Montana Knife Co Stonewall Skinner review

[Team4LongGun]

Montana Knife Company sent me their new Stonewall Skinner knife to review. Having used their Blackfoot last year on a spring black bear where it performed very well, I look forward to getting some use out of this skinner. I’ll be chasing bears for the next month on and off, I’ll update as I take it afield.


Initial impressions are the solid quality I’ve come to expect from MKC as far as fit and finish. Both are made with cryogenically treated 52100 high-carbon ball bearing steel, and have full tang construction. But that is where the similarities end. The Stonewall skinner is quite larger than the blackfoot, with the blade shapes being different as the skinner has a longer belly. The blade is sharp and needs nothing right out of the box.


It comes with a kydex sheath, with the option of horizontal, vertical and even butt down carry due to the adjustable retention screw. I’ll have to play with different configurations to see if I like this type of carry, as I don’t generally care for too much gear strapped all over the place in the terrain and vegetation I hunt. I may pull the belt loop off to slim it down and keep it in my lid.


This knife, along with their entire line are part of the “Generations” program where they will sharpen it for life at no charge. I’m about to send the blackfoot back as it due for a touch up that I prefer the experts tackle, given the price

 

[Team4LongGun]

The knife has been in my pack for several hunts, the bears are not cooperating.....

 

[KentuckyHuntsman]

While they will sharpen it for you, what’s your experience with the “sharpen-ability” of MKC equipment? I’d hate to go through a shipment process if 10 minutes in the basement can get it back to good.

 

[btb1983]

MKC knives are the best! You should try out their whitetail!

 

[Team4LongGun]

While they will sharpen it for you, what’s your experience with the “sharpen-ability” of MKC equipment? I’d hate to go through a shipment process if 10 minutes in the basement can get it back to good.

That's a great question-and I have had decent success getting a good edge back fairly easy. I'm not the best sharpener, but taking my time and making sure angles are good I'd say 10 mins is a good reference for me.
My sending it back was due to having a brand new knife to use and figured why not its free.

 

[Justin (Raz) Rasmussen]

While they will sharpen it for you, what’s your experience with the “sharpen-ability” of MKC equipment? I’d hate to go through a shipment process if 10 minutes in the basement can get it back to good.

I have had no issues getting mine back to razor sharp on a couple ceramic stones and a leather strop. I am admittedly not that great at sharpening either.

 

[mcseal2]

I just got one of these in Magnacut used off Ebay. I'm going bear hunting this fall and wanted a true skinning knife instead of just my normal belt knife. I hope I get a chance to use it. It was sold as used but looks new and the edge is sharp enough it doesn't miss a hair when I tested it on my arm.

 

[Team4LongGun]

I was not able to use the knife here for spring bear in Montana. I look forward to the fall when I can get some usage.

 

[NDGuy]

Love mine, got rid of that crappy G10 handle though.

Wish they'd do more with pins and a nice handle.

 

[paxamus]

Love mine, got rid of that crappy G10 handle though.

Wish they'd do more with pins and a nice handle.


View attachment 729136

Beautiful handle work! You could make some cash with that work


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[NDGuy]

Beautiful handle work! You could make some cash with that work


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Hardly me! Nice wood makes it easy

 

[Team4LongGun]

Update:

Finally got to put this knife to work. Buddy and I made quick work of my bull and it’s still very sharp. I did not pop any joints and stayed away from bone which seemed to keep it so sharp.

 

[robby denning]

Update:

Finally got to put this knife to work. Buddy and I made quick work of my bull and it’s still very sharp. I did not pop any joints and stayed away from bone which seemed to keep it so sharp.View attachment 770966View attachment 770967

bull down!

so it's a skinner knife only, not meant to breakdown the animal? Is that what you did with the Blackfoot?

So a guy needs to carry two knives?

 

[NDGuy]

So a guy needs to carry two knives?

Can’t go wrong with too many knives Robby

 

[robby denning]

Can’t go wrong with too many knives Robby


View attachment 771241

Can’t argue! Just need a headcount for my daypack needs lol

 

[Team4LongGun]

bull down!

so it's a skinner knife only, not meant to breakdown the animal? Is that what you did with the Blackfoot?

So a guy needs to carry two knives?

No, not a all. I had a buddy helping me, I worked the topside on prime cuts, he did the joint work. My knife was spared any bone contact and still killer sharp. After he did the legs, he took care of the skull and was due for a touch up due to bone contact. We were working expeditiously, as we had confirmed grizz kill within 200 yards, later to find it danger close.

Just left the wilderness, where we cut up a cow with my same knife. Still pleased with it.

 

[fngTony]

No, not a all. I had a buddy helping me, I worked the topside on prime cuts, he did the joint work. My knife was spared any bone contact and still killer sharp. After he did the legs, he took care of the skull and was due for a touch up due to bone contact. We were working expeditiously, as we had confirmed grizz kill within 200 yards, later to find it danger close.

Just left the wilderness, where we cut up a cow with my same knife. Still pleased with it.

Talk about motivation to work quickly