10 The Best Hunting Knife

Updated on: May 2023

The Best Hunting Knife in 2023


Mossy Oak Survival Knife, 15-inch Fixed Blade Hunting Bowie Knife with Sharpener and Fire Starter, for Camping, Tactical, Outdoor

Mossy Oak Survival Knife, 15-inch Fixed Blade Hunting Bowie Knife with Sharpener and Fire Starter, for Camping, Tactical, Outdoor
BESTSELLER NO. 1 in 2023

MOSSY OAK 2-pieces Bowie Knife Fixed Blade Hunting Knives with Leather Handle

MOSSY OAK 2-pieces Bowie Knife Fixed Blade Hunting Knives with Leather Handle
BESTSELLER NO. 2 in 2023
  • ✅ SPECIFICATIONS: Large Knife Overall Length:10-1/2”, Blade Length: 6”, Weight: 0.15 lbs; Small Knife Overall Length: 8”, Blade Length: 4”, Weight: 0.15 lbs
  • ✅ RAZOR SHARP CLIP POINT BLADE: Blades feature excellent strength, edge retention and corrosion resistance for lasting durability, good for piercing, detail work, and cutting in tight places
  • ✅ FULL TANG STACKED LEATHER HANDLE: Deliver excellent strength, with grip ridges for safe and comfortable handling, provides balance with brass pommel / guard, non-slip grip to use
  • ✅ IMPACT NYLON SHEATH: Provide with guard and belt loop for safe and secure carry with easy access
  • ✅ PERFECT FOR OUTDOOR & COLLECTION: Not suitable for batoning firewood nor chopping wood. Suitable for various military, hunting, survival, tactical, industrial and other outdoor situations

Buck Knives 119 Special Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath - Black Handle

Buck Knives 119 Special Fixed Blade Knife with Leather Sheath - Black Handle
BESTSELLER NO. 3 in 2023
  • RAZOR SHARP CLIP POINT BLADE - 6" Clip Point 420HC steel blade has excellent strength, edge retention, and corrosion resistance for lasting durability. The clip blade is good for piercing, detail work, and cutting in tight places
  • COMFORTABLE GRIP & BALANCE - Traditional black phenolic handle has palm swells for a comfortable grip. The aluminum pommel/guard provide the perfect combination of beauty and balance. Overall length 10-1/2", Weighs 7.5 oz.
  • AN AMERICAN ICON - Classic phenolic handle and aluminum pommel/guard provide a perfect combination of beauty and balance. One of Buck's top selling knives, the 119 Special is 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 you to carry the knife securely and safely on your belt
  • MADE IN THE USA - FOREVER WARRANTY - Since 1902 Buck Knives has offered a lifetime warranty on our knives because we believe in the integrity of our products. This knife is proudly made in the USA

12" Tactical Bowie Survival Hunting Knife w/ Sheath Military Combat Fixed Blade

12
BESTSELLER NO. 4 in 2023
  • Heavy Duty Tactical Knife
  • 12" Tactical Survival Hunting Knife with Sheath and Fixed Blade

MOSSY OAK 14-inch Bowie Knife, Full-tang Fixed Blade Wood Handle with Leather Sheath

MOSSY OAK 14-inch Bowie Knife, Full-tang Fixed Blade Wood Handle with Leather Sheath
BESTSELLER NO. 5 in 2023
  • ✅ KNIFE DIMENSIONS - Overall Length: 14 inch (355 mm); Blade Length: 8-1/2 inch (215 mm); Handle Length: 5-1/2 inch (140 mm); Blade thickness: 3.7 mm; Handle Thickness: 53/64 inch (21 mm); Weight: 14 oz
  • ✅ RAZOR SHARP CLIP POINT BLADE - 3CR13 blade has excellent strength, edge retention and corrosion resistance for lasting durability, good for piercing, detail work, and cutting in tight places
  • ✅ FULL-TANG WOOD HANDLE - Classic design handle made of rosewood, provides comfortable grip and balance with brass pommel / guard, non-slip grip to use
  • ✅ GENUINE LEATHER SHEATH WITH SNAP FASTENER - High quality protective sheath with integrated belt loop for safe and secure carry with easy access
  • ✅ APPLICABLE OCCASIONS - Suitable for various military, hunting, survival, tactical, industrial and outdoor situations

Hao Ming Knife Camping and Hunting Tools

Hao Ming Knife Camping and Hunting Tools
BESTSELLER NO. 6 in 2023
  • Array

KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight

KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps  Fighting Knife, Straight
BESTSELLER NO. 7 in 2023
  • 1095 Cro-van steel. Edge Angles - 20 Degrees
  • 7" Straight Edge Blade
  • The most famous fixed blade knife design in the world
  • Overall length 11.875 inches
  • The most famous fixed blade knife design in the world
  • 1095 Cro-van steel
  • Leather Handle, USMC Fightning Knife
  • 7" Straight Edge Blade
  • Knife Made in USA, Leather Sheath made in Mexico

SNAKE EYE TACTICAL NEW ARRIVAL FIXED BLADE HUNTING SKINNING KNIFE WITH NYLON FIBER HARD SHEATH

SNAKE EYE TACTICAL NEW ARRIVAL FIXED BLADE HUNTING SKINNING KNIFE WITH NYLON FIBER HARD SHEATH
BESTSELLER NO. 8 in 2023
  • Snake Eye Tactical Fixed Blade Knife.
  • 8.5" Overall Length.
  • 4.5" Saw-back Stainless Steel Blade.
  • All Black Textured Handle For Superior Grip in Different Conditions.
  • Includes Nylon Sheath.

Outdoor Edge Wild Pak Complete 8-Piece Hunting Knife Kit for Field Dressing Game, Compact Lightweight Case, Blaze-Orange High Visibility Non-Slip Handles, Full Tang Razor-Sharp Stainless Blades

Outdoor Edge Wild Pak Complete 8-Piece Hunting Knife Kit for Field Dressing Game, Compact Lightweight Case, Blaze-Orange High Visibility Non-Slip Handles, Full Tang Razor-Sharp Stainless Blades
BESTSELLER NO. 9 in 2023
  • COMPLETE COMPACT PREMIUM FIELD DRESSING KIT – Includes every tool you need to butcher game in the field or at home with ease. The case is tough, compact, thin and lightweight. At just over 2 pounds, your tools will stay organized and fit nicely into your backpack. The total hunt includes a license, a weapon and this kit.
  • PROCESS GAME FAST with RAZOR SHARP TOP-QUALITY KNIVES -- For over 30 years, Denver based OUTDOOR EDGE has lead the industry in innovation, all in the pursuit of creating the finest hunting knives. The caping, skinning, and boning knives have full-tang 420J2 stainless steel extremely strong thin blades that have been heat treated and hand finished to create a razor-sharp edge. The tungsten carbide sharpener will always keep your knives sharp and ready.
  • SAFETY FIRST and SUPERIOR VISIBILITY -- The rubberized TPR handles provide a comfortable non-slip sturdy grip when wet. The rubber grabs your fingers making it easier to make precision cuts. The blaze-orange handles offer superior visibility making them easy to find in tall grass or in the dark.
  • ALL ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES – kit also includes a T-handle bone saw, rib spreader, tungsten carbide sharpener, and cleaning gloves.
  • GREAT GIFT – The Wild Pak game processing kit makes a great gift for both beginning and seasoned hunters. They will love the kit and you will appreciate the affordable price.

Tac-force Extra Large Grey 10.5" Folding Blade Spring Assisted Open Pocket Knife

Tac-force Extra Large Grey 10.5
BESTSELLER NO. 10 in 2023

How to Buy a Hunting Knife

Hunters should, however, be aware of the different types of knives available, what each blade is used for and the handle they feel comfortable with, before making the buy.

The two types of hunting knives are fixed blade and folding blade. A fixed blade hunting knife is just what the name indicates it is. The blade of this hunting knife is permanently in the open position, therefore they are generally stronger than their counterpart due to the material that the blade is made out of extending all the way through the handle of the hunting knife. Because of this hunting knife's open position, they will generally come with a sheath that covers the blade to protect the hunter and the blade of the knife as well. A folding blade hunting knife has a blade that does not extend through the handle as with the fixed blade hunting knife. Instead, this hunting knife has a blade that folds into the handle of the hunting knife by use of a pivot point when it is closed. When the hunting knife is open, it locks into place by use of a locking mechanism. The folding blade hunting knife is a multiple use hunting knife, great for the occasional hunter and is easy to carry in a pocket or in a sheath attached to a belt. But, fixed blade hunting knives are most popular among serious hunters.

The five different blade designs for hunting knives are Drop Point, Clip Point, Skinning knife, Gut Hook Blade and Cape knife. Game hunters will not necessarily need all of these different types of hunting knives, it all depends on how far the hunter goes when cleaning their kill.

The Drop Point Blade hunting knife has a blade that the top or dull edge protrudes straight out from the handle about half the total length of the blade then begins to slope downward toward the point where it meets with the sharpened edge of the blade with the sharpened edge rising upward to meet the dull edge. The point that is formed where the two edges come together is above the center of the width of the blade. The Drop Point hunting knife is used to skin the game animal using all of the blade of the knife instead of only the point of the hunting knife, making this task quicker and cleaner, damaging very little of the meat. Other field cleaning tasks are completed with this hunting knife including gutting the animal and splitting the pelvis and rib cage, making this a very versatile hunting knife.

The Clip Point Blade hunting knife has a blade that the top or dull edge protrudes straight out from the handle about two-thirds to three-fourths the total length of the knife blade before sloping downward to create a point by meeting the sharpened edge. This point is below the center of the width of the blade. There is a clipped, concave shape on the top edge of the knife right before the edge drops to make the point with the sharpened edge. Clip Point Blade hunting knives are narrower than Drop Point Blade hunting knives and are also weaker and will not take the abuse. These knives are perfect for the occasional hunter as they will perform the same tasks as the Drop Point Blade hunting knife, just not as well.

The Skinning knife has been carefully designed to remove the skin of game animals with their sweeping blade. These hunting knives save time for hunters who clean their own kill by making the task of separating the skin from the flesh easier. Skinning knives can also be used for most other aspects of game cleaning.

The Gut hook is a hook that is located on top of some hunting knives. This hook helps the hunter to avoid tainting the game meat when gutting the animal by working similar to a zipper after the initial puncture into the abdomen with the point of the hunting knife. Sharpening a hunting knife with a gut hook takes using a round file that has fine grain and is close to the size of the gut hook on the hunting knife. Do not sharpen the flat side of the gut hook when sharpening the hunting knife. The "need" of a gut hook hunting knife is a topic of debate. Most hunters don't feel that it is necessary and some believe that it is a waste of room in the hunting cabinet because it is hard to sharpen. The most popular belief is that simply learning the correct way to gut the animal will erase the need for the gut hook.

The handle of the hunting knife is another consideration when contemplating buying one. Most hunters will decide on a hunting knife primarily on the blade and its use, not on the handle. But, the handle could be important as well, although not as important as the blade and its use. Most hunting knife handles are made from wood or bone, usually antlers. These are then worked until they are smooth and a sealer is put on them. Not the safest handle should blood from the animal being worked on accidentally gets on the handle or the hunters hands. Fortunately, there are new handles being put on knives that are rubber or other composite materials offering better control in these situations, even if they are not as pretty as wood or antler.

Caping knives are the last of the specialty hunting knives that hunters should be aware of. Caping knives are not needed by all game hunters because they are only used for caping a trophy game animal or skinning it so that the cape can be saved to mount. This knife is very small and has a very fine blade and is only as good as the hand that is using it, meaning that the trophy buck is not the game animal that the caping knife should be used on first. Practicing on less important hides would be a smart move to make.

Deciding on a hunting knife is as personal a decision as choosing the hunting rifle. Hunters should, however, be aware of the different types of knives available, what each blade is used for and the handle they feel comfortable with, before making the buy. These knives are often handed down through the generations, which is another consideration.

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