10 Great Hunting Knives Everyone Should Own At Least One of Them

 

10 Great Hunting Knives Everyone Should Own at least one of them!

by @BushcampingTools

Here's a list of knives I think are absolutely great for hunting up to medium sized game. By this, I mean Wild goats to Pigs. With these knives you will be able to: gut, skin and butcher along with possibly (knife dependent) some more arduous tasks such as preparing an area to perform such duties and or camping with the same knife. 

There is no preferential order to which I ascribe my reasoning to these knives. One is certain to find at least one of these knives right for their hunting purposes. The list is by no means extensive and also a tiny fraction of the knives I have used for such purposes. With Shot Show 2025 just finished and now IWA 2025 coming soon. I'm sure many are now  "In the groove" and now ready geared up for hunting!

Ok let's begin:

Benchmade Leuku ( Steel CPM 3V)

Reasons: Easily cleaned, non slip grip, stainless steel, excellent edge retention (A bit harder to sharpen from blunt remember!-don't let your knife edges go blunt!). Can do all tasks (except cutting down branches and trees). Lightweight (in the handle-to reduce wrist fatigue). No nonsense leather and hard plastic lined scabbard- traditional carry system-added bonus of a fire steel carry loop (Fire steel, not included).

Maintenance level: Low

Why?: Proven modern rendition of the Laplander's Leuku,-say no more.

Cuts like: Very well/Like no tomorrow

Fox Knives FX-143 MB "Perser" (Steel NIOLOX)

Reasons: Comfortable and stylish at the same time, that will surely catch the eye of a fellow hunter who does NOT own this blade. Niolox steel, a proven industrial cutting steel in the food industry. Featuring high Niobium content of around up to 0.8% Nb, high carbon 0.8%, high vanadium 0.9% and high Mo at 1.1%. It goes without saying this is a high corrosion resistant high edge retention steel.

Comes with a stylish but simple full leather scabbard, traditional belt carry, 

Note: Maybe not for big hands (eg bigger than 8.5). A tad too small for med game on the large side for butchering one would require a longer blade.

Why?: Easily gripped, full hand control for fine skinning tasks. Blade shape great for skinning and gutting. If this was a bigger knife with same grip, I would not like the grip for hunting as it's just too smooth but as it is it can easily be held. But the blade shape is great.

Cuts like: No tomorrow

Maintenance level: Low to medium (scales can not be removed). NIOLOX is not indestructible.

Extrema Ratio Sethlans (Steel Böhler N690)

Reasons: A classic small drop point design, sturdy construction, lightweight stainless blade (front end), Good design for multiple finger positions. 

Why: Proven drop point design, comfortable grip, knife is supplied as a "package" which includes everything one needs to pack in to the hunting site on foot, ie a fire steel and good quality fine ceramic and diamond sharpening stone all within a multi-mount scabbard system. Their experience in designing carry systems for military personal is of great bonus for the hunter for this particular blade.Secure kydex carry system.

Maintenance level: Low to possibly medium but the medium refers to the scabbard to keep clean, although the protective insert of kydex is easily cleaned of blood and guts, treat the nylon part as necessary, ie wash it if it gets covered in blood etc.

Cuts like: Very well/Like no tomorrow

Kizlyar Supreme URAL (Steel Böhler Sleipner tool steel)

Reasons: Heavy duty but still of small to medium sized blade. Convex edge, excellent edge retention with indestructible** Sleipner steel. Non stainless, easy to field maintain. Comfortable grip, supplied with a traditional carry (but versatile) leather scabbard with a Fire steel loop (fire steel not included) and belt dangler system. Made in Russia, maybe hard to acquire for the present?

Cuts like: no tomorrow.

Why?: Full Convex grind to edge, can easily perform many camp tasks with this blade, light weight blade, comfortable non-slip grip.  

** Ok nothing is indestructible!

Linder knives Super Edge 5 (Steel Hitachi ATS-34*)

Reasons: 

This is a superb and simple design which just works, comfortable and ergonomic in any hands. Linder achieves a hair popping sharp edge and a heat treatment which holds a super edge (no pun intended!). The knife is light in the hand due to it's construction and it is also light in the blade despite its 4.8mm thickness. Easy track (fluorescent orange) handle in TPE, almost impossible to lose in low light conditions (but highly steal-able LOL!).

Comes with a no nonsense easily cleaned (from blood and guts) scabbard.

Why?: This is a "working knife" and as such sports a "rubber" grip. It's meant to be used and designed as such. The tang goes all the way to the lanyard hole and has several "keyways" to prevent the grip from parting company with the knife.

Maintenance: Low

*As far as I'm aware Hitachi no longer make ATS-34 and thus if this is true, then all knives being made from this steel will be of limited production runs. Certainly other manufactures have told me including Linder that they are using "old stock" of ATS-34. Does this spell a collector's item????? I'll leave that for you to decide.

Work Tuff Gear Red Wolf (Steel Böhler's K329)

Reasons: The Red Wolf is an in house Work Tuff Gear design. It is a superb design and this is reflected (no pun intended) in the finish of this blade, which sports a super mirror polished convex edge to a full flat grind. The handle scales are non-slip. Modern aesthetics in design, such as a concealed lanyard hole, simple but very secure pancake style Kydex scabbard, Possibly Work Tuff Gear's best all round hunting knife to date? Like the Kizlyar Supreme URAL, this knife can do all but the heaviest tasks required for both hunting and camping, packing in to the site.

Why?: I just said it! But without talking price, very affordable high quality knife IMHO.

Kizlyar Supreme Severus (D2 tool steel)

Reasons: Proven edge retention of D2 tool steel, blaze orange G10 scales, scalloped milling pattern for a total non slip grip, so important for hunting purposes. Simple well constructed leather scabbard, highly affordable, working knife with a classic blade design. Excellent factory edge. Can be used for gutting fish as well due to the great tip.

Why?: Reasonable cost, Russian quality made, deadly sharp out of the box, light in the hand.

Maintenance level: Low to medium (scales can be removed).

Fox knives FKMD    RIMOR (Steel Böhler's N690)

Reasons: This is a largish field knife with hunting capabilities due to the multiple hand positions available and the specific blade design, enabling gutting, skinning and ease to butcher all medium sized game right up to large game but without being a super big knife. 

The RIMOR can function both as a sturdy camp knife as well so this is definitely a one knife solution, although remembering one knife may not function well in all situations. For example: the RIMOR is not great for fishing (clearly) although it can be done of course.  The belly section allows it to be used as a skinning knife despite it's size. The robustness of the blade also allows for it's use for remote hunting where a saw, hatchet or large knife may need to considered and the hatchet looses out to the RIMOR?

Why: No nonsense grippy handle which totally encloses the tang, thus can be used like the other fully enclosed handled knives listed above, in sub zero weather/no gloves. More of a "Survival/Multipurpose" knife than a specific hunting knife, however, the blade design lends itself to hunting purposes, unlike many multipurpose knives which are not suitable for hunting.

Maintenance level: Low to medium

Cuts like: No tomorrow

Kizlyar Supreme Yeti (Steel PGK)

Reasons: A light weight full flat grind super sharp hunting knife made with PGK steel. PGK steel is a very interesting steel in regards to its composition. A very high carbon content along with high Tungsten, Mo and V plus at the same time 8.5% Chromium! All of these elements make for excellent edge retention. The Yeti certainly excelled with edge retention field testing. 

The knife is comfortable to hold for long periods and combined with a light blade, will not tire your hands during gutting, and skinning. The YETI can function well around the campsite for ALL food preparation with ease due to it's overall geometry.

The knife is supplied with a traditional styled leather scabbard which includes a fire steel loop (fire steel is not included) and also an included belt dangler for those who need a longer reach.

Why?: Because of the use of PGK steel it is possible for Kizlyar Supreme to produce a thinner blade but at the same time very strong with a capacity for excellent edge retention from the high vanadium content. A lighter weight hunting knife most suited for long trips and less maintenance time sharpening. 

Maintenance level: Low to medium

Cuts like: No tomorrow

Linder knives Trapper  (Steel 440A) Sadly no longer made!

Reasons: Stylish, robust, well-made (looks like a hunting knife!), deadly sharp Traditional German made in Solingen, comfortable, all tasks covered. If you don't own a PUMA 1974 era PUMA Hunter's Friend (PUMASTEEL High carbon) hunting knife, like I happen to own (from a kid from early hunting and camping days) then this would have been the slightly modern version of that knife which I believe actually pre dates the Hunter's Friend, although I'll stand corrected over this if anyone knows differently. The Linder Trapper is a damn good knife for hunting full stop.

Why?: All of the above, plus a robust design allowing for all work on a carcass (see my full review and field videos about this classic knife)


Cuts like: Extremely well to Like no tomorrow

Maintenance level: Medium to high due to the cocobolo scales, wooden scales require the proper attention and such a knife is not for the clumsy or careless (with gear) hunter. This is a knife for those who appreciate the whole hunting scene IMHO. At the same time do not be afraid to use this knife heavily (if you own one or if you are lucky enough to obtain one).

Ok I'm going to wrap this up here. There are many more great hunting knives from my collection of (very used LOL) knives, such as this old Linder model below and later I will also write something about these other great hunting knives, so stay tuned!

BCT

Carabiners! How Strong?

 Super Strong Carabiners! How Strong?

Shown above (from L to R) Singing Rock K408 40KN (using SCM 435 steel) and Kong's Heavy Duty Alu 36KN made with 7075T Aluminium.

Why are some carabiners so strong that they exceed the maximum strength of any rope? What is the purpose of this?

 

To answer these questions, first we need to understand that modern manufacturing processes along with high strength alloys, whether that be aluminium or steel, allow for such high specifications of such carabiners. 

In other words: they are that strong because it's relatively easy due to modern technology to make them by default this strong. 

What distinguishes the "super strong carabiner" from the "regular carabiner"? Usually it is the weight, as in there is simply more material that needs to yield. As material is removed to make carabiner's lighter but still within the safety standards for the particular end applications, so to will the strength decrease. It must be a balance between weight and strength for climbing and caving activities, bearing in mind that the person or persons involved with such activities, absolutely must understand the relationships between fall factors and operating within the safe ratings of the PPE in use. 

In other words one can not rely upon their equipment if dangerous fall factors are involved and excessive mechanical stresses placed upon anchors and anchoring equipment which could cause failure, injury and or fatality.

In the example below for example: we see two aluminium carabiners from the same manufacturer (both made with 7075T Aluminium).

Despite the different overall shapes, both carabiners have about the same internal dimensions of the major axis. Carabiner (A) has an obviously wider end of approx 45mm perpendicular to the spine compared with carabiner (B) for which this dimension is approximately 35mm. With only a 10mm difference between the two carabiners at the widest end, however, their weights vary significantly with carabiner  (A) weighing 74g Vs carabiner (B) at 89g, therefore carabiner (B) is approximately 20.3% heavier than (A). Therefore one can not achieve an equivalent failure rating, for example with carabiner (A), without an increase in either weight/size (impractical for the same material ie Aluminium) or a change of material, ie steel and keep the overall shape and dimensions.

This can also be seen for other personal protection equipment (PPE) devices used in climbing and caving such as a figure 8 descender. 

For example a Petzl Huit (weight 100g) is rated at 100kg maximum working load (not rated in KN, which is a FORCE) and Petzl has an interesting way to rate the safety of this device, since it is not a force but a weight, compared with the mighty Kong Rescue 8, rated at 40KN, device weight of 260g. So from this rating, given by Petzl I'd say that many heavy people (>75Kg) will be approaching the upper limits of safety for this device and hence the HUIT will be unsuitable for such a person. OR are Petzl stating this because anyone who is approaching 100Kg will find it difficult to gain enough friction using this device? Petzl do not state the maximum or minimum breaking Force in KN, therefore it is impossible to determine which is correct.

In amongst this pile of gear (shown above), the mighty KONG Rescue figure 8m special military camouflage version.

According to a study conducted by staff at MIT Centre for Sports  Innovation, on carabiner failure (Analysis of Fatigue Failure in D-Shaped Carabiners 2002). Their findings indicated the following: "Decreasing carabiner weight will likely result   in decreased life forcing the need for fatigue ratings". Intuitively this makes sense as we have seen above.

So why would one need to use such a high strength carabiner, a carabiner whose strength far exceeds that of a brand new, unknotted rope? 

Because humans may not be directly involved with the connectivity of such devices, in other words the use of such devices having little bearing upon the safety of humans as in they (humans) may not be connected directly to these high strength carabiners. 

Such applications where super high strength carabiners are used are for rigging purposes, for example: the film and television industry, where steel cables or other rigging  materials of whose strength will far exceed that of the abseiler's harness or climber's rope ratings . 

High strength aluminium carabiners can also be used on high strength aluminium rigging plates for countless rigging configurations.

Of course the weakest link (no pun intended) will be a static rope and any knots tied within the system of ropes, and tapes used in the rigging. As for the most part these high strength carabiners exceed the strength of brand new ropes and tapes. Much evidence has come about in regards to how certain knots used in rescue, climbing and caving activities can weaken the static strength of a rope considerably (Symmetry 2024, 16, 167.) or electronic  Symmetry 2024, 16, 167. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16020167.

There are other reasons that may not be so obvious.

I would say that as a long term climber and caver and having put my life and others in the trust of the integrity of climbing ropes and equipment, there is a satisfying confidence in using (not all the time but sometimes) connecting equipment which far exceeds the strength of the rope one is about to abseil on. 

Often phrases like: "bombproof" come to mind in regards to the rigging setup/s required for a multi-pitch descent into the bowels of the earth down raging icy cold waterfalls or at best out of the water but no less exciting an adventure. It is with this added confidence and knowledge that goes a long way for the right "frame of mind" when one is about to embark upon a 24 hour  underground adventure for what many  non cavers and climbers would (quite sensibly) deem "extremely risky" activities!

Steel carabiners

High strength steel carabiners such as this DMM 40KN big D zinc chromate coated carabiner

can be used anywhere where there is a need to mitigate abrasive forces for which otherwise might cause undue abrasion to an aluminium carabiner, whether that is against rocks or some metal object.

Cold forged high strength 45KN Steel carabiner DMM Wales

Usually, but not always (see later in this article), such high strength carabiners will be made from steels such as C45 (AISI 1045) or C35. These alloys possesses high tensile strength and of course being steel, good resistance to abrasion (C45 possesses good wear resistance and hardness). This resistance to abrasion will far exceed that of any aluminium alloy. 

 What about applications for high strength aluminium carabiners?

Kong 36KN main axis "Heavy Duty Alu" Carabiner (Kong's strongest aluminium carabiner to date made with 7075T Aluminium) 

In the world of rigging, a considerable weight saving is of great importance and where abrasion resistance is not an issue but the requirement for high strength is, then the choice is for high strength aluminium carabiners such as but not limited to Kong's Heavy Duty Alu. Here is what Kong suggest as possible end uses for their high strength carabiner.

So now we can see the need for high strength aluminium carabiners such as carabiners rated at plus 30KN. 

All Kong carabiners are 100% tested robotically  to 70% of the rated breaking strength.

These types of carabiners can be used for rigging situations where high loads might be encountered and where the rigging structure should be made as light as possible. For example, a steel carabiner such as the Kong Heavy Duty Carbon, rated at 60KN will weigh approximately 232g (which incidentally can easily lift 6 cars!) or even a 50KN Big D (Singing Rock) weighing in at 255g 

Singing Rock tensile strength rating of 50KN along the major axis.

Example high strength steel carabiner from Singing Rock, stamping showing date of manufacture along with rated axis breaking strengths.

each versus an equivalent high strength aluminium alloy carabiner at 36KN (Kong Heavy Duty Alu shown below)

Both carabiners exceeding the tensile strength of the standard 11mm static ropes (for example Eldelrid 11mm static minimum breaking strength unknotted 34KN). 

However, one can see that for every 5 carabiners of the steel type used,

Shown above Kong's 60KN kidney shaped  Heavy Duty Carbon carabiner manufactured from C35  steel (weight 232g)*

will weigh more than double that of an equivalent strength number in aluminium alloy, that’s a huge difference!

 

How About for Adventure Activities?

High strength carabiners are the preferred choice when it comes to piton brake bar abseiling since they will be effectively loaded against the gate axis and thus one should use only carabiners whose gate axis loading strength is at a maximum as seen in high strength carabiners. For example: the closed gate horizontal loading is 11KN for the Kong 36KN “Heavy Duty Alu Screw Gate”). At one point, the piton brake bar was the preferred choice for canyoners in Australia.

Rigging of pitches in caving, where steel high strength carabiners are often the choice when affixed to steel bolt brackets (either custom made or commercial anchors).

A note here regarding safety!

All activities  involved in rock climbing and caving can be hazardous under certain situations and thus the use of any techniques using any type of PPE should only be undertaken by trained and or experienced personnel!

 

Does surface scratching decrease the rated strength of (all) carabiners (in general)? 

There are insufficient scientific data in relation to this question, however, roughened surfaces on carabiners where ropes and or tapes/slings can rub/move will only cause those items to degrade more rapidly and hence the latest UIAA Standards 121 for carabiners) recommendations suggest that the use of those metal links should be reserved for placing against items of the same materials, for example, steel carabiners, linked to steel hangers aluminium carabiners to aluminium carabiners.

(ref pg. 9 UIAA Standards 121).

 

Scratched surfaces may also hide possible defects as a result of harsh treatment by the end user, such as corrosion pits and or crack propagation. The only way to examine for this is with the use of a hand lens of at least X10 magnification, again a maintenance procedure as recommended by the UIAA Standards 121 for carabiners.

 

Therefore, steel carabiners will exhibit a greater wear resistance than that of aluminium alloy carabiners. For example, carabiners made from 7075T will be less hard than C45 steel carabiners, Brinell hardness 150 Vs 190 respectively.

 It should be noted that one should NOT allow any corrosion via galvanic reactions to occur, especially when it comes to the use of aluminium carabiners. This type of corrosion can very rapidly render carabiners unsafe to use (pers comm.).

 

Personal note from the author

* This model Kong carabiner has basically remained (shape) unchanged (except for the gate, nose and notch) for the last 40 years and we used them extensively for caving rigging and large canyon pitches.

Zentron Outdoor Zentron L1 LASER RANGE FINDER WITH BALLISTIC CALCULATOR

 Zentron Outdoor Zentron L1 LASER RANGEFINDER WITH BALLISTIC CALCULATOR

ZentronOutdoor produce the L1,  a compact, multi-mountable  LASER range finder. The Zentron L1 can be easily mounted to your scope of choice. For example: a 30mm diameter Rifle scope tube.

 It can also be mounted to their own Q635 Thermal Imager,

the Zen Q635 using the bracket/cradle  shown below.

All mounting hardware is included, there is nothing else to buy, plus there is also supplied spare rubber protective material for the mounts.

Ballistic calculator (mob app) for a myriad of customisable caliber/projectiles (see below).

The Zentron L1 LASER RANGEFINDER takes the same battery as their ZenQ635 Thermal Imager, ie their CR123A.

There is an O-ring weather seal

The rifle scope mount attaches via a 2.5mm hex Allen key wrench or a TORX T10,  The same wrench size also affixes the  L1 in it's clamp/cradle.

The rubberised gripping material provides a lot of friction and when mounting the L1 within it's "cradle", (see below) requires that you carefully align it within the cradle because it is very difficult to turn against this material once it is fully inserted, even when the clamping screws are loose. This is actually a good thing since the clamping system is very secure.  

The rifle clamp

can be left on the scope and the Zentron L1 simply attached to the scope anytime via thumb screw mount. (above image)

 Operation of the L1 is via a single rubberised button and is super easy. Once connected, the operation manual can be either viewed or downloaded to your mobile device.

Long press to turn on, short press to activate the measuring capabilities. Long press to turn off. To active the visible laser system (RED), the button is pressed X3 quickly (note LASER will automatically turn off after 3 sec. Double tap the power button to switch display style.

Downloadable full operating instructions online via the Zen Link app.

The L1 boasts an accuracy of +/- 2m. out to 1200m!

Rifle scope mounting ring shown above. Note protective material lining the scope ring clamp.

The unit of course can also be used as a hand held device if necessary, although there are specific models for this application, the IR monoculars (Models M4 and M6).

The Zentron L1 is fast to respond and dead easy to mount and use.

Checkout ZentronOutdoor's thermal imagers, are super sensitive: 

More  @BushCampingTools

BCT