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Updated January 14, 2021
When you go camping you should bring the most essential items for your needs that can include a tent, sleeping bag, and maybe a cooler. Another item to put at the top of your list is a knife. It should be comfortable to hold and use and capable of accomplishing tasks you anticipate such as food prep, cleaning fish and game, cutting ropes, cord, kindling or firewood, starting a fire, DIY fixes, or even protection. You want a sturdy, reliable tool that will hold a sharp edge and last for years.
With the thousands of knives on the market today, finding one to handle your style of camping could take a substantial amount of research. To cut that process down to size, some of the best of the variety available have been selected as an introduction. There is a comparison table to start, followed by key features, specifications, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
For more information on knives and camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Fishing Knives Sailing Knives Scuba Diving Knives Titanium Dive Knives Backpacking Tent Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Best Camping Knife for 2020
- Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Camping Knife
- Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight Signature Camping Knife
- Morakniv Companion Spark Fixed Blade Camping Knife & Fire Starter
- Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Serrated Edge Camping Knife
- ESEE 4P Fixed Blade Camping Knife
- Buck 110 Folding Hunter Camping Knife
- Kershaw Blur S30V Folding Camping Knife
- CRKT Homefront Hunt K265CXP Folding Camping Knife
- Victorinox Swiss Army Soldier Camping Knife
- Ontario Knife Company Rat-3 Camping Knife
Camping Knife Comparison Table
| Picture | Knife | Material | Blade Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Camping Knife | 1095 Cro-Van Steel | 5.25 inches | $$ |
  | Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight Signature Camping Knife | VG-10 Stainless Steel | 2.88 inches | $$ |
  | Morakniv Companion Spark Fixed Blade Camping Knife & Fire Starter | Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel | 3.9 inches | $ |
  | Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Serrated Edge Camping Knife | High Carbon Stainless Steel | 4.75 inches | $$ |
  | ESEE 4P Fixed Blade Camping Knife | 1095 Carbon Steel | 4.5 inches | $$ |
  | Buck 110 Folding Hunter Camping Knife | 420HC (Carbon) Steel | 4.875 inches | $$ |
  | Kershaw Blur S30V Folding Camping Knife | S30V Stainless Steel | 3.4 inches | $$ |
  | CRKT Homefront Hunt K265CXP Folding Camping Knife | 1.4116 Stainless Steel | 3.57 inches | $ |
  | Victorinox Swiss Army Soldier Camping Knife | Stainless Steel | 3 inches | $ |
  | Ontario Knife Company Rat-3 Camping Knife | Carbon Steel | 3.9 inches | $$ |
| Picture | Knife | Material | Blade Length | Price |
Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Camping Knife
Ethan Becker Design, Full Tang Construction, Heavy, Multi-Purpose Drop Point Blade
- Weight: 16 ounces (knife), 1.4 pounds (knife and sheath)
- Blade: thick, flat, heavy, drop point, 1095 Cro-Van Steel – great for splitting kindling, skinning game, prying, or vegetable chopping
- Handle: hard Ultramid®
- Sheath: locking, close-fitting, hard plastic with belt attachment
- Blade Length: 5.25 inches
- Overall Length: 10.5 inches
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Price: $$
Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight Signature Camping Knife
Smooth Opening & Closing, Thin, Refined Cutting Edge, Ultra-Lightweight, Ergonomic, Non-Slip Grip, Back-Locking, Practical for Camp Cooking
- Weight: 2.3 ounces
- Blade: VG-10 stainless steel, thin refined edge, back lock mechanism
- Handle: FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon), bi-directional texturing for a good grip, .51” round hole for attaching a lanyard, left or right-handed clip
- Blade Length: 2.88 inches
- Closed Length: 4.25 inches
- Overall Open Length: 7.13 inches
- Colors: brown, blue, green, black, grey, orange, purple, or zone green
- Warranty: limited based on defects in materials and manufacturing
- Price: $$
Morakniv Companion Spark Fixed Blade Camping Knife & Fire Starter
Integrated Fire Starter, Sturdy, Sharp, Sandvik Swedish Steel Blade, Firm-Grip Handle, Lightweight, Budget-Priced
- Weight: 4.5 ounces (knife and sheath)
- Blade: hard Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel drop point – great for carving, cutting tinder, and food prep
- Handle: anti-slip rubber and plastic handle with an integrated twist-lock magnesium fire starter
- Sheath: plastic, color-matching, with belt-clip and lanyard
- Blade Length: 3.9 inches
- Overall Length: 9.4 inches
- Colors: black, blue, green, red, or yellow
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Price: $
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Serrated Edge Camping Knife
Bear Grylls Inspired Survival Features, Integrated Fire Starter & Blade Sharpener, Ergonomic Textured Grip, Sturdy Carbon Steel, Half-Serrated Drop Point Blade, Pommel for Hammering
- Weight: 11.2 ounces (knife), 14.72 ounces (knife and sheath)
- Blade: high carbon stainless steel half-serrated drop point, includes striker notch for the fire starter
- Handle: ergonomic, anti-slip, textured rubber, pommel for hammering, lanyard with emergency whistle attached
- Sheath: mildew-resistant military-grade nylon, includes integrated diamond blade sharpener
- Blade Length: 4.75 inches
- Overall Length: 10 inches
- Colors: grey and orange
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Price: $SS
ESEE 4P Fixed Blade Camping Knife
Sturdy, Thick, Sharp, Carbon Steel, Drop Point Blade, Choice of Half-Serrated or Straight Edge, Full Tang, Survival, Chopping & Fine Cutting, Durable Build
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Blade: hard 1095 carbon steel drop point, full tang, half-serrated or straight
- Handle: Micarta or G10, lanyard hole, pommel
- Sheath: sturdy thermo-molded plastic with a removable belt clip
- Blade Length: 4.50 inches
- Overall Length: 9 inches
- Colors: several combinations of black, desert tan, and coyote brown blades and handles
- Warranty: lifetime, replaced if broken
- Price: $$
Buck 110 Folding Hunter Camping Knife
Classic Design, Ebony Diamond Wood Handle, Easy-Opening, Locking, Sharp, Carbon Steel Clip-Point Blade, Good for Fine & Heavy Cuts
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Blade: 420HC straight edge stainless steel clip-point locking
- Handle: Macassar Ebony Diamond Wood, brass bolsters
- Blade Length: 3.75 inches
- Closed Length: 4.875 inches
- Overall Open Length: 7.13 inches
- Sheath: black leather embossed folding belt sheath
- Colors: brown
- Warranty: lifetime, repair or replace
- Price: $$
Kershaw Blur S30V Folding Camping Knife
Assisted Opening, Locking Blade, Secure Grip, All-Around Use, High-Performance S30V Steel, Good for Piercing & Slicing
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Blade: S30Vpowdered stainless steel, one-hand assisted opening with thumb studs on each side, locking
- Handle: black anodized aluminum with grip tape, reversible pocket clip, lanyard hole
- Blade Length: 3.4 inches
- Closed Length: 4.875 inches
- Overall Open Length: 7.87 inches
- Colors: black
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Price: $$
CRKT Homefront Hunt K265CXP Folding Camping Knife
Ken Onion Design, No-Tools Field Stripping, Sharp, Great for Hunters & Soldiers, Easy-Grip GRN Handle, Ambidextrous One Hand Opening, Liner Lock, Reasonable Price
- Weight: 3.57 ounces
- Blade: 1.4116 stainless steel semi-skinner blade
- Handle: textured GRN (glass reinforced nylon), liner lock, one hand ambidextrous opening with a flipper, metal pocket clip
- Blade Length: 3.4 inches
- Closed Length: 4.74 inches
- Overall Open Length: 8.31 inches
- Field Strip Technology: easy disassembly without tools for cleaning, great for hunters and soldiers in the field
- Colors: black or Realtree Xtra green camo
- Warranty: limited lifetime for defects in materials and workmanship
- Price: $
Victorinox Swiss Army Soldier Camping Knife
Locking Wavy Edge Main Blade, 10 Functions Including Sawing & Stripping Wire, Ultimate Multi-Purpose Knife, Swiss Made, Reasonably Priced
- Weight: 4.6 ounces
- Main Blade: stainless steel, 2/3 wavy edge, lockable, one-hand opening
- 10 Functions: large blade, reamer/punch, bottle opener, lockable 5mm screwdriver, wire stripper, wood saw, Phillips screwdriver 1/2, can opener, 3mm screwdriver, keyring
- Handle: 2 component scales for a good grip
- Blade Length: 3 inches
- Closed Length: 4.4 inches
- Colors: olive drab
- Warranty: limited lifetime for defects in materials and workmanship
- Price: $
Ontario Knife Company Rat-3 Camping Knife
Drop Point 1095 Carbon Steel Blade, Full Tang, Sturdy, Versatile, Good for Hunting, Secure Grip Micarta Handle
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Blade: hard 1095 carbon steel drop point, black powder-coated finish for rust-resistance, full tang, jimping notches for gripping
- Handle: Micarta, lanyard hole
- Sheath: black nylon teklok sheath (note that the video below shows a different sheath)
- Blade Length: 3.9 inches
- Overall Length: 7 inches
- Colors: black/tan
- Warranty: 1-year limited
- Price: $$
View More From Ontario Knife Company
Camping Knife Buying Guide
Types – Folding, Fixed Blade, Multi-Tool
- Folding – This is the version that folds in half with the blade closing into the handle. Generally lightweight and compact, they often can be conveniently carried safely in a pocket and don’t require a sheath. A locking mechanism to hold the blade firmly in place when opened is a clear asset that negates any possibility of the blade closing on your fingers. Some models have an assisted opening feature that enables one-handed opening.
- Fixed Blade – Generally stronger and more durable than folding knives, fixed blade knives often come with a larger more comfortable handle and a blade capable of bigger tasks. Not suitable for storing directly in a pocket, they are longer and require a protective sheath. A full tang (when the blade metal extends to the butt end of the handle) fixed blade knife is especially stable and strong and suitable for heavy-duty use that may include hammering using an integrated pommel.
- Multi-Tool – Some campers like the convenience of multi-tool knives that combine a number of useful tools into a folding knife handle. A wide range can be incorporated including saws, bottle and can openers, punches, screwdrivers, and many others. The Victorinox Swiss Army Soldier Camping Knife reviewed above is a great example. These knives usually have short blades and are not suitable for some heavy-duty tasks. They do store easily in a pocket and can often serve well as a secondary knife.
Blade Material – Blades for camping knives are predominantly made from stainless steel or carbon steel. Both have the benefit of resistance to rust and corrosion.
- Carbon Steel contains carbon above a certain percentage of the weight. This makes it harder and increases durability. It is easier to sharpen than stainless steel and holds a sharp edge longer.
- Stainless Steel is cheaper than carbon steel and a suitable choice for many campers. It also is not quite as durable or hard and thereby doesn’t hold a sharp edge as long. It is, however, more rust-resistant.
Blade Design – The two main areas for consideration are the shape of the blade and the edge.
- Shape – Of the variety of blade shapes, there are a few that campers tend to choose. Drop point blades are strong and thick and often used by hunters. Clip points are another frequent choice of campers that have a finer point suitable for precision tasks. Types of Knife Blades
- Edge – The choices are plain edge (aka straight or fine edge) blades and serrated. It is also possible to have a blade that is partially plain and partially serrated. A plain edge is more versatile. Serrated edges do well when a sawing motion is required for cutting wood, cord, bones, or such. Plain Edge vs. Serrated Edge Blades
Blade Length – The optimal range for the length of a camping knife blade is around 3 to 5 inches. This is short enough for easy handling, maneuverability, and precision work but not so short that it can’t perform some tasks that require a bit of strength and power. You’ll note that the knives reviewed here pretty much fit into this range.
Handle – It’s important how well a knife feels in your hand, with comfort and a secure, effective grip. A thoughtful ergonomic design is a must.
Some handles have locations to attach accessories like fire starters, and sharpening stones and have a hole for a lanyard. A pommel for hammering can be part of the base. When there is a full tang it provides a good foundation but that isn’t always necessary.
A range of materials can be effectively employed for the handle from wood, to plastic, rubber, nylon, steel, or aluminum. It’s important that some sort of texturing or other technique is used to ensure a good grip that doesn’t slip.
How to Properly Care for Your Knife
For more information on knives and camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Fishing Knives Sailing Knives Scuba Diving Knives Titanium Dive Knives Backpacking Tent Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
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