It’s 6:00 p.m., and I’ve just landed in Panama, a place I’ve never been and where my 2 years of half-assed college Spanish courses are doing no favors. I make my way out to the pickup area and promptly get into the wrong Uber, starting my ride to God knows where.
This would mark the beginning of my several-day fishing trip to rural Panama, chasing all kinds of ocean species and outdoor adventures at Los Buzos. Perhaps my only touchstone of normalcy and confidence was my pocket knife; I don’t go anywhere without an EDC. For this adventure, I chose the GiantMouse ACE REO Black and Brass as my daily carry of choice for the entire week.
The ACE line from GiantMouse is the top-level offering of knives that are made with the most premium materials, meticulous attention to detail, and dependability that you can trust. The following days in Panama would put this mantra to the test.
In short: The Black and Brass ACE REO hits a sweet spot as a “do-everything” knife that works just as well as an EDC as it does for an adventure into the unknown. But at a price north of $300 (for the model reviewed), this does not mark an ideal entry into daily-carry pocket knives; it’s a high-quality blade better suited to those who know when to use — and care for — their knives.
GiantMouse ACE REO Black and Brass
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Blade steel:
CPM MagnaCut -
Blade finish:
PVD -
Handle:
PVD milled titanium -
Clip:
Steel wire, reversible -
Locking mechanism:
Frame lock -
Blade length:
3.325" -
Overall length:
7.94" -
Weight:
3.2 oz. -
Price:
$315
Pros
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Buttery smooth operation
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High-end CPM MagnaCut blade
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Lightweight for its size
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Reversible clip for modularity
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Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
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Expensive
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Limited availability
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No color variations
GiantMouse ACE REO Black and Brass Review
First Impressions
Built in Italy, the ACE REO Black and Brass is a stunning design from renowned knife builders Vox & Also. Its materials make it tough, while its aesthetics look sophisticated enough to pair with a classy watch.
The blade is CPM MagnaCut, a very durable steel that requires low maintenance, and is finished with a deep black PVD over the blade and scales. This adds a sinister look that I love, but there are classic satin and stonewashed variants as well. The dark vibes contrast beautifully with vibrant brass accents in the backspace and pivot collar, bringing the whole thing together.
The knife has a frame lock, and the opening is buttery smooth, an operation that sets this knife apart from its counterparts. Right out of the box, the action snaps into place. Its size makes it a little too big to use as a fidget spinner, but boy, is it tempting.
The knife also comes with a reversible steel wire pocket clip, so you can carry on either side, and it has a limited lifetime warranty.
With a blade length of 3.325 inches and an overall open length of 8 inches (7.94 to be exact), it’s plenty burly to take on heavy cutting tasks. For its size, it weighs in at a quaint 3.2 ounces, making it a lot of “bang” for its proverbial buck.
Vosteed Parallel: Testing
I’ve been using the ACE REO for several weeks now as my primary carry. I’ve used it for daily tasks ranging from food prep, opening packages, pruning indoor plants, cutting back shrubs, prying open cans, and more. Most notably, I took this knife on a fishing trip to Los Buzos in rural Panama and used it for everything.
While fishing for bluefin tuna, bluefin trevally, barracuda, rooster fish, and several other species, I tested the knife cutting fishing line, prying hooks, cutting into packaging, and slicing rope. I also diced veggies and (sadly) cut through clothing to free up treble hooks.
I was tempted to try to fillet a fish using the knife alone, but you just can’t beat a 10-inch fillet knife for a 70-pound yellowfin tuna.
One aspect that stood out most was the balance of this knife, both physically and in its size-to-weight ratio. The handle is comfortable, and I never experienced any hot spots or pinch points.
A small strip of jimping allows for a more forward grip when you need it. It feels stable and steady when cutting and slicing. I found it just as comfortable while slicing vegetables and skinning potatoes as I did flipping it open to cut 80-pound fishing line or prying a hook loose.
And while this knife is “big” compared to my typical EDC blades, it still seems to disappear in my pocket. At a little over 2.5 ounces and relatively skinny, its 3-plus-inch blade (and nearly 8-inch overall length) doesn’t feel as cumbersome as the specs might suggest.
Things to Consider
I’ve found it hard to call out a real downside to the ACE REO. I love the way it looks, and it feels great in use, so it’s tough to cast stones. With that in mind, I would caution the EDC crowd that prides itself on the lightest and most carry-friendly knives. The ACE REO is not small. It’s certainly no heavyweight, but it is still a slightly larger platform than many pure EDC knives.
Depending on how you like to carry blades or your preferred style of pants, it’s worth taking note. And of course, at $315, the ACE REO costs a pretty penny and falls into the higher bracket of EDC knives.
Final Thoughts: Who’s It For?
The ACE REO holds a top spot in my EDC rotation. The balance between its size and quality materials makes it a worthy option for EDC fans and adventurers alike. It has held up well to everything I’ve thrown at it and has done it in style.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I love the clean lines and complementary black with gold accents look. The operation is silky smooth, and I trust that it will stand the test of time. If you can get past the price point and don’t mind its large profile, there’s no reason not to give the ACE REO a go.
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