We asked 22 of our team members here at Montana Knife Company one question: “If you could give one gift from MKC this holiday season, what would it be?”
Below are the honest picks from the people who build, sharpen, ship, and sell our knives and gear every day. You’ll find knives for big game, bird hunting, and everyday carry, apparel that earns its place in the field, and stocking stuffers under $50 that still feel like a real gift.
How to Pick a Knife as a Gift
Start with what they’ll use it for. A knife that fits the way someone hunts or works gets used. One that doesn’t stays in a drawer:
- For the deer and elk hunter: A hunting knife with a 3 3/4- to 4-inch blade, like the Speedgoat 2.0 or the Whitetail, is built for skinning big game.
- For the bird hunter: A small blade made for breasting out birds, like the 2 7/8-inch Sharptailed.
- For everyday carry: A light knife that rides in a pocket all day, like the 1.18-ounce Mini Speedgoat 2.0.
- For camp and the backcountry: A big blade for splitting wood and building fires, like the Chopper.
If you don’t know which knife they want, an MKC E-Gift Card, from $25 to $500, lets them pick the blade themselves. Whichever knife you choose, it comes with MKC Generations®, our promise to clean, sharpen, repair, and even reshape it free of charge for life.
Best Gifts for the Deer and Elk Hunter
1. MKC Whitetail ($315), Picked by Tristan Richter, Operations Manager
Tristan didn’t hesitate: “If I had to pick one, I would give someone a Whitetail. It’s a super great all-around hunting knife.”
The Whitetail is our take on a classic design, built with the high-end materials and performance MKC is known for. It sports a 4-inch MagnaCut blade on an 8 5/8-inch frame with a G10 handle that won’t absorb blood or moisture.
It comes in PVD Buck Skin and PVD Black. Each ships with a custom MKC Kydex sheath and, like all our knives, comes with our MKC Generations® program, which includes free sharpening and maintenance for the knife’s life, even if it outlasts yours.
2. Speedgoat 2.0 ($225), Picked by Jess Smith, Director of Fulfillment, Customer Service, and Retail
Jess picked the Speedgoat 2.0, and she’s giving one to every woman in her life this Christmas. It comes in three new colors: Glacier, Huckleberry, and Bitterroot. You’ll find new paracord wraps on the same blade, and they’re easier to spot on a tailgate or inside a pack.
The Speedgoat 2.0 weighs 1.76 ounces, has a 3 3/4-inch MagnaCut blade, and ships with a Kydex sheath. It’s one of our most popular hunting knives for a reason: it does the most work per ounce of any blade we make.
3. MKC Chopper ($575), Picked by Lauren Peterson, Knife Tech
Lauren and her husband spend every weekend hunting, camping, and hiking, so the Chopper makes a great gift for him. “We always need to start fires, keep ourselves warm, keep ourselves entertained,“ she said. “It’s a great versatile knife to have in his bag.”
The Chopper is our biggest field blade: 15 inches overall with a 9 3/8-inch 52100 carbon steel blade and a G10 handle. It comes with a leather sheath with multiple carry options. If the person you’re buying for splits wood and builds fires in the backcountry, this is the blade for them. Available in Olive, Orange & Black, Tan & Black, Black, and Grey.
Best Gifts for the Bird Hunter
4. Sharptailed ($275), Picked by Nick Patla, Production Area Manager
Nick is a bird hunter, and his pick reflects it. “The Sharptailed is the perfect little knife for breasting out grouse, pheasants, ducks, really any small game bird,” he said.
Bird hunters usually end up choosing between a throwaway blade and a knife built for big game. The Sharptailed was made for the space in between, and it’s named for the sharp-tailed grouse native to Montana. It has a 2 7/8-inch MagnaCut blade with an upswept trailing point built for processing birds. At 1.87 ounces, it disappears in a vest pocket. Ships with a custom MKC Kydex sheath. Available in Black.
Best Gifts for Everyday Carry
5. Mini Speedgoat 2.0 ($200), Picked by Brayden Cooney, Knife Sharpener
Braden carries a Mini Speedgoat in his pocket almost every day. “It’s very affordable. It’s super light. You don’t even know it’s in your pocket,” he said. At $200, it’s the least expensive knife in this guide.
The specs back him up: 1.18 ounces and 6 3/4 inches overall, with a 3-inch MagnaCut blade. The 2.0 version added an integrated finger guard and improved ergonomics over the original, and it ships with a redesigned MKC Kydex sheath. Braden says it’s a great gift for anyone. Available in Olive, Forest Camo, Orange & Black, Desert Camo, and Blaze Orange Cerakote.
6. Mini Wargoat ($300), Picked by Dylan Allen, Fixed Blade Production
The Mini Wargoat is Dylan’s favorite EDC gift. He appreciates its sharpness and tactical look.
The Mini Wargoat is from our Tactical line: a 7-inch fixed blade with a 3-inch MagnaCut Cerakote blade and a G10 handle, built for concealed and secondary carry. It weighs 1.57 ounces and ships with a Kydex sheath. It’s a good fit for someone who carries a knife every day and likes one with some attitude. Available in Black/Black, Black/Coyote, and Black/OD Green.
Best Gifts From Field to Kitchen
7. MKC Cutting Board ($120), Picked by David Dieckhaus, Photo/Video
David’s pick is the Montana Block Company cutting board with the MKC logo engraved on it. “This thing is awesome,” he said. “It’s super portable. It’s got the rubber feet on the bottom. You can take this anywhere.”
Whether it goes to hunting camp or sits on the kitchen counter, this USA-made board pairs well with any of our culinary blades. If you’re buying for someone who cooks what they harvest, a good cutting board is one of those gifts they’ll use every week but wouldn’t buy for themselves.
8. Wax Canvas Knife Roll ($70), Picked by Jess Byers, Brand Relations Manager
Jess chose the wax canvas knife roll because it fits the way MKC owners actually use their knives. “Our motto here is, ‘From first blood to last bite,’” she said, “and it’s so cool that we have hunting knives all the way to culinary.”
The roll holds up to six knives in 3.75-inch-by-6-inch pockets, made from premium canvas by Fairfield Textiles in New Jersey and US-sourced chrome-tanned leather. Throw it in the truck, take it to camp, or keep it in the kitchen. For anyone who has started collecting MKC blades, this is a practical way to carry and protect them. And if anything happens to the knives inside, we’ll restore them free of charge through our MKC Generations® promise.
9. MKC x Bearded Butchers Bold Seasoning ($14), Picked by Gabriel Carrasco, Knife Tech
Gabriel said the Bearded Butchers seasoning would make a great stocking stuffer and a great gift. This is a collaboration between Montana Knife Company and The Bearded Butchers: a primal blend of salt, garlic, paprika, and signature Bearded Butcher spices with no fillers. It works on steaks, wild game, and anything off the grill or smoker. Available as a single jar or a three pack.
Best Gifts in Apparel and Outerwear
10. MKC Heritage Hoodie ($100), Picked by Henry Hawkins, Director of Content
Henry’s pick is one of our USA-made sweatshirts. “These things are heavy duty. They’re thick. They’re durable. They’re all made right here in the USA,” he said. “And you can gift this to anybody in your family, and they’d be happy.”
The Heritage Hoodie comes in Green, Black, and Tobacco. If you’re buying for someone who wears a hoodie six months a year, this one will hold up.
11. Whitefish Waxed Canvas Vest ($150), Picked by Brett Benton, VIP Program Manager
Brett has been wearing his Whitefish vest all week as Montana temperatures have dropped. “If you want to not be too warm, instead of wearing the full jacket, you can wear the vest version that doesn’t have the sleeves,” he explained.
The Whitefish Waxed Canvas Vest puts 100 grams of insulation under a waxed canvas shell. It’s a good fit for someone who wants the warmth of the full jacket without the sleeves.
12. Mt. Reynolds Rain Jacket ($120), Picked by Aspen Heise, Knife Tech
Asma picked the Mt. Reynolds Rain Jacket for one reason: it keeps you dry. Named after a peak in Montana’s backcountry, this jacket has a lightweight nylon shell with custom MKC PVC patches and a custom zipper pull. It packs down small for a daypack. Available in Olive and Black.
13. Rimrock Lightweight Hoodie ($65), Picked by Jake Markham, Donations and Sponsorship
Jake picked the Rimrock for its versatility. “Lightweight bamboo, great for on the water, camping, or hiking,” he explained. “Dries really fast and is super comfortable.”
The Rimrock is made from a bamboo blend fabric that breathes, wicks moisture, and blocks the sun on long days. It’s named after the Rims, the sandstone cliffs above Billings. Available in Black, Olive, and Dark Woodland Camo.
14. MKC Ranch Glove ($90), Picked by Bip Bagnell, Finish Sharpener
Bip’s gift-giving philosophy is practical. “I always think it’s good to get an item that’s useful,” he said. “I think that’s probably why my wife always gives me socks and underwear.”
The MKC Ranch Glove is a similarly useful gift. It’s made by Sullivan Gloves from deerskin leather and grips well wet or dry, so it works for ranch chores and field work. Sizes run Small through XXX-Large, so check their glove size before you order.
Stocking Stuffers Under $50
All eight of these gifts come in under $50.
15. MKC Field Knife Sharpener ($40), Picked by Aubrey Wasson, Factory Store Retail
Aubrey’s pick is the MKC Field Knife Sharpener, which she says is perfect for anyone on the move. “Keep it in your pack,” she said. “Great for sharpening all your knives on the go.”
MKC Founder and Master Bladesmith Josh Smith designed this sharpener with Work Sharp. It weighs 2.6 ounces, has multiple sharpening angles, and has a built-in broadhead wrench, so one tool sharpens your knife and tightens your broadheads.
16. MKC State Patch Trucker Snapback ($32), Picked by Clark Hooper, Fulfillment
Clark says the State Patch Trucker looks good on everybody. “You can put it on your ugly friends, your good-looking friends,” he said. “It’ll make them all look the same.”
The hat has a genuine leather patch that darkens and softens over time. The snapback adjusts, so you don’t need to know their hat size. Available in Camo and Black.
17. MKC Blade Wax ($15), Picked by Torry Bishop, Customer Service
Tori called the blade wax a “surefire gift” and a perfect stocking stuffer. “Perfect for your culinary knives, for your hunting knives, for your tactical knives, and it’s a great beard wax,” she said.
MKC Blade Wax is hand-poured in small batches in New York from 100% American-sourced ingredients. It protects against rust and corrosion with a low-scent formula that won’t leave a sticky residue. At $15, it’s an easy MKC gift for someone who already owns a blade.
18. Range Line Pro Neck Gaiter ($20), Picked by Aiden Urbine, Content Creator
Aidan says the Range Line Pro Neck Gaiter is his go-to for cold mornings. “Whether [I’m] in the backcountry hunting or skiing, keeps me super warm. Keeps my face warm. Keeps the condensation from building up around my mouth.”
At $20, it’s one of the most practical gifts for anyone who spends time outdoors in cold weather. Available in Olive and Charcoal.
19. MKC x YETI Rambler Hotshot ($28), Picked by Jessinia Peso, Knife Tech
Justinia said the MKC x YETI Rambler mug has a cool design and will keep your drinks warm at hunting camp. The 12 oz Hotshot has a 360-degree HotShot Cap for easy sipping and double-wall insulation to keep drinks hot for hours. At $28, it’s a good pick for any coffee drinker on your list.
20. MKC x YETI Yonder Bottle ($28), Picked by Garrett Browne, Performance Marketing
Garrett says the YETI Yonder bottle works everywhere: “For the desk, for the campsite, for the hunt.” The 34-ounce bottle is lightweight and MKC-branded, and at $28 it’s an easy add-on if you’re already buying a knife.
21. MKC Sticker Packs (from $6), Picked by Ray Benton, Inventory Manager
Ray’s pick is the most affordable gift on this list. The MKC Sticker Packs include some of our most popular logo designs, and they look great on boats, trucks, and coolers. Available as a three-pack ($6), six-pack ($12), or nine-pack ($18). The six-pack and nine-pack stickers are selected at random.
22. MKC Trapper Hat ($40), Picked by Mack Holt, Inventory Organizer
Mac likes a fun look, and the Trapper Hat delivers. “It keeps you warm. It’s a little bit funky, and I like to keep it funky,” he said.
His whole family hunts, and the Trapper Hat is warm enough to wear while processing an animal outside and stylish enough to wear around town. Available in multiple styles, including the Go Griz and Camo versions.
Watch the MKC Team Make Their Picks
Want to hear it from the team? Watch the full video below.
