A quality hunting knife is one of the most important tools to have on the hunt. Its main function is to field dress and quickly process your meat after a kill. For this reason it is important to have a hunting knife that is sharp, reliable, built from quality materials, and keeps its edge. You may also need your knife to help gather kindling or cut other various types of materials: rope, tarp, string, etc. Every hunter has a unique need for their knife and that is why we have done the research for you and put together the following list of the best hunting knives on the market in 2023.
What To Look For
When looking for the right hunting knife for your needs it will be important to think about the following characteristics:
- Knife size
- Blade length
- Grip
- Edge sharpness
- Easy to carry
- Secondary attributes
Your hunting knife does not need to be a large weapon to be extremely effective. Remember, most of the time you use your knife after you have killed your game. Check out the following list we have put together to help you find the right hunting knife for your adventure.
The 15 Best Hunting Knives in 2023
1. Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter Lock-back Knife
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Razor Sharp Clip-Point Blade: 3-3/4″ 420HC stainless steel clip blade has excellent strength , edge retention and is corrosion resistant. The Clip blade has a very sharp controllable point, and is good for detail work, piercing and slicing
- Strength and Safety: Easy to open with a nail notch on the blade. The lockback mechanism locks the blade open for reliable strength and safety while you work. Closed Length 4-7/8″ Weight 7.2 oz.
- An American Icon: Classic handle and brass bolsters provide a perfect combination of beauty and balance. The 110 Folding Hunter, after 50 years, is still one of America’s best selling knives and one that’s handed down from generation to generation
- Convenient Carry: Includes a genuine high quality protective leather sheath with snap fastener. The integrated belt loop allows for safe and secure carry on your belt for easy access. The 110 is perfect as a hunting companion or for general outdoor use
- Made in the USA: Since 1902 Buck Knives has offered a lifetime warranty on their knives because they believe in the integrity of their products. This knife is proudly made in the USA.
2. Grand Way Spring Assisted Hunting Knife | Military Style
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Extremely Versatile: Great pocket knife for everything. It is equipped with a pocket clip which makes it possible to take it everywhere with you. Be prepared for any situation.
- Spring Assisted: Folding spring blade with a pocket clip. Liner-lock is resistant to dirt and prevents unexpected closure. Equipped with the thumb studs for right and left hand use.
- Hardness & Corrosion Balance: Good balance of hardness and corrosion resistance ensures proper operation without sharpening. Provides razor sharp cutting performance and high durability.
- Made of durable 440 C stainless Steel: Blade coating, black oxide. Handle material is aluminum. Blade length: 3.42”. Total length: 7.75”.
3. Kershaw Clash Pocket Knife | Black Serrated 3.1” Stainless Steel Blade
HIGHLIGHTS:
- High Performance Steel: 3.1″ 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade with black-oxide finish for excellent toughness, edge retention and wear resistance
- Durable Handle: Textured Glass-filled nylon handle scales offer a solid grip with Gentle Contour and comfortable in-hand feel. Closed Length-4.25 inch
- Secure Locking System: With two steel plates, or liners, on the inside of each handle scale, the liner locking system safely secures the blade open and prevents unwanted blade closure.
- Convenient Pocket Clip: Kershaw designs pocket clips to fit specific knives according to their weight, intended end use, size, style and hardware. Some knives have multiple carry options, others are more streamlined. The reversible pocket clip allows user to choose to carry knife tip-up or tip-down or to choose on which side knife carries.
- Fast Deployment: Using a torsion bar to move the blade out of the handle, Kershaw’s revolutionary SpeedSafe Assisted Opening system enables smooth, secure, fast one-handed blade deployment. Apply manual pressure to the flipper or thumb stud with a light push or pull back.
4. Outdoor Edge 3.5″ RazorLite EDC | Replaceable Blade Hunting Knife
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Never Sharpen Your Knife – Change blades fast and easy! Replace a dull blade by simply pushing the lock release button in the handle to remove and insert a new one.
- Japanese 420J2 Stainless Steel Replacement Blades – 3.0 inch Drop-Point blades are precisely heat-treated to ensure excellent edge retention. Includes 6 blades total. Additional 3.5 inch Drop-Point blade packs sold separately.
- Black-Oxide Coated Blade Holder – Rigid 420J2 stainless steel blade holder supports the razor blade for the strength of a traditional knife and the sharpness of a surgeon’s scalpel; Dual thumb studs allow easy one-handed opening.
- Glass/Nylon Handle – Incredibly strong, lightweight Grivory fiberglass/nylon polymer frame with rubberized gray TPR molded into the grip; The stainless-steel pocket clip is securely fastened to the polymer handle keeping the knife readily available at all times.
- Service For Life – Outdoor Edge produces quality cutting tools that are built to last. If you have a problem with your Outdoor Edge knife they address all replacement and service requests.
5. Buck Knives 284 Bantam One-Hand Opening Folding Hunting Knife
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Razor Sharp & Lightweight: 2-3/4″ drop point 420HC steel blade delivers excellent strength, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Closed length 3.75″, weight 1.5 oz
- One-hand Opening: Has a thumb stud on the blade, To facilitate a smooth, easy one-hand opening action.
- 420HC Steel: Buck’s blade material that is wear resistant with high carbon alloys and delivers corrosion resistance. Add an exclusive heat-treated process and you have a very user-friendly combination of superior corrosion resistance with excellent strength. Easy to re-sharpen as needed.
- Forever Warranty: Buck guarantees their knives FOREVER because they believe in the integrity of their products. Each and every Buck Knife is warrantied to be free of defects in material and workmanship for the life of the knife.
- Made In USA
6. Outdoor Edge 3.0″ Onyx Folding Pocket Knife
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Interchangeable Blades – Change blades fast and easy! Change dull blades by simply pushing the lock release button in the handle to remove and insert a shaving-sharp new one.
- Sharp Japanese 420J2 Stainless Steel – 3.0 inch Drop-Point blades precisely heat-treated to ensure excellent edge retention. Includes 6 blades total. Additional 3.5 inch Drop-Point blade packs sold separately.
- Coated Blade Holder – Rigid 420J2 stainless steel blade holder supports the razor blade for the strength of a traditional knife and the sharpness of a surgeon’s scalpel; Dual thumb studs allow easy one-handed opening.
- Glass/Nylon Handle – Incredibly strong, lightweight Grivory fiberglass/nylon polymer frame with rubberized gray TPR molded into the grip; The stainless-steel pocket clip is securely fastened to the polymer handle keeping the knife readily available at all times.
- Service For Life – Outdoor Edge produces quality cutting tools that are built to last. If you have a problem with your Outdoor Edge knife they address all replacement and service requests.
7. Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Hunting Knife | 7.1 inch Blade
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Durable Stainless Steel: It is constructed of stainless steel with attractive wood overlays and polished brass bolsters
- Cost Effective: This particular model is a great budget saver. Even at 7.1 inches, this pocket knife could be the right fit for your outdoor situation
- Easy To Open: The stainless blade is emblazoned with Winchester and has a nail nick for easy opening
- Blade Length: 7.1 inches giving you versatility for many different situations
- Dependable: Quick And Easy Access With The Convenient Pocket Clip, Finger Flipper And Ambidextrous Thumb Knobs Making It Ideal For Everyday Carry
8. Spyderco Delica 4 | Lightweight 7.15″ Signature Folding Knife
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Wide Spectrum of Handle Colors: The Delica 4 offers new vibrant tones including blue, green, brown, gray, orange, black and purple.
- Superior Blade Steel: The blades are full flat-ground VG-10 Steel with a thinner highly refined cutting edge and a larger 13mm opening hole.
- Ultra-Lightweight: Inside the handle are dual skeletonized stainless steel liners which strengthen the knife without additional weight and double as an anchor for external and internal components to attach through, generating more sturdiness.
- Ergonomic Engineering: Added to the blade’s spine is slip resistant jimping. Phosphor bronze washers smooth out the open/close action and the clip is upgraded to a four-way tip-up, tip-down, left-or right-handed clip.
- A Secure Grip: Molded onto the FRN Handle’s surface is Bi-Directional Texturing for slip-free tactile traction. It provides resistance to slipping in the hand.
9. Buck Knives 112 Ranger Folding Hunting Knife with Leather Sheath
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Razor Sharp Clip Point Blade: 3″ 420HC steel clip blade has great edge retention and corrosion resistance. The Clip blade has a very sharp controllable point, and is good for piercing and slicing. Closed length 4-1/4″ Weight 5.6 oz.
- Strength & Safety: The lockback mechanism locks the blade open for reliable strength and safety while you work
- Solid Build, Smart Design: Macassar Ebony handle with Brass Bolsters deliver a perfect combination of beauty and balance
- Classic and Compact For Carrying: The 112 Ranger is a mini version of the renowned 110 Folding Hunter. This knife comes with a Genuine Leather Sheath for safe and secure transportation on your belt or in your bag
- Made In The USA: Since 1902 Buck Knives has offered a lifetime warranty on their knives because they believe in the integrity of their products. This knife is proudly made in the USA.
10. Havalon Piranta-Edge Folding Knife | Black/Blaze Orange Handle, 12 Additional Blades
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Replacement Blades: This Havalon folding hunting knife comes with 12 additional sharp stainless steel 60XT replaceable blades
- Easy To Spot In The Field: The blaze orange handle makes it easier to find while hunting outdoors.
- Good Knife Length: The overall length of the knife open is 7 1/4″
- Solid Build, Smart Engineering: An easy-grip black rubber inlay, liner-lock construction and pocket clip for convenience
11. Kershaw Leek Black Folding Knife (1660CKT) | SpeedSafe Assisted Opening
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Versatile: 3” modified drop-point blade crafted with one of the world’s highest performing knife steels for increased corrosion resistance and edge retention
- Quality Materials: DLC-coated blade and handle for added hardness, superior scratch resistance and a stealthy matte-black finish
- Engineered Right: Handle features a stainless steel body, ambidextrous SpeedSafe assisted opening system, frame lock, tip-lock, reversible pocketclip and lanyard hole
- Great Gift Idea: Birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and more
- Made In The USA: Kershaw’s expert engineers created this product in the USA and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty
12. Kershaw Brawler Folding Knife (1990) | Black Glass-Filled Nylon Handle
HIGHLIGHTS:
- High Performance Steel: A budget friendly, reliable, top-of-the-line Chinese produced steel, 8Cr13MoV steel has carbon and slightly less nickel for hardness and edge retention. Kershaw’s precision heat treated 8Cr13MoV steel strongly takes and holds an edge and offers wear resistance that can withstand damage from both abrasive and adhesive wear.
- Attractive Blade Coating: Black oxide coating is a chemical bath, or conversion coating, that converts the surface of the blade steel to magnetite. Mainly for appearance, black oxide does add some mild corrosion resistance and tends to minimize light reflection from the blade.
- Quality Materials: DLC-coated blade and handle for added hardness, superior scratch resistance and a stealthy matte-black finish
- Engineered Right: Handle features a stainless steel body, ambidextrous SpeedSafe assisted opening system, frame lock, tip-lock, reversible pocketclip and lanyard hole
- Great Gift Idea: Birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and more
- Made In The USA: Kershaw’s expert engineers created this product in the USA and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty
13. Cold Steel Voyager Folding Hunting Knife | Tri-Ad Lock and Pocket Clip
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Premium Blade: Features an ultra-wide saber ground blade with a sturdy drop point perfect for everyday carry (EDC), a big game hunt, dangerous expedition, or exciting adventure. Made with premium, ultra tough S35VN steel
- High Performance: Ground thin at the edge and honed to razor sharpness for unprecedented cutting, shearing, and piercing power in a sub 4-inch blade. Remarkably resistant to bending, breaking or chipping
- Secure Grip: The handle is strong and user-friendly with heat-treated, full-length aluminum liners, 3D machined G-10 scales, and oversized pins and bolts.
- Reliable Locking System: Uses custom knife-maker Andrew Demko’s famous TriAd lock that has been proven over time to be unsurpassed in strength, shock resistance and durability.
14. StatGear Surviv-All Fixed-Blade Bowie Knife | Sheath, Firestarter, Sharpener
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Packed With Utility: The Surviv-All is your complete outdoors knife with a full tang 440 stainless steel blade, fire-starting rod, blade sharpening stone, stainless steel pommel & integrated cord cutter.
- Magnesium Fire Rod: No matches? No problem! The attached magnesium fire-starting rod can be used in conjunction with the knife blade to ignite all the fires you need in the wilderness.
- Knife Sharpener: Keep your blade razor sharp with the integrated knife sharpening stone.
- 440 Stainless Steel Blade: Features a drop point blade that is engineered to be consistently sharp & sturdy.
- Great Value: For a blade with this much utility it is a great value to add to your hunting gear.
15. Smith & Wesson SWMP4L-BRK M&P Large Linerlock Hunting Knife
HIGHLIGHTS:
Sharpening Your Hunting Knife
A dull hunting knife can become a dangerous tool. While you might think a sharp hunting knife is more likely to cut you, a dull knife requires more pressure which could result in a greater chance of slipping and causing a nasty accident. Your knife should always be as sharp as possible before you adventure outdoors.
Knife sharpening is a practiced tradition and there are plenty of ways to go about it. Getting to a sharp edge is a fairly simple process. A couple strokes on a sharpening stone and it will be as good as new. Here are some stones that you could use to sharpen your hunting knife:
- Oil Stones
- Japanese Whetstones
- Ceramic Stones
- Quick Blade Sharpeners
To sharpen your blade first find yourself a hard surface such as a table top or workbench. Place your sharpening stone or tool their. Then hold your knife firmly with one or two hands and slide it across the stone at the recommended angle of roughly 20 degrees. When you slide the knife imagine cutting tiny hairs off of the surface. Do this for 5-10 strokes and then switch sides. After doing this a few times your hunting knife should be sharp and ready to rock.
Each of these techniques comes with its own pros and cons, but you can’t go wrong either way. Keeping your knife sharp is most important!
Our Pro-Tip: If You Know You Need It, Then Pull The Trigger
It’s true that the cost of a quality hunting knife is slightly higher than a regular pocket knife. Don’t settle for a regular knife just to save a few! Make the investment (depending on your hunting situation) and reap the benefits of how quality hunting knives are engineered. You will not be disappointed in the long run.
A slight price difference shouldn’t be a factor if you are truly looking for a quality hunting knife that will last. The best things in life always come at a cost. Don’t just save a few bucks on a cheaper pocket knife if you truly need hunting quality. You will be glad you invested your money where it counts!
