What kind of gear comes to mind when you think of camping and hiking? Hiking boots, camping chairs, and tents might all come to mind. What about knives? A knife is a multi-purpose tool that you can use in various outdoor situations. You can use it to start a fire, chop wood, and even cut clothing for a tourniquet in an emergency.
Having the best Bass Pro knives also ensures a high-quality knife from a well-respected brand. I’ve used dozens of knives over the years camping, hiking, and surviving throughout the Appalachians, and few have come close to SOG knives. That’s why I recommend a few of them throughout my reviews.
In this guide, you’ll learn more than you ever could imagine about camping and hunting knives. Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
Bottom Line Up Front
The SOG SEAL Strike Fixed-Blade with Sheath is the best option for camping, hiking, and general outdoor activity. This fixed blade knife is durable, sharp, and comes with a semi-serrated edge for cutting through plastic and tough materials. It’s easy to work with and maintains its sharpness.
My Top Picks
- SOG SEAL Strike Fixed-Blade with Sheath – Best Overall
- Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Series 110 – Best Folding Knife
- Buck Fixed-Blade Knife – Best Fixed Blade
- KA-BAR USMC Fixed-Blade Knife – Best Serrated Knife
- SOG Escape Folder Drop Point Knife – Best Drop Point
- Outdoor Edge SwingBlaze Skinner/Big Game Gutting Knife – Best Skinning/Gutting Knife
SOG knives are world renown for being rugged, well designed, and exceedingly sharp. The SEAL Strike is a purpose-built, fixed blade knife that's ideal for tactical applications, as well as diving and hardcore outdoor adventures.
How I Chose The Best Bass Pro Knives
Choosing the right knife is all about having a vision in mind of what you plan to do with it. There are also all-purpose knives that can cover the gamut of camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting activities. Also, when choosing the best Bass Pro Knives, it’s essential to realize that you need to understand the various types of knives, their features, and how they impact overall performance.
Let me help you understand.
Types of Knives
First, let’s look at the different types of knives.
Fixed Blade
A fixed blade knife is a camping knife that does not retract or fold into its holster. These knives should have a sheath to put them in when you’re not using them. If size and weight aren’t as much of a concern for you, these are the knives you want. They’re generally a lot more durable and strong for when you need them the most.
Folding
These knives are compact, lightweight, and easy to carry. They fold back into their cover and are what most people call a “pocket” knife. These multi-purpose knives are great for prepping food, performing small camping tasks, and cutting rope. They’re not the best option for chopping wood or any heavy-duty wilderness activities.
Tang
You’ll see the word “tang” used to describe knives. It refers to how far the steel portion of the knife extends through the handle. More might always seem better, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Half/Quarter
If the knife is half or quarter tang, the steel portion does not extend through the handle. This will impact durability because the plastic or rubber portion of the handle will serve as a weak point. These knives are best for small to moderate camping tasks.
Full
Knives that are full tang have a steel blade that runs through the handle. These are the strongest knives money can buy and are reserved for heavy-duty tasks like skinning, gutting, and chopping firewood.
Weight
The instant assumption when you think of camping knives is to go for something small, safe, and portable but trust me. It’s not always the right choice. A small pocket knife won’t do much more than cut some thin fabric when you need it to.
If you’re planning to cut wood, slice kindling, and trim meat, you’ll need something a bit bulkier unless you want to be there all day. Most experts will tell you that four is the magic number.
The best blades are around 4-inches in length and 4-ounces in overall weight. This ensures you have a knife that not only helps you get the job done but it’s not overly bulky and unnecessarily heavy.
Material
This is a monster consideration, but you won’t have to think too hard about it because most of the knives advertised are made using stainless steel. It’s the preferred choice, so as long as you’re buying from a respected retailer like Bass Pro or Cabela’s, you shouldn’t have to worry too much.
The main reason stainless steel is the primary choice is that it will last a long time before going dull and it won’t rust or corrode. If your main concern is durability and strength for something like snapping bones or tough tendons in meat preparation, then carbon steel will be the knife you want.
If you’ve ever seen someone in the woods with a big black cleaver, hacking through everything in sight, the chances are that it was made of carbon steel. That material is challenging to maintain and will rust and dent easily, but it’s the best choice for heavy-duty outdoor cooking and prep work.
Blade Edge
Serrated vs. straight edge, that’s the considerable debate. It depends on what you’re doing with the knives. Straight edge knives are better at doing what the name says, “cutting straight.” You can get a nice clean and precise cut with a straight edge knife. They’re also better for doing detail work if you’re trimming fat off an animal or filleting a fish.
On the other hand, serrated are much better at doing the dirty work, ripping through tough rope, or cutting through tendons and hides. For this reason, dual-sided knives have become more popular. They have a serrated edge on one side and a straight edge on the other.
Best Bass Pro Knives: Top 6 Choices
One important thing to remember about choosing the best Bass Pro knife is that you want to keep your intended purpose in mind. Are you using the knife for general camping tasks, or are you going full Rambo and cutting open bear carcasses to sleep inside?
That might be an extreme analogy, but I think you get the point! Let’s get into the reviews.
1. Best Overall: SOG SEAL Strike Fixed-Blade with Sheath
This is my favorite brand of knives because they’re consistently known for being some of the most durable. The key to winning my heart is building something that will last a long time. You spend the money upfront, and you get the best product you can buy, so you don’t have to worry about it year after year.
The SOG SEAL knife is a fixed-blade stainless steel knife with a partially serrated edge. It comes with a nylon sheath, and it’s a full tang blade, so it extends all the way through the handle. It also has a built-in cord cutter, blade sharpener, and firestarter.
It’s the complete package, folks; it’s everything you could want in a hunting and camping knife. Just get it; you won’t regret it.
SOG knives are world renown for being rugged, well designed, and exceedingly sharp. The SEAL Strike is a purpose-built, fixed blade knife that's ideal for tactical applications, as well as diving and hardcore outdoor adventures.
Pros:
- Full tang
- Serrated and straight edge
- Strong, durable, and rugged
Cons:
- A bit heavy
2. Best Folding Knife: Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Series 110
If a folding knife is more your speed, this one from Cabela’s is the one. It’s a folding hunting knife with a 3.75-inch blade, and it weighs around 7.2 ounces. I would imagine the wooden handle contributes to the extra weight because this one weighs a lot for being as small as it is.
It’s got more of the aesthetic appeal of a camping knife rather than the actionable functionality that you want, so that’s my main complaint. That said, it’s a great all-purpose stainless steel knife with a Cerakote coating to prevent rust and corrosion. It should last a long time.
The Cabela's Alaskan Guide Series 110 Folding Hunter Lockback Folding Knife by Buck Knives utilizes a hollow-ground, clip-point blade design, which is ideal for hunting, camping, or everyday carry. 
Pros:
- Folds for safety
- Holds an edge well
- Looks nice
Cons:
- Too heavy
- A bit too “pretty”
3. Best Fixed Blade: Buck Fixed-Blade Knife
I prefer fixed blades simply because I find them to be more durable and longer-lasting, and this one is one of the highest recommended options available from Bass Pro Shops. It’s a rugged blade design made with high-carbon stainless steel, so it’s super strong and super sharp, and it maintains its sharpness exceptionally well.
This is a long blade, so you’ll want to get a sheath for it, and I wouldn’t recommend it to those who don’t have experience handling a blade like this. It’s 6-inches in length with an overall length of nearly a foot. This is an excellent blade for cutting wood and prepping animals.
The Buck Fixed-Blade Knife has a rugged fixed-blade designed to serve the needs of any hunter. The high-carbon stainless steel blade is incredibly strong and holds a razor-sharp edge. 
Pros:
- Great for hunting and skinning
- Large blade comes with a sheath
- Maintains its sharpness well
Cons:
- Big and bulky
4. Best Serrated Knife: KA-BAR USMC Fixed-Blade Knife
I love this knife simply because of how it looks; it looks fantastic. Let’s talk about it. First, it’s a KA-BAR, and if you know anything about knives, the KA-BAR is the ultimate military-grade tactical knife. It’s designed for various purposes, from self-defense to skinning and hunting.
This fixed-blade knife comes with a partially serrated edge and clip-point making it excellent at cutting a large assortment of materials. It has a leather-washer grip and steel pommel that looks great and makes the knife easy to hold onto if you’re prepping the meat.
All in all, if you’re in the market for a cool-looking serrated-edge knife, this is a great option.
Modeled after the iconic combat knife adopted by the Marine Corps in 1942, the KA-BAR USMC Fixed-Blade Knife is an excellent utility knife, well suited for camp craft, hunting, and outdoor survival.
Pros:
- Manufactured for ultimate durability
- Looks awesome
- Serrated edge with clip-point
Cons:
- None really
5. Best Drop Point: SOG Escape Folder Drop Point Knife
A drop point refers to a knife that usually folds and slopes down from the end of the handle to the tip of the knife, creating a slide look on the top. This feature makes these knives most popular for tactical purposes and hunting. So, if you need a subtle self-defense weapon for fending off critters or intruders, this is the kind of knife you’d want.
It’s lightweight, weighing only 4.8-ounces, and it has a short 3.4-inch blade. The blade is also partially serrated, so it would be an excellent choice for self-defense as it could do a lot of damage when needed.
The SOG Escape Folder is a great everyday carry knife with a partially serrated spear-point blade and hard anodized aluminum handles. 
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Foldable
- Affordable
Cons:
- A bit small
6. Best Skinning/Gutting Knife: Outdoor Edge SwingBlaze Skinner/Big Game Gutting Knife
For those looking for skinning or game knives, don’t worry because I have you covered as well. This knife offers a unique feature ideal for gutting: the SwingBlade. You can convert this drop point skinning knife into a gutter by pushing a button and popping it up.
The gutting blade is 3.2-inches, and the skinning blade is 3.6-inches. It’s the ideal choice for prepping animals in the woods, whether you’re hunting for sport or for survival. This is a great option and is well recommended by the hunting community.
With the push of a button, this Outdoor Edge SwingBlaze SwingBlade Drop Point Skinner/Big Game Gutting Knife changes from a drop point skinner to a big game gutting knife. Innovative design cuts beneath the skin to open game like a zipper. Rubberized Kraton handle gives you a positive, non-slip grip even when wet. 
Pros:
- Perfect choice for field dressing
- Great grip
- Maintains its edge
Cons:
- Shipping issues
FAQs
Question: What kind of knife should I take camping?
Answer: Ideally, you want a multi-purpose knife like the SOG SEAL because it can do many things. You get the serrated edge and the straight edge which opens up this one tool to many tasks. Plus, it’s durable and sturdy enough for things like cutting wood, skinning, and prepping.
Question: How sharp should a camping knife be?
Answer: You should be able to cut with as little pressure as possible. A common misconception is that a knife isn’t safe when it’s overly sharp, but the reality is that the opposite is true. When you need to press hard and struggle to cut through things, you increase your chances of cutting yourself.
Question: What knife should I carry backpacking?
Answer: If you’re backpacking and don’t expect to encounter anything extreme along the way, I would recommend using a folding knife. Folding knives are portable, lightweight, and easy to use.
Question: What is a good thickness for a camp knife?
Answer: Thickness is an exciting factor to consider. Most camping knives are around 3/16-inches thick, but you can go up to a ¼-inch if you need to. The thicker they are, the more durable they will be but the heavier and more difficult to handle. You want to make sure that there isn’t any flex in the blade because it could snap if you struggle with it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best Bass Pro knives is essential because you need something that will last a long time if you plan to invest the money in getting one. I highly recommend spending the money upfront and getting yourself a high-quality knife so you don’t have to worry about it later on down the road.
The SOG SEAL Strike Fixed-Blade with Sheath is hands-down the best option on this list because it is so versatile, durable, and priced competitively with the rest of the knives. Be safe out there, and good luck!
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Coty Perry is an environmental advocate and an outdoor enthusiast with a love of fishing. He’s a 3rd generation angler and the Chief Marketing Officer at Your Bass Guy.
Being out in the elements can be difficult but if you have the right gear and take care of it properly, it can help. Coty helps readers by giving them the knowledge they need to have the best experiences outdoors.