Meet Donovan Hall, a retired U.S. government employee turned New Zealand farmer, who found the perfect everyday carry companion in the TRM Tagalong.
From government duty around the globe to raising lambs on a peaceful “lifestyle block” in the lush Waikato region of New Zealand, Donovan Hall knows the value of dependable gear. His tools need to work hard, carry light, and stay sharp. And in his world, that includes his knives.
After retiring from the U.S. Diplomatic Service, Donovan now spends his days tending hops, brewing beer, and raising cattle and sheep with his two young kids by his side. But when he’s not opening feed bags, cutting irrigation pipe, or making adjustments to lamb jackets (yes, tiny wool coats are a thing!), he’s reaching for one knife more than any other… the TRM Tagalong.
Discovering TRM: A Pandemic Scroll Worth Remembering
It all started during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I came across a review on EverydayCommentary.com,” Donovan recalls. “It was for the TRM Nerd, and being in a location with strict carry laws (sub 3-inch blades only), I was intrigued.”
That curiosity led him to TRM’s website, and eventually, the brand’s Facebook community. What he found wasn’t just another knife brand. “I discovered not only my all-time favorite knife, the TRM Neutron, but the people behind TRM Knives and the passionate fan base as well.”
Tagalong in the Wild: Built for the Farm, Ready for the Unexpected
While the Neutron earned its keep, Donovan eventually added the TRM Tagalong fixed blade to his lineup, and it quickly became a constant companion. Designed for compact carry, the Tagalong knife is a minimalist’s dream that still manages to punch far above its weight.
“I won’t say it’s kicked the Neutron out of my pocket,” Donovan admits, “but it has.”
Thanks to its taco-style sheath, UtiliClip, and ultra-light footprint, the TRM Tagalong practically disappears when he’s working on the farm. Whether he’s hopping in and out of a tractor, wrangling fencing materials, or trimming gear to fit baby lambs, it’s always within reach, and up to the task.
Field-Tested: Cutting, Quartering, and Conquering
While not designed as a traditional hunting knife, Donovan recently put his Tagalong fixed blade knife through a real-world test: fully skinning and quartering a fallow yearling deer, roughly 150 pounds.
“I wouldn't use it to process an animal regularly, it's not a dedicated skinning or boning knife, but it held up surprisingly well. And the truth is, it was with me. That’s the whole point. It’s always there, and it will get the job done.”
This “always-on” utility makes the TRM Tagalong a standout among minimalist fixed blades.
Why the Tagalong Stands Out
So what makes the TRM Tagalong fixed blade so functional for someone with daily field needs?
- Size & Carry: “It disappears in my pocket, even with the sheath and clip,” Donovan says. For farmers, hikers, or anyone active outdoors, that matters.
- Comfort in Use: “Medium hands, small handle. It’s great for blind cuts or tight work.”
- Blade Design: While Donovan prefers a drop point for dressing animals, the Tagalong’s subtle, bulb-shaped blade still performs across a wide range of tasks.
- Low Maintenance: Magnacut and TRM’s signature attention to detail, it stays sharp, sharpens quickly, and can take a scrubbing when needed.
Final Thoughts: “It Will Outcut Your Expectations.”
Donovan sums it up like this:
“I could talk about bevels and sharpness, but at the end of the day, I tell people this: It’s small, smaller than you think, and it will outcut your expectations.”
For farmers, backpackers, tinkerers, or gear minimalists looking for a fixed blade that’s unobtrusive but always ready, the TRM Tagalong is proof that big performance can come in small packages.
Explore the Tagalong
Lightweight. Fixed. Always Ready.
Check out the TRM Tagalong fixed blade and discover the knife you’ll forget you’re carrying, until it’s the only thing you need.
