Quality knives are essential for anyone who spends a lot of time in the outdoors. Whether carving, splitting wood, cutting fishing lines, or preparing food, the right knife makes a huge difference.

We have top picks from Shun, Miyabi, and Zwilling.

Editor’s Note: March 6, 2026: We added two new knives for this update: the full-size Benchmade Bugout 535—an ultralight knife of exceptional quality; and the CRKT Twist Tighe, an excellent choice for ...