Camping knives are essential for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether you’re backpacking, fishing or just taking a hike, these tools will come in handy when you need them most.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best camping knives for 2022 and provide you with a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Table of Contents
Quick Recommendation
| RANK | PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |  |
Gerber StrongArm
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| Most Versatile |  |
KA-BAR Becker BK2
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| Best Budget |  |
Morakniv Companion
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| Editor Choice |  |
ESEE Knives 4P
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| Best Premium |  |
Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge
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|
Gerber StrongArm
Blade length: 4.8”
Overall Length: 9.8″
Blade steel: 420HC steel
Weight: 7.9 oz
What we Like: Rubberized diamond texture, High-Quality, Good Balance Design, Affordable, Multi-mount sheath with belt
What We Don’t Like: Blade is a little too thick for meal preparation.
Review: The Gerber StrongArm is a great all-around camping knife. The blade is made of high-quality 420HC steel and has a rubberized diamond texture, which provides a good grip. It also has a well-balanced design and an affordable price tag. Plus, it comes with a multi-mount sheath that can be attached to your belt, backpack, or other gear. The only downside is that the blade is a little too thick for meal preparation.
KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade
Blade length: 5.25”
Overall Length: 10.5”
Blade steel: 1095 Cro-Van
Weight: 1 lb
What we Like: Extremely solid structure, Quality protective coating, The concave design of the handle part boosts the grip, Can be used as a field hammer
What We Don’t Like: Needs a lot of maintenance
Review: The KA-BAR Becker BK22 Campanion Fixed Blade has a blade of high carbon steel and it is coated with black. The blade is extremely sturdy, and it can be used for many purposes. It has a clip point style with an edge of flat grind which makes the knife strong enough to cut through some physical objects like branches.
The concave design of the handle part boosts its grip so that you don’t lose it when your hands are wet or when you’re working in difficult conditions. The knife comes with a hard sheath that’s also made of high carbon steel and it resists wear and tears well. You can use the field hammer function to break things like rocks or glass.
The only disadvantage of this camping knife is that you need to take good care of it if you want it to last long.
KA1218-BRK USMC Fighter Serrated
Blade length: 7”
Overall Length: 11.87”
Blade steel: 1095 Cro-Van
Weight: 11.2 Ounces
What we Like: High-quality materials, sharp blade, comfortable grip, affordable price.
What We Don’t Like: Poor quality knife cover
Review: The Ka-Bar USMC Folding Fighting Knife is one of the best camping knives on the market, and for good reason. It’s an affordable option that offers high-quality materials, a sharp blade, and a comfortable grip. The downside is that the knife cover could be better quality, but overall this is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable camping knife.
Morakniv Companion
Blade length: 3.88”
Overall Length: 8.75”
Blade steel: 12C27 Stainless Steel
Weight: 4.16 Ounces
What we Like: Low Price, TP rubber handle is large with a curved design, The pattern on the top helps increase friction
What We Don’t Like: The tongue is a bit short
Review: The Morakniv Companion has been around for a long time and remains one of the top-selling knives on the market. Although it doesn’t have some of the features you might find in other models, its low price makes up for this deficiency. If you’re looking to get started with camping knives without having to spend too much, the Companion is an excellent choice.
ESEE Knives 4P
Blade length: 4.5″
Overall Length: 9”
Blade steel: 1095 Cro-Van
Weight: 8 Ounces
What we Like: Easy to clean and polish, very sharp and durable, perfect for general outdoor use
What We Don’t Like: Need regular maintenance
Review: The ESEE-04P is a great camping knife that’s built to last. It features an ergonomically designed handle with finger grooves, making it easy and comfortable to grip in any situation. The blade is made of durable, high-quality steel and is sharp enough to handle any task you might encounter. The knife also comes with a molded sheath for easy storage and transport.
Mossy Oak Survival Hunting
Blade length: 10″
Overall Length: 15″
Blade steel: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1.72 Pounds
What we Like: Quality stainless steel, Extremely easy sharpening, Can be used as a saw, Comes with an ignition bar
What We Don’t Like: Heavy
Review: The Mossy Oak Survival Hunting Knife is a great option for those looking for a quality stainless steel blade. This knife is easy to sharpen and can be used as a saw, making it ideal for camping and outdoor activities. It also comes with an ignition bar, which makes starting a fire even easier. However, the knife is quite heavy compared to some of the other options on our list.
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier
Blade length: 5″
Overall Length: 10.3”
Blade steel: 1095 Cro-Van
Weight: 1.23 lbs
What we Like: Easy to use, Solid structure, Easy to sharpen, The blade is made from high carbon steel, Flexible plastic handle with round pattern
What We Don’t Like: Coating easy to peel
Review: The Schrade SCHF36 Frontier is a great tool for anyone who wants to add something reliable and sharp to their backpack. The knife comes with an adjustable sheath, ensuring that the blade is always held securely in place during transport. The handle offers excellent grip thanks to its plastic material, which makes it easy to hold without worrying about dropping it. Thanks to its high carbon steel blade, this camping knife are very easy to sharpen and maintain.
The only downside we found with the SCHF36 Frontier is that the coating can easily peel off if you’re not careful enough when using it. Other than that though, it’s a great all-purpose tool for any outdoor enthusiast at an affordable price.
ESEE Laser Strike Knife
Blade length: 4.75″
Overall Length: 10.0″
Blade steel: 1095 Cro-Van
Weight: 1.23 lbs
What we Like: The blade is very sharp and holds its edge well, It has a good weight to it and feels durable in the hand, The sheath is well-made and versatile
What We Don’t Like: Needs regular cleaning
Review: The ESEE Laser Strike Knife is a great option for those looking for a durable and reliable camping knife. The blade is sharp and holds its edge well, making it perfect for precision tasks. It also has a good weight to it, which gives you added control when using it. And the sheath is well-made and versatile, allowing you to carry your knife in a variety of ways. The only downside is that it needs regular cleaning to prevent rusting.
Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge
Blade length: 6″
Overall Length: 11″
Blade steel: Laminated VG10 stainless steel
Weight: 12.8 Ounces
What we Like: Change in drop point design, The handle is made of Kraton, Many small grooves on the surface, The size is comfortable, The sheath provides great protection for the blade
What We Don’t Like: High-Price Tag
Review: The Fallkniven A-series knives have been around for a while and the A-one is one of the latest versions. This knife has a lot to offer, starting with its drop point design which gives you more control over your cuts. The Kraton handle is also very comfortable and provides great grip, even when wet. It also includes a finger guard to keep your hands safe while you work.
The sheath on this knife is also one of the best aspects, providing great protection for all sides and also making it easier to carry around than other knives in its class. Furthermore, this blade is very lightweight considering how long it actually is. It’s made from high-quality materials and is an excellent choice for anyone looking to buy a heavy-duty camping knife.
How To Choose a Camping Knife
Choosing the right camping knife can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With this guide, you will know what to look for and how to make your decision with confidence. We will cover everything from blade length, handle material, design features, and more.
Types of Camping Knives
There are several different types of camping knives that you can choose from. The most common are fixed blade knives, folding knives, and multi-tools.
- Fixed Blade Knives: Fixed blade knives have a single, solid piece of metal that forms both the blade and the handle. These knives are typically stronger and more durable than folding knives, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks like chopping wood. They also tend to be larger and heavier than folding knives.
- Folding Knives: Folding knives open and close just like a pocket knife. These are lighter weight than fixed blade but they tend to be smaller, which limits what you can do with them. They also fold closed so there is less risk of cutting yourself on the blade.
- Multi-tools: Multi-tools are a type of folding knife that include several other tools like screwdrivers, pliers and scissors. These are ideal for those who want the convenience of a pocket knife with the added functionality of multiple tools.
Purpose
Before you purchase a camping knife, decide what tasks you will be using it for. This will help determine the size and design of the blade. It will also help determine the type of knife you should get. Serrated knives are good for cutting rope and other fibrous materials while saw-toothed edges can be used to cut wood when processing firewood for your campsite.
What to Look For
When looking for a camping knife, there are several factors you will want to consider. The most important factors are blade length and design features. Below we will go over these in more detail.
- Blade Length:The blade length is the most important factor when choosing a camping knife. It determines how versatile the knife can be. A small blade of about three inches is a good all-purpose knife for camping. Larger blades tend to be more durable and can withstand abuse better, but they are less versatile in that their size restricts them from performing certain tasks.
- Blade Material: The material the blade is made out of will determine how well it performs when used on different materials such as wood and steel. The best blade material is stainless steel, which will hold an edge well and resist rusting when exposed to water or moisture.
- Handle Material: If you are replacing a knife that has lost its grip, make sure to get one with a textured handle made from rubber or plastic. These materials allow for good grip even if they get wet.
- Design Features: Most camping knives will come with a few basic design features such as serrations, saw teeth or both. Serrated blades make cutting through rope and other fibrous materials much easier than smooth blades do. Saw-toothed edges can be used to cut wood when processing firewood for your campsite. They can also be used to cut through a tin can or two when preparing food.
- Weight: A camping knife doesn’t need to be heavy, but it should feel good in your hand. You don’t want a knife that is too light or feels flimsy because it won’t be as durable. Conversely, you don’t want a knife that is so heavy it becomes cumbersome to use.
- Budget: A camping knife doesn’t have to be expensive, but you do want to get one that is of good quality. A mid-priced knife that is well made will serve you better than a cheap knife that is likely to break or fail when put to use.
How To Care and Store Your Camping Knife
Camping knives are sturdy and durable by design, but they will need to be cared for if you want them to perform well in the future. Here are a few things that every camper should know when it comes to caring for their camping knife:
- Cleaning: Cleaning your camping knife is easy. All you need is some hot water, a mild detergent, and a soft cloth or brush. Dish soap is the best option because it’s mild and won’t cause damage to metal or wooden handles.
- Drying: After cleaning your knife, make sure you dry it thoroughly so there are no water droplets left on the blade, handle or sheath. Water can rust steel blades if they are not dried completely after washing them. Wooden handles can become dry and cracked if they are left wet.
- Oil: To prevent rusting, apply a light coat of oil to your knife after it has dried. Most knives will come with or without an oil coating so you may need to purchase some separately from the manufacturer. Just make sure that whatever type of oil you use is safe for metal and rubber.
- Storing: You should store your camping knife in a dry, secure location like an enclosed sheath when it is not in use. Avoid leaving knives loose in drawers or bags because they can be damaged, dulled and even cause accidents if you are not careful.
Note: Never put a knife in the dishwasher or run it through a washing machine because these actions can strip away the protective oil coating and cause rusting due to water damage. You also want to avoid putting your camping knife in storage without applying an additional layer of lubricant on the blade, handle and sheath so that moisture doesn’t cause any long-term damage.
While a camping knife is definitely a handy tool to have, it’s important that you take the time to properly care for it so that it will last for many years of outdoor adventures.
Safety Tips for Using a Camping Knife
When using any type of knife, it’s important to be aware of the safety hazards involved. Here are a few tips for safely using your camping knife:
- Always use caution when handling a blade. Knives can cause serious injuries if not handled properly.
- Keep knives out of reach of children and store them in a safe place when they are not in use.
- Never run with a knife. This can lead to accidents and injuries.
- Be aware of your surroundings when using a knife. Don’t swing it around recklessly or put yourself in danger by trying to cut things that are too close to you.
- Use the correct knives for the job at hand. Trying to use a large knife for a small job or vice versa can be dangerous.
By following these simple safety tips, you can enjoy using your camping knife without having to worry about getting injured.
FAQ
Q.What is a good length for a camping knife?
A. A good length to look for in your next camping knife will be between four and six inches long. This gives you plenty of blades to use without making it too difficult to use.
Q.Is it safe to store my camping knife in the sheath?
A. Yes, storing your camping knife in a protective sheath is a good way of protecting both yourself and others from dangerous accidents that might occur if you were not using a proper storage system for your blade.
Q. How do I sharpen my camping knife?
A. Sharpening your camping knife is possible, but it’s not something that should be done on a regular basis. Most modern knives come with an extra layer of the protective coating so sharpening them isn’t always necessary unless you are trying to get rid of damage or nicks in the blade. If you do need to sharpen your knife, use a sharpening stone or diamond sharpener. Be careful not to over-sharpen the blade or you could damage it permanently.
Q. Can I use my camping knife to start a fire?
A. While some knives come with a built-in striker for starting fires, most don’t. You can still use your camping knife to help you get a campfire going by using the back of the blade as an effective fire-starter. Simply place some dry grass, leaves, or other fibrous tinder on top of the blade and strike it with another hard object like a rock until sparks fly off onto your tinder material.
Q.Why do I need a camping knife?
A. Camping knives are useful for many outdoor chores like cutting cordage, food, or kindling wood to help start a campfire. They also make great multi-purpose tools that can be used in survival situations if you get lost and need to build shelter or hunt game for sustenance until rescue arrives.
Q.What are the advantages of knives?
A. Knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which makes them useful for all sorts of tasks like cutting wood or slicing open food packaging at camp. Many camping knives also include extra features such as bottle openers and screwdrivers that make them even more versatile to use around the campsite or out on outdoor adventures.
