shoots 562 grain GT Hunter Pro 340 (11.2gpp) at 173fps. Very happy with the results.
I have a 62" Coyote FXT with South's strings. I put Beaver balls on it about a foot from the limb tips. 7 5/8" brace height. What made the difference for me is a heavier arrow. I'm shooting 31" draw, 32.5" Easton Axis 4mm with 3" Gateway feathers. I'm using Ethics archery 110 grain SS...
I run a Kenia river chest holster for my Glock 20, when cinched up just right I have full access under my Kuiu Bino chest pack. It's a little much in front but the best I can come up with. I'm like you, always want to have the pistol front and foremost for the game I go after. I only hunt...
I've been shooting a Hoyt Podium 27" riser Olympic bow with 36lb long limbs for years. (43lb pull@ my DL) The grip is very high with 90% pressure on the web of my hand. That took a while to get used to. About a month ago I purchased a used Stalker Coyote FXT 62" recurve with 46lb@27" marked...