Top 10 Best Camping Knives of 2025

Whether you’re a weekend camper or live in the wild, a great camping knife can make all the difference. We’ve compiled this list of the best camping knives perfect for any camping trip. No matter what kind of camping you do, camping knives are an important part of having a great experience. To help you get one, I’ve broken down the best camping knives available at BladeHQ.com!

In This Article

1. BEST ALL-AROUND CAMP KNIFE – Gerber Strongarm Camp
2. BEST BUDGET CAMPING KNIFE – Mora Basic 511
3. BEST PREMIUM CAMPING KNIFE – Zero Tolerance 0004
4. BEST COMPACT CAMPING KNIFE – Benchmade Hidden Canyon
5. BEST OVERSIZED CAMPING KNIFE – Ka-Bar Becker BK2
6. BEST CLASSIC CAMPING KNIFE – ESEE JG5
7. BEST FOLDING CAMP KNIFE – Cold Steel AD-10
8. BEST BACKPACKING KNIFE – Ontario RAT-1
9. BEST CAMP COOKING KNIFE – Spyderco Bow River
10. BEST LOW-PROFILE CAMPING KNIFE – Bradford Guardian3

1. BEST ALL-AROUND CAMP KNIFE – Gerber Strongarm Camp

In 2024, Gerber introduced the Strongarm Camp, a more woods-focused version of the iconic Strongarm. Like its older brother, it has a versatile sheath, a tough 420 blade, and is made in the USA. But unlike the original, the Strongarm Camp has a thinner blade, a more woods-friendly handle shape, and a tall, slicey flat grind. It’s a great knife for any campout!

2. BEST BUDGET CAMPING KNIFE – Mora Basic 511

For less than the price of a fast-food lunch, you can get the Mora Basic 511. But don’t be fooled! It’s way better than its price would make you think! Its zero-edge Scandi grind carves like nothing else and its handle is broad and contoured for long cutting sessions. This knife has everything you need and nothing you don’t, and you can’t go wrong with it!

3. BEST PREMIUM CAMPING KNIFE – Zero Tolerance 0004

If you’re the kind of person who needs to have the fanciest of the fancy, you’ll fall in love with the ZT 0004. Sporting a CPM CRU-WEAR blade with a Cerakote finish and one of the most comfortable micarta handles I’ve ever held, this knife wants to go to work. It also has a USA-made leather sheath that works great for any kind of carry.

4. BEST COMPACT CAMPING KNIFE – Benchmade Hidden Canyon

The Hidden Canyon was made for hunters, but it excels for campers too. The knife is super small and light, great to throw in a backpack or on a belt. Its deep, curved edge makes quick work of meat and vegetables, and its section of straight edge near the handle is helpful for firemaking. It’s not huge, but it packs a lot of cutting power!

5. BEST OVERSIZED CAMPING KNIFE – Ka-Bar Becker BK2

If you need a big knife, the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 is the one. It’s a quarter-inch thick, so it can chop, split, and pry its way through just about any camp task without any trouble. It’s heavy weight and and overbuilt design make it excellent as a one-tool camp option. It can do the work of a knife, but also much of the work of a hatchet!

6. BEST CLASSIC CAMPING KNIFE – ESEE JG5

Survival expert James Gibson designed the ESEE JG5 after the iconic Nessmuk design. George Washington Sears, also known as Nessmuk, was a writer for Forest and Stream magazine in the mid-19th century. The JG5 takes this iconic design to the 21st century, with a 1095 blade and Micarta handle. If you like to keep it old-school, grab a JG5!

7. BEST FOLDING CAMP KNIFE – Cold Steel AD-10

Camping cutting tasks can be hard, so if you choose a folder, you’ll want something with a really strong lock. It doesn’t get much stronger than the Cold Steel AD-10 with its Tri-Ad Lock. This Andrew Demko design was made to be used and abused and keep coming back for more. It’s like a folding survival knife, but when its folded, it slips away into a pocket!

8. BEST BACKPACKING KNIFE – Ontario RAT-1

Backpackers have a special list of cutting jobs to do. Instead of splitting firewood and crafting luxury meals, backpackers open freeze-dried meals and scrape ticks. Enter the Ontario RAT-1, a sturdy and capable knife that can handle all the tasks the average backpacker encounters, but it’s small, fairly light, and economical. Just what every backpacker needs!

9. BEST CAMP COOKING KNIFE – Spyderco Bow River

If you’re the camp chef, you need a knife that can go from fire tending to slicing food and back in a flash. The Spyderco fixed blade Bow River is just that. Its stainless steel blade resembles a classic boning knife, but has a bit more blade thickness for the harder jobs.

10. BEST LOW-PROFILE CAMPING KNIFE – Bradford Guardian3

Sometimes, you don’t want a giant fixed blade while camping. Maybe you’re in a big group campsite, camping with young children, or just want to fly under the radar. If this describes you, the Bradford Guardian3 is exactly what you need. It’s about the size of an open folder, but when not in use, it stows easily into a horizontal belt sheath.

Get Out and Go Camping!

With a good knife in your hand, camping goes from being a filthy alternative to daily life to a grand adventure and learning experience. With a bit of practice, you’ll learn to turn chunks of firewood in collectible figurines, coolers of groceries into five-star meals, and long afternoons into priceless memories.