When you’re going hiking or backpacking you need to travel light. That means everything that you bring has to matter. A good backpacking knife is an essential piece of equipment then you need on any hiking, camping, fishing, or hunting trip. You need a good knife that is durable and will get the job done. Here we will take a look at some of our top backpacking knife recommendations.
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Best Knife for Backpacking
- Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge [31-000751]
- Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade
- Gerber STL 2.0 Knife [22-41122]
- StatGear Surviv-All Fixed-Blade Bowie Knife with Sheath, Firestarter, Sharpener & Cord Cutter for Hunting Camping Outdoors Hiking EDC
- Pocket Knife & Fire Starter Set, 5 in 1 Stainless Steel Tactical Folding Knife | Magnesium Fire Starter with Magnetic Compass & Emergency Whistle for Camping, Outdoor Survival, Hiking (1)
1. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge [31-000751]
Product Features
Brand Name: Gerber
Length: 10″
Sheath Included: Yes
Our top recommended backpacking knife is the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Serrated Edge Knife. This knife is made from carbon stainless steel, which makes it durable and sharp. The knife features an ergonomic rubber grip handle, a stainless steel pommel at the base of the handle, a military-grade nylon sheath, and includes a fire starter. The blade measures about 4.75 inches which features a half-serrated edge and half sharp edge. You can use it to easily cut through rope and other material. The durable steel pommel can be used for hammering, while the fire starter will be useful in case of an emergency. This knife also includes a blade sharpener and an emergency whistle. Overall this is an excellent survival knife that will come in handy during any type of outdoor adventure. It has all the features you need in a good survival knife and is pretty budget-friendly as well.
2. Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade
Product Features
Brand Name: Morakniv
Length: 8.6″
Sheath Included: Yes
If you’re shopping for a basic handy outdoor knife the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Knife is a great option. This knife is made from durable stainless steel making it lightweight and razor-sharp. The blade length is approximately 4.1″ and the knife has a grip handle designed for comfort and control. The knife also includes a sheath and comes in nine different color options. Overall if you’re just looking for a basic knife to use for backpacking, hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, or any other outdoor activity, this is a pretty great option. It is one of the cheapest knives you will find without sacrificing quality. The only drawback is that it is pretty basic. There is no serrated edge or any other additional features which might come in handy in an emergency survival situation.
3. Gerber STL 2.0 Knife [22-41122]
Product Features
Brand Name: Gerber
Length: 5.1″
Sheath Included: No
If you’re looking for an ultra-thin lightweight folding knife to take out with you on your backpacking trip the Gerber STL 2.0 Knife might be the one for you. This knife measures a lightweight 1 ounce, which is perfect when you need to travel light. The knife is made from stainless steel make it extremely durable. This one measure 5.1″ when fully straightened, with a blade length of approximately 2.1″. Overall this is an excellent knife. It’s budget-friendly, compact, and sharp.
4. StatGear Surviv-All Fixed-Blade Bowie Knife with Sheath, Firestarter, Sharpener & Cord Cutter for Hunting Camping Outdoors Hiking EDC
Product Features
Brand Name: StatGear
Length: 9.5″
Sheath Included: Yes
Our number four recommendation is the StatGear Surviv-All Fixed Blade Bowie Knife. This knife is made from durable stainless steel and features a drop point blade. The blade measures approximately 4″ and features a sharp edge and a fire starter section on the back of the blade. The handle features a comfortable grip and steel pommel. This set includes a sheath that has a cord cutter, fire starter, and belt loop. Overall this is an excellent survival knife that will definitely come in handy on any sort of backpacking or hiking trip.
5. Pocket Knife & Fire Starter Set, 5 in 1 Stainless Steel Tactical Folding Knife | Magnesium Fire Starter with Magnetic Compass & Emergency Whistle for Camping, Outdoor Survival, Hiking (1)
Product Features
Brand Name: Morpilot
Length: 7.87″
Sheath Included: No
The final spot on the list goes to the Morpilot 5 in 1 Tactical Folding Knife. This knife is an all in one tactical and survival knife that is sure to come in handy in the outdoors. The stainless steel blade measures approximately 3.14 inches and is designed to be rustproof and durable. The knife also includes a saw, seat belt cutter, and a glass breaker, making it perfect for any emergency situation. In addition to the knife, this is a set that includes a separate fire starter. The fire starter is made to be waterproof, and also features an embedded compass and emergency whistle. Overall this is a great knife that can be used for camping, hunting, hiking, fishing, and any other outdoor activity. It’s always good to have a quality knife just in case of an emergency, and this exactly what you get with this combo.
Backpacking Knife Buying Guide
When you’re shopping for a great knife to take with you on an outdoor trip, there are a few things you want to look for:
- Knife Style
- Blade Length
- Additional Features
How to Choose a Backpacking Knife
1. Knife Style
The first thing you want to consider is the style of knife you are looking for. Most knives you will find have a drop point design, which is very common for outdoor knives. In addition, you will come across fixed blade knives and folding knives. Most fixed blade knives will also include a sheath you can easily carry it by your side. They are typically a little larger than folding knives. Folding knives, on the other hand, can be good because they are compact, lightweight, and easy to carry.
2. Blade Length
Blade length is something you might want to consider when buying a knife. The larger the blade, the more heavy the knife is likely to be, but a knife with too small of a blade won’t be good in the case of an emergency. For most situations, something with a blade length of at least 3″ should be fine.
3. Additional Features
You also want to think about the types of features you want on your knife. Are you looking for an all-inclusive survival knife? These days you can find many models that have a sharp edge, serrated edge, and even a fire starter attached, making it a great tool in the case of an emergency. Otherwise, if you’re only going on a short expedition and you’re not too worried about emergencies, a standard blade might be fine for you.
4. Knife Weight
Another thing you want to consider is the weight of the knife. This is especially true if you are going on a long hiking and camping trip where you already have a ton of gear. Every pound counts when you have to carry all your gear, so it’s good to find something lightweight that won’t add to the burden you already have to carry.
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