The Greatest Knives for Mountain climbing & Backpacking of 2024

Mountain climbing and backpacking are year-round actions that many people cling to as a manner of taking a break from our day-to-day lives. There’s simply one thing about entering into the outside and dwelling out of your backpack that may’t be in comparison with anything. One key part to life on the path is an efficient knife.

Whether or not you’re on the market for a number of hours or a number of days, a knife could make the entire distinction in your journey. From harvesting tinder to meals prep to serving to you out in an emergency, the most effective knives are created from premium supplies meant for use and abused within the parts.

Nevertheless, the knife market is very large. There’s lots of overlap from model to model, and even inside manufacturers. That’s why we’ve taken the time, over this previous yr, to current you with the next assortment of knives. Every of those knives meets the light-weight, dependable, and versatile necessities deemed essential to be thought of the perfect knife for you once you head out into the outside.

For more information about climbing and backpacking knives, in addition to how we examined them, go to our buyer’s guide and FAQ to study extra. For a fast rundown of costs and specs, take a look at our comparison chart.

The Greatest Knives for Mountain climbing & Backpacking of 2024

Knives for Mountain climbing & Backpacking Comparability Chart

How We Examined Mountain climbing and Backpacking Knives

At GearJunkie, knives are like water bottles; everybody has a number of. We consider {that a} good knife will be the distinction between a very good time and a nasty time and is without doubt one of the few requirements it is advisable to make it out of any jam. That stated, we’re not simply slicing up cardboard and cordage in our garages, we stock and use these knives day by day. Every knife spends a few weeks in our pockets or packs and goes the place we go.

Nevertheless, we’re usually requested how we select the knives we evaluation and those that find yourself in all these guides. There’s no hiding how saturated the knife market is, and the way a lot it grows from yr to yr. So, now we have no drawback telling you that it’s not a straightforward job. However it’s a enjoyable one.

There’s nobody single factor we search for when vetting out knives we take a look at. It’s a mixture of lots of issues that affect each other. As an example, we all know that there are a number of key manufacturers on the market that we will depend on to both come out with one thing modern or to be the primary to make use of new and improved supplies. As soon as we’re capable of take a look at these parts out and show that they’re nearly as good as the corporate claims they’re, it opens the door to different manufacturers and different potentialities.

Case and level, MagnaCut metal and crossbar-style locks have been sprinkled all around the knife world in 2024. And for good cause — MagnaCut has confirmed to be the most effective EDC metal available on the market. Each main (and a few minor) knife maker has began utilizing it. It unfold like wildfire. Why? As a result of EDC knife customers have excessive requirements. Blade metal must be to fulfill these calls for.

Benchmade created the Axis lock a long time in the past, and it’s the idea for each Crossbar model lock on the market. Being that it’s been out within the subject so long as it has, and we’ve examined it quite a few occasions, now we have a very good feeling that it’s the most effective of the most effective.

That stated, we nonetheless take a look at the whole lot we advocate. We nonetheless abuse the heck out of MagnaCut metal. We nonetheless see if we will get a crossbar-style lock to fail. There’s no going via the motions right here. You belief us to offer you tried and true data primarily based on our skilled expertise with a product — and that’s what you’re going to get.

Testing Historical past

GearJunkie has been fortunate sufficient to have a strong group of knife testers through the years and this yr isn’t any totally different. From Josh Wussow to Anthony Sculimbrene to Sean McCoy and Nick LeFort, simply to call a number of, now we have an skilled group of individuals from totally different walks of life who’re all knife freaks. All of them deliver one thing distinctive and informative to the desk by way of ensuring that you simply get the most effective of the most effective. Our group understands the project: inform the lots.

For this yr’s information, we plucked Nick LeFort out of the group and had him deal with the duty.

LeFort is an out of doors fanatic, engineer, and knifemaker who has labored and performed within the outside and knife industries for greater than 20 years. He brings with him a wealth of data about supplies, engineering, manufacturing, and advertising, and has practically 30 years of expertise within the outside world.

What’s extra, he’s been testing and reviewing knives, instruments, and equipment for greater than a decade. Having began with GearJunkie final September, he already has over 50 articles to his identify. He’s devoted to the trigger, has lots to say, and desires to be sure to’re getting the most effective data you may from us.

Purchaser’s Information: Tips on how to Select the Greatest Mountain climbing and Backpacking Knife

In terms of knives, we will solely take you up to now. Ultimately, it is advisable to select a knife that’s best for you primarily based on what you intend on doing with it, how a lot you need to spend, and what number of knives you intend on proudly owning (we advocate a number of). However there are a number of key issues to search for, particularly with regard to a knife you intend on counting on for climbing and backpacking.

Knife Metal

The number of knife blade metal and deal with supplies out there may be fairly spectacular. However, whereas go-to deal with supplies appear to have stabilized, there’s new metal popping out yearly. The above choice of 9 knives accommodates seven totally different knife steels. Our suggestion is to contemplate every metal on a case-by-case foundation. Nonetheless, any good blade metal ought to meet or exceed the next necessities.

Corrosion Resistance

The very last thing you need is your knife turning orange on you out within the subject. Particularly for those who’re planning on utilizing it to arrange meals. The entire metal talked about on this information both has distinctive corrosion resistance or has been coated to remove the prevalence of rust.

Abrasion Resistance

Some individuals think about this property to be extra type than operate. However in all actuality, in case your blade will get scraped up, it could begin chipping — which then might result in blade failure.

Edge Retention/Ease of Resharpening

The worst knife you may carry is a uninteresting one. That being stated, you need to search for knife steels that both excel in edge retention or will be simply resharpened. You’ll be able to study extra about particular knife steels right here.

Deal with Materials

When it comes right down to deal with materials, it’s all about grip. Ergonomics play a component on this as effectively, because it’s potential to search out nice deal with materials in a bizarre form that may trigger fatigue. If that’s the case, you gained’t need to use the knife and also you’ll have wasted your cash. These are among the extra most popular deal with supplies available on the market at this time:

G10 & Micarta

G10 and Micarta are each extraordinarily robust supplies. Each excel in grip whether or not your arms are moist or dry — which is why these two supplies are so well-liked with EDC, Survival, Tactical, and Bushcraft-style knives.

Nylon & Plastic

Nylon and plastic additionally make for nice deal with supplies as a result of they’re sturdy and light-weight, however they’re additionally typically textured. It’s this texturing and styling that will increase grip on a knife created from these supplies.

Notice: Nylon and plastic deal with scales will be referred to as a litany of names. Among the extra well-liked names are FRN/Zytel (Fiber Bolstered Nylon), GRN (Glass Bolstered Nylon), GFN (Glass Crammed Nylon), and Grivory (Injection Molded).

Carbon Fiber

Lots of of us suppose carbon fiber is simply fairly to have a look at, however in all actuality, this woven materials is light-weight and powerful. Relying on its composition, it could possibly be thought of the proper steadiness between energy, weight, and sturdiness. You’ll be able to guess your bippy you’ll pay extra for a knife with carbon fiber — however it’s price it.

Aluminum & Titanium

Each aluminum and titanium are extremely robust and light-weight supplies which make them nice for knife deal with scales. However the place aluminum has turn into relegated to funds knives, the usage of titanium is normally saved for premium and ultra-premium Knives. The one disadvantage to each of those supplies is that they are often slippery when moist.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is a giant deal when contemplating what knife is best for you. It could are available many varieties from ergonomics, to lock design, to the {hardware} used to maintain the knife collectively and in good functioning order. All in all, the very last thing you need to do is battle with or be uncomfortable utilizing your knife.

Ergonomics

An excellent knife will really feel proper in your hand. From the form of the deal with scales to the general thickness and even texturing, ergonomics will be the distinction between you being assured along with your knife or leaving it in your drawer at residence. When you think about a knife, put it in your hand and provides it a very good squeeze. Then, push down exhausting on a tough floor. If the whole lot feels proper, that’s your subsequent knife.

Lock Mechanism

With out fail, you will discover your self able the place it is advisable to depend on the lock in your knife greater than you anticipated. Out of the six folding knives on this information, 4 characteristic the crossbar-style lock mechanism and a fifth encompasses a button lock which has similarities in design to the crossbar lock. In our time and expertise, now we have by no means seen a kind of lock mechanisms fail with out some exterior pressure creating a serious disruption in how the knife features. Like a truck operating it over. Moreover, a very good liner lock gained’t fail you both.

Pocket Clip

The suitable pocket clip will maintain your knife in place in your pocket and will probably be simple to connect and take away. Usually, pocket clips are created from metal or titanium, are designed to retain their form, and are round half the overall size of the knife when they’re closed. Nevertheless, there are pocket clips that may deform over time. There are additionally shorter pocket clips that, relying on the scale of the knife, could cause it to drift round in your pocket, and even come out of your pocket. I’d decide an extended pocket clip over a shorter clip any day.

Ball Bearings

Ten years in the past, you wanted to pay $300 to get a knife with ball bearings in it, however now yow will discover them for below $100. Ball bearings help within the opening and shutting of a knife. In reality, there are some knives on the market which can be so fluid in operation — on account of ball bearings — that they’re simply as quick, if not sooner than an automated knife. They’re additionally authorized in additional locations when in comparison with an auto.

Sheaths

By way of fixed-blade knife sheaths, your greatest issues — by way of operate — are sheath materials, the way it attaches to you or your pack, and if it’s simple to take away (and insert) the knife from.

Leather-based and Kydex are the 2 hottest knife sheath supplies on the market. Each will be simply connected to your belt and — relying on the mounting clip — your pack as effectively.

Sustaining and Caring for Your Knife

Your knife is barely going to learn you if it’s in good working order. With a fixed-blade knife, upkeep is usually centered on retaining the blade edge sharp and freed from knicks or chips as this could result in failure. With a folding knife, it could get just a little extra sophisticated as there are transferring components that should be maintained to verify the knife is protected to make use of for years to come back.

Listed here are some primary ideas that it’s best to get right into a routine of doing to verify your knife is dependable and prepared in your subsequent journey.

Make Positive It’s Sharp!

A uninteresting knife isn’t any good to you. In reality, a uninteresting knife will be harmful. Fortunately, most knives available on the market have steels which you could simply sharpen with the correct sharpener and just a little follow. That stated, for those who ever have any questions concerning the blade metal in your knife and the right way to sharpen it, we advocate contacting the producer.

Professional tip: Some knife producers, like Benchmade, supply free knife sharpening for all times.

Preserve It Clear and Lubricated

Water, grime, and particles can all result in your knife failing on you. For each fixed-blade and folding knives, ensure that to wipe your blade down and that the deal with cavity and sheath are dry and freed from particles.

It’s completely fantastic to scrub down your blade with dish cleaning soap and water, ensuring to wipe it down and let it air dry. We additionally advocate coating your blade with any sort of food-grade lubricant.

Concerning folding knives, you need to make it possible for the lock mechanism and pivot are freed from particles and in working order as effectively. These will be cleaned with a Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol, or canned air. You need to all the time re-lubricate these areas after cleansing your knife.

If the knife producer recommends a particular lubricant, it’s all the time greatest to make use of that.

FAQ

As a basic rule, fixed-blade knives are stronger, require much less upkeep, and are designed for extra demanding duties.

Folding knives are typically extra transportable and simpler to hold however have extra transferring components which equates to extra upkeep.

We don’t need to get too deep within the weeds right here, as a result of we predict there may be room for each. Sooner or later, selecting between the 2 comes down to non-public desire.

As we stated earlier, for each knife you purchase, think about what you’re shopping for it for.

Plain edge blades have one steady edge and they are often nice for slicing, chopping, shaving, and slicing.

Usually, a serrated blade is a mixture of a plain edge and serrations, normally in direction of the again of the blade close to the pivot. The good thing about serrations on a blade is that it may be used for sawing via limbs and twine.

Total, when selecting between a blade with a plain edge and one with serrations it is advisable to take your wants into consideration. Serrations take up house on a blade edge and are extra sophisticated to sharpen.

That stated, for those who like having choices in your blade edge, this sharpener from Smith’s can get these serrations manufacturing unit sharp inside a couple of minutes by the fireplace.

The three main supplies for fixed-blade knife sheaths are injection molded plastic, Kydex, and leather-based. All three have their deserves, with Kydex and leather-based being the 2 actual contenders, however it actually boils right down to the next:

Mounting: A sheath that may mount to a number of issues (like your belt and your pack strap) generally is a main bonus by way of ease of use and accessibility. One which has a buckle which you could open and shut so that you don’t have to take off your belt or deconstruct your backpack is even higher.

The place you’re going: Leather-based is gorgeous, however it doesn’t achieve this effectively within the parts. A moist knife sheath gained’t dry simply so long as you stay outside with it. The common, and sturdy, answer is Kydex. That stated, for those who’re hell-bent on a leather-based sheath — you may dry it at evening on a stone by the fireplace. Simply ensure that to take the knife out first!

In all actuality, we in all probability might have. However, wooden isn’t as widespread on manufacturing knives because it as soon as was. When contemplating that these are light-weight knives for climbing and backpacking, wooden is even much less widespread.

That stated, wooden makes for nice deal with scales on knives. You’re extra prone to see wooden on fixed-blade knives, however there’s a handful of folding knife fashions on the market that also use wooden. The Bushcraft crowd likes wooden deal with scales fairly a bit.

P.S. We didn’t point out bone or leather-based handles, both. Or horn. Or copper. There are such a lot of totally different supplies on the market. We caught to those that pertained to the knives on this information.