best hunting knife under 100

Best Survival Knife under $100 – My Top 3 Choices

A survival knife may be my only friend when I am caught in a hostile wilderness in extreme environmental conditions. I need a lot of confidence in my knife that it will not break, chip, rust or bend at a crucial moment, due to the excellent material used in its high-quality construction. Second-rate material and slip-shod construction can put me in great danger, when my knife is the only tool that I can use to extricate myself in certain situations, especially when I am caught between the rock and a hard place – so as to speak!

I need to confirm that my knife manufacturer, has a good reputation in the market and the manufacturing process and material used in making the knife, have good reviews from users who have been in survival situations.

My Top 3 Choices for the Best Survival Knife under $100

My top 3 choices would be as follows:

  • KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion (~$80)

  • KA-BAR USMC Knife (~$72)

  • Gerber’s Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro (~$76)

#1 – KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion

This is my #1 choice and is a fixed blade, medium sized, drop point knife. It has a secondary bevel at a 20° angle that facilitates usual camping tasks like for example, skinning game. This carbon steel knife made of 1095 Cro-Van steel blade is extra thick and ideal for hunting and camping tasks that are common to survival in the wilderness. The knife is full tang and has a lanyard hole and a hammer shaped pommel on the Grivory handle.

Best Survival Knife under $100 - KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion

The material of the handle facilitates a smooth and contoured grip so it feels good in the user’s hand. The sheath is made using fiberglass reinforced nylon material and fits the blade so perfectly that there is no sound when the sheath is shaken. The nylon loop fits the widest belts to conveniently carry the knife without obstruction. The knife measures 10.5” while the blade is 5.5” long and the tang extends full length of the knife to make it extremely durable and very powerful. This heavy-duty survival and hunting knife can efficiently chop and split wood, pry open joints and boxes, and skin game. Cutting and chopping branches or logs are easy tasks for this super survival and camping knife.

Pros

  • Money worth spent under $100.

  • Very strong construction

  • Heavy-duty jobs are a breeze

  • Very versatile, works well as a mini axe when required and pierces objects like a spear because of the drop point shape of its tip

  • Aesthetic looks, visually impressive and intimidating with its all-black design

Cons

  • This knife may be on the heavy side as it weighs nearly 1 lbs. Any survivalist who want to carry minimum weight, may prefer something lighter.

  • Some prefer a thinner blade to skin game and perform other slicing/cutting tasks

#2 – KA-BAR USMC Knife

My #2 choice for the best survival knife under $100 is one of the most popular and reliable fixed blade knives in the world as it was originally created to be used by US troops in World War II. This knife has certainly been around for 50+ years and still going strong.

The knife has a leather handle and a 7” straight blade and is one of a few that has the US Marine Corps stamp. Aside from the long length, the blade has a 20° angle and is created from extra strength Cro-Van steel. Built as per strict guidelines, the US Marine Corps knife is resistant to corrosion and can hold its sharpness of edge much longer, when compared to other knives.

KA-BAR USMC Knife

This KA-BAR knife is extremely sharp, very durable, and ready to use from day one. The blade is built for heavy duty, long term use and is very easy to sharpen in case I ever need to, which is quite rare. With a good grip on its high-quality leather handle, I should not have any issues using it regardless of the situation I find myself in.

The manufacturer is very reputed for creating outstanding knives and whether you are going to use it for survival in the wild or for everyday tasks, this knife will serve your needs and deliver.

Pros

  • Manufacturer is very reputed in the market

  • Very sharp and durable, you would never need another survival knife again

  • Very well constructed knife

  • Good for long-term use

  • Effortless gripping facilitated by knife handle

  • The knife is designed as a versatile multipurpose tool for survival, hunting, sporting, and other similar activities

Cons

  • The fixed blade may be bit too sharp for some users

  • The sheath is made in Mexico and has a shorter life than one made in the USA

#3 – Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro

This is my #3 choice and can easily be comparable with my first two choices in case my first two choices are not availability due to some reason. I am very familiar with this brand name’s reputation for durability and this knife can be used in a variety of survival situations.

Gerber’s Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro

Famous for their extreme sharpness and their capability to cut and slice, the textured grip of the handle facilitates a firm grip on the knife while in use. The blade is made of stainless-steel and is 4.8” in length. The knife cuts sharply every time. The blade does not rust and is so tough that is almost impossible to bend or break. The full tang construction further ensures that the blade is strong and can withstand continuous and extreme use in chopping and cutting.

The point of the blade allows me to cut deep into the wood or game that I am cutting or slicing, and it is very easily manoeuvrable. The thumb ramp or groove position helps the user to get the required stability and leverage when cutting or peeling with the knife.

Pros

  • The Ultimate Pro is very durable.

  • It has a very sharp blade

  • The knife has a full bladed tang construction

  • A tough knife that can handle very hard work.

  • The design of the knife and the tip of the blade makes it very sturdy

  • Very lightweight and easy to hold and handle

  • The handle of the knife facilitates a durable grip

  • It is a multi-purpose tool

  • I can start a fire by using one side of the blade as a striker

  • The sheath can be used by people who are right handed as well as left

Cons

  • The loop used for attaching the sheath seems to wear out quite quickly and is not very durable.

  • The thumb groove is smooth and quite close to the blade.

Conclusion

Considering the price, features, and performance, my number one choice for the Best Survival Knife under $100 is the KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion knife. Not only is this a great drop point blade under the 100 dollar mark, it’s an extremely resilient and quality knife that will give you maximum value for money!

Best Hunting Knife under 100 Dollars

A detailed search for the best hunting knife under $100

If you’ve ever tried searching for a great hunting tool but are overwhelmed by the different types of knives in the market, then this post on finding the best hunting knife under 100 dollars is perfect for you. I’ve been in your situation before but after numerous years of hunting and survivalist experience, I’ve handpicked my list of the Top 10 hunting knives that cost less than $100.

Remember, each of these knives has been personally tested by me or a fellow hunting expert, so you’re definitely going to be getting the best bang for your buck. Some of these hunting tools are even below the $50 range thanks to the amazing deals that Amazon runs from time to time.

However, if you’re short of time and don’t want to take the trouble of going through the entire list, then simply go with my #1 choice for the best hunting knife as given below:

1. Knife King “Emperor” Custom Damascus Handmade Hunting Knife

First up on my list of the best hunting knives under $100 is the Knife King “Emperor” Custom Damascus Handmade Hunting Knife. This razor sharp, rock solid hunting blade has a hardness of 58-60 on the HRC scale and has over 200 layers of damascus steel. The blade length is a good 8 inch while the handle is approximately 5.25 inches long.

Best hunting knife under $100

The hilt and sub hilt design is great and the walnut grips are a pleasure to work with. The blade is real Damascus steel with a TUF Glide coating on top. The sheath that comes along with the knife is also of a great quality and one look at it will have you hooked to this hunting blade.

All in all, a great knife to choose for hunting especially if your budget is less than 100 dollars!

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 8 inch length, 0.3125 inch thickness, 15N25 & 1075 Damascus steel, 58-60 HRC

Handle: 5.25 inch length, comes with a sheath

Weight: 12 ounces

2. Buck Knives 0103 Skinner Fixed Blade Knife

I’ve been a long time admirer of the Buck Knife Company because they truly make some great hunting & survival knives and the 0103 Skinner is definitely top on that list. Made from 420 HC steel, the 0103 Skinner is 4 inch long skinning blade with a black phenolic handle and comes with a pommel guard. Another great selling point about this knife is that it is Made in the USA so it’s a great way to support your country.

Buck Knives 0103 Skinner Fixed Blade Knife

I’ve skinned multiple pigs using the 103 and have rarely had to touch up the knife post skinning which just goes to show you how great this is performance wise. It’s a must have in your hunting kit and at a price point of less than $50, this one is great value for money.

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 4 inch length, 0.120 inch thickness, 420 HC steel with narrow tip, Made in USA

Handle: 4.25 inch length, black phenolic handle with pommel

Weight: 4.3 ounces

3. KA-BAR Fighting/Utility Serrated Edge Knife

3 rd up on this list of the Top 10 Hunting Knives under 100 dollars is the KA-BAR Fighting Utility Serrated Edge Knife. I’ve been using this 7 inch long 1095 Cro Van steel blade for quite a few years at various hunting expeditions and it has never let me down.

It comes with a Kydex sheath and locks securely into it. Mine didn’t come out fully sharp out of the box so I did have to sharpen it just a bit but that’s not a big deal. Some people did tell me that the grip becomes slippery during wet conditions but I’ve never really faced any issue so far – in fact, I quite like the grip!

KA-BAR Fighting Utility Serrated Edge Knife

It comes with serrations which give it extra utility especially while creating wood shavings for campfires. All in all, it’s a great hunting tool to own and at under $60, it’s a no brainer really.

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 7 inch length, 20 degrees edge angle, 1095 Cro Van steel fixed blade, HRC 56-58

Handle: 4.125 inch length, Kraton handle with sheath

Weight: 11.2 ounces

4. Buck 192BR Vanguard Fixed Blade Knife

Another Buck on this list; this time it’s the 192BR Vanguard Fixed Blade Knife. This 4.125 inch long Drop point blade has one of the best edge retentions I’ve ever seen in a hunting blade and thanks to the 420HC steel, the strength of the knife is also excellent.

Buck 192BR Vanguard Fixed Blade Knife

If you’re an outdoor hunting enthusiast or a big game hunter, then this blade is perfect for you. The handle is walnut coloured and contoured with a polished brass butt that is a boon when it comes to field dressing. It also is a Made in USA knife covered under the Buck Lifetime Warranty.

The 192BR Vanguard is perfect for all your outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hiking and hunting and is also priced extremely reasonably at less than $100.

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 4.125 inch length, 420 HC steel fixed blade, Made in USA knife

Handle: 4.125 inch length, Walnut contoured with brass butt and leather sheath

Weight: 6.3 ounces

5. Kershaw Ken Onion Blur Folding Knife

Another one of my old favourites makes it to this list of the best hunting blades under 100 dollars and this time it’s the Kershaw Ken Onion Blur Folding Knife. This is one of the rare times that I endorse a folding knife but the Ken Onion with its Speed Safe option and Sandvik 14C28N steel blade is truly a hunting enthusiast’s delight.

Kershaw Ken Onion Blur Folding Knife

You have the option of going with either a smooth or serrated blade and either ways, the 3.375 inch blade is ideal for extreme outdoor situations. The anodized light weight aluminium handle has a good grip that won’t give way even under slippery conditions.

For $55, this tactical knife is a great steal considering the amazing build quality and fast assisted opening. The perfect folding knife for all your hunting and tactical activities.

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 3.375 inch length, Sandvik 14C28N steel blade, DLC black coating

Handle: 4.5 inch length, Speed Safe assisted opening, removable pocket clip

Weight: 3.9 ounces

6. Buck Knives 0102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Knife

We’re halfway down this list of the best hunting knife under $100 and there’s another Buck on this list (third and final one). This time it’s the Buck Knives 0102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Knife and at less than $40, you’ll be hard pressed to find a cheaper high quality knife.

Buck Knives 0102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Knife

The 4 inch long blade is made from 420 HC steel and offers excellent edge retention, which is a quality shared by most Buck blades. This is a full tang knife that has a finger guard integrated into the handle and features an aluminium pommel. It’s great for field dressing deer and the shape of the knife really helps in that aspect.

It comes with a leather sheath that has a plastic liner so you don’t need to worry about it getting all wet during rains. I’ve even used it for gutting chicken and rabbits and it performed remarkably well even with smaller game. One of my most trusted hunting tools ever!

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 4 inch length, 420 HC steel blade, Made in USA, Buck Forever Warranty

Handle: 3.75 inch length, black phenolic handle, genuine leather sheath

Weight: 2.8 ounces

7. Puma Coyote Stag Handle Blade Hunting Knife

In at #7 on this list of the Top 10 Hunting Knives under $100 is the Puma Coyote – an 8 inch long knife with a blade length of 3.8 inches. The first and most impressive thing that you’ll notice about this knife is the stunningly beautiful Stag handle that feature brass finger guards and brass lined lanyard holes.

Puma Coyote Stag Handle Blade Hunting Knife

Made from 440A German manufactured steel, this blade has been an old hunting favourite of mine that I’ve used for skinning and field dressing. It’s a great drop point blade to own with a great edge and you’ll surely consider this as one of the best fleshing knives in the market once you get down to skinning whitetail deer capes.

It comes with a leather sheath, which honestly isn’t one of the best but is good enough to use and is durable. All in all, a great hunting tool to buy when your budget is in the range of $75-$100

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 3.8 inch length, 4 40A German steel with stag scales, HRC 55-57

Handle: 4.2 inch long handle, leather sheath, handmade

Weight: 4.3 ounces

8. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife

One of the most famous hunting and survival knives in the world, thanks to the legendary Bear Grylls, this knife had to make it on this list. This is a full tang knife made from 9CR19MoV premium steel and has an overall length of 10 inches with the blade measuring 4.8 inches.

It comes with a fire starter mounted within the sheath so it’s a great boon for all those who intend on camping out in the wild. There’s also an emergency lanyard whistle which thankfully, I’ve never had to use but is definitely comforting to have around. Gerber is an extremely reputed knife manufacturer and they’ve combined their world class manufacturing skills with the legendary survival skill of Bear Grylls to create this masterpiece.

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife

The knife really feels solid and balanced in my hands. The original survival knife had a 3/4 tang design but this new one is a full tang construction and it’s a good upgrade on the tang and pommel. However, it is not MOLLE compatible which is a bit of a turn off to me but the ferrocerium fire starter sure makes up for this.

Priced at just under $100, the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro is a blade worth buying!

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 4.8 inch length, 9CR19MoV premium steel, drop point blade, great for filleting

Handle: 5.2 inch length, no serrations, full tang, comes with a ferrocerium fire starter

Weight: 13.7 ounces

9. Puma Elk Hunter Stag Handle Hunting Knife

We’re almost to the end of this list and making its way in at #9 is the Puma Elk Hunter Stag Handle Hunting Knife. This 440A German manufactured SGB fixed blade tool is 4.2 inches long with stag handles that are similar to the Puma Coyote that I covered earlier.

The hardness is about 55-57 on the Rockwell scale and the overall knife length is 8.5 inches. It comes with a leather sheath that is beautiful to look at and does the job admirably well. There’s also a lifetime warranty but it’s only for the original owner that’s why I recommend that you buy a new one on Amazon where it’s available for a discounted price of less than $100.

Puma Elk Hunter Stag Handle Hunting Knife

The blade is ground to a fine edge but is quite thick and you’ll appreciate that once you’re driving this through the rib cage of a deer or a similar animal. All in all, a great knife that adheres to high quality German manufacturing.

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 4.2 inch length, 440A German steel, 55-57 HRC

Handle: 4.3 inch length, full tang, leather sheath with stag handles

Weight: 6.7 ounces

10. Gerber Gator Premium Fixed Blade Knife

Finally, we’ve reached the end of this list that aims to help you choose the best hunting knife under $100 and at #10 is another old favourite of mine – the Gerber Gator, which is one of the most famous survival knives in the world.

This premium blade is made from S30V steel and has excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. It’s an original Made in the USA hunting tool that comes with a high rubberized grip for all those wet conditions. The sheath is a nice black leather one and is again made in the USA.

Gerber Gator Premium Fixed Blade Knife

It’s extremely sharp and I found that out first hand while using it on two large hogs. There’s also a bolster that helps protect your hand from sliding up on the knife and accidentally cutting yourself.

For less than 100 dollars, this knife is a dream come true for anyone who is serious about hunting game like deer, elk or hogs. Highly recommended from me personally!

Key Specs & Features:

Blade: 4 inch length, S30V steel, drop point blade, 0.75 inch thickness at the spine

Handle: 4.8 inch length, full tang, Gator Grip, US made leather sheath

Weight: 6.9 ounces

More Hunting Knives Under $100?

Well, I’m pretty confident by now that you would have made up your mind with regards to choosing the best hunting knife under 100 dollars after going through my exhaustive list. I also do understand that there might have been a great knife that I might have omitted or missed so if that’s the case, please drop me a note and I’ll try and have this list updated.

Till then, here are some great videos that feature some of the above hunting tools and which I think you will find useful