The Best Hunting Knives of 2024

The Buck Knives 119 Hunting Knife earns high marks in the 'Best Overall Knife' category owing largely to its impressive blend of performance, durability, and classic design. The 6-inch 420HC steel blade stands out with its razor-sharp edge, showcasing excellent strength and edge retention. This blade is not only adept at slicing through thick game but is also versatile enough for more detailed tasks, making it an invaluable tool for various activities such as camping and bushcrafting.

Complementing the blade is a traditional black phenolic handle, ergonomically designed with palm swells to ensure a comfortable grip, even during extended use. The aluminum pommel and guard not only add a touch of elegance but also contribute to the overall balance of the knife, which weighs a manageable 7.5 ounces and measures 10.5 inches in length.

Adding to its practicality, this knife comes with a high-quality leather sheath featuring a secure snap fastener and integrated belt loop, making it easy to carry. While the included sheath is imported, it doesn't detract from the overall excellence of this American-made knife.

Finally, the lifetime warranty that Buck Knives has offered since 1902 underscores their confidence in this product's durability and build quality, making it a trustworthy addition to any serious outdoorsman's kit. While it might lack some modern flair, the Buck Knives 119 remains a top contender for those prioritizing reliability and timeless craftsmanship.

For those seeking a top-tier hunting knife, the Benchmade Flyway 15700 stands out in the premium category. Its use of CPM-S90V steel optimizes edge retention, meaning it can handle extensive use in the field without frequent sharpening. This is particularly advantageous for hunters who may spend long stretches of time away from their equipment.

The design is both practical and stylish. The handle, crafted from OD Green G10 with orange accent rings, ensures a firm grip while maintaining high visibility—a vital feature in outdoor settings. Moreover, the addition of the orange Boltaron sheath enhances convenience, allowing for secure attachment to a chest rig or easy packing.

While these aspects are noteworthy, it's worth mentioning that the knife’s aesthetics, while appealing, are typical of other high-end models and do not significantly elevate its performance. Nonetheless, for those prioritizing durability and utility in a premium hunting knife, the Flyway 15700 is a strong contender.

The Buck Knives 191 Guthook Knife stands out in the 'Best Guthook Knife' category for several impressive reasons. To start, its razor-sharp 4-1/8" drop point gut hook 420HC steel blade showcases exceptional strength, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. This makes it not only versatile for heavier tasks but also highly effective during field dressing, thanks to its integrated gut hook.

Moreover, the knife's ergonomic design is a significant advantage. Sporting full tang construction with a brass finger guard and a deep choil, it is evident that serious hunters and outdoor enthusiasts will find this knife reliable and efficient. The Dymalux Walnut handle, known for its comfortable contoured grip, adds to its appeal by making maneuvering simple and effective, while the brass pommel and guard ensure an aesthetic and well-balanced feel.

Though the average features like the leather sheath are practical, they do their job without flair. The knife's convenient carry is enhanced by the sheath, which includes an integrated belt loop for easy access. This knife is proudly made in the USA and is backed by Buck Knives’ lifetime warranty, giving users confidence in their purchase and long-term satisfaction.

The Spyderco Tenacious Folding Knife stands out in the 'Best Folding Knife' category, thanks to its robust construction and thoughtful design. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Tenacious is its superior blade steel. The 3.39-inch 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade excels in durability and cutting efficiency. Its non-reflective black coating and flat grind from the spine to the cutting edge ensure continuous, reliable performance in various cutting tasks.

Another major asset is the knife's ergonomic handle. The black G-10 laminate handle is not only visually appealing but also provides a secure and comfortable grip, designed to minimize user fatigue during prolonged use. The strategically milled texture ensures a slip-resistant hold, making the knife exceptionally user-friendly.

Ease of use is further enhanced by the oversized Spyderco Round Hole and textured spine jimping, which facilitate quick and confident blade deployment. The Walker Linerlock mechanism and 4-way pocket clip add to its versatility, accommodating multiple carrying positions to suit individual preferences.

While the 8Cr13MoV steel may not match the edge retention of premium steels, the combination of design, ergonomics, and price point makes the Spyderco Tenacious a formidable contender in the world of folding knives.

The Gerber Gear StrongArm Knife stands out in the survival knife category, thanks to its robust and thoughtful design. One noteworthy feature is its full tang 420HC steel blade, which promises excellent durability and resistance to corrosion, making it a reliable choice for heavy-duty tasks. The blade's Cerakote coating further enhances its hardness and wear resistance, prolonging the knife’s lifespan.

Comfort and control are paramount, especially in survival situations, and the StrongArm excels here with its rubberized diamond-texture handle. This grip remains firm and secure, even in wet conditions, ensuring precision and safety during use. Additionally, the knife's fixed blade provides dependable stability and strength, a crucial aspect for any survival tool.

The included MOLLE-compatible sheath enhances versatility, offering multiple mounting options for secure storage and quick access. While some may find the sheath system complex, the benefits of customization and secure carry are significant. Gerber's limited lifetime warranty further solidifies the StrongArm as a top-tier contender, offering peace of mind and affirming its superior quality and performance.

The Morakniv Companion Outdoor Knife stands out in the 'Best Budget Knife' category, primarily due to its exceptional blend of affordability and quality. This knife is a versatile tool, making it ideal for various outdoor activities, whether you're camping, backpacking, fishing, hiking, or in a survival situation.

What truly sets the Morakniv Companion apart is its premium blade made of hardened Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. This material ensures the blade remains sharp longer than its carbon steel counterparts and is less prone to rust, making it well-suited for carving, food preparation, and cutting tinder. The blade thickness of 0.08 inches and a length of 4.1 inches offer a perfect balance between precision and strength.

The ergonomic polymer handle is another highlight, designed with a soft friction grip and a finger guard. This high-friction handle ensures safety and efficiency, even in challenging weather conditions. Additionally, the knife comes with a practical polymer sheath that features a belt clip, allowing you to attach it easily to a belt or rucksack for convenient access.

While the knife's sheath and handle materials are quite standard, they do their job effectively without adding unnecessary weight, contributing to its overall lightness at 3.9 ounces. Overall, the Morakniv Companion Outdoor Knife delivers impressive performance in the budget category, making it a reliable choice for any outdoor enthusiast.

The Havalon Piranta-Edge Knife stands out in the 'Best Knife With Replaceable Blades' category due to its remarkable design and functionality tailored for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Its bright blaze orange handle is not only visually appealing but also highly practical; the easy-grip black rubber inlay ensures a secure hold even in challenging conditions. With a focus on efficiency, this knife excels in speeding up the skinning and field dressing process, ensuring you can handle any kind of wild game with ease.

One of the standout features is the inclusion of 12 additional surgically-sharp #60A blades. These blades, measuring 2.75 inches in length, can be effortlessly swapped out, meaning you’ll always have a fresh and sharp cutting edge at hand. The knife’s liner-lock construction and pocket clip add to the convenience, making it easy to carry and use.

The Havalon Piranta-Edge’s ambidextrous thumb studs and open-back design promote user-friendly operation and straightforward maintenance. While the knife has a heavy-duty stainless steel blade and a military-grade polymer handle, which provide durability and reliability, some users might find it average compared to full-tang fixed blades. Nonetheless, the combination of its replaceable blades, ease of use, and thoughtful design makes this knife a top contender in its category.