Best Hunting Knives

Knives can become very specific depending on their intended use. So-called camp or survival knives, for example, have large, strong blades that can be used to tackle most outdoor cutting tasks. Flipper knives and knives for everyday carry are typically more compact and easy to store in your pocket.

Hunting knives are even more specific. They are purpose-built to process game meat after a kill, as their name suggests. Hunting knife blades range in length from 3.5 to 4.5 inches. The knife might be difficult to control if it is much longer than that. The handles measure approximately four inches in length and have a grippy texture to help with messy processing. The blade material is the same as other types of knives. Popular steels include D2, M4, Crucible Industries’ CPM series, and Crucible Industries’ D4. Modern steels are easy to sharpen and can hold their edge long enough for you to go through hunt after hunt.

It felt like it was a great time to make big decisions when we set out to plan our survey of the top hunting knives. This seemed like a great opportunity to go beyond the standard suspects and dig deeper to find the best and most interesting hunting knives from all over the globe. We wanted knives that are reliable and fun to use.

We searched six continents for knives, ranging from bushcraft blades and precision instruments, to find them. We spent hours comparing different steel alloys, handle materials and blade shapes and their edge grinds. To make sure each knife was ready to serve as your primary hunting blade, we then handed them over to Outdoor Addiction Meat Processing, Blue Mounds Wisconsin to see how they stack up against the professionals who transform animals into delicious meat.

This is one of our most comprehensive gear roundups ever. It’s a great resource for finding your favorite hunting knife among the best. Let’s get to the point, shall we?

Why you should put your faith in us

Task & Purpose is a place where people can either become a knife nut quickly or show up as a knife nut right away. We have written reviews about knives for survival, everyday carry and bushcraft. We can help you choose a knife to use in a car accident or for a swat at a target. You can bet that if a manufacturer makes bold claims about their product, we will push it to its limits with something like our road-salt immersion testing. We know there is a lot to cover, and we are proud of our ability to do it well. Sometimes, that means asking for the help of professionals who work in cutting. To ensure that our knives are in top shape, we have reached out to many meat processors and butchers.

Different types of hunting knives

Hunting knives can encompass many different things. We love to share the love for representing a variety of styles and tastes. Each case has a reason for why we made the choices we did. Below is a list of factors to be aware of and some information that we used to help us create this guide.

Fixed blade

Hunting knives used to have a fixed blade. This is still the case in most cases. Hunting knives are expected to perform a lot of work, so they need to be strong enough to withstand the abuse. They are stronger than folders because they don’t have any moving parts.

Fixed-blade knives tend to be larger than folding knives in terms of size. This is fine because hunters don’t have to limit themselves to knives that can fit into a pocket. Large blades can be useful for setting up blinds, breaking down large game, or doing chores around camp.

It is important to remember to maintain your gear. A fixed-blade knife can be kept in tip top shape by simply sharpening and oiling it. You might also want to rub some wax into its handle.

Folding

Their compact size is the greatest advantage of folding knives. Benchmade North Fork is our favorite folding knife, measuring in at 3.9 inches closed. It’s an excellent, high-end EDC knife or backup hunting knife, thanks to its sleek handle and movable clip.

No matter the type of folding knife mechanism, it isn’t as strong as a solid metal piece. For more difficult tasks, such as breaking down large game animals, folding knives are not well-suited.

Gunk can also get into the tiny moving parts of a folding knife that allow it to open and close. Sticky blood and other nasty stuff can build up on a knife used as a hunting tool. This involves removing the knife to its individual parts, cleaning them, and then putting it back together.

Hunting knives: Key features

Types of steel

The steel that was used to make a knife is what makes it worth its value. As they say, garbage in equals garbage out. Blade HQ offers a helpful resource to help you navigate the best blade steels. However, there are some basics that you need to know before you dive down the rabbit hole.

Four metrics are used to evaluate the quality of knife-making steels: edge retention and toughness, corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. Sometimes, improving one can lead to the loss of another. It is expensive to improve everything.

Each of these metrics can be considered equally important, but you will have to make the final decision on which one is more important. These knives are good in all areas, but they have different characteristics that you should consider if your goal is to really get into the weeds.

Hunting knives are essential tools for outdoormen, but choosing the right hunting knife can be difficult. There are many hunting knives available today. Are you looking for a clip-point knife or a drop-point knife? What should you choose? A folding knife or a fixed-blade hunting knife? If you don’t know the right things to look at, answering these questions can be hard. This comprehensive guide will help you choose the best hunting knife on the market.

Considerations Before You Buy a Hunting Knife

Hunting knives go beyond being a piece of hunting gear. Hunting knives are valuable tools that can be passed down to future generations. These knives often tell a story about you as an outdoorman and can even be heirlooms. When shopping for a new knife you should look for one that is well-made, functional, and that suits your personality. These two factors are important. Beyond that, you have a million other things to consider, such as handle material, blade length, overall appearance, and aesthetic preferences.

Style of Knife

There are many options for hunting knives that look and function different. This comes down to whether you want a fixed or non-fixed blade. Fixed blades are the large, sturdy knives that you hunt with. However, non-fixed blade knives such as folding blades can be just so valuable. Are you field dressing big game regularly? You will need a fixed-blade knife. Do you value portability? A folding knife is a good option. It’s very simple.

Style of Blade

This is more about personal preference than actual performance. A hunting knife will likely have either a clip point (or a drop point). Clip points look a little more tapered towards their blades point so they appear like they have been “clipped.” This will allow for easier penetration through skin. This ease of puncture means that you will need to apply less pressure and are less likely to accidentally push through organs. Although a fixed blade isn’t as effective at penetration, they are usually more durable. A fixed blade will make it easier to work with bones and joints.

As with the Best Overall winner, there may be some gray areas when a blade has been lightly clipped. Find out what is important to you and get some friends who will let you test their knives so that you can decide what you like best.

You should also note that certain blades may have special tools. We’ve chosen a favorite gut hook to include in this roundup. It’s not as practical for everyday carry but can help you make your processing life easier.