The Best Outdoor Knife for a Serious Woodsman

What’s up friends, it’s your favorite woodsman, John, back again with another in-depth knife review to keep you on point. Today we will be examining what knives have what it takes to be crowned the best outdoor knife for a serious woodsman. A true woodsman never leaves home without his trusty blade, and choosing the best outdoor knife for your needs doesn’t have to be tricky. The right blade can make any camping or hiking trip more pleasant by reducing the amount of energy and work you need to do.

The Best Outdoor Knife – Why You Need One

Imagine being stranded alone in the wild, with little to no supplies, and the sun starting to set. You are going to need to use your quick thinking and limited supplies to get you through this endeavor safely. The first thing you are going to want to do is to find shelter and build a fire. Luckily, you remembered to pack your survival knife.

You quickly pull out your blade and begin hacking away at the surrounding branches, and within the hour you are creating a makeshift roof and fire to get you through the night. As you begin to fall asleep you start to hear a pack of hungry wolfs howling in the distance. You decide to strap your survival knife to the end of one of the branches you cut, to make a spear in case you need to fend off the locals.

In this all too real scenario, it’s easy to see why your outdoor knife is one of the most important tools to carry in the wild. Outdoor knives are designed to be used in almost any scenario you may encounter, from making dinner, to preventing yourself from becoming dinner. Soldiers, campers, and hunters around the globe use these handy blades.

The Best Outdoor Knife – What You Need to Know

There is no one-size-fits-all, in terms of outdoor knives. The best outdoor knife for you is the knife that most accurately meets your specific needs. Your environment should also be taken into consideration. If you are expecting to have to clear brush or dense jungle, you are going to want a large heavy blade to assist you in hacking through the brush. You may also want a large blade during the winter when the downed trees are covered in snow. A large blade can help you to cut branches and split logs into firewood. In a hunting scenario, you want to go with a smaller outdoor knife better suited for skinning and if you are planning a long hike, you may want the added usefulness of a multi-function EDC knife.

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When I’m out hunting I always bring a multi-function EDC knife, in addition to a fixed blade tactical knife. I found this to be the best strategy because it gives me access to the widest range of tools without having to weigh my bag down with a saw, screwdriver, or any of the large variety of tools that my Swiss Army Knife incorporates. Carrying this combination of blades can be a great way to make sure you have all your bases covered.

Today I am going to focus primarily on the fixed blade outdoor knives that meet my strict quality standards. There is no shortage of outdoor knife manufacturers and styles to choose from and trying to sift through this maze of blades can get confusing. Lucky for you I already did all the dirty work. These are the top 5 best outdoor knives for the serious woodsman.

The Top 5 Best Outdoor Knives for the Serious Woodsman

Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife Fixed Blade Knife, 6.375in, Satin Spear Point Blade, Kraton Handle

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The Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife slices through the competition with a razor sharp drop point blade made from durable VG-10 steel. This knife has a great size and feel. The 6.3″ convex ground blade feels smooth as glass. This is on serious blade designed to handle the roughest survival scenarios.

Pros

VG-10 Steel Blade
Drop Point Shape
Zytel Sheath
Kraton Handle

Cons

Sharpening Convex Blade

The Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife is legendary in military circles around the world. As an avid hunter and outdoorsman, I need a blade that can stand up to the toughest tasks, and this blade delivers. If you are looking for a no-nonsense blade that can take a beating and still keep its edge, this is the best outdoor knife for you.

Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife

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The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife comes with a full tang design that can withstand heavy use without showing signs of wear and tear. This heavy-duty field knife comes with a 1095 Cro-Van Steel blade that has been sharpened to a 20- degree angle to improve cutting ability. I like the weight of this blade and the drop point design gives it added functionality in the wild.

Pros

Drop Point Design
1095 Cro-Van Steel Blade
Grivory Handle
Glass-Filled Nylon Sheath

Cons

Sharpening

I found this blade to be perfect for splitting kindling and skinning game. The designer of this knife is Ethan Becker, a world famous blade designer who worked extensively with Camillus. I like what he did with this knife. This extremely versatile blade delivers results when you need it most.

ESEE 6P-B Plain Edge Fixed Blade Survival Knife with Grey Micarta Handle

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The ESEE 6P-B Plain Edge Fixed Blade Survival Knife has an overall length of 11.75″. The 1095 steel blade measures 6.5″ and the handle is made from Grey Micarta Scale. This is a solid blade that utilizes a full tang design to increase cutting power and durability. I like the jimping on the spine because it gives me a better thumb grip and more accuracy.

Pros

1095 High Carbon Steel Blade
Removable clip
Full Tang
Arrives Razor Sharp
Well-Balanced

Cons

Handle Grip – Slippery When Wet

This blade is the perfect balance between functionality and affordability. I like the fact that it is hefty but not heavy. This blade gives you maximum cutting power while still maintaining its edge, even under heavy use scenarios. This is the perfect blade for anyone looking to get a super sharp knife that can handle any abuse you throw at it.

Genuine Gurkha Aeof Kukri – 11″ Authentic British Gurkha Afghan Issue Khukuri – Handmade By Ex Gurkha Khukuri House in Nepal

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The Genuine Gurkha Aeof Kukri is comes in an Authentic British design that has stood the test of time. This classic design comes with an 11″ blade with a 5″ rosewood handle. This is a serious outdoor knife that can handle dense forests and jungles with ease. This is my go-to blade when I know I’m going into unchartered territory. This blade became popular during the Iraq wars and now it is a permanent staple in the outdoorsman’s toolbox.

Pros

Handmade
11″ 58-60 RC Steel Edge
Cotton Covered Buffalo Leather Sheath
Free Bonus -Small Karda Knife

Cons

Weight

The Genuine Gurkha Aeof Kukri gives you a good balance between protection and usability. I feel like Conan hacking away at vines with this hefty blade and the Indian hardwood give this knife a unique look and feel. This very versatile blade can handle a wide variety of tasks. This is a large outdoor knife designed with the true outdoorsman mind.

Schrade SCHF2 Large Extreme Survival One-Piece Drop Forged Clip Point Fixed Blade

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The Schrade SCHF2 Large Extreme Survival Knife delivers unmatched performance from a lightweight design. The Matte Finished SAE-1070 High Carbon Steel Partially Serrated Clip Point blade slices with precision and the waterproof hollow handle conceals a 10-peace bit set. The ballistic belt sheath has multiple carry options and a removable storage pouch.

Pros

SAE-1070 High Carbon Steel Blade
Partially Serrated Edge
Clip Point Design
Waterproof Hollow Handle
10 Bit Set

Cons

Sheath Fits Loose

I spend a lot of time deep in the woods and on many occasions, I am out in the wild for days at a time. I use this hefty knife frequently to clear thorns and to skin or carve up deer. This one-piece steel design is very intuitive and you can feel the added durability in this blade. This is a smart choice if you for someone looking for a professional grade outdoor knife that is designed to stand the test of time.

The Best Outdoor Knife – What Fits Your Needs?

If you are like me, you spend a large amount of your time journeying through the winding trails of the backwoods. No matter how deep in the wild my adventures take me, I know I am never alone as long as I have my outdoors knife close by.

The best outdoor knife for my situation may not be the best outdoor knife for your scenario. That’s why I decided to give you a solid list of blades I use the most. Remember, your outdoor knife is more than just your regular camping tool, in times of emergency he can be your protector as well as provide you with access to the wood you need to create a shelter. Use this outdoor knife guide to help you on your journey in search of the best outdoor knife.

Author
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John Smith

I am a family man love outdoor activities such as hunting and hiking.
Since I have limited time for my hobbies, I look for quality tools to let me REALLY enjoy what I do.