For hunting

Once the animal is down, the work is not finished. It still needs gutting, skinning, sometimes bone or rib cutting, often in the cold, wet and low light, with hands already tired. The hunting knives in this section, from compact gutting tools to full-size fixed blades, are built to get that job done fast and cleanly, without ruining the hide or the meat.

Why a hunter needs a proper knife

A good knife shortens the time you spend field-dressing an animal and lowers the risk of cutting yourself while handling a sharp blade with wet or cold hands. It has to cut through hide without dragging and hold an edge through more than one animal. Every hunt calls for something a bit different - a small flexible blade for gutting, or a wider, stiffer knife that can also break down meat back at camp. That is why this range includes both dedicated gutting tools and general-purpose fixed blades.

Knife types in this range

The products here split by purpose - some are built only for gutting, others handle general meat work or camp tasks. Below are the main groups you will find in the category.

Gutting and skinning knives

The Outdoor Edge SwingBlade and Zip Blade Clam are made specifically for gutting - compact, with replaceable or curved blades that let you separate hide from meat without piercing the internal organs. These knives earn their place when you need to work fast outdoors and your hands are already cold.

Combo knives with a saw

The Outdoor Edge Razor-Pro G Saw Combo pairs a blade with a saw in one set, useful when you need to skin the animal and also cut through bone or ribs without carrying two separate tools.

General-purpose fixed blades

The TRC line (South Pole, K-1S, Urban Tactical, M-1SL, Classic Freedom) covers fixed-blade knives built for a wider range of tasks, from breaking down meat to general fieldwork. Blades are made from high-grade steels such as M390, Elmax or Magnacut, which hold an edge well through heavy use.

FOX knives

The FOX series (FX-664, FX-663, FX-560, FX-594, FX-230) offers several blade shapes and sizes, including hook-blade models for separating hide. This is a solid pick for a hunter who wants one knife for several jobs around a downed animal.

How to choose a hunting knife

A few practical points matter more than looks when picking a knife:

• Type of hunt - whether you mostly hunt large game such as wild boar or red deer, or smaller quarry, and how big a blade you actually need.
• Blade steel - stainless steel needs little upkeep, while carbon steel holds an edge longer but demands more attention against rust.
• Handle material - G-10 and micarta handles stay grippy when wet, while wood handles look traditional but are more sensitive to moisture.
• Blade shape - a curved edge suits skinning, a straight edge suits cutting meat, and a hook is built for opening hide without nicking the flesh.
• Size and weight - a knife you carry all day on your belt has to sit well in the hand without weighing you down.

Blade steel and handle materials

The steel grade decides how often you will need to sharpen the knife and how much care it needs. M390, Elmax and Magnacut, used in the TRC knives, are premium steels with strong corrosion resistance and long edge retention, so they suit a hunter who does not want to sharpen a blade after every trip. The handle matters just as much as the blade - G-10 and canvas micarta handles stay solid in the hand even when wet from rain or blood, which counts for a lot when you are working with a sharp edge outdoors.

Field advice

Gut the animal as soon as you safely can after the shot, while the body is still warm - the hide separates from the meat far more easily. Before heading out, check that your knife is actually sharp, because a dull blade forces you to press harder and raises the chance of a cut. Back home, rinse and dry the blade, and if it is carbon steel, oil it to keep rust off. Folding knives such as the Outdoor Edge Zip Blade Clam pack well in a pocket or small bag, while combo models with a saw sit better in a belt sheath, ready when you are dealing with larger game.

Brands: Outdoor Edge, TRC and FOX

Outdoor Edge focuses on gutting and skinning tools, often with replaceable blades so you do not need to sharpen anything in the field. TRC builds fixed blades with premium steels and G-10 or micarta handles, made for heavy use and a long working life. FOX offers a broad range of blade shapes and sizes, including hook-blade models for separating hide.

If hunting is only one of the things you do outdoors, check the knives under For outdoor, suited to camping and fishing as well. Not sure which model fits how you hunt - write to us and we will help you pick based on the game you go after.