The knife is the star of the hunting game. But once you're done using it, you need a safe place to keep it. Unfortunately, you can't just pick any bag or storage box to store your knife in— what you need is a good hunting knife sheath.
While some knife models already come with a sheath, some also don't come with one. Additionally, some knife owners upgrade their sheaths or opt for customization. But if you're in a rush and want a ready-made sheath for your next hunt, you're in the right place!
This article discusses the basics of a good hunting knife sheath and a round-up of five brands to choose from.
Generally, a quality knife sheath should be durable, secure, and maneuverable, especially for emergencies. Sheaths may also have extra accessories to accommodate other related tools— for example, an extra pocket for your sharpening stones.
To pick the perfect knife sheath, we enumerated the most important factors you should pay attention to.
The first important aspect is the sheath material. There are three primary materials used to make hunting knife sheaths: leather, Kydex, and nylon. Take a look at the necessary pros and cons of each material below.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Hunting knife with leather sheath | High quality Robust Lightweight Prevents sheath noise A favorite of most field knife owners Fixable during the field (using proper equipment) | Not the most durable material; it wears out when exposed to tough environments for too long or when there's a lack of maintenance Needs expert advice when selecting the best quality Relatively pricey than the other two materials Not the safest to use for extremely sharp or large knives High maintenance Not a good storage option |
| Hunting knife with Kydex sheath | Flexible Durable Cheaper than leather Safe for prolonged storage of the knife | Not the most wear-resistant material Loud sheath noise |
| Hunting knife with nylon sheath | Most flexible among the three materials Most affordable Popular material | Not durable Lacks stiffness Keeps grit in its fibers, causing damage to the blade |
The key to selection is to identify your priority. Are you looking for affordable options? Are you looking for a sheath that can withstand rough environments? Are you interested in a sheath that doesn't require heavy maintenance? Your choice depends on these questions.
A knife sheath can be a life-saving tool in your hunting adventure. When a wild animal suddenly attacks, you need to pull the knife to save yourself from any possible harm. An impressively sharp knife does help counteract an attack like that, but if you can't pull it out quickly, the best knife in the world is still useless.
The knife sheath is a core part of an emergency— when you face unexpected challenges in the wilderness, you need a sheath that allows you to grab your knife quickly and safely. Make sure to try this out when choosing a knife sheath to get you fully prepped for hunting emergencies.
Carrying your knife while hunting can be a hassle when you don't have a safe and secure sheath. There are various styles of carrying a knife: belt carry, horizontal carry, or inside the waistband carry. Choosing a carrying style depends on the type, size, and purpose of your knife.
For example, if you want to keep the knife on your back so it doesn't get in the way and offer more hip space for other tools, pick a hunting knife with a horizontal sheath. On the other hand, if you're bringing a large knife, an inside waistband style can help conceal the knife and sheath on the hip. Additionally, think of the demand for survival: if it's in the wilderness, you need a knife that you can easily pullout. But if it's unnecessary to keep your guard up, the knife needs to attach firmly to your sheath.
Choosing the right sheath can also depend on rates. Brands that offer high-quality hunting knives come with a decent sheath that no longer requires fixes or upgrades. Unfortunately, not all knives come with a reliable sheath, especially the cheaper ones. Therefore, if you buy a cheap knife, you need to get a separate sheath replacement.
An alternative is to buy high-quality hunting knives in the first place since they already include an impressive sheath. That will save you from the stressful, time-consuming selection and separate costs needed when getting a separate sheath.
Knife sheath accessories are the straps, pockets, and holders designed to hold additional tools like fire starters or sharpening stones. The good thing about one with many accessories is it serves as an all-around kit— you can carry all necessary items in one place and hang them on your belt. But, at the same time, a sheath with plenty of room for other tools can also hinder smooth operations.
If you add too many extra items, it adds weight and becomes harder to conceal. If there are too many straps and pockets, it could get in the way when you're trying to pull the knife. Additionally, if you lose the sheath, you lose all the other items included in there. Moderation is vital, so allow only a moderate amount of accessories that won't get in the way of your hunt.
Now that you've learned the basic considerations of hunting knife sheaths, it's time to look into the five most recommended sheaths to help you make a purchase decision. Ready to find a reliable tool that will protect you and your knife? Check out our list below.
Here's a basic and affordable knife sheath to get you started! The Sheaths straight blade knife sheath is crafted with pleasing hunting knife sheath patterns: a pretty basketweave design. It is also made of high-quality materials and currently takes the 25th spot in Amazon's best-selling Shop Knife Sheaths category.
| Pros | Cons |
| The basketweave pattern is visually pleasing | The leather is dried out at arrival and needs to be soaked in conditioner or neatsfoot oil |
| A thick and decent leather quality makes it durable | Sometimes the dimensions don't fit the knife blade, causing instability for the knife |
| Good quality worth the price | The sheath's strap is not firmly fastened, which doesn't secure the knife handle well |
Here's a durable knife sheath that perfectly fits all 7-inch full-sized fixed blade Ka-Bar knives you might have at home! The traditional design and premium leather material make it the perfect companion for your hunting adventures.
| Pros | Cons |
| A tough cookie— it can handle all sorts of weather conditions and temperatures | Might not fit non-Ka-Bar knives |
| A plain and neat traditional design for the hunter's personal preference | Knives fit in too tightly at first, but the sheath complements the shape after a couple of uses |
| Excellent craftsmanship for secure and efficient hunting tasks | |
| Most compatible for a Ka-Bar knife |
Next is the uniquely designed leather knife sheath from Victorinox! With the brand's long-standing reputation for producing multi-purpose tools and pocket knives, you can expect the exceptional quality of this leather knife sheath.
| Pros | Cons |
| Contains an internal liner that protects the sheath from the blade's sharp edge | Not very suitable in a kitchen setting; better for camping and hunting activities |
| Visually pleasing and compact sheath design | Doesn't fit some Victorinox 6-inch knives |
| Suitable for straight, fixed blades but can also handle a curved boning knife | Easily wears out without proper maintenance |
| Excellent protection when carrying a sharp Victorinox knife | Appears to be a bit too pricey for some buyers |
Want to sport a classy look in the hunting grounds? The Hide & Drink leather knife sheath is the perfect sheath to go for! The handcrafted leather stitching brings a durable quality to the sheath so that you can rely on it to keep a safe and efficient hunting session.
| Pros | Cons |
| Handmade using full-grain leather (highest quality) by local artisans from Pastores, Guatemala. The town is prominent for the dedicated crafting of leather goods | Perfectly suitable for Mora Companion knives, but needs major adjustments to fit other types/brands of knife |
| Classy and comfortable design | Some customers state that they received a sheath with poor quality and stitching |
| Excellent stitching to make a long-lasting purpose | |
| 101 Year Warranty |
Do you prefer to adjust the sheath on your own instead of fixed, ready-made sheaths? The Armory Plastics Kydex sheath makes the best DIY tool for your preference. The kit is partially set up, and you need to follow provided instructions to complete it and start custom molding. The process is simple, so you don't have to worry about not having adequate skills.
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptionally versatile— find the best fit of the Kydex sheath for your hunting knife! | Needs some good crafting skills |
| Partially assembled; comes with AB3 clip and BB eyelets | Loud sheath noise due to the material. |
| Detailed instructions to assist you in molding the sheath | Some knife owners find the Kydex too thick |
| Great value for an affordable price | Needs to re-heat several times to get a good fit |
Bringing your hunting knife in sheath does more than just a little accessory that secures the blade from harming you. It also protects the knife's quality and helps leverage performance in the field. The selection process can be stressful, but we hope this article helps you get a clear idea of the suitable sheath for your hunting knife, both in terms of purpose and preference.
