When looking for a knife, whether for boning, hunting, or chopping, you will always tend to look at two things. That is the blade and handle.
Although these knives differ in size, their suitability is determined mainly by the length of the blades. As a general rule, hunting knives should have a blade length of 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches and a handle length of about 4 inches for easy control.
Hunting knives are handy for outdoor use such as game haunting, divvying up the game pie at a shoot lunch, or disemboweling a deer killed in a hunt.
For these reasons, the handles should have a firm grip texture, and the blades should be easy to sharpen to get through a hunt.
To help you get the best haunting knives under $1000 in the market, we have researched blade length, size, and designs and have gathered relevant information to help you purchase.
Keep on reading to find out more.
7 Best Hunting Knives Under $1000 Reviewed
1. Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Hunting Knife
If you are looking for a fixed blade, heavy-duty hunting knife with exemplary performance, look no further than the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Hunting Knife. This hunting knife is unique for several reasons.
It has a unique and appealing design. Its handle is also well crafted and feels comfortable in your hands. Besides, the blade is made of stainless steel material and has a drop-point head. The knife’s edge is also easy to hone.
Further, it is only 4.8 ounces and is suitable for heavy-duty tasks such as making firewood, chopping, and even buttoning.
The hunting knife also comes within a well designed plastic sheath, so you are assured of not being cut when you put it in your pocket.
Pros
- Versatile fixed-blade
- Stainless steel blade
- Patterned, high-friction grip
Cons
- Poor quality sheath
2. KA-BAR Becker BK2 Hunting Knife
Ka-Bar Becker BK2 hunting knife is praised for its excellent features, performance, and affordable price tag. The knife is ideal for outdoor survival activates such as hunting and camping.
Its handle is strongly built to provide a firm grip while processing your game. Besides, it is made of cro-van steel that is ideal for keeping it sharp and corrosion-free. The cro-van blade is permanently fixed in the handle not to break off while you are using it.
Also, the blade has a drop point shape, a twenty-degree angle, a thickness of a quarter-inch, and a length of half inches. Besides, this hunting knife has a beautifully designed sheath made of rugged shell nylon and has a built-in thumb-release lock.
Pros
- High-quality Cro-Van steel
- Hard-shell nylon sheath
- Safety thumb-release
- Drop point blade design
- Comfortable Grivory grip
Cons
- Not easy to handle the safety release
3. Havalon Piranta-Edge Blaze Hunting Knife
The Havalon Piranta-Edge Blaze Hunting Knife stands out in the category of best-hunting knives under $1000 for its solid and durable blade that is not permanently fixed on the handle. You can easily take it off during challenging moments.
This knife is specially made for lighter use, such as skinning. Its blade works effectively on the less stiff items and can’t be re-sharpening for future use. Once the blade’s edges have fallen off, you must remove it and insert a new blade for subsequent use.
Furthermore, its overall size is 7.25 inches and has a 2 ounces weight which makes it light and portable while hunting.
Unlike other knives, Havalon Piranta-Edge Blaze Hunting Knife does not need a sheath. You can easily put it in your pocket along with other things without worrying.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Well designed
- No need to re-sharpen the blade
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not suitable for the heavy-duty
4. Cold Steel Finn Hawk & Finn Bear Fixed Blade Hunting Knife
If you desire to have an inexpensive yet quality hunting knife, Cold Steel Finn Hawk & Finn Bear Fixed Blade Hunting Knife. The knife features a traditional Nordic-style “Scandi Ground” German 4116 steel blade that is sub-zero cryo-quenched for superior edge holding.
Plus, it has a unique two-time injection mold. The first mold features a high-impact polypropylene handle that is durable, strong, and highly weather-resistant, while the mold is made of TPR rubber with a whorled spiral pattern.
Moreover, it provides a comfortable, food-safe, and secure grip in even the most challenging conditions. Its blade is 4-inch long, ideal for game processing tasks. As a bonus, the hunting knife comes with a complete slimline secure-ex polymer sheath with an integrated belt loop for easy storage when not in use.
Pros
- Highly functional blade
- Thin, super lightweight
- Easy to carry and to use
- Fixed blade
Cons
- Poor grip
5. Kershaw Emerson CQC-11K D2 Steel Folding Hunting Knife
The Kershaw Emerson CQC-11K D2 Steel Folding Hunting Knife has outstanding quality and features D2 blade steel. Its high-carbon, high-chromium steel is an exceptional choice for a knife blade. Besides, it provides good edge holding and hardness. The blade is also corrosion-resistant.
This hunting knife is ideal for hunting, camping, survival, and bush crafting. Its 3. 5-inch blade is suitable for game processing, skinning, and slicing, as well as other demanding in-camp tasks. Moreover, its folding design secures the blade safe when not in use.
Pros
- D2 steel, big-bellied blade
- Folding design
- Easy pocket-carry
- G-10 laminate composite handle
Cons
- Handle material is only on one side
6. KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Hunting Knife
The KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Hunting Knife is more than a hunting knife. It also tops up as a legendary weapon to protect you during attacks. The knife boasts of an epoxy powder coated 1095 Cro-van carbon steel blade attached to a leather handle.
Its design also includes a leather protective sheath that helps keep your blade sharp and safe. This hunting knife has a fixed blade with a full tang. The blade is strong and does not have weak points.
Besides, its edge is serrated, making it suitable when breaking down wood or shaving kindling for fires. The handle design is also exceptional. Additionally, the leather handle provides a solid yet comfortable grip.
Pros
- 100% Leather Sheath
- Leather Handle
- Durable, complete tang build
- High-quality carbon steel material
Cons
- It might be too long for some users
7. GERBER Prodigy Survival Hunting Knife
This hunting knife features a U.S. 420HC full-tang stainless steel blade with a black oxide coating. It is specially designed for hunting.
The hunting knife also has an ergonomic over-molded rubber handle that provides a comfortable and stable grip. Its sheath comes with a safety thumb lock for friction release. Moreover, the knife is lightweight and has an overall length of 9.75 inches and a blade length of 4.75 inches.
Pros
- 420HC stainless steel blade with black oxide finish
- Textured over-molded soft-grip handle
- Molle compatible hard sheath
Cons
- Dull Blade
A Buyer’s Guide: Things to Look for When Buying Hunting Knives under $1000
Size and Weight
An ideal hunting knife should feel good in your hands as well as fit your hand size and strength perfectly. It is thus vital that you look at the size and weight of the desired knife, test it out and ensure it has a comfortable grip on your arm or muscles.
Blade Material
Because you will use this knife to disembowel games killed in a hunt, the blade should be sharp and durable. To achieve the desired sharpness, the blade material plays a significant role.
Majorly, two types of material are used to make the knife blades; stainless steel and carbon steel. The stainless steel blade material is sharp, but it does not hold its edge longer than carbon steel material. The carbon steel material is also resistant to rust.
Blade Shape
Hunting knives have three different shape types, that is, clip point, drop point, and skinners. Each type has its own function. The Clip Point blade is ideal for puncturing your game while field dressing.
The drop point is suitable for a general purpose and can handle a variety of butchering tasks like skinning, cutting, and carving. At the same time, the skinner works perfectly in skinning animals without damaging the flesh. Therefore choose the ideal blade shape that will function well for you depending on your practice.
Handle
The handle is an important feature to look out for as it’s the backbone of any knife. Ensure that the handle is strong enough to offer you a comfortable and good grip.
You can either choose a knife with a synthetic handle, wooden handle, handle made of bone, or metal handles. These handles work well in different settings. Choose one that will serve you right depending on the purpose.
Cost
It is essential to buy a hunting knife that is within your budget. All the knives listed below are under $1000 and will perform better in different functionalities and last longer.
Final Thoughts
The hunting knives listed above are just a tiny portion out of the many available in the market. But after carefully looking at their steel quality, performance, durability, convenience, and price, we have covered all the details you will need to purchase the best hunting knives under $1000. Invest in any of them and enjoy your hunting experience.
