10 Best Camping Knives for Cooking Outdoors

Some people are purists when it comes to camping. For them, cooking out in the great outdoors is a sacred experience, a chance to break out the wood-fired or gas stoves, the cast-iron pots, and pans, and a handful of utensils that have been in their family for generations. Others, for the sake of convenience, opt to eat out at the local diner or food truck a couple of times a week and buy their picnic supplies at the store. This approach has been the recipe for success, especially for those who enjoy cooking.

But even if you’ve never even picked up a camping knife before, you can still enjoy the benefits of eating out with all of the conveniences you’ve come to expect from a campsite. With the right camping knife, you can also enjoy your home-cooked meals, knowing they’re also full of delicious flavor and potential flavor spoilers! And if you’re not convinced yet, read on for our top ten camping knives for different types of camping.

Best Canvas Camping Knife: Bowden’s Adirondack Stainless Steel Picnic Knife

This cute little knife is an awesome canvas-friendly option for your outdoor gear. This Bowden-designed knife is made from pure 1056 Carbon steel, a material that is specifically designed for the outdoors. The Blade of this knife is made of double-edge 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. It’s perfectly honed, so there’s no need to fear your breakfast will be cut into pieces as you take it out of your bag. The handle is made from canvas, giving it a soft touch. The 6.75-inch blade is sharpened to 4.2 inches, so you won’t need to sharpen your next camp outing, and the serrations make it easy to slice through sandwiches, in addition to the veggies on your next sandwich. If you prefer a more rustic aesthetic, this knife also comes in a wood-effect bamboo handle.

Price: $24.99 (23 percent off MSRP)

Pros:

• Cute wood-effect bamboo handle
• Serrated edge
• Double-edge blade

Cons:

• A little pricey
• Small knife
• Not as fast as a larger knife

Best Camping Knife for Hanging Clothes: Gerber Men’s Classic VersaCamping Knife

This lightweight camping knife will pack light. The VersaCamping knife measures just 3.1 inches long, and will easily fit in a backpack or your bag of provisions. The blade is stainless steel, with an extra-sharp edge that can easily chop vegetables and fruit. It’s easy to sharpen because it’s already sharp. The handle is covered in an anti-slip grip, which means this knife won’t slip out of your hands in the middle of the night. Other features include a backup blade, a Kydex sheath, and a lifetime warranty.

Price: $16.99 (50 percent off MSRP)

Pros:

• Anti-slip grip handle
• Sharp stainless steel blade
• Counterweight

Cons:

• Not made for camping
• Not for strong outdoorsmen

Best Paper-Wrapped Camping Knife: Pacsafe ToughPace Paper Folding Picnic Knife

This foldable knife folds in half, so you can carry it in your pocket or backpack. The foldable design keeps the blades from getting bent or damaged, and it also makes it possible to chop up a bit of the bag lunch without having to hold it. It has a 1.9-inch blade, a nylon sheath, and anti-slip blade guards, so you don’t need to sharpen it up after each use. The knife has a lifetime warranty and also folds up nicely for easy storage.

Price: $13.99 (45 percent off MSRP)

Pros:

• Foldable design
• Holds blades nicely
• Choose from two colors
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Small
• Not built for outdoor use

Best Bowden-Style Camping Knife: Pacsafe Survival Patch Picnic Knife

Pacsafe designed this survival knife with comfort in mind. The knife’s lightweight construction, coupled with the ergonomic handle and sharp 5.25-inch blade, make this knife a dream for your backpacking trips. The hilt includes a comfortable finger block, so you’ll never be stuck with a crampy handle, and it’s made from 6061 T6 aluminum, which will never rust, break or bend. A 1.4-inch carbon steel blade is sharpened to 6.5-inches, so it’s extra sharp. Other handy features include a wind-proof sheath and a lifetime warranty.

Price: $59.99 (32 percent off MSRP)

Pros:

• Foldable design
• Fantastic ergonomic handle
• 5.1-inch blade
• Ergonomic handle

Cons:

• Handle a little small
• No serrations
• 2-inch blade is not very sharp

Coolest Camping Knife: Boy Scout Trading Company Poly-Grip Survival Box Knife

If you prefer knives to have a non-slip grip, this cooler and lighter (20.1 ounces) is the best camping knife for you. The tough poly-grip handle grips your hand securely but is lightweight enough to carry in your backpack or cooler, without sliding around and taking up too much space. This knife includes a stainless steel blade with an extra-sharp 4-inch blade. The blade is flat, so you can cut, chop or slice fruit and vegetables. A lifetime warranty is also included.

Price: $18.99

Pros:

• Soft handle
• Flexible grip
• Stainless steel blade
• Large blade

Cons:

• Extremely small
• A little expensive

Best Variable-Depth Camping Knife: Zero Tolerance Halite (Pentangular)

The smallest of this seven-piece camping knife set, this Hexagonal Hexing knife is perfect for storing in your backpack or the backpack of a friend. The knife is very compact and lightweight, weighing just 12 ounces. It has a zero edge, which makes it perfect for slicing apples, strawberries, grapes, and more. A hard outer edge is also ideal for cutting vegetables, fruit, and flowers. The knife includes a two-inch poly-Grip handle, which has an interesting design with spikes, which make the knife grip your hand tightly. The sheath is tough and super strong. It’s constructed from G10, aluminum, and steel, and it’s great for outdoor use.

Price: $29.00

Pros:

• Very lightweight
• Extremely compact
• Made from G10 and aluminum
• Zero edge blade
• Sheath is constructed from G10, aluminum, and steel

Cons:

• No sheath storage

Best Overall Camping Knife: Leatherman Encore Triple Sport (4-Piece)

This camping knife set, which includes the Multi-Tool, is one of the best camping knife sets available. The knife is a four-piece knife set, including the Cross-Action knife, the Pocket Knife, and the multi-tool. It has a 1.2-inch black carbon steel blade, with a 3.25-inch blade, and a solid PVD-treated hook blade. The sheath can be adjusted in three different positions for comfort and features a very handy clip that slides into the sheath. Leatherman offers a lifetime warranty, and the knives are made in America, which is great for traveling.

Price: $39.99

Pros:

• Four-piece knife set
• Solid blade construction
• Sheath adjustable in three different positions
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Not perfect for fish or game-clearing

Best Tactical-Style Camping Knife: Spyderco V-Grip Backpack Canister Knife

Spyderco is known for making quality, high-quality knives, and this V-Grip backpack knife is no exception. This knife is exceptionally durable and versatile, and it’s one of the best tactical-style camping knives for any outdoor sport. It has a locking mechanism with five knurled settings. The locking mechanism prevents the knife from opening, so you don’t have to worry about dropping the knife if you drop your backpack, or accidentally snagging the knife in your pack and causing damage. The knife features a high carbon steel blade and a black matte finish. The sheath is made from tough nylon material.

Price: $49.99

Pros:

• High-carbon steel blade
• Locking mechanism
• High-quality sheath

Cons:

• No laser

Best Size-Sized Camping Knife: Cabela’s Elite 1.5-inch Acorn Utility Knife

This simple, yet effective knife is great for campers who are short on space or space in their packs. This 1.5-inch utility knife features a hypoallergenic rubber sheath that allows the knife to hold on tightly, and the 2-inch blade is made from durable stainless steel. The blade has 1,300 rivets and is backed by a lifetime guarantee, so this knife is guaranteed to be built to last. It has a carry loop, the knife comes with a nylon sheath for storage, and the carry case comes with a waterproof flap.

Price: $19.99

Pros:

• Very small footprint
• A good size for small pockets
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• No sheath storage

Best Outdoor Survival Camping Knife: Bozak Apex 4-Piece Survival Knife Set

If you’re looking for a high-quality knife for backcountry adventures, then this is the knife for you. Bozak makes some of the best knives in the world, and this survival knife set is one of the best in terms of high quality and durability. The Apex knife is a 1.8-inch blade with three different lengths of the sheath and comes with a handy tool compartment. The razor-sharp blade has a fluted spine for a sure-fire kill, and the sheath is constructed of soft-touch rubber. The lock system for the sheath has three secure locking points that make it easy to lock everything in place. The blade is rust-proof, hard-anodized aluminum for maximum durability and cutting performance. This knife has a threaded barrel for adjusting its length, and the lock is stainless steel with a rear magazine clip.

Price: $119

Pros:

• Great for outdoor enthusiasts
• Includes two tactical clips
• Innovative clip for carrying knives
• Replaces a pocket knife

Cons:

• Shorter blade than most knives

Things to Consider Before Buying a Knife for Hiking

Remember, though, there are a few things to consider before purchasing a quality hiking knife, especially when you want to take it with you on your next backpacking trip. Here are some things to think about before buying the best hiking knife for hiking.

Is This the Right Length for You?

The length of the blade is directly related to the weight and the durability of the blade. Smaller knives, like this one, are easier to carry in a backpack, but they’re not the most effective for trail attacks. If you’re used to carrying a larger tactical-style knife, then you might want to get a slightly smaller knife that’s more compact.

How Heavy is the Blade?

The weight of the knife is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a hiking knife because you want a lightweight but strong knife that’s durable enough to carry on your back. The best hiking knives are lightweight and easy to carry in a backpack, so they’re perfect for day hikes.

Choose a Type of Knife

As you can see, there are many types of backpacking knives. When choosing one, consider the type of hike you plan to go on, the weight of the knife, and what type of performance you’re looking for. If you’re mostly hiking for the scenery and enjoying the freedom of the outdoors, then you’ll likely want a folding knife that won’t take up too much room in your backpack.

Check the Material

Some people find it easier to cut through tough material with a strong blade. Some materials include stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and CPM-S30V. The performance of the material is dependent on the material, but the most important factor to consider is how durable the knife is. For instance, if you’re just hiking with the family and want a knife that’s easy to clean, opt for a plastic or carbon steel blade.

Price of Knife

Yes, it is most important to consider the performance of the knife, but if you want to save a few dollars, don’t be afraid to choose a cheaper hiking knife that is still capable of getting the job done. After all, you’ll probably only use this knife a few times a year, so you don’t want to invest in something that’s going to break after a few uses. On the other hand, if you plan on doing a lot of heavy-duty hiking or carrying a heavy load, it might be worth it to upgrade to a more durable product that’s built to take a beating.

Choosing the right size is also important when buying a hiking knife for your next backpacking trip. Pick a size that’s right for your wrists. It’s also important to consider whether you’ll need a serrated blade or a non-serrated blade, which are similar but come with different uses. There’s no need to invest in a massive knife if you’re just planning on doing a few day hikes.

Made for Hiking

No matter what kind of trip you plan on taking with your hiking knife, be sure to consider its durability when choosing a model. Make sure the knife is durable enough to take with you on your trip, and be aware of any extra features like water-proofing and waterproof materials, which can make the knife significantly more durable.

Conclusion

We have listed the 10 best knives for camping. We think they are all great and we think it’s extremely important to buy the best equipment for your next trip. When buying hiking gear, don’t forget to consider the blade size, material, blade toughness, and cost. When you have the best equipment, you’ll be able to enjoy the freedom of the outdoors without worrying about the safety of your gear.