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The Best Hunting Knives for Every Outdoorsman

The Camping List Review Team
Written By The Camping List Review Team
Last updated: Feb 14, 2025, 10:52 AM
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best hunting knife

Hunting knives are the most important tool in a hunter’s arsenal–right behind the hunting weapon. They allow you to secure the game efficiently and prepare it for consumption in minutes. Some of these hunting knives are incredibly strong and can cut through branches like butter. Meanwhile, some other hunting knives have surgical precision and will prepare the meat to perfection. So, should you carry two hunting knives if you want to cut both the trees and prepare the meat? Luckily, you don’t have to because the finest hunting knives of 2025 are great at both and much more.

These top-quality hunting knives are also the ultimate survival tools—all thanks to their unmatched durability and unlimited utility. However, not all hunting knives are created equal. Only a handful of hunting knives are strong and sharp enough for the wild, and we’ve managed to hunt them down (no pun intended).

Here’s our curated list of five hunting knives worth bringing on your next hunt. Take a look.

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Our Top Picks of Hunting Knives

Top Hunting Knives of 2025 Reviewed in Detail

BIGCAT ROAR Hunting Knife

Best Overall
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The BigCat handmade knife makes quality hunting knives accessible to everyone. Everything from its design to its durability is top-notch, with nothing to worry about. The star of the show here is definitely the 9″ blade on this hunting knife. Its detailed 288-layer deep Damascus steel design provides unmatched performance while also looking stunning. The best part about this blade is that it can be sharpened out in the wild with a whetstone. 

Underneath this blade is a handmade walnut handle that complements the unique blade perfectly. The ergonomic shape of its handle makes this hunting knife more effective without compromising style. You can put this hunting knife in a glass case, and it will look like a piece of modern art. Or you can take it on a hunting trip and enjoy perfectly cut meat. Owing to both the style and practicality; this handmade hunting knife earns the  No. 1 spot on our list.

Product Pros
  • Gorgeous to look at the Damascus steel construction
  • Long-lasting 288 layer blade
  • Easy to wield ergonomic walnut handle
  • Easy repairs thanks to a lifetime warranty
Product Cons
  • 14″ size is too big for some

Grand Way Hunting Knife

Compact Design
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The folding knife from Grand Way offers all of the benefits of a quality hunting knife in a compact package. A major issue with folding hunting knives is that their blade is too small for efficient use. Grand Way got around this by designing a folding mechanism that can house a blade longer than the handle. The result of this clever design is a hunting 10.83″ hunting knife that can fold down to just 7.28″. 

Moving past its folding design; we have a sturdy hunting knife with 440 stainless steel blades that will stay sharp even after years of use. This blade is then attached to a metal and rosewood hybrid handle that matches the blade perfectly. 

Product Pros
  • Perfectly balanced design for easy use
  • Long-lasting 440C stainless steel blade 
  • Easy storage with a compact folding design
  • Rosewood accents for added style
Product Cons
  • The folding mechanism is a bit stiff

Mossy Oak Hunting Knife

Ideal for Survival
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This set of two hunting knives from MOSSY OAK is the perfect option for survivalists. The straight-edged hunting knife is ideal for cutting down a rope, making primitive wooden tools, and starting fires. Its sharp point can also be used as a makeshift wedge for gathering some firewood and splitting dried logs. On the other hand, the skinning knife makes meat preparation as easy as it gets. 

Both hunting knives in this set are made from high-quality black steel that will stay sharp. If they get dull, sharpening them with a whetstone takes less than an hour. Both knives also come in a heavy-duty black sheath that protects them from damage when not in use.

Product Pros
  • Effortless cutting, thanks to razor-sharp blades
  • Iconic black blades with camo handles
  • Good value for your money
  • Heavy-duty black sheath for blade protection
Product Cons
  • Blades can show micro scratches after use

Buck Hunting Knife

Most Durable
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Hunting knives are supposed to be incredibly strong, and this fixed blade hunting knife from Buck Knives is a perfect example. Every aspect of its shape and design is calibrated to provide a longer lifespan. The blade on this hunting knife is particularly well-built with its 420HC steel that provides exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. Even the thickness of this blade is just right for a long lifespan without compromising performance. 

Underneath this exceptional blade is a traditional black phenolic handle featuring prominent palm swells for a strong grip. Using this hunting knife for a long time is quite comfortable as well–thanks to its aluminum pommel that balances the knife flawlessly.

Product Pros
  • Gorgeous black and silver color scheme
  • Incredible performance with 420HC steel blade 
  • Palm swells for comfortable handle grip
  • Comes with a leather case for blade protection 
Product Cons
  • Not suitable for folks with small hands

GVDV Hunting Knife

Gorgeous Aesthetics
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The bowie hunting knife from GVDV is the best-looking knife on our list, and it isn’t even a close competition. Calling this hunting knife a piece of modern art that belongs in a museum would be quite accurate. Its long 8.6″ steel blade looks incredible with its almost straight shape and brushed edge finish. However, the star of the show is definitely its eye-catching rosewood handle owing to its success with a classic inward curved shape and vibrant wooden hue.

That said, looks are not the only reason to invest in this hunting knife. Under its glam is a sharp high-performance blade that can slice through wood with ease and an ergonomic handle that will stay comfortable no matter the use. Additionally, once you’re done using this hunting knife, put it back to safety inside the included 100% cowhide genuine leather sheath.

Product Cons
  • Attention-grabbing blade and handle design
  • 440C stainless steel blade for incredible performance 
  • Comfortable to hold wooden handle
  • Large 8.6″ blade for easy meat preparation

KNINE OUTDOORS Hunting Knife Set

Ergonomic Design
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KNINE OUTDOORS Hunting Knife Set features a boning knife, a gut-hook skinner, a hawkbill blade knife, a capping knife, a skinning cleaver, a bone saw, and a ribcage spreader. What makes this set stand out is that the blades and handles are made with excellent balance in various ways. All the knobs and grips are stealthy black and blue camouflage patterns made from ergonomic materials that won’t slip.

The blades are constructed from quality steel and have been heat-treated seven times to maintain their hardness and ensure longevity. The set contains all the knives and tools required for your hunting adventure. Better still, you can carry and store it anywhere.

Product Pros
  • Non-slip ergonomic design 
  • Heat-treated sturdy material 
  • Includes all the required tools
Product Cons
  • The set is slightly heavy

Hunting Knife Buying Guide - Finding the Right One

Hunting knives are a hunter’s best friend and a must-have for anyone who spends time in the wilderness. They are the ultimate one-stop shop. You can use a high-quality hunting knife to hunt, prepare the meat, cut the firewood, start a fire, cook the meat, and then eat it–without needing any other tool.

But, what makes a hunting knife high-quality? And how can you find one for yourself? Let’s find out.

Your Use Case

The first step in finding a high-quality hunting knife is determining your use case. Do you need a hunting knife just for decoration and household use? Or do you plan on using it in the wild? A follow-up to the second question would be; do you intend to use it on animals or just chop down some plants/rope? Answering these and similar questions will narrow down your options and lead you directly to the ideal hunting knives for you.

Hunting Knife Size

The next factor to consider is the size of the hunting knife you need, and remember that bigger is not always better. For example, a large, unwieldy knife might feel more macho in your hand, but it will not be a good option for slicing meat into precise pieces. Similarly, a huge knife is not the ideal option for shaving down wood or starting a fire.

On the other hand, if you’re hunting large animals like deer, then a large hunting knife will let you put the animal to rest quickly. Plus, a larger blade will make the process of skinning and preparing deer meat much more efficient.

All in all, once you have decided on the general size, the exact length of the blade does not matter that much. There is no practical difference between a 5″ blade and a 5.5″ one, and it’s all up to your personal preference.

If you are unsure about the size you need, just get a set. These hunting knife sets include two or more knives of varying lengths and designs. This will ensure that you have the right-sized knife for almost every task and occasion.

Fixed or Folding

Time to choose between a fixed blade and a folding blade hunting knife. Both are equally valid options, each with its pros and cons.

Fixed blade

The biggest reason to opt for fixed-blade hunting knives is their unmatched durability. The material of their blade goes directly through the handle–making them perfect for heavy-duty work. A complete lack of moving ensures a longer lifespan as well. Plus, once you’re done using the hunting knives, cleaning a fixed blade is quite easy and simple.

However, the size and strength of fixed-blade hunting knives are also their biggest downside. You need a proper sheath to carry them around, and even then, they’re not perfectly safe. Unfortunately, the sheath isn’t a perfect solution either and gets in your way when sitting or even walking.

Folding blade

Folding blade hunting knives are the master of compact designs. They can essentially fold in half, turning a 9″ knife into something you can put inside your pocket. Their blade is often tucked inside the handle when folded, so you don’t even need a sheath to carry them around. Folding blade hunting knives are also ideal for folks who want to use them in everyday life. Not to mention the style of opening and using a hunting knife with one hand is difficult to replicate with anything else.

The only reason to avoid folding blade hunting knives is their durability. High-quality options are not weak by any means, but they are also nowhere near the strength of a quality fixed-blade hunting knife. Cleaning folding blade hunting knives after every use is a massive hassle as well.

Blade Materials

Once you’ve finalized a design, it’s time to pick a material, and there are four popular options to choose from.

S30V

S30V is on the upper end of the steel quality chart, thanks to its high vanadium content. Hunting knife blades made from this steel are tough, rust-resistant, and wear-resistant. Sharpening S30V blades is quite tough. Luckily, they also have excellent edge retention, so you won’t have to sharpen them much over the years.

154CM

154CM steel is mostly found in smaller folding blade hunting knives. The reason for its prevalence in smaller blades is brittleness. High-carbon 154CM provides exceptional rust and wear resistance; however, it is very prone to breaking horizontally across the blade.

VG-10

Hunting knife blades VG-10 steel have a similar feel and texture to the 154CM steel. But, VG-10 provides much better corrosion resistance and extended edge retention.

420HC

420HC steel is the perfect middle ground between all of the other blade steel options. It’s not as tough as the S30V steel or as persistent as VG-10. But, 420HC is the easiest one to sharpen, and it does not shatter from any side.

Picking a Handle

The last step of finding a high-quality hunting knife is choosing the handle. Your choices here include wood, metal, phenolic, or a hybrid of these three.

Wood is the safest option here, especially for fixed-blade hunting knives, while metal provides the best durability. Phenolic hunting knife handles combine the texture of wood with the durability of metal, though their quality can vary dramatically between manufacturers. Lastly, hybrid handles are usually reserved for folding blade hunting knives where metal is usually the base, and handle wood is considered an accent piece.

People Also Asked

How can I clean my hunting knives?

The easiest way to clean a hunting knife is to rinse it under fresh water and then pat dry with a paper towel. If the knife is particularly dirty, then soak it in a mixture of dish soap and lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes. Rinse the knife with clean water after that, and you're done. 

What is the safest sheath material for hunting knives?

Real leather is the perfect material for hunting knife sheaths, with faux leather trailing just behind. Velvety fabric is a viable option as well. Just make sure that it is thick enough to hold the knife safely.

Yes, it is completely legal to own and use a dagger, stiletto, or hunting knife in the US. However, it is your duty to keep them away from any dangerous situations. 

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