Camping knives have come a long way in the last few years. While there are still many cheap and poorly made options out there, there are also some excellent knives that can make your camping trip much more enjoyable.
Camping knives come in all shapes and sizes, making it difficult to determine which one is the best for you. The Morakniv Companion is our top pick for the best camping knife of 2022 because it excels in almost every area. It is lightweight yet robust, features a versatile blade, and comes with a quality Sheath.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best camping knives of 2022 and what makes them so great. We will also discuss how to choose the right one for you.
At A Glance: Quick Recommendations
Product Image | Product Name | Rating | Price |
  | Morakniv Companion #1 Best Seller | 4.8 | |
  | KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion #2 Best for Heavy-Duty Use | 4.8 | |
  | GERBER StrongArm | 4.8 | |
  | Light My Fire Swedish FireKnife | 4.8 | |
  | Â Â StatGear 99416 Surviv-All Outdoor Knife #3 Honorable Mention | 4.7 |
How to Choose the Best Camping Knife for Your Needs
With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which knife is the best for your specific needs. So, how do you choose the best camping knife for your needs?
- Camping Knife Types
- Material
- Tang
- Blade Coating
- Fire-Starting Ability
Camping Knife Types
Fixed Blade – Fixed-blade knives are our favorite type for camping knives where weight and size aren’t a problem. Fixed-blade knives are more robust and long-lasting than folding knives. A decent full-tang fixed blade knife (with steel that reaches to the end of the handle) is a basic and almost unbreakable instrument that is suitable for heavy-duty or survival use.
Folding – Folding knives have the advantage of being able to slip into your pocket for convenient access since they are compact, simple to carry, and lightweight. Although fixed-blade knives are often better to use for meal prep and more sturdy for heavy-duty camp duties, the convenience of an excellent folding knife cannot be overstated.
Material
Most knives are constructed of steel, but there are hundreds of variations on the market, each with its distinct qualities. It is beyond the scope of this article to discuss all of them, but it is worthwhile to spend a few minutes researching a steel type to determine whether its properties fit your demands and usage.
Softer steels, in general, mold readily into a razor edge and are easier to sharpen, but they are less durable and lose their edge faster.
Harder steels are more durable but harder to sharpen.
Non-stainless steels are used in the manufacture of several high-quality blades. Non-stainless steels are typically easier to sharpen in the field without special equipment, and they hold their edge better.
They are, however, prone to rust and require additional upkeep. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is simple to care for but often more difficult to sharpen.
Blade Coating
Most blades have a coating that protects the steel. This toughened substance protects the blade, promotes longevity, and improves the knife’s cosmetic attractiveness.
Coatings, on the other hand, make using the spine of the blade on a fire starter impractical, mandating the use of the blade itself if no other striker is available. These coatings can also be difficult to clean, and they can crack or grind off as you sharpen the knife (depending on how durable the coating is).
Fire-Starting Ability
Almost every knife is capable of starting a fire on a ferrocerium rod, although some are far better than others. Some knives have unique edges cut into their spines that are particularly designed for striking a spark. Others, particularly coated knives, may need you to utilize the blade. If done too frequently, this might ruin the blade.
Advantages Of Fixed Blades Vs Folding Camping Knives
Fixed-blade camping knives are a better alternative for experienced campers than folding knives. Because they have no moving components, fixed-blade models perform better on demanding jobs like cutting wood. A fixed knife is simply more durable than a folding knife.
Because folding knives may be stored when not in use, inexperienced campers assume they are safer than fixed blade knives. The reality is that more campers are cut by folding knives than by fixed-blade knives.
What are the uses of folding knives? Folding knives, on the other hand, are convenient. A nice folding camping knife will fit comfortably in your pocket. Furthermore, because folding blades are designed for convenience rather than durability, they are less expensive than fixed blades.
Best Camping Knives: Reviews Of Our Top 5 Picks
#1 Morakniv Companion (Best Seller)
Morakniv Companion won our overall favorite camping knife. It’s simple, adaptable, and compact, and it did everything we needed for camp and then some.
This knife quickly became the first knife we’d go for just about everything around camp. We genuinely don’t understand how we survived without it.
it was one of our favorite grip forms, with a rubber handle that fits every size hand well.
The blade was among the sharpest right out of the box and cut through tomato, onion, and whatever other vegetables we tried it on.
The Companion also has to be sharpened regularly. It had faded significantly after a month of testing, and we had a little bend in the edge from chopping on a hard surface. Nonetheless, the blade is simple to deal with and resharpen to a razor edge.
If you only buy one camping knife to accomplish everything, make it this one.
Product Specs:
Weight: 4.2 oz | Blade Length: 4.1″ | Material: Sandvik 12C27
#2 KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion (Best for Heavy-Duty Use)
The KA-BAR Becker Campanion knife is a beast. This knife is ready to rock straight out of the box, weighing a whole pound and featuring a strong full-tang design.
All of our tests verified that it feels well-balanced and practically unbreakable. With this knife, we were able to sever a 2″ solid branch in much less than 10 seconds.
The KA-BAR Becker also was great for batoning firewood. It split several hard cedar logs more effectively than some of the camping hatchets we tested.
We liked how the steel extends slightly beyond the handle, making it an ideal tent stake hammer.
The knife is composed of 1095 Cro-Van steel, which is extremely robust and long-lasting. However, because it isn’t stainless steel, rust is a possibility, and this knife takes some care.
The coating is long-lasting and resistant to chipping and damage. It did, however, take up a lot of dirt from cutting through wood and was difficult to clean fully. This was the last knife we’d want to use to prepare our supper.
Product Specs:
Weight: 16 oz | Blade Length: 5.25″ | Material: 095 Cro-Van
#3 GERBER StrongArm
Gerber Legendary Blades of Oregon has earned a household brand in recent years, thanks to an endorsement from survival expert Bear Grylls. Anyone interested in perusing this company’s large catalog should begin with the Strongarm.
With such a name like Strongarm, you’d think this sword would be…well, powerful! This blade was built using durable 420 high-carbon steel by designers. This makes the blade an excellent alternative for anyone who anticipates doing a lot of cutting and sewing while camping.
The drop point blade alone on the Strongarm is 4.75 inches, allowing it to effortlessly perform numerous tough chopping chores. The Strongarm’s entire length, including the handle, is 9.8 inches. The Gerber Strongarm weighs 10 ounces, which is light for such a heavy-duty, high-carbon type.
A wonderful design feature of the Gerber Strongarm is the curve on the grip that isolates your finger from the blade. While in use, this safety holder will keep your hand from slipping.
Another advantage of the Gerber Strongarm is that it is one of the simplest to personalize. You might select a blade with a half-serrated or fine edge. If you anticipate performing a lot of sawing, the half-serrated edge is a smart choice.
People who are used to using a lightweight camping blade and want to upgrade to a high-carbon tool can choose the Gerber Strongarm. This product feels lighter than other high-carbon items, yet it has the weight required to execute all of the duties you’d expect of these blades.
Product Specs:
Weight: 10 oz | Blade Length: 4.75″ | Material: 420 high-carbon steel
#4 Light My Fire Swedish FireKnife
The Light My Fire Swedish FireKnife certainly lives up to its name. It was by far the most effective at starting a fire, spraying an amazing rain of sparks onto our tinder with no effort. We appreciated how the ferrocerium rod that came with it locked into the handle for storage.
This knife, however, was nothing remarkable for purposes other than lighting a fire.
While the handle and grip felt quite comparable to the Morakniv Companion, the blade itself fell short. It is constantly behind the Morakniv in our paper and cutting speed tests.
The biggest change we saw was in meal preparation. The FireKnife did not slice as smoothly or as effortlessly as the Morakniv.
Ultimately, we think it’s a good knife with many similarities to the Morakniv, but its biggest advantage is its capacity to ignite a fire. If that’s your priority, this knife is a must-have. Otherwise, the Morakniv Companion is a better choice than the FireKnife.
Product Specs:
Weight: 4 oz | Blade Length: 3.63″ | Material: Sandvik 12C27
#5 StatGear 99416 Surviv-All Outdoor Knife
The StatGear 99416 Surviv-All Outdoor comes with a 4.25-inch 440 stainless steel drop point blade. The blade of this product is full tang and has a beautiful black finish. The Surviv-All measures 9.5 inches with the handle attached.
One of the standout features is the sheath. This nylon sheath not only protects your blade but also includes a Ferro rod, blade sharpening, and strap cutter. These incorporated features make the Surviv-All Outdoor an excellent choice for first-time campers.
The Surviv-All Outdoor likewise locks into sheath, eliminating the possibility of it slipping out. You may also wrap the tight paracord around the handle while it’s in the sheath for extra security.
A few green glow-in-the-dark strips on the top and bottom of the handle help you discover it at night, and ergonomic curves around the blade help you obtain a solid hold.
Product Specs:
Weight: 7.5 oz | Blade Length: 4.25″ | Material: Stainless Steel
Final Verdict
Morakniv Companion (Best Seller)  We determined the Morakniv Companion to be the best camping knife out of all knives we tested. It is a 4.2 oz weight knife, It's simple, adaptable, and compact, and with a rubber handle that fits every size hand well. Our Top Pick |
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
This article features a list of the best camping knives of 2022. If you are in the market for a new camping knife, this is the place to start. knives are a necessary piece of gear for any camping trip, and with so many options available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. We hope this article helps you make the right decision. Please comment and share with your friends.