Best Camping Knife: Reviews and Buyer Guide

A camping knife is a type of survival knife. They come in different sizes, shapes, and designs to meet various needs. The best camping knife should be able to perform a wide range of activities, including preparing food, clearing vegetation, cutting cords and ropes, and self-defense, among others.

This article reviews the 7 best camping knives for your consideration. It also provides a buying guide to help you choose the right camping knife.

8 Best Camping Knives

Below are reviews of the best camping knives. The selection includes the best camping knife overall, a budget option, a premium option, and the best multi-tool camping knife. We also identified 4 more camping knives that are great options.

1. Best Overall: Mossy Oak Survival Hunting Knife

The Mossy Oak survival hunting knife is sturdy and versatile. It can be used for survival training, camping expeditions, and military combating and is suitable for campers, hunters, and survivalists.

Its blade is serrated on one side and double-edged on the other with a clip point. The 10-inch blade is made of black anodized stainless steel. It is ultra-sharp for easy, smooth cuts.

The handle is made of rubber to provide a non-slip grip.

The knife comes packaged in a heavy-duty nylon sheath for easy storage and portability. The sheath can be fastened on a camping bag or your belt for easy carry. Aside from the sheath, the manufacturer also provides a free knife sharpener and fire starter.

Features

• Blade Materials: Stainless steel
• Handle Material: Rubber
• Blade design: Fixed

Pros

• Sturdy, fixed blade design
• Can be used for a wide range of survivalist tasks
• Durable
• Non-slip grip handle
• Comes with a storage sheath
• Comes with a free sharpener and fire starter

Cons

• Several people received faulty products

2. Great Value: Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

The Smith & Wesson delivers great value at an affordable price. It has a unique yet simple folding design. The blade is serrated on both sides with a clip point tip. It is made of black oxide high carbon stainless steel.

The stainless steel blade folds back into an aluminum handle into a small, compact size for a convenient carry. The handle is textured with finger indentions for a secure and non-slip grip.

The knife handle is fitted with a pocket clip for convenient carry. It is also fitted with a finger flipper and ambidextrous thumb knobs for an easy, quick, one-hand deployment.

Features

• Blade Materials: Carbon steel
• Handle Material: Aluminum
• Blade design: Folding, clip point

Pros

• Solid build
• Razor-sharp edges
• Lightweight and compact
• Portable

Cons

• The folding mechanism does not have a spring assist

3. Best Multi-Tool Camping Knife: Rovertac Multitool Camping Survival Knife

This RoverTac set is the ultimate go-to camping knife multi-tool. It consists of a majority of tools you will need for any camping trip.

It is suitable as a gift for men for DIY repairs, maintenance, woodwork, and house improvement projects. It constitutes of the following 18 different tools:

• Long nose pliers
• Standard pliers
• Knife
• Ruler
• Bottle opener
• Wire Cutter
• Wine Bottle Opener
• Saw
• 3mm, 5mm, 7mm flat screwdriver
• H3, H4, and H5 screwdriver
• #1, #2, #3 Philips screwdriver
• Scissors

All the blades are made of black oxidation stainless steel for rust and corrosion resistance. All the tools retract easily into the handle into one compact piece. The pliers have a spring mechanism. The knife serves as a portable EDC pocket knife. All the tools lock into place for safe handling. The large scissors are detachable and can be used separately.

The multi-tool comes in a durable nylon sheath for easy storage and portability. The pouch can be strapped to the belt loop.

Features

• Blade Materials: Stainless steel
• Handle Material: Plastic
• Design: Retractable

Pros

• 18-in-1 tools
• Heavy-duty, durable blades
• Comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
• Lifetime warranty
• Comes with a nylon sheath
• Safety lock mechanism

Cons

• Can feel bulky on the hands

4. Oerla TAC OLF-1009 Fixed Blade Outdoor Duty Knife

The Oerla TAC-1009 design constitutes 3.74 inches made of high carbon stainless steel. The blade undergoes cryogenic tempering to increase its crystalline structure, increasing its flexibility, strength, and hardness. It also improves the knife’s edge ability to retain the edge.

Its fiberglass handle has a deep index finger indentation to provide a non-slip grip. The handle also has a knuckle bolster to prevent your fingers from slipping onto the blade. The full tang knife is fastened to the handle using two bolts. The end of the handle can be used as a glass breaker.

One of the best features of this camping knife is that it offers several options for carrying. It has a lanyard hole and comes in a high-strength Kydex sheath for easy portability. In addition, the manufacture provides a limited lifetime warranty against material and workmanship defects on the knife.

Features

• Blade Materials: High carbon stainless steel
• Handle Material: Fiberglass
• Blade design: Fixed with a clip point

Pros

• Sturdy, high-quality built
• Ultra-sharp blade
• Designed and built by a retired veteran
• Durable, strong blade
• Ergonomic handle
• Portable
• Limited life warranty

Cons

• A bit pricey

5. GVDV Pocket Folding Knife

The GVDV pocket folding knife has a sleek, highly functional design. In addition, it comes with several convenience features, including a belt-clip, safety liner–lock, an easy-open thumb stud, secure lock system, and anti-slip finger groove.

The stainless-steel blade is coated with titanium and offers excellent cutting performance, and is corrosion-resistant. It has a hefty, sturdy feel. The wooden rosewood handle not only gives it a beautiful finish but also provides ergonomic handling. The knife’s locking mechanism is well designed to prevent accidental closing of the blade during use.

This EDC knife can be used for various functions, including fishing, hiking, self-defense, rescue, safety, and other outdoor activities. It makes for a great gift for both men and women. It comes packaged in a black gift box alongside a sharpening stone and flannel bag.

Features

• Blade Materials: Stainless steel coated with titanium
• Handle Material: Rosewood
• Blade design: Fixed with a clip point

Pros

• Compact and lightweight EDC knife
• Sleek design
• Suitable as a gift
• Affordably priced
• Has several convenience features
• Versatile
• Available in three different colors
• The manufacturer offers excellent customer service

Cons

• Some have a faulty closing mechanism

6. Grand Way Spring Assisted Pocket Folding Knife

This Grand Way pocket folding is well built to offer functionality and convenient handling. It is multifunctional as it can be used for camping, hiking, EDC, tactical use, utility, first aid, survival, and self-defense. It is suitable as a gift and comes with a survival eBook.

It is packed with several safety and convenience features, including a liner lock, pocket clip, thumbs stud, spring-assisted folding mechanism, and safety latch.

The pocket clip allows for easy carry. You can clip it on the pocket, belt, or your packing bag. You can easily open the blade up with one hand by gently pressing on the spring-assisted flipper. It also comes with a hole for a strapping system. The heavy-duty lock-up system prevents the blade from accidentally unfolding or opening.

Its razor-sharp blade is made of 440C stainless steel. The black coated steel offers excellent balance and hardness. It retains sharpness for long and offers excellent cutting performance. The ripped handle offers a non-slip grip.

Features

• Blade Materials: Stainless steel
• Handle Material: Aluminum
• Blade design: Folding with a clip point

Pros

• High-quality, sturdy build
• Excellent cutting performance
• Giftable
• Numerous convenience and safety features

Cons

• The spring assistant mechanism is not efficient

7. Jella Upgraded Tactical Knife

The Jella tactical knife is multifunctional that can be used for camping, hunting, and hiking. It also serves as a window breaker and a seatbelt cutter for emergencies. Its blade is made of stainless steel with 55-58 HRC hardness. As a result, it is sharp, tough, and durable. In addition, the stainless-steel material offers excellent corrosion and abrasion resistance.

It has a textured and contoured handle for easy design. The handle is also fitted with a safety lock to prevent unexpected closure. It is also fitted with a thumb stud for right and left-hand use. The opening and closing mechanism has a bearing that makes the operating mechanism smoother. It has a clip for easy carry on the belt, pocket, or bag.

The tactical knife comes with a leather sheath. It also comes with a free whetstone for sharpening convenience. It comes packaged in a beautiful black box. It is suitable as a gift for both men and women. The manufacturer offers a lifetime service of the camping knife.

Features

• Blade Materials: Stainless steel
• Handle Material: Aluminum
• Blade design: Folding with a clip point

Pros

• Simple, compact design
• Portable and lightweight
• Comes with a free whetstone
• Multifunctional
• Giftable

Cons

• Faulty locking mechanism

8. GVDV Hunting Knife

This GVDV hunting knife stands out for its ultra-sharp blade. It is suitable for different cutting activities during camping, including cutting back bushes, branches, and ropes. It has a tanto shape tip that works well to stab through hard things. The tip can also be used to open bottles or as a screwdriver.

The blade is made of black anodized stainless steel. Its handle is made of ABS for lightweight and practical handling. The polymer offers a non-slip grip even when using it with sweaty hands or wet weather conditions.

The handle has a finger groove guard to enhance safety and comfort when using. A lanyard hole at the back of the handle can be attached to the different fastening mechanisms. The knife comes in a nylon sheath for easy storage and portability.

Features

• Blade Materials: Stainless steel
• Handle Material: ABS
• Blade design: Fixed blade with Tanto

Pros

• Sturdy and durable build
• Lightweight and ergonomic handling
• Tanto tip for stabbing and piercing
• Versatile
• Portable

Cons

• Does not have a full tang design

Buying Guide: Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Camping Knife

Now let’s take a closer look at some of the factors to consider on our hunt for the best camping knife.

Types of Camping Knives

Camping knives can be classified into four broad categories:

• Fixed vs folding blade
• Locking blade
• Pocket knife
• Multi-tool

Camping knives can be categorized as either fixed or folding, depending on the blade design. A folding blade provides safety and ease of portability. However, since the blade is not permanently fixed on the handle frame, the knife may wiggle when using.

If the folding mechanism is not well thought through, the blade can come off the handle. On the other hand, a fixed blade offers great stability even when used for rigorous tasks such as cutting, chopping, pounding, and prying.

A locking blade camping knife is a hybrid between a folding and fixed knife blade. Its design aims at providing the stability of a fixed blade and the convenience of a folding knife. It has a one-hand opening mechanism for easy folding and unfolding. It also has a locking mechanism that keeps the blade secured in place when closed.

A multi-tool camping knife constitutes additional survival tools such as scissors, razors, wire cutters, opener, corkscrew, etc., all held together in a compact design. Although versatile, they are usually smaller, which comprises their functionality on more complex tasks.

Size

The right size camping knife varies depending on the particular purpose you will be using the knife for. For example, while you may need a big blade to cut through vegetation when setting up your camping area, chopping, or batoning, a smaller blade is more effective at snaring nets. Determine the main purpose you need a camping knife for and purchase one with an applicable blade.

Tang

A full tang design is the most suitable for a camping knife and other survival knives. The blade usually extends to the handle. The full tang provides sturdiness, balance, and great control when using the knife. Avoid a hollow handle. Although it makes the knife quite light, it compromises its durability and the sturdiness of the knife.

Handle Material and Design

Different manufacturers use different handle materials for their camping knives. The most commonly used materials include polymer, rubber, wood, and metal. Although wood offers a comfortable grip, it is more prone to water damage.

Plastic handles are more resistant to water damage. They are affordable but tend to be slippery and wear out fast. A stainless-steel handle is quite sturdy and durable but may feel too heavy on the hands. Rubber handles provide adequate grip but are less durable.

A textured handle offers an improved grip for comfortable and controlled handling.

Blade Material

The most common blade materials in camping knives are steel, high carbon steel, and stainless steel. Stainless steel is quite durable and rust-resistant but dulls easily. On the other hand, carbon steel is relatively corrosion resistant and holds an edge for longer. Although steel camping knives are cheap, they are prone to corrosion and lose edge fast.

Blade Shape

Camping knives come in a variety of blade shapes for different applications, as discussed below:

• Sharp Pointed Tip. The best camping knives have a sharp pointed tip. It comes in handy for a wide range of activities compared to straight, curved, or round tips. A sharp-pointed tip enables your knife to work as a self-defense tool, whether against other people or animals. Such a knife can also be used for hunting.

• Drop Point. The blade is straight but curves into a convex shape toward the front then slopes back into a pointed point. This type of blade is multifunctional and offers great strength and stability.

• Clip Point. It is a thick blade with a sharp pointed tip. It is suitable for doing detailed work and puncturing. On the downside, it is not as sturdy as a drop point blade.

• Tanto. The blade has a strong angular tip. It is best suited for piercing, prying, or scarping.

• Needle Point. The blade is double-edged with a symmetrical point. It can be used for hunting, puncturing, and self-defense.

• Serrated. Some blades are partially serrated on one part of the edge. A serrated edge comes in when cutting bones, wood, and rope.

Sheath

The right camping knife should come with a sheath for easy storage and portability. The sheath should have features such as a hole and lanyard or belt loop. The hole can be used to strap the knife to a belt or backpack. A sheath is particularly important for fixed blade knives to protect and cover the exposed blade.

Conclusion

Our pick for the best camp knife is the GVDV POCKET folding knife. It has a sleek design and performs excellently for different tasks. Our top picks include the Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding knife for its well-thought-out design and affordable price.

The best camping knives are sturdy with an ergonomic handle. They are multifunction with optimal cutting efficiency. They should also incorporate some convenience and safety features. Go for those that come with a storage sheath and easy carry feature for easy portability and storage.

Check reviews of the products you consider to ensure that they are highly rated by the previous customers, and are reliable. Once you find the best camping knife, you can then branch off and start looking for the best knife set for all your needs.

Best Camping Knives Comparison

Product Image	Product Name	Blade Material	Handle Material	Price
	Best Overall: Mossy Oak Survival Hunting Knife	Stainless steel	Rubber	$$
	Great Value: Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife Best Multi-Tool Camping Knife: Rovertac Multitool Camping Survival KnifeWORKPRO Folding Utility Knife	Carbon steel	Aluminium	$$
	Best Multi-Tool Camping Knife: Rovertac Multitool Camping Survival Knife	Stainless steel	Plastic	$$
	Oerla TAC OLF-1009 Fixed Blade Outdoor Duty Knife	High carbon stainless steel	Fiberglass	$$
	GVDV Pocket Folding Knife	Stainless steel coated with titanium	Rosewood	$$
	Grand Way Spring Assisted Pocket Folding Knife	Stainless steel	Aluminium	$$
	Jella Upgraded Tactical Knife	Stainless steel	Aluminium	$$
	GVDV Hunting Knife	Stainless steel	ABS	$$