Best Camping Knives
A comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know when selecting the perfect camping knife.
When it comes to camping, everyone’s experience is going to be unique in some way. If you are planning to spend a night at a local campground then your experience is going to be different from someone who is spending a week climbing up the sides of mountains. The level of challenge that you will be facing while camping will determine your needs when it comes to the tools you’ll need to bring on your expedition. When it comes to camping, one of the most valuable tools you can have is a good knife. In this article, we analyze everything you need to look for when selecting a knife for camping. We’ll also take a moment to give you our recommendations for the top camping knives on the market.
What To Look For When Selecting A Camping Knife
Task- Knives are like wrenches in that different situations and different jobs will require their own specific wrench size and type in order to get the job done. Similarly, where one camping scenario might require a particular type of knife, a different scenario might require another. If you plan on catching fish to eat throughout your camping trip, you might require a good fillet knife. However, that fillet knife may not be suitable for sharpening sticks or cutting through rope. You will need to be sure that you have packed a knife that is appropriate for the task you plan to complete while camping.
Size- In the world of knives, size does matter. However, bigger isn’t always better. You may find yourself in a situation where you need to make cuts in places that are cramped or difficult to reach. Or, perhaps you snag yourself with a fishhook and you need to delicately remove it from your finger. If you have an extra large knife on hand then you might have added difficulty in accomplishing your task.
On the other hand, you will often find your self in situations that require larger than normal knives. A pocketknife, for example, may not be the best option for processing a deer that you have successfully hunted. Or, if you find yourself in a landscape where you need to cut down branches or clear a walkway of high grass, you’ll want an appropriately long blade to get the job done.
Utilities and features- There are plenty of blades on the market that are more than just sharp edges. Many knives are built with a wide range of features that allow the blade to be used as a survival device and not just something to cut things with. There are knives with saws built into the opposite side of the sharp edge. There are knives that resemble good old Swiss Army knives that we all had when we were kids. If you foresee your camping trip requiring screwdrivers and can openers, you might consider purchasing one of these multi-uses devices.
What Is The Best Knife For Camping?
By now you have probably realized that there is no one true answer for this. Like so many other aspects of camping, your specific situation will dictate the type of knife you will need for your camping trip. In this section, we will examine our top picks for knives depending on your individual needs.
Top Small Knife For Camping
Kershaw Brawler Folding Pocket Knife (Amazon ASIN: B005UE6GRC)-
When you think of a small knife, you are likely imagining something along the lines of a pocketknife. You a want something small enough to work within tight quarters and that can also be easily packed away without adding any extra bulk to your camping pack. For this sort of knife, you cannot be a Kershaw.
This particular pocketknife sets a new standard when it comes to this class of blade. The high-performance steel is mixed with carbon and nickel to create a combination that is built for hardness and durability. The strength of this blade is constructed with the intent of withstanding a wide variety of uses. For the avid camper, you’ll need a blade that boasts this level of durability during your camping trip.
The blade also has an oxide coating that converts the surface of the blade steel to magnetite. This helps to protect the blade from corrosion and long-term wear. This is essential protection against moisture that you will definitely incur while camping.
The blade comes equipped with a one-handed flipper for fast deployment, which allows the user to single-handedly open the knife by simply applying pressure to the thumb stud. This little convenience is a lifesaver when you can’t use two hands to open your blade. In terms of convenience and overall durability, this blade is a must have for any true camper.
Top Large Knife For Camping
We’ve all heard the famous movie quote: “That’s not a knife… that’s a knife.” So what exactly defines a large knife? For the purposes of your camping trip, we will put the marker at portability. Basically, if the knife is too big for you to easily carry it in your pocket, it is classified as a large knife. These knives typically come with some sort of sheath or carrying mechanism due to their size. Furthermore, a large knife usually means that it does not fold down to a smaller, more compact size the way a pocketknife does.
Smith & Wesson CKSUR1 Fixed Blade Knife (Amazon ASIN: B000UUR6OI)
Smith & Wesson has long been a brand name that is synonymous with quality and this particular model of knife is no exception. Coming in at 10.5 inches long (the blade itself is 6 inches) this blade is essential for any camper who intends to tackle large jobs while camping. Do you have a rope to cut or small animals to clean for your evening meal? If so then this is the blade for you.
The blade itself is constructed from a High Carbon, Black Oxide and a rubber wrapped aluminum handle. These are ideal if you are going to be camping where it’s wet. The knife comes with a ballistic polyester sheath with a removable storage pouch and sharpening steel to keep the blade sharp.
Top Multi-tool Knife For Camping
Let’s be realistic here. How often did you really use all of the tools that came on your Swiss Army Knife that you had when you were a kid? We know what you’re thinking, “But mine came with a little plastic toothpick!” Seriously, just bring some dental floss if you are that worried about getting food stuck between your teeth. When we look for the best multi-tool knife for camping, we consider knives that are useful and that have tools that a camper can actually use. That is why we selected one of the top models from RoverTac.
This little beauty is a must-have for any camper, survivalist, or anyone who just wants to be prepared for challenges around the house. Weighing in at 15 ounces, this stainless steel tool has
Top Knife For Hunting While Camping
We’ll assume that you have already verified the rule and regulations for hunting on or around the campgrounds or park where you intend to set up camp. So now you’re considering hunting your food during your camping trip. This means that you are going to need a knife this is specially designed for cleaning meat for consumption.
Mossy Oak 2-Pieces Bowie Knife (Amazon ASIN: B01ETUX3Z0) –
As the typical bowie knife style suggests, this blade is double-edged at the point. The benefit of this particular package is that you actually get two knives in this set. The first blade is 7.5 inches long while the other is 10 inches. The double knives will be extremely helpful for situations that require different blade sizes to effectively clean your meat. You’ll also get a convenience nylon sheath for each blade. If you plan on hunting anything from small rabbits up to deer or even elk, you would be wise to have this set of knives on hand to prepare the meat for consumption.
Top Filet Knife For Camping
If catching an eating fish is on your agenda for your camping trip, you are going to need a reliable filet knife to properly clean the fish for consumption. This should go without saying but cleaning fish is a specialty process and a normal pocketknife will not do. That is why you will need a top-rated filet knife to get the job done.
DALSTRONG Filet Knife (Amazon ASIN: B06XV3H7XL) –
DALSTRONG is a mainstay in the filet knife industry and this blade should be at the top of anyone’s shopping list. The 7” blade is designed for filleting, descaling, deboning, trimming, and butterflying. Anything you can think of doing with fish filets, you can do with this blade. Its ultra-flexible and extremely maneuverable which are essential characteristics for a filet knife.