Best Camping Knife 2023 – Reviews and Buying Guide
Camping is always fun – being in the vast outdoors, fresh air, good company. Leaving all of your worries aside usually begins and ends as soon as you pack up, and that’s precisely what we want to talk to you about.
Among the most important gear pieces a camper need is a good knife – today we’ll talk to you about the best camping knives you can find on the market, so without any further ado, let’s get straight to it.
The Best Camping Knife 2023
CIVIVI Knives Tactical Folding Camping Knife
Features:
The first camping knife we’re reviewing today is CIVIVI Brazen Folding Pocket Knife, 3.5-Inch Tanto D2 Plain Blade, G-10 Outdoor Camping Hiking Knife with Thumb Studs and Flipper Opener. Its a unique tool for its price point.
What we liked about this knife:
First of all, this camping knife is plain and easy to use – it doesn’t come outfitted with complex features which only the veteran campers would be able to benefit from. What’s more, with a blade as small as 5-inch long, you can cut, pierce, or carve pretty much anything.
Secondly, the D2 steel material used in the manufacturing process of this knife shows a lot of promise. This blade is uniquely durable, and it’s safe to say that it’s one of the most reliable camping knives we’ve seen so far.
What we thought could be improved:
There’s only one issue we had with the CIVIVI Knives’ camping knife – it’s rather expensive. There are similar knives that could basically do the same thing that doesn’t cost as much, but if you want premium-quality, this model is your safest bet.
Why we picked this knife:
Camping knives are usually versatile, and this pick might seem odd as it doesn’t particularly excel in this field of performance, rather it compromises for this little flaw with exceptional reliability, supreme stability, and excellent build materials. This knife is also very easy to use, and it’s a perfect option for campers of all experience levels (newbies, experienced campers, and veterans).
Our verdict:
Surely enough, most people get the notion that CIVIVI Knives’ camping knife is all too expensive to be valuable. That might be the case if your budget is tight, in which case you might want to consider our other picks, but if you have the means to afford this knife, it will be your companion in years, if not decades to come.
Pros:
- Outstanding build quality
- Available in multi color variations and two finishes
- Looks fantastic
- Caged ball bearing system
- Suitable for campers of varying levels of experience
Cons:
- There are cheaper options
Eafengrow Snake Head G10 Folding Camping Knives
Features:
Next up is Eafengrow Snake Head G10 camping knife. It’s a 7.9-inch folding knife with a D2 blade, a half-serrated edge, and a titanium-alloy handle. It also comes outfitted with a frame-lock mechanism which prevents the blade from escaping the handle unless you need it. This knife comes in blue, gray, and green color variations.
What we liked about this knife:
Aside from its sharpness, Snake Head boasts a plain design which is absolutely ideal for camping. This knife’s serrated edge can easily cut ropes of all thicknesses, and its durability is exceptionally high. The blade is neither too long or too short, rather it’s just perfect with 3,3-inches of length.
What we thought could be improved:
Just like our previous pick, this knife isn’t exactly versatile. It’s lightweight and sharp, and the majority of features it comes outfitted with are very simple in nature – it could, perhaps, be used for self-defense, but the lack of features such as for example fire-starter isn’t really helping in terms of versatility.
Why we picked this knife:
We mainly picked Snake Head for our best camping knife reviews as it boasts a superb level of durability and reliability. The blade is small enough to be labeled as “easy to use”, and its lightweight properties make it easy to carry – in fact, you’d barely even feel it in your backpack, or on your belt.
Our verdict:
There’s an unwritten saying among campers that whichever knife you posses on a person will be the best knife you could have while camping. Any bladed tool could come in handy when it comes to cutting ropes, opening tin cans, or such, but if you’re not looking for “just about anything”, and rather search for quality, Snake Head is what you need.
Pros:
- Small blade suitable for all kinds of applications
- Available in three color variations
- Titanium lightweight handle
- Frame lock
- Great value
Cons:
- Mediocre versatility
- Pricey
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier
Features:
Knife lovers simply adore Schrade – this is one of the most famous brands in this branch, and it’s widely known that they make some of the best camping knives on the market. The SCHF36 Frontier is made of powder coated HC steel and features a drop-point blade, ring-textured handle, lanyard hole, and polyester sheath, as well as a Ferro rod & sharpening stone. The blade’s length is 5,05 inches while the overall length of the knife is 10,5 inches.
What we liked about this knife:
This is, in essence, a durable knife made by a leading brand – it will get you out of a pinch, it will serve you well in virtually every scenario, and it comes laden with a plethora of convenience features, such as lanyard hole, polyester sheath, and finger choil.
What we thought could be improved:
Apart from being pricey, SCHF36 Frontier isn’t exactly light per se. Namely, it weighs 1,44 pounds, which is nearly twice (if not thrice) as much as your regular camping knife.
Why we picked this knife:
Any camper who’s worth his (or her) salt should have the Frontier tucked in his (her) belt – you need a rope cut, a fire started, your other knives sharpened, or to defend yourself? Rest assured, the Frontier will give you the means to do so.
Our verdict:
Schrade’s knives are very popular, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check out one of their finest works. The SCHF36 Frontier is one of the most valuable pocket knives, even though it’s not exactly light or cheap.
Pros:
- A plethora of convenient features
- Polyester sheath
- Exquisite level of durability
- Premium-quality HC steel build
Cons:
- Heavy and pricey
Kershaw Clash Pocket Camping Knife
Features:
Kershaw Clash Pocket Knife, Black Serrated (1605CKTST). The 3.1” Stainless Steel Blade with Black-Oxide Coating looks great. Glass-Filled Nylon Handle with SpeedSafe Opening and Reversible Pocketclip makes this knife ideal. It doesn’t, however, feature any fancy convenience features (such as fire starter, or glass breaker).
What we liked about this knife:
First of all, we loved the sheer plainness of Kershaw Clash Pocket Camping Knife. It’s a simple knife intended for simple purposes, and campers who don’t wish to pay a fortune for a good knife should consider this excellent knife. It’s very durable, reliable, and sharp – all of the qualities a good knife needs to possess.
What we thought could be improved:
The only thing about Kershaw Clash Pocket Camping Knife that’s not exactly likeable is the grip. Namely, this knife doesn’t feel too comfortable once gripped, although it’s far from being uncomfortable per se. What’s more, the blade is incredibly sturdy, so you might need to invest extra time and effort in sharpening it.
Why we picked this knife:
If you happen to come across a camper or outdoorsman who owns Kershaw Clash Pocket Camping Knife, you’ll probably hear that this knife has a ridiculously hard steel build. On top of that, it doesn’t cost much, so there’s no reason for you to not give it a shot.
Our verdict:
Our verdict concerning Kershaw Clash Pocket Camping Knife is as positive as can be – this is a valuable, moderately pricey camping knife with a strong build that deserved its shiny reputation. All things considered, this is a great, nearly flaw-proof knife which does a major bang for the buck.
Pros:
- Plain construction
- Outstanding steel durability
- Flat grind makes it perfect for slicing
- Great value for the buck
Cons:
- Hard to sharpen
SOG Instinct Fixed Blade NB1012-CP knife
Features:
Next up on the menu is SOG’s Instinct NB1012-CP knife. This is, perhaps, the smallest camping knife in our review, being only 4,9-inches long overall. The blade is petite in size, being 2,3-inch long. The NB1012-CP is a straight, fixed-blade knife with a clip-point edge. It comes outfitted with a machined G10 handle (alternatively, you could order a stainless-steel handle), and comes with a gratis nylon sheath.
What we liked about this knife:
Small knives are ideal if you are sporting other bladed camping equipment such as machetes, hatchets, or such. This is a remarkably small knife which will easily complement your other gear – it’s lightweight, it can be carried on a belt or even boots, and it’s as sharp as they come.
What we thought could be improved:
In truth, this is a perfect knife, but it won’t do you much good if you intend to rely on it standalone. Even though it’s sharp and durable, the blade is very small, so it’s suitable for specific tasks, whereas most camping knives so far could be used in numerous applications.
Why we picked this knife:
We picked SOG’s Instinct for campers who are looking for small-sized knives. It offers a quick solution for plain problems and regular camping chores, and it doesn’t cost much in turn.
Our verdict:
SOG’s Instinct is a wonderful knife – it’s small, easy to carry and use, it’s fixed blade can pierce right about anything, and you’ll even get a hard-molded sheath made of nylon as a complementary feature. Overall, it’s very good for the money, especially if you don’t intend to camp in high foliage areas.
Pros:
- Ultra-small camping knife
- Straight edge and fixed blade
- Machined G10 handle
- Very easy to use and carry
- Decently affordable
Cons:
- Intended for specific purposes
Hori Hori Multi-use Camping Knife
Features:
Essentially, Hori Hori’s multi-use knife is, by far, the most versatile knife in this review. It’s treated as a “all-in-one tool”, as it can be used in any number of applications, including gardening, mountaineering, camping, and generally any sort of outdoor activity. It features an exquisite concave blade which can cut, slice, and pierce any conventional material, but it can also be used for digging. It features a serrated side for easier cutting and a “clean” side for easy slicing.
The handle of Hori Hori’s knife is made of African Rosewood, which is both beautiful and sturdy. You’ll also get a leather stitched sheath as a complementary feature, as well as a neat little whetstone for sharpening.
What we liked about this knife:
The plain answer to “what we liked about this knife” is “everything”. It’s absolutely perfect for camping – it’s hard to imagine a chore with which this knife won’t be able to help you out with. That being said, it’s safe to say that the versatility of this knife is sky high.
What we thought could be improved:
Even though you’ll get a complementary sheath, this knife isn’t exactly compact. You’ll be able to carry it on your belt, but it’s a bit bigger than some of the models that we’ve reviewed.
Why we picked this knife:
Affordable, durable, reliable, and versatile. These are just some of the qualities that Hori Hori’s multi-purpose knife possesses, which have intrigued us. Cut, dig, slice, rip, and pierce your way through any obstacles that may come between you and your unique camping experience with this model.
Our verdict:
Though unconventional at first sight, Hori Hori’s knife is intended for all purpose application. It’s great for camping, hiking, mountaineering, and whatever outdoor activity you can come up with. On top of that, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, so it’s easy to see why it’s so valuable for the buck.
Pros:
- One of the most versatile knives on the market
- Decently affordable
- Half-serrated, half-clean
- Complementary whetstone and sheath
Cons:
- A bit big for easy carry
Buying guide
What is it that makes the best camping knife “the best”? There are several qualities you should be looking out for.
Reliability
For starters, you’ll need a reliable knife – the one that won’t break down on you when you need it the most. Most camping knives are made of steel, the only difference between various models being in the steel type. Stainless steel knives and high-carbon steel knives are your best bet, and they aren’t too hard to find.
Blade type
Secondly, you should pay attention to the blade type – will it be fixed, straight, folded, or unfolded? You’re free to choose as per your own requirements – people who value convenience usually go with folded or pocket knives while those who rely on performance usually pick fixed-blade knives.
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Further on that point, whether you’ll use a straight-edge knife, tanto, or drop-point blade knife, it depends on what chores you’re expecting to do. Some knives are better for cutting, others slice or pierce.
Knife’s complexity – easy to use vs performance
Thirdly, there are “plain” knives which do not come outfitted with any special features, and there are “more versatile” models which do. These special features mean that the knife has more than one function, but it also means that it’s harder to use it. Again, if you value simplicity and intend to do the most basic chores, plain camping knives will do just fine. Some of those special features include the fire-starter, glass-breaker, serrated edge (or edges), and such.
Price
Lastly, you should pay attention to the knife’s price. There are models that cost well below $10 that could do the same job as models that cost $100. However, the level of reliability, the sturdiness, and overall performance in general of more expensive knives can’t even begin to compare to low-cost knives.
Conclusion
Finding and having the best camping knife on your person might make a difference – there are many ways by which you can complete certain camping chores, and having a good camping knife might be a solution for each and every one of them. We hope that you liked our selection of the best camping knife models, and we wish you good luck in finding the one best for you!
