The hunting knife has been an essential part of hunting since killing animals was the only meat source for humanity. Over many centuries, the knife has improved in look, size, and even materials, but the function remains the same. Hunting knives are still the primary source of being able to prepare your game and repair gear or even start a fire.
You will see a spotlight on the various hunting knives that you should consider before you go hunting this season. Owning the best hunting knives is a smart move for even the recreational hunter.
Review of the best hunting knives
1. Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Knife
Best Overall
Sharp
Durable
Multi-purpose
Needs extra sharpening
Small
When it comes to a tough as nails type knife, the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 is the knife you want. The chromium-vanadium that makes up the steel blade and the full tang provides you a beast of a hunting tool. If you want the best hunting knife in the world, this is the knife you want. It is durable, heavy-duty, and very sharp.
The blade itself is just over five and a half inches long. It has a fully enclosed butt end that has a Grivory handle. This handle is slip-proof regardless of what you are doing and what the weather is like. The pommel on end is also suitable for using to get through a car window in an emergency.
The steel blade is cro-van 1095 steel, and it is less likely to be affected by abrasions and corrosion than other types of steel used in knives. The 20-degree angle is right for cutting. Though the knife is sharp initially, you may have to sharpen it more than you might like.
You will love the look and the feel of this knife. It is perfect for deep woods hunting and will be a great companion to your bow hunting gear. This is a high-end knife that may seem small to you, but ultimately it does what you need it to do. You will be able to dress a game in the field for transport or just cut up some kindling with this knife.
Overall, when seeking the best overall hunting knife, you can find that this Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion knife is the one you are looking for when hunting. It is the perfect knife for protection as it is both useful for everyday tasks and in emergencies.
2. Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
Best Budget
Sharp blade
Durable
Many colors option
Small
Durable
If a budget option knife is what you are looking for, you want to get the Morakniv Companion. This knife is perfectly suitable for hunting small game and is very versatile. The fixed blade may be smaller than you might like, but that makes it great for skinning. The blade is four inches and made from high quality stainless steel. However, the blade is not full tang.
This Swedish knife is exceptionally sharp and comparable to a razor. The grip is perfect for high-friction, and it sits comfortably in your hands. Regardless of weather conditions, you will maintain your grip on this knife and maintain optimal control. The whole knife is for greater control and safety.
One good thing about this knife is that it can withstand constant use and not rust or break as quickly as any other knife might. The blade is durable and will remain sharp through multiple uses before sharpening is necessary. You will find that this knife is extremely versatile, but it may be smaller than you might like.
Ultimately, this knife is the ideal hunting knife for a good hunting knife for a small game. You will find that the versatility of this knife is perfect for everyday use.
3. ESEE Knives 5P Fixed Blade Knife
Premium Pick
Great deer hunting knife
Maintains sharpness
Versatile
Heavy
Rusts
The ESEE Knives 5P Fixed Blade knife is very much the premium option, not just because of price but also because of quality. This knife has all the love and care you would expect of a premium option knife. This has to be the best hunting knife in the world as it is virtually indestructible. You will not be sorry with this knife.
The blade is five and a quarter inches long, and it is a quarter-inch thick. The blade has a textured powder coating that helps this knife maintain its style and sharpness over a long period. The overall look of this knife is just as good as it works. You can use this knife for dressing, skinning just about any animal.
The knife may seem heavy, but it is an excellent deer hunting knife as it will allow you to dress the animal in the field. You will find that this knife is very versatile, and it will provide you with all you would expect from an outdoor knife. One downfall is that this knife does rust more comfortable than you might like, but it is effortless to clean.
Overall, you will love this knife when outdoors. This knife’s various functions and how comfortable it is to hold makes it perfect for any weather. A great hunting knife for even the amateur hunter.
4. Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Serrated Clip Point Blade Knife
Best Folding Knife
Easy open
Sharp
Sleek looking
Open and close mechanism jams
No spring assists
Pinches when closing
This knife is the best folding knife for hunting. This knife is among the cool hunting knives because of how awesome it looks with the full black. This folding knife has stainless steel with a high black carbon blade and body. The partially serrated clip on the point blade is excellent for more demanding jobs.
This knife comes with a black handle made from aluminum and has a pocket clip for easy portability. The handle has textured materials and a finger indentation that gives you a solid grip. No matter what weather or condition, you will have a solid grip on this knife. The easy-open makes it possible to open one-handed for quick deployment.
This knife has to be conveniently sized for easy transporting. It is handheld and ideal for carrying daily as it fits seamlessly in your palm. You will also find the size of this knife convenient for pocket carrying. The edges are razor sharp and are very solidly built. One drawback is that the open and close mechanism sometimes jams, and there is no spring assist.
Overall, this knife is an excellent choice for anyone looking for the best folding knife. This top-rated knife is made to be a good hunting and outdoor knife. You will love the look and the feel of this knife as your hands will enjoy gripping the handle..
5. Benchmade Adamas 375 Hunting Knife
Sharpest Hunting Knife
Sharp blade
Fixed full-tang blade
Comfortable to carry
Handle needs to be wrapped
The sheath could use work
This Benchmade knife is the sharpest hunting knife you can buy. The sheath helps keep the blade as sharp as it is, and extended periods between sharpening makes this knife a dream. The D2 steel blade is designed to hold its edge exponentially better than most knives.
The handle has a skeletonized look, and it reduces the weight, which allows for paracord wrapping. You may be frustrated with the original handle, but it is made that way for wrapping. The full-tang fixed blade is for additional strength, making it easier to hold and even easier to clean. The versatility of this knife is astounding.
You will find that you can use this knife for a variety of tasks. You can skin your game or cut through rope using this knife with just as much ease. The knife is neither too heavy nor too light, and it is very portable. The sheath doesn’t help with portability, and it would be nice if it had a ring or a clip on it for easy carry.
Overall, if you are looking for the sharpest hunting knife you can find, you want this one. You will not be sorry as the blade is worth bragging about. Though the sheath and handle could use some work, this knife is still worth getting.
6. Buck Knives 192 Vanguard Fixed Blade Knife
Best All-Around Hunting Knife
Strong knife
Great edge retention
Excellent balance
The sheath isn’t durable
Knife is heavy
Buck Knives are known to be the best all-around hunting knives. This hunting knife brand is made to be durable, stable, and easy to use. You will love this knife as it is built for whatever outdoor use you need it for. This knife is made for the experienced and amateur hunter.
The blade of this knife is very sharp. It has a four and one eight drop point that delivers incredible strength. This blade is made with edge retention so that you don’t need to stop and sharpen it often. The blade is also designed to be corrosion resistant. You will love that this blade is designed for light to more massive tasks.
The design is full-tang, and the integrated finger guard will keep you safe. The deep choil makes this knife ideal for serious hunters who are looking for quality. The handle provides a comfortable grip that is great for balance distribution. The leather sheath that you carry this knife with is convenient and makes maneuvering easy.
Overall, this knife is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an all-around hunting knife. The main drawback is that the sheath isn’t as durably made as to the knife. You will find that this knife is more massive than you may have experienced, but it adds to the durability.
7. Havalon Piranta Z Folding Blade Skinning Knife
Best Deer Hunting Knife
Excellent for skinning
Durable handle
Razor-sharp blade
Cannot sharpen
Not impressive looking
This knife is the best deer hunting knife because of how excellent this knife is for skinning. Havalon produces this deep skinning knife that is pocket-sized with a retractable almost three-inch blade. This knife is made specifically for skinning and dressing your deer while still in the field. You will not impress anyone with this knife, but it is a great one.
The blade of this knife is unassuming at best. However, it is razor-sharp, literally. This knife will slice through material like it is butter, and it will let you peel away the skin with excellent precision. The blade cannot be sharpened, which is frustrating, but you can replace it with the extra blades this knife comes with.
If you are looking for a traditional hunting knife, then this one isn’t it. What you get with this knife is the ability to skin and dress an animal with ease. You will love this knife and how comfortable it is to hold, and how efficient it is for dressing your deer. The handle is comfortable and durable. You will find that this knife is small but very portable.
Overall, you will not find a better deer hunting knife. Though you may be looking for a fancy hunting knife, this one won’t impress until you start skinning. It is a durable knife with a changeable blade that can be frustrating, but it does its job with excellent precision when field dressing. Check out this article for more information on the field dressing knives.
8. Mossy Oak 2-piece Bowie Knife
Best Hunting Knife Set
Durable
Safe grip
Very versatile
Needs sharpening
Sheath is cumbersome
When looking for the best hunting knife set, these two packs of Mossy Oak knives are the best choice for you. These knives are made to be durable and provide you enough versatility to meet any of your needs when out hunting.
You will love the leather sheath and the full-tang stacked handle that is stacked. You will get excellent strength in these knives with a safe non-slip grip that makes it safe to use in all weather conditions. The blades are super sharp and can cut through just about anything. You will find that you can do intense work or detailed work with these knives.
Though you may need to sharpen these knives more often, you will love the blades’ durability. The sheaths are great for protection but can be cumbersome at times. However, these knives are very versatile, making them a crucial part of your hunting gear.
Overall, both knives are the same, and they are both durable enough to handle whatever you need to do. Just make sure you have a sharpener to ensure that you have a sharp enough blade when you need it.
What should I look for in a Hunting Knife?
Choosing a hunting knife isn’t as easy as seeing what you like and then buying it. There are a few things you need to consider before choosing the knife you want.
Intended Use
How you intend to use the knife will be one of the primary considerations when picking the knife you want for hunting. If you are looking for a skinning knife, then the Havalon Piranta Z is the type of knife you want. It is nothing to look at, but very functional. If what you need is a great all-around hunting knife, you want to consider the Buck Knives 192 Vanguard.
Size
The size of your knife is going to impact your choice directly. When you want a large hunting knife you can carry on your side, then most choices will not work for you, and you have to look for that style. However, most hunting blades come in a range of sizes, from 4-inches to 6-inches being the ideal choices.
Fixed or Folding
Knives can have either a fixed or folding blade. There are some pros and cons that come with both types. The Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops knife is a folding blade, it is comfortable and very reliable, but it isn’t as durable, and says the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 fixed blade knife is more heavy-duty. Ultimately, it comes down to preference.
FAQ
- Corrosion resistance
- Hardness
- Toughness
Conclusion
Choosing the best hunting knife is going to be highly subjective upon your personal preferences. What works for you will not always be the popular choice. When looking for the right hunting knife, you should pick the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion knife. It is a heavy-duty option with universal usage.
If you are looking for a more specific knife that stays sharp and very durable, you will want the ESEE Knives 5P Fixed blade knife. This knife is a real contender to any other that you will get. It is durable, has a strong metal blade, and is the right size.
Overall, you need to make sure that you pick a knife to do what you want it to do. When out hunting, the knife you pick will be your companion, which depends on what you feel you need most.