Hunters love knives, regardless of whether they pursue whitetails or woodcock. Here are 14 knives — and one axe — to consider stocking in your store.
Argali Carbon Knife
Ultralight and ultra-sharp, the Carbon knife from Argali ($189 to $199) is a one-knife solution for backcountry hunters. Crafted in the USA from super-premium S35VN steel for superior edge retention and sporting ergonomic textured G10 handles, the skeletonized Carbon holds a razor-sharp edge and has the feel of a full-handled knife.
It is available with a Sunset Orange, Backcountry Black or custom First Lite Fusion two-tone sheath, which has Fusion camo on one side and Sunset Orange Kydex on the other. The sheath has a single tension screw that allows users to increase or decrease how hard the knife locks into the sheath. The Carbon’s drop-point blade measures 3.25 inches. Contact: www.argalioutdoors.com
Bear Edge Full-Sized Camping Knife
Bear Edge Knives, a Bear & Son Cutlery brand, has expanded its fixed-blade lineup with a new serrated full-sized camping knife — the Model 61515 ($32.49) — designed to fit the needs of hunters and general outdoor adventurers.
Its 4.875-inch 440 stainless blade features a drop-point design that includes a partially serrated edge, built to handle basic chores such as cutting cordage, prepping food and shaving tinder, and bigger tasks such as field-dressing game. Its full body tang delivers strength and durability for demanding jobs, while its stainless steel Realtree Edge camo handle provides an ergonomic grip. Jimping and a smooth finger groove provide additional control while cutting. A nylon sheath keeps the knife secure while on the move. Contact: www.bearandsoncutlery.com
Benchmade Meatcrafter
Having the right knife for the job is uber important when transitioning from the field to the kitchen. Designed in collaboration with MeatEater’s Steven Rinella, the new Benchmade Meatcrafter ($300) is a hybrid fixed-blade hunting knife with a 14-degree edge angle that provides a fine, smooth surface for trimming, deboning and slicing all cuts of meat.
New to Benchmade, CPM-S45VN premium stainless steel combines the balance of a fine grain, sharp edge with carefully engineered blade flex. The Meatcrafter has an Ivory G10 handle and includes a black Boltaron vacuum-molded leather sheath. Great for field-dressing game and camp chores, this knife makes just as much sense in the hunting backpack as it does in the kitchen drawer. Contact: www.benchmade.com
Buck 659 Folding Pursuit
The 659 Pursuit from Buck Knives ($70) features a comfortable, non-slip profile and strong, dependable lockback blade. Lockback folding knives have a mechanism that locks the blade in the open position, activated by opening it all the way. Pushing down on the rocker on top of the handle releases it and enables the user to close the blade.
Each Buck Knives blade is put through a rigorous heat treatment process and quality performance test. It is then tempered to the appropriate Rockwell hardness through heating, freezing and reheating. This ensures longer edge life and easy sharpening. The 3.6-ounce 659 Pursuit has a 3.625-inch drop-point blade, glass-filled nylon/Versaflex handle and comes with a sheath. Contact: www.buckknives.com
Cold Steel 3V Pendleton Mini Hunter
Cold Steel’s 3V Pendleton Mini Hunter ($119.99) was designed with one goal in mind, to pare down a functional hunting knife to the smallest size that practicality would allow. Capable of skinning, dressing and processing even large game, this diminutive hunting knife is a great addition to any hunting or camping pack or survival kit.
Its handle allows a secure four-finger grip and it comes complete with a tough, weather resistant Secure-Ex sheath, which locks the knife safely in place. The Mini Hunter is made from premium American CPM 3-V high carbon steel, with a hard-wearing, diamond-like coating for superior durability in the field. Contact: www.coldsteel.com
CRKT Gulf
Designed by Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical — well known for his tomahawks and fixed-blade knives — the Gulf folding knife from CRKT ($99.99) is a big everyday carry knife designed for big jobs. It’s beefy 4-inch big-bellied modified clip-point blade with a black stonewash finish is corrosion resistant and its G10 handle is extremely tough and durable and provides exceptional grip in all weather conditions.
The CRKT Gulf has a thumb stud for easy, one-handed deployment and stays securely in place with a locking liner when not in use. It sports a low-profile deep-carry pocket clip for discreet transport. Contact: www.crkt.com
Dawson Forester
The Dawson Forester knife ($300) is a fantastic companion for any outdoors adventure. Its classic skinning profile features a fine edge and deep belly, perfect for dressing all sizes of game as well as performing food prep and other camp chores.
A comfortable, textured G10 palm-style handle, thumb ramp and finger choil provide superior control of the blade and help avoid hotspots. Constructed from CPM-3V powder steel, the Forester has a heat-treated 4-inch blade for maximum toughness, durability and edge-holding capability. It comes with a custom fitted leather/Kydex sheath that attaches to a belt or backpack and a clear Cerakote finish that protects the blade from corrosion. Contact: www.dawsonknives.com
Helle Mândra
Helle’s newest knife, the Mândra ($199), was made in collaboration with Survivorman Les Stroud — inspired by an TV episode filmed in Romania where early prototypes of the knife were introduced.
The word Mândra literally means proud, and the new knife is named for the hilly peak where Stroud was found by a Salvamont rescue party during filming. The fixed-blade Mândra has a triple-laminated stainless steel 2.7-inch blade and 3.1-inch curly birch and Vulcan fiber handle and a blade thickness of .10 inches. Handmade in Holemdal, Norway, the knife comes with a genuine leather sheath. Contact: www.helle.com
Knives of Alaska Boning Knife
Knives of Alaska’s new Boning knife ($49.99) is modeled after industry proven designs preferred by professional meat processors. Whether at the cleaning station, on the farm or in the home kitchen, this knife will make butchering chores more efficient.
Available in two versions — flexible and semi-flexible — these knives have a substantial sure-grip handle for added control and comfort for quickly and safely processing game animals, domestic animals and fish. Overall length is 9.75 inches with a 5.5-inch blade made from D2 tool steel. Each knife weighs 3.8 ounces. Contact: www.knivesofalaska.com
Ontario Knife Company Old Hickory Fish & Small Game
The Old Hickory Fish & Small Game knife from Ontario Knife Company ($41.95) blends modern construction and classic materials into a multi-function knife that’s a marriage of nostalgia and modern durability.
It features a 4-inch, smooth ground, drop-point blade for those tasks requiring a little finesse. The knife has an overall length of 8.7 inches, its blade made from high-carbon steel that has a hardness rating of 57-59 HRC. Its hardwood handle is brass pinned in place and the sheath is made of durable leather to stand up to years of use. The Old Hickory Outdoors Fish & Small Game knife is backed by a lifetime warranty and made in the USA. Contact: www.ontarioknife.com
Outdoor Edge Jaeger Pak Knife Set
Field-dressing and butchering big game has never been easier. Outdoor Edge’s new Jaeger Pak compact knife kit ($69.95) includes skinning, gutting and boning knives, a rib cage spreader, wood/bone saw and a two-stage ceramic/carbide sharpener to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
The knives feature high-quality 420J2 stainless steel blades, heat-treated and hand-finished to a shaving-sharp edge, with an antlered texture molded into the rubberized TPR handles for a comfortable and secure grip. The T-handle wood/bone saw allows straight wrist butting from any angle with triple ground saw teeth that cut aggressively through bone. The ribcage spreader opens the chest fully to allow better air flow for faster cooling. Contact: www.outdooredge.com
Sheffield Knives Bax Gut Hook
For a go-to knife that can withstand a beating and still get the job done, look no further than Sheffield’s Bax Gut Hook 4.5-inch fixed-blade knife ($19.99) — part of its Lex Point series of knives made specifically for hunters.
Its satin-finished 420 stainless steel drop-point blade (complete with gut hook) is built for durability and easy sharpening, and a contoured TPR grooved grip conforms to any sized hand for maximum comfort and performance. The Bax Gut Hook knife comes with an above-military-grade 1680D sheath for safe and secure stowage. Overall length is 9.5 inches and the knife weighs 6.38 ounces. Contact: www.greatnecksaw.com
Spyderco Ladybug K390
The Ladybug K390 folding knife from Spyderco ($85) is made from a high-alloy particle metallurgy tool steel enriched with high volumes of vanadium, tungsten and cobalt. Produced by Bӧhler-Uddeholm, its advanced alloy composition offers exceptional edge retention and toughness, making it an ideal choice for steel connoisseurs.
The Ladybug is the first in a special series of Spyderco knives designed to supercharge the proven features of well-established models using this elite, high-performance steel. To make these K390-bladed knives even more unique, their injection-molded FRN handles feature a distinctive blue finish. Its blade is 1.97 inches long and overall length is 4.45 inches open and 2.48 inches closed. Contact:
Steel Will F73 Screamer
Small and furious best describes Steel Will’s pocket predator — the F73 Screamer ($74.99). Bright and attractive, it has all of the characteristics of a useful and practical folding knife. The length of its blade is only 3.2 inches, but due to its aggressive shape, the Screamer acts like a much larger knife.
The blade hole is not only an attractive detail of F73 Screamer, but also allows the user to easily open the knife. It has a high grind for a perfect cut, while a front part of the flipper can be used as a choil to handle the knife closer to the blade for more precise and delicate work. The F73 Screamer is available in three color options. Contact: www.steelwillknives.com
Woox AX1 Hunter’s Axe
The Woox AX1 ($179) was developed for the multi-tasking outdoorsman, a combination of stunning craftsmanship and innovative tomahawk-style axe design. Its octagonal Appalachian hickory handle adds durability and ergonomics while its wedge-shaped head is made of tempered carbon steel with a Cerakote finish for durability and weather resistance. It also features a heavy-duty steel diamond heel in the pommel.
The AX1 is made in Italy, but is developed, assembled and finished at the Woox North American headquarters in Hickory, North Carolina. It is available in two different color configurations and comes with an Italian leather collar. A purpose-designed leather sheath is also available for purchase from Woox. Contact: www.wooxstore.com
