15 Best Hunting Knives in 2020 [Review Guide]

Whether you’re in the market for a brand new hunting knife or you’re getting one for the very first time, you want to make sure you get one that will suit your needs. This means that everything from the blade to the handle, and everything in between, has to enhance the hunting experience and not make it more difficult. For this, you need to look at each characteristic of the blade to make sure it is the one you’ll keep for a lifetime. Remember, this factor is important when researching the best hunting knives on the market today.

The blade shape is one of the most important characteristics of any hunting knife, and you’ll find several types to choose from. The two most common blade shapes are the clip point and the drop point blades. The clip point blades come to a sharp point and are best used for intricate work, while drop point blades can handle lateral pressure a little better. Overall, the drop point blade is a little more durable than the clip point blade because of its shape and thickness.

Other lesser-known blade types include the trailing, spear, and tanto blades; however, these are not nearly as common as the first two types.

Naturally, the handle of the hunting knife makes a big difference in which one you choose. Hunting knives can have many types of handles, including micarta, G10, and rubber handles. A good grip and smoothness are what you’ll want most of all, so it’s good to test them out in person at a sporting goods store whenever possible. Natural wood is another possibility, and keep in mind that any handle that is hollow won’t be full tang, which means the blade won’t go all the way to the end of the handle – it will stop where the blade meets the top part of the handle.

A micarta handle is made out of a laminate of some type of organic material such as cloth or paper that is dried in resin and, therefore, has a softer feel than many other blade types. You can also get a nylon handle, titanium handle, carbon filter handle, and handles made out of aluminum, polymer, and of course, stainless steel.

Now let’s talk about the tang. What are these “full tang” items that you hear so much about? Full tang means the blade goes through the entire handle instead of being glued into the top of it and stopping there. If you’ve ever gone hunting before, you can figure out why this is so important. A full tang hunting knife is going to be sturdier and much less likely to break, so whether you’re big-game hunting or just need a good skinning knife, this is the type most hunters want.

Next, you should consider the type of steel the blade is made of. The two most common types are stainless steel and high carbon, or HC cold steel. Both of these types are sturdy and reliable, but the carbon steel, or HC steel is stronger, lasts longer, and is easier when it comes to sharpening your knife. It is also more expensive than stainless steel, which is why many hunters stick with stainless steel. The good thing is that both the HC and the stainless steel blade knives are perfect for hunting tools, so you’ll just have to decide how much you wish to spend to get the item you consider right for you.

A good hunting knife needs a protective cover, and that’s what a sheath is for. Just like other parts of this item, the sheath is made out of various materials. Sheaths have loops that attach to your belt loop and sometimes even a loop that straps around your leg for extra security. A cover for your knife may not seem that important, but you need something not just to make carrying it around much easier but also something to protect the knife as you go about your day.

Finally, you need to take a look at the butt of the knife, also called the pommel. While survival knives often use the pommel as another way to add special features onto the knife without making it into something too complicated, hunting knives generally have one that is sturdy and strong instead. But a well-made pommel can also be used to break a window or for some type of self-defense move if necessary, which is another reason this part of a hunting knife is solid and strong.