Quick Summary
- What it is: an ultralight fixed-blade hunting knife made in Montana by Montana Knife Company (MKC).
- Key specs: 3.75-inch 52100 steel blade, 7.9 inches overall, about 1.7 oz, paracord-wrapped handle.
- Mini version: 3-inch blade, 6.75 inches overall, about 1.2 oz.
- Price: about $225 (Mini about $200) from MKC as of October 2026.
- Care: 52100 is a carbon steel; the coating helps, but dry and oil the edge after use.
Knives Task is reader-supported: if you buy through a link on this page, we may earn a small Amazon commission at no extra cost to you. That never changes which knives we recommend.
The Speedgoat is Montana Knife Company’s ultralight hunting knife, designed for hunters who count every ounce. It’s popular with backcountry elk and mule deer hunters who want a capable blade that almost disappears on the pack.
Our previous version of this page was generic and contained errors, including a 3.2-ounce weight and “customizable” tanto and clip-point blades with G-10 or Micarta handles. The Speedgoat has one blade shape and a paracord handle, so we’ve rewritten the page using MKC’s published specifications.
Speedgoat 2.0 Specifications
| Spec | Speedgoat 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 3 3/4 in |
| Overall length | 7 7/8 in |
| Steel | 52100 ball-bearing steel, cryogenically treated |
| Blade thickness | About 0.095–0.100 in |
| Coating | PVD, matte black (other colors available) |
| Weight | About 1.7 oz |
| Handle | About 7 ft of 550 paracord over a skeletonized full tang |
| Sheath | MKC Kydex with retention screw and clip |
| Made in | USA, hand-finished in Montana |
| Price | $225 (MKC, October 2026) |
Specifications are from Montana Knife Company’s Speedgoat 2.0 product page. Prices and colors change, so check before buying.
Design and Steel
52100 Steel
52100 is a high-carbon ball-bearing steel known for toughness and its ability to take a very fine edge. It’s easy to sharpen in the field, which suits a hunting knife used on several animals in a trip.
It isn’t stainless, though. The PVD coating protects the flats, but the sharpened edge is exposed, so wipe it dry and oil it after processing game.
Thin Blade, Full Tang
At around a tenth of an inch thick, the blade is thin enough to slice and cape cleanly. The skeletonized full tang keeps weight down while running the full length of the handle for strength.
Paracord Handle
The handle is wrapped in about seven feet of 550 paracord. It’s grippy when wet or bloody, very light, and the cord can be unwrapped for emergency use.
Paracord absorbs fluids, so wash and dry the handle carefully after use. It can be rewrapped when it gets worn.
Kydex Sheath
The Kydex sheath is made in Montana and has a retention screw to adjust how tightly it holds the knife. A clip lets you mount it on a belt or pack strap.
Speedgoat 2.0 vs Mini Speedgoat 2.0
| Speedgoat 2.0 | Mini Speedgoat 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | 3 3/4 in | 3 in |
| Overall | 7 7/8 in | 6 3/4 in |
| Weight | About 1.7 oz | About 1.21 oz |
| Thickness | About 0.095–0.100 in | About 0.090 in |
| Price | $225 | $200 |
The Mini, listed on MKC’s Mini Speedgoat 2.0 page, is better for birds, small game and detail work. The full-size Speedgoat is the better all-rounder for deer and elk.
What Reviewers Say
In a January 2026 review for American Hunter, Mark Fike praised the sharp, pointed tip for separating meat at joints on birds and for skinning deer. He found the handle comfortable and the sheath secure, and reported no complaints about handling.
Common criticisms from owners elsewhere center on price and the care needed for carbon steel and a paracord handle.
Using the Speedgoat in the Field
The Speedgoat’s pointed tip and thin blade suit the gutless method many backcountry hunters use, where quarters and backstraps are removed without opening the body cavity. The tip lets you work precisely around joints and along bones.
For skinning, use long, shallow strokes and keep the edge angled toward the hide to avoid nicking the meat. Caping around eyes, ears and lips is where the narrow tip really helps.
Avoid prying at joints or batoning wood. The thin blade is designed for slicing, and twisting it under load can chip or bend the edge.
Sharpening a Speedgoat
52100 sharpens quickly on a whetstone, ceramic rod or small diamond plate. Match the existing factory bevel rather than changing the angle; most hunting knives sit at roughly 17 to 20 degrees per side.
Carry a small ceramic rod or fine diamond plate to touch up the edge between animals. A few light strokes per side keep it cutting cleanly through hair and hide, which dulls edges fast.
At home, finish on a fine stone and a leather strop for a polished edge. Remove any burr completely, since a wire edge folds quickly on hide and hair.
Dry and oil the edge after sharpening, because freshly exposed 52100 steel is especially prone to rust.
Carry and Colors
The sheath’s clip mounts on a belt, a pack hip belt or a chest rig. Many hunters carry it on the pack where it’s easy to reach while glassing or packing out.
MKC sells the Speedgoat in several color combinations, including black, grey, olive, desert camo and blaze orange. Brighter colors are easier to find if you set the knife down in grass or snow.
Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Extremely light for a full-tang knife
- Keen, easy-to-sharpen 52100 edge
- Made in the USA
- Secure, adjustable Kydex sheath
What to consider:
- Expensive for its size
- 52100 can rust if neglected
- Paracord absorbs fluids
- Thin blade isn’t for batoning or prying
Who Should Buy the Speedgoat?
The Speedgoat suits backcountry hunters who prioritize weight and want a high-quality American-made knife. It’s designed for skinning, caping and quartering, not heavy camp chores.
It’s also a reasonable choice as a light everyday outdoor knife for hikers, as long as you accept the price and the extra care that carbon steel needs.
If you need a tougher camp or bushcraft knife, consider our guide to the best bushcraft knives under $100. For processing at home, see our pick of the best boning knives for deer.
Lower-Cost Alternatives
| Knife | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| Gerber Vital | Replaceable scalpel-style blades for field dressing |
| Morakniv Eldris | Small, light Swedish fixed blade |
For more everyday fixed blades, see the best fixed-blade EDC knives under $100.
Caring for 52100 Steel
- Wipe the blade clean and dry after every use.
- Oil the edge lightly before storage.
- Wash the paracord and let it dry fully before sheathing.
- Strop or touch up the edge between animals with a small stone.
- Store it out of the sheath at home so moisture can’t get trapped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What steel is the Speedgoat made of?
52100 ball-bearing steel, cryogenically treated, with a PVD coating.
How much does the Speedgoat weigh?
About 1.7 oz for the Speedgoat 2.0 and about 1.21 oz for the Mini.
Is the Speedgoat made in the USA?
Yes, it’s made in the USA and hand-finished in Montana.
Is 52100 steel stainless?
No. It’s a carbon steel, so dry and oil it to prevent rust.
Can you change the Speedgoat’s handle?
The paracord wrap can be replaced, but the knife comes in one blade shape.
