Adam Scepaniak 09.06.24
The Montana Knife Company (MKC) has long cemented a reputation for itself as a reliable brand to lean on when you need a knife that can withstand the hard rigors of the outdoors. Their staple blade is the Speedgoat in varying configurations and styles. The Speedgoat knife – a homage to the Pronghorn Antelope of the western landscape – is lean, light, agile, and fast; exactly like an antelope to which its name references. Montana Knife Company (MKC) has always been for the outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, and working individual. Practical in the field applications. Now, Montana Knife Company has a new venture with their sub-brand of MKC Tactical. The flagship blade shall be a close relative to the previous knife we discussed, and this newcomer is dubbed the Wargoat. Equally light like the Speedgoat with more strength, dexterity, and power for tactical field applications. So, today we are going to review the MKC Tactical Wargoat to see how it performs. Let’s dive in!
When Everything Else Fails, The Wargoat Goes to Work
Montana Knife Company (MKC) Coverage on AllOutdoor
Specifications – Montana Knife Company MKC Tactical Wargoat
Montana Knife Company states that the Wargoat via the MKC Tactical line of blades is only the beginning. Moreover, that MKC Tactical knives are meant to be crafted for duty and designed for survival. This new line – MKC Tactical – was born from input from military personnel, law enforcement, and veterans to their discerning needs, interests, and demands.
The specific MKC Tactical Wargoat knife that we are reviewing here today is the Black/Coyote colorway which has an MSRP of $325. The other color pairing options are Black/Black, Black/OD Green, Coyote/Black, and Coyote/OD Green for a total of 5 selections to pick from.
- Blade Steel: Magnacut Stainless Steel
- Design: Full Tang Construction
- Overall Length: 7 7/8”
- Blade Length: 3 1/2”
- Blade Thickness: 0.125″
- Knife Weight: 2.23 Oz
- Blade Finish: Cerakote
- Handle Material: G-10
This knife is built on our home soil of the United States (100%) and hand-finished in Montana. As always, in the rare event that you should ever need service or warranty work for your blade, Montana Knife Company has a Multi-Generational Warranty that stands behind all of their products. I have reviewed quite a few products from Montana Knife Company over the years and I have never experienced an issue with any of them, but it is nice to know that you have that safety net and support from Montana Knife Company.
A Word from Montana Knife Company on the MKC Tactical Wargoat
Montana Knife Company (MKC) is pretty ecstatic to bring their MKC Tactical Wargoat to market and they share some additional thoughts via their press release statement below:
From the wilderness of Montana comes a knife built for one purpose – to defend your life when all other options are exhausted. Introducing the Wargoat, the first addition to MKC’s official line of tactical knives, designed to be your final line of defense in the most dire situations. Born from the need for a compact, ultra-concealable blade, the Wargoat takes inspiration from the relentless mountain goats that roam the punishing peaks. Like its namesake, this knife is built to thrive in even the most hostile environments, always ready to fight.
The Finer Details – Montana Knife Company MKC Tactical Wargoat
While we can easily expect the MKC Tactical Wargoat to be of high quality, what kind of attributes and precise qualities has MKC poured over this blade? For one, it dons a Cerakote finish as a protective coating and to be low-glare before you ever deploy it. Also, it has an easy to manipulate ring handle in both a traditional and reverse grip style.
- Sleek Drop Point Blade in Ultra-Tough Magnacut Steel – The stout drop point blade shares the same proven geometry as MKC’s ultra-light Speedgoat models. But this one brings the premium edge retention and corrosion resistance of Magnacut stainless tool steel to the party. It’s an uncompromising blade material that brushes off the toughest abuse a defensive blade may face.
- Low-Drag Cerakote Finish Eliminates Reflections – A low-visibility Cerakote finish eliminates any chance of giving up your position with light reflections. This ultra-flat, non-reflective coating also helps the Wargoat avoid snagging on clothes during lightning-fast deployment from under a jacket or pack.
- Low-Profile Ring Handle enables Secure Reverse Grip – The defining trait of the Wargoat is its distinctive ring handle. More than just eye-catching, this ring locks the blade into a can’t-fail reverse grip when deployed. Your hand is automatically guided into the perfect position for applying maximum percussive force while preventing dislodging – even when slick during wet work.
- Deep Finger Choil for Complete Edge Control – Whether delicately slicing thin materials or unleashing full-force blows, the Wargoat’s deep finger choil lets you choke up for incredible edge control. This protective choil helps prevent fingers from sliding onto the razor-sharp cutting edge during intense engagement.
- Skeletonized Grip Maximizes Strength while Minimizing Weight – Despite its stout physique, the Wargoat’s skeletonized grip design pares weight to an absolute minimum. Every gram was scrutinized and whittled away to keep this last-ditch defensive blade as compact and lightweight as possible without sacrificing an ounce of strength.
- Custom Kydex Sheath with Multi-Carry Options – A custom-molded Kydex sheath provides secure, rattle-free carry of the Wargoat in even the most demanding scenarios. The sheath can be worn vertically or horizontally and offers multi-position retention adjustments to dial in the perfect draw every time. A custom-molded Kydex sheath provides secure, rattle-free carry of the Wargoat in even the most demanding scenarios.
This blade also sports a deep finger choil so if you need to apply extra pressure to your work and require a bit more leverage, there is never a chance that you lose your grip or positive dexterity. Finally, you receive a custom Kydex sheath with every knife so you can safely and confidently carry this knife out in the open or concealed – whatever you prefer.
Field Use – Montana Knife Company MKC Tactical Wargoat
So, how does the Wargoat perform out in the field?… I found the grip on Wargoat to be more to my liking compared to a traditional Speedgoat. The G10 grip handles are sturdy, give strong and pronounced texture, and fill my hand more adequately for a simply more confident grip while cutting and working. I own a Speedgoat as well and it continues to perform excellently to this day, but after working with this new MKC Tactical Wargoat, I like the Wargoat’s grip the best.
Next, something I did not think I would like is the ring in the handle, but it has grown on me. If you are holding a reverse grip to tactical or self-defense reasons, I could find that very handy and sturdy at the same time. For me, being a big hunter, if I execute a reverse grip while caping wild game, that angle felt very comfortable and secure. Even in a traditional grip hold, the ring handle is more valuable than I first imagined.
The Wargoat is also advertised as having a greater blade thickness than its Speedgoat counterpart for when you may need to apply more pressure or are in need to making deeper, more vigorous cuts. I found this to be true – not only empirically – but there is no concerning bend or “give” to this knife’s blade. It is taut, stout, and strong.
The full tang construction in the MKC Tactical Wargoat also instills confidence in me just like all of Montana Knife Company’s blades. Moreover, the sizing of the handle, blade length, and overall dimensions simply feel right. It is flatly “handy,” and there is no other better way to describe it.
Departing Thoughts – Montana Knife Company MKC Tactical Wargoat
So, what are my final thoughts on the MKC Tactical Wargoat?… I like the direction that Montana Knife Company is taking their new venture, MKC Tactical, in. The Wargoat is more robust without being too thick. It is stronger without being a sacrifice in weight. It is more handy and wieldy than ever before without being a chonk. It is simply small, incremental changes that obviously reflect a lot of methodical thought, feedback, and professional advice from the field that hunters, outdoorspeople, and family defenders – like me and others – will appreciate. If you want a strong blade that do everything from protect to hunt, the Wargoat is your new companion.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Montana Knife Company and MKC Tactical for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Montana Knife Company MKC Tactical Wargoat blade in a Black/Coyote colorway. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Montana Knife Company MKC Tactical Wargoat blade in a Black/Coyote colorway is something worth spending your money on? Would you take one with you hunting? Carry it for work? Potentially deploy it for EDC (everyday carry)? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Montana Knife Company, MKC Tactical, and the MKC Tactical Wargoat in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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