AllOutdoor Review: The Montana Knife Company Marshall Bushcraft Knife
Nicolas Lenze 06.26.23
When I was in elementary school, I was enthralled by the adventure in the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Seeing the way the character was able to use a single tool to outlast the perils of nature sent me on a survival journey. I started buying cooking gear, compasses, and everything else I could until I was old enough to buy my own blade. Since then, large knives designed for bushcraft have taken a hold of the industry and my imagination. I don’t want to ever need one for survival, but practicing with one could save me someday, and it’s a lot of fun. With a family camping trip around the bend, there was no better time to test my new Marshall Bushcraft Knife from Montana Knife Company.
Bushcraft Coverage on AllOutdoor
- AllOutdoor Review: Chop It Up With The Gerber Bushcraft Axe
- Bushcraft Woodworking: Building a Shave Horse
- Bark River Mini Bushcrafter Review
The Marshall Bushcraft Knife: Specifications
- Blade length: 7 ⅝”
- Overall length: 12 ⅝”
- Blade steel: 52100 high-carbon ball-bearing steel
- Handle material: G-10
- Weight: 9.8 oz
- Price: $350.00
Camping Bound
Montana Knife Company was co-founded by Josh Smith, who began making knives when he was only 11 years old. A year later, he became the youngest journeyman knifemaker in the world. The company was officially launched only three years ago in 2020 and has since grown substantially.
While the backstory is cool, the backcountry is cooler! My family decided to go camping nearby, and with camping comes chopping, so the Marshall found its way into my bag. The knife is specifically made for bushcraft, and is made from 52100 high-carbon ball-bearing steel, Then parkerized for a rust-resistant matte finish. The spine is 0.170″ thick, which should make it plenty strong for batoning and other abuse. This version has orange and black G-10 grips. I like bright colors so my essential gear is easier to locate.
Also included in the box is a Kydex sheath. From soup to nuts, the Marshall is made in the U.S.A., including the sheath. It comes with a belt clip and quick-attach pack strap, both of which are reversible. That’s enough talk. Let’s chop!
Putting The Marshall To Work
Colorado was calling, so we set up camp, and the Marshall came out right away. While I’d love to survive on local brews, food is necessary, and a fire was needed. Desperate to get the fire started before the summer rains poured in, I started chopping up firewood and making kindling.
To be completely honest, I wasn’t expecting the grip to be very comfortable while chopping. It fits my hand well, but with a grip this thin, I braced for blisters and a jumpy blade. Maybe it’s Western culture, or maybe I’m just a brute, but I couldn’t imagine having an effective grip without crushing it with my hand. I was proven very wrong. The shape and texture of the G-10 grips were extremely comfortable, and I found it more efficient to chop with a firm but light hold. This was true with easy-to-split firewood and found branches alike.
Sometimes, straight chopping isn’t enough. A common bushcraft technique is batoning, where users strike the spine of the knife with another log to force it through the target log. The Marshall performed perfectly. I even had my four-year-old take a whack at it and he was able to make some modest progress. Even after all of the work put on the blade, cutting through 550 paracord was easy and clean.
With the fire made and our bellies grumbling, it was time to put food to flame. The Marshall was used to prepare the meat, as its blade was still in great shape. Potatoes were poked, meat was sliced, and I even used the knife as a spatula to flip the food.
After a quick rinse and wipe, the Marshall was returned to its Kydex sheath, ready to come out if it’s needed again. The retention was on point, which is especially important when there are little kids in your camp. You can adjust it as you like with the turn of a screw if you want to really lock it in, or make it quicker to pull.
Survivor or Struggle Bus?
If Gary Paulsen had written Hatchet today, the title might have been Marshall Bushcraft Knife. While I avoid dangerous situations as much as possible, I do put myself out in nature quite a bit. Seeing how the Marshall performed in a low-stakes environment gives me confidence in how it would perform if needed. The weight and shape of the blade made it sail through whatever I was chopping. It’s strong, but it’s also sharp enough for more precise cutting.
My favorite part of the Marshall is the attention to detail. It’s functional and beautiful. The black and orange grip is stunning and even houses a hidden lanyard loop in the handle. The finger guard saved my digits a few times when my swings got a little wild and kept my hands from slipping when they were wet. This is also helpful if the knife is ever deployed in a self-defense role.
This knife will now be accompanying me on every outdoor adventure. Even if it’s not on my hip, knowing that it’s in my pack gives me and my tribe some peace of mind. Having well-crafted, high-quality tools can mean the difference between a good and bad camping trip, or even life and death. I hope I’ll never need to be rescued by a flying fur trader, but if I am, I have no doubt that my survival will be related to the Montana Knife company Marshall Bushcraft Knife.
This is all based on the knife’s first outing. I plan to put many more miles on the Marshall Bushcraft Knife. If any issues arise, I’ll write an update. If you’d like to order your own, or just learn more about the company, head to the Montana Knife Company website. Be sure to follow along on social media for product information and announcements. MKC can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Keep your blades and wits sharp!
