The Perfect Hiking Knife for the Modern Backpacker

A good hiking knife is a fairly small knife with some features like a built-in flint. You don’t need a giant Rambo knife with a hollow handle to put things in, and such knives are less popular now than in the 1980s. However, some people still choose a survival knife with a hollow handle.

Unless you are hunting, fishing, or engaging in survival activities, you probably won’t even use your knife on a hiking trip, even for an overnight hike. It makes sense to keep it simple.

The Perfect Knife for Hiking

To be clear, we are talking about a day hike, not a multi-day tour of the wilderness. We travel light and plan to be on the move most of the time. As a self-proclaimed knife lover, with a little bit of preparation, a good hiking knife is one of our must-haves when we hit the road. While I appreciate a nice-looking blade, it’s more important for the knife to function and look great if I am carrying it.

While it is unlikely that I will do any heavy lifting with the knife on an easy day of hiking, it’s always good to be prepared. With that in mind, I prefer a knife that can do some of the heavy lifting if possible. A blade length of about 3 inches is enough for any task I need to perform. Since I have large hands, I also prefer a sturdy handle. A mountaineering knife of this size can handle anything I encounter on the road.

Fixed Blade with a Straight Back and a 6 to 8 Inch Blade

A fixed blade with a straight back and a 6 to 8-inch blade is another good option. Here are a couple of my favorites:

My Camillus Ka-Bar

The Camillus Ka-Bar is a versatile and reliable knife for any outdoor activity. It’s a solid choice for batoning wood to create kindling, striking a ferro rod, or making feather sticks. With a hefty blade and cordage, the Camillus Ka-Bar is a must-have for every outdoor lover.

My Cold Steel Bushman

The Cold Steel Bushman is another excellent option. I always carry one mounted on a walking stick with lots of paracord. This setup is always useful, as cordage can be handy in many situations. The Bushman performs well for batoning wood, striking a ferro rod, and making feather sticks. Besides a hefty blade, cordage, and a fire lighting method, these tools are the three most important parts of your outdoor kit.

3 to 4 Inch Drop Point Hunting Knife

I normally carry a 3 to 4-inch drop point hunting knife. Based on over 60 years of experience in the wild places, this design is the most generally useful. While I am not planning to chop down trees and build a cabin with it, nor am I planning to fend off marauding grizzly bears, this knife does the chores that a knife is normally used for better than a bigger blade.

In conclusion, the perfect hiking knife is one that is lightweight, strong, and versatile. Whether you prefer a fixed blade with a straight back or a 3 to 4-inch drop point hunting knife, the key is to choose a knife that can handle the rigors of the wilderness. Preparedness is the key to a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.