In a Hurry? Our Top 3 Picks to Buy!
If you love fishing or hunting or just have a passion for wilderness expeditions, then you need a reliable hunting knife.
A sharp hunting knife is the ideal cutting tool and provides you with a lot of versatility for all sorts of hunting, from skinning small and big game, cleaning a fish, field-dressing a deer, or cutting a rope to make a shelter.
Before selecting any kind of knife, it is essential to know what purpose you’ll use it and what type of game you’re hunting for. Anyone hunting for a small game will want to be using a knife that varies from what you would use to kill a deer. Using a mini knife to clean more giant animals will make your job more complex, and you could end up cutting yourself.
There are a variety of hunting knives available in the market that fits everyone’s budget. A good hunting knife is hard to find, as any keen hunter knows. However, once you find the one you want, it’ll be with you for years.
Below is the list of Best Hunting Knife, comparison chart, and buying guide.
Comparison Chart for Top 10 Hunting Knife
| Crossbow Scope | Blade Type | Weight (lbs) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Knives 119 | Fixed | 0.5 | View on Amazon |
| Authentic ESEE | Fixed | 1 | View on Amazon |
| KA-BAR Becker | Fixed | 1 | View on Amazon |
| Gerber StrongArm | Fixed | 0.49 | View on Amazon |
| ESEE Laser Strike | Fixed | 1 | View on Amazon |
| Outdoor Edge | Folding | 0.88 | View on Amazon |
| Gerber 3221 Bear | Folding | 0.61 | View on Amazon |
| Kershaw-Emerson CQC-10K | Folding | 0.31 | View on Amazon |
| Mini Griptilian 556 | Folding | 0.18 | No products found. |
| Havalon Piranta-Edge | Folding | 0.35 | View on Amazon |
Which are the 10 Best Hunting Knife in 2023?
1. Buck Knives 119 Fixed Blade Knife
| Buck Knives 119 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 6″ |
| Blade Material | High Carbon Steel |
| Weight | 0.5 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Phenolic with Aluminum Guard and Pommel |
Buck is one of the popular manufacturers of hunting knife and provides a lifetime warranty on the product. If you like a fixed knife compared to folding knives, the Buck Knives 119 is destined to be your new tool for your next game expedition.
It is a razor-sharp 6-inch clip-point blade knife that is built from carbon steel. It provides the best strength, excellent edge retention and is corrosion resistant. The phenolic handle of Buck 119 is an aluminum pommel handle and comes with a leather sheath of high quality.
The closed length of the knife is 6″ and weighs 8 ounces. Its clip-styled blade has a sharp controllable point and ideal for detail-work, slicing, piercing through animal skin and hide. Buck 119 is a good hunting and camping knife and is provided with a nail-notch lock back design that enables the blade to open easily and close safely.
This hunting knife provides a comfortable grip and a durable finish. It has a compact size of 6 inches; therefore, you can carry it on the belt loop or into a backpack.
Reasons To Buy
- Lifetime warranty.
- Razor-sharp clip point blade.
- Balanced and comfortable grip.
- High-quality protective leather sheath.
- Use for fishing, hunting, and everyday cutting tasks.
What’s the bottom line?
The Buck 119 is a traditional hunting knife that will never disappoint the users. The blade on Buck 119 is hollow ground and one of the best in the market.
2. Authentic ESEE Model 5 Tactical Survival Fixed Blade Knife
| Authentic ESEE Model 5 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 5.25″ |
| Blade Material | Carbon Steel |
| Weight | 1 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Micarta |
The ESEE 5 is huge and heavy but not too big for heavy duties. The handle of the Esee 5 has a smooth, slick look and adds a complement to the blade. This micarta handle is perfect, symmetrical, and no gap in the approach to the blade’s back.
The black taco style sheath is made from Kydex that is a thermoplastic material with extreme durability. The sheath is lightweight and quite well designed. Another benefit of 1095 steel is great edge retention, so you don’t have to sharpen it often.
For hunting, it is a solid knife that is capable of tackling any task. This large, heavy-duty knife gives you the strength to deal with any situation.
Reasons To Buy
- Drop point.
- Super sharp.
- Full extended tang.
- Hold the edge well.
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Reasonable price and quality.
Reasons To Avoid
- Not working for precision tasks.
- Steel is prone to stain and rust.
What’s the bottom line?
The ESEE 5 is a beast of a survival knife that is suitable for heavy-duty tasks. The outstanding craftsmanship lives up to that with a lifetime warranty.
3. KA-BAR Becker BK2 Fixed Blade
| Becker BK-2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 5.25″ |
| Blade Material | Carbon Steel |
| Weight | 1 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Zytel |
For all those who spend most of the time in the field, camp, or hunt, Becker is a great option. This companion works as splitting out kindling, prying apart joints, and skinning game. It comes with MOLLE compatible hard plastic sheath.
The BK-2 is an exciting tool as it can accomplish a lot of various tasks with its small footprints. This hunting knife is suitable for batoning or splitting wood. The knife comes with a factory 20-degree edge, and the drop point profile sports a flat grind. The tang sticks out of the handle about half inches that is good for hammering or smashing without the risk of cracking the handle.
The BK-2 furnishes a spacious Zytel with a high dynamic plastic handle over its’ full steel tang. The handle material is humble, lightweight, and very tough. The sheath of BK-2 comes in plastic and nylon that is simple, lightweight, and sturdy. It has excellent retention, yielding a pleasant snapping sound when you shove the knife in place.
Reasons To Buy
- Decent chopper.
- Comfortable in hand.
- Great finishing of the handle.
- Thick enough to chop and baton.
- Steel material is good for bushcraft tasks.
Reasons To Avoid
- The textured coating on the blade causes corrosion resistance while cutting.
What’s the bottom line?
The Becker BK-2 is a quite impressive knife with high-quality material and a good finishing design. The vigorous geometry of the blade is amazing for processing wood, comfortable handle, and lightweight or functional sheath makes it handy.
4. Gerber StrongArm Knife
| Gerber StrongArm Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 4.8″ |
| Blade Material | Carbon Steel |
| Weight | 0.48 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Metal |
The evolving battlefield demands gear that provides versatile and dependable tools are designed especially for combat and survival situations. The StrongArm is a classic fixed blade hunting knife built with brute strength. It is the top-quality hunting knife and a multi-purpose that serves great for any task.
The Strongarm sheath is set up with a snap-in Molle strap allowing the knife to be carried vertically. The detachable loops of the sheath belt allow for horizontal, low-profile carry along with the waistline. This hunting knife can also be taken on the hip like traditionally and always on hand and up for the job.
The rubber grip fits comfortably in hand and comes with a glass breaker at the end. The textured diamond pattern is rough but won’t rub the hand raw, and it is perfect for cold, wet, and gloved hands. It is easy to carry around and wouldn’t weigh you down.
This knife is ideal for you if you’re looking for a reliable knife that looks and works great. The tough finishing of the blade lasts for a long run, and the 420HC steel does to keep the rust away may develop.
Reasons To Buy
- Fixed blade.
- Rubber handle.
- Sturdy and reliable.
- Premium super steel blade knife.
- Work for big or small games, hiking, or hunting.
Reasons To Avoid
- Small handle.
- Needs to be sharpened.
What’s the bottom line?
Customize to your needs in the field; the StrongArm is the smart evolution of the classic fixed blade.
5. Laser Strike Knife
| ESEE Knives Laser Strike Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 4.76″ |
| Blade Material | Carbon Steel |
| Weight | 1 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Canvas Micarta |
The simple design of the Laser Strike is the noticing thing. It involves just one piece of steel and two handles. However, it is not too comfortable to carry but gives you a lot of cutting power when you require it.
In terms of design, the blade is the heart of the Laser Strike Knife. It is a full tang design, so the knife is built around a single 10 inches slab of steel. All in all, carbon steel needs a bit more maintenance than stainless steel blade but makes up for it through its ability to take and hold a keen edge.
The sheath of the laser strike sheath is a nice piece of gear that is molded from Kydex. The impressive part is the retention system means when you sheath the blade, it locks in firmly that is not likely to fall out on its own but can be drawn quickly.
Reasons To Buy
- Solid full tang.
- Canvas MI carta handle.
- Durable and Long lasting.
- Powder coating on the blade.
- Kidded sheathing with belt clip.
Reasons To Avoid
- Plain handle design.
What’s the bottom line?
The Laser Strike is an improved ESEE fixed blade with a spear point blade shape and more ergonomic handle. For a more comfortable grip, this model does away with the striking pommel on the butt of the knife.
6. Outdoor Edge SwingBlade-Pak, Knife
| Outdoor Edge SwingBlade Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 3.6″ |
| Blade Material | Carbon Steel / 420J2 Stainless |
| Weight | 0.88 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Rubberized TPR |
The Outdoor edge has the advantage of Razor-Lite that allows consistent and accessible cutting. The fine design allows you to switchblades. The knife blades are rigid and have the additional support of a black oxide-coated blade holder.
Changing the blade with this knife is extremely safe and easy. The push-button disengaged the locking mechanism, and the blade slides right out. The rubberized TPR handle ensures a non-slip grip even when wet. The ergonomic shape eliminates fatigue during long-hour use.
The Swing Blade pak is available with black or orange handles and comes with a leather quality belt sheath. It is easy to spot on the ground, that saves valuable time in the field.
Reasons To Buy
- Rubber TPR handle.
- Durable nylon sheath handle.
- Secure lockback.
- Push button to remove and insert a new blade.
Reasons To Avoid
- Some users want long blade length.
What’s the bottom line?
The Outdoor Edge is a Signature gutting blade as it cuts underneath the skin without cutting hair. The blunt tip prevents punctured internal organs that can spoil fresh game meat.
7. Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife
| Gerber 3221 Bear Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 3.6″ |
| Blade Material | High Carbon Stainless Steel |
| Weight | 0.61 pounds |
| Blade Type | serrated |
| Handle Material | Rubberized |
The Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife manufactured by a Gerber is known for producing high-quality survival knives for the US military. It is a folding knife that uses 1/2 serrated stainless steel and has a 3/4 tang. This knife has a rubberized handle that maximizes comfort and reduces slippage.
At the butt end of the hunting-knife is a textured metal end cap. The ergonomic textured rubber grip maximizes comfort and reduces slippage. Its blade locks into a plastic sleeve that is part of the nylon sheath.
It comes with a sheath that can easily be attached to your belt or tactical backpack. The knife has a solid locking system for heavy-duty, withstand high pressure, and offers safety while closing the blade.
Reasons To Buy
- Sturdy Frame.
- Easy to hold.
- Easy to Re-sharpen.
- For all survival applications.
- Designs for outdoor activity.
- Perfect for cutting rope.
Reasons To Avoid
- Requires more sharpening for aggressive use.
What’s the bottom line?
This Ultimate Knife is suitable for people who want a severe blade yet compact and foldable. It also fits neatly into a sheath on a belt and out of the way.
8. Kershaw Emerson CQC-10K Folding Pocket Knife
| Kershaw Emerson CQC-10K Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 3.5″ |
| Blade Material | 8Cr14MoV Steel |
| Weight | 0.31 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | G10 front, 410 stainless steel back |
If you are searching for sporting, hunting, fishing, and outdoors knives, then you can look directly to Kershaw. Kershaw is about solid, crafted, and reliable that you are carrying the real thing. The carbon-rich blade is produced for hardness and wears resistance. This Kershaw Emerson’s growing series is affordable and easy to carry pocket knives.
The stonewash finish gives you a rugged look that is perfectly tough. The low-maintenance blade looks textured and hides flaws that get through use. This folding knife can open by the double-sided thumb disk or by wave opening feature.
The blade on this rugged knife is 3.5 inches long, and the handle is 5-inch long, with the overall length being 8.5 inches when it is opened. The steel blade is balanced with regard to strength, cutting, and anti-corrosion properties. It has been carved into an upswept clip point style blade.
Reasons To Buy
- Wave opener.
- Secure Lock.
- Durable construction.
- Handle provides high-performance grip strength.
What’s the bottom line?
The Kershaw Emerson Pocket knife is designed as a hunting knife capable of survival, camping, and bushcraft activities.
9. Benchmade – Mini Griptilian 556 Knife
No products found.
| Benchmade – Mini Griptilian 556 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 2.91″ |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Weight | 0.18 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Grivory (Resins of polyamide that is nylon) |
When it comes to overall functionality, you can’t beat Griptilian Knife. There are more shapes, sizes, and colors available from Benchmade. Despite the simplicity of Mini Griptilian, it is a very comfortable knife. Its polyamide resin handle looks cheap, but it’s comfortable; that’s what matters. Hunter can open it via an ambidextrous thumb hole.
Benchmade offers a couple of different blade options. It includes a partially serrated blade on some regular models and a pointed tanto (sharply angled tip) blade on custom Mini Griptilian. There is a lot of weight in the blade that makes it easy to flip the knife out fast and solid lockup.
The handle has a closed-back design, and it is held together with screws. Whether it is a version of the thumb stud or thumb hole, the Griptilian delivers alarming speed with the fastest deploying and smoothest opening. Benchmade has installed some phosphor bronze washer that you have ever seen on a folding knife. Indeed, this is a part of the reason why deployment is smooth.
Reasons To Buy
- Drop point blade.
- High-quality steel material for the blade.
- AXIS lock keeps the finger away from the blade.
- Plenty of options in color, steel, shape.
Reasons To Avoid
- Not the cheapest knife.
What’s the bottom line?
The solid performer, its reinforced resin handle make it a lightweight and comfortable knife to carry.
10. Havalon Piranta-Edge Knife
| Piranta-Edge Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Full Length | 7.25″ |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Weight | 0.18 pounds |
| Blade Type | plane |
| Handle Material | Grivory (Resins of polyamide that is nylon) |
The Piranta is a well-known brand that is a part of a new, famous family of high-quality deer hunting knives with a replaceable, razor-sharp blade. It has a lightweight design and excellent deer hunting knife with quick change, changeable blades. This alternative is not an all-purpose that you can use in a plethora of situations.
Its small size makes it suitable for field dressing knives for deer and the best skinning knife. The Piranta provides 12 blades that change out in a matter of seconds so that you always have an incredibly sharp edge.
It is lightweight and much too flimsy to take on heavy tasks; however, it can’t beat skinning and dressing. This knife comes with a sheath of reinforced nylon that contains a pocket for storing the replacement blades. Carry some extra blades with you to ensure that you have the means of skinning your prey.
Reasons To Buy
- Best hunting knives for skinning.
- Easy to sharpen and replace.
- Razor-sharp replaceable blades.
- Surgical blades change in seconds.
- Blaze orange Highly visible on the ground.
- The lightweight and small size reduce hand fatigue.
Reasons To Avoid
- Hard to clean.
What’s the bottom line?
The pocket knife appears in top choices for hunting and angling. It is one of the most effective choices for tasks such as dressing or skinning the animal. It does come with several features, and you don’t have to worry about maintenance practices.
How to Choose the Best Knife For Hunting?
While looking for the Hunting-Knife, various aspects are considered, such as blade type, handle, blade material, and blade sheath quality. Here are the guide and knife reviews to help you select the best knife for your purposes.
The Blade Shape
The most common shapes of blades are clip point and drop point blades.
The clip-point shape comes to a sharper end and is better for delicate and detailed work. The end of the blade is more pointed, and it is also more susceptible to breaking if you use it to pull things apart or open cans and such.
The drop point shape is more durable and can resist all kinds of lateral pressure. It has a balanced design, and blades curve slightly downward toward the point of the blade. Drop point hunting knives like the Benchmade Hunter Knife and Case Drop Point Hunter Knife has a razor-sharp pointed end that is stronger than the pocket clip point blade. The only downside is that you’ve to be careful if you’re using it for a small game like fish or bird since the strong blade can damage the internal organs.
Straight Edge Blade
It has a single-edged blade that curves downwards toward its point, whereas another side of the blade is flat, an unsharpened edge that allows to press down on this edge with fingers to increase the knife’s cutting force.
Its increased thickness of the blade gives extra-strength for difficult tasks. The straight-edge blade is great for splitting kindling, cutting-rope, and slash through tree roots.
Fixed or Folding
Hunting-knife blades are either fixed or foldable. Old-timers generally prefer the fixed blades, while new hunters favor the foldable style hunting knives. A fixed blade hunting knife is more durable than folding as it has fewer mechanical parts to deal with and break. This fixed knife comes out of the box ready to handle heavy-duty jobs, even expected to go through bone without running the blade. These fixed-blade knives are easier to clean and maintain.
On the other hand, the Folding blade knife is more versatile in its use and can easily be hidden and taken out quicker than a fixed blade knife. You can carry it in a pocket in situations where it would be a burden to have a sheath on one side. However, it is harder to clean and less sturdy.
Blade Material
There are various hunting knives on the market, two primary types of material used in the best hunting knives, i.e., stainless steel and high carbon steel (HC steel). HC steel is expensive than regular stainless steel. HC steel is easier to sharpen, holds an edge better, and resists corrosion. It is best for hunting.
Stainless steel is made up of various components like nickel, iron, carbon, chromium, etc. It is rust-resistant but lacks carbon razor sharpness and is known to stain in some environments. Depending on their use, aren’t going to be shiny trophies, in the long run, so the staining may not be a big deal.
The carbon blade is sharpest and simpler to care for and sustain that sharpness. The dulling of the blade isn’t a big issue at all. It needs the most care, and it can rust and discolor very quickly, even if cared for. A good warranty is vital when buying a Carbon Steel knife, as it becomes a game to avoid corrosion.
Tang
Full tang indicates that the steel of the blade doesn’t stop at the handle. It continues through the handle to the butt end without interruption. This design of hunting knives is subjected to vigorous use. If the blade gummed onto the end of the handle, it would become loose.
The Handle
The handle is usually an overlooked part in hunting-knife, and depending on what the hunter is looking for, it can make a big difference in the way the blade is used.
It should allow you to get a good grip on the knife and allow you that flexibility throughout the skinning or cutting process. It is made of polished wood like the Buck hunter knives or ABS plastic Elk Ridge Knife or leather-like the case deer hunting knife.
Leather and wood is a stylish option and feels solid and heavy in hand. Even plastic is lightweight and easy to keep clean and can give a solid grip.
The Sheath
A good Knife comes with a sheath as a part of the package. It keeps the knife safe and secure and protects you from cutting your leg open. It is also designed to keep the blade in good condition and. This sheath can be made out of nylon or leather.
The leather sheath is highly durable and long-lasting. However, it may need re-stitching after heavy-duty use. Whereas nylon is easy to clean and lighter, it doesn’t look as stylish as leather. It can be a flimsy material.
Gut Hook Blades and Hand Guard
It is the best tool for gutting animals and dressing as the extra-fine hooked blade enables you to unzip an animal’s skin for quick and easy gutting, cleaning, and skinning.
A handguard prevents the hand from slipping onto the blade, which can give you a nasty cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between the Serrated Edges and Fine Edges?
There are two types of the blade edge, i.e., serrated or fine.
| Serrated | Fine |
|---|---|
| It can be used for cutting through cartilage and bone of an animal. | It can be used for skinning animals. |
| It is Used for sawing through wood. | It is Used for cutting through animal flesh. |
| Cutting through certain materials (i.e., rope) | Chopping wood and Cutting through certain materials(i.e., Fishing reel) |
2. What is Bowie Hunting Knife?
The Bowie Hunting Knife is a popular type of fixed knife. It has a large blade and a simplistic design with a crossguard on the hilt.
