I’ve spent years camping and these 3 are the best camping knives I’ve seen this year

When you’re heading into the great outdoors – whether for a relaxed camping weekend, an extended time in the wilderness or an immersive bushcraft session – a sharp, small-bladed knife or collapsible multitool will be an invaluable companion that might just save the day when things go a bit pear shaped.

Cutting a guy line or rope, preparing food, carving wood for a shelter, repairing gear or simply tackling a range of unexpected tasks all demand the right tool that’s reliable, durable and well designed. But with so many options on the market, finding the right knife that balances strength, versatility and ease of use can be a pretty perplexing task.

For this guide I’m focussing on the three best camping knives and multitools I’ve seen in 2025; knives and tools that stand up to real-world outdoor demands, from rugged fixed-blade bushcraft knives built for heavy work to versatile pocket folders and all-in-one multitools that are capable of tackling a multitude of outdoor tasks while being perfectly legal to carry.

Whether you’re refining your camping setup, equipping a first-aid kit or heading out on your first bushcraft adventure, these three sterling stalwarts are the best camping knives to stuff in your backpack.

Best overall

The James Brand Ellis Scissors

This winning contender blends everyday carry convenience with exceptional outdoor versatility. Available with a partially-serrated or straight razor-sharp Sandvik 12C27 blade – and with or without built-in scissors – the Ellis makes cutting tasks around camp a veritable cinch, whether it's slicing off kindling, carving an emergency tent peg or snipping a bandaid to length.

The Ellis's slip-joint construction and 6.6cm (2.6") blade make it perfectly legal to carry in the UK while the addition of practical tools like a flat-head screwdriver, scraper and pry tool add to its overall worthiness. Replete with pocket clip and a comfortable, water-resistant G10 plastic handle, the Ellis feels well balanced and dependable in hand.

With a closed length of 9.5cm and low 80g weight, this stylish, compact and highly capable pocket model performs brilliantly for light camping duties, bushcraft chores and general wilderness tasks, and is an excellent choice for those who value great versatility in a diminutive pocket-sized knife that doesn't cost the earth. Small wonder it's my top choice of 2025.

Read our full review of the very similar James Brand Ellis Slim

Best multitool

Leatherman Bond

Available in four colour schemes, the Leatherman Bond is a cleverly designed multitool that focuses on everyday practicality, whether its camping, trekking or simply repairing things wherever you happen to be.

Constructed from high-grade stainless steel, the Bond weighs a solid 165g and integrates 14 precisely engineered tools within a split symmetrical frame that unfurls to reveal one of the main differentiators of a Leatherman product – the pliers. Replete with tapered needle-nose jaws and integrated hard-wire and standard wire cutters, these pliers offer a controlled grip and excellent mechanical leverage for a myriad of camping tasks.

The Bond's 420HC stainless steel blade is flat-ground and corrosion-resistant, delivering a reliable edge for food prep, cord and rope cutting, and general utility work. Supporting tools include a Phillips and two flat-head screwdrivers, a combined wood and metal file, an awl, wire stripper, bottle and can openers, and an integrated ruler. The slip-joint mechanism, meanwhile, avoids locking the components, thereby keeping the Bond compliant with UK carry regulations.

For campers and travellers in the market for a robust, no-frills multitool with proven materials and a great tool selection, this model delivers in spades.

Now read our full review of the Leatherman Bond

Best bushcraft knife

Morakniv Garberg

This purpose-built Swedish camping and bushcraft knife prioritises strength, reliability and practical performance, and features a full-tang construction, providing the structural integrity required for heavier camping tasks like wood working, shelter construction, splitting kindling, food prep and campsite repairs.

The Morakniv Garberg's substantial 10.8cm blade is made from Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel and offers an excellent balance between toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention. Make no mistake, this is a knife that will last for years if looked after and not abused too much.

Out-of-the-box sharpness is razor-like, and the blade is easy to maintain with basic sharpening equipment like a simple wet stone. The Garberg's polyamide handle, meanwhile, is functional rather than flashy, and features a textured diamond-patterned grip that provides exceptional grip even when wet or while wearing gloves.

This knife also ships with a robust polymer belt sheath for protection in transit, though one should be mindful of packing it away in a backpack when travelling in the UK because its 4.25" non-folding blade isn't considered carry legal in the UK.

If you're looking for a dependable and extremely robust bushcraft knife that feels grippy in the hand and cuts cleanly and controllably, put this one at the top of your list because it's a keenly-priced cracker.

Buying advice

,Choosing the right camping or bushcraft knife begins with understanding how it is to be used and, crucially, where you’ll carry it. Fixed-blade knives are favoured for bushcraft and wilderness use thanks to their extreme strength, reliability and ease of cleaning.

These knives are ideal for tough tasks like carving, fire preparation and fashioning emergency tent pegs, etc. Folding knives, on the other hand, are lighter, much more compact and better suited to general camping, food prep and lighter tasks like cutting rope and opening obstreperous packaging.

Blade steel quality and handle ergonomics matter, too, but so does legality. In the UK, you can only carry a non-locking folding knife with a blade under three inches in public without a reason. Fixed blades and locking folders are perfectly legal to own, but must only be transported directly to and from activities such as camping or bushcraft, and kept securely packed away.

For most campers, a folding knife offers more convenience and legal compliance while for bushcraft use, a robust fixed blade model is very often the better tool for a wider set of tasks.