Fishing knives are some of the most underrated tools out there. They can help you keep everything from your fishing line to lures and flies working in proper order.
Unfortunately, most people underestimate them and that means, should the line require a bit of taming, they’d need to borrow one or make a trip back home.
To avoid such hassles, we’d like to link you up with some of the best fishing pocket knife models available out there in the world. They come in all shapes and sizes. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Top-Rated Pocket Knives for Fishing: Comparison Table
Before we dive into the details, here’s a table for your perusal. It contains the 12 leading knives and some quick details about each one of them.
| Ranking | Name | Dimension | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife | 9.2 x 1.8 x 1.4 inches | 3.8 ounces |
| 2 | Spyderco Atlantic Salt Lightweight Folding Knife | 6.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches | 1.6 ounces |
| 3 | TAC Force TF-705BK Tactical Spring Assisted Knife | 5.2 x 1.8 x 0.8 inches | 4.8 ounces |
| 4 | Spyderco Harpy Folding Knife | 6 x 1 x 1 inches | 3.2 ounces |
| 5 | MTech USA Ballistic MT-A705SGD Folding Knife | 4.8 x 1.2 x 0.5 inches | 4.8 ounces |
| 6 | Buck 0220BLS Knives Silver Creek Fillet Fishing Knife | 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches | 6.7 ounces |
| 7 | Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife | 13 x 5.5 x 2 inches | 3.52 ounces |
| 8 | CASE XX WR Pocket Knife | 4.2 x 0.5 x 0.8 inches | 3.2 ounces |
| 9 | Rada Cutlery Fillet Knife | 17.5 x 5 x 2.5 inches | 4 ounces |
| 10 | Morakniv Craftline Basic 546 Fixed Blade Utility Knife | 8.2 x 0.8 x 1.2 inches | 4.2 ounces |
| 11 | Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife | 14 x 5 x 1 inches | 5.6 ounces |
| 12 | Kershaw Clearwater 7’’ Fillet Knife | – | 3.88 ounces |
1. Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Knife
Do you find your fishing pocket knife corroded each time you want to use it? Well, try out the Morakniv Companion Fixed blade knife that is made of stainless steel and purported to be resistant to corrosion.
This knife’s handle is patterned for a non-slip grip. As such, you can use the knife in wet and dry conditions with minimal risk of accidental slips that may lead to injury.
The blade on this knife is made of stainless steel and the manufacturer states that it is razor-sharp. However, some customers disagree because they found the blade to be dull, meaning they had to sharpen it before use.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant blade
- Non-slip handle
- Sheath included
- Light in weight
Cons
- Dull blade
2. Spyderco Atlantic Salt Lightweight Folding Knife
Tired of losing your pocket knives so often? Spyderco Atlantic Salt folding knife has a hole on the clip attachment where you can attach a lanyard to ensure you do not lose your knife.
This knife seems like a good choice because it can be folded for easy carrying and storage. In addition, the handle is made of fiberglass reinforced nylon for durability and a secure grip.
The back lock mechanism used on this knife is important in keeping the blade open when you are using it. However, customers have reported that the latch on the knife can be quite loose.
Pros
- Resistant to rust
- Fiberglass nylon handle
- Folding knife
- Back lock mechanism
Cons
- The latch is loose
3. Tac-Force Tactical Spring Assisted Knife
Tac-Force Tactical Spring Assisted knife has a screwdriver and a bottle opener at the end of its handle. The pocket clip makes carrying your knife anywhere safe and easy.
The handle on this knife is made of aluminum hence the lightweight nature. Besides that, aluminum handle is said to be durable and resistant to rust.
This knife is designed with the liner lock system for safety reasons. However, some customers have reported that the locking mechanism is defective, causing the knife to fold when in use which is dangerous.
Pros
- Half-serrated blade
- Aluminum handle
- Pocket clip for easy carrying
- Liner lock system
Cons
- Defective locking mechanism
4. Spyderco Harpy Folding Knife
For those pulling and cutting, this knife seems like a suitable choice. The two-step serration pattern allegedly increases the blade’s cutting edge and efficiency, enabling you to make smooth cuts effortlessly.
The knife’s blade is said to be sharp, considering the edge is fully serrated. Besides that, it is strong as it is made of stainless steel bevel with a concave radius that ends as a sharp pointed tip.
A stainless steel handle, apart from being strong, is resistant to corrosion. Unfortunately, the handle on this knife gets slippery since it is made of stainless steel and using the knife becomes a challenge.
Pros
- Stainless steel handle
- Fully serrated edge
- Strong and durable knife
- Corrosion resistant blade
Cons
- Slippery handle
5. MTech USA Ballistic MT-A705 Series Folding Knife
MTech MT-A705 knife is said to be easy to use with one hand. This can come in handy when fishing as one hand maybe occupied and there is need to cut a line or rope.
The stainless steel blade is claimed to be durable and resistant to corrosion. Besides that, the blade’s edge is straight with a mirror finish, which is likely to enhance the knife’s efficiency.
For a secure grip, the handle on the knife is made of aluminum with a silver and gold titanium coating. On the flip side, the spring assist mechanism has been reported not to work effectively resulting in the knife closing or opening unexpectedly.
Pros
- Stainless steel blade
- Aluminum handle
- Liner lock system
- One-handed use
Cons
- Defective spring assist mechanism
6. Back 0220BLS Silver Creek Folding Knife
The flexibility of the blade determines what the knife’s best suitable use. This Back 0220BLS fillet knife is alleged to have a flexible blade to make your filleting effortless and less time-consuming.
The rubber handle provides a secure non-slip grip to give you control of the knife as you work on the fish. A good grip also prevents instances of damage to the flesh of fish or hand injuries.
In as much as it seems like a good knife, the blade is said to rust. As such, using it becomes risky as the rust may remain in your fish which is unhealthy when ingested.
Pros
- Rubber handle
- Lanyard included
- Flexible blade
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
- The blade rusts
7. Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife
Are you tired of having to replace your fishing knife frequently because the edge gets worn of fast? Why not try out this Gerber Bear Grylls Folding knife that is said to retain its edge for a long time and the blade is durable.
This knife has two thumb studs that are said to make using the knife with one hand easy. Moreover, the handle is made of rubber with an ergonomic design which makes your grip non-slip and comfortable.
There is a nylon sheath included for safe carrying of the knife. One bad news is that some customers have reported the knife to be hard to fold and unfold, needing you to apply so much effort.
Pros
- Ergonomic rubber handle
- Carbon stainless steel blade
- Nylon sheath included
- Two-sided thumb studs
Cons
- Hard to fold and unfold
8. Case Yellow Fishing Pocket Knife
Case Yellow Fishing knife fits the description of a multipurpose knife. It has a fish scaler with a hook disgorger to help you remove hooks from the fish mouth so your fingers are safe from the sharp fish teeth.
There is a hook sharpener on this knife. As such, you can sharpen your hooks whenever necessary to ensure they function efficiently.
This pocket knife is said to remain sharp for a long time. We may attribute the sharp nature to the Tru-Sharp stainless steel used on the blade which makes it seem like a good choice for fishing activities.
Pros
- Smooth synthetic handle
- Remains sharp for longer
- Scaler with hook disgorger
- Corrosion resistant blade
Cons
- The blade is brittle
9. Rada Cutlery Fillet Knife
You can carry and keep your knife safely in the leather scabbard included. As such, instances of the knife cutting you in case you accidentally touch it are likely to be avoided.
The knife is reported to retain its sharpness for a long time thus the frequent sharpening before use is avoided. Moreover, the blade of the knife is made of carbon stainless steel, which is the likely reason for its strength and durability.
This is knife is said to be light in weight and easily portable. However, the knife does not fold so it is unlikely to fit in your pocket even though you can carry it in your toolbox.
Pros
- Retains sharpness for long
- Non-slip rubber handle
- Carbon stainless steel blade
- Light in weight
Cons
- Not foldable
10. MoraknivCraftline Basic Fixed Blade Knife
You can attach another knife to the sheath of this MoraknivCraftline knife since it is a combi-sheath. Therefore, it easy for you to carry two knives safely.
There is a finger guard on the handle of the knife for safety. In addition, the knife’s blade is said to be strong and durable hence likely to serve you for long.
The handle of the knife is made of plastic. Some customers have reported that when the handle gets wet, it becomes slippery and you risk injuring yourself if you lose control of the knife.
Pros
- Finger guard on handle
- Remains sharp for long
- Strong and durable blade
- Plastic combi-sheath included
Cons
- Slippery handle when wet
11. Morakniv Fishing Comfort Fillet Knife
Tired of odor-producing knife sheaths? The Morakniv knife comes with a slotted sheath made of plastic that is said to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
You can maintain your grip when using this knife since the handle is patterned. As such, it is unlikely to slip even when you are working in wet conditions.
The blade on this knife is made of stainless steel and likely to resist corrosion. One drawback we found with this knife is the blade is so tough and does not flex, which makes it hard to use with fish as it tends to tear the flesh.
Pros
- Razor-sharp edge
- Corrosion resistant blade
- Patterned handle
- Slotted plastic sheath
Cons
- The blade does not flex.
12. Kershaw Cleanwater 7” Fillet Knife
Have you been searching for a pocket knife that you can use with large fish? Kershaw Cleanwater fillet knife seems like a good choice for such tasks as it is 7” and the manufacturer says it is suitable for larger fish like the salmon or tuna.
The handle on the knife is made of co-polymer plastic which is said to provide a secure grip. As such, you are likely to have better control of the knife.
This knife has a sheath with a belt holster that is supposed to make carrying it an easy task. Unfortunately, some customers have reported that the belt holster strap is of poor quality and breaks easily.
Pros
- Co-polymer plastic handle
- Sheath with belt holster
- Flexible blade
- Suitable for large fish
Cons
- Poor quality belt holster strap
How to Choose a Fishing Pocket Knife
You don’t need to own a long list of knives to have a good fishing experience. Indeed, the quest for quality and good user experience boils down to the following key factors.
Fixed vs Foldable
Foldable knives are much more convenient to carry around. However, they may not be as strong as their fixed-blade counterparts. The good news is that whichever option you settle for, you can’t lose. But ultimately, you’ll need to make a choice.
Quality of Steel
If possible, always aim for the best steel quality possible. Powdered steel blades are particularly quite good in our view. That’s because they’re hardy and corrosion-resistant. However, they don’t come cheap.
Clip Point vs Drop Point
We’d recommend the drop point option for dressing game. However, if you’re an angler you probably will find the clip point much more convenient. It’s quite good, especially when used to clean fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you still got some questions about the knife you need to settle for? Here we’ve responded to some of them.
What’s the best American-made pocket knife?
There are many awesome USA brands that we strongly believe in. Among them are Gerber Gator, Kershaw, and Bear & Son Damascus.
What is the best material for a knife blade?
We generally recommend high carbon blades. Low chromium stainless steel also provides a good blend of strength and edge holding capacity.
Is Damascus steel strong?
Hardened Damascus can be harder than stainless steel. However, carbon Damascus that isn’t hardened might be a bit too soft for some anglers.
Best Overall Choice
Tac-Force Tactical Spring Assisted Knife is our top-rated fishing pocket knife that is light in weight and easy to carry anywhere. Moreover, the knife has a bottle opener plus a screwdriver that can be helpful when you are out fishing.
Final Thoughts
You should never compromise on the quality of your pocket knife. Always aim for the best and above all, remember to refer to the useful pointers provided in our buying guide above. That way, you can rest assured to get good value for your hard-earned cash.