Best camping knife 2024: tack-sharp tools to tackle the Great Outdoors

Ready to slice through the wilderness? Choosing the best camping knife is like picking the perfect marshmallow stick – it requires careful consideration. With a jungle of options out there, from sleek blades to multi-tool wonders, finding the right one can be as tricky as avoiding a bear in a sleeping bag.

Fear not, intrepid camper! We're here to guide you through the wilderness of camping knives and help you find the sharpest tool in the shed. Quality is key, just like with finding the best camping gear – think tents, stoves, and sleeping bags. Opt for a durable blade that'll stand the test of time, much like a seasoned camper conquers the elements.

But how do you pick the best of the best of camping cutlery? It's all about balance – finding a blade that fits your needs like a cosy, lightweight sleeping bag. Whether you're whittling wood or slicing sausages, our expert tips will ensure you're armed and ready for any outdoor adventure. So, strap on your hiking boots, pack your hiking backpack, and let's embark on a knife-finding expedition like no other!

Our favourite camping knife right now is Mora's Garberg, a sturdy bushcraft knife that can handle anything and everything outdoors. For something less imposing, The James Brand Ellis Slim is an excellent option. If you're looking for a multitool-style camping knife, you can't go wrong with the Victorinox Pioneer X.

The best camping knife to buy right now

Best overall

The Mora Garberg is one monster of a blade, not in length but in build. It sports a 3.2mm-thick-treated stainless steel blade designed to take a serious beating when camping and during general outdoor activities. However, it’s far from a blunt tool, with a Scandi-ground edge crafted especially to stay razor sharp, so it's always ready for whatever you throw at it. A neat addition is how the spine of the blade has been ground specifically for use with a firestarter, enabling you to set up camp quickly, whatever situation or weather you find yourself in. A genuine leather sheath completes the minimalist yet incredibly durable package.

Best compact

The James Brand Ellis Slim is a superb pocket knife ideal for camping and other activities when a compact yet sturdy knife is required. The quality materials, superior construction and small form factor of The Ellis Slim ensure you will be able to use the knife for a long time – as long as you don't mind looking after it. Despite the minimalist design approach, TJB found a way to include a bry bar/flat-head screwdriver on The Ellis Slim, which can also be used as a keyring.

Read our full The James Brand Ells Slim review.

Best multitool

No roundup of the best camping knives would be complete without a Victorinox 'Swiss Army' knife, even if nobody ever uses the funny spike blade for anything sensible. The Victorinox Swiss Army Pioneer X is a highly useful variation on the classic knife and features many of the old favourite attachments in a highly compact format. With a standard main blade and set of scissors taking the starring roles, there’s still room for the timeless duo of screwdriver blades, one featuring a bottle opener and wire stripper, the other being a serviceable tin opener too. There’s also that obligatory spike device for, erm, spiking things.

The low-profile design only features blades on one side, which means no corkscrew – unfortunately, you’ll be pushing the cork into that bottle of Rioja – but in every other circumstance, this little folder has you covered. The ridged alloy scales are particularly easy on the eye and will undoubtedly prove harder to scratch than the old red plastic. Whether in the car glove box, desk drawer, Lake District campsite or summiting the Eiger, the Victorinox is a flat-out classic camping knife that has stood the test of time with aplomb.

Read our full Victorinox Swiss Army Pioneer X review, or read our  Swiss Army Knife vs Leatherman multitool comparison.

Best for longer trips

Leatherman’s latest iteration of the tried and tested platform, the ‘Bond’, delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Leatherman. An all-stainless build and excellent quality pliers with wire cutters make up the headlines, ably supported by a cast of smaller utility blades. In this case, a knife and Philips screwdriver join a can opener, file, two flathead screwdrivers and a marlin spike-style tool, and there’s a rule scale on the back of the grips.

As ever, though, the simple fact is that sometimes you really, really need a set of needle nose pliers to fix something, at which point the Leatherman is the single best rucksack tool on the planet. The 2.9-inch main blade is also a legal carry length, making this 14-toolbox a flexible option to stash wherever.

Read our full Leatherman Bond EDC review.

Best for everyday use

The Benchmade Mini Barrage is a lot of knife in a small package, even offering a range of customisations (aluminium handle construction, serrated blade and colours) to ensure you get the perfect camping EDC (Everyday Carry) knife. The assisted-opening makes one-handed operation simplicity itself, ideal for those fiddly camp-site tasks, while the robust drop-point blade will make short work of anything from food preparation to stick-whittling, and everything else in between. A lightweight but rugged build, this isn't a budget option, but will stand the test of time with ease and is already on the way to becoming a timeless classic – especially bolstered with the formidable reputation of the rest of Benchmade's range. 

Best for bushcraft

Hunters don’t seem to be able to fault this blade when it comes to both form and function, which is why we've included it among our picks for the best camping knives. This fixed-blade knife has a relatively small blade but is regarded as sharp enough to skin animals if that’s what you’re looking for. What makes this camping knife slightly different to the others is the curved handle, making it easy to hold. This is done by the finger groove at the bottom of the blade, which will stop your fingers from slipping.

Best for carving

This little camping knife is rated highly for its precision blade that is often used for carving and carrying out other small tasks. It is a locking blade, which can make it tricky to open. It's also important to remember that despite the blade size, a locking blade is illegal to carry in public, so be sure to keep this camping knife for private use only. Accusharps' best camping knives entry is a trusty blade that's also surprisingly effective in a range of outdoor situations. It will serve you well for many years. Plus, it’s an absolute steal.

Best durable

This drop-point knife by Bear Grylls is a versatile and durable blade that will enable you to do anything from carving wood to preparing food and kindling. Ultimate Pro Outdoor Knife is designed with a non-slip rubber grip, which should make it comfortable to hold even when carrying out the trickiest of tasks. It’s noticeably heavy and comes with a tight-fitting sheath. This camping knife is a fixed blade, too, so you can really get to grips with it when a heavier hand is needed. 

How to choose the best camping knife for you

There are various types of camping knives and blade point options that you need to know about (more information on these topics can be found in the FAQ section). If you're after something for general use around the campsite, a compact knife that's stored in a solid sheath when you're not using it or a mini folding or locking knife would be a good choice.

For tougher tasks – especially any woodsman-like activities such as cutting branches, trimming sticks or whittling – you're going to need the extra support offered by a fixed blade. With these, you'll get a more robust blade and a stronger grip on the handle; however, because this is basically a knife, you won't get any useful extras, and if you choose a blade that's a little too long, you could run into legal difficulties when out and about.

For maximum versatility, you'll want a multi-tool, which can come loaded with any number of handy tools suitable for all sorts of campsite repairs. When shopping for a multi-tool, you can generally rely on the big names – Victorinox and Leatherman, basically – particularly when they offer the right mix of materials and design to ensure that nothing slips during use.

How we test the best camping knives

Testing camping knives involves a detailed and hands-on approach. We evaluate the knife's build quality, checking for ergonomics and any defects.

We then test sharpness by slicing through paper, rope, and food, ensuring it handles common camping tasks efficiently.

To assess durability, we use the knife for batoning wood, prying, and digging, checking if it withstands these rigorous activities.

We also evaluate edge retention by repeating initial sharpness tests after extended use. Corrosion resistance is tested by exposing the knife to water and observing for rust.

We check the ease of maintenance, ensuring the knife is straightforward to clean and sharpen.

FAQ