Best Hiking Knife for Backpackers

From clearing brush to opening cans, on a hike, a knife is essential. It’s crucial to your safety—and possibly your survival.

That makes choosing a good one pretty important.

The best hiking and backpacking knives are lightweight, durable, multi-purpose, and easy to use.

A reliable hiking knife needs to have a fixed full tang carbon steel blade with a drop point, a straight cutting edge, and 4 to 6 inches in length. It should also have a scandi grind and a flat 90° spine. The handle should preferably be made with Micarta or G-10 handle scales. This type of knife needs to be strong but lightweight, allowing you to carry it in a sheath or with a lanyard. Additionally, it may come with a choil to give you a better grip and a ferrocerium rod to start a fire.

Hiking knives, also known as backpacking, survival, or camping knives, serve many purposes. You can use them for chopping wood, opening cans, cutting rope, prepping food, skinning animals, self-defense, etc. For intense hikers, this type of knife can create shelters or remove branches to fell a tree. Other uses include warding off wild animals, starting fires, whittling tent stakes, cleaning fish, general maintenance, and more.

These are the best hiking knives we reviewed for hikers and backpackers ranked, in order.

• Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade
• ESEE-4
• Gerber Paraframe Mini
• ESEE Knives Izula-II
• Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
• Victorinox Swiss Army Swiss Champ Pocket Knife
• Benchmade 535 Bugout
• ESEE 6P Black
• USMC KA-BAR Knife
• Spyderco Delica 4

Top 10 Best Hiking & Backpacking Knives to Buy – Review & Buying Tips

Realistically, no single knife is going to be best for every hiker—we won’t be crowning a winner today.

What we will do is look at ten of the top hiking and backpacking knives and explore their ideal uses—our goal is to help you find the best knife for your hike in particular.

1. Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade – Editor’s Top Pick!

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Just like any other knife enthusiast, I know a good knife when I see one. I loved the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 from the first time I saw it. There is a reason why this blade peaked my interest and why I consider it as my top choice for hiking knives. This is American craftsmanship at its finest. The Becker BK2 is a marine corp. knife made for battle. The heavy-duty fixed blade field knife is ideal for camping chores.

This is a chunky knife with features of a great cutting tool. It is a tool to carry with you to the outdoors for protection and cutting activities. It is a decent knife for anyone who wants to cut or chop something fast. It is made from some of the best materials and can be used by any outdoor fanatic.

This lightweight and durable knife is your perfect companion for skinning game, splitting kindling, or even chopping onions. It has just the perfect size and thickness to allow you to cut deeply into things. The drop point blade shape with its versatile 20-degree angle gives you the ultimate cutting experience.

Grivory handle with its ergonomic shape provides balanced grip for any outdoor chore. A knife isn’t complete without its sheath. Glass filled nylon sheath keeps your blade safe and sharp. The BK2 is truly one of the greatest survivals knives out there.

You can use it to split wood and even prepare a stack for some bonfires. With such amazing strength, it is the perfect knife for tough cutting tasks.

It is easy to store safely and to carry around to wherever you want to go with it, thanks to the hard shell black nylon sheath that it comes with. Nothing can come to your way that deserves to be cut that this knife cannot cut. Its cutting edge stays sharp for longer, and that is contributed to by its durability.

Features I liked Most

• Ideal blade for performing some light to medium bush-crafting.
• The BK2 from Ka-Bar feels more solid and reliable than most other within the same price tag.
• The angle of the blade is useful for the various outdoor task.

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2. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge

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The knife that Bear Grylls himself uses can’t go wrong. However, there is a trick to using this one. If you have seen some of the episodes from “Man vs. Wild”, you’ll quickly notice how he uses them. Although you’re getting only ½ of useful cutting length, that half will be more than enough. That’s just how serrated blades are.

Spec-wise the blade has a 4.8-inch drop point shape and crafted using premium 9CR19MoV stainless steel. The overall construction is very durable. You can make quick work of paracords and other fibrous material. It also comes with an ergonomic, military-grade nylon sheath, emergency whistle, pommel, and fire starter. What more can you ask from a knife?

Seems too good to be true right? Spec-wise yes but there is a catch. In terms of actual usage and durability, there are better knives out there and costs way more. Did I mention that this one is actually pretty cheap? You get what you pay for.

Features I liked Most

• It’s cheap and highly functional. Ideal for normal use.
• Not for extreme campers, I would say this one will be best suited for average light backpackers.
• Comparable to cold steel and lesser priced Gerbers.

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3. Gerber LMF II Survival Knife

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The Gerber LMF II is a specifically designed military-grade combat knife. It’s so tough that it can cut the fuselage of an aircraft. Cutting paracords and tent ropes will be like cutting through butter with a hot knife. It has a strong blade with a serrated edge. Whether you want to cut firewood or cut through seat belts, the LMF II has you covered.

The handle has a different story to tell. The unique, pointer buttcap is made from stainless steel. It’s designed that way to break or pierce glass. You can also use it as a small hammer. The heavy end is separated from the tang that also acts as a shock absorber.

I don’t know which one is more useful. The stainless-steel blade or the over molded handle. The Gerber LMF II ensures comfort, safety, and versatility. It’s designed to adapt to any scenario you can throw at it. From the blade to the handle, everything is robust.

Features I Liked Most

• Being a fixed-blade knife, the LMF II is very strong.
• You can cut through electric cables without being electrocuted.
• The best part is you don’t have to break your bank to get your hand on this one.

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4. Ka-Bar Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife

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If you are looking for a full-size 7-inch straight-edge blade without any other extra functionality, just a pure knife then this is the one. 20-degrees edge angle, 1095 Cro-van steel, 11.875 inches in overall length, and a fixed-blade design. Now that’s what I call a perfect combat knife. In fact, it’s the most famous fixed-blade design out there.

This one is the result of American craftsmanship at its finest. Except for the leather sheath which is made in Mexico. It’s a presentation grade USMC fighting knife which means you can give it as a gift to your relative in the army. You will also get a protective leather sheath which is rugged, strong and durable.

This iconic knife is still used by many campers because of its usefulness. Just holding it you can feel the premium quality. Do keep in mind that this isn’t specifically designed for camping. But, you can still use it though. You just have to be a little creative and have extra space in your gear compartment.

Features I Liked Most

• The steel used in this knife is 1095 CroVan. Perfect for knife enthusiasts who want to adjust their own angle.
• You can sharpen it with stone and can still get a decent result.
• It will rust though, which is easily avoidable if you know how.

5. Victorinox Swiss Champ Knife

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When I was a kid, I was really into swiss army knives. When I saw this new and improved version of the classic one, I just knew I had to add this one into my list of top 10 best knives for hiking camping. This SwissChamp Pocket Knife here is the big cheese in the world of swiss army knife. There is absolutely nothing that comes close to the sheer diversity and usefulness of this one.

For your everyday adventure needs, this one is equipped with 33 functions. I’m pretty sure you won’t even use all of them. It’s nice to have some extras though. The main attraction and the most used function will be the 2.45-inch stainless steel blade. In the knife industry, more movable parts mean less durability. But that’s not the case with this one.

I’m not crazy enough to go through all the functions. But for small outdoor chores, the SwissChamp can handle them. The blade can be used to peel onions, cut small cords, and do what other pocket knives can do. If you are worried about durability, for Pete’s sake, it’s a Victorinox. The only maker of authentic and genuine Swiss Army knives. Do I need to say more?

Features I Liked Most

• The number of things you can accomplish with this one is simply mind-boggling.
• It’s like having a toolbox in your pocket. You never know which one will come in handy.
• It has just the right amount balance between size and functionality. No compromise in quality and the blade can be re-sharpened to a cutting angle of 30°– 40°.

6. ESEE 6P Black

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I know a good knife when I look at it pretty closely. There is every reason to love the ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife if you know how to tell a good knife. It is innovatively designed to give you more than you can ever imagine in cutting. This knife is strong and elegant so that it makes you proud to carry it around.

And let other people see how classy and choosy you are when it comes to hiking gear and protection tools. This knife is made from 1095 steel, which is one of the best materials for making a strong and durable knife.

You will have to keep its blade properly lubricated if you want to enjoy its efficiency and dependability. This is a true knife for the outdoors, but it is still fit for the indoors. It provides a sharp, long-lasting edge that will require just a little maintenance to stay sharp and elegant, and ready for any serious cutting task.

7. Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife Fixed Blade Knife

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It takes an experience to realize what could have made the adventure better if it was included. Let’s just face it. The Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife is the typical Swedish survival knife designed with various admirable qualities.

This is the kind of knife that you can use hard and constantly without losing its strength and quality.It has a simple and charming design that will make you look cooler in the outdoors. People love stylish but highly performing knives because they make you confident in your endeavors.

You can carry it with you to a campsite or take it along on hikes or even excursions. It can also stay with you at home for protection and survival in case you need to defend yourself. It has a modified drop point with a generous sweeping belly.

The swedge provides improved tip strength and penetrating capability. It amazes me how it can take devastating chunks out of anything that you put it to. It pounds through wood with ease and will stop at nothing.

Features I Liked Most

• Powerful cutting performance
• High-quality material
• Perfect grip
• Sleek look
• Strong blade

8. Schrade SCHF2 Extreme Survival One-Piece

This knife has a design that any knife fanatic will love. It comes with a unique design, and which makes it an excellent cutting tool. It has a beautiful blade that makes it look like a small classy sword. With its waterproof hollow handle, this knife can be used in many places, both indoors and outdoors.

I find it good for chopping and cutting tough items such as logs. You will be impressed by the quality of the handle too. It stays on your hand steadfastly so that you can cut everything with the required precision.

I’ve used to cut almost anything, including logs, ropes, brunches, and it is a real convenience for people who like to go camping, hiking, or to any other outdoor activities. Even if you were to protect yourself from dangerous animals in the wild where you are camping, this knife will be a great weapon.

It can cut a crawling snake into two like a joke. So, when you have this knife, you are safer than when you don’t have it. It serves several purposes perfectly. It’s like a small samurai sword that is designed with new technology.

9. Coleman Folding Knife

This knife is designed for the outdoors. It is a great tool for different types of outdoor cutting tasks. If you have this in your hiking gear collection, you can be sure that your hiking will be enjoyable and complete.

It is made from 3CR13 Stainless steel, which is why the blade is so strong and classy.

It cuts difficult items with precision. You can cut glass or rope when you need to. You can use it right out of the box because it comes sharp and ready to cut right from the box. I like how it is has a hollow design on the black G10 handle stone, which is unique.

Its high-quality stainless steel blade enables it to resist any hard corrosion. If you want a knife that you can use for outdoor camping and mission trip, disaster preparedness, or self-defense just in case, the CM1013 is the knife you need.

It is a spring-assisted open folding knife that locks securely into place with the use of a liner lock.

The back of its handle has a stainless steel clip that you can use to attach to your belt or bag easily.

How to Choose the Right Hiking Knife: 6 Things to Consider

Before you get into the wonderful world of knives, gallivanting in it while trying to find the best hiking knife, there are things you need to keep in mind. While there isn’t a single knife that can fit the bill for everyone, there are traits that you should look for in a knife.

Hiking Style & Intended Uses

Before buying a survival knife, you need to figure out your hiking style and what you want to use the knife. For instance, going on trails for a few hours isn’t highly demanding, and a smaller knife can do the trick. It will allow you to cut cords, open cans, and cut branches. 

However, if you’re mountaineering or intend to spend hours outside, you need a larger and rugged knife with a fixed blade. These are better for rough activities like building a shelter or batoning to chop wood.  If you’re staying outside during the night, you also need a knife with a Firestarter accessory. 

Blade Material

A camping knife requires the toughest materials, and a blade made with carbon steel like 1095 steel is a perfect choice. This blade material is stronger than stainless steel and holds an edge for longer. It will allow you to focus on your hiking activities instead of sharpening a blade regularly. While this type of steel doesn’t resist moisture like stainless steel, it does allow you to travel lightly without a sharpening stone or steel. Plus, you will always have a sharpened knife readily available for use at a moment’s notice.

Stainless steel is more resistant to rust and easier to clean, two excellent benefits for outdoor use. Still, this material can’t hold an edge like carbon steel, and you must sharpen it more often. That’s not something you want when you must think about dozens of other things while hiking.

If you want a middle ground between carbon steel and stainless steel, I recommend D2 steel. It’s more resistant to rust, can take a beating if you use it for batoning, and holds a decent edge.

Blade Size – Does Size Matter? 

Survival knife blades come in multiple sizes, but I recommend blades 3 to 6 inches long. Anything smaller than that isn’t practical, and the larger models are heavy and not as easy to carry, especially if you use a fixed knife which is the recommended design for hiking.

3-inch blades are lightweight and the easiest to maneuver. You can use it for cutting rope and precise tasks like whittling or prepping marshmallows. 

Small knife blade isn’t effective for batoning or chopping wood, for which I recommend 4-inch or 5-inch blades. These mid-size blades are heavier and sturdier, allowing you to perform rough tasks like cutting branches and preparing camp gear. 

Finally, the larger 6-inch blades are more appropriate if you plan hiking for miles and can carry the extra weight. These are excellent for batoning, cutting wire, creating a tent, and putting some distance between you and wild animals.

Blade Thickness

The ideal blade thickness to consider is anything between 0.17 and 0.25 inches. It’s an average range that doesn’t feel heavy, and it’s sturdy for most hiking tasks. You can use its strength for batoning wood, the thin edge for skinning rabbits, and the fine tip for carving snare sets. Blades with this thickness are the most versatile.

Blade Shape 

For hiking there are three types of blade shapes I would recommend: drop point, clip point, and spear point. Here’s why.

Drop Point 

Drop point blades have convex spines curving downwards from handle to tip. This one’s my favorite because it makes multipurpose blades, excellent for outdoor use. The cutting edge is sharp and smooth for tasks like skinning animals, cutting rope, or chopping wood. Unfortunately, this blade shape doesn’t have a pronounced tip, so don’t expect it to do well for piercing.

Clip Point

A clip-point blade is the second-best option. It has a straight spine running up the blade and starts curving as it approaches the tip. As a result, the tip is more pronounced and makes an excellent blade for stabbing or piercing. You can use it for precise tasks like whittling, carving, and untying tight knots. However, the tip is weak and can budge under pressure.

Spear Point

The spear-point blades are symmetrical, often with two edges running down from handle to tip. It’s the ultimate defense tool for hunters that engage in fighting or stabbing often. Therefore, you can use a cord and tie the knife to a long stick if you need to put some space between you and wild animals. You can also use it for other tasks, but it won’t be as good as the drop point for slicing.

Knife Grind

For outdoor knives, there are three grind styles worth considering: scandi grind, convex grind, and flat grind. 

Scandi Grind 

The scandi grind has the shape of a perfect triangle, featuring a flat bar-like design running down the blade and breaking into a full flat grind. This grind style produces a strong edge that’s less likely to chip under pressure. However, a scandi grind isn’t the best for slicing, and sharpening is troublesome because you must remove plenty of steel.

Convex Grind

A convex grind has a round-like shape, narrowing down up to a thin point. This type of grind creates strong edges, which are perfect for chopping. Still, you mostly see it in items like machetes, axes, and large bushcraft knives. It’s a grinding style complicated to maintain or sharpen, as it requires some skill and unique sharpening tools. Besides, it’s not good for carving or slicing either.

Flat Grind

In a fat-grind blade, the grind runs in a linear slope from the knife’s spine to the bevel of the edge. This type of grinding style is versatile, as it can be thick and heavy but also thin and sharp. It’s excellent for cutting, but you must work on the blade’s thickness if you want to use it for chopping. You often see it in EDC knives, kitchen knives, and others. The downside is that this grind style isn’t robust as the scandi, and it may not withstand the same uses.

Straight Edge Blades or Serrated Edge?

A knife with a straight edge is the most effective style for hiking tasks. It will allow you to cut ropes, slice food, chop wood, and skin animals easily. We could argue that a serrated edge is better for chopping wood or sawing, but a straight-edge blade can do the same when sharp. One of the perks of having straight-edge blades is that they are great for splitting wood and carvings. It comes in handy when you want to create a bonfire and split wood into pieces that make a good fire.

Serrated blades look great and can saw through rough materials, but they’re harder to sharpen. Plus, you’re more likely to rip through things even when trying to be cautious. This problem could mess up cords needed for camping or bags to store food. 

Some knives have a blade with half serrations and a half straight. I would recommend staying away from these gimmicky blades because they’re not good at specific tasks. Whether you use the serrations for sawing or the straight section for slicing, both feel uncomfortable and tricky to control.

A straight edge is more versatile compared to a serrated edge knife. They make better and more precise cuts through materials like metal and rope. Serrated knives have their perks too. But not as much as straight edge ones.

Fixed vs Folding 

If you are wondering which knife is better, fixed or folding blades, the answer is fixed blades. When you’re out in the wilderness and need a strong knife to put up tents and self-defense, fixed-blade knives are the only viable option. The pivot or joint section of folding knives is a flaw if you want to chop, thrust, or pry. I’m not saying folders are bad, just that they’re less likely to withstand the beating that a fixed knife can endure.

Handle Material

Many of you do not pay attention to the handle, but it might be a mistake in the long run. I can’t stress enough the importance of a handle, as it affects how you wield your blade, the way it feels, and the grip.

There are primarily five materials used to create the handle: wood, bone, metal, plastic, and glass-reinforced nylon or synthetics.

While I like wood for its good looks, this material doesn’t do well against exposure to water or humid environments. It doesn’t make for good handles. Bone also looks great, and it’s more resistant than wood, but it’s a more expensive option. Plastic is cheap weak, and not something you want for baton or heavy-duty tasks. Metal handles are alright for the most part, but they may be slippery if the scales don’t have textured layers.

The ideal handle material is Glass-Reinforced Nylon or other synthetics like Micarta or G-10. These materials are almost indestructible, offering the resilience needed to withstand the abuse. These knife handles also have textured scales that secure a comfortable, non-slip grip if you need to prep fish or slice meat dripping blood.

A 90 Degree Spine 

The spine of a survival knife can vary a lot. For example, the KA-BAR USMC has a 90-degree spine that works as a hitting platform if you hit it with a rock or stick to split wood. This angle is the one I recommend because you can also use it with a ferrocerium to start a fire in a single stroking motion without interruptions. 

Other knives like the ones made by Lile and Parrish feature a serrated spine, which is supposedly good for ripping belts, rope, and fabric. This spine style is also effective for batoning, but the surface isn’t as consistent as with a plain 90° spine. It’s ultimately up to you to decide which one works better for you.

Choil

I would say that a choil is a necessary feature on a camping knife if the blade is longer than four inches. On small blades, a finger choil consumes a section of the cutting edge that you may need for slicing. However, larger knives with a choil give you extra room to get a solid grip to cut through rough items like wood or carving. You can see this feature in knives like the ESEE 6P and the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro.

Fire Starting Ability

Some survival knives come with a ferrocerium rod that you can use as a fire starter. You can see this feature in multiple models like the Gerber Knife 31-000751, but you have to be cautious around it. It installs upside down in your sheath, which may cause it to fall off inadvertently. Overall, a firestarter accessory is nice but not necessary, and you have to pay extra attention to it.

Lightweight

Your ideal backpacking knife should be lightweight but not too light. Otherwise, you will lack the sturdiness needed to perform rough tasks while hiking. I prefer camping knives weighing between 5.3 and 16 ounces. Anything between this range will feel good and well-balanced, depending on whether you prefer light or heftier tools.

Comfortable 

Choose a knife that is comfortable to use and carry. In this aspect, you must consider the size of the handle and how well it fits in your hand. Hikers with small hands are good with most handle sizes, but if you have larger hands, you’ll need larger knife handles to fit from the index to the little finger. 

You also need to consider the overall size of the knife. If you don’t have enough space in your backpack and want to keep it in your pocket, then a small folding knife is the better option. However, if you carry it in a sheath, you can afford to pack slightly larger fixed knives. 

Easy to Maintain

Cleaning a camping knife is difficult if you have a limited water supply, and that’s why you need a knife that is easy to maintain. It will depend mostly on the knife materials. Stainless steel blades are super easy to clean, and you can do it quickly on the go with a small amount of water or a piece of cloth. 

Carbon steel does require more attention, so you will need more time to clean it thoroughly. Some people take a small Ziplock with an oiled rag in the backpack to maintain the knives. This way, you can keep the rust away if there’s heavy rain. 

If you don’t have any way to clean the knife, make sure to keep it as dry as possible. You can put it in a backpack in humid environments or a concealed sheath under normal circumstances.

Do These Knives Come with Sheaths? 

Considering the ideal camping knife must have a slightly large fixed blade, you need a sheath to carry it safely. Knifemakers like KA-BAR offer knives with sheaths made with polyester, nylon, Zytel, leather, or Kydex. All of them are solid, and you can wear them on your belt or boot to carry the knife vertically, depending on what feels most comfortable to you.

Full Tang or Partial Tang?

Full tang knives are ideal if you want a sturdy and durable backpacking knife. It’s more effective if you need to pry or dig the tip into thick materials like wood. You also feel the blade heftier and get more control over the cutting edge. Also, if the handle scales come loose or break apart, you can use rope, cord, parachute cord, or even tape to create a makeshift handle. 

Partial tang knives are more affordable in price, but they feel flimsy when you attempt to penetrate hard objects. And if the handle breaks, there’s no way you can reuse the blade’s cutting edge comfortably.

Functionality

Light backpackers prefer to use as less gear as possible. Take less, do more. That’s the theme here, correct?

If so, go for more functionality. For more than just cutting and splitting, go for something like the Swiss Army Knife. Again, it all depends on how you want to travel. The best backpacking knife will be the one that meets your needs. You can also opt for the foldable ones as they’re small and weigh less. Multi-tools, in general, save space in your backpack and are less tiring because you don’t have to carry multiple knives.

But, if you think of yourself as a serious hiker, consider using a real backpacking knife with the features recommended in this guide. People recommend SAKs or Multi-Tools like Letherman, but the truth is that they don’t measure up for rugged, heavy-duty tasks. If anything, I would recommend using multitool knives only as a backup to a fixed-blade knife.

Sharp Pointed Blade

A Sharp pointed blade provides the best stabbing potential. It is a helpful feature if you like going on hikes and hunting regularly. Its sharp point makes stabbing quick and easy. Plus, you can use it for other tasks like carving wood or penetrating hide before skinning animals. 

If you only use a blade for simple activities like cutting rope, its point doesn’t have to be the sharpest. However, you still need to maintain the cutting edge and point to sharpen them at the moment.

Price

The average price of a hiking knife is between $74.99 and $162. You can find more affordable options like the SOG Instinct at $34.95, but I recommend investing a bit more for a sturdier and stronger knife. If you want to save some money, the Gerber StrongArm is available at $74.99. However, if you feel like you can give yourself a treat, the Benchmade 202 is around $162.

Choose from the Renowned Brands 

Buying from renowned brands ensures you get the real deal with quality materials that won’t fail or break under pressure. Plus, companies like Spyderco offer sharpening services to keep the Spyderco knives sharp for you. Like this one, there are other benefits like repairs, warranties, etc. Here’s a list of quality knifemakers to consider.

• CRKT.
• Gerber.
• Spyderco.
• KA-BAR.
• Victorinox.
• SOG.

Top 5 Uses of Hiking Knife

• Peeling & C​​​​hopping: The most basic use of a knife that I could think of. Suppose you are going for a 5-day trip, you need to cook food, make campfire and peel onions and other stuff

• Preparing Fires: If your hiking spot is damp much of the year, you can use your knife to make feather sticks by shaving wood or other tinder to start a fire.

• Working With Cord: For any trip, you need several types of cords like para cord or jute. Occasionally a line will get jammed you need to cut them.

• Bushcraft: It’s the art of creating necessary stuff using whatever you can find in the backcountry like splitting wood, sharpening, making a campfire, etc. For this, you need a fixed blade.

• Self Defense: Last but not least, self-defense. Small pocket knives won’t do any good though. But a 4-6-inch blade will sure come in handy.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

1. What is a Hiking Knife?

Survival knives are meant for tough work. As the saying goes “there is a well-used knife behind every well-hiked mountain.” I just made that one up actually, but it isn’t far from the truth. Don’t think of it as an accessory instead think of it as a part of the pack.

These aren’t anything like your ordinary kitchen knives. Stronger blades, sharper, ergonomic, and robust handles, and thick looking. Some are foldable; some are fixed. Each with its own purpose. Depends on what chores you will be doing and how you will travel.

There are some best backpacking knives out there that are used by the marine corps. If you want to know how you’ll be benefited, check out our top 5 uses section.

2. What is the Best Hiking and Camping Knife for Money?

As I have said before, there are a lot of factors in choosing the right knife. It’s like picking a smartphone; you never know which one will suit you until you’ve tried out a bunch of them.

From my experience I can tell you this, try picking the one that the majority of hikers use. You should also consider your budget. Let me summarize my list here to give you a brief idea.

Out of the ten that I have listed, here are my top three favorites:

Best Value For Money: For those of you looking to get the most value for your buck, The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife is the right one for you.

Most Versatile: If you want an all-in-one solution, nothing beats the Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp Pocket Knife. It’s everything you want in your knife and more.

People’s Choice: If money isn’t an issue, why not go for the most popular of them all? The ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife is a sturdy, no-nonsense knife. You can’t beat the classic.

3. What are the Best Knives for Hikers?

You should already know the answer by now. If you are still confused, a simple solution is to try getting your hands on one of these knives that I have listed. Rest assured, I have spared no effort compiling this list. If a specific model is not working out for you, try out other alternatives of the same brand.

Stay away from fake knock-offs. And, always go for the popular brands in this industry. Some of the popular knife manufacturers are:

• Ka-Bar
• Gerber Blades
• Victorinox
• ESEE
• Schrade

There are others out there. I’m just naming out a few. It’s not possible to mention all of them because it’s a huge industry.

4. What Kind of Knife Do I Need for Hiking?

If you are planning for a long hike, my 2 cents would be to take something that has multiple functionalities in it. You know where I’m going with this right?

I’m talking about the king of multiple functionalities aka Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. The Swiss Army one is still one of the most popular choices because it’s so versatile.

Aside from having two blades, most of them have a screwdriver, cap lifter, can opener, scissors, and a small screwdriver. The standard leather punch as well as other tools all built-in.

There are also little hooks for lifting stuff off the campfire. Tweezers, toothpicks, lanyard you name it. This one is perfect for backpacking and camping, and a must-have piece of equipment for hiking.

5.Where to Keep a Knife While Hiking?

Knife safety may seem simple at first, and it often is. But don’t take it lightly. Always keep your blade in your fanny pack. This way you can quickly access your knife. If the blade you are carrying is too big, you should keep them in knife compartment of your backpack.

Some lightweight backpacker doesn’t even use backpacks. In this case, a folding knife should do the trick. These are compact and easy to store. If you intend to carry a fixed blade, make sure the sheath is strong and is attachable to a carrying belt.

Knife injuries are common while camping or backpacking. Stay safe. Take extra caution while handling a blade.

Final Verdict – Wrapping up!

With so many of these knives out there, it’s not possible for me to test them all. However, after carefully sorting through some popular choices and actual usage, I was able to select only a few.

Again, it’s up to you to decide. Just make sure you’ve researched well enough to make your buying decision. I hope this helps. Make sure to check back for more knife-related buying guides.