Best Hunting Knife Reviews | Comprehensive Buyer's Guide

When it comes to hunting, you need the best equipment you can get. While skills, experience, and knowledge are all handy out in the field, without the proper gear to help you get your next kill, you will be coming home empty-handed. Typically, there are two camps in the hunting world: rifle or bow and arrow. Most hunters will choose the former since it’s far easier to master and doesn’t require you to get as close to your target. Regardless of whichever method you use, however, one thing that should always be by your side is a quality hunting knife. Even if you were some kind of uber-hunter who liked to kill with his bare hands, you would still need a knife to help you skin and gut your prey.

Today I’ll be showing you some of the best hunting knives on the market, as well as show you what to look for when picking out your ultimate survival tool.

12 Best Hunting Knife on the Market

Picture	Name	Type	Editor Rating	Price
	Benchmade Knife 585 Mini Barrage Plain Satin Blade	Folding		Check Price
	Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife	Fixed		Check Price
	Buck Knives 105 Pathfinder Fixed Blade Knife	Fixed		Check Price
	Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 PlainEdge Knife	Fixed		Check Price
	ESEE Knives LSP Laser Strike Fixed Blade Knife	Fixed		Check Price
	Cold Steel Spartan Folding Knife 21SC	Folding		Check Price
	Kershaw S30V Blur Knife	Folding		Check Price
	Buck Knives 113 Ranger Skinner Hunting Knife	Fixed		Check Price
	SOG Specialty Knives	Fixed		Check Price
	Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival Knife	Fixed		Check Price
	Kershaw 1085 Diskin Hunter Knife	Fixed		Check Price
	Buck Knives 110 Famous Folding Hunter Knife	Folding		Check Price

How to Choose the Best Hunting Knife

Even though buying a knife would seem to be a pretty straightforward process, there are actually a lot of things you have to consider when making your decision. Most experienced hunters won’t just have a single knife for all occasions, but instead will have different knives that are best suited for the task at hand. Simply put, you don’t want to skin a deer with a knife that’s meant for wood, and vice versa. Here are the top things you should think about when choosing the right hunting knife for you.

Fixed or Folding Blade

When it comes to knives of any kind, there are two basic varieties: folding and fixed blades. If you’ve ever had a pocketknife, then you’re familiar with a folding blade, and if you’ve ever had a knife with a sheath, then you know what a fixed blade looks like. To determine which is better for different situations, let’s break them both down.

Folding Blade

If you want a knife that you can carry around and use for simple tasks, like cutting rope or sharpening a stick, then a folding knife is perfectly fine. The benefit of a folded knife is that you can put it in your pocket without worrying about it stabbing you as you walk. Typically, a folding knife will be part of a multi-use tool, like a Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman. For most people who like to go outdoors, a pocket knife or multi-tool is a perfect addition to your gear, even if you bring something a bit more sturdy as well.

In addition to the standard pocket knife, folding knives do come in much larger sizes. You can get a hunting knife that folds in half, and typically what these are are “lock-folding” knives, which means that once the blade is fully extended, it locks in place, so you don’t have to worry about the blade caving in while you’re using it. Locking fold knives can be a great asset in many situations where you need a bigger blade.

Fixed Blade

While a fixed blade knife is a very simple concept, there are a wide range of blades from which you can choose, so picking a “fixed blade” knife is not really that easy. Nonetheless, a fixed blade just means that you cannot fold the knife, so you have to cover the sharp end with something, which is usually a sheath. I’ll get into the different blade styles next. Ultimately, however, if you are serious about hunting and want a knife that can get the job done, you will need a fixed blade to do it.

Blade Style

As I mentioned, there are numerous styles of fixed blade and each of them is suited for a particular purpose. For your convenience, I’ve outlined them below.

Sheath

Assuming that you choose a fixed blade knife, then you have to determine the best sheath to go with it. Some sheaths have a special loop so you can clip it to your belt, other sheaths have a pocket so you can hold other items (such as matches) inside, so it will really depend on how functional you want the sheath to be. You can also choose between synthetic materials or leather as the material. Personally, I prefer synthetic since I find them to be stronger, but purists may prefer leather.

Other Considerations

While the blade type, length, and style are probably the most important things to consider, you’ll also have to keep in mind these other factors when picking out your knife.

Recommended Best Hunting Knife Reviews

Benchmade Knife 585 Mini Barrage Plain Satin Blade

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First on our list is the Benchmade 585 Mini Barrage Plain Blade Knife. Benchmade is one of the top brands of knives out there, and they have a long history of making high-quality hunting knives. The Mini Barrage is a perfect example of Benchmade’s commitment to excellence, making this a perfect knife for camping, hunting, and everyday use.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Mini Barrage is that it’s a folding blade knife. This particular unit uses a locking mechanism so that you still have the same level of control and sturdiness as you would with a fixed blade. The shape and contour of this knife make it a drop point, so it’s perfect for cutting and skinning.

The blade is made of 58-61 HRC stainless steel, so it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and can take a lot of abuse. The blade itself is almost three inches long, making it smaller than most hunting knives. However, it’s limited size just makes it that much more portable and versatile.

Carrying this knife is easy since it comes with a reversible pocket clip so you can take it with you anywhere you go. As I mentioned, this knife is handy in a variety of situations, making it ideal for everyday carrying (EDC).

The handle of this knife is made of Valox material, so it’s easy to grip and will last for years. There are special grooves in the handle to help keep your fingers steady as well. The handle is four inches long, bringing the total length to about seven inches.

This knife is proudly made in the USA and weighs only 3.5 ounces.

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Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife

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Next, we have the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Knife. You’ll notice that the word companion has been intentionally misspelled since this knife is perfectly suited for camping. Ka-Bar is another high-quality knife manufacturer, and the Becker BK2 is a shining example of the company’s commitment to bringing its passion for the outdoors to your hands.

This is a fixed blade knife, so it is very sturdy, reliable, and can take a lot of punishment. Unlike a locking blade knife, this model can absorb impact much better, so if you need to make a final kill or punch through tough bone, you can do it with this knife. What you’ll also notice is that the whole thing is solid black, making it look as cool as it feels. Also, it goes without saying that since this is a fixed blade model, it is also full tang, meaning the blade passes through the handle.

The blade itself is a drop point style design, so it’s perfect for cutting, skinning, and making incisions. You have lots of control with drop point knives, and the Campanion is no exception. The blade is also made of high-quality 1095 Cro-Van steel. While this material is durable, it can rust, so you will need to take better care of this knife than if it were made of stainless steel. Finally, the blade is 5.5 inches long, so it’s perfect for most hunting situations.

The handle of this knife is made of Grivory material, and it is formed to fit your grip. Although the texture of the handle is smooth, the shape should help you keep it in your hand while working. The handle is also five inches long, making the overall length of this knife 10.5 inches.

The Campanion is also made in the USA

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Buck Knives 105 Pathfinder Fixed Blade Knife

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When it comes to hunting knives, no company is quite as synonymous with the sport as Buck Knives. The 105 Pathfinder Fixed Blade Knife is a shining example of the company’s long history of making top quality hunting gear, and this is one of my favorite knives to carry around. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that a knife like this is more of a stallion than a workhorse, so while it can get the job done, don’t use it for anything especially hard or troublesome, lest you damage the beauty of it.

If you want a hunting knife that looks as good as it cuts, then you can’t do any better than the 105 Pathfinder. This five-inch full tang knife is covered in beautiful Cocobolo Dymondwood with a brass fitting at the bottom. This is the kind of knife that is in hunting paintings and looks good mounted on the wall. However, beauty aside, it still has the durability and performance you need out in the field.

The blade is made of 420HC steel and comes in a straight edge style. Straight edge knives are similar to drop point, except that they have a finer tip which makes them ideal for piercing as well as cutting and slicing. This is a good knife for general purpose use, but you could use it for a finishing kill or to skin a small animal if you had to.

To match the style and grace of the knife itself, the Pathfinder also comes with a genuine leather sheath so you get the whole package. The sheath also has a loop so you can wear this knife on your belt and become the envy of all the other hunters out there.

The Pathfinder is made in the USA and comes with Buck’s limited lifetime warranty.

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Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 PlainEdge Knife

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Next, we have the Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 Plain Edge Knife. Bushcrafting refers to the ability to make items out of materials you find out in the field, which means that this knife is perfect for anyone who has wilderness survival skills and needs a capable tool to help them out in the woods.

Like most of the knives on this list, the Spyderco Bushcraft is a drop point style knife, which makes it ideal for almost any situation. Whether you’re sharpening a piece of wood or skinning a fresh kill, this knife can handle it all. It is a fixed blade, full tang knife too, meaning it can handle cutting, chopping, slicing, and stabbing.

The blade itself is four inches long and made of high-quality O-1 Carbon Steel. However, since it is not stainless, you will need to take extra care to prevent it from rusting over time. The blade is also .14-inches thick, so it can slice and dice really well.

The handle of this knife is made from solid G-10 material, and it’s contoured to fit your hand. The handle is five inches long, bringing the overall length of the knife to nine inches. There is no hand guard on the handle either, so you have to watch out for slipping while you work to avoid any nasty accidents.

This knife also comes with a synthetic sheath that has a belt loop so you can wear it around your waist and have it within easy reach.

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ESEE Knives LSP Laser Strike Fixed Blade Knife

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Next on our list is the ESEE LSP Laser Strike Knife. While ESEE is not quite the household name as Benchmade or Buck Knives, the company does make a lot of high-quality gear, and the LSP is a perfect example of the brand’s commitment to excellence.

The LSP is a fixed blade, full tang knife which means it can hold up to a lot of punishment and abuse, including high-impact uses like stabbing, chopping, and cutting. It’s also a drop point style blade, so you can use it in a wide variety of situations.

The blade itself is made of 1095 carbon steel and is 4.75 inches long. The blade is also powder coated to last longer, but you will still need to take care of it to prevent rusting over time. The belly is .18 inches thick, making this knife perfect for slicing, cutting, and skinning.

The handle of this knife is probably the most remarkable feature since it is removable. Why would you want to remove it, you ask? Well, because there is a ferro flint and tinder inside, of course. Thus, if you’re ever out in the field and need to make a quick fire, you can use this knife to get you started.

This model also comes with a Kydex sheath that has a belt loop so you can wear it on your waist. It also weighs 14.4 ounces and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Basically, if the knife breaks, the company will replace it.

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Cold Steel Spartan Folding Knife 21SC

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When it comes to folding knives, you can’t do a lot better than Cold Steel Spartan knives. The company has long strived to make the best folding knives on the market, and the 21SC model is one of the best ones that they offer. What makes this knife so great is the handle design, which is made to give you the best grip possible. Basically, you can do almost anything with this knife, and you’ll never lose your hold on it.

The blade for this knife is a Kukri style model, which means that it curves down and has a more pronounced tip. In fact, the company tries to model the blade after the spears used by the Spartan army, so you know that it’s made to do some damage. In modern terms, however, this is a clip point blade, so it’s perfect for stabbing, slicing, and cutting.

The blade itself is made of high-quality BD1 Alloy steel, and it’s only 4mm thick, so you can slice almost anything with pure ease. The length of the blade is also 4.5 inches, so it’s perfect for a lot of different situations and environments.

As I mentioned, the handle on this knife is insane, but in a very good way. The contour of the handle conforms to your fingers, but what sets this knife apart is that there are two edges on either end to keep your hand from sliding out. You can whip this knife around and never lose touch with it. The handle is also six inches long, bringing the overall length to 10.5 inches.

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Kershaw S30V Blur Knife

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When it comes to the best hunting blades, few brands are quite as capable as Kershaw. I’ve used Kershaw knives multiple times, and I am always a big fan of their durability, versatility, and performance. The S30V Blur Knife is one of my favorite models from Kershaw, and it’s easy to see why.

This handy knife is made with high-quality S30V Steel (hence the name) which will stand up to the elements as well as time. If you take care of this blade, it will last you a lifetime. The Blur Knife also gets its name because it’s a foldie, which means that you can whip it out in a blur, should the need ever arise. This particular model has SpeedSafe assisted opening so that you can pull out the blade with one hand. This is a drop point style blade, so it is perfect for all kinds of conditions and situations, making this one of the better folding knives on this list.

To help you in your cutting, slicing, and stabbing, the Blur comes with a stonewashed finished handle that is also made from Trac-Tec material for better grip in wet conditions. Having dressed my share of animals, I know how slippery your hands can get, so you need a knife that won’t slide out of your hand while you work.

Finally, this knife is seven inches long, with a three-inch blade and four-inch handle. It weighs only four ounces, and it is proudly made in the USA.

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Buck Knives 113 Ranger Skinner Hunting Knife

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While I do love Kershaw knives, I can’t say that I love them more than Buck. Our next Buck knife is the 113 Ranger Skinner. This is another beautiful knife made by this particular brand, as Buck sure knows how to craft something that is both elegant and functional. As far as fixed blade knives go, you can’t go wrong with a Buck.

The 113 Ranger is made of top-quality 420HC Steel, which is designed to withstand the elements as well as stay sharp for longer. This is a fixed blade, full tang knife, so you can have total control over your movements and actions. The blade style is drop point, which is perfect for almost any situation, making this both beautiful and versatile.

To complement the sturdiness of the blade, the Ranger also comes with a gorgeous polished walnut handle. Buck likes to make knives the traditional way, and with this handle, the Ranger looks at home in a wildlife handbook from the 1800’s. If you like a classic look and feel to your knives, then this is a good buy.

In addition to the walnut handle, this knife comes with a genuine leather sheath. For your convenience, the sheath already has a lanyard hole punched into it, so you can carry it with you wherever you go

The 113 Ranger is a seven-inch knife, with a three-inch blade and four-inch handle. It also comes with Buck’s signature limited lifetime warranty, and, like many other knives on this list, it is proudly made in the USA.

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SOG Specialty Knives

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Next, we have the SOG Specialty Knives and Tools Huntspoint. SOG is an excellent crafter of modern survival knives, and the Huntspoint is a perfect example of the company’s commitment to excellence. If you want something that is both durable and sleek, then this is the knife for you.

The blade of the Huntspoint is made of S30V Stainless Steel. I always prefer stainless over other metals, simply because it holds an edge better, won’t rust, and requires less maintenance. That alone makes this knife top quality, but it does have some other features to help push it over the edge. The blade style is a straight edge, which makes it ideal for stabbing, slicing, and cutting. The benefit of straight edge knives is that you can steady the blade with your finger on the spine. The Huntspoint is also a fixed, full tang knife.

To help you keep your grip while you work, this knife has an ultra modern glass-reinforced nylon and rubber handle. While I love the feel of wood in my hand, the nylon and rubber help keep the knife steady as you cut and slice. If your hands get bloody (as they probably will), you’ll want something that can keep its grip even while wet.

The Huntspoint is an eight-inch knife, with a 3.6-inch blade and a 4.6-inch handle. It weighs less than four ounces and also comes with a sleek all black leather sheath. For your convenience, the sheath already has a hole punched through it so you can carry it on your person at all times. The Huntspoint also comes with SOG’s limited lifetime warranty and is made in the USA.

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Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival Knife

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If the SOG Huntspoint was not sleek enough or modern enough for you, then the Schrade SCHF9 is probably one of the more futuristic looking knives I’ve come across. This is another survival knife like the Huntspoint, but one look at this model, and you’ll think you're part of some covert ops team.

The SCHF9 is a very capable and highly durable knife made of 1095 high carbon steel. The carbon level of this knife makes it much less likely to break or snap, even if you stab your prey right in the ribcage. This is another fixed, full tang blade as well, so you also get the stability of having one solid piece of metal rather than a folded blade. Also, the style of this blade is drop point, so it will be a formidable knife to carry with you at all times, even when you’re not hunting.

The handle for the SCHF9 is contoured to fit your fingers, meaning that it has an incredible grip that won’t slip easily, if at all. In addition to the contouring, the handle also has TPE rubber scales so you can benefit from gripping a textured surface, rather than a smooth one.

Unlike some of the other knives on this list, the SCHF9 is much longer and more powerful, coming in at a whopping foot long and weighing almost a pound. If you want something that can handle big jobs, this is probably the knife for you. Although at that size, I would not recommend it for skinning or dressing your kill, as it can be a bit unwieldy.

Finally, this knife comes with a sturdy nylon sheath and has a limited lifetime warranty from Schrade.

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Kershaw 1085 Diskin Hunter Knife

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Coming back to Kershaw, we now have the robust and highly capable 1085 Diskin Hunter Knife. This particular model is probably one of the more common knives I’ve seen, and it’s easy to see why. The Diskin has all of the features you need and the look that many hunters covet, so it makes sense that many people trust this to be their standard hunting knife.

The Diskin comes with a 4.5-inch blade that’s made of Sandvik 14C28N Steel. This is probably one of the stronger forms of steel out there, and it shares a lot of traits as stainless, making it one of the better materials out there. The style of this blade is drop point, so you can use it for a wide variety of purposes, from stabbing, cutting, and slicing. The Diskin is also a full tang fixed blade, so you have extra stability and control while working. Another thing to note about this blade is that the spine is extra wide, so you can get better precision while skinning since you can hold your finger on the spine as you cut.

The handle of this knife is made of textured G-10 scales, so you won’t lose your grip while you’re working. Blood on your hands can be a significant problem, as your knife may slip and you’ll cut yourself instead of your prey. With these scales, slippage becomes much less of an issue. Also, for appearances sake, the handle has a beautiful stonewashed finish.

The Diskin knife is almost ten inches long, with a 4.5-inch blade and a five-inch handle. It also comes with a genuine black leather sheath, and it is proudly made in the USA.

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Buck Knives 110 Famous Folding Hunter Knife

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Last, but certainly not least, we have the Buck 110 Famous Folding Hunter Knife. While I generally prefer Buck’s fixed blade knives, I do love the 110 Famous both for its simplicity and elegance. This is a good knife for small jobs, but you could do some skinning if you had nothing else available. In fact, I would recommend this knife to the aspiring young hunter in your life. Nonetheless, it still makes a great backup tool to carry around.

The 110 Famous is a clip point style blade, so it’s perfect for stabbing, cutting, and slicing. The blade itself is made of high-quality 420HC steel, so it will last for years to come without breaking down or rusting on you. What I also like about this blade is that there is a notch in the tip so you can open it up easily and quickly.

​The handle of this knife is as beautiful as any made by Buck. The 110 Famous has an expertly crafted Dymondwood Handle with gorgeous brass bolsters on the end. Also, since it’s a folding knife, it has a lock back design, so you don’t have to worry about the blade closing on you prematurely.

​This knife is almost eight inches long when fully opened, and has a 3.75-inch blade and a four-inch handle. Although it does fold, the 110 Famous does come with a genuine leather sheath, so you’ll always have something to carry it in.

Finally, this model comes with Buck’s signature limited lifetime warranty and is proudly made in the USA.

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Final Verdict

When it comes to narrowing down the best hunting knife, that is something I can’t easily do. Each of these knives has a particular purpose or uniqueness to it, so it’s difficult to pick just one or two as the “best”. That being said, though I do love anything made by Buck or Kershaw, so if you pick any of those knives, you’ll be one happy customer. I would say, however, that fixed blades are typically better than folding blades, and if you don’t want a classic wooden handle, choose a knife with a textured handle. Personally, I don’t like contoured knives since they feel weird in my hand, but you may feel differently. Overall, however, all of these knives are highly rated, so no matter which one you choose, you’ll be satisfied no matter what.