The 10 Best Fixed-Blade Knives Available

On September 19, 1827, a fight broke out on a Mississippi River sandbar. What started as a formal duel between two notable Louisiana families ended in a skirmish in which Jim Bowie, originally just a supporter on the sidelines, was shot and stabbed before drawing out a large knife and killing a man named Norris Wright. Bowie survived his injuries, took up the knife as his trademark weapon and became an American folk hero.

The fixed-blade knife has been steeped in hyperbole ever since. Large blades loom massive in pop culture — Rambo’s massive serrated spine knife and Crocodile Dundee’s giant clip-point are two notable examples. Such slabs of steel present a satisfying flash in front of a camera lens but don’t offer more in the way of utility. In fact, their unwieldiness probably makes them less adept at performing the simple, everyday tasks that a fixed blade is most commonly used for.

When used to its best purpose, a knife is a multipurpose tool. (Who really wants to be in a knife fight anyway? Bowie barely survived his first one). A sharp blade is near limitless in its functions, from filleting a freshly caught fish to making an emergency repair on a ripped tent.

Toward that end, this guide provides information on the ten best fixed blades for a variety of activities and applications. In it, we break down each model based on key features like length, weight, materials, price and more.

Best Fixed Blade Knife: Gerber Terracraft

Gerber

BEST FIXED BLADE KNIFE

Gerber Terracraft

Though its looks aren’t explicitly survival- or tactical-oriented, the Terracraft, with its four-inch drop-point blade, is incredibly versatile in a wide range of scenarios.

Specs

Blade Length	4 inches
Blade Material	S30V steel
Handle Material	Micarta
Total Length	9.1 inches
Weight	6.4 ounces

Pros

• As sturdy as it is ergonomic
• Well-balanced in design and materials

Cons

• Might seem somewhat thin for hard-use tasks

• $160.00 at gerbergear.com
  $220.00 (27% off)

The Terracraft debuted Gerber’s Reserve program, which consists of limited runs of pocket knives that are made in the USA with high-grade materials. It’s a fitting blade to kick off the program, given that it calls to mind classic American hunting and outdoor knives despite its modern materials, colors and angles.

The price (especially when it is on sale) is actually quite reasonable considering it uses high-grade S30V steel that balances knife steel properties better than cheaper blades can — and will hold up to years of heavy use (Gerber also backs it up with a limited lifetime warranty).

Best Small Fixed Blade: Benchmade Hidden Canyon

Benchmade

BEST SMALL FIXED BLADE

Benchmade Hidden Canyon

This knife is 6.3 inches long with a 2.67-inch blade and weighs just over three ounces, but it’s still large enough to be comfy in hand during use, thanks to an oversized guard that blends into the grip.

Specs

Blade Length	2.67 inches
Blade Material	CPM-S30V steel
Handle Material	G10 or Dymondwood
Total Length	6.32 inches
Weight	3.53 ounces

Pros

• Beautiful design and top-notch materials
• Feels substantial despite compactness

Cons

• Made for precision, not large tasks
• A premium build means a premium price

• $200.00 at benchmade.com

With a construction that emphasizes strength over pocketability, fixed-blade knives tend to be on the larger side of the spectrum. But you can still find models that strike that optimal balance between utility and portability, like Benchmade’s Hidden Canyon. What’s more, the Hidden Canyon uses premium-grade materials, including CPM-S30V stainless steel and either a G10 or Dymondwood handle. Those elements play a significant role in the price.

Amazon’s Favorite: ESEE-4

Amazon

HIGHEST RATED ON AMAZON

ESEE-4

The ESEE-4 is well-balanced in size and weight, and is highly lauded amongst survivalists and the like. It features a fiberglass handle, carbon steel blade and a medium weight of eight ounces.

Specs

Blade Length	4.5 inches
Blade Material	Carbon steel
Handle Material	Fiberglass
Total Length	8 inches
Weight	8 ounces

Pros

• Trusted by amateurs and professionals alike
• Versatile design and size

Cons

• Distinctive look might not be for everyone

• $118.00 at Amazon

For outdoor usage, there’s nothing quite like an ESEE knife. In terms of looks, the 4 is a stunner: the carbon steel blade is an eye-catching OD Green, and the fiberglass handle is made to look like natural canvas. The knife is 9 inches long with a 4.5 inch blade and weighs 8 ounces on its own, and eleven with the sheath — it’s got enough weight to feel capable, without being too heavy.

Best Wood-Handled Fixed Blade: Helle Utvær

Helle Knives

BEST WOOD HANDLED FIXED BLADE

Helle Utvær

The Utvær is a an exercise in beauty, and is constructed with a Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade and a gorgeous curly-birch handle.

Specs

Blade Length	4 inches
Blade Material	Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel
Handle Material	Curly birch
Total Length	8.25 inches
Weight	5.64 ounces

Pros

• Trusted Scandinavian-inspired design and materials
• Tang extends beyond handle for striking

Cons

• Handle feels a little slick

• $224.00 at Amazon

Norwegian brothers Steinar and Sigmund Helle founded their forge on a straightforward yet oft-ignored concept in the age of large-scale production: “Quality craftsmanship is best preserved by quality craftsmen.” That idea holds for Helle to this day and is displayed in the four-inch Utvær. Named for the group of islands where Norway meets the North Sea, this knife features a Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade and a gorgeous curly-birch handle.

Best Upgrade Fixed Blade: The James Brand The Hell Gap

The James Brand

BEST UPGRADE FIXED BLADE

The James Brand The Hell Gap

One of The James Brand’s more unique designs, the Hell Gap is constructed with Crucible S35VN steel in a drop-point style, with a Micarta handle and incredibly light weight of 3.1 ounces.

Specs

Blade Length	3.8 inches
Blade Material	Crucible S35VN steel
Handle Material	Micarta
Total Length	7.8 inches
Weight	3.1 ounces

Pros

• Spectacular minimalist design
• Excellent blade to handle ratio

Cons

• Expensive, even among premium fixed blades

• $279.00 at thejamesbrand.com

The Hell Gap isn’t only one of our top choices for a fixed-blade knife, we named it one of the 10 best outdoor products of 2019. At 7.8 inches with a 3.8-inch drop-point, full-tang blade, it’s the perfect length, maintaining just the right amount of edge and belly for any campsite task, from cutting cord to slicing veggies. It’s neither tactical nor survival-oriented, but some combination of both (plus a dash of kitchen knife), and its Crucible S35VN steel offers better toughness (resistance to chipping) than the Terracraft’s S30V steel.

Best Bushcraft Fixed Blade: KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanian

Amazon

BEST BUSHCRAFT FIXED BLADE

KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion

The Becker BK2 Campanion is a burly, full-tang bushcraft fixed blade that has might on its side. It’s heavy for a knife its size, but that extra weight comes in handy when you’re slashing through tough undergrowth or prepping a fire for camp.

Specs

Blade Length	5.25 inches
Blade Material	1095 Cro-Van steel
Handle Material	Grivory
Total Length	10.5 inches
Weight	16 ounces

Pros

• Time-tested, fan-favorite pedigree
• Incredibly tough and capable

Cons

• Very heavy compared to other fixed blades

• $113.00 at Amazon
  $124.00 (9% off)

The Becker BK2 Campanion tops our list of the best bushcraft blades thanks to its strength. It’s a workhorse, with a blade large and strong enough to take care of firewood processing and shelter construction. Its steel is 1095 Cro-Van, a carbon variant infused with chrome and vanadium carbides that help bolster its resistance to inevitable wear and tear. This knife isn’t all brawn though; its drop-point blade shape can take on tasks that require more finesse too.

Best for Your Desk: Craighill Desk Knife

Craighill

Best Fixed Blade for Your Desk

Craighill Desk Knife

One of the more unique fixed blade knives on the scene, the Desk Knife is a blend of beauty and brawn — yes, it can slice everyday items, but the real appeal of this knife is its aesthetics, which are an instant conversation starter.

Specs

Blade Length	1.63 inches
Blade Material	Stainless steel
Handle Material	Stainless steel
Total Length	5.25 inches
Weight	4.5 ounces

Pros

• Gorgeous Japanese- and minimalist-inspired design
• Excellent for precision cutting tasks

Cons

• Not suitable for use outside the office

• $70 at Craighill

Craighill’s Desk Knife’s most apparent differentiator is that it’s a solid hunk of metal — no rubber or wood handle here. But that’s what makes it perfect for your desk — its form is tasteful instead of tactical; it’s not far off from a letter opener except in that it’s sharp enough to handle more than paper. The sharpened portion of the Desk Knife is only an inch or so long, but that’s plenty for routine office jobs like opening packages. In addition to the stainless steel pictured here, the Desk Knife is available in black ($75) and solid brass ($85).

Best Budget Fixed Blade: Morakniv Companion

BEST BUDGET FIXED BLADE

Morakniv Companion

With a blade that’s resistant to corrosion and wear and a no-nonsense rubber handle that’s as comfortable as it is functional, the Morakniv Companion is just that — a solid companion for any job.

Specs

Blade Length	4.1 inches
Blade Material	12C27 stainless steel
Handle Material	Rubber
Total Length	8.75 inches
Weight	4.1 ounces

Pros

• Unrivaled price to quality ratio
• Highly reviewed and widely trusted

Cons

• Extremely low price might scare off some buyers

• $16.00 at Amazon
  $22.00 (26% off)

Typically, a price tag as low as $20 is a red flag and a marker of equally low quality. But somehow Morakniv manages to eke by with a budget blade that holds its own. The Companion is as basic as a fixed-blade knife gets, but for many, that’s wholly adequate. It has a 12C27 stainless steel blade that’s highly resistant to corrosion and wear, which is ideal for new knife users who don’t want to fuss over maintenance. Quality is hard to come by at this price, which is why the Companion also cracked our list of the best bushcraft knives.

Best Neck Knife: CRKT Minimalist

Amazon

BEST NECK KNIFE

CRKT Minimalist

CRKT’s Minimalist comes with colorful polished resin handles and is available in a variety of blade shapes including a mini Bowie, cleaver, tanto, drop point and more. 

Specs

Blade Length	2.13 inches
Blade Material	5Cr15MoV
Handle Material	Polished resin-infused fiber
Total Length	5.13 inches
Weight	1.6 ounces

Pros

• Extremely discreet size and design
• Grip feels great despite small stature

Cons

• Too compact for big outdoor cutting jobs

• $35.00 at Amazon
  $45.00 (22% off)

Neck knives are, as their name implies, knives that you wear around your neck with a piece of cord or chain. The benefits of doing so are quick access and discretion, among many others. Neck knives are almost always fixed blades and are typically very minimal, as is this aptly named model from CRKT. It comes with colorful polished resin handles and is available in a variety of blade shapes including a mini Bowie, cleaver, tanto, drop point and more.

Best for Fishing: Bubba Multi-Flex Interchangeable Blade Kit

BUBBA

BEST FIXED BLADE FOR FISHING

Bubba Multi-Flex Interchangeable Blade Kit

This interchangeable blade kit is ideal for days on the water, and features seven-, eight- and nine-inch blade options with varying levels of edge types, shapes and stiffness.

Specs

Blade Length	7-9 inches
Blade Material	Titanium-nitride-coated steel
Handle Material	Non-slip synthetic
Total Length	13-15 inches
Weight	Varies by blade

Pros

• Interchangeable blades increase versatility
• Ideal for boaters and aquatic adventures

Cons

• Not as sturdy as models without interchangeable blades

• $140.00 at bubba.com

The Bubba version of preparedness on the water is a knife that comes with four blades instead of one. All of the blade options in this kit are full-tang and lock securely into the handle with an easy-to-use system that’s bolstered by a magnetic insert. The handle becomes the core of this knife and provides plenty of utility with its grippy construction and a shape that includes oversized guards and a trigger-style finger hold.

What Makes a Fixed Blade?

Historically speaking, the original knives made by mankind dating back to long before recorded history were all fixed blades. In fact, folding knives weren’t even invented and developed until around the rise of the Roman Empire; and they weren’t normalized until less than a few hundred years ago. The difference between them, as you may have guessed, is that folding knives can actually fold in half for transport and storage, whereas fixed blades are, you guessed it, stuck (or fixed) in a single position.

When compared to everyday carry folding knives (and even multi-tools), fixed blades are often more sturdy, tough, durable and usually larger than their collapsible counterparts. The trade-off is that they’re less portable and pocketable, less convenient for everyday usage and even illegal to carry with you in certain places/circumstances (before you carry any knife, you should always bone up on the local and federal laws).

There’s no specific rule for what makes a fixed blade other than the fact that they do not have any folding/pivot point — they are always extended/deployed and ready for usage. For transport and wear, they also often come with a sheath, just as do swords and certain axes and hatchets. There are also a lot of sub-types of fixed blades, including Bowie, tanto, fighting knife, survival/bushcraft knife, neck knife, boot knife and more. While they may vary in size, purpose, etcetera, fixed blades are all non-folding, without exception.

Terms You Should Know

While, at first glance, a knife might seem like an utterly simple tool, there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. If you want to ensure you’ve got the knowledge to pick our the right one, you may want to become a bit more versed in the vocabulary surrounding these time-tested tools. The terms below should set you off on the right foot.

Blade: The large, forward portion of a given knife used for cutting, stabbing, etc.

Bolster: The point between the blade and handle, usually where a knife should balance. Not all knives have bolsters, but they are very common among kitchen knives.

Butt: The back/bottom of the handle, sometimes equipped with other features like a glass-breaker tip or an integrated fire starter.

Edge: The sharp portion of the blade used to cut, usually stretching from the tip to the bolster.

Guard: Often positioned between the blade and handle, a guard usually extends wider than both and is used to protect the user and their fingers.

Handle: The back portion of a given knife. This is the part that a user holds.

Jimping: Often appearing on the spine (or back) of a blade, these are small notches cut, filed or machined into the lower back of a blade and are often used for additional grip and/or leverage and to prevent your hand from slipping up the blade.

Scales: The portion of a handle that surrounds the tang of a blade, sandwiching around it. These are the pieces that a user’s hand wraps around to grip. Some skeletonized knives do not have handle scales.

Serration: As appears on saws, this is a type of edge marked by tooth-like points and are typically used for quick slicing. Some knives have full serrations, others partial, and others still may have no serrations at all.

Steel: The metal alloy material out of which a knife blade and tang are crafted.

Tang: The part of a knife blade that extends into the handle, giving the blade strength and durability. Some knives have a full tang, some have a half, and others (like folding knives) might not have one at all.

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