THE BRAND-NEW PELTONEN M95 RANGER PUUKKO IN PREMIUM STAINLESS STEEL FOR THE OUTDOORS.

By: Henk “The Knife” Kraaijvanger.

INTRO.

The new Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko in Stainless Steel? Yes: at the special request of bushcrafters and outdoor enthusiasts at home and abroad, Finland's Peltonen Knives has launched the brand-new stainless-steel M95 specifically for bushcrafters and outdoor enthusiasts. How cool is that? Fans of military fixed-blade Peltonen knives are also well served by the original “military” M95 models with durable coated carbon-steel blades, which have been extensively tested in demanding real-world conditions and rated at least very good. Naturally, I tested them too, and you can easily find those older Peltonen reviews using the search function on the homepage. Enjoy browsing and reading. Peltonen Knives sent this ever-thorough field tester and gear reviewer a brand-new M95 Ranger Puukko with a stainless-steel blade, together with both a composite-plastic sheath and a leather sheath.

THE PELTONEN M95 RANGER PUUKKO IN PREMIUM STAINLESS STEEL.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PELTONEN M95 RANGER PUUKKO STAINLESS.

THE BLADE: The medium-high flat/sabre-ground stainless-steel blade of the Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko Stainless is made from Austrian-origin BÖHLER N690 blade steel. It has a two-tone finish—unfinished on the upper side and satin-ground below—and measures 150 millimetres long. In an emergency, with a little luck and plenty of sunshine, you could even use it to flash a signal and make your potentially hazardous position known to approaching search and rescue teams. The factory edge is extremely sharp and, thanks to its small secondary V-edge, robust as well. This Austrian blade steel is renowned for excellent edge wear resistance and retention, good toughness and very high corrosion resistance. When necessary, the edge is also easy to restore to working sharpness in the field using simple sharpening equipment. In addition to the already proven strength and resilience of the design, the brand-new stainless M95 now has a low-maintenance blade. The broad hidden, almost full-length tang further reinforces this fixed-blade knife. Because there is no finger choil ahead of the edge, cutting force can be applied immediately behind the finger guard, while the small round sharpening notch makes the blade easier to sharpen. All of this is ideally suited to its highly versatile roles in the field, fieldcraft and bushcraft, making the Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko Stainless an excellent cutting tool that works in almost any outdoor situation.

THE HANDLE: The ergonomically shaped olive-green thermoplastic handle (TPV) is designed to retain its functionality regardless of weather and field conditions. This one-piece handle is moulded around the broad tang using a special technique. Thanks to its shape, texture and ribbed “firm grip”, it remains non-slip and secure during cutting, even in cold, wet conditions with cold, wet fingers. Nor does the handle itself feel cold in cold weather. The shock-absorbing TPV—thermoplastic vulcanised rubber—also absorbs most of the impacts generated during heavy chopping. It does not absorb moisture and is resistant to most chemicals and major temperature changes. Its resistance to dents and wear is virtually endless. To prevent the loss of this valuable field knife, the handle has a lanyard hole, to which I immediately fitted a braided “Snake Dot” finger lanyard.

THE SHEATHS — COMPOSITE-PLASTIC SHEATH: The composite-plastic model features the innovative EasyLock roller retention mechanism and can be worn on either the left or right side of a belt or duty belt using its nylon belt loop. It also attaches very well to a backpack shoulder strap. This composite-plastic sheath came in OD/olive green. Naturally, its inside must be kept free of sand and dirt. Rinse it after field use and periodically thereafter with tap water or other water. This prevents abrasive sand and dirt remaining in the sheath and causing annoying scratches on the blade.

THE LEATHER SHEATH (OPTIONAL): The black quality-leather sheath also features the innovative EasyLock roller retention mechanism and puncture protection. It is a traditional option for traditional bushcrafters and provides right-handed carry with the edge facing backwards.

THE RENOWNED EASYLOCK ROLLER RETENTION MECHANISM: Both sheaths feature the innovative EasyLock roller retention mechanism. It holds the fixed-blade knife securely in its sheath. When needed—for example in an emergency—the knife can be drawn easily, quickly and one-handed, and the roller mechanism even gives it some momentum. Both sheaths also have a reasonably large, partly concealed drainage hole at the bottom. Just as they should.

THE FLEXIBLE ATTACHMENT FOR THE COMPOSITE-PLASTIC AND LEATHER SHEATHS: The removable nylon belt loop closes with hook-and-loop fastening and is therefore compatible with MOLLE and PALS systems, offering many fixed-blade carry options. It lets you carry the Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko Stainless on a belt or duty belt, an operational/outdoor vest or a backpack shoulder strap. The attachment also permits horizontal and inverted carry.

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PELTONEN M95 RANGER PUUKKO STAINLESS.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

At my request, and without any conditions or editorial instructions, the Finnish knife company Peltonen Knives sent me the Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko Stainless fixed-blade knife for this new Peltonen M95 review. The findings and statements are entirely my own, and this review was sent directly to the webmaster without intervention from the knife company mentioned. Nor do I receive editorial instructions or a salary from him or any other interested parties. Please remember that the webmaster and I invest a great deal of time and effort in producing the best and most honest review possible.

THE CONDITIONS.

If any part of the blade or supporting handle fails or breaks, the field test is stopped immediately for safety, and the test sample is automatically rated inadequate by me/us. Nor do I sharpen or dismantle the knives during my lengthy field tests.

I do usually fit a braided “Snake Dot” finger lanyard and/or grease the leather sheath, and I clean and dry both knife and sheath after use.

RATING SCALE:

MY OVERALL FINDINGS & SCORES FOR THE PELTONEN M95 RANGER PUUKKO STAINLESS BEFORE THE E.D.C. AND FIELD TESTS.

MY FINDINGS & SCORES FOR THE PELTONEN M95 RANGER PUUKKO STAINLESS DURING THE E.D.C. AND FIELD TESTS.

MY FINDINGS & SCORES FOR THE PELTONEN M95 RANGER PUUKKO STAINLESS AFTER THE E.D.C. AND FIELD TESTS.

SUMMARY.

I can once again be brief and to the point: the Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko in premium stainless steel performed—and continues to perform—excellently overall, scoring 4.5 out of 5 stars.

As a former soldier, GRO/air force troops & IMO instructor, and later class commander and deputy platoon commander, I was initially very fond of the carbon-steel J.P. Peltonen M95 variant. But this functional stainless-steel M95 version has also stolen my heart. If I were still on active duty, I would attach it to my combat belt immediately—that is how much I trust this fixed-blade knife.

The included functional green composite-plastic sheath and optional black leather sheath, both with the EasyLock roller retention mechanism, also confirm my quality assessment. A handmade Kydex sheath is available too, although without the distinctive EasyLock roller retention mechanism. In principle, you can therefore choose which type of sheath you want with the M95 Ranger Puukko Stainless.

Every functional Scandinavian knife also gives me a sense of “old traditions”, connected with my own “Leatherstocking youth adventures on the river banks” a long, long time ago.

With every fixed-blade Peltonen knife I have tested, you can face almost any potentially uncertain future—and the unrest predicted by experts that may accompany it.

TIP: For Peltonen's R&D department: grind the blade spine just a little sharper.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

My thanks to Peltonen Knives sales manager Mr Philipp Klüpfel for supplying the attractive, functional and stainless Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko fixed-blade outdoor knife. Without it, this new Peltonen M95 Ranger Puukko Stainless review could not have been produced. See this and their other attractive products on their extensive website: https://www.peltonenknives.com/.

THE DUTCH PELTONEN SUPPLIER IS COUNTRY STORE IN EPE.

TIP: Call ahead to check whether the required Peltonen fixed-blade knife is in stock.

BE SMART, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED AND RE-ACT! BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY AND…!

SO TRUE AND NEVER TRUST THE POLITICAL LEFTIES!