The best camping Knives

• Be prepared for your camping trip
• A good camping knife is an essential piece of equipment
• We have a selection here from budget to best quality

Victorinox Hunter Pro Swiss Army Pocket Knife

Written by Parkers Updated: 12 October 2023

When we venture into the great outdoors, the success or otherwise of our trip can rest on how prepared we are. By not having the proper camping accessory at our disposal, simple tasks can become frustrating and sometimes impossible. One of the most basic bits of kit we should carry is the good old-fashioned camping knife. From preparing food and getting the campfire ready to handle the myriad of other tasks that arise in the great outdoors, top-quality camping knives are a must-have.

Some notable brands that have particularly good form with their camping knives include Opinel, an iconic French manufacturer renowned for its simple yet effective folding knives. Victorinox, the epitome of Swiss precision, offers versatile multi-purpose knives that excel in outdoor settings, including the now legendary Swiss Army Knife. Whitby Knives, a homegrown UK brand, is known for its reliable and budget-friendly offerings. It’s worth checking out the UK laws on what type of knife qualifies as an everyday carry (EDC), which is legal to carry around with you, and those which require a further reason to carry.

Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or a beginner, browse through our selection of camping knives and decide which one suits your needs best.

The best camping knives at a glance:

• Editor’s choice: Victorinox Ranger Camping Swiss Army Pocket Knife – Buy now from Amazon UK
• Best value camping knife: Opinel No.6 VRI Lock Knife – Buy now from Amazon UK
• Best heavy-duty camping knife: Victorinox Hunter Pro Swiss Army Pocket Knife – Buy now from Amazon UK

Legal Disclaimer:

In England and Wales, it is an offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Section 139) to carry in public without good reason (i) any knife with a locking mechanism or (ii) a folding knife with a blade length of more than 3 inches/7.62 cm. Contravention can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.

The best camping knives

Victorinox Ranger Camping Swiss Army Pocket Knife

Editor's choice

Rrp: $75.00

Price: $56.13

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Iconic, superbly engineered, and it’ll never go out of style; it can only be the legendary Swiss Army Knife. Victorinox is the company which brings us this version, the Ranger Camping Swiss Army Knife. It has 21 tools, including (ready, take a deep breath!) a large blade, a small blade, a can opener, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, a wire stripper, a reamer, a punch, a sewing awl, a corkscrew, scissors, a wood saw, a nail file, a metal saw, a metal file, a screwdriver, a chisel, a multipurpose hook, toothpicks, and tweezers. All that is cleverly put together inside the instantly recognisable red case.

A classic.

Pros

Durable and well-made
Versatile

Cons

Some of the tools can be a bit tricky to access

Wolfcraft Leisure Knife with Folding Blade

Best convenient camping knife

Price: $22.04

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The Wolfcraft Leisure Knife with Folding Blade is a versatile and affordable knife that is perfect as a basic camping knife. It has a 70mm serrated aluminium blade that is sharp and durable, and it also features a safety mechanism that prevents the blade from closing on your fingers. The ergonomically designed aluminium handle is comfortable to hold, and there’s a handy clip that allows you to attach it to your belt.

The Wolfcraft Leisure Knife is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a reliable and easy-to-use knife for camping trips, and it’s pretty good value for the price.

Pros

Blade safety mechanism
Affordable

Cons

The blade is a bit short for some tasks

Opinel No.6 VRI Stainless Steel Blade Lock Knife

Best value camping knife

Price: $24.00

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The Opinel No.6 VRI Stainless Steel Blade Lock Knife is a classic French folding knife that has been around for over 100 years. It is a small, lightweight knife with a sharp stainless-steel blade. The knife also features a Virobloc twist collar ring that locks the blade for safety. It has to be said that it’s not the sturdiest of knives and not really suited to heavy-duty tasks, but it is a handy knife to have around for everyday tasks that won’t take up too much room in your pocket.

Pros

Small and lightweight
Virobloc safety ring

Cons

Best suited to lightweight tasks

Gerber Straightlace Folding Knife

Best durable small camping knife

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The Gerber Straightlace Folding Knife is a classic slip-joint knife with a modern twist. It has a modern 2.9-inch modern sheepsfoot blade made of 7CR17 stainless steel, which is both sharp and durable and is shaped to tackle those rougher jobs, but it will allow you to work in more detail if required.

The handle is made of black oxide-coated stainless steel and features a lanyard hole, and has a deep nail nick for easy opening.

Pros

Simple, modern design
Durable blade

Cons

Handle grip could be better

WHITBY KENT Pocket Knife

Best EDC camping knife

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The Whitby Kent Pocket Knife, with its sharp 12CR27 stainless-steel blade and olive wood handle, is a charming and dependable folding knife. This UK-made gem combines functionality with style as the blade keeps its sharp edge, and the olive wood handle not only offers a comfortable grip but also adds a touch of natural appeal. It's compact size and lightweight design (just 80g) make it ideal for everyday domestic use and camping adventures, and as it’s non-locking, it’s legal to carry in the UK.

Pros

Easy to open
Good value

Cons

No pocket clip

Victorinox Hunter Pro Swiss Army Pocket Knife

Best heavy-duty camping knife

Price: $100.00

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Alternative Retailers

Walmart

$100.00

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This is another quality item from Victorinox, the people who brought you the Swiss Army Knife. It has a large locking blade which is easily accessible using one hand in the thumb hole of the blade. The ergonomic shape of the handle gives a firm, comfortable grip, even in wet conditions, and is perfect for those heavy-duty outdoor tasks. There’s a handy lanyard hole, and the reliable locking mechanism provides added safety while in use. If you are looking for a good quality, heavy-duty, no-frills camping knife, this is the perfect choice.

Pros

Large and versatile
Great grip

Cons

Not as convenient as smaller knives

Leatherman Bond Multi-Tool

Best versatile camping knife

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We may be playing fast and loose with the term ‘knife’ on this one, but it definitely does include at least one blade. This classic multi-tool from Leatherman is a lightweight and compact piece of kit. There is a knife included, but there’s also a wealth of other handy pieces which might just come to the rescue when you least expect it. Pliers, screwdrivers, a can opener and a file are among the tools cleverly enclosed in the kit. There’s also a handy ruler across the back of the main handle. There’s a good mix of tools, and the quality is good; the downside is that the grip isn’t as comfortable as it could be.

Pros

Robust build
Good selection of tools

Cons

Handles aren’t the most comfortable

Some things to consider when buying a knife in the UK

In the UK, it is an offence to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place; the only exception is if it’s a folding pocket knife where the cutting edge of the blade is 3 inches/7.62 cm or less.

In our article, we’ve reviewed some lock knives. A lock knife is not a folding pocket knife, and therefore it is an offence to carry a knife like this, regardless of the length of the blade, if you do not have a good reason. A lock knife is not an offensive weapon by itself, as they were made with a specific purpose in mind and were not intended as a weapon. However, possession of a lock knife in a public place without good reason is an offence.

Carrying a multi-tool incorporating a blade can be an offence even if it has other tools which may be of use in a public place, for example, a screwdriver or a can opener. This does not represent a total ban; it is up to the person in possession to prove they have a good reason for carrying it. For example, someone backpacking in the countryside may reasonably be expected to have a knife for cutting wood or the preparation of meals.

The key points:
• The legal length for a non-locking, folding blade is 3 inches/7.62cm
• A knife with legal length can still be deemed an offensive weapon if it can be perceived as such by someone else
• Locking folding knives, fixed blade knives, and knives longer than 3inches/7.62cm are all illegal to carry in a public place without a further defence
• It is the duty of the person carrying the knife to know and understand the law – ignorance is not a defence

You can get more information on selling, buying and carrying knives on the government website.

Alex Boyd is a Content Optimisation Writer at Bauer Media and loves travel, gardening, DIY and music.

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