Top 5 Hunting Knives for Every Outdoorsman: Features and Comparisons

Author: Knife Supplies Australia Date Posted:14 April 2023

Discover the best hunting knives available on the market to enhance your outdoor adventures

A good hunting knife is an indispensable tool for every outdoor enthusiast. From field dressing and skinning game, to cutting rope and preparing meals, a hunting knife is invaluable for various tasks. The best hunting knives are uniquely suitable for these tasks due to their design, materials, and features that ensure durability, sharpness, and ease of use.

A high-quality hunting knife has a strong, sharp blade made from premium steel, which allows for clean and efficient cuts. The blade shape is optimized for tasks like skinning and field dressing, with designs like drop-point or clip-point that allow for precision and control. The handle material is chosen for its durability and comfort, ensuring a secure grip even in wet or slippery conditions.

In addition to being versatile, these hunting knives are also adaptable to different game species. Smaller hunting knives can efficiently process small game animals such as rabbits and wallabies, whilst larger blades are more suited to larger animals like deer, pigs, and kangaroos. The versatility of these knives makes them an essential part of every hunter's gear, no matter the type or size of the game being pursued.

In this article, we will compare our top 5 recommended hunting knives, discussing their features and materials, and the tasks and conditions they are best suited for, to provide you with the necessary information to choose the perfect hunting knife for your needs.

1. Buck General Pro S35VN Fixed Blade Hunting Knife

The Buck General Pro boasts a blade made from S35VN steel, a high-performance stainless steel known for its excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. S35VN steel is an upgraded version of S30V steel, with added niobium for improved performance. Its impressive sharpness and durability make it suitable for skinning, field dressing, and breaking down game, as well as cutting through rope, wood, and other materials you may encounter during your outdoor adventures.

Blade shape: Clip-point, ideal for tasks requiring precision and control

Handle material: Canvas Micarta, ensuring a comfortable grip and durability
Blade length: 7.375 inches
Handle length: 4.875 inches, providing excellent balance and control during use
Overall knife length: 12.25 inches, suitable for larger game and demanding tasks
Weight: 235 grams

The Buck General Pro also comes with a premium leather sheath for secure storage and transport. The sheath helps protect the knife from the elements and keeps it close at hand when you need it most.

This hunting knife is made in the USA and is suitable for various tasks and weather conditions. Its corrosion-resistant properties make it an excellent choice for hunting in humid or wet environments, while its overall build quality ensures it can withstand the rigors of the outdoors. No matter what challenges you face, the Buck General Pro is a reliable and versatile hunting knife that can handle them all.

2. Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner 15002 Fixed Blade Hunting Knife

The Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner is suitable for various tasks and weather conditions. Its modified drop-point shape allows for precise cuts, making it an ideal tool for processing game of different sizes. The blade's excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance ensure that it performs well even in harsh environments, such as wet or humid conditions, and it requires less frequent maintenance during extended hunting trips.

The Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner features a blade made from CPM-S30V stainless steel, which is renowned for its excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. CPM-S30V steel is a powder metallurgy stainless steel, containing carbon, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium, resulting in a fine grain and uniform structure.

The Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner features:

Blade shape: Modified drop-point, perfect for precision tasks like skinning and caping
Handle Material: Laminated wood, offering both beauty and ergonomic comfort

Blade length: 4.2 inches
Handle length: 4.25 inches
Overall knife length: 8.70 inches
Weight: 121 grams

This hunting knife comes with a high-quality orange kydex sheath designed with multiple holes for secure tie-down, and a snug fit to prevent the knife from accidentally falling out.

Proudly made in the USA, the Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner is a reliable and versatile hunting knife suitable for a wide range of tasks and environments. Its combination of high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and proven performance make it an excellent choice for both seasoned hunters and those new to the sport.

3. Cudeman Akeley Deer Stag Bohler N690CO Steel Hunting Knife

The Cudeman Akeley Deer Stag is a traditional-style fixed blade hunting knife. It features a drop-point blade which lends itself well to a wide range of outdoor tasks, including skinning, gutting, slicing, and general cutting chores, making it a versatile choice for hunters, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Cudeman Akeley Deer Stag hunting knife boasts a blade made from Austrian Bohler N690CO steel, known for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ability to achieve a razor-sharp edge. N690CO steel is a cobalt-enriched stainless steel, containing chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium, resulting in a fine grain structure and high wear resistance.

Blade shape: Drop-point, providing versatility for a range of outdoor tasks
Handle material: Genuine deer stag, giving a unique and eye-catching appearance
Blade length: 4.33 inches
Handle length: 4.53 inches
Overall knife length: 8.86 inches

Weight: 184 grams

This hunting knife comes with a high-quality Spanish leather sheath for secure storage and transport, protecting the blade from damage and making it easily accessible when needed. The Cudeman Akeley Deer Stag hunting knife is proudly made in Spain and is suitable for various tasks and weather conditions.

The Cudeman Akeley Deer Stag hunting knife is designed to withstand harsh environments, making it suitable for use in various climates and terrains. Whether you're hunting in a dense forest, navigating a mountain trail, or camping in a remote location, this knife will be a reliable companion to help you tackle the challenges that the great outdoors presents.

4. Boker Arbolito Bison Guayacan Wood Fixed Blade Hunting Knife

The Boker Arbolito Bison hunting knife features a versatile modified drop-point blade shape that excels at slicing and precision cutting, making it a go-to choice for hunters pursuing medium to large game, as well as for campers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a reliable all-around tool.

The Guayacan wood handle, which is native to South America, not only adds to the knife's visual appeal but also provides a comfortable grip and resists moisture, ensuring the knife performs well in wet conditions.

The blade is made from N695 stainless steel, a high-quality steel known for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. N695 steel is similar to 440C stainless steel, containing high carbon and chromium content, ensuring a balance between hardness and corrosion resistance.

Blade shape: Drop-point, versatile for various cutting tasks
Handle material: Guayacan wood, offering a beautiful appearance and a comfortable grip

Blade length: 4.625 inches
Handle length: 4.625 inches
Overall knife length: 9.25 inches
Weight: 248 grams

This hunting knife comes with a high-quality leather sheath for easy storage and transport, ensuring that the knife remains protected and readily accessible when needed. Whilst Boker is a German company, their Boker Arbolito Bison hunting knife is proudly made in Argentina and is suitable for a wide range of tasks and weather conditions.

The Boker Arbolito Bison hunting knife's robust construction, featuring a full-tang design, enhances its durability and strength, allowing it to withstand the rigours of outdoor use in various environments. From hunting expeditions in damp forests to survival situations in arid landscapes, this knife is designed to be a reliable and adaptable companion for any outdoorsman.

5. Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter Black S35VN Steel Folding Knife

The Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter folding knife is a reliable and versatile tool designed to meet the needs of any outdoorsman. Featuring a blade made from high-performance S35VN stainless steel, this knife boasts excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of environments and conditions.

Blade shape: Drop-point, versatile for various outdoor tasks

Handle material: G-10, a durable and lightweight material offering a comfortable and secure grip
Blade length: 3.5 inches
Handle length: 5 inches
Overall knife length: 8.5 inches (when opened)
Weight: 153 grams, easy to carry and handle during outdoor activities

One of the unique features of the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter is its innovative Tri-Ad lock mechanism. This state-of-the-art locking system ensures a secure and reliable lock-up, enhancing the knife's safety and durability during use. Additionally, the knife is equipped with a pocket clip that allows for convenient carry and easy access when needed.

Lockable folding hunting knives, such as the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, offer several advantages over fixed blade hunting knives. First, their compact and foldable design makes them more convenient to carry, store, and transport. Second, the folding mechanism adds an extra layer of safety, as it keeps the blade inside the handle when not in use.

Proudly made in Taiwan, the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter folding knife is designed to excel in various tasks and weather conditions. From hunting and fishing trips to camping and survival situations, this versatile knife is an essential companion for any outdoor enthusiast.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the perfect hunting knife, it's essential to consider the materials, features, and the tasks and conditions you'll be using it in. The top 5 hunting knives we've compared in this article each offer unique properties, making them excellent choices for outdoor and hunting use. Whether you prefer a fixed-blade or folding knife, these options are sure to enhance your outdoor adventures.