I’m all for enjoying freeze-dried meals when needed, but there’s nothing like cooking a feast over an open fire. I take pride in my campfire cooking skills, which is why I’ve earned the nickname “Cookie” (more on that later in the recipe below).
Almost two centuries before I embraced my cooking moniker, a man named Nessmuk roamed the Adirondacks. Despite his small stature, Nessmuk is credited as the pioneer of ultralight exploration. Among the tools he commissioned were a lightweight solo canoe and a set of essentials, including a double-bit axe and a fixed-blade knife, known today as the “Nessmuk knife.”
The Nessmuk knife’s distinctive blade shape featured a drop-point design with a prominent curved fin that widened the front and top of the blade. It is believed that Nessmuk opted for this shape to aid in hunting and meat processing, providing easier penetration into animals and superior slicing capabilities.
While the existence of this knife remains uncertain beyond an illustration in Nessmuk’s 1884 book “Woodcraft and Camping,” it has inspired numerous knife designs since. One such knife is the GiantMouse ACE Jagt, a sleek flipper knife with a MagnaCut blade in that iconic Nessmuk shape. I decided to put this blade to the test against Nessmuk’s standards.
In summary: The GiantMouse ACE Jagt excels at food preparation with its well-engineered design. This knife is perfect for those seeking a versatile addition to their everyday carry kit. Serving first and foremost as a folding hunting knife, it also performs admirably in game processing tasks.
-
OAL
8” -
Blade length
3.27” -
Blade steel
CPM MagnaCut -
Blade shape
Modified drop point -
Grind
Flat -
Hardness
60-62 HRC -
Lock type
Frame lock -
Carry
Left or right hand, tip-up -
Weight
4 oz. -
Price
$215
-
Nessmuk blade design -
Rippled Micarta handle -
Excellent grip -
Well-balanced
-
Rounded edges limit firestarting options -
Jimping may be uncomfortable for smaller hands
Review of the GiantMouse ACE Jagt Knife
Design & Features
GiantMouse markets the Jagt as a hunting knife, though the knife’s description on their website indicates that it’s more suited as an “excellent outdoor companion for hiking or camping” rather than a big-game hunting tool. However, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t handle breaking down a bull moose with the right skills and determination. The Jagt is designed as a versatile EDC knife suitable for various outdoor tasks.
