City life is bright, beautiful, and full of energy — but sometimes it turns into nothing more than routine and hustle, sadly. The kind that slowly drags you down, even pushing you toward a bit of a funk. You start craving an escape — anywhere far from all this: cleaner air, less noise, slower time. And that’s where everyone finds their own way to cope! Some go camping — pitching a tent on the edge of the forest, grilling kebabs with bros, sitting by a cozy, crackling fire late into the night. Others crave something more hardcore — the kind of bone-crunching survival trip with nothing but a knife, pure Rambo-style.

Why do you need a hiking knife on a hike

But sometimes you just don’t feel like going all in — you just want a good walk, some fresh air, a bit of peace and nature… all that good stuff. And that’s exactly what hiking is for! You just grab a pair of comfy shoes, some water, a quick snack, and off you go — chasing new impressions and open skies. Although, wait — there is one more thing you absolutely can’t go hiking without: a good, reliable tourist knife. You’ll need it to set up camp when you stop for a break, prepare your food in the wild, or cut some branches and bark to get the fire going, so having a sturdy and versatile knife can significantly enhance your hiking experience and safety!

Typical tasks on a hike

On a hike, a camping knife is put to use in various ways:

• Cutting Food: Slicing fruits, vegetables, or even meat requires a sharp blade for clean cuts.

• Preparing Firewood: Splitting small sticks or shaving kindling to start a fire.

• Unpacking Equipment: Cutting through packaging, ropes, or straps to set up tents or backpacks.

• Protection: A knife can serve as a defense tool against wild animals or in emergency situations.

These tasks demand a knife that is durable, easy to handle, and multi-functional.

The Main Functions That Camping Fixed Blade Knives Should Perform

So, what is the best knife for camping?

Cutting Food and Cooking

A key function of any hiking knife is its ability to handle food preparation. Whether you’re slicing fruits, vegetables, or cutting through meat, a sharp and reliable blade ensures clean, efficient cuts. Having a versatile knife for this purpose means you don’t need to carry separate utensils, streamlining your gear.

Preparing Brushwood, Batoning – Steel Hardness, Blade Thickness, Shape

When it comes to preparing firewood, particularly splitting brushwood or batoning (splitting logs using the knife and a baton), the blade needs to be strong and sturdy.

• Steel Hardness: The hardness of the steel (measured by Rockwell hardness rating) determines how well the blade holds its edge, which is crucial for tasks like batoning.

• Blade Thickness: A thicker blade, typically between 3-5mm, provides extra strength for heavy-duty tasks without compromising too much on sharpness.

• Shape: A flat or slightly curved spine is best for effective batoning. Some knives may feature a full tang (the blade extends into the handle), which ensures maximum strength.

• Fixed Blade: Fixed blades are generally preferred for these tasks because they offer more durability and safety compared to folding knives, which can break or close accidentally under heavy use.

Safe Work with Wood

For tasks like planing wood, making stakes, or carving, the blade’s grind and shape are critical:

• Scandi Grind: The Scandinavian grind features a single bevel along the entire blade, making it excellent for carving and precise cutting, as it allows for better control and fine work.

• Drop Point: A drop-point blade has a gentle curve that allows for both controlled carving and slicing, making it a versatile option for tasks like splitting wood and making stakes.

These blade designs offer safety, precision, and efficiency when working with wood in various ways.

Versatility for Unforeseen Tasks

No matter how prepared you are, the wilderness often throws unexpected challenges your way. A good all around camping knife should be versatile enough to handle tasks that weren’t initially anticipated, such as:

• Emergency repairs: A knife can help you cut rope, open packages, or even fix gear in a pinch.

• Self-defense: While rare, a knife could be a critical tool for self-defense against wildlife or in other emergency situations.

• Other survival tasks: From creating shelter to building tools, having a multi-use knife increases your chances of responding effectively to unforeseen needs.

Desirable functions of a hiking knife

There’s a set of qualities every good outdoor knives must have:

Availability of a Lanyard Hole

A lanyard hole enhances safety and accessibility by allowing the knife to be secured to your wrist or gear, reducing the risk of losing it during use. This feature is particularly beneficial in wet or slippery conditions, providing an extra layer of security. Nice feature for EDC camp knife too!

Handle That Does Not Slip in Wet Hands

A non-slip handle is crucial for maintaining a secure grip, especially when the knife is wet or when wearing gloves. Materials like textured rubber, G10, or micarta offer excellent traction and durability, ensuring safe handling during various tasks.

Sheath – Ease of Transportation

The sheath should securely hold the camp style knife and facilitate easy access. Features like belt loops, MOLLE compatibility, and positive retention mechanisms ensure the knife stays in place during movement and is readily available when needed.

Which is better – a fixed knife or a folding one on a hike?

Let the holy war begin! What’s better for hiking — a full-tang fixed blade or a folding knife? Let’s break it down.

For what tasks is a fixed knife suitable

A fixed-blade knife has a solid, full-tang construction (the blade extends through the handle), making it more durable and versatile for demanding tasks. It’s the better choice when you need strength, leverage, or reliability in tough conditions. This kind of knife is simply perfect for any outdoor adventure — it lets you do pretty much anything within the bounds of common sense (and maybe even a little beyond).

Cooking, skinning game, cutting branches and bark for fire-starting, setting up camp, woodworking — you can even split logs with it using the good ol’ batoning method! And on top of that, it’s super easy to clean and maintain.

And since we’ve started talking about full-tang knives, we just have to mention the very embodiment of hiking and camping spirit — the B1 SSHF outdoor knife [link]! Classic camping knife, its blade, with a hardness of 56–58 HRC, is crafted from high-quality stainless steel 5Cr14MoV, which means you can tackle anything from cooking to chopping wood without worrying about corrosion or rust. The walnut wood handle gives it that timeless, old-school look every true adventurer appreciates.

Think that’s all? Nuh uh! The B1 SSHF comes with a ferro rod and a pair of our signature handmade leather sheaths — so everything you need for camp chores and fire-making is always right there on your belt, ready to go! Make that two. Easily one of the best fixed blade knife for camping!

For what tasks is a folding knife suitable

Let’s be honest from the start — don’t expect too much from a folding knife. Yes, it’s compact, lightweight, and handy: good for opening boxes, picking your teeth, cutting rope, slicing a salad or making sandwiches — aaand… that’s about it. Folding knives aren’t made for heavy-duty work. But sometimes heavy-duty isn’t what you need — you need a light, compact folding pocket camping knife. In that case, this is your go-to buddy.

And of course our craftsmen didn’t skip this type either. Allow us to introduce our best folding knife for camping Colibri Black [link]. We didn’t name it that for nothing: the knife weighs just 73 grams and its overall length is 185 mm. The blade is made of Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel with a hardness of 59–60 HRC. The handle is G10 and the lock type is Liner Lock. If you’re planning a light hiking walk — no campsite, traveling light — this is an excellent choice. There’s no point using a sledgehammer to crack a nut after all!

Conclusion

And that’s pretty much it. Now you can confidently storm into our online store and find the perfect hiking knife for yourself! If you have any questions or special requests, we’re always here to help. Until the next exciting adventure!