A hunting knife is a mandatory hunter’s tool. The trusty blade has been with us for thousands of years; it’s more of a tool for field work and building traps than a weapon. A knife is an essential camping companion that helps you whittle wood and make kindling, split branches and prepare your game meat. Choosing the best hunting knife to take on so many demanding tasks can be overwhelming. Hopefully,this guide will help you make the right decision.
Hunting knives are not like kitchen knives; they’re made out of tougher, more corrosion-resistant steel like stainless steel or even titanium. They also have a different, more robust design that makes them good for doing little chores around the camp. They’re also specifically designed to help you with preparing your game, and have a well-defined purpose that makes them a unique tool on your toolbelt.
Now, a good knife is a versatile tool, but unless you’re using a multitool or a Swiss Army Knife, you shouldn’t misuse your knife for camp tasks that don’t involve piercing or slicing something. It’s strongly recommended to bring other tools for other jobs.
Best Knives for Any Hunter
Picking the “best of” anything is not easy, especially if it’s something that mostly depends on personal preference. Best hunting knife is one of those items. Ask a hundred different people what is their favorite blade to take on a hunting trip, you will get a hundred different answers.
There is a lot of choices and it obviously depends on what you’re going after, whether it’s a big game like moose, or you are hunting smaller game such as rabbits and so forth. We have tried to made a list that includes some of the best knives from several categories, as well as good old all-around classics, like Buck knives.
1. Buck Knives 110 – Best Folding Hunting Knife
The folding knife is also known as a Jackknife; it was popularized by sailors about 400 years ago, but was used for thousands of years. What the folder loses in durability and robustness, they make up for it in being very portable and easy to pack, as there is no need to bring an extra sheath to put a folder into.
One of the legendary folding knives is Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter, created in 1963, and still one of America’s best-selling knives. Classic folding design has a clip point blade made of 420HC steel hardened by a heat treat process pioneered by industry famous, Paul Bos. The crescent tip makes the blade thinner with a sharper point, which provides good control for detail work and cutting in tight places.
2. Benchmade 15200ORG Altitude – Most Lightweight Knife
Built to be super lightweight, weighing only 1.67 oz, 15200ORG Altitude is very simple, but incredibly functional and durable hunting knife. It features CPM-S90V steel blade and unique carbon fiber micro inlays for dexterity and control you usually don’t get in skeletonized knives. It also has some jimping down the spine of a blade and on the handle.
This is not a heavy-duty large game hunting knife, but it is an excellent choice for everyday use and a hunter who counts every ounce. You can also use it for a meal-prep, or as a backup bushcraft type of blade.
3. Buck 105 Pathfinder – All-Around Fixed Blade Knife
Buck Pathfinder 105 is another proof that this company has absolutely perfected this classic hunting and skinning knife design. This is a very good all purpose hunting knife, with overall length of 9, and a 5” long blade made out of 420HC steel. It also features a hollow ground edge, which works very well when performing general outdoor cutting tasks, like cutting twine and rope. The handle is composed of black Phenolic fitted with an aluminum finger guard and buck hat.
The Buck Pathfinder is and impressive hunting knife with robust design and sturdy construction, and while it cannot be used for hard chopping or batoning, it can pretty much be used for any other outdoor chore.
4. Rapala Fish ‘n’ Fillet Knife 7″ – Best Knife for Fishing
A hunting fillet knife is really similar to your regular kitchen fillet knife and has a similar purpose. Fillet knives are precise, they’re generally used for filleting/deboning fish and fowl, and deboning carcasses. You shouldn’t use fillet knives for bigger game like deer to field-dress (other knives do that better), but any fisherman knows how important having a good fillet is.
Rapala Fillet Knives, made by Marttiini, are a gold standard of fishing knives, and they come in different sizes, from 6”to 9”. These knives are extra sharp, and they also come with a little hand sharpener to touch it up. Progressively tapered, flexible, full-tang blade of European stainless steel that takes and holds an ultra-sharp edge is securely anchored in legendary engraved birch handle.
5. Buck 393 Omni Hunter Gut Hook – Best Skinning Knife
A gut hook is a small hook at the end of the blade that helps you remove the skin of an animal. The skinning knife is often called a “guthook knife”, but you can skin game with other knives too. The gut hook practically “unzips” the carcass and lets you field dress in no time. This type of knife is also very good at cutting ropes or other material.
Buck 393 Omni Hunter is a great skinning knife. The guthook works great and the shape of this knife does most of the work when skinning a big game animal. The 4″ 420HC stainless steel blade holds an edge really well while dressing, and the curved handle features grip ridges for easy handling. If you pick Buck Omni Hunter as your go-to field knife, you will not be disappointed
All You Need to Know About Hunting Knives
How to Sharpen a Hunting Knife
Properly sharpening your knives keeps them usable and reliable. Before you grab your best, newest hunting knife, practice sharpening your old kitchen knives. Get a whetstone or a knife sharpening kit and sharpen away. After sharpening the blade, hone it by using an old leather belt or a ceramic rod.
After you bring your kitchen knifes to a razor sharp cut, you’re ready to sharpen and maintain your own knife. If you’re feeling unsure about sharpening your own knife, there’s no shame to send it off to a professional knife sharpening service. For your own personal knives, it’s almost impossible to ruin the knife and sharpening your own knives is a nice skill to have. Don’t be scared to experiment.
Here are few tips how to keep your knife sharp and in great condition for a long time:
- Regularly sharpen you knife. A dull blade could get you hurt. A portable camping knife sharpener
- Never let a wet knife go unattended. Whenever you use a knife, always at least wipe it down after use. Use mineral oil before you store your knife somewhere for a while.
- You can use vegetable oil instead of mineral oil, it’s fine stopgap solution for about 3 days but it will go rancid and make your knife sticky.
- Fully clean your folding knives by disassembling them and cleaning each part. You can find guides on Youtube on how to disassemble most knives.
- After you disassemble your folding knife, apply machine lubricant to the folding mechanism. After you assemble the knife, wipe off any excess oil.
Anatomy of a Knife
- Blade – Made out of hardened or stainless steel or titanium.
- Sharp Edge – The cutting edge of the knife, usually sharpened to a 30 or 40 degree angle.
- Point – The sharpest point of the knife. There are several popular point designs, like drop point, tanto, etc.
- Hand Guard – a small piece of protruding metal or a specially designed groove in the knife’s grip. It keeps your hand from slipping and cutting yourself on the blade.
- Grip – Ergonomic grip that fits in your hand. Usually made out of no slip lightweight polymer or wood.
- The Butt or Pommel – The rear end of the knife, usually called the butt or the pommel. Do not use it to hammer something.
- Sheath – Sheath for the knife made out of leather, plastic, metal or polymer. It’ll keep the knife safe from the elements.
Fixed Blade vs. Folding Knives
Which one’s better? In short, fixed blade knives are naturally more durable, have one less fail point and easier to clean. Most hunters will use fixed blade knives.
Folding knives are both lighter and easier to carry, and some heavy duty modern folders have very robust and safe locking mechanisms. Both knife types bring different benefits and drawbacks to the table, it’s up to the hunter’s personal preference. Both knife types work, and that’s what really matters.
Is it legal to hunt with a knife?
While rules and laws may vary by state and location, most hunters with hunters permits and game tags can take down game with a knife. Primitive weapons like bows, spears and knives have a lot laxer rules compared to firearms.
Hunters often have to deliver the final blow to wounded game with a knife, but be very careful as this is a very dangerous maneuver. Most of the time, knives are used in a camp kitchen or for skinning and field dressing wild game. Hunting with a spear or knife alone is a very dangerous activity (hunting on your own is risky in its own way). Most people who hunt with knives actually hunt with boars with dogs, tire the boar out and then close in for the killing blow.
It’s extremely rare for someone to hunt with just the knife, except when hunting hogs with dogs. The dogs take the game down and hold it down, and the hunter stabs the hog in the lungs. People have been hog hunting with throwing knives, but it is very hard to do. Tony Cascarella took down a 275 lbs boar with three throwing knives back in 1976, and that record still stands.
Most of the time, a knife is used to put a trapped rabbit, bird or other small trapped game out of their misery, kill a severely wounded animal or used to prepare fish. While trapping an animal is the obviously most efficient hunting choice, most states and laws forbid using traps. Hunting these days is mostly a sport and has a lot of rules, and a general idea of fairness towards game.
Hunting Knife Shapes
Despite countless hunters arguing on countless forums, there is no one best knife shape. That’s just like asking what the best car is; the bottom line is that different cars are made for different purposes. Some hunting knives are general purpose, while others are very similar to your kitchen fillet knife. It’s important to use the best knife for the job, depending on what you’re hunting.
For Ducks and Fowl
A thin, flexible and narrow knife blade with a drop point or a sharp point is the best choice for ducks and other birds like pheasants. You can also use fillet knives. Technically, regular hunting knives could also work, but they’re not as precise, flexible and easy to use with fowl, so it’s a much better idea to have a specialized duck knife rather than using a regular, thick hunting knife.
For Deer, Wild Hogs and Big Game
Your regular hunting knife is a great choice for deer, wild hogs and big game; even if it has a thick blade, it’s precise enough to cut the joints and debone a carcass. Drop point knives or knives with a gut hook are your optimal choices here; other points are too narrow.
Fillet knives and narrow blade knives aren’t the best choice here, because big game has a lot of tendons, meat and bones that will strain the flexible blade.
For Fish
This is the easiest question; fillet knives are the best fishing knife to fillet and debone fish. Other narrow knives are also a good choice, but nothing beats a fillet knife. Regular, thick hunting knives aren’t really great at cleaning fish. You can still fillet fish with a thick knife, but it’s very frustrating and time-consuming.
General Hunting Knife Safety Tips
- Keep it sharp
A sharp knife is a safe knife, because you will use very little force to cut. If you have to force the knife, there’s a high chance you’ll hurt yourself by accident. Try to keep your knives reasonably sharp, and maybe have a knife sharpener with you. - Don’t use knives on steel
Don’t use your hunting knives on steel if you can help it. You might be able to cut a very thin sheet of soft metal, pull a nail out, or maybe even cut through a thin fence. You can even penetrate a thin metal sheet wall by throwing your knife at it. Very tough knives can do this, but they’ll always get chipped and damaged, and we strongly recommend that you do not do this. - Don’t use the knife as a replacement tool
Don’t use your knife as a hammer, screwdriver or anything else (unless it’s also a multi-tool). Improperly using your knife will damage and chip it, which may eventually break your blade or you getting hurt. - Never run with a knife
Just like your mom told you not to run with scissors, you shouldn’t run with your knife unsheathed. It’s rather easy to accidentally slip and fall in the forest, and the emergency room is very far away. Stay safe and keep your knife in the sheath/folded until you’re sitting down, ready to field dress the game, or when you’re safely in camp. - Falling knives have no handles
This is a common rule in chef’s kitchens, and it’s doubly important in the woods. If you get cut on your knife, you’re far from civilization. If you accidentally drop your knife, let it fall down before you go searching for it. If your knife fell into some leaves or grass, don’t rush. You might cut yourself on your knife if you frantically start searching for it. Use your lamp and look for the metallic shine, and take your time. - Don’t throw knives not meant to be thrown
Can you throw any knife? Yes. But you shouldn’t throw knives not meant to be thrown. Regular knives can ricochet back at you, bend, break or chip. The weight of regular knives is balanced towards the hilt, while the weight of throwing knives is balanced on the front of the blade. Throwing knives feel like throwing darts you can play in most pubs and are safer to use. - Always whittle and cut away from yourself
Whenever you use a knife, you should always cut away from yourself; if you cut towards yourself or your hand, you will get cut if your knife slips. And knives do slip often, especially if you’re sharpening sticks or whittling wood, as wood doesn’t have the same texture and toughness and has knots. Always carefully field dress and butcher your game; a carcass has a lot of cartilage, tendons, meat and bone that will all resist your knife’s slicing. Don’t force the knife. - Don’t baton the knife if possible
Lots of full tang thick hunting knives can take it, but we still do not recommend it. You’re damaging your knife and you should’ve brought a saw or an axe. In a survival situation (hopefully you’ll never be in that much trouble), it’s okay to use any tool you have.
Can you use hunting knives to defend yourself in the wild?
If possible, you shouldn’t ever get into a situation where you would need to defend yourself, as hiking is generally very safe. Stay aware, pack bear spray and avoid wildlife. In the case of wildlife or bear attack, your knife won’t do much, but it’s still better than nothing and you should use it, a walking pole or any other means of defense you possibly can.
Top Hunting Knife Brands
You can trust that a well-renowned company will make a good, quality product, and all the companies listed here made the cut.
Buck Knives
Some of the best fixed and folding hunting knives are made by Buck Knives. Buck Knives was founded a hundred and twenty-ish years ago in San Diego, California. They were the first big US folding hunting knife manufacturer, and people still call most hunting folding knives “buck knives”. Some of their best products are the good old-fashioned Buck Hunter 110, the full-tang, full size Buck Pathfinder 105 and the modern folding Omni Hunter. Buck also offers a folding fillet knife for fishermen and hunters.
Benchmade
Based in Portland, Oregon, Benchmade was the first company to own and employ a high-power laser cutter, allowing for work with steels too hard to stamp and innovative designs. With its first ten years of manufacturing experience behind it, and by working with world-class custom knife makers like Mel Pardue and Warren Osborne, Benchmade developed a signature business model that involves lending manufacturing processes to custom knife designs. This is where Benchmade stands out, allowing customers to Create their own custom knives using endless configurations of premium materials and personalized lasermarking.
Rapala
Rapala is a world’s largest manufacturer of fishing gear, and they make quality knives for hunters and fishermen. Their fillet knives are very tough, flexible, durable and very corrosion-resistant. These knives aren’t only meant to fillet fish, they’re a great tool to have in the campsite when you’re butchering your game.