Sheepsfoot blades are both unique and wonderful. Where drop-point blades may receive more universal acclaim for their versatility, I find a sheepsfoot blade better suits my needs and adventures in the outdoors. Though I’ll be honest, I never knew about the lore behind the blade’s unmistakable shape until recently.
When GiantMouse pitched the idea of having me review its new ACE Iona Sailor folding knife, it came with a tall tale. According to the brand, in the days of tall sailing ships, sailors and crew were ordered to snap the tips off their knives. It was thought that if the tips were blunted, drunken (or mutinous) sailors couldn’t get unruly and stab someone. However, a quick Google search tells a very different story — farmers using blunted “sheepsfoot” tips to safely trim the hooves of sheep — but it’s not nearly as fun.
No matter the origin story, this knife is a real dandy designed to be used on both land and sea. It’s lightweight and well-balanced. It also possesses a great combination of super-premium S90V stainless steel and affordable, yet dependable, fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) handle scales.
In short: GiantMouse (GM) claims the Sailor is a “purpose-driven workhorse designed to perform through long days of hard use,” and I agree. With its sleek ergonomic shape and size, as well as corrosion-defying materials, the ACE Iona Sailor offers utility both on land and at sea. However, it’s best suited for shipmates, dock dwellers, and maritime users, as they’ll get the most from this blade’s near-impervious construction.
Check out all of our editors’ top picks in the GearJunkie guide to Best Pocket Knives.
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The S90V and FRN combo is both rare and effective -
Handle scalloping for an improved grip -
The balance between lightweight and durable
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No lanyard hole for easy retrieval or recovery if you lose it overboard
GiantMouse ACE Iona Sailor Review
Design & Features
At a hair shy of 7 inches in total length, the ACE Iona Sailor finds itself at the sweet spot of folding knife sizing. It will easily fit as a four-finger knife in most, if not all, hands — with or without a glove. GM’s choice of FRN handle scales keeps the knife light but balanced. Combined with the size and swooping ergonomics, this knife is easy to control in open or tight quarters, without strain.
The prevailing sentiment among knife enthusiasts holds that S90V steel is super premium. A stainless powdered steel, it excels in corrosion resistance and edge retention. It’s very slicey, tacky to the touch, and will stay that way for an extended time. That’s true whether you’re cutting through summer sausage and aged cheddar, or saltwater-soaked rope. Consider this a major benefit, as S90V can be a pain to sharpen, although not impossible — if you’re patient.
Keep in mind that S90V isn’t as impervious to saltwater as some other steels out there, but as long as you keep it clean, it won’t corrode. Saltwater looks for carbon and other elements to latch onto. A little dunk in some fresh water and a good wipe-down to dry will do wonders to stave off any rust.
GM sent me the Wolf Grey version of the knife, and it’s stunning to look at. The blue/gray scales bounced off the stonewashed blade and hardware, really giving the knife a classic look. The addition of a brass thumbstud takes that vibe over the top.
In fact, my only gripe with this folding knife is the wire pocket clip. But given that’s a standard for GM knives — and I’ve yet to see them fail — I need to just get over it.
First Impressions
Whether or not the sailor story is true, I fell for the ACE Iona Sailor the minute I saw it. Its sweeping design, scalloped handle scales, and dramatically upswept sheepsfoot blade indicated this knife could put in real work. The choice of materials confirmed those suspicions.
It wasn’t until I got the knife in my hand that I really realized its capabilities. Knives that are sub-3 ounces sometimes feel like they’re only good for light-duty work. There can be flex in the handles or even at the pivot. The Sailor doesn’t feel like that at all. It’s got a great balance that melds the heavier blade end to the lighter handle end, and there’s no flex.
In the Field
It’s the middle of winter, and I’m still digging out from 20+ inches of snow. So while I wasn’t heading out sailing anywhere soon, I do live by the beach — and the Connecticut River. This gave me the opportunity to dunk the knife into some cold water, both fresh and salty, to see how it would react.
And I gave it some passable seaworthy tasks. One of those tasks was cutting some old rope.
I generally despise reviews that focus on cutting up cardboard and rope. But I broke character because this knife is quite literally designed for cutting wet rope. GM added in a short section of jimping on the spine that works for slicing and chopping. Pushing down on the rope with the aid of that jimping was extremely satisfying — and successful!
Beyond that, the 3 weeks I spent with the Sailor were fantastic. It’s a well-balanced pocket knife that reaches its full potential in a maritime situation, but holds up just fine as a capable EDC knife.
Conclusion: Who’s It For?
I spent a lot of my summers growing up deep-sea fishing out of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. We always went out with a guy named Nate. Nate did everything from setting our lines to climbing the mast to look for schools of fish, really old school. If I could go back in time, this is the knife I would give him.
I think anyone looking for a lightweight knife that punches above its weight will enjoy the ACE Iona Sailor. While I have a fair number of knives, this could become my warm-weather EDC. I switch to lighter knives in the summer, but I never want to sacrifice capability in the name of saving a couple of ounces.
But for all its versatility, it really is a purpose-built blade. It would make a great knife for someone working at a marina or living near the salt spray. And given its built-in longevity and S90V steel, it comes in at a respectable, but fair, price.
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