The Rinella Stubhorn is our latest addition to the MKC lineup, filling a niche we haven’t explored before. To create this blade, we collaborated with Steven Rinella, conservationist, hunting advocate, and host of the Netflix show MeatEater.
The result is an all-around blade that works for every step in the hunter’s journey, from dealing the decisive blow to preparing meat in the kitchen. It’s different from our classic MKC knives, but I think you’ll appreciate those differences just as much as I do.
All About the Rinella Stubhorn
Steven wanted to make a blade versatile enough to be used throughout the entire hunting and harvesting process. However, it also needed to be safe and approachable for a total beginner.
Steven loves introducing non-hunters to the hunting world and explaining why hunters are necessary for wildlife management. He’s not above speaking to someone who’s never been on a hunt before. The Rinella Stubhorn’s design reflects his approachable personality — he wanted anyone, even a newbie, to feel comfortable using this knife.
The result is a slightly oversized but wieldy blade with a strong guard and an ergonomic handle. We wanted to create a knife without hot spots. It had to be approachable for those uncomfortable holding a blade. It’s not an ultralight knife, but it can tackle any task comfortably.
Design Breakdown
The Rinella Stubhorn is similar in form and function to the MKC Super Cub but different in design philosophy.
While the Super Cub is a tactical all-rounder fit for the hardcore survivalist, the Rinella Stubhorn is inviting yet capable. It feels much less intimidating in the hand, even if it might look imposing at first glance.
Blade
The Rinella Stubhorn measures just less than nine inches from tip to tail. We’ve put a full grind on the front to save some weight, but it’s not as heavy as it looks. It weighs about 5.25 ounces and has a fine trailing point with a large belly. The Rinella Stubhorn comes with our standard MKC Kydex sheath for safety and storage.
Handle
The Rinella Stubhorn’s handle is thick and ultra-comfortable, especially at the back. It almost feels like holding a baseball bat. The front of the handle features an oversized safety guard.
The handle is easy to use after a long, cold day. If you grab it in the middle of a chilly night, you won’t lose dexterity because of your stiff hands. The handle is almost cylindrical, so multiple hands can hold it in multiple ways, and all of them will feel comfortable.
Shape and Point
The Rinella Stubhorn has a surgical tip with a slight trailing point. In that way, it resembles a skinning knife. A clean opening cut is important to Steve, so adding a surgical cutting tip was a no-brainer.
Besides that, the Rinella Stubhorn has a clean, classic shape with no hard edges. We’ve also scalloped out the front of the blade so you can get a pinch grip on it when necessary. We added a lanyard hole at the back for paracord or leather so you can hang it on your person or around camp.
Final Thoughts
What do you think of the Rinella Stubhorn?
For a knife so different from anything we’ve manufactured before, it fits right in with the rest of the MKC lineup. After all, it serves a different purpose than most of our other blades. It’s a sturdy, comfortable, beginner-friendly camp knife well-suited for batoning wood and bushcrafting in addition to hunting and cooking.
We’re excited to get it into your hands.
by Josh Smith, Master Bladesmith and Founder of Montana Knife Company
