On any camping trip, a knife is an essential piece of equipment. While folding knives are now more in fashion because of their greater convenience and safety, fixed blade knives are generally better suited for the great outdoors, being both stronger and more reliable.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
The best-fixed blade knives for camping are not only durable, but also highly versatile. They can be put to good use in a variety of outdoor situations, be it cutting wood, helping with cooking, or downing a wild animal.
The 8 Best Fixed Blade Knives for Camping
Here in this blog, we put together 8 of the best-fixed blade knives for camping being offered right now in the market.
1. Ka-Bar U.S. Marine Corps Fighting Knife
The iconic Ka-Bar U.S. Marine Corps Fighting Knife has faithfully served the marines since the days of World War 2. Known for its high-quality functional design, it will serve your camping and survival needs just as well as it does the U.S military in combat situations. Its solid metal pommel provides additional function as a hummer, useful for pounding and bashing into stuff. One major criticism we can make of the knife is that the blade needs to be sharpened rather frequently.
Pros
- Durable good quality leather sheath
- Presentation grade hunting knife
- Made with 1095 carbon steel – won’t break as easily as other knifes
- Pommel can be used as a hammer
- Made in USA
Cons
- Big for a camping knife
- Blade gets dull quickly
2. Morakniv Garberg
The Morakniv Garberg is a knife popular among many survival experts and it is easy to see why. The knife features a robust full-tang stainless steel blade, and an ergonomically contoured handle that allows you to maintain a strong grip on the knife even when it’s wet from rain or sweat. The knife is also low maintenance – you won’t need to place it on the sharpening block as often. Unless you’re working with it in particularly damp or salty conditions, oiling the blade won’t be required that much. The knife comes in two options – with a leather sheath or with multi-mount system respectively
Pros
- Strong, durable blade
- Excellent grip
- Low-maintenance
Cons
- Both mount options feel cheap and low-quality
- Too heavy for some people’s preference
3. SOG SEAL Team Elite Survival Knife
If you prefer camping in damp condition s, or around areas of water then it is essential that you pick a knife that is decently resistant to corrosion. Used by the US Navy SEALs, the SOG Elite is specifically designed for such conditions and is one of the toughest, most durable knives on our list. The handle provides excellent grip and there is little risk of slippage even when it’s wet. There is little to criticize about the knife other than the fact that it is fairly pricey.
Pros
- Legendary durability – will last for life if properly maintained
- Highly resistance to corrosion
- Low-maintenance
- Excellent grip
Cons
- Expensive
4. Buck Knives 105 Pathfinder
The Buck Knives 105 Pathfinder may be a beautiful knife to look at and indeed, a great gift option, but it is also high in functional as well as durable enough to last a long time. Featuring a full tang 420 high-carbon steel blade, the knife can confidently be used for heavy-duty purposes without worrying about it breaking or dulling. The knife comes in a genuine leather sheath and for the price it is offered at, the knife is an absolute steal.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Presentation grade all-purpose knife
- Highly durable and long-lasting
- Genuine leather sheath
- Comfortable grip
- Made in USA
Cons
- Susceptible to discoloration
- Handle may be a bit small for some
5. Ontario Knife Company Spec Plus SP-1 Combat Knife
If you want an affordable yet long-lasting good quality camping knife then the Spec Plus SP-1 is one of the best options currently on the market. Despite its low price, its blade material quality is quite superb. It is a reliable camping knife that isn’t prone to breaking or damage.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Made with 1075 Carbon Steel – can sustain prolonged abuse without breaking
- Made in USA
Cons
- Rubber grip
- Low-quality sheath
6. Morakniv Companion
The Morakniv Companion is a very versatile fixed blade knife. It carries enough finesse to finely fillet a fish but also boasting of enough toughness to chop small tree limbs. The blade is robust, resistant to rust and retains its sharpness for a long time. The knife also feels great in your hand. Its thick high-friction grip helps you retain a firm grip on the knife even in cold or wet conditions. One valid criticism we can make of the knife is that its blade is prone to bending.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Versatile blade
- Excellent grip
- Tough for the price range
- Lots of great color options
Cons
- Blade prone to bending
- Cheap quality sheath
7. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife
Designed by the famous survival expert himself, the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife is a brilliant survival utility knife, packing plenty of useful features. Its solid metal pommel can be useful for hammering. It boasts an incorporated fire-starter. The textured rubber handle does an excellent job of helping you keep a firm grip on the knife. It also boasts a large serrated section for sawing and cutting ropes. The knife is not without its fair share of drawbacks, however. The non-serrated section of the blade is too small, and can limit its functionality in certain areas such as cooking. Furthermore, the blade itself isn’t durable enough compared to many other knives listed in this guide. Sustained heavy abuse can certainly break it.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Convenient
- Great utility features
- Good quality handle
- Pommel can be used as hammer
Cons
- Knife loses its sharpness easily
- Not as durable
- Non-serrated edge too small
8. Gerber StrongArm
The Gerber StrongArm is a great camping knife with a tough full tang ceramic coated high carbon steel blade. It features a striking pommel for emergency situations such as when you will need to break through hard surfaces or soften up solid ground. True to its name, the contoured rubber handle does provide incredible grip. Even in cold conditions when your fingers start getting numb, you can be confident that the knife won’t slip. The sheath that comes with it is not as rugged but does grant you plenty of mount options.
Pros
- Excellent grip
- Highly durable
- Striking pommel
- Solid mounting options
- Made in USA
Cons
- Rubber handle
- Fragile sheath
Our Final Thoughts
As mentioned before, a reliable good quality knife is an essential companion to take along for any camping or outdoor trip. Any knife, no matter how durable it is, needs proper maintenance in order to keep its usefulness intact.
Some best practices for knife maintenance include honing its blade periodically, keeping it clean and dry when not in use and properly oiling the blade to protect it from rust. Before you set off on your next outdoor camping adventure, consider adding one of these excellent knives on our list into your inventory.
