A fishing rod is not the only mandatory fishing gear you need for fishing. No matter where you go fishing, you must have a fishing knife. There is a wide range of fishing knives available on the market. Hence, it is difficult to choose one with features perfect for fishing. So, I am here with a list of the best fishing knives to help you choose the perfect one for you.
Suppose you are looking for a multifunctional utility knife for your fishing trips. In that case, I recommend the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
. It is a corrosion-resistant stainless steel knife that carves wood, cuts fishing lines, slices baits, and cleans your fish.
However, you may want to check out other fishing knives to fit your purpose. So, in this article, I will give you a list of versatile fishing knives that you may find convenient for your next fishing trip.
7 Best Pocket Fishing Knives
There are various uses for fishing knives during and after fishing. These knives are necessary for cutting lines, slicing baits, clearing paths, and, in extreme cases, may protect your life. This article will focus on fishing knives that anglers need during fishing activities.
1. Spyderco Dragonfly 2 Salt Folding Knife
First on the list is the super-light Spyderco Dragon 2 folding knife. It has a unique design and shape. Since it is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, it is suitable for freshwater and saltwater fishing. If you do not want to carry much weight while fishing, you can fold the knife. Then keep it in your jeans pocket or clip it to your breast pocket for easy access.
I appreciate the leaf-shaped blade, which I find quite convenient. It has a high-performance flat H-1-type blade. The medium-sized blade works well for cutting lines, ropes, and slicing baits.
I also had a serrated model of the knife. I had used it mostly for cutting ropes and lines for years.
You will have no complaints about the handle. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle has bi-directional texturing on it.
Hence, you can have a good grip on the handle. Pull it or push it; your hands will not slip. The round opening hole on the back of the blade makes it easy to open the knife faster with your thumb.
You can choose different colors and shapes for the blade. I prefer the bright lime color. I can easily spot it in the dark if I accidentally drop it.
Pros:
- Great design
- Lightweight and durable
- Bi-Directional texture in the grip
- Back lock
- Metal pocket clip
Cons:
- Pricy
2. Morakniv Floating Knife
Next, I would like to introduce the Morakniv Floating Knife, a simple-looking yet versatile fishing knife. This small and lightweight knife is easy to carry on any fishing trip. It was designed and made in Sweden.
It is lightweight and has a cork handle, enabling it to float. The handle is comfortable, and you can have a firm grip even if it gets wet. When you cut fishing lines, ropes, or bait, it does not slip from your hands.
Now, this is not the only reason for it to be a fishing knife. It is perfect for fishing for many reasons. The cork is fixed over the polymer handle.
The knife has a sharp 3.75-inch stainless steel blade. With the handle, it is overall 8.875 inches long. Hence, the size is ideal for cleaning small to medium-sized fish. It is neither too big nor too small. You can put it in its sheath and carry it in your backpack.
Pros:
- Multifunctional fishing knife
- Lightweight
- Floats in water
- Clip-on the sheath to carry in the pocket
- Affordable price
Cons:
- The cork handle may not be durable
3. Cold Steel Finn Wolf Folding Pocket Knife
Now, let us talk about one of the sharpest pocket knives on the market, the Cold Steel Finn Wolf. The knife is designed like a puukko or Scandinavian knife. If you like to go fishing in the woods, this knife will help you cut through the branches and bushes following a trail full of obstacles.
The overall size of the blade is about 8 inches. The blade is 3.5 inches long, and the rest is the handle part. So, you will have enough space to grab into even if you wear gloves.
The handle is made of Grid-Ex polymer with 4 color options, Finn Wolf OD-Green, Wolf Blue, Wolf Red, and Wolf Blaze Orange. Thus, it is durable and will not break.
The knife’s sharp blade effortlessly cuts various materials, like paper, cardboard, ropes, leather, and wood. When I go camping or fishing for the night, I bring this knife to cut wood for a fire.
Also, the knife is strong and can withstand a lot of pressure. I have used it to cut fish along with the bones. You have to place the knife in position and hit it with something heavy, like a piece of wood or something.
Even after extensive use, the blade stays sharp. It is quite easy to sharpen, too. Keep the knife clean and dry to avoid getting rust on it.
Pros:
- High-quality knife at an affordable price
- Lightweight yet strong
- Stylish design
- Super sharp stainless steel blade
- Easy to open and close
- Tri-Ad locking system
Cons:
- Not for saltwater fishing
- Need to be maintained to avoid rust
4. Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Knife
Since 1891, Morakniv has been manufacturing high-quality knives. The Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Knife will serve you well, whether an angler or a hunter. Like any Morakniv knife, this one is designed and made in Sweden.
When I got my first Morakniv Companion Knife, I could not help but admire the beautiful razor-sharp stainless steel. The 4.1-inch blade material is durable Sandvik 12c27 Swedish stainless steel. Hence, I get excellent edge performance with intense sharpness.
Moreover, it has a high hardness rating and superior corrosion resistance. It stays sharp for a long time compared to typical carbon steel.
The blade has 2.5 millimeters of thinness and a Scandi grind, making it durable enough to perform many tasks for fishing. The handle of the knife is made of TPE rubber. Thus, the grip is safer and stronger to work with.
The knife will work for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. These qualities make the knife perfect for fishing chores like cutting fuel, ropes, lines, preparing baits, and cleaning fish. So, you do not have to carry too many knives for different tasks.
The Morakniv Companion Knife has a polymer sheath with a belt clip for easy attachment. You can attach it to your belt and use it whenever you want. To avoid corrosion, clean the knife properly after every use.
Pros:
- Straightforward design
- Blade made from high-quality stainless steel
- Durable and High corrosion resistance
- Compact size
- Multifunctional knife at an affordable price
Cons:
- The blade needs to be sharpened from time to time
5. Case Yellow Fishing Pocket Knife
The Case Yellow Fishing Pocket Knife is an amazing fishing tool to keep in your pocket or backpack. It is designed for fishing and has a nice vintage look. The knife is a multifunctional fishing knife that comes in handy for your day’s fishing trip.
The folding knife has two Tru-Sharp surgical steel blades—a razor-sharp fillet edge blade and a fish scaler. On the handle, you can see a sharpening stone.
The fish scaler blade is serrated and strong enough to scale any fish. I found the hook gorger on the tip of the scaling blade quite convenient.
You can use it to remove the fly and hook from the fish’s mouth with just a twist. The blade has a bottle opener on the tip. So, you can open your favorite bottle of beer with it and enjoy fishing.
Then there is the versatile clip blade. It is long and sharp enough to do all the detailed fishing work. The blade’s edge is quite sharp, even for cleaning small to medium-sized fish.
The yellow handle of the knife is made with the age-old traditional synthetic material used for making case knives for over a hundred years. Because of the color, you can spot it quickly on any colored ground.
The knife is only 4.25 inches long and weighs 2.7 ounces when closed. Hence, you can carry it in your pocket with no problem.
Pros:
- Practical blades
- Compact and lightweight
- Sharp blades for working on fish
- Ideal for short fishing trips
Cons:
- Not best for saltwater
6. BUBBA Tapered Flex Folding Knife
Next, you should know about the world-famous BUBBA Tapered Flex Folding Knife. It is a high-quality premium knife meant for all kinds of fishing activities. However, it is best known for filleting.
The knife comes in different sizes, but I prefer the 7-inch tapered folding fillet knife.
People who prefer catching and cleaning fish right away on the spot prefer the Bubba folding knife. The knife’s overall length is 15 inches, with a 7-inch blade and an 8-inch handle.
But the knife is foldable, so you can store it in your wader pocket or tackle box drawer. The lock-back system of the knife keeps it secure.
The long blade scales and cuts through any fish swiftly because of its durable, fine, thin-edged blade. The super sharp blade makes it ideal for any fish filleting situation. It is Ti-Nitride coated and rust-resistant.
So, you can use it for filleting both freshwater and saltwater fish.
One of the best things about the knife is its non-slippery handle. Users can have a solid grip on the handle is wet or cold conditions.
Moreover, the handle has a safety guard, which adds to the overall safety of the knife. Apart from filleting your fish, the knife is a great bait knife.
Pros:
- Great fillet and bait knife
- Foldable knife
- Super sharp blade
- Perfect for freshwater and saltwater fishing
- Safe handle
Cons:
- Heavy compared to many fishing knives
7. Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S
Finally, I would like to talk about another popular fishing folding knife, the Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife. Both anglers and hunters find the knife useful for various activities. While unfolded, the knife is 7.1 inches in length, making it an ideal pocket fish knife.
The 3.1-inch long blade is made of high-carbon stainless steel. It has both serrated and non-serrated areas. It has micro serrations and toothy serrations to serve various daily activities.
It has a nice-looking black aluminum handle that has a decent grip.
The blade material makes it much more durable and sharp. Hence, you do not have to worry about maintaining it too much.
Also, I have noticed that after extreme use in saltwater fishing, the knife does not easily rust.
One of the best features of the knife is the liner lock system, which keeps the knife in a stable and secure position.
You can swiftly fold and unfold the blade with the index flipper and the ambidextrous thumb studs. Thus, you do not have to worry about safety while carrying the knife.
The Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Knife is built of heavy material, but it is still lightweight. There is a pocket clip that you can fasten to your pocket. The knife provides great service despite its low price range.
Pros:
- Best value knife
- Black oxide stainless steel blade
- Unique blade design
- Swift opening and closing
- Easy to carry
Cons:
- Blade becomes dull soon
How To Choose The Best Fishing Knife?
A fishing knife is one of the most important fishing tools for any fisherman. A good knife is necessary to cut lines and ropes and prepare baits. When fishing, you have to perform various duties apart from fishing. Therefore, you need a sharp and versatile knife to do your job.
To choose the best knife for fishing, you should consider a few factors: knife size, blades, handles and uses.
Here is what you need to look for in a fishing knife:
The Type
To choose a knife, first, you have to think about the type. If you go for fish regularly, you need a strong knife. In such cases, a fixed-blade knife is an ideal type. They may take some space in your pocket or tackle box. If you want to save some space or carry less, buy a foldable pocket knife, as they are compact and lightweight.
The Size
Both blade and handle sizes are significant aspects to consider. If you need a multipurpose and durable knife, choose a 3.5 or 4 inches long blade. If you also intend to fillet the fish with your knife, choose blades longer than 4 inches.
The handle should be long enough to provide ample space for a firm grip. The small size of the blades makes them safe to carry in pockets.
The Material
Most fishing knives are manufactured for general fishing activities like cutting lines, ropes, and baits. So, the materials are not as high quality as fillet knives.
The best material for fishing knives is stainless steel. Although it is not too expensive, it is quite robust and long-lasting. Also, make sure to look for materials that are resistant to rusting.
Now, the handle of the knife should provide a great grip. Hence, most handles of popular fishing knives are made of polymer, rubber, cork, nylon, GFN, G-10, and other non-slippery materials.
The Uses
As you know, a fishing knife is essential for various purposes. You can choose a fishing knife that serves a specific job or works for several purposes.
You may need to cut the bait into smaller pieces, untangle rope knots, fix the line, scale, or gut the fish. The price is also affected by the utility of the knives.
Learn About Carrying Fishing Knife
So, you want to buy a fishing knife. But there is a catch. You have to check the knife-carrying laws of your state. Many states have no law regarding carrying fishing knives. However, some states are quite strict about it as it is a matter of safety.
Therefore, check the law of your state about the knife size and uses.
Taking Care of The Fishing Knives
Fishing knives need regular maintenance to stay sharp, swift, and rust-free. You may have a non-corrosive knife, but even that needs to be cleaned properly to last a long time. So, clean your knife with hot, soapy water every time you use it.
After cleaning, dry the knife and store it in a dry space. You can also use oil on the fishing knives to keep them sharp in the long run.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you can find the perfect fishing knife from the list of the best fishing knives I have provided. When you have the right fishing knife, everything becomes much easier fishing. You can enjoy fishing without worrying about minor issues.
For me, the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife is a perfect choice to use for everyday fishing activities. It is my comfort fishing knife because it provides great support at an affordable price. It has a sharp blade that cuts my medium-sized catches and baits effortlessly. You can also check the knife to see how efficiently it works for fishing.
