12 best hunting knife manufacturers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

On the hunt, you can't do without a good knife. Here the blade is not just a beautiful edged weapon, but an irreplaceable tool used to finish off the prey, remove the skin, and butcher the carcass. A knife will come in handy for clearing the place in the case of a waiting position or when settling in a stands. Since there is a large selection of models for hunting, both folding and with a solid axle, we have prepared a rating of the best manufacturers of hunting knives to make it easier for you to choose a product in terms of price and quality. The material is based on customer reviews and product characteristics, an analysis of the assortment and types of steel, so it will help in a short time to find out the most important thing and buy a hunting knife that is suitable in shape and function.

Rating of the best manufacturers of hunting knives

Nomination	a place	manufacturer	rating
Rating of the best manufacturers of hunting knives	1	Cold steel	5.0
	2	Benchmade	4.9
	3	Buck	4.8
	4	Spyderco	4.7
	5	KATZ	4.6
	6	Ka-Bar	4.5
	7	Silver stag	4.4
	8	AIR-Zlatoust	4.3
	9	Kizlyar	4.2
	10	Mora of Sweden	4.1
	11	Helle	4.0
	12	RosWeapons	3.9

Cold steel

Rating: 4.9

The first place in the rating is occupied by the American manufacturer of hunting knives, whose headquarters are located in California, Ventura. The company began its activity in 1970 and today is the world leader in the quality of blades for hunting and other purposes. The name translates as 'cold steel' and hints at the strength of the cutting edge. This is confirmed by the facts, since the manufacturer uses steel with a Rockwell hardness in the range of 57-62 HRC. The company's factories operate in Taiwan, China and South Africa, which reduces logistics costs.

Our experts liked the hunting knife manufacturer for its 'Tanto' range of 16 models. These are specialized blades, sharpened at 25, 28 and 31 degrees, characterized by a long and sharp blade. Numerous tests show that such a hunting knife can not only easily pierce the carcass of a bear or wild boar, but also a car door. At the same time, the cutting edge remains sharp and is suitable for slicing delicate tomatoes. It is a practical and durable tool that will come in handy in the most unpredictable hunting situations.

Advantages

• there are 44 models with a fixed blade and 92 with a folding blade;
• handles made of aluminum, polypropylene and stainless steel;
• three-layer blade coating;
• various width and height of the butt.

disadvantages

• high cost of goods;
• sell only to large dealers – it will be possible to buy at retail with a surcharge;
• plastic handle pads fly off quickly when dropped.

Benchmade

Rating: 4.8

The second place in the rating was taken by another American manufacturer, which began its activities in 1988. The range of the company includes hunting knives with peg, frontal, butterfly and semi-automatic. Common models are Adamas, Barrage, Freek, Griptiltan. For manufacturing, premium types of stainless steel with a hardness of HRC 58, 61, 64 are used. Customers in the reviews like that hunting knives provide additional functions that increase ease of use. Among them: a clip for fastening, a hole for a lace, stops. We also recommend paying attention to the models from the Grizzly Creek line, which are equipped with an additional folding hook for quickly cutting carcasses.

We have included the manufacturer in the rating of the best, since the company pays great attention to the design of hunting knives. During the design process, a specialist worked on each model, choosing the style and image. This approach gives the blades a unique look and improves the image of a trained hunter.

Advantages

• thoughtful shape and size;
• flawless assembly;
• excellent ergonomics;
• many additional features.

disadvantages

• with fixed blade only 5 models;
• there are flimsy plastic pads.

Buck

Rating: 4.7

In third place in the ranking is another North American manufacturer, founded in 1961. Today it is the leading company in the production of hunting knives, which is equal to other firms. For example, the 110 Folding Hunter has been copied by many other brands. Today, the manufacturer produces up to 12 thousand units of products annually. The company specializes most in folding knives, but there are fixed blades as well. Among hunters, the Abyss Kryptek Neptun model is especially popular, used for finishing off prey (users in reviews like the narrow long blade of 16.5 cm). Rockwell hardness of steel is 57-58 HRC. The hunting knife comes with a nice leather case.

The manufacturer earned a place in the ranking due to the careful approach to equipping hunting knives. For example, the Alpha Crosslock Green product, in addition to the 7.62×2.6 mm blade, has a small drop-down saw with a hook. This tool is practical for cutting branches at the place of an overnight hunt, as well as for butchering game and skinning.

Advantages

• blade thickness from 1.8 to 3.1 mm;
• length of blades 80-200 mm;
• there are practical hand rests for strong blows to the carcass;
• a variety of sharpening options (saber or from the butt itself).

disadvantages

• high price;
• few options with a single axis;
• short-lived stabilized wood handles.

Spyderco

Rating: 4.6

Our rating is continued by a company from Japan, which makes very elegant hunting knives. Most of all folding models are produced with a steel hardness of 62-64 HRC. Each item is adorned with a tiny spider brand logo. Hunting knives from this manufacturer differ in that they are made on EDM machines instead of milling ones. This results in more precise shapes and expressive small details with a minimum waste rate.

The 'calling card' of this manufacturer is the convenience of folding folding hunting knives, for which there is a round hole on the blade. This allows you to quickly deploy the blade with one hand, and does not make the structure heavier, as is the case with a pin, which hunters note in their reviews. The experts also put the manufacturer in the rating because of the reliable 'tank-lock' lock, which is always in a spring-loaded state. Once the blade is opened, the lock immediately locks it to protect the user's hands.

Advantages

• minimal clearances and no backlash in folding knives;
• high-precision production using EDM machines;
• upper blade locking mechanism, convenient for left-handers;
• on folding models, no travel adjustment is required.

disadvantages

• high price;
• short blades 6-10 cm;
• there are almost no fixed blade knives.

KATZ

Rating: 4.5

The fifth place in the ranking was taken by a manufacturer from Japan. Katz offers hunting knives with blade lengths from 92 to 230 mm. It is a quality product made of XT-70 and 80 grades. Sharpening is available with a high or low edge, which provides an easy cut or increased blade strength. The handle covers are available in perforated aluminum or solid wood. The product is completed with leather covers, which are sewn to order in Spain. Users in the reviews like that some knives have a 5 mm butt thickness, which makes it possible to use edged weapons literally as a mount for disassembling mechanisms or building a temporary resting place (popular with 'survivalists').

A feature of hunting knives from this manufacturer is a curved, arched shape, for which the company got into the rating. Despite the bend, the developers have provided the blade with a characteristic 'belly', so it is convenient to use the tool both when cutting carcasses and when cutting products to the table at a halt. Many models are equipped with a metal rest (guard) and a projection for the index finger, which users like and increases the grip reliability.

Advantages

• excellent cut of high, slightly concave blades;
• easy blade opening;
• nice thickness of the handles;
• covers for hunting knives are sewn in Spain.

disadvantages

• the metal stop on the handle is cold in winter;
• high price;
• knives with a low drop are more difficult to sharpen.

Ka-Bar

Rating: 4.4

The sixth place in the ranking is taken by a manufacturer from the United States, which produces the iconic combat knives used by the Marine Corps. But among the current assortment there are hunting models that are often useful in the forest. For manufacturing, 1085 Carbon or 1095 Cro-Van steels are used. The hardness index varies from 56 to 64 HRC. The company strives to maintain a military style in its products, supplying most of the knives for hunting with stops, a reamer butt of the handle and slots that reduce weight. There are tactical models used in the battles in Vietnam and Afghanistan, and known from the films 'Night Flight' and the TV series 'The Suspect'. Hunters in reviews praise the product for a thick butt of 4 mm, which can withstand high loads.

Our experts rank the manufacturer as the best, because hunting knives stand out favorably against the background of competitors with their black color thanks to blued steel. There are also original models, for example, Ka-Bar VKZ, which contain a flat cutting edge, a hook, an end part in the form of a chisel (for cutting bones) and a serrator that makes it easier to cut the skin.

Advantages

• a large selection of machetes for paving a path through the forest;
• burnished carbon steel;
• high strength of folding structures;
• thick butt 3-4 mm

disadvantages

• high price;
• covers are made of plastic;
• difficult to sharpen to high sharpness due to the thick butt and narrow edge.

Silver stag

Rating: 4.3

The seventh place in the rating belongs to the manufacturer, which began its activity in 1998. The brand logo is deer head and antlers, which immediately indicates the predominant direction of production – hunting knives. But the assortment of the company also contains tourist and fishing items. Professionals and collectors in their reviews note that the products are made entirely by hand (grinding the blade, polishing stainless steel to a mirror finish, assembling and sharpening). In 2016, one of the brand's models received the title of 'Knife of the Year' in Turkey. The main series for release are: ELK, SLAB, 'Krona' and 'Damascus'. In total, the author's collection of the manufacturer has 60 options.

The manufacturer was ranked as the best in making designer knives. The appearance of goods is immediately associated with something primitive. This is facilitated by the manufacture of the handle from bones, horns and the curved shape of the blade. Despite the unusual museum look, hunting knives are extremely practical in their intended purpose and are convenient for skinning or skinning.

Advantages

• unusual appearance;
• horn or hardwood handles;
• especially sharp sharpening;
• Supplied with leather sheath only.

disadvantages

• the decorative part on the handle (swirls, protrusions) is sometimes pricked into the hand;
• the price is high as manual labor is used on most models.

AIR-Zlatoust

Rating: 4.2

In eighth place in the ranking is a domestic manufacturer from Zlatoust, which is a member of the Guild of the city's gunsmiths. The company specializes in the manufacture of hunting goods for both practical purposes and in terms of souvenirs. The production involved 16 steel grades (K430, M390, D2, EP766, etc.). There is also Damascus steel from Sweden (Damasteel) and the original Zladinox-0803. The handles are decorated with aluminum, walnut, beech, birch, maple and ebony, which customers like in the reviews. A case, a certificate and a passport are always attached to a hunting knife. The factory warranty is 10 years.

In our opinion, the manufacturer deserves a place in the ranking due to the release of exclusive gift products. The handle and butt of a hunting knife can be trimmed with valuable stones (agate, pyrite, malachite, jade, topaz, corundum, etc.). Other handles are made from rhinoceros horns, ivory or roe deer paws. Designer hunting products can be trimmed with snake skin (python) or sea stingray skin.

Advantages

• affordable cost;
• there are goods made of Zladinox damask steels;
• products with original ideas from artists;
• up to 16 steel grades are used.

disadvantages

• new items rarely appear (about 3 per year);
• there are cloth covers that are quickly overwritten on the hunt.

Kizlyar

Rating: 4.1

Our rating is continued by another domestic manufacturer that has been operating in Russia since 1999. The company's products are certified in accordance with Russian legislation, and models with a blade length of less than 80 cm and a thickness of less than 2.5 mm are accompanied by a certificate that they are not melee weapons, so a permit or a hunting ticket is not required to use them. The release of goods is carried out on 300 machines located at 17 sites. The nomenclature includes more than 600 products. Buyers in the reviews love the designer knives with the muzzle of a bull, husky, snake and other animals that turn a hunting tool into a work of art.

Our experts liked the hunting knives from this manufacturer with a lifetime warranty, which is provided subject to the rules of operation. Hunting products from this brand are also distinguished by a large selection of models with a double-edged blade, for which the company was added to the rating. Among these options, the popular lines are: 'Stalker', 'KO-1' and 'Ko-2', 'Cerberus'. The presence of sharpening on both sides prolongs the working life and provides excellent piercing characteristics.

Advantages

• interesting author's models;
• 600 knife options;
• lifetime warranty;
• ergonomic handles.

disadvantages

• large weight of knives;
• metal guards unpleasantly cool the hand in winter.

Mora of Sweden

Rating: 4.0

The tenth place in the ranking belongs to the Swedish knife manufacturer. Scandinavian-style hunting products have been produced by the company for over 100 years. After several mergers with other firms (mergers and acquisitions), the modern brand Morakvin, formed in 2005, supplies products to all countries of the world. Despite the complete manufacture of knives in Sweden, the price of the goods remains relatively affordable, which is liked by most buyers in the reviews. The manufacturer mainly produces small hunting knives with blades up to 100 mm. There is a special series of FSK ultralight knives, positioned as 'floating'. The most recognizable product is the Outdoor 2000, called the Millennium Knife.

Our experts included the manufacturer in the rating for a special sharpening that immediately catches the eye of a professional. The company's craftsmen often experiment with the height of the cutting edge, making it larger at the base and lower to the edge of the blade. This ensures easy cutting and prevents the blade from breaking during stabbing manipulations with the knife.

Advantages

• carbon, high-alloy steel;
• knives in covers are fixed with belts and rivets;
• manufacturing in Sweden at all stages of production;
• acceptable cost.

disadvantages

• plastic sheath;
• a lot of plastic handles;
• no folding knives;
• no models with a blade longer than 100 mm.

Helle

Rating: 3.9

In the penultimate place is the Norwegian manufacturer, known since 1932. Since then, the philosophy of the company has not changed and today most of the hunting products are handmade by craftsmen. For the production of knives, Sandvik 12C27 or Triple Laminated steel is used, which is black and is popular with customers in reviews. Among the models for hunting, the manufacturer focuses on fixed blade knives, as they are more durable and hardy in harsh conditions. The triple laminated steel holds the edge well and does not require frequent dressing. For decorating the handle, natural wood is used, but not always of hard species – most often it is Karelian birch.

We have included the manufacturer in the rating, since apart from hunting knives, blades are supplied separately for sale. This allows you to make your own exclusive knife using a quality base. The design here is not limited by anything and it all depends on the imagination of the amateur master.

Advantages

• there are products with typesetting handles;
• strong grades of steel are used;
• leather sheath;
• butt thickness 3-4 mm.

disadvantages

• small blade length up to 135 mm;
• handles are mostly wooden;
• often a permit to carry a weapon is required;
• boring design.

RosWeapons

Rating: 3.8

Our rating is completed by a domestic manufacturer from the city of Zlatoust. The company specializes in the manufacture of hunting, tourist, fishing and gift knives. Among the working options are the narrow ROS-64 and 'Rif-115', which are practical at rest. For the heavy lifting of carcasses, the company provides ROS-2 and ROS-4 variants with 38 mm blade widths and 3.2 and 4 mm butt thickness. Popular among hunters, judging by the reviews, is the 'Artybash' model, with a 'feather' 116 mm and a thickness of 4 mm. The handle is finished with red fiber and hornbeam. The curved shape is optimal for quick removal from the horse scabbard.

The experts included the company in the rating, since many models have a sub-finger radius made on the handle or directly on the blade. This makes it easier to hold the tool and relieves stress on the wrist, and also allows you to demonstrate your mastery of knife handling to impress other hunters at rest.

Advantages

• are made of stainless and Damascus steels;
• typesetting handles made of leather, wood and metal;
• most models have a blade less than 2.5 mm thick, so they do not need to carry a weapon permit;
• there is a thumb rest on the guard.

disadvantages

• produces only fixed blade hunting goods;
• there are models with a high cost of 30,000-100,000 rubles;
• the hardening strength of most knives does not exceed 58 HRC.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.