Ceramic Hunting Knives – Here’s How They Measure Up To Metal
Your definitive guide to ceramic hunting knives
The other day I had a little (okay kind of big) debate with the wife about ceramic knives. She swears by her “Super Sharp Kitchen Knives” – which in her opinion is and always will be ceramic blades.
Long story short…we decided to love each other – differences about knives all en-tow and that was the end of the story.
Then it got me thinking: why are ceramic hunting knives not as popular as say stainless steel or carbon hunting knives?
Let me show you how they measure up:
Ceramic vs Metal
The Pros of Ceramic Blades:
- They’re sharp – ceramic is the second hardest material out there next to diamond
- They keep their edges – ceramic blades are known for superior edge retention
- They’re not porous – which means they won’t absorb odors or transfer it from one piece of food to another
- They’re sanitary – again, thanks to the fact that they’re not porous. Fewer pores means fewer gunk getting stuck inside creating a more sanitary blade
- They’re lightweight – I mean seriously lightweight, so they don’t put as much strain on your arms
- They don’t rust – which is actually very logical since they don’t have metal. No metal = no rust
The Cons of Ceramic Blades:
- They’re brittle – just because they’re hard doesn’t mean they can’t break. Anything that isn’t easily sliced (like bones and hide) will ruin a ceramic blade. Drop it and you WILL have a chipped blade.
- They’re expensive – ceramic knives don’t typically see the light of day in low-end models, which means they’re not comparable in the price class of some go-to hunting knives like budget Buck and Kershaw models
- They’re not versatile – ceramic blades definitely aren’t all-purpose. They slice. They do that and they do it pretty well, but that’s about it.
So, as you see, Ceramic blades do have their pros and cons. Personally I don’t dig the idea for hunting applications, but I know that some of you are into it, which is why I’m going to help you out here.
I’ve rounded up some of the best ceramic hunting knives out there and gave them a run for their money, putting them through some rigorous testing and what follows is the result…
Ceramic Hunting Knives – Reviews
Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife
The Gerber StrongArm was designed with military, tactical and survival applications in mind. Upon first glance it’s a no-frills blade with a pretty versatile sheath mounting system. It’s perfectly strong, boasts a comfy handle and is a pretty useful all-rounder. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a total-ceramic though, the Gerber StrongArm is a ceramic-coated steel blade knife that measures in at an overall 9.8 inches.
The Pros:
- The diamond textured, rubberized handle secures a solid grip even when wet
- It’s a great bang for your buck survival knife
- It’s a full tang knife, so it’s strong enough
The Cons:
- Getting the knife back into the sheath is a two-handed job
Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife
Stone River Gear SRG41RCB Black Ceramic Hunting Knife
Since Stone River Gear is just a great name, it really comes as no surprise that their Ceramic Hunting Knife comes in with awesome reviews from people like you and me. Personally, I found this knife to be tough and hard working. The 1/4 inch drop point ceramic blade has a razor sharp edge that stays that way and the sure-grip textured rubber handle provides you with a solid and secure grip all the time.
The Pros:
- The handle is really comfortable and secures a great grip
- It has a nice overall length of 7 3/4 inches
- The blade is razor sharp straight out of the box
The Cons:
- This knife is good for cutting and NOT prying
Stone River Gear SRG41RCB Black Ceramic Hunting Knife with Rubberized Handle
Boker Plus Anti-Grav Knife
Featuring a super sharp ceramic blade and a pretty impressive lightweight, the Boker Plus Anti-Grav Knife is a force to be reckoned with. The handle is made from carbon fiber which provides it with a light carrying weight but also extreme stability and elegance that’s out of its league. This knife comes with a pocket clip and a lanyard hole and for safety measures; it features a frame lock mechanism. Essentially, this is the perfect EDC at a great price.
The Pros:
- The blade is perfectly sharp straight out of the box
- The handle material is superb
- The lock type is really great and it’s an extremely easy to use knife
The Cons:
- The feel of the handle is something you’ll have to get used to
Boker Plus Anti-Grav Knife
Gerber Ghostrike
As a part of Gerber’s push to increase their domestic production, the Ghostrike comes in to save the rep of what seemed to be diminishing quality for Gerber. For a relatively low price you get a small, skeletonized knife with a rubber coating on the handles. The blade is made from 420HC steel with a black ceramic coating, sporting a hollow grind. You’ll also get a modular plastic sheath as part of the deal.
The Pros:
- The sheath is pretty versatile and works well with the Ghostrike
- The ceramic coating is pretty darn durable
- It’s a durable knife that was put together very well
The Cons:
- The factory edge is useless, and you’ll definitely have to sharpen it up
- The handle is not ergonomic at all
- The balance is also all wrong
Gerber Ghoststrike Fixed Blade Knife
There you go. 4 of the best ceramic hunting knives out there! It’s pretty clear to see that pure-ceramic blades are not ideal for hunting applications and they should rather stay in the kitchen where they’ll be safe and sound.
This also marks the end of this series of articles for me. I’ve shown you some great Gift Ideas for Hunters, talked you through Engraved Hunting Knives and shown you the best Small Hunting Knives as well as the best Big Hunting Knives.
For now, I will salute you and be on my way. I’ve got some more field testing to do before I can report back to you.
Until then…stay sharp. Stay wild and always stay on target friends!
John
Video for Ceramic Hunting Knives
Since I have limited time for my hobbies, I look for quality tools to let me REALLY enjoy what I do.
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