After a well-executed kill, you need to process your game. Standard knives won't do. That is why you must bring a dependable hunting knife with you at all times. However, with so many hunting knives in the market today, it is getting difficult to choose the one that will be with you through thick or thin.
This article will break down the top 15 hunting knives for sale from Case, Damascus, Benchmade, Gerber, and more!
Hunting Knives Review 2021
Opinel No. 8 Beechwood Handle Knife
This is one of the inexpensive hunting knives on this list. Opinel No. 8 Beechwood Handle Knife is made in France and has been around since the 1880s. When you hold this hunting knife, it is like you are holding history in your palm. Despite its zero finger protection it stands the test of time, and until now its 3.25-inch blade expertly cleans small to midsize game.
Benchmade Altitude
Where's the handle? This is one of the reactions hunters have when they see this hunting knife. But the Benchmade Altitude looks like that—the handle is the tang itself. But don't mistake its appearance because its selling point is its CPM-S90V blade that makes processing game easy. Plus, this hunting knife is ultra-lightweight; it is as if you're carrying a scalpel.
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Serrated Knife
Bear Grylls is more than a hunting knife. It can be a camping or survival knife as well. You can get a hunting knife with a molded rubber grip and a serrated black blade, a diamond sharpener, and a fire starter all-in-one package. This hunting knife was made possible because of Bear Grylls and Gerber's collaboration.
Outdoor Edge Razor-Pro
Outdoor Edge Razor-Pro is the first foldable knife on this list. It comes with two blades: a 3.1-inch gutting blade and a 3.5-inch replaceable razor-safe blade. It has a non-slip rubberized handle and is lightweight. The blade is easy to replace by merely pushing a lock button. Outdoor Edge promises that with Razor-Pro, you will never have to sharpen your knife again.
Marble's Ideal Hunting Knife
The Marble's Ideal Hunting Knife is one of the hunting knives envied by many manufacturers, according to Field & Stream. There are copycats from the Kinfolks, midsize Remington, Camillus, and W.R. Case. But rumor has it that the inventor of this hunting knife, Webster Marble, copied it as well from a hunting writer named George W. Brooks. It is an all-around high-grade knife with a 6-inch steel blade and a wide groove that makes it lightweight.
Morakniv Basic
For only a few bucks you can have the Morakniv Basic, which can stand big game hunting. It has a 3.6-inch stainless steel blade with a combi-sheath. It can fit snugly around your palm thanks to its handle geometry. Plus, the Morakniv Basic has a true Scandi grind. The Scandi or Scandinavian grind works well with batoning and can be used efficiently in harsh conditions.
Spyderco Bow River
Spyderco Bow River's handle has an eye-catching design, which looks like spider webs. It's an elegant knife with a razor-thin sharp blade that makes it ideal for skinning your game. The blade is made from 4.5-inch 8Cr13MoV stainless steel with G-10 handles. Spyderco Bow River is not only suitable for hunting, as you can also use it for survival and tactical purposes.
CASE XX WR Pocket Knife Amber Jigged Bone Hunter Trapper
As one of the hunting knives made by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company (also known as "Case XX" or "Case"), the CASE XX WR Pocket Knife Amber Jigged Bone Hunter Trapper is a masterpiece. This is one of the Case hunting knives made from Tru-Sharp stainless steel. It features a gut hook, clip, and saw blades. The gut hook blade is perfect for field dressing. Besides being a hunting knife, it is a multipurpose knife that you can use around the house and in the outdoors.
Ka-Bar Becker BK2
This gorgeous-looking hunting knife has equally gorgeous features. The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 was designed by Ethan Becker, a well-known mountain climber and survivalist. No wonder it can be a hunting, camping, and survival blade. It has an unbreakable 5.25-inch 1095 cro-van steel blade with a drop point shape. You won't feel any movement when you use it—that's how sturdy its blade is.
D.H. Russell Canadian Belt Knife
D.H. Russell Canadian Belt Knife is another hunting knife in this article with many copycats. It was invented by Dean Russel, a Canadian cutlery-store owner. It features an elliptical blade with an offset handle made of rosewood or stag. You can control it in any position, making it great for skinning, gutting, and caping.
Buck 658 Pursuit Small Knife
Buck 658 Pursuit Small Knife is one of the most versatile hunting knives for sale. This tough guy is light, compact, and easy to use. The handle is glass-filled nylon and Versaflex. It features a full tang design which is 8 inches in length. The blade is made from martensitic stainless steel with a drop point style. When you purchase a Buck knife, you're entitled to a lifetime warranty. Buck 658 Pursuit Small Knife is also proudly American-made.
ESEE Ashley Game Knife (AGK)
Another hunting knife made in the USA, the Ashley Game Knife (AGK) is a versatile hunting tool. The blade is made from 1095 carbon steel with a weatherproof canvas micarta handle that provides a rock-solid grip. The knife's length from handle to tip is 8.25 inches. ESEE Ashley Game Knife (AGK) was featured in Knife Magazine's Best of 2019. Also, ESEE hunting knives have a "No Questions Asked" warranty, a huge plus in our book.
CASE XX WR Pocket Knife Synthetic Handle
The CASE XX WR Pocket Knife Synthetic Handle is one of the best trapper hunting knives. It is equipped with two blades: the long spey blade and the slender clip blade. This hunting knife is suitable for hunting or outdoor use. The blade itself is made from chrome vanadium, and the handle is yellow synthetic. Resharpening is easy, and you can wipe off its blades when exposed to moisture.
Benchmade – Hidden Canyon Hunter
The Benchmade – Hidden Canyon Hunter features a fixed blade and a full tang knife with stabilized wood as its handle. Its blade is an American-made CPM S30V stainless steel that doesn't corrode or rust easily. The material used for the handle is Dymondwood which is resistant to harsh environments. It is surprisingly light, but don’t let that fool you. It can cut the joints of even the largest animals!
Ottoza Handmade Damascus Tracker Knife with Bone Handle
The last item on our list is the Ottoza Handmade Damascus Tracker Knife with Bone Handle. It is one of the all-around Damascus hunting knives that can be used for camping, hunting, bushcraft, and tracking. Don't expect the bone handle's color to be exactly the same as advertised because it’s an all-natural material, meaning it varies in color. Its 5-inch blade is a combination of 1095 and 15n20 sheets of steel. Each Damascus tracker knife is handmade to ensure its exceptional quality and unique appearance.
In closing
Which hunting knives above do you want as your hunting buddy? If none of them appeal to you, there are also custom hunting knives that you can pass on from generation to generation. No matter which knife you choose, determine where you will use it and what type of game you will prepare. The best knives are flexible enough to perform various tasks like dressing, skinning, gutting, and splitting. Also, consider how often you hunt because a hunting knife used frequently may be subject to immediate wear and tear. Lastly, the handle must be able to prevent accidental slips or cuts. You may end up buying a branded knife because it is the safer option. But we suggest considering the factors we’ve mentioned to find the suitable hunting knife you can rely on even in the most difficult situations.fiel