Peltonen M07 Ranger Review: The Perfect Puukko?

Peltonen M07 Ranger Puukko makes the author’s all-time-best test list.

When I received the M07 Ranger Puukko from Peltonen Knives, I was really surprised to find that the Finnish company was using my favorite carbon steel, 80CRV2, my go-to blade material for the knives I make. It has suburb edge retention and a toughness equal to 5160 carbon steel. The TPV handle is firm but provides a great non-slip grip. However, the knife still has to come together as a comfortable cutter. Let’s get to the fun stuff.

M07 Ranger Sharpness

As I do with my blades to check for sharpness, the hair on my arm has to pop off. The M07 did not disappoint. It was hair popping from the start. For those who prefer the paper-slice sharpness test, using the weight of the knife only, I found the M07 very aggressive slicing the medium. You could hear every slice. The handle gave me great control.

Medium-Duty Cutting Tests

I grabbed some heavy double-walled cardboard and continued slicing. The M07 parted the material quickly with no snagging. I could feel it biting into the cardboard. I had to be careful not to nick my finger. The knife is that scary sharp.

When I started skiving 8-ounce leather, the M07 sliced all the way through as soon as I laid the edge on the medium. I really had to control the cut with just a quick touch; any pushing and the knife was clear through the leather.

I had enough half-inch sisal rope for the M07 to crunch to 200 cuts with no problem. So, I grabbed my last piece of 1-inch manila rope. It was no challenge for the M07. Seventy crunching cuts later and there was no sign of slowing down. The knife is perfectly formed for heavy cutting chores.

Heavy-Duty Cutting Tests

It did not matter if it took a small bite or a deeper one, the M07 produced nice curlicues. I could hear the knife cut the wood. The soft handle made controlling the sharp blade easy. Again, the cutting was quite aggressive.

It was time to hack some seasoned hackberry. Using a dead blow hammer, I pounded the M07 through the log. The handle absorbed all the shock from the blows, making the baton job a comfortable experience. The blade bit deep with each blow. In less than 30 seconds I had the log quartered. There were wood smears on the blade and some of the coating at the top of the grind showed a little wear. The edge was still extremely sharp. Great job, Peltonen.

It was back to the paper slice for the final test. There were two snags due to catching my thumbnail with the edge. The knife zipped through the rest of it.

Final Cut

The only change I’d make is to bring the grind line up closer to the blade spine. Otherwise, the M07 has to be in the top 1 percent of the sharpest knives I’ve tested in the past 30 years, and also the most comfortable handle. You could use this knife all day long and not get a sore spot. And the heat treating is excellent.

Peltonen Knives M07 Specs
Blade length: 4.68”
Blade material: 80CrV2 carbon steel
Rockwell hardness: 59 HRC
Blade grind: Saber
Blade @ thickest: .167”
Blade pattern: Drop point
Blade finish: PTFE Teflon (uncoated and Cerakote® finish also available)
Handle: TPV plastic blend
Weight: 3.75 ozs.
Overall length: 9.56”
Sheath: Plastic composite w/EasyLock locking mechanism; ambidextrous; MOLLE/PALS-webbing compatible (leather and Kydex versions also available)
Sheath weight: 1.75 ozs. (plastic composite)
MSRP: $68.43 at press-time exchange rate

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