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Pepperwool Merino MM Review [Field Tested]

Elwood Shelton
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Pepperwool Merino MM Review [Field Tested]

With solid steel, bold styling, and a pocket-friendly profile, the Merino MM proves that great things really do come in small blades.

A lesson quickly learned in hunting, dressing game doesn’t require a big knife. Funny thing is, the same holds for most EDC chores for your EDC knife.

Certainly, a Crocodile-Dundee sized bowie raises eyebrows and wows crowds. What it doesn’t do is a better job of breaking down boxes and managing everyday emergencies than just the right amount of steel.

Size does matter and with a well-thought-out design and good looks to boot, Pepperwool’s Merino MM proves that more blade isn’t necessarily more better.

Merino MM Specs

Overall Length: 5.25″
Blade Length: 2.25″
Cutting Edge: 2.125″
Blade Width: 0.96″
Blade Thickness: 0.11″
Blade Material: CPM S35VN
Blade Style: Clip point
Finish: Blue
Edge Type: Plain
Handle Length: 3.00″
Handle Thickness: 0.35″
Handle Material: G-10
Color: White
Weight: 1.60 oz.
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up
Lock Type: Axis
Country of Origin: China
MSRP: $130

Pros

  • Ultra-Lightweight
  • Smart Blade Geometry
  • Ambidextrous

Cons

  • Handle May Be Too Small for Larger Hands

Merino MM Concept

The Merino's blade is terse, but punch well above its weight in most tasks.
The Merino’s blade is terse, but punch well above its weight in most tasks.

The brainchild of Pepperwool founder Beren McKay, the Merino MM takes a hack at a high-functioning micro-EDC knife.

McKay’s thought process is petite beats beastly when it offers many of the same assets and is something you never second-guess throwing in your pocket. You won’t do that because the axis-lock flipper is about as convenient as your local 7-11.

By the tape, the initial offer from the relatively new company measures in at 3-inches closed, 5.25-inches open and .35-inches thick. At 1.6 ounces, it’s about like throwing a Zippo lighter in your pocket—and as easy to forget on your person.

Merino MM Blade Steel

As is obvious as the dawn, a knife is only as good as its blade and a blade is only as good as its steel. Pepperwool has succeeded here with the cryo-treated S35VN. The steel itself is well-rounded, with good hardness and edge retention when heat-treated properly.

The former is likely the more important factor here, given the wispy thickness of the blade. Despite being as thin as a shadow, the blade is stiff enough to punch above its weight on demanding cutting and prying jobs.

Merino MM Blade Profile

An axis lock, the Merino is ambidextrous and quick to deploy.
An axis lock, the Merino is ambidextrous and quick to deploy.

Here’s where I really like the Merino, and not simply because I’m a sucker for a clip point blade. And Pepperwool has included a dandy version on the knife with a generous upper blade a belly.

Given that the knife is natural to choke up onto the blade, it arms users with a very controllable slicing edge for very fine tasks. Still, if you need a straight edge for push or pull cuts, the Merino’s lower edge has a surprising amount of real estate.

Worth noting, Pepperwool finishes the blade with titanium nitride for an extra level of corrosion and wear resistance. As a bonus, the ceramic is a very attractive cobalt blue for added panache.

Merino MM Handle

It’s tough to go wrong with G10 for a knife handle—the stuff just seems made for the job. And it’s welcome on the Merino.

Since there isn’t a lot of knife to grip onto, the well-textured material gives the user a strong purchase on the tool. Furthermore, it’s slightly off-white, which matches up well with the blue blade—simply in the looks department.

Chamfered, the G10 also ensures there are no hotspots when the knife is in hand. This surprised me a bit, given the grip is boxy in geometry, which usually spells at least one edge that bites into your hand.

Topping everything off is a very sturdy pocket clip, also finished in dark blue. It sits level with the butt of the Marino, but is designed to sink the entire knife into your pocket, sight unseen. By the way, it is reversible from a single set screw, but the knife is strictly a tip-up carry affair.

Merino MM Lock

The pocket clip is very attractive. Good thing, because in the pocket it the only thing you'll see on the knife.
The pocket clip is very attractive. Good thing, because in the pocket it the only thing you’ll see on the knife.

This might be the belle of the ball on the knife, at least from a practicality standpoint. The axis lock isn’t anything new, but the convenience of the lock is ideal for an EDC knife. First off, it offers a quick opening and closing system to get the blade in or out of play. But more importantly, the lock makes the knife truly ambidextrous—a boon for lefties.

Testing The Merino MM

I didn’t set a challenge course of tasks for the Merino to accomplish in putting it through the wringer. Instead, for roughly two months of this summer, it was my go-to hiking and fishing knife—roles I’m certain Pepperwool figured it’d fill.

In this time, I used the knife for everything from cutting nylon cord and fishing line to prying open a paint can and, on one occasion, shaving feather sticks. On all counts, the knife proved its mettle.

The knife came sharp and until the latter part of the second month, only required the lightest touch-up to hone its edge. The blade was especially adept at finer tasks—such as trimming tags on hair rigs.

Admittedly, the handle is terse—my pinky hangs off—but with a nice tapper toward the guard, I always felt I had full control of the blade. And the action on deployment is effortless, but limited. For me, it’s always an index-finger affair; the one time I attempted with my thumb, it poked into my ring finger, due to the knife’s small size.

The knife is a solid choice for most outdoor adventures, particularly where weight might be an issue.
The knife is a solid choice for most outdoor adventures, particularly where weight might be an issue.

The best aspect of the knife, from my time with it, is that it’s absolutely a second thought to carry. Tucked away in the hip pocket, the Merino is easy to forget about given its size, and I did on more than one occasion.

The Merino MM certainly isn’t a first choice for more heavy-duty endeavors—it isn’t a bushcrafter by any stretch of the imagination. But as a piece of lightweight kit, exactly what I used it for—hiking, fishing, camping—it definitely has an edge.

Is there anything I dislike about the knife? Yes, I don’t care for the fluorescent green on the lock and liner, but that’s an eye-of-the-beholder deal. And it’s not a make-or-break feature of the knife.

Final Cut

Pepperwool’s aim was a knife you have no second thoughts about carrying. With style, function and convenience, the Merino MM scores on all points. And, I’d say it’s scored big enough that it’d make many question if it’s time to go small on their EDC.

Check Out More Outdoor Knives:

Bill Adams: Cutlery Hall-of-Famer And Entrepreneur Passes

BLADE Staff
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Bill Adams: Cutlery Hall-of-Famer And Entrepreneur Passes

William “Bill” Adams was a revered knife entrepreneur, author and Cutlery Hall-of-Fame member. Learn about his immense impact on the knife community.

William Calhoun “Bill” Adams, knife entrepreneur, defender of all things knife, BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member and invaluable friend of the knife community, passed away August 10. He was 87.

Known for his easy smile, snow white beard and amiable North Georgia drawl, Bill was liked and admired by many in the industry. He founded Atlanta Cutlery and, with Hank Reinhardt, co-founded Museum Replicas, both in Conyers, Georgia. Bill’s retail operations required him to travel the globe in search of the finest knives, swords and accouterments, including England, Ireland, Africa, India, parts of Central and South America, and all over the USA.

He served as president of the Antique Bowie Knife Association and helped found the Military Equipment and Weapons Collectors Association. He also helped found the Cutlery Collectors Legislative Committee, aka the CCLC, forerunner to today’s two leading pro-knife-legislation groups, Knife Rights and the American Knife & Tool Institute. In 1995, Bill was inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame.

He was a knowledgeable, gifted author, editing Sheffield Exhibition Knives and co-writing The Antique Bowie Knife Book, both of which are go-to guides for fans and aficionados of vintage Sheffield-made and antique bowies, respectively. He also was a dedicated knife collector, winning several awards for his wide-ranging collections at the BLADE Show. He retired to Roberta, Georgia, to live along the Flint River, where he enjoyed a quiet, peaceful and happy life.

He is survived by his sister-in-law Dee Anne Adams, his nephew David A. Adams and wife Cheryl, and dear friend and travel partner Elaine Barnes. The family wishes to express its thanks to Bill’s Roberta, Georgia, friends, especially Charles and Kate Rice, who cared for and treated him like family.

Remembering Others The Knife Industry Has Lost:

Hunting Knives: What Makes The Perfect Blade Geometry?

Jason Fry
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Hunting Knives: What Makes The Perfect Blade Geometry?

From razor-thin slicers to heavy-duty choppers, here’s how edge geometry and grind thickness impact real hunting performance—and what makes the perfect hunting knife.

Whether it’s a secret lure, special scent, backwoods honey hole, a custom-tuned call, or even camo boxers or lucky socks, all hunters have some kind of secret weapon, superstition or technique that they believe will give them an edge over their quarry. But when it comes to the actual edge—the blade of your knife—are you that particular? Are you that picky, that much caught up in hype or that much committed to tradition? Let’s explore the “hunter’s edge” as we consider what kind of grind and edge geometry makes a so-called perfect hunting knife.

Hunting is a game of tradeoffs. If you hunt the field, you can’t hunt the hill. You may be stuck at work on the nice weather days and sitting in the trees in the rain on Saturday. You may sit one time and kill a record buck, or you may sit all season and not see a single “shooter.” There’s seldom a way you can have it all at the same time.

Sojourn by Alex Harrison of Night Watch Knives features a blade of CPM 154 stainless in a blackened War Wash finish. The handle is textured, blasted G-10 with black liners and hollow pins. Guard: nickel. Construction: tapered tang. Overall length: 8 inches. Blade grind: hollow. Edge thickness: .010 inch. Alex said the ligature notch is meant to be a safe way to conduct an aggressive gross motor skills reverse cut and sever a ligature under tension. His price for a similar knife: $500.
Sojourn by Alex Harrison of Night Watch Knives features a blade of CPM 154 stainless in a blackened War Wash finish. The handle is textured, blasted G-10 with black liners and hollow pins. Guard: nickel. Construction: tapered tang. Overall length: 8 inches. Blade grind: hollow. Edge thickness: .010 inch. Alex said the ligature notch is meant to be a safe way to conduct an aggressive gross motor skills reverse cut and sever a ligature under tension. His price for a similar knife: $500.

The hunter’s knife is no different. In general, “small game, small knife, large game, large knife” holds true, but what characteristics make it so? A big knife can be an advantage or a small knife can be sufficient, depending on whether you’re hunting whitetails in Saskatchewan or Texas. Do you want to use the same knife for wild pigs and moose?

Hunters want a knife that will stay with them through thick and thin. But should the knife’s edge be thick or thin? I have hunted and harvested game since I was a boy, but it was not until I was nearly 40 that I put a caliper to a knife edge. A knife just was, an omnipresent tool taken for granted. Some worked better than others, though I had never thought about why it was that way. Let’s talk a little about edge thickness and numbers.

Optimal Hunting Knife Edge

An experienced hunter may want a knife to chop trails and trim brush, do camp chores or fire-building tasks, or split a deer’s pelvis or sternum. Those tasks lend themselves to a larger, heavier knife with a thicker edge. The heavy-use knife may be 10 or 11 inches overall of 3/16-inch-thick steel and maybe forty thousandths (.040) of an inch or more behind the edge.

A 4-inch blade of 8670 carbon steel in a stonewashed finish and a maple burl handle help complete the Wagu Cattleman by Guild probationary member Chip Carlisle of Skjeggmenn Knives. Handle: maple burl. Overall length: 9.5 inches. Blade grind: full-height flat. Edge thickness: .020 inch. His price for a similar knife: $400.
A 4-inch blade of 8670 carbon steel in a stonewashed finish and a maple burl handle help complete the Wagu Cattleman by Guild probationary member Chip Carlisle of Skjeggmenn Knives. Handle: maple burl. Overall length: 9.5 inches. Blade grind: full-height flat. Edge thickness: .020 inch. His price for a similar knife: $400.

The grind is more likely to be full flat with a convex edge, or even full convex. The tradeoff is no matter how sharp such a knife gets, it won’t excel at fine work like making the initial cuts through fur or opening the abdomen. It’s not impossible to field dress a deer with a thick-edged knife, it’s just a bit more difficult.

Another hunter of equal skill may carry his knife on his belt or in her pack, only taking it out for the finer tasks of skinning, quartering and deboning. Such a knife could be as little as 3/32 inch thick and as short as 7.5 inches overall. The grind could be full flat or hollow, and somewhere in the 15-to-20 thousandths (.015-to-.020)-of-an-inch-thick-range, or even thinner.

If you use a caliper, you’ll need one that measures down to the thousandths-of-an-inch level.
If you use a caliper, you’ll need one that measures down to the thousandths-of-an-inch level.

On a small knife, you may not have the handle or blade length to give you the leverage you want to easily split the sternum on an elk. No matter how sharp the small knife is, it won’t excel at chopping or tasks that require leverage. It’s presumably not impossible to field dress a grizzly bear with a small, thin knife, it’s just a bit more difficult at some points in the process.

My “eyecrometer” doesn’t measure very precisely. As a simple frame of reference, 10 pages of BLADE® are roughly .020-inch thick. If you use a caliper, you’ll need one that measures down to the .001 (thousandths)-of-an-inch level.

Well, that was a nice theoretical discussion. Now let’s look at some concrete examples.

Different Hunting Knives

I asked a group of knifemakers to send me examples of knives that fit the hunting knife description. I was part of the judging panel for the Knifemakers’ Guild awards at the BLADE Show and got the chance to handle a wonderful knife from Guild voting member Alex Harrison of Night Watch Knives. Of all the knives in the judging, this one really spoke to me as an excellent hunting knife.

Field and Stream by newly elected Knifemakers’ Guild board member Paul LeBatard boasts a 3.5-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless and jigged bone scales. Overall length: 7.75 inches. Blade grind: hollow. Edge thickness: .020 inch. His price for a similar knife: $400. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Field and Stream by newly elected Knifemakers’ Guild board member Paul LeBatard boasts a 3.5-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless and jigged bone scales. Overall length: 7.75 inches. Blade grind: hollow. Edge thickness: .020 inch. His price for a similar knife: $400. (Jocelyn Frasier image)

First, there are the intentionally muted textures and tones. It’s all dark, rough and tough, and even the bright orange G-10 has subtlety from the combination of the ground-in divots and blasted grain of the material. Next, the shape was pleasant in the hand and the blade was all business. At first glance it’s a fairly standard drop point but it has all the small details: the short-serrated section near the ricasso, the swedged point, the ground edge at the top of the point. Underneath it all, the hollow grinds are simultaneously effective and pleasing to the eye.

“This knife is hollow ground, probably ‘ten thou’ behind the edge. That’s the sweet spot for me,” Alex explained. “Everyone loves a razor blade but people do stupid [stuff] with their knives, and even skilled users aren’t always gentle. I often have requests for serrations for game processing, so I taught myself how to grind them in such a way that they still slice paper.” I dare you to try to slice paper with the serrations on the standard big-box store hunter! Added Alex, “The ligature notch is meant to be a safe way to conduct an aggressive gross motor skills reverse cut and sever a ligature under tension.”

Guild probationary member Chip Carlisle’s take on a hunter is a bit bigger, a bit beefier and a bit more traditional. The Wagu Cattleman from Chip’s Skjeggmenn Knives is 9.5 inches overall with a 4-inch blade of 3/16-inch-thick stonewashed 8670 carbon steel. A precise, full-height flat grind comes to a thin .020-inch edge. The clip point is swedged, giving the blade a sleeker look than its height would automatically provide. Carlisle said the knife “delivers uncompromising performance where it matters most—at the edge of work and wilderness.”

All hunters have some kind of secret weapon, superstition or technique they believe will give them an edge over their quarry.
All hunters have some kind of secret weapon, superstition or technique they believe will give them an edge over their quarry.

Newly elected Guild board member Paul LeBatard executes the traditional hunter with modern materials and an eye for precision. The 3.5-inch blade of his Field and Stream model is 3/32-inch stock hollow ground on a 12-inch wheel to an edge thickness of .020 inch. Overall length: 7.75 inches. The same design comes in two larger sizes called the Personal and Personal Plus. The profile reminds me of the old Case and Western hunters from years past.

Critiquing Work

Knives the author has designed and/or made over the years, from left: his Jason Fry Hunter for White River Knife & Tool; his first real forged knife; the 100th knife he ever made, circa 2010; the 50th knife he ever made; and his first-ever knife, the Deer Disassembly Device, aka Triple D. For the knives’ grinds, edge thicknesses and other specs, see the story.
Knives the author has designed and/or made over the years, from left: his Jason Fry Hunter for White River Knife & Tool; his first real forged knife; the 100th knife he ever made, circa 2010; the 50th knife he ever made; and his first-ever knife, the Deer Disassembly Device, aka Triple D. For the knives’ grinds, edge thicknesses and other specs, see the story.

One of the unspoken rules of the knifemaking world is to not offer unsolicited criticism of another maker’s work. Now that I’ve put that rule in writing, I’ll be consistent and point out some flaws in some of my own early work to illustrate some points of error to look for.

At far right in the accompanying image (above) of my five knives is the first knife I ever made, stock removal from a file, that I enthusiastically called the Triple D for Deer Disassembly Device. I was a bit delusional. Although I’ve processed many deer with this knife, the handle is too short for the blade, which causes problems with leverage while splitting the sternum. Also, the knife was made with files and sandpaper, not a grinder.

The original edge thickness was somewhere beyond .060 inch. Eventually, as my skills improved, I re-ground the knife a bit, pushing the edge back to a slightly more respectable .035 inch. The knife doesn’t slice well at all, mostly as a function of the thick geometry, but also of the shorter bevel grinds on thicker stock.

The author’s Four Roses sports a 3-inch blade of Nitro V stainless and scales from a Four Roses whiskey barrel. Construction: tapered tang. Overall length: 7.75 inches. Blade grind: flat. Edge thickness: .020. His price for a similar knife: $350.
The author’s Four Roses sports a 3-inch blade of Nitro V stainless and scales from a Four Roses whiskey barrel. Construction: tapered tang. Overall length: 7.75 inches. Blade grind: flat. Edge thickness: .020. His price for a similar knife: $350.

Next from right in the image is my 50th knife, stock removal, ⅛-inch-thick 1084 carbon steel. This one also has handled its share of game. The edge thickness is .025 inch and works great but the handle is too thin. With ⅛-inch-thick steel and ⅛-inch-thick G-10 scales, there’s just not enough handle for my aging hands. The center knife is my 100th circa 2010.

I was into D2 and filework at the time, neither of which are particularly suited for a hunter, and the handle is fat and boxy. Next is my first real forged knife, from a drag harrow tooth from my grandfather’s ranch. The handle is 1955 white oak floorboards from my house at the time.

The knife is the best of those pictured in many ways, with a thin edge at .010 inch, a large enough handle, easily sharpenable steel, and a great story of how the original customer gave the knife back to me before he passed away. The full flat grind and distal taper make it a pleasure to use.

Chip Carlisle applies a flat blade grind using his belt grinder.
Chip Carlisle applies a flat blade grind using his belt grinder.

At far left in the picture is what I’ve settled on as my hunting knife of choice, the Jason Fry Hunter I designed for White River Knife & Tool in a full-flat-bevel-ground blade of S35VN stainless and black/orange G-10 scales. It’s just shy of 8 inches overall with a 3.5-inch blade. The handle length is enough to provide the necessary leverage, and the blade length is enough to do the cutting.

I’ve made this design for a decade by hand, both one-offs and small batches. For a general-use hunting knife for mass production, I wanted to split the difference between thin razor and beefy chopper. I specified the thickness at .020 inch and the White River guys nailed it.

The Perfect Hunting Knife

What makes the perfect hunting knife edge? It must be sharp. It has to be thin enough to slice fur yet burly enough to split a pelvis or sternum. It must have a handle big enough to provide leverage. It has to hold an edge through its primary tasks. Most of all, it must be with you when you hunt, an integral part of the package of secret weapons that set the hunter above the prey.

More On Knifemaking:

Benchmade Lowden Brings Rear Flipper Action AXIS Lock Lineup

BLADE Staff
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Benchmade Lowden Brings Rear Flipper Action AXIS Lock Lineup

A bold new release from Benchmade, the Lowden blends premium materials, M390 steel, and fidget-worthy deployment in a sleek, spear-point EDC design.

Benchmade just shook things up with the release of the Lowden—and if you’re into flippers, this one’s going to catch your eye.

Known for their rock-solid AXIS lock and high-quality builds, Benchmade isn’t typically the first brand you think of when it comes to rear flippers. But the Lowden changes that.

Benchmade Lowden clip

This sleek little blade flips open like a dream. You’ve got the option of using the flipper tab or sticking with the tried-and-true AXIS lock for one-handed deployment, and both are smooth and snappy. It’s a fun, fidget-friendly knife that doesn’t compromise on function.

The Lowden sports a 2.79-inch spear-point blade made from M390 super steel—translation: this thing holds an edge like a champ, resists corrosion, and is tough enough for serious work.

The handles are lightweight anodized aluminum with a stainless-steel inset frame, giving it that slim, dagger-inspired profile without skimping on strength. Plus, Benchmade matched the color on the AXIS button and deep-carry pocket clip for a clean, cohesive look.

Sure, a spear-point blade might seem like an odd choice for EDC or outdoor use, but in practice, it works. It’s surprisingly versatile, with great piercing power and slicing ability. The ergonomics are solid too—with an ample handle fitting comfortably in a wide range of hand sizes and offers a confident grip.

Benchmade Lowden disassembled

Are there a couple of nitpicks? Sure.

There’s no lanyard hole, which could be a downside for folks who like a little extra security, and the flipper tab could use some jimping. But overall, the Lowden is a refined, premium knife that’s just plain enjoyable to carry and use—classic Benchmade quality with a fresh twist.

Lowden Specs
Open Length: 6.81”
Blade Length: 2.79”
Blade Thickness: 0.09”
Closed Length: 4.05”
Handle Thickness: 0.502”
Mechanism: AXIS Lock
Blade Style: Spear-Point
Handle: 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum
Pocket Clip: Yes
Blade Finish: Cerakote
Blade Color: Gray
Clip Color: FDE
Clip Finish: PVD Coated
Clip Position: Tip-Up
Clip Type: Standard Carry
MSRP: $330 Phoenix Red, $340 Crater Blue

Knife Reviews:

Best Skinner Knives: A Guide to Top-Rated Hunting Blades

Reuben Bolieu
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Best Skinner Knives: A Guide to Top-Rated Hunting Blades

Find the perfect hunting knife with our guide to the best skinners on the market. We review top models from respected makers.

A skinner is a knife purpose-built for the delicate but necessary job of skinning game animals. Its singular mission: separate hide from muscle without causing a mess that makes a taxidermist weep.

Skinning knives serve specific purposes. Primarily, they glide beneath the hide with minimal resistance. This feature allows for a smoother cutting experience, making it easier to separate the skin from the meat.

Skinners also aim to minimize accidental punctures to the underlying meat or organs. This is crucial for preserving the quality of the meat and ensuring that it remains uncontaminated during the skinning process. Finally, skinners offer the control necessary for making fine cuts around joints, facial features and paws. This level of precision is essential for skilled processing, allowing for clean and efficient work.

Good Skinners and Bad

A good skinner slices smoothly without requiring brute force, retaining the cutting edge throughout the job. It cleans easily, especially around the scales, and feels intuitive in your hand, almost as if the knife knows your intentions before you do. Moreover, it keeps the hide intact, avoiding headaches caused by unwanted holes.

A bad skinner features an overly aggressive tip that punctures organs at the slightest touch, slippery scales that become a liability when blood is involved, and poor edge retention that necessitates awkward sharpening breaks. It may possess a clunky balance that makes it feel more like a garden tool than a precision instrument and hard-to-clean crevices that turn into breeding grounds for bacteria.

In short, an effective skinner collaborates with, rather than works against, you; it’s about finesse, not sheer strength, resembling a scalpel instead of a medieval cleaver.

Classic Design Skinners

Classic skinners are all about specific design features as opposed to gimmicks. They typically have a blade with a wide belly and sweeping curve for long, confident strokes that excel at slicing through hide. Most use a drop point or semi-rounded tip to prevent accidental stabbing when dealing with gut sacks.

A flat or convex grind offers a good balance between sharpness and strength, while hollow grinds, though sometimes sharper, can be fragile. Blade lengths usually range from 3 to 4 inches for maneuverability in tight areas like hooves or facial contours. Ergonomics is also crucial, with grippy materials like Micarta® or textured rubber preferred to prevent slippage.

Montana Knife Co. Packout Skinner

The author indicated the Packout Skinner would make Nessmuk proud. With a MagnaCut stainless steel blade and textured G-10 handle, it sliced through Teriyaki chicken like a champ.
The author indicated the Packout Skinner would make Nessmuk proud. With a MagnaCut stainless steel blade and textured G-10 handle, it sliced through Teriyaki chicken like a champ.

Pros

  • Top-Tier Steel
  • Compact and Maneuverable
  • Ergonomic Grip

Cons

  • Expensive

Packout Skinner Specs
Blade Length: 3”
Blade @Thickest: .11”
Blade Steel: MagnaCut stainless
Blade Finish: Stonewash
Scales: G-10
Weight: 2.98 ozs.
Overall Length: 7”
Sheath: Kydex
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $300

The Montana Knife Co. (MKC) Packout Skinner is a compact powerhouse built for precision in the field. It packs a generous belly into a tight footprint—ideal for long, clean skinning strokes. The blade offers top-tier edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness that thrives in backcountry conditions. Full-tang construction is paired with a milled handle shaped for a secure, glove-friendly grip that stays comfortable through extended use. The ergonomic palm swell and thoughtful finger ramp give you control whether you’re slicing hide or fleshing out detail work.

A custom-molded sheath complements the package, providing secure retention and versatile carry options: horizontal, vertical or pack-mounted. This knife doesn’t just show up, it works hard—just like the hunters it is built for.

A simple knife test I use is rustic meat cooking and slicing. In my eyes, and according to George Washington Sears, aka Nessmuk, an outdoor knife should be able to skin, butcher and slice. The Packout Skinner would make him proud. It does it all. I had a small summer barbecue with Teriyaki chicken and the skinner sliced it like a champ.

The sheath came in scout carry mode, so that’s how I used it. It carried comfortably. However, bending forward processing meat and camp must-haves made me remove it for a few minutes. On the plus side, it was easy to remove and attach without having to take it off my belt.

W.R. Case & Sons Laramy Miller Sasquatch Skinner

The Sasquatch easily feathered wood that took a spark from a stout ferro rod. The edge was sharp and the spine has a good 90-degree angle for fire starting.
The Sasquatch easily feathered wood that took a spark from a stout ferro rod. The edge was sharp and the spine has a good 90-degree angle for fire starting.

Pros

  • Excellent Edge Retention and Durability
  • Hidden Utility
  • Ergonomic Handle

Cons

  • Heavy

Sasquatch Skinner Specs
Blade Length: 3.94”
Blade @Thickest: .125”
Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel
Blade Finish: Caswell™
Scales: Natural Micarta®
Weight: 8.38 ozs.
Overall Length: 8.75”
Sheath: Brown leather
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $196.99

The W.R. Case & Sons Laramy Miller Sasquatch Skinner is a rugged fixed blade fashioned for serious field work. It strikes a balance between reach and control, perfect for skinning game or tackling camp chores. The blade has excellent edge retention and a stealthy, corrosion-resistant surface.

The smooth handle offers a secure, scratch-resistant grip with a soft feel that stays comfortable through prolonged use. The full-tang construction adds durability, while the ergonomic shape keeps your hand locked in when things get messy.

A fitted sheath completes the package, offering classic protection and easy belt carry. This knife is built to perform and last.

The rugged Sasquatch Skinner feels like a survival knife meant for hard use and skinning. The first thing I did was make a fire. I feathered a dry birch stick and was impressed with the skinner’s edge geometry. I made curls that were thin enough to take a spark via my Uberleben ferro rod and the blade spine. I didn’t read any info on the spine having a 90-degree angle. However, it’s a hidden gem! The second half of the spine—middle to tip—is where it’s sharp.

I employed the Sasquatch to split poplar and maple via a baton with no worries. I found the handle a bit thin for gripping during specific crafts. Maybe that’s why it’s a skinner, not a survival knife.

The edge was sharp and stayed that way. I like the absence of gimping as I don’t use it. However, most knife folks would disagree, especially with a skinner. The knife seemed like a ramped-up skinner, slightly on the heavy side, but then think of survivalist/mountain man Laramy Miller—they don’t call him Sasquatch for nothing!

The sheath carries traditionally on the belt at a medium height. It’s not too much of a rib jabber, nor does it carry too low.

White River Knife & Tool Model 1 Skinner

The grip on the Model 1 was secure and the spine’s forward gimping proved useful. After an hour of skinning and deboning, the author had no complaints. The thin grind made cutting effortless and the taper is outstanding.
The grip on the Model 1 was secure and the spine’s forward gimping proved useful. After an hour of skinning and deboning, the author had no complaints. The thin grind made cutting effortless and the taper is outstanding.

Pros

  • Premium Materials
  • Lightweight and Compact
  • Controlable

Cons

  • Lower Blade Hardness

Model 1 Skinner Specs
Blade Length: 3”
Blade @Thickest: .13”
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless
Rockwell Hardness: 58-60 HRC
Finish: Stonewash
Scales: Textured orange G-10
Weight: 3.5 ozs.
Overall Length: 7”
Sheath: Kydex
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $160

The White River Knife & Tool Model 1 Skinner is a target-constructed field knife that blends compact control with premium materials perfectly sized for precision work without sacrificing reach. The blade has excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance for repeated use in harsh conditions. The textured handle provides a secure, ergonomic grip—wet or gloved—while the large choil and gimping enhance control during delicate skinning tasks. A custom-molded sheath ensures safe carry and quick access, whether belt-mounted or pack-ready. Lightweight and razor sharp, the Model 1 is a reliable companion for hunters who demand performance without bulk.

While there wasn’t a running wild game season in my area of the Northeast when I wrote these words, I stuck with simplicity. One bird always in season is chicken. I buy skin-on, bone-in and prefer to do the preparation. The Model 1 makes for an excellent, nimble butcher knife. I used the little gem to debone split-chicken breasts and skinned them with ease. The grip was never in question and the forward spine gimping proved helpful. I used it for about one hour, skinning and deboning with no complaints. The thin grind glided through the meat with ease and the taper is excellent.

TOPS Knives Backwoods Skinner

In ulu mode with the Backwoods Skinner, the author sliced raw carrots effortlessly. The edge geometry works for food and game prepping.
In ulu mode with the Backwoods Skinner, the author sliced raw carrots effortlessly. The edge geometry works for food and game prepping.

Pros

  • Versatile and Multi-Purpose
  • Unique and Secure Gut Hook
  • Excellent Ergonomics

Cons

  • Gut Hook Deployment

Backwoods Skinner Specs
Designer: Joshua Swanagon
Blade Length: 3”
Blade @Thickest: .16”
Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel
Blade Finish: Coyote tan coating
Scales: Green canvas Micarta®
Weight: 5.4 ozs.
Overall Length: 6.75”
Sheath: Black leather
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $270

The TOPS Knives Backwoods Skinner is a compact ulu-inspired knife built for precision and endurance. The deep-bellied blade is perfect for slicing through hide and tackling bushcraft tasks without flinching.

The gut hook nestled in the handle is excellent for hunting season. I used it as a cord cutter. The sharp hook is a standard fixture for search-and-rescue personnel to slice cord and rope and to free people from entanglements. Remove the grenade pin and carefully take out the gut hook. Reverse the hook and install it in the proper hole for security. Make sure to put the sheath on to prevent cuts. My gut hook took some working in with another object until it fit. I suggest using leather gloves to avoid cuts from the hook.

The handle features an ovulated grip and deep choil, offering fatigue-free control and a confident hold even in messy conditions. Hidden in the pommel is a clever gut hook, deployable when needed and safely tucked away when not. A sheath combining classic style with belt-loop-carry convenience augment the package. Designed by survival authority Joshua Swanagon, the knife is ready for big game, small game and everything in between.

I remember a video with designer Joshua Swanagon talking about the ulu-shaped blade. I saw the ulu pattern immediately when I first saw the knife. Luckily for me, carrots were in season. I used the Backwoods Skinner as I would an ulu, slicing and dicing. Carrots are more difficult to cut due to their hardness. A dull or too thickly beveled blade will wedge and split the vegetable. However, there was none of that. I used my forefinger on the drop portion of the blade tip as intended for controlled slices. I also used it like a regular kitchen knife, choking up in a chef’s pinch grip. Both worked perfectly fine and were comfortable.

Check Out More Outdoor Knives:

Iconic Spyderco Design Appears On New H.L. Dalis Exclusive

BLADE Staff
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Iconic Spyderco Design Appears On New H.L. Dalis Exclusive

Spyderco unveils a limited-edition Para Military 2 with a cut-through Statue of Liberty blade to honor H.L. Dalis Inc.’s 100th anniversary. Just 1,200 knives available—collectors take note.

Spyderco has made its first “cut-through” blade design since its highly collectible Q, R and S series from roughly a quarter century ago to celebrate the 100th anniversary of H.L. Dalis Inc.

The cut-through graces the blade of a Para Military 2, including perforations both of and flanking an engraving of the Statue of Liberty. “As a New York company, we thought the Statue of Liberty cut through was appropriate,” stated Jon Blumenfeld, president of H.L. Dalis Inc., “as it is the most universal symbol of what the USA stands for.”

There will be 1,200 units in all, with delivery expected in the late third quarter of this year. As an added special feature, Spyderco has agreed to have its design team sign one box for every 50 units, and H.L. Dalis will include one signed boxed unit at standard volume cost with every 51 units—50 plus one signed boxed unit—ordered by its dealers.

Para Military 2 Specs
Blade length: 3.45”
Blade steel: SPY27 stainless
Blade grind: Full flat
Edge configuration: PlainEdge
Lock: Compression Lock
Hardware configuration: Stainless steel pocket clip, standoffs and liners
Weight: 3.8 ozs.
Closed length: 4.82”
Knife to know: Made in a limited edition of 1200
MSRPs: $340

Custom Knives:

Damascus Steel Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Legendary Blade Material

BLADE Staff
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Damascus Steel Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Legendary Blade Material

Test your knowledge of damascus steel with this 25-question quiz from BLADE Magazine. From ancient origins to modern master smiths, see how deep your damascus expertise runs.

Think you know your damascus steel? From ancient Persia to modern-day master smiths, the history of damascus is layered—just like the blades themselves. This quiz digs deep into the facts, myths, and makers behind one of the most iconic steels in knife history. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a curious forger, or just a damascus fanboy, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Ready to slice through 25 questions on the steel for the ages? Let’s see what you’ve got.

Answers at the bottom of the page.

1) Canned steel/canister steel is a method for the making of:
a) maidenhair damascus
b) stainless damascus
c) mosaic damascus

2) The first recorded use of canned steel was in the making of high carbon steel from:
a) blister steel
b) wrought iron
c) shear steel

3) BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Steve Schwarzer made his first powder-metal mosaic damascus in 1990 with the help of:
a) Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Alfred Pendray
b) Joe Hytovick
c) Daryl Meier

4) When Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Bill Moran introduced the modern American custom knife industry to damascus steel blades at the 1973 Knifemakers’ Guild Show, how many damascus knives did he display on his table?:
a) seven
b) 11
c) eight

Al “The Wizard of Wootz” Pendray (left) and knifemaker John Salley at an early ’90s Guild Show.
Al “The Wizard of Wootz” Pendray (left) and knifemaker John Salley at an early ’90s Guild Show.

5) Another name for damascus steel is:
a) Samarkind steel
b) pattern-welded steel
c) wood-grain steel

6) The art of forging damascus had developed into a highly developed industry in Damascus, Syria, by circa:
a) 1000 A.D.
b) 1200 A.D.
c) 1400 A.D.

7) According to Bill Moran, the first pattern-welded or damascus blades were made by the Merovingian Franks and Vikings at least as early as the:
a) 2nd century A.D.
b) 4th century A.D.
c) 8th century A.D

8) Damascus steel was named after Damascus, Syria, because:
a) the steel was forged there
b) the city was one of the most important centers of commerce for the steel
c) the name sounded a lot more romantic than calling it pattern-welded steel

9) In areas of Asia, damascus steel was called:
a) fulat
b) bulat
c) both a and b

Daryl Meier’s American Flag Knife featured images of 13 flags, each with 50 stars, running the length of the blade. Meier (right) presented the knife to President George H.W. Bush (left) in the White House Oval Office in 1991.
Daryl Meier’s American Flag Knife featured images of 13 flags, each with 50 stars, running the length of the blade. Meier (right) presented the knife to President George H.W. Bush (left) in the White House Oval Office in 1991.

10) The Arab word damas means:
a) sharp
b) aqueous, water, flowing
c) super steel.

11) What resident of Essen, Germany, forged blades of damascus prior to World War II?:
a) Hans Gruber
b) Erwin Mueller
c) Fritz Schwigat

12) Also known as the master smith of the Third Reich, who made hunting knives and entire sets of cutlery with damascus blades for his friends and others—including members of the Nazi Party?:
a) Max Schultz
b) Paul Muller
c) Herman Rommel

13) Toward the end of the 1960s, what German maker/steel researcher forged a number of bowie knives of damascus steel?:
a) Manfred Sachse
b) Erich Von Stupp
c) Heinrich Boker.

14) ABS master smith/Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Wayne Goddard popularized blades of cable damascus in the mid-1980s. According to Wayne, up to that time knives of forge-welded wire cable had been made in Oregon for at least how long?:
a) 40 years
b) 60 years
c) 80 years.

Steve Schwarzer’s pioneering mosaic damascus knife, “The Hunter’s Dream.”
Steve Schwarzer’s pioneering mosaic damascus knife, “The Hunter’s Dream.”

15) According to On Damascus Steel by Dr. Leo S. Figiel, steel made by a crucible process—that is, wootz steel—was made as early as:
a) 200 B.C.
b) 100 B.C.
c) 100 A.D

16) Also according to On Damascus Steel, the first damascus steel was made as early as:
a) the second century B.C.
b) the first century B.C.
c) the first century A.D

17) Western Europeans experienced the effectiveness of damascus swords used by defenders of the Muslim faith during the Crusades of the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. The Westerners referred to the long blade used by their opponents as the:
a) Sword of Islam
b) Sword of Death
c) Sword of Destiny

18) Bill Moran once wrote the best and most beautiful damascus blades consisted of how many layers of steel?:
a) 256
b) 512
c) 1,024

19) With whom did Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Jim Parker collaborate to produce a series of factory damascus knives in the mid-1980s?:
a) Daryl Meier
b) Don Fogg
c) Fain Edwards.

Standing, from right: Don Fogg, Steve Schwarzer and Jim Batson during a class at a past Batson’s Bladesmithing Symposium.
Standing, from right: Don Fogg, Steve Schwarzer and Jim Batson during a class at a past Batson’s Bladesmithing Symposium.

20) One of the landmark damascus knives Bill Moran exhibited at the 1973 Knifemakers’ Guild Show was this European quillon dagger. Who bought it at that historic show?:
a) Peter Semon
b) Rita and Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Butch Winter
c) Paul Lansingh.

21) In his groundbreaking The Hunter’s Dream mosaic knife, Steve Schwarzer adapted some of the techniques of what process to avoid the distortions seen in most mosaic patterns up to that point in time?:
a) glass blowing
b) Venetian glass working
c) glass inversion

22) In the early ’90s, an ABS master smith forged a damascus pattern with images that looked like flames ascending from the edge toward the spine. Not surprisingly, he called it flame edge. His name:
a) Robbin Hudson
b) Larry Fuegen
c) Don Fogg

23) In ancient Persia, the pattern called Kirk Narduban is the pattern known today as:
a) random
b) mosaic
c) ladder

24) Al Dippold created a mosaic damascus method that included his surname appearing 11 times on each side of the blade. Al called the method:
a) Accordion
b) Jigsaw
c) What’s My Name?

25) According to Daryl Meier, letters or words first started appearing on pattern welds between the:
a) 5th and 8th centuries
b) 11th and 13th centuries
c) 15th and 16th centuries

Steve Schwarzer was among the first to outline canned steel in detail and did so most astutely in his story in the January 2003 BLADE®.
Steve Schwarzer was among the first to outline canned steel in detail and did so most astutely in his story in the January 2003 BLADE®.

Answers

1) c; 2) b; 3) b; 4) a; 5) b; 6) c; 7) a;
8) b; 9) c; 10) b; 11) c; 12) b; 13) a; 14) c; 15) a; 16) b; 17) a; 18) b; 19) c; 20) b; 21) b; 22) a;
23) c; 24) a; 25) a.

More On Damascus:

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