Best Camp Kitchen Knife (Our Top 15 Picks 2024)

Are you a backpacker, tent camper, RVer? Whatever your camping style, find the best camp kitchen knife for you on this comprehensive list…

With so many camping styles, finding the best camp kitchen knife requires more than good star ratings. It requires careful consideration of how you camp, what you cook, and how versatile you need it to be. 

Backpackers have to prioritize versatility and portability. Tent campers have to prioritize the same to a lesser degree. And RVers have the most free reign, yet they still need to consider storage space. 

So, while all campers are looking for versatility and portability, the degree to which they need it widely varies. Thus, a selection of the best camping cooking knives must also widely vary. 

That’s why we’ve come up with this comprehensive list of the best camping knives for a full range of campers. Whether you’re a backwoods camper or a glamper, you should be able to find the best camping knife for you on this list.

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1. GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife Set

We’ll kick off the list with a knife set that works well for most camping styles. The GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife Set is an all-in-one kit that comes in a compact ballistic case.

The set includes:

• 4″ paring knife
• 6″ Santoku chef’s knife
• 6″ serrated knife
• folding cutting board
• soap bottle
• two-sided dish cloth
• Nylon case

The kit weighs less than 1.5 pounds, which makes it a great portable option for backcountry trips or food preparation at the campsite.

2. Morakniv Companion Outdoor Knife

The Morakniv Companion is for campers looking for simple versatility. It’s a bushcraft knife with a fixed, premium stainless steel blade ideal for carving, food prep, and cutting tinder.

This fixed-blade knife comes in a polymer sheath with a belt clip and drainage holes. You can even choose from several different sheath colors.

It’s a very popular and affordable knife with excellent reviews. A great go-to for any camper.

3. Swiss Army Classic Knife Set

When you think of a Swiss Army knife, you undoubtedly think of a single red handle with various fanned-out tools. However, Victorinox makes a Swiss Army Classic Knife Set perfect for campers, especially RVers.

The classic set includes a multipurpose serrated knife, Santoku knife, kitchen shears, and universal peeler.

The blades are sharp, living up to the Swiss Army reputation, and each ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold.

The Victorinox shop actually offers a nice collection of cutlery that’s worth checking out (including our next choice…)

4. Swiss Classic Foldable Paring Knife

For a more portable option, Victorinox also makes a Swiss Classic Foldable Paring Knife. This versatile knife has a stainless steel blade, slip-resistant grip, and lightweight construction.

Stamped with the trusted Victorinox name, you can trust its durability and multi-purpose utility. It makes a great camping knife for cooking, as well as other outdoor tasks.

5. OERLA Outdoor Duty Knife

If you’re looking for a more rugged option that can still slice and chop, the OERLA might be your choice. The OERLA Outdoor Duty Knife has a fixed full-tang construction with a glass-filled nylon handle.

In addition to the ergonomic handle, the blade has a finger groove at the base for a more powerful grip.

This camping and hunting knife comes with a Kydex sheath and adjustable belt clip. Another nice feature is being able to wear the knife vertically or horizontally on your belt, depending on your preference.

6. MSR Alpine Camping Kitchen Knife

The MSR brand is well-known in the camping world. They are known for their original MSR Alpine cooksets and other camping cookware and stoves.

So, it’s no surprise that their best camping cooking knife makes our list. The MSR Alpine Camping Kitchen Knife is a Santoku-style blade that excels at chopping and prep work.

It has an attractive blue handle and a protective sheath for its 4.5-inch blade. It’s very versatile on its own, but you may wish to pair it with the MSR Alpine Chef’s Knife.

7. Messermeister Adventure Chef Summit Set

If you consider yourself an outdoor chef, the Messermeister Adventure Chef Summit Set was designed for you. This beautiful set of knives and tools has carbonized maple handles with a comfortable grip.

The best tool in the kit is the Messermeister Adventure Chef Folding Knife, but all of the following folding items come in the waxed canvas case:

• 6″ chef’s knife
• 6″ fillet knife
• steak knife
• fork & spoon
• peeler & paper
• TPE cutting board

Since every tool has a folding mechanism, a lot of useful tools fit in this one small kit.

8. Dalstrong Gladiator Fillet Knife

Attention fisherman! If camping = fishing for you, then you may want to invest in the Dalstrong Fillet Knife.

This fillet knife is part of the Gladiator Series Elite, which lives up to its lofty name. The blade is made from high carbon German steel and has a full tang construction.

While this knife earns its spot in a professional kitchen, it will make filleting fish in the field easier than you can imagine. It comes with a nice sheath that makes it easier to pack on your next camping trip.

9. Spyderco Bow River Utility Knife

Spyderco is known for its folding knives, but this knife is very popular and highly rated. The brand’s knives are ideally suited for camping, and this Spyderco Bow River Fixed Blade is no different.

The blade length is 4.4 inches, which is more compact than many of the knives on this list. It comes with a high-quality leather sheath that’s handcrafted from durable material.

10. Opinel SS #10 Folding Knife

The Opinel No. 10 Stainless Steel Folding Knife is an excellent pocket knife for any camper. It’s design is so good it’s been unchanged since 1890.

The handle is made from hard, durable Beechwood from France and the stainless steel blade is known for durability.

The No. 10 is a good size for cooking (#10 = 10 cm), but there are 5 other sizes to choose from. It goes from No. 6 (6 cm) to No. 12 (12 cm).

11. Off-Grid Grizzly V2 Camp Kitchen Knife

The Grizzly V2 Chef Knife is specially designed for campers and outdoor use. It’s made with high-quality Sandvik steel that can slice, dice, and chop with ease.

As a dedicated chef knife, it has plenty of knuckle clearance with its ergonomic handle. It comes with a Kydex sheath and an Off-Grid Lo-Pro belt clip.

For those looking strictly for a camping kitchen knife, the Grizzly V2 is an excellent choice.

12. CJRB Silax

The CJRB Silax looks like a standard kitchen knife, but it’s built for outdoor use. It has a powder steel blade and G10 handle, an excellent material for even wet conditions.

The low-profile Kydex sheath protects the knife and makes it easy to take with you anywhere.

The Silax is designed by Dylan Mallery, who is well-known in both the culinary and knife world. As described, it’s a great knife for home or on the trail.

13. OKC Camp Plus Kitchen Folders

If you just want a cheap camp knife to get the job done, this knife’s for you. The OKC Camp Plus Kitchen Folder is the most affordable knife on this list.

It’s a perfect “just in case” pocket knife to throw in your hiking pack or mess kit. It has a sharp blade, is foldable, and is lightweight.

So, it’s a basic, good camping knife. It’s currently only available on the OKC website.

14. Condor Bush Slicer

The previous knife is the most affordable on our list, and this Condor is one of the most expensive. But the Condor Bush Slicer is worth the investment for campers that want a strong, multi-purpose cooking knife.

Its wide carbon steel blade makes easy work of skinning wild game and cutting meat and veggies. One reviewer calls it “the absolute most badass chefs knife on planet earth.”

It also comes with a very high-quality Kydex sheath that you can easily lash to your belt, person, or pack.

15. ESEE Izula-II

The Izula-II is known as “the bullet ant” because it packs a big bite in a small package. It’s the smallest knife on our list, which makes it a top pick for those prioritizing compact portability above all else.

Its short blade limits its versatility, but it’s still a very useful little knife. The carbon steel blade is 2.63″, and the micarta handle is 3.9″.

It comes with a molded polymer sheath, and assorted survival accessories, including paracord and fire flint.

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Our list covers everything you need and want, from must-have accessories to nice-to-have items. For each item, we include two or more highly-rated options. That way, you can select the product that works best for you. Keep Reading…

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