A good knife is the tool you reach for most at camp: slicing food, cutting rope and cable ties, opening packaging, trimming kindling. You don’t need anything big or expensive. A light folding knife with a lock you trust covers almost everything, and a fixed blade is worth adding if you do a lot of fire and bush work.
We’ve reviewed seven camping knives. Here’s how they compare and which one suits what you do.
Quick picks: the best camping knives comparedQuick picks
| Product | Score | Price | Type | Lock | Weight | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overallFlissa Folding Pocket Knife | 9.3 | Mid-range | Folding | Liner lock | 126 g | Check price at Amazon |
Best warrantyGerber Paraframe I | 9.1 | Premium | Folding | Frame lock | 79 g | Check price at Amazon |
LightestNomel Folding Pocket Knife | 8.9 | Budget | Folding | – | 30 g | Check price at Amazon |
Best fixed bladeFlissa Bushcraft Knife | 8.7 | Mid-range | Fixed blade | Sheath | 170 g | Check price at Amazon |
Best blade steelFlissa D2 Knife | 8.7 | Mid-range | Folding | Liner lock | 108 g | Check price at Amazon |
Simplest folderRaxco Folding Pocket Knife | 8.4 | Mid-range | Folding | Liner lock | 114 g | Check price at Amazon |
Grippy handleFolding G10 Pocket Knife | 7.4 | Mid-range | Folding | Liner lock | – | Check price at Amazon |
Price: Budget under $20, Mid-range $20–34, Premium $35 and up, based on what we paid.
Best overall: Flissa Folding Pocket KnifeBest overall: Flissa Folding
The Flissa Folding Pocket Knife has a 12.1 cm tanto blade in tough 7CR17MOV steel, a reliable liner lock and a pocket clip. The handle also has a glass breaker and a seatbelt cutter, so it earns a spot in the car as well as the camp kitchen.
The tanto tip takes more skill to sharpen, the aluminium handle feels cold when it’s wet, and the steel isn’t rust-proof, so dry it after use. At 126 g it’s the most capable folder here.
Flissa Folding Pocket Knife
Scored 9.3 out of 10Our take: A 126 g folding knife with a tough Tanto blade, a reliable liner lock and a built-in glass breaker and seatbelt cutter for emergencies.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Tungsten steel glass breaker
- Integrated seatbelt cutter
- Blade is tough 7CR17MOV steel
- Liner lock provides reliable safety
- Convenient pocket clip for carry
What we don’t
- Tanto blade takes skill to sharpen
- Aluminium handle feels cold when wet
- Blade steel isn't corrosion-proof
Best warranty: Gerber Paraframe IBest warranty: Paraframe
The Gerber Paraframe is a simple open-frame folder that weighs 79 g. The partly serrated blade handles rope and food, the frame lock holds it solidly, the deep-carry clip keeps it out of the way, and the open frame is easy to rinse clean. It comes with a 25-year limited warranty.
There’s no pouch, the thin handle can feel sharp in a hard grip, and the stainless finish shows fingerprints. For a light knife that lasts, it’s an easy pick.
Gerber Paraframe I
Scored 9.1 out of 10Our take: A 79 g folding knife with an open frame that’s easy to clean, a sturdy frame lock and a deep-carry clip. It comes without a pouch, and the thin handle can feel sharp in the hand.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Ultra-lightweight at 79 grams
- Easy to clean open frame design
- Sturdy frame lock for safety
- Handy deep-carry pocket clip
- 25 year limited warranty
What we don’t
- Does not include a carry pouch
- The thin handle can feel sharp
- Stainless finish shows fingerprints
Lightest: Nomel Folding Pocket KnifeLightest: Nomel
The Nomel weighs just 30 g and folds to 72 mm, with a 60 mm stainless blade and a carabiner built into the handle, so it clips onto a pack strap or keyring. At $16 it’s also the cheapest here.
The short blade limits bigger jobs and the stainless handle can be slippery. For a backup knife or an ultralight kit, it does the job.
Nomel Folding Pocket Knife
Scored 8.9 out of 10Our take: A feather-light 30 g folding knife with a built-in carabiner that clips on anywhere for light camp and everyday tasks.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Feather-light weight of just 30 g
- Blade thickness is 2 mm
- Compact folded length of 72 mm
- Integrated carabiner for easy carry
- Durable stainless steel build
What we don’t
- Short 60 mm blade limits big tasks
- Stainless handle can be slippery
- Not an established premium brand
Best fixed blade: Flissa Bushcraft KnifeFixed blade: Bushcraft
The Flissa Bushcraft Knife is a full-tang fixed blade: the 10.5 cm 7Cr17 steel runs right through the rubberised handle, so it’s strong for feathering kindling and heavier camp work. It comes with a nylon sheath with a belt clip, and the handle suits left and right hands.
A fixed blade isn’t as easy to carry as a folder, the sheath is bulky, and the blade needs regular care. For bushcraft and fire jobs, it’s the one.
Flissa Bushcraft Knife
Scored 8.7 out of 10Our take: 5 cm blade and a non-slip rubber handle, at just 170 g. The steel needs regular maintenance, and the nylon sheath is bulky in a pocket.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Full-tang 7Cr17 stainless blade
- Useful 10.5 cm blade length
- Rubber handle prevents slipping
- Sturdy Nylon sheath with belt clip
- Ambidextrous handle design
What we don’t
- Blade needs regular maintenance
- Fixed blade isn't as transportable
- Nylon sheath is bulky in pockets
Best blade steel: Flissa D2 KnifeBlade steel: Flissa D2
The Flissa D2 has a D2 tool steel blade, which holds an edge well, on a ball-bearing pivot that opens fast. The green G10 handle resists moisture and its texture grips well, and a liner lock holds the blade.
D2 needs more care against rust than stainless, the pocket clip isn’t deep-carry, and 108 g is on the heavy side for everyday carry. For a folder that stays sharp, it’s a good choice.
Flissa D2 Knife
Scored 8.7 out of 10Our take: A high-value folding knife in D2 tool steel with a fast ball-bearing pivot, a strong liner lock and a G10 handle. D2 steel needs more care, and at 108 g it’s heavy for everyday carry.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Blade features durable D2 steel
- Fast ball bearing pivot action
- Strong liner lock mechanism
- G10 handle resists moisture
- Closed length is 11.5 cm
What we don’t
- D2 steel requires more care
- Heavy 108 g for EDC
- Pocket clip is not deep carry
Simplest folder: Raxco Folding Pocket KnifeSimplest folder: Raxco
The Raxco is a no-fuss manual folder: an 8.1 cm stainless blade that arrived very sharp, a secure liner lock and a strong pocket clip, at 114 g.
There’s no case, the handle can get slippery when wet and the blade is a little short. For a simple, dependable knife at $22, it works.
Raxco Folding Pocket Knife
Scored 8.4 out of 10Our take: A simple 114 g folding knife that arrives very sharp, with a secure liner lock and a strong pocket clip.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- Secure liner lock, feels very safe
- The blade arrives very sharp
- Pocket clip is strong and holds well
- Lightweight at just 114 grams
- Simple, no-fuss manual operation
What we don’t
- No carry case included
- Handle can get slippery when wet
- Blade length is a bit short
Grippy handle: Folding G10 Pocket KnifeGrippy handle: G10 knife
The Folding G10 Pocket Knife has an 8.7 cm partly serrated 440B stainless blade and a G10 handle that’s grippy and comfortable. A liner lock holds it open, and it has a pocket clip and a thumb stud.
There’s no sheath, the serrations are hard to sharpen, and it isn’t ideal for left-handers. It’s a fair budget folder at $20.
Folding G10 Pocket Knife
Scored 7.4 out of 10Our take: An affordable folding knife with a 440B stainless blade, a grippy G10 handle and a solid liner lock that holds its edge well. There’s no sheath, and the serrated section is hard to sharpen.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.What we like
- 440B stainless blade
- Grippy and comfortable G10 handle
- Solid liner lock
- Compact and light enough for EDC
- Good value for money
What we don’t
- No included sheath
- Serrated blade is hard to sharpen
- Not ideal for left-hand use
How to choose a camping knifeHow to choose
Start with how you’ll carry it and what you’ll cut. Most camp jobs, from food prep to cutting rope, need only a short folding blade, and a folder lives in a pocket or the glovebox. A fixed blade is stronger and easier to clean, but it needs a sheath on your belt or in the kit. If you’d rather have pliers and screwdrivers as well, a multitool may suit you better.
- Folding knife
30–130 g
Carries in a pocket and covers most camp jobs. Look for a lock that holds the blade open.
Blade6 to 12 cmBest forEveryday camp jobs - Fixed blade
150 g+
Stronger for kindling and bush work, and easy to clean. Needs a sheath.
Blade10 cm and up, full tangBest forFire and bushcraftLike - Multitool
More tools
A shorter blade, plus pliers, screwdrivers and more for repairs.
BladeShortBest forRepairs on the road
Also check
- Blade lockA liner or frame lock stops a folding blade closing on your fingers. Check it clicks in firmly.
- Blade steelStainless resists rust; harder steels like D2 hold an edge longer but need drying after use.
- HandleG10 and rubber grip well when wet; bare metal handles can be slippery.
- Carry rulesKnife laws differ between states. Keep it in your camping kit rather than on you in town.
How we test
We buy the gear ourselves and take it on camping trips around Australia to put it to the test in real outdoor conditions, in the 4WD and at camp, and to see how it holds up over a few trips. We weigh everything on our own scale and photograph it ourselves. If we haven’t used something, we say so, and if anything fails later on, we update the review.
Scored out of 10 on
- Ease of use
- Performance
- Portability
- Durability
- Value
