HUNTING
Jun 2, 2023
GEAR
Jun 2, 2023
12 Best Hunting Knives For The Outdoors
While different forms of hunting sometimes require vastly different types of gear, there’s at least one constant each and every hunter should carry along with the rest of his haul: a knife. While folding blades are excellent for everyday carry applications, they leave much to be desired when it comes to the great outdoors. As a result, we are firm believers that any hunter worth his mettle should make sure that his cutting tool of choice is a fixed blade.
However, even with the style of blade narrowed down that far, there are a lot of options available for purchase — many of which that are cheap in their overall quality and construction. To ensure that you’re getting the best bang-for-your-buck (no pun intended), we’ve put together the following list of the 12 best hunting knives for the great outdoors. Most of these were designed specifically for hunting applications and some of them have a few extra tricks up their sleeve, but — whatever the case — they all make superb tools to be used in “the chase.”
FIXED VS. FOLDING
A Quick Primer
Whether you’re a die-hard hunter or you’re just looking for a solid outdoor-focused cutting tool, you might be wondering why we are so against putting folding blades on this list. After all, there are so many really excellent folders on the market — many of which make great trail companions. Well, the reason is simple: folding blades have a lot of moving parts.
Moving parts means there’s more of a chance for them to fail while you’re using them — be that by breaking at the pivot point or by becoming jammed with mud, dirt, sand, or even blood and guts. Even knives that are easy to field strip still require much more attention than the most basic of fixed blade knives. It is for this reason that we believe the best hunting knives, simply by virtue of their fuss-free construction and simplicity of maintenance when compared to folders, must be fixed blade knives.
MORAKNIV COMPANION FIXED BLADE KNIFE
Don’t let this cutting tool’s laughably low price fool you, as it’s still one of the best outdoor knives of all time, period. Honestly, nothing you can find out there has quite as much value at such a low cost. From its comfortable and ergonomic rubberized handle to its Sandvik stainless steel blade, this knife is dependable across the board — whether you’re hunting large or small game, waterfowl, or even just fishing. And while you might think a part of this knife’s value comes from its easy replaceability, you should also know that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. That way, if it fails you through no fault of your own, the brand will replace it for you, free of cost.
KERSHAW 1896GH LONEROCK HUNTING KNIFE
Kershaw definitely has a reputation in the everyday carry world for making superb entry-level EDC folding knives, but that’s not all they do. In fact, they make one of the most accessible and best hunting knives out there today. Called the LoneRock hunting knife, this blade features an easy-to-sharpen 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade mated to a surprisingly sturdy glass-filled nylon handle. And while this particular knife would be pretty great with just a standard blade shape, it also benefits from having a gut hook built into it — making it perfect for field-dressing fish, small game, fowl, and anything else that needs to have its entrails removed prior to cooking. Best of all, it comes with a simple nylon sheath for easy carrying at all times.
KA-BAR BECKER BK2 CAMPANION KNIFE
While most folks know Ka-Bar best for their mil-spec fighting fixed blade knives, that’s far from all the brand makes. And, while you could certainly get away with using their USMC Fighting Knife for hunting applications, we think their Becker BK2 Companion is a bit more suited to the task. Designed by Ethan Becker, a top-tier knife designer and maker, this beefy full-tang fixed blade was specifically made with outdoor applications in mind. It’s got a full-tang 1095 Cro-Van steel blade, which is as reliable as it is easy to sharpen, mated to an ultra-durable Grivory handle. It also includes a glass-breaker tip on the hilt, comes with a hard shell black nylon sheath, and was made here in the USA. Really, what more could you ask for?
OKC RAT-5 FIXED BLADE KNIFE
Most folks, at least in the everyday carry community, could speak monuments to Ontario Knife Company’s fabled RAT folding knife. But, did you know the folder isn’t the only knife of theirs to get the RAT designation? In fact, they have a fixed blade, perfect for hunting, called the RAT-5. Presumably named for its 5-inch, black-finished 1095 carbon steel blade, this 11.5-ounce knife comes with a tough Micarta handle, has a glass-breaker tip, and was made in the United States. It’s a fairly no-nonsense design, which is perfect for hunters and outdoorsmen who agree that form and function should go hand-in-hand. For its price, this knife offers up some pretty incredible value.