Not every knife marketed to hunters deserves a spot in your pack. Some are too flimsy, too bulky, or just plain annoying to use when you’re elbow-deep in a job. A hunting knife should make your work easier, not harder. Unfortunately, there are a lot of blades that look the part but fall short where it counts. These ten knives might sell well or catch your eye, but when it’s time to get dirty in the field, you’re better off leaving them behind.
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife
This knife screams survival, but it tries too hard to be everything at once. It’s bulky, gimmicky, and not great at the one thing you really need—cutting clean and precise.
The edge dulls quickly, and the handle feels awkward during skinning or finer tasks. It might look tough strapped to your belt, but in the field, it’ll leave you frustrated more than once.
SOG SEAL Pup
The SEAL Pup is more of a tactical blade than a hunting tool. The blade design isn’t ideal for game processing, and the aggressive grip gets uncomfortable after a while.
It’s not that it can’t cut, but the shape and balance just don’t lend themselves to the kind of work hunters need. There are better tools out there for less money.
Morakniv Eldris
Moras are great knives—just not this one for hunting. The Eldris is tiny and lacks the reach or control you need for field dressing. It feels more like a backup blade than a main tool.
It might be fine for small chores or carving, but when you’re trying to get through hide or bone, it’s going to feel like a toy. Keep it in your camp kit, not your hunting pack.
Cold Steel Kukri Machete
Unless you’re clearing a path through the jungle, this thing’s overkill. It’s heavy, unwieldy, and flat-out wrong for any kind of detailed field work.
Try skinning a deer with a kukri and you’ll be hacking more than slicing. Save the machetes for brush and trail clearing. A proper hunting knife should offer control, not chaos.
Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folder
It’s cheap, and you’ll know it the second you start using it. The steel dulls quickly, the liner lock feels flimsy, and it’s not something you want to trust when things get messy.
It’s okay for everyday carry if you’re just opening boxes, but it’s not built for real work in the field. There’s a reason most hunters stick with fixed blades.
Schrade SCHF36
Big and bulky, this knife tries to be a survival blade and a bushcrafter—but it doesn’t do either particularly well. The blade is thick, which makes it awkward for skinning or slicing.
It’s also heavy enough to make you question bringing it along. If your knife fights you during field dressing, it doesn’t belong in your pack.
Victorinox Swiss Army Hunter XT
It’s got tools for everything… except good blade performance. The locking mechanism is awkward, and the handle feels clumsy when wet or bloody.
It might have some niche use for camp chores, but as a hunting blade, it’s far from ideal. The blade geometry just doesn’t lend itself to clean game work.
Buck PakLite
It’s light, sure—but that’s about all it has going for it. The skeletonized handle is uncomfortable over time, and it doesn’t give you much grip when things get slick.
It might work as a backup or a minimalist carry, but for serious hunting tasks, it’s underwhelming. A little more steel and better ergonomics go a long way.
CRKT Rakkasan
This one leans heavy on the tactical design, and it shows. The recurved blade and handle geometry make it awkward for clean cuts or field dressing work.
It’s not useless, but it’s far from ideal for hunting. There’s just too much going on with the shape, and none of it helps when you’re working on an animal.
Elk Ridge Fixed Blade Set
You get a lot of knives for cheap, but none of them are particularly good. The steel is soft, the handles feel like plastic toys, and the sheaths are barely functional.
It’s tempting to grab a full set for the price of one decent blade—but you’ll regret it when they dull halfway through your first job. Spend a little more and get one knife that works.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
