A good knife can do more than just cut stuff—it’s a survival tool, a meal prep buddy, and sometimes your last line of defense. But the real magic happens when you know how to use it right. Whether you’re camping, hunting, or just spending time off-grid, these are the knife tricks worth having in your back pocket.
Feather Sticking for Fire Starting
When everything’s wet and your firewood won’t catch, feather sticking can save your night. All it takes is your knife and a steady hand to shave thin curls off a stick until it looks like a fluffy beard on a stick.
The key is finding dry wood, usually from the inside of a split log. You want controlled, shallow slices—nothing aggressive. It takes practice, but once you’ve got the hang of it, lighting a fire gets a whole lot easier.
Batoning Wood
You don’t need an axe to split firewood if you’ve got a sturdy fixed blade. Batoning is all about using your knife to split wood by pounding it through the grain with another stick.
It works great for getting smaller pieces of dry wood in a pinch. Just make sure your knife doesn’t have a folding mechanism—this trick only works with full-tang blades built to take a beating.
Making a Notch
Notches come in handy for traps, pot hangers, or even just making a secure spot for tying cordage. The most useful one is the square notch, and it’s easier than it looks.
You’ll make two cuts and then carve out the middle. Take your time—accuracy matters more than speed. Once you know how to do this, your gear-building options in the woods open up fast.
Striking a Ferro Rod
If you’ve got a knife with a sharp spine, you can use it to light a fire with a ferro rod. The trick is holding the rod still and scraping the spine firmly toward you to send sparks into your tinder.
It might take a few tries, especially if your tinder isn’t dry. Just make sure you’re not using the edge of your blade—you’ll dull it quick. Once it clicks, you’ll have fire on demand, no lighter needed.
Whittling Tent Stakes
Ever forget your tent stakes or lose one in the dark? Knowing how to whittle a quick replacement can save your setup. Start with a sturdy stick and carve one end to a point and the other with a notch to catch your guy line.
This isn’t just a backup skill—it’s also great when you need extra stakes for a tarp or windbreak. Pick hardwood if you can; soft stuff bends or snaps too easily.
Gutting and Skinning Game
If you’re hunting or fishing, knowing how to clean what you catch is non-negotiable. A sharp knife and a steady hand make all the difference when it’s time to gut and skin an animal.
Use the tip to open things up and the belly of the blade for slicing. Work slowly to avoid cutting into organs or wasting meat. Clean cuts make cleanup easier and help preserve your blade.
Cutting Cordage Under Tension
Trying to slice rope or paracord while holding it loose can be frustrating. The trick is to create tension—step on one end or tie it off, then slice across it cleanly with your knife.
It’s simple, but it makes a world of difference when you’re setting up camp or fixing gear. You’ll waste less cord, get cleaner cuts, and avoid the whole “sawing back and forth” routine.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
