You may find yourself asking why anyone would use a hunting knife instead of more powerful weapons like rifles? The best hunting knives present the solution to an age-old problem for the experienced hunters: Fair Chase.
Hunting quickly becomes mundane if you have an overwhelming advantage over your prey.
With a hunting knife, these odds are leveled, and you will truly test your mettle as a hunter when you come face to face with your prey in close quarters.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Hunting Knives
- OUR TOP PICK: KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Knife
- RUNNER-UP: Morakniv Craftline Basic 546 Utility Knife
- BEST HUNTING KNIFE FOR THE MONEY: Opinel Colorama Series No. 8
Comparison of the Best Hunting Knives
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What Size Hunting Knife Do I Need?
The thing about using the best hunting knives to kill your prey is that the knife has to be both strong and long enough to make that killing strike. Depending on what you are hunting, some prey has very tough skin, and others are just way too muscle-bound for any old knife to get to the heart without bending.
The best hunters use big knives that are tough and long enough to get the job done and not too long to create a "handling and safety" problem. Ideally, you should find a knife with a strong blade that is anywhere between 6 to 10 inches long and made out of strong, virtually unbreakable material like steel.
What Makes a Good Hunting Knife?
A hunting knife, like pretty much any other tool you have in your arsenal, needs to be of a certain caliber if it's to serve you effectively. Although the specific properties and features of your particular knife will depend on the kind of game you are hunting, certain standard features go towards making a good hunting knife:
Full Tang Construction
"Full Tang" means that the entire knife (the whole length of it) comprises a single piece of high-quality metal. While there are folding hunting knives, the full tang versions are simply sturdier and thus much harder to break. This makes them more reliable in close quarter situations when you have to really thrust it into the hog or prey.
KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Knife
Type of Material
The best hunting knives are made of three main materials: stainless steel, carbon stainless steel, and carbon steel. While carbon steel is the cheapest and easiest to sharpen, it's a downfall is that it can rust easily.
On the other hand, stainless steel is slightly harder to sharpen, but once it's sharp, it offers excellent edge retention. Knives made out of carbon stainless steel are a hybrid of the first two and are therefore quite popular and more efficient to use.
The Handle
This is the knife you will use to make a kill and, in some cases, defend yourself against an enraged prey such as a hog. It's handle, therefore, needs to be quite strong and very comfortable in your hands. While many excellent knives have handles made out of wood and leather, these materials aren't as weather-proof as you would like them to be.
Handles made out of bone are some of the most appealing to look at, but they can also break. The best type of material for your knife handle is, therefore, hard rubber or synthetic material. These offer excellent grip and don't degrade easily with time.
Of course, at the end of it all, it comes down to your personal preferences. Your hunting knife is very much like your gun; if you clean and maintain it properly, it will serve you well regardless.
Opinel Colorama Series No. 8
Types of Hunting Knives
There are many different types of hunting knives, as well as categories. The most common categories happen to be fixed blade and folding knives. Those, however, are not the different types of hunting knives.
Here are some of the most common types of hunting knives that you might need on your arsenal:
Camp Knife (Drop Point Blade)
If you aren't a seasoned hunter, there is a very good chance that when you think of the term hunting knife, you are thinking of a camp knife. This knife takes on most of the attributes of its more specialized counterparts and, as such, acts as a multipurpose tool on any hunt. It often features a larger drop point blade, characterized by a convex spine curving down from the handle to the point. This type of knife can help you do pretty much everything you need to do when out on a hunt.
Skinning Knife (Trailing Point Blade)
You will definitely need a skinning knife if you intend to hunt for a few days or even if you just bring your kill home. These knives need to be razor-sharp and typically have a short, thin, and curved blade. This trailing point blade type is quite similar to a drop point blade. They also have a non-slip handle that will help you maneuver along the skin without tearing into the hide.
Havalon Piranta Z Folding Knife
Buck Knife (Folding Blade)
If you have been around hunting circles or spent some time on any of the most popular hunting forums, you will have probably seen someone mention the Buck Model 110 Hunting Knife. Popularized by Buck Knives back in the 1960s, this is one of the few folding knives that are excellent for hunting. They have reliable clip points, which minimizes folding accidents that can catch your finger. While they were originally designed for hunters, they have now become a common pocket knife.
There is also the "hunting dagger" that is designed to kill and boning knives that help you remove the meat from your kill. You can choose to have each of these specialized knives, or you could go for the hunting dagger or camp knife and make do.
Review of the Best Hunting Knives
Best Overall:
KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Knife
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many buyers are impressed by its versatility. You can use it for chopping wood, slicing, cutting, and almost everything else. They also feel the knife is solid and reliable, especially for bushcraft, where you have to build shelter and other things with a knife.
However, it’s not great at any one thing, which could be a disadvantage if you want it to perform exemplary at one task. They also feel it’s a bit heavy to carry around and does simple tasks.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion has a full tang 5.5” blade made from Cro-Van steel. The heavy-duty knife is multipurpose and best for people who prefer to carry one knife for all tasks.
It also has a drop point blade shape and a 20-degree blade angle.
The handle is comfortable and made from Grivory. It provides a balanced and firm grip in all weather conditions. The knife comes with a nylon sheath, which is also MOLLE compatible.
Bottom Line
If you are an outdoor enthusiast looking for a knife that can split kindling, chop logs for shelter-building, skin game, pry apart joints, and chop onions when camping, this is the knife for you. It will do all the chores, and although not to perfection, it will save you from carrying several knives and an ax!
Runner-up:
Morakniv Craftline Basic 546 Utility Knife
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Everyone is talking about how sharp this knife is. It comes razor-sharp from the box and cuts through everything like butter. For a hunting knife, sharpness is critical. Even though it’s a cheap knife, the features thrill everyone who purchases it.
From the sturdy plastic handle and sheath to the handy blade size and overall lightweight knife. And most importantly, the stainless steel blade impressed most of the buyers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Like every recent buyer, we could not overlook this knife’s sharp edges. While other knives require sharpening the first time you use them, this one comes razor-sharp and shining straight out of the box. You might want to avoid wiping the blade on anything as it cuts through almost anything.
It also has a stainless steel 3.6inch blade, which is excellent for marine and wet conditions as it won’t rust. It comes with a hard plastic Cobi-Sheath where you can connect a second knife and sheath. The handle is made of impact-resistant plastic, is comfortable, and offers a firm grip.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is a great knife for your outdoor activities that won’t fail you when you need it to cut through anything, including skinning.
Best Hunting Knife for the Money:
Opinel Colorama Series No. 8
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers love how it has good ergonomics and disappears in your pocket. People who use it for bushcraft purposes are impressed by the stainless steel blade, which does not rust when exposed to moisture.
It is made from superior materials and has a good finish. Additionally, it locks in an open position by simply turning the metal base. It’s easy to use, clean, and maintain.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Apart from locking the blade when open for safety, you can also lock it when not using it. The knife has a Virobloc safety ring with two sections: one fitted and one sliding.
The blade is made from high-quality 12C27 Sandvik Stainless Steel, is corrosion-resistant, and can be easily cleaned using warm water, a sponge, and dishwashing liquid. The handle is made from Beechwood and Hornbeam wood, which gives it the color. It comes in several colors.
Bottom Line
If you want an EDC (Everyday Carry) knife that you can easily fit in your bag, this knife is ideal. It’s a lightweight pocket knife that can handle basic chores. However, it’s not as sturdy as a fixed-blade knife needed for hunting. You might need a more robust backup knife for hunting.
Best Deer Hunting Knife:
Havalon Piranta Z Folding Knife
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The most outstanding features of this knife among users is it’s sharp edge and being lightweight. It weighs almost nothing for backpackers, which is advantageous when taking long trips and takes up less space in their backpacks.
The razor-sharp blade enables them to gut, skin, and butcher any game without problems. And the best part is that they didn’t have to sharpen their blades amid skinning. They’d just change the blade and continue with their work.
However, some felt it would be better if the blade were a bit longer. It also cleans effortlessly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The 12 additional Quick Change replacement blades save you the time you’d have spent sharpening the blade. They all come razor-sharp perfect for skinning even the hardest hide.
The blade is made from 60XT stainless steel, which sharpens very easily. However, it’s prone to corrosion, thus requires proper maintenance. The blades are very thin and can bend easily, but you can purchase thicker and compatible blades.
Its handle is a rugged, stain-resistant ABS plastic handle made from Zytel polymer. The black anti-slip inlays prevent slipping and losing grip.
Bottom Line
Although it can’t match a fixed blade for easier and faster skinning, the knife’s performance in the field is excellent. It’s perfect for when taking long trips and looking to minimize your luggage. It’s also affordable.
Best Fixed Blade Hunting Knife:
Morakniv Companion Sandvik Stainless Steel Knife
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The performance of this knife thrills most users. Although the blade is only 4-inch long, it is strong enough to handle baton and chopping wood tasks. It’s also incredibly sharp and cleans exceptionally well.
Other buyers felt the knife was ridiculously cheap, bearing in mind the great features it comes with. The rubbery texture of the handle afforded them a firm grip. However, some felt it was cumbersome to pull out the knife from the sheath.
Why it Stands out to Us
A hunting knife should be strong and sturdy, just like this knife. Its Sandvik 12c27 stainless steel construction makes it robust to handle even big game. It comes with an extremely sharp blade that is resistant to corrosion.
The handle has a rubberized grip that guarantees you a firm yet comfortable grip, and the sheath is made from hard plastic with a drain hole that mitigates moisture build-up and a belt clip for convenient carrying.
Bottom Line
Morakniv Companion has all you need in a hunting knife. The short blade could be better but still functions well. The sheath is low-quality but shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
Best Hog Hunting Knife:
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers loved the durable clip that comes with the sheath. You can easily clip it to your belt, boot, or MOLLE. For quick release, it features Effortless Deployment with thumb Break technique. The dual-edge blade is sharp and cuts through anything.
Additionally, the lanyard hole was important to some buyers. The handle felt grippy to some, while others said it was slick.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We love its 7Cr17MoV high-carbon stainless steel construction. It retains edge incredibly well and is strong to handle fury-filled large hogs capable of attacking you. The blade might not be very long, but it’s super strong and won’t break when you need it most.
As for the handle, it’s ergonomic, has a handguard, and black rubber-wrapped, making it comfortable even when you hold it for long and making sure it doesn’t slip out of your hands. It also comes with a black leather sheath with a belt, boot, and MOLLE compatible sheath.
Bottom Line
To successfully hunt hogs, you need a knife you can depend on. Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B knife has the right features.
Best Folding Hunting Knife:
Buck Knives 0110BRS
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers think it’s a superior product. It has a smooth wood and brass finish, and the weight is just right. It’s lightweight and foldable design for most customers, making it easy to carry it around in their pockets or backpacks.
It’s also very sharp, perfect for skinning and its lock and rotation features are reliable and safe. Even for the buyers who are not into hunting, the knife is useful for cutting work, slicing, and piercing as a self-defense tool.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The knife is very lightweight, which is ideal for backpackers and for camping, which requires long trips. It’s also foldable and takes less space in your backpack.
The blade is made from 420HC stainless steel, which affords its corrosion-resistance. For a folding knife, it’s pretty strong and durable for hunting. The blade is sharp, retains edge exceptionally well, and has a controllable point.
The handle is made with Macassar Ebony Dymondwood and has brass bolsters, making it classic. It comes with a leather sheath with a snap fastener and belt loop.
Bottom Line
Overall, this knife is of good quality and will do well for self-defense or skinning game. However, like a foldable knife, it might not be as strong as a fixed blade, especially when you need to skin easily and fast. It’s a superior-quality knife that’s worth the money.
Best All-Around Hunting Knife:
ESEE Knives 4P
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers are impressed with the blade size. It’s not huge like a miniature sword but also not too small to handle the tasks. It strikes a balance between size and utility.
The handle also has many users loving the ESEE 4P as it’s comfortable. For some, the handle felt a bit small at first, but it feels perfect after getting used to it. Most knives come with poor-quality sheaths, but for this one, the sheath is quite impressive,
Why it Stands Out to Us
The 1095 high-carbon steel construction of the blade makes it hard to last long and handle challenging tasks. It also retains the edge extremely well. It’s also sharp and has a black coating.
The Micarta handle offers a firm anti-slip grip. It is not polished, thus provides a good grip, has a rugged look, and absorbs moisture. If you don’t like the handle, you can change it.
The knife comes with a molded polymer sheath and is available in different colors.
Bottom Line
This is a high-quality knife that will fit your purpose. However, it will rust if not correctly maintained.
Sharpest Hunting Knife:
Havalon Piranta-Z Skinning Knife
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers are thrilled by the surgical-sharp blades, and the best part is that they are replaceable. The knife comes with spare blades that you can easily change. Time is of great importance when skinning and dressing game and this knife saves users from sharpening the knife.
Others love how lightweight it feels. You can carry it for long trips. It also has a great design and is perfect for outdoor lovers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The knife has quality construction and design. It comes with 12 spare blades that are very sharp and can be easily replaced without any tool. The blade opens and locks securely by pressing a safety catch with your thumb.
Its handle is a black Zytel, which offers a good grip. However, the blades lose edge pretty fast and break easily as they are thin and fragile.
Bottom Line
While the knife is designed as a skinning knife and not a utility knife, it does an excellent job except for the few drawbacks. If you’re in the market for the sharpest skinning knife, this is the one.
Comparison Overview
As mentioned earlier, many different types of knives can complete your hunting arsenal. Each of these knives has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Most have similarities and can pretty much do the same things with some skill, while many have a host of differences and should never be interchanged. Here are some of the similarities and differences between the various types of hunting knives:
Drop Point vs. Hunting Knife
To be honest, a drop point knife is typically considered a hunting knife. This is mostly because they have quite a number of similarities. That being said, some differences also need attention.
Similarities
- Stiff and fixed blade
- Long or short blades depending on your preference
- Tough blade
- The blade is convex in nature and curves from the handle to the tip
Morakniv Companion Sandvik Stainless Steel Knife
Differences
- Hunting knives are typically longer by design
- Drop point knives don't necessarily have to be hunting knives
- Hunting knives can have straight blades
Tactical vs. Hunting Knife
While a hunting knife can be used for a host of hunting and camping-related activities such as the killing, skinning, and even boning of prey, tactical knives go even further and, as such, can be used for almost everything, even cutting down small trees.
Similarities
- Both have very tough, full tang blades
- Both need to be very sharp
- Both have extremely sturdy handles
Morakniv Companion Sandvik Stainless Steel Knife
Differences
- Tactical knives often have a serrated edge as well
- Made of tougher material
Boning Knife vs. Hunting Knife
A boning knife is yet another specialized hunting knife that makes your life much easier when it comes to removing the meat from your kill. Unlike an actual hunting knife, a boning knife has a narrow blade that is extremely sharp and rather flexible.
Similarities
- Both long blades
- Very sharp
- Can be fixed or a folding blade
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B
Differences
- Boning knives have narrow blades
- The blades on boning knives are flexible while those on hunting knives aren't and can't be
Hunting Knife vs. Hatchet
A hatchet is a much bigger, tougher, and heavier knife. While you can use a hatchet for hunting, it’s quite heavy and cumbersome, making it difficult to use in closed quarters. Unlike a hunting knife, hatchets aren't that convenient to carry around and don't typically offer excellent edge retention.
Similarities
- Sharp blades
- Drop point blades
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B
Differences
- A hatchet is heavier
- A hatchet is more utilitarian than it is specialized
- Difficult to use in a hunting scenario
4 Inch vs. 5 Inch Knife For Hunting
Hunting knives need to have long enough blades to pierce through the skin and get deep into the guts, lungs, or heart of whatever you are hunting. That being said, while 6 -10-inch blades are recommended, you can use 4 and 5-inch blades depending on what you are hunting. The difference is very subtle, but it's there.
Similarities
Differences
How to Sharpen a Hunting Knife
Maintaining and sharpening your hunting knives is a skill that every good hunter needs to master. Thankfully, it's a skill that is not difficult to learn. Here are some simple tips on how to clean and sharpen your hunting knives:
- Get yourself a sharpening stone: You can either use a sharpening stone that uses oil or water. Either one is fine since the liquid is designed to help the knife-edge grip the stone surface properly to make it sharper.
- Oil or water the stone: Put the stone somewhere stable and flat, then oil or water the surface you intend to use properly.
- Slide the knife across the surface of the stone: Gripping the knife properly with the edge to be sharpened facing the stone, slide it from one corner of the stone to the other end of it, and vice versa. Make sure the movement is smooth and methodical.
- Turn the knife over and do it all over again: Do about eight slides across the surface of the stone with one side of the knife; turn it over and do another eight on the opposite side of the knife as well.
Here is a video showing you how to do all that:
Safety Tips For Hunting Knives
Whenever using a sharp tool like a knife to do anything, there are few key safety measures that you need to keep in mind. Here are some tips on how to remain safe when out hunting with the best hunting knives:
- Never operate the knife or hold what you intend to cut between your knees and your groin. This area is called the "triangle of death." That's because you can easily accidentally nick an artery here, and that can quite easily become a fatal wound.
- Keep your fingers behind the blade and always cut away from your body.
- Always keep your knife sharp and sheathed when not in use. A dull knife will call for the use of extra force, which can easily lead to injuries, and an unsheathed knife is an ever-present hazard to anyone unaware of its presence.
Finally, whenever you find that you are too tired or too dehydrated, try as much as possible to avoid using a knife to do anything. Hunting knives tend to be very sharp, and any lapse in concentration or judgment could very easily lead to an injury either to yourself or others around you.
How to Clean a Hunting Knife
Cleaning your hunting knife is one of the most important maintenance tips to keep in mind. Just as sharpening your knife is a skill, cleaning it also calls for some good practices. Here are some tips on how you can clean the best hunting knives and keep them well maintained:
- Take a dishwashing sponge and some hot water: Put the soap on the dishwashing sponge's soft side. Don't use the rough side for washing pots and pans, for it will scratch up your knife.
- Thoroughly clean the knife: Methodically rub the dishwashing sponge on all the surfaces of the knife while being careful not to cut yourself.
- Let the hot water run over the knife: Hot water helps break down any germs and residue that might be clinging to the knife's surface. Let the water run over the knife for a few seconds until it's completely clean.
- Dry off your knife: Use a paper towel to dry off your knife.
- Apply a protectant: Use mineral oil or olive oil and rub it on the blade's surface. This will protect the steel.
- Store the knife in its sheath: Simply put the knife back in the sheath after wiping it down with a paper towel one more time.
Here is a video giving you a practical walk-through on how to clean your hunting knife:
Having the best hunting knife in your arsenal of hunting tools is not only a safety issue but also an efficiency issue. Any of the knives reviewed here are designed to get the job done. All you have to do now is choose one, buy it and enjoy your hunt.
People Also Ask
Here are some of the most common questions many hunters ask about the best hunting knives, how to use them, and how to care for them in the long term:
What is a Hunting Knife?
This is a sharp, fixed or folding blade knife designed to pierce through the skin and muscles of your prey to make the kill. Hunting knives are sharp, sturdy, and quite handy.
How to Close a Hunting Knife
Depending on the brand you have, hunting knives with folding blades often have a button you can press to close them or a clip point that will require some force from you to close.
How Long is a Hunting Knife?
This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but anything between 6 to 10 inches of the blade should be good enough for hunting.
What is the Difference Between a Hunting Knife and a Skinning Knife?
A hunting knife is sturdier and has a tough blade, while a skinning knife has a narrower and much more flexible blade.
Why Are There Holes in My Deer Hunting Knife?
Some hunting knives have holes to help reduce the friction between the blade and your kill, making it less likely for the knife to stick to the flesh and more likely to penetrate deeper into the prey.
How Much Does a Hunting Knife Weigh?
This depends on the knife you buy but on average. A large fixed-blade hunting knife weighs about 12 to 14 ounces.
What is the Most Common Type of Hunting Knife?
The most common and most popular type of hunting knife is the fixed blade hunting knife. It's sturdier and easier to use.
How to Store Hunting Knives
Start by cleaning it as shown above; use olive oil to help protect the steel; put it back in its sheath and store in a dry, safe place until the next hunt.
Why Do Hunting Knives Have a Curve?
The curve on the hunting knife is designed to help you cut through large chunks of meat and ensure that the knife easily penetrates the skin and muscles of your prey on its way to the heart.
What Other Tools Do You Need With a Hunting Knife?
Several other tools should accompany your hunting knife: a sheath to keep it "holstered" when not in use; a cleaning cloth to wipe it down when you are done using it; a sharpener to help keep it sharp during hunts.
Hunting Knives Reviews
Below are all our buyer guides surrounding hunting knives. To make your experience a bit smoother, we have organized them in one place. Feel free to browse through a few and find exactly what you're looking for.
Thanks for reading.
