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It can be really frustrating to be stranded at the campsite without any tool to help you cut through things. It’s not advisable to embark on a camping trip without a camping knife to help you with certain tasks. You need the best camping knife to make your camping experience more comfortable. Join us as we explore the world of camping knives.
Contents
- Quick Overview (comparison)
- Our Top 10 Best Camping Knives
- 1 – Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Camping Knife (Best Pick 🥇)
- 2 – Gerber Ultimate Camping Knife
- 3 – Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Pocket Knife
- 4 – Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife
- 5 – Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife
- 6 – Spyderco Tenacious Value Folding Knife
- 7 – Kershaw Blur, Olive/Black Pocket Knife
- 8 – Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, SwissChamp Pocket Knife
- 9 – Benchmade – Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife
- 10 -Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
- Buying Guide On How To Pick The Best Camping Knife
- Types Of Camping Knife
- Advantages Of A Good Outdoor Knife
- Disadvantages Of Camping Knife
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
Quick Overview (comparison)
Our Top 10 Best Camping Knives
After consulting with knifesmiths, we have been able to streamline the many camping knives on the market. With experts’ advice and our thorough research, we have identified the top 10 models and we will dissect them below.
1 – Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Camping Knife (Best Pick 🥇)
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, this knife is perfectly made for you thanks to its abilities to carve, prepare food, cut rope, tinder & wood, and do more while you’re out camping. This product features a 4.1-inch, tang hardened Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade. Therefore, it maintains an edge, thus staying sharp longer than the carbon steel with a high hardness rating of HRC 56-58. Also, this blade is exceptionally tough and strongly resistant to corrosion for outdoor applications where it is exposed to moisture and dirt. But you will need to clean and oil it regularly to improve the resistance.
In addition, this knife boasts of a patterned and high-friction grip that sits comfortably in your hand, allowing great control, performance, and safety, especially in cold and wet conditions. Therefore, you are assured of convenient handling while you use this product. There’s also hard plastic, color-matching sheath included in the package to help you keep the knife secure at all times. Moreover, a belt clip is in place for convenient carriage and also a drain hole.
Furthermore, while out camping, you can easily use this tool to carve some tinder to help you start a fire or produce a feather stick that can be helpful for starting a fire with damp wood. Also, this 4.1 oz. knife is great for chopping small limbs, carve camping tools for survival.
Key features
- Stainless steel blade
- High-friction grip
- Corrosion resistance
- Plastic sheath
- Belt clip
- Lifetime warranty
Pros
- Features a tough blade
- Offers corrosion resistance
- Comfortable to hold
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Con
- Blade is not very sharp
2 – Gerber Ultimate Camping Knife
This knife is another exceptional tool to pick up when you’re on your way to the campsite. It comes with all the right features to handle the toughest of survival tasks in any environment. This tool features a 4.75-inch partially serrated drop-point blade. Hence, with great edge retention, it is ideal for cutting rope and some other fibrous materials.
With a comfortable, ergonomic, and rubberized grip, this product delivers comfortable handling to make your camping tasks more convenient. Also, this grip textured to protect against slippage, thus ensuring it stays in your hand firmly. Furthermore, this knife comes with a click-retention nylon sheath that offers safe and secure housing for your tool. This sheath also includes an integrated sharpener to help with on-the-go edge adjustments.
In addition, this tool features a Ferrocerium Rod firestarter that locks well into the sheath while the back of the blade is equipped with a striker notch to help with emergency fire needs. Also, the base of this knife’s handle features a stainless steel pommel that can serve well as a hammer during camping.
Key features
- Partially serrated drop-point blade
- Rubber handle
- Stainless steel pommel
- Nylon sheath
- Integrated sharpener
- emergency whistle lanyard
- Firestarter
Pros
- Features an ergonomic grip
- Comes with integrated blade sharpener
- Comes with a firestarter for emergency fire needs
- Can serve as a hammer
Con
- It may not last long
3 – Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Pocket Knife
Made in France in 1890, this folding knife delivers just like you want it with great features in place. It features a carbon steel blade that is extremely hard and durable. Hence, this product guarantees great cutting quality to help survive at the campsite. This tool features a Stainless Virobloc safety ring of two sections. While one section is fixed, the other slides for secure locking. Besides locking the blade open while in use, this safety ring can also lock the blade closed while on the go.
In addition, the handle of this knife is crafted from hard and durable Beechwood. This handle also offers a comfortable grip for convenient use. Also, the production of this tool takes the environment into consideration by sourcing 95% of its wood from sustainably-managed European forests. The manufacturer also upcycles waste materials all through the manufacturing processes.
Meanwhile, taking care of this knife is vital to its longevity. You should wipe clean or hand wash your blade after every use and wipe dry. Also, you should grease all metal parts of this tool, including its Virobloc locking mechanism, regularly, and store it in a dry place. If your blade gets stuck, you should rap the knife’s end on a hard surface so the blade can slightly loosen.
Key features
- Virobloc safety ring
- Carbon steel blade
- Beechwood handle
Pros
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Slices efficiently
- Offers comfortable grip
- Features a great locking mechanism
Con
- It nay rust
4 – Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife
Whether you are a first responder, survivalist, or a knife collector, this 7.1-inch knife is a trustworthy tool you can rely on in all situations. Made with black high carbon steel, this 3.1–inch blade is partially serrated and cuts quite well. To deliver a comfortable grip, the handle of this tool features finger indentions and textured aluminum material. Therefore, you get a solid and secure grip when in use at the campsite.
Also, this folding knife boasts of a handheld size that makes it convenient to carry. It also fits in your hand and pocket comfortably. Additionally, this tool features thumb knobs to help with easy and quick opening when needed. This ensures you can easily deal with threats quickly before things get out of hand. With the liner lock, you have adequate security to keep the blade from slipping.
Furthermore, this knife is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. This assures you of getting good value for your money.
Key features
- High carbon steel blade
- Aluminum handle
- Liner lock
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Ambidextrous thumb knobs
Pros
- Comfortable to carry
- Easy to open up
- Offers a solid and secure grip
- Covered by a limited lifetime warranty
Con
- Locking mechanism is not reliable
5 – Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife
This manufacturer has been producing survival knives for the United States Military since 1968, underlining the efficiency of this knife. This 9.8-inch fixed blade knife is, no doubt, great for survival and combat applications. It features a serrated edge, full tang 420 HC blade with ceramic coating. This razor sharp blade is very tough and can cut through anything while you’re out camping. Meanwhile, the ceramic coating on the 4.8-inch blade ensures subtle use through a low visual profile and also prevents corrosion for the blade’s durability.
Moreover, this knife offers a solid grip at all times with its diamond-textured rubberized handle. This ensures the tool stays in your hand comfortably well for convenient use. In addition, the base of this knife’s handle is equipped with a striking pommel to help break through hard surfaces when there’s a need to.
Furthermore, this tool comes with a modular sheath system that can be mounted in different ways. It can be mounted horizontally on a belt along the waistline, vertically on Molle, or in traditional drop-leg fashion with the aid of nylon webbing. Hence, this tool offers dependable use both on and off duty.
Key features
- High carbon steel blade
- Ceramic blade coating
- Rubberized grip
- Striking pommel
- Modular sheath system
- Nylon webbing
- Detachable belt hoops
Pros
- Equipped with a tough carbon steel blade
- Blade resists corrosion
- Offers comfortable grip
- Features striking pommel to break hard surfaces
Con
- Vertical strap is poor
6 – Spyderco Tenacious Value Folding Knife
This folding knife, first introduced 1981, has maintained a reliable performance and seen great improvement over the years. This 7.77-inch tool pioneered the style of a round hole in the blade helpful for one-handed opening and option of a serrated edge for powerful cutting performance. These features went on to revolutionize the knife industry and defined the mold of the modern folding knife.
This knife is equipped with a 3.39-inch 8Cr13Mov stainless steel blade that is leaf-shaped for non-stop cutting performance. The shape of this blade as well as an oversized round hole and spine jimping enables you to open it and place your thumb on the spine with confidence that it won’t slip. With a black G-10 laminate, this knife delivers a secure grip that takes knife handling to the next level and ensures optimum performance.
Furthermore, this tenacious knife features a Walker LinerLock as well as a 4-way pocket clip that lets the folder be set in different draw and carry positions. Meanwhile, this tool is available in multiple colors and serrations.
Key features
- 8Cr13Mov Stainless steel blade
- G-10 laminate handle
- Walker LinerLock
- 4-way pocket clip
Pros
- Delivers powerful cutting performance
- Offers reliable grip
- Available in multiple serrations
- Wear-resistant
Con
- Locking mechanism is not great
7 – Kershaw Blur, Olive/Black Pocket Knife
If you’re looking for a high-performance, high-quality, and exceptional knife, you should consider this tool. It features a 3.4-inch, slightly recurved blade that is made of 14C28N stainless steel of high quality. This blade goes on to offer excellent piercing and slicing capabilities, thus making it versatile for superior function. Also, it is coated with Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC), offering great beauty to complement extreme hardness, high corrosion, and wear resistance.
Moreover, the handle of this folding knife is crafted from 6061-T6 anodized aluminum and is bonded with an olive dye to provide added strength. With black Trac-Tec also, you get a texturized handle for strong grip. In addition, this tool features SpeedSafe assisted opening to ensure easy and safe one-handed blade deployment. It is finished with a liner lock that secures the blade open during use for safety as well as a reversible pocketclip to provide versatile carrying capacity.
Furthermore, this knife is a great tool for anyone who desires reliability, including fishers, outdoorsmen, hunters, and users who enjoy camping, hiking, carving, hunting, and more.
Key features
- Sandvik 14C28N steel
- Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating
- Liner locking system
- One-Handed Flipper
- Aluminum handle
- Pocketclips
Pros
- Blade is resistant to corrosion and wear
- Comes with a reliable handle
- Easy and safe to open
- Good edge retention
Con
- Breaks easily
8 – Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, SwissChamp Pocket Knife
This 3.58-inch knife is the dream of every outdoorsman. With 33 functions, it is the ultimate tool for a camper and many more users. The 33 functions include: small blade; large blade, corkscrew, can opener with a small screwdriver (also for Phillips screws), bottle opener with a large screwdriver and wire stripper, tweezers, bottle opener with a large screwdriver and wire stripper, key ring, scissors, toothpick, wood saw, reamer, multipurpose hook, and fish scaler with a hook disgorger and ruler (in/cm).
Others are nail file with a nail cleaner, metal file, and metal saw, pressurized ballpoint pen, chisel/scraper, pliers with a wire cutter and wire crimper, patented mini-screwdriver, straight pin; magnifying lens; Phillips screwdriver, fine screwdriver (2.5mm), and sewing eye.
All of these functions deliver excellent performance to satisfy all your needs. Furthermore, this knife boasts of a durable, stainless steel construction enclosed in polished and translucent ruby ABS scales to provide sleek durability. Also, it is very compact, giving you the chance to have a “toolbox” in your pocket.
Key features
- Stainless steel blade
- Polished ABS scales
- 33 functions
- Compact
Pros
- Very versatile
- Easy to carry
- Lasts long
- Sturdy
Con
- Poor plastic quality
9 – Benchmade – Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife
This survival knife is another great option to have with you next time you go camping. With this 9.15-inch bushcrafter knife, you have the right tool to survive in the bush and cut through any troubles. It is a robust and rugged survival tool for any serious camper or outdoorsman. With 4.40-inch CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC) stainless steel blade, this fixed blade construction boasts of high-quality edge retention, corrosion resistance, and great stability when in use. With the precision drop-point construction, versatility and strength are also added to the mix.
Moreover, this knife comes with an ultra-durable G10 handle with a resin-soaked fiberglass body that is quite stable across climates and impervious to moisture. This handle has many grip-enhancing features that ensure it is safe. With the bilateral thumb depressions at its frontend, this knife can be grasped securely in sideways position. The downward bent butt and finger guard also aid grip security while adding some more comfort.
Furthermore, this knife also features a top-quality suede leather sheath with D-ring and belt loop to allow easy access at all times. This sheath is made of two sheets of different types of leather attached together. Hence, these two layers produce a thick and durable sheath.
Key features
- Stainless steel blade
- Corrosion resistance
- G10 handle
- Leather sheath
Pros
- Very efficient and versatile
- Blade has impressive edge retention
- Offers secure grip
- Comes with a durable sheath
Con
- Blade is not too sharp
10 -Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
This knife is ideal for any outdoor enthusiast looking to have an efficient tool in place during camping. With a high hardness rating (HRC 56-58), this Swedish Sandvik 12C27 steel delivers great edge performance that allows razor sharpness, excellent corrosion resistance, and exceptional toughness. This 4-1-inch blade maintains an edge, thus staying sharp for a long time. Also, it is not prone to rust when deployed for outdoor and marine purposes.
Furthermore, this knife features a high-friction, patterned grip that sits comfortably in your hand. The handle also allows great control, performance, and safety, especially in cold and wet conditions. Also, this tool comes with a color-matching plastic sheath as well as a belt clip for maximum security.
In addition, this knife has several applications including carving tools for use at your campsite. It can also carve some tinder to help you start a fire. With this tool, you can as well chop small limbs and carve thin slices for camp food preparation. Meanwhile, the manufacturer of this product offers a limited lifetime warranty to increase your confidence in the tool.
Key features
- Stainless steel blade
- Corrosion resistance
- Hard plastic sheath
- High-friction handle
- Belt clip
- Limited lifetime warranty
Pros
- Blade is very tough
- Blade is not prone to rust
- Comes with a reliable sheath
- Covered by a limited lifetime warranty
Con
- Blade may come dull
Buying Guide On How To Pick The Best Camping Knife
When preparing to visit the campsite, you need to consider purchasing a camping knife to make your experience as smooth as possible. There are several models on the market, hence the need to know how to identify the best knife for your camping. Below, we will examine the most important features to consider before buying your camping knife so as to enable you make the right choice.
Kind Of Knife
While single, dedicated knives are the most common kind of knife, there are also knives that are multi-tools. These multi-tool knives serve other purposes aside from knives because knives are not their primary function. Therefore, their performance may be limited compared to dedicated knives. While multi-tool knives can come in handy at the campsite, you should also understand they can be limited. You should make a decision based on your preference and need so as to get the best out of your tool.
Durability
You surely want to buy a camping knife that can serve you on as many camping adventures as possible. This makes the durability of the knife you’re purchasing very vital. You need a tool with a highly durable blade that can retain a sharp edge for a long period of time. Like we discussed earlier, the blade of a knife is everything and should ensure you’re buying the best. Also, the handle and sheath should be made of high-quality materials so they can withstand a long period of use.
Type Of Steel
Just like we’ve seen in the products we reviewed in this article, the two main types of steel employed for knives are carbon steel and stainless steel. They both have their strengths and weaknesses.
Stainless steel knives can be great for occasional campers as well as regular campers. These blades usually don’t corrode, ensuring durability. You can sharpen them easily without any hassle. They also serve well as beginner knives for those not familiar with carrying them to campsites.
Carbon steel knives, on the other hand, are much tougher and harder. They are a great companion for camping because you can use them to cut down a small tree and other heavy duty tasks. They can endure a significant amount of work, making them perfect for survivalists who rely on the best of blades. Hence, if you’re looking to execute some heavy tasks at the campsite, you should go for carbon steel knives. You may, however, consider stainless steel if you need it for very light tasks.
Straight Or Serrated Blades
Straight and serrated blades are quite common among camping knives. Both blades have their own peculiar benefits. Even though serrated blades are quite tough and renowned to cut even when dull but that’s not often the case because they find it difficult to cut. Also, they are quite hard to sharpen. Straight blades, on the other hand, are easier to sharpen when dull. It’s important to have sharpened blades that can work efficiently than keeping hope on serrated blades. Hence, we advise that you buy knives with straight blades for more effective results.
Knife Length
Camping knives come in different sizes. They can either be short or long to the size of a small sword. It’s very important to buy a knife with the right size because it essentially determines your comfort and convenience. You should only purchase a size that is suited to what you need it for. For instance, if you’re looking to fish at the campsite, a shorter knife can be great. But if you’re looking to go into the bush, a longer knife will suffice. In fact, the longest knives may injure a novice knife user without proper care.
If you desire a compromise, a knife that can do everything well, you should consider purchasing a 6-inch knife. While this size is short enough to do finesse work, it is long enough to cut or slice larger items.
Handle Material
The handle of your knife is very important because it determines your grip. If you can’t handle your tool comfortably for a long period of time, you may struggle to get the best out of it. You should go for a camping knife designed to have zero hot spots to prevent blisters or discomfort.
Handles are made of several materials as seen in the products we have reviewed in this article. These materials, including plastic, fiberglass, steel, wood, and rubber, have their own strengths and weaknesses. While steel and wooden handles are quite durable, plastic handles are cheaper. Rubber handles possess great grip but they don’t have the longevity of other materials.
Types Of Camping Knife
There are several camping knives available on the market for purchase but there are two main types of them. They are foldable and fixed blade knives. Let’s discuss the benefits of each of these designs and what differentiates them.
Foldable Camping Knife
Folding camping knives are the more common tools for most campers because they’re quite easy to put and stow away without any incident. They are mostly equipped with a simple locking mechanism that you can push aside without sweat, allowing them to fold away, thus eliminating any chance of causing injury. Also, folding knives are easy to store in your pocket or camping backpack while you enjoy your adventure.
In addition, most of them are equipped with a locking system to keep the blade locked open when you open it and keep it locked in place when you close it. Thanks to their ease of use, most campers favor these camping knives.
Fixed Blade Knife
Meanwhile, fixed blade knives, just as the name suggests, have their blades fixed in place and can’t be folded away. They usually come with a sheath to protect the blade from getting the dull and also the users from accidental punctures or stabbing. Hence, they tend to be longer than foldable knives. They possess enhanced strength that is mostly appreciated by hunters and some other outdoorspeople.
By not having mechanisms that can get caught or jammed and stress points that can lead a blade to break, fixed blade knives are better for camping purposes. With them, you can create shelters, do serious butchering work, or more demanding works.
Advantages Of A Good Outdoor Knife
- A camping knife is great for skinning and cutting food
- It’s the right tool to build a raft
- You can use it to carve objects
- It can be used for bushwhacking
- You can use it to start a fire at the campsite
- It can be used to carve wood shavings to fuel your fire
- It can be used to build a shelter at the campsite
- You can use it as a hammer
- It can help to dig hard grounds
- It can also be used as a self-defense knife
- A camping knife is also used for hunting
- It can be used to open cans
Disadvantages Of Camping Knife
- It can cause injury if not handled properly
- It cannot be carried into some buildings with metal detectors
- You may be prevented from carrying it on an airplane
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best camping survival knife is the Gerber Ultimate knife because it offers several functions required for survival I’m difficult times. With a serrated drop-point blade, it has great edge retention needed to keep it sharp. The ergonomic and rubberized grip also delivers assured and comfortable handling. In addition, this knife features a firestarter to start a fire when you need one in the bush. Also, it features a stainless steel pommel that can be used as a hammer in case there’s any need for one.
Benchmade – Bushcrafter Survival Knife is the best bushcraft knife thanks to its abilities to cut through any trouble in the bush. With a 4.40-inch stainless steel blade, this knife also boasts of great edge retention. It is strong, tough, versatile, durable to serve your needs in the bush without much trouble. This knife is also comfortable to use.
Rambo used a survival knife with a design based on Vietnam-era Survival knives that pilots carried. The idea behind carrying them was that, if your plane unluckily went down, you had a small kit to survive in the woods. While Rambo’s knife is larger than the pilots’ knives, it had the same idea for survival purposes. Made of stainless steel, the blade of the knife wad finished to a dull sand-blast gray. Also, this blade featured 13 saw teeth to help cut through metal, wood, barbed wire, and meat.
Like we discussed earlier, there are two main types of steel for camping and survival knives alike; carbon steel and stainless steel. While stainless steel is quite functional and can be easily sharpened, carbon steel is favored due to its ability to stay working for a longer time. Most importantly, carbon steel keeps a sharp edge longer than stainless steel, guaranteeing you survival in the woods.
Conclusion
Camping is a great avenue to relax and enjoy yourself but you must also not forget about surviving at the campsite. Like we’ve discussed severally in this article, you need a knife to attend to your basic needs, including cutting entanglements in the bush. There are several camping knives on the market to serve your needs. Therefore, it’s important that you buy the best camping knife. You should study our buying guide carefully, it will help you make the wisest and best choice for your camping adventure.
David Clarke is one of the most active authors for KnivesExpert. He has been working as a professional chef for 8 years now. In his spare time he is always looking for new tastes which he can use in his restaurant. David is also a real knife enthousiast and he only wants to use the best of the best. The search for the best knife resulted in the start of Knivesexpert!