Camping knives can be found in a wide variety of designs, sizes, and forms. With our buyer’s guide to the finest camping knife on the market, you’ll be able to zero in on the model that caters most closely to your preferences and requirements in the great outdoors. A nice camping knife might be one of the most useful tools for a camper. Even while you probably won’t be using yours to defend yourself against lions, bears, or crocodiles like Indiana Jones did, you will still need a trustworthy knife to finish various activities around your campsite. You’ll be surprised at how many things you can do with a camping knife, from chopping wood to skinning wildlife to cooking meals for the evening.
Best Pocket Knife for Outdoor Adventures: Reviews
Comparison Chart
StatGear Surviv-All Fixed-Blade Bowie Knife with Sheath, Firestarter, Sharpener & Cord Cutter for Hunting Camping Outdoors Hiking EDC
Benchmade – Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife Made in USA with Leather Sheath and D-Ring, Drop-Point Blade, Plain Edge, Satin Finish, Green and Red Handle
1. Gerber Strongarm
Because it has so many useful features, the Gerber Strongarm is our pick for the finest knife to bring camping. The robust blade of the Strongarm is made of 420 high-carbon steel, making it an excellent tool for operations requiring chopping and slicing. Although it seems light in your hands, because to the high quality and strength of the full-tang fixed blade, it is capable of doing more difficult tasks. The edge retention of this blade is likewise of the highest caliber.
Product Highlights
Gerber Legendary Blades, which is based in Oregon, has become a well-known brand in recent years because to an endorsement from Bear Grylls, who is known for being an expert in survival. The Strongarm should be the first stop for anyone who is interested in perusing the comprehensive catalog that is offered by this company. Because it is called the Strongarm, you may assume that this sword is…well, strong! The manufacture of this blade was done with long-lasting 420 high-carbon steel by its designers. Because of this, the blade is an excellent pick for campers who anticipate doing a lot of chopping and sawing while they are out in the wilderness.
The drop point blade of the Strongarm measures 4.75 inches, which means that it is capable of effortlessly handling many difficult chopping chores on its own. The Strongarm has a total length of 9.8 inches when measured from the tip of the weapon to the end of the handle. In terms of weight, the Gerber Strongarm clocks in at 10 ounces, which is relatively light for a model that features such high carbon content and heavy-duty construction. One of the more appealing aspects of the design of the Gerber Strongarm is a curve on the grip that acts as a barrier between your finger and the blade. While you’re using this product, your hand will be prevented from slipping thanks to the safety holder.
The fact that the Gerber Strongarm may be customized with the least amount of effort makes it yet another advantage of this particular model. You had the option of selecting a blade with either a fine edge or a half-serrated edge. The edge with the half-serration is an excellent choice to make if you anticipate undertaking a significant amount of sawing activity. The Gerber Strongarm offers a variety of color options in addition to allowing you to select the style of blade you want. You have the option of purchasing an all-black variant if you prefer to keep a low profile with your blade. In addition to that, there is a design that is gray and has a black blade with a brown handle.
Each Gerber Strongarm comes equipped with a MOLLE strap that can be used to store and secure your knife. This provides an additional layer of protection. Those individuals who are accustomed to working with a lightweight camping blade and are thinking about making the switch to a high-carbon product may think about giving the Gerber Strongarm a shot. This high-carbon product has a lighter feel than other high-carbon products, but it still has the essential weight to execute all of the jobs that you would expect these blades to perform.
Pros
- Sharp edge made of high-carbon steel
- Optimal handle design
- Mid-range The weight of 10 ounces makes it simple to transition into.
- There is a large selection of blade patterns and color combinations to pick from.
- Flat grind that is perfect for food preparation.
- Finger groove for easier handling
Cons
- There are no neon hues or alternatives that illuminate in the dark.
- Because of its low weight, it is not suited for doing an excessive amount of labor that is physically demanding.
2. KA-BAR Becker Campanion BK2
Buyers interested in a value play should investigate the KA-BAR BECKER BK2 before making a purchase decision. This blade strikes an excellent balance between its price and its level of power.
Product Highlights
The KA-BAR BECKER BK2 was designed by the renowned knife specialist Ethan Becker, and it features a 1095 cro-van steel blade that is extra thick. The width, thickness, and weight of this blade are the three characteristics that best define it. If you conduct a lot of chopping jobs that require a lot of strength and power, this blade will serve you well.
Because it has a full tang and a fixed blade, the KA-BAR BECKER BK2 is among the knives on our list that can withstand the most pressure and provide the most support. In addition to this, its thickness of 0.25 inches makes it almost impossible to break. There is a choil near the handle of this knife, which may be used to help sharpen the blade, strike rods, or even as a fire starter. This choil is another great feature of this knife.
Pros
- Cro-van steel that is both thick and resilient in its blade.
- Ethan Becker, the well-known chef, was the designer of this dish.
- Sharpening and lighting fires are both made easier by this handy choil.
- Both the coating on the blade and the handle are interchangeable with other KA-BAR models.
- Excellent edge retention and Lanyard hole
Cons
- A nylon sheath has the potential to hone the blade over time.
- Blade requires care to prevent corrosion
3. Morakniv Companion
With dimensions of 4.1 inches in length and 0.1252 inches in thickness, the Morakniv Companion is one of the more compact blades on our list. The entirety of the Companion clocks in at 8.8 inches in length and weighs a scant 4.8 ounces. It is important to point out that despite the fact that the blade is made of high-carbon steel, it is tough, long-lasting, and more than adequate in size for the majority of the tasks that need to be done at a campsite.
Product Highlights
The rubber handle is substantial in size and provides a great deal of support for the grasp. When you use this handle, you will realize that you are not getting the full tang stability that you are accustomed to, but this is the trade-off that comes with purchasing a model from the more affordable end of the price spectrum. If you want to start a fire in the wilderness with your Morakniv Companion, you will need to make some adjustments to the spine and sharpen the rear edge first. This is because the spine was not intended to be used for striking a ferro rod in the first place.
You have the option of selecting a Morakniv Companion Knife in either a stealthy camouflage pattern or a bright orange finish for your knife. You will receive a warranty that lasts a lifetime, regardless of the design you select. Customers receive, in addition to the lifetime warranty, a plastic sheath that has a belt clip attached to it. This blade is capable of performing fundamental duties, despite the fact that the Morakniv Companion has a number of glaring deficiencies. The high-carbon blade is not only formidable but also long-lasting, and the blade’s low weight makes it convenient to carry.
Pros
- High-carbon steel blade designed in Sweden
- Large knob with a comfortable gripping surface
- Designs that are either understated or bold in color, your choice.
- Lightweight and compact for the convenience of the user.
- Warranty good for life
Cons
- The majority of the other blades on this list are larger than this one.
- Not capable of providing the support of a full-tang blade
- The spine requires adjustments in order to accommodate ferro rod illumination.
4. StatGear 99416 Surviv-All Outdoor Knife
The drop point blade made of 440 stainless steel that comes standard on the StatGear 99416 Surviv-All Outdoor knife has a length of 4.25 inches. This item features a full tang construction, and the blade has a sophisticated black finish. The Surviv-All has a total length of 9.5 inches when including the handle.
Product Highlights
When removed from its sheath, the StatGear 99416 will add an additional 7.5 ounces to the total weight of your travel bag. The whole weight is 15 ounces, which includes the sheath. When it comes to the sheath specifically, it’s definitely one of the highlights. This nylon sheath not only shields your blade from damage, but it also comes equipped with a ferro rod, a blade sharpener, and a strap cutter. The Surviv-All Outdoor is an excellent kit for beginning campers because it comes with all of these different characteristics.
Because the Surviv-All Outdoor locks into its sheath, you won’t have to worry about the tool slipping out of the sheath accidentally. If you want an extra layer of protection, you can wrap the handle of the knife with the tight paracord while it’s still within the sheath. The Surviv-All also has a few helpful features, such as a few green glow-in-the-dark strips on the top and bottom of the handle to help you find it in the dark, and ergonomic curves around the blade to help you gain a solid grip on it. These features can be found on the top and bottom of the handle.
Pros
- Ideal for novices
- Sheath, pommel, ferro rod, and blade sharpener are included in this package.
- 440 stainless steel blade
- This blade is easier to find in the dark because to the glow-in-the-dark marks on it.
Cons
- The large sheath is somewhat inconvenient to use.
5. Benchmade Bushcrafter 162
This time around, CPM-S30V stainless steel is used in the production of the full-tang, drop-point blade that is known as the Benchmade Bushcrafter 162.
Product Highlights
The blade on the Bushcrafter 162 measures 4.4 inches, and the handle measures 4.75 inches, for a combined length of 9.15 inches. The thickness of the blade is measured at 4.4 millimeters, while the whole weight (without the sheath) comes in at a respectable 7.7 ounces. The green G10 handle features scales that prevent it from slipping or falling while in use. Additionally, there are two thumb indentations located where the blade meets the handle, which provide a stronger grip when working on tasks that require more attention to detail.
This product comes with a buckskin leather sheath that may be attached to your belt with the provided loop. The designers have incorporated a D-ring and a snug retention strap into the product so that your blade may be kept safe and secure even when you are moving around. In addition, there is a handy loop for a ferro rod, however the rod itself is not included in the package. The Benchmade Bushcrafter 162, as you may have guessed from this description, is a luxury item; nevertheless, in exchange for the additional expenditure, you will receive some of the greatest craftsmanship we have ever seen in a product of its kind.
Pros
- Extremely durable and multifunctional stainless steel blade
- Ergonomic grip design inspired by the shape of a coke bottle
- Sheath and D-ring are also supplied for your convenience.
- Warranty good for life
Cons
- Ferro rod is not included and is quite expensive.
6. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Pioneer X
The Pioneer X Alox is an excellent choice if you are searching for a camping knife that is not only portable but also convenient and practical, and that comes with more features than just a blade that is razor sharp.
Product Highlights
Even though we are big lovers of normal knives with fixed blades or folding knives, we couldn’t leave this one off the list because it is such a classic. Although you won’t be able to do any heavy-duty work with the 3-inch blade on the Pioneer X, it is sharp enough for food prep and nearly long and powerful enough for a little bit of wood splicing. Although you won’t be able to split wood with it or do much other work of that nature.
In addition to the blade that is three inches long, you will also receive seven more tools within this very small and lightweight package. These tools include a pair of scissors, a punch can opener, a bottle opener, a small screwdriver, and a wire stripper key. If you are more interested in functionality and adaptability than raw power, then you should definitely take this one into consideration.
Pros
Sharp blade edge
Perfect for day-to-day use
Beneficial for both the preparation of food and of fire
Having a low weight (3.25 oz.)
9 instruments in total
Cons
The blade is significantly shorter and less sturdy compared to those of the other knives on our list.
7. Spyderco Endura 4
Because every single Spyderco Endura 4 has a closed length of 5 inches and weighs less than 4 ounces, you shouldn’t have any trouble stowing it away in one of your pockets. When the Endura 4 is opened up, it will have a measurement of 8.75 inches. The blade of the Spyderco Endura 4 is manufactured of Japanese VG-10 stainless steel, and it has a flat saber-ground grind. It is 3.75 inches in length and 0.125 inches in thickness.
Product Highlights
A hole with a diameter of 0.5 inches has been drilled into the blade, and the producers have attached a pocket clip to the grip of the knife. You can assist the process of inserting the blade by putting your finger through the smooth spider hole. Between the blade and the handle, there is a comfortable slope for the thumb that adds an extra layer of protection. You have the option of either turning the tip up or down to suit your needs.
The handle is constructed from fiberglass-reinforced nylon and has a length of 5 inches. Its diameter is also 5 inches. This handle has traction scales on it, which might help you obtain a solid grip on it. These scales come in especially handy while working in settings where your hands are sweaty. This Spyderco Endura 4 will not be able to do heavy-duty jobs as quickly and effectively as a device with a full tang would be able to do so. Despite this, it is an excellent choice for campers who only occasionally venture out of the area and are looking for a compact folding knife that can be carried in a pocket.
Pros
- One of the knives on our list that is the least visible and the lightest.
- Outstanding weight in relation to the length and thickness of the blade “Spider hole” facilitates the secure insertion of the folding blade
- Superior grade steel produced in Japan
- Straight out of the box, pin-point accuracy
Cons
- A full-tang knife would provide more stability.
- Due to its short blade length, this knife is not recommended for use in demanding situations.
- Quite costly
Fixed Blades or Folding Knives?
Fixed-blade camping knives are a better option than folding knives for experienced campers since they offer more cutting surface. Because a model with a fixed blade lacks any moving elements, it is more effective when used for challenging jobs such as chopping wood. Simply put, a fixed knife is more robust than a foldable knife in all aspects.
Some novice campers have the misconception that folding knives are safer than fixed blades because of their ability to be folded up and stored when not in use. The fact of the matter is that campers sustain cuts more frequently from opening and closing folding knives than they do from fixed-blade knives.
What kinds of tasks are most suited for folding knives? However, folding knives offer a distinct advantage in terms of portability. A decent camping knife that folds up can be carried in your pocket without causing any inconvenience. In addition, because folding blades are designed to be more convenient to use rather than more durable, they are less expensive than fixed blades.
Conclusion
Setting your criteria and comparing them to the knives on your shortlist are the two most important steps in obtaining the ideal camping knife for your requirements. In spite of this, if we were forced to choose only one knife to be the master of all others, we would go with the Gerber Strongarm.
The Strongarm is an excellent choice in every respect. It is built of sturdy, extremely long-lasting high-carbon steel, keeps its edge better than the majority of its rivals, is simple to use, and comes with a sheath that is exceptionally functional. The Strongarm is up to the challenge of any labor you can throw its way. It will perform admirably.
Check up the Moravnik Companion if you find the price tag of the Strongarm to be a little bit too royal for your taste. The Companion may not have a blade with a full tang and come with a sheath made of plastic, but we found that it performed admirably in each task we gave it. We were as as impressed by the Companion’s strength-to-weight ratio as we were by its affordable pricing.