Outdoor knives: Reliable companions for the outdoors

How do you choose the right outdoor knife?

Choose an outdoor knife for the job it needs to do, not for how tough it looks. Working wood calls for something different from gutting a deer.

• Blade length. Around 10 cm is the sweet spot: long enough for splitting, short enough for carving. Under 9 cm works well for detailed work; over 15 cm takes you into chopping territory.
• Stainless or carbon steel. Carbon steel such as 1095 is easy to sharpen and throws sparks with a fire steel, but you need to dry and oil it. Stainless steels such as Sandvik 12C27 and CPM MagnaCut are more forgiving of a wet backpack. CPM 3V falls between the two: tough and virtually unbreakable.
• A handle you can keep hold of. Micarta is the most popular choice because it becomes grippy when your hands are wet. G10 is harder and lighter; wood looks the best but needs the most care.
• Check the sheath. Almost every knife here comes with a sheath. Leather is the traditional choice for hunting knives and bushcraft knives; kydex clicks securely into place and lets water drain out, making it a choice for wild camping.

Morakniv is a starting point for beginners: Swedish knives that cost little and can do a lot. Bark River, Fällkniven and ESEE are a step up, with thicker steel and a lifetime of sharpening ahead of them.

What is an outdoor knife?

An outdoor knife is a fixed knife you can use for one or multiple outdoor activities. Think of hunting knives, bushcraft knives, survival knives or knives for hiking purposes. Solid knives that were designed to be used.