Having the appropriate gear is important before setting off on kayaking adventures. A versatile knife is an essential tool for every kayaker. In fact, it comes in handy for various tasks on the water and plays a crucial role in emergency situations.
With multiple options available in the market, finding the best knife for kayaking can be difficult. To help you make an informed decision, we have thoughtfully compiled a comprehensive list of top recommendations. You will explore the finest Kayaking knives in this article. Let’s take a look at them.
Unleash your Potential: Best kayaking knives
These are the ultimate knives for thriving in Kayaking expeditions:
1. Buri Gear Aid Kayaking Knife
If you are looking for a top-level fixed-blade knife, this gear aid knife comes in handy in all survival situations. This knife has a glass breaker tip. On the end of the handle, there is a bottle opener. It has an open sheath design.
Its sheath does not have water standing in it. Therefore, if you fall into the water and have to go swim to the other brink of the water, you can dry out its sheath faster.
So it is a nice-looking design idea.
Its sheath has both side attachments, so you can attach this to anything. Due to the two holes on the sheath, you can hang this knife around your neck or anywhere else. There is a belt clip on the back side of the sheath. You can also remove this belt clip if you do not want to hang it on your belt.
Buri Gear Knife has a great locking mechanism. Hence, it is not going to fall out. This knife has a short stumpy blade coated with Titanium. Its weight is 5.6 ounces. Its handle is made of hard plastic. When you hold this knife in your hand, it will not go anywhere.
Overall, it is a good knife.
Specs
Brand: GEAR AID
Blade material: Stainless steel
Handle material: Plastic
Color: Black
Age range: Adult
Pros | Cons |
Durable & full tang blade | Not a super lightweight product |
Decent design with a serrated blade & thumb grip | The plastic handle can’t be a good choice |
It can be attached quickly | |
A multipurpose knife | |
Has an ultimate cutting power |
2. NRS Titanium Kayaking Knife
NRS Pilot Knife occupies the first position in our Kayaking knives list. If you are going on adventures, this knife can be your best choice.
This specific knife is not gonna fall, thanks to its excellent external attachment. You can push this attachment with two fingers.
You can grasp its handle smoothly and firmly because it has a rubberized handle. In addition, its partially serrated edge can help you cut ropes. You can also use the serrated edge for safety purposes.
As a river knife, the NRS Kayaking knife is great for attaching to your pocket. Using this knife, you can whittle a piece of wood in a camp and spread butter or cream cheese. But this knife has a drawback. It has a bottle opener on it. The brand should not put a bottle opener on a Kayaking knife. If you want to open a bottle with this equipment, you need to grab the knife. This can cause a problem for you.
Specs
Brand: NRS
Blade material: Alloy steel
Handle material: Titanium
Color: Grey
Age range: Adult
Pros | Cons |
Lightweight knife | Not good for cutting ropes |
Highly versatile and durable item | Its bottle opener can cause a problem |
Titanium nitride-coated blade | Not amazing craftsmanship |
The handle has a built-in glass breaker tip | |
Combination of rope cutting hook with a serrated edge | |
Good for camping and hiking |
Essential Gear: Choosing the Best Knife for Whitewater Kayaking!
i. Scubarpro Mako Whitewater Kayaking Knife
The SCUBAPRO whitewater Kayak knife has a titanium blade that is resistant to rust, incredibly durable, and capable of maintaining a sharp edge. The 3.5-inch blade serves multiple functions. It has a serrated edge for cutting through ropes, a smooth edge for clean slicing, a line-cutting notch, and even a bottle opener.
The knife provides a secure grip with its large handle. This knife comes with a sheath.
Specs
Brand: Scubapro
Blade material: Stainless Steel
Handle material: Titanium
Color: Silver, Black
Age range: Adult
ii. SOG Seal Strike Tactical Knife | Serrated Blade
This whitewater Kayaking knife has a 4.9-inch full tang blade made of AUS-8 stainless steel. It has a durable handle made of green stainless steel with reinforced construction. The handle offers a secure grip, thanks to its glass-reinforced nylon material.
The knife comes with a deluxe sheath, making it the best knife for whitewater Kayaking adventures. Hence, it is suitable for hiking, rescue missions, military operations, or general outdoor activities.
Specs
Brand: SOG
Blade material: Stainless Steel
Handle material: Titanium
Color: Black Tini
Age range: Adult
iii. Scuba Choice Scuba Diving Knife | Blunt Tip
The Scuba Choice knife is a versatile tool designed specifically for divers. This compact knife has a sleek black stainless steel construction. Its blunt tip design enhances safety. When it comes to the knife for whitewater Kayaking, professional enthusiasts can rely on this knife’s compact and dependable design.
Specs
Brand: Scuba Choice
Blade material: Stainless Steel
Handle material: Nylon
Color: Black, Silver
Age range: Adult
3. Columbia Bear Claw River Knife
Columbia River and Rescue Bear Claw Knife is designed to be a top-quality survival tool for first responders. Its bear claw blade is made up of stainless steel. It has a nice sheath that holds the knife pretty well. Its sheath is better than other classic river knives’ sheaths. You can wear its sheath with a clip on your jacket or pocket.
Its curve blade cuts ropes quickly. Its finger hole gives you a firm hold of the knife. In this way, you can cut the rope really well. In addition, it has an amazing serrated edge. This Kayak knife has a blunt tip that does not hurt you if it falls on your foot. Most importantly, its blunted tips can cut boots, clothes, seatbelts, and other materials.
Its black glass-filled Nylon handle can provide you with a comfortable grip. In terms of the knife’s utility, the Columbia River and Rescue Knife is a great option. This knife weighs 3.4 ounces. Overall, it is the best river knife for first responders.
Overall, it is the best river knife for first responders. For more information and to explore additional knife options, visit knifier.com, the trusted source for quality knives.
Specs
Brand: CRKT
Blade material: Stainless steel
Handle material: Glass Reinforced Nylon
Color: Black
Age range: Adult
Pros | Cons |
Lightweight fixed-blade knife | The steel is not the best |
Compact size | No versatility |
Unique blade construction | |
Great cutting power | |
Sheath makes knife safe | |
Smooth grip |
4. Northwest River Supply Green Kayaking Knife
NRS Green Knife is a compact and convenient Kayaking knife perfect for hiking and paddling. You can fit it anywhere, whether it’s your paddling top, life jacket, or pocket. It will fit in a fine manner.
It would be best if you fit this knife inside the astral green jacket’s knife pocket. This is because it is designed specifically for this purpose. NRS Green Knife has a locking blade. This blade is made of carbon stainless steel. It has both a smooth and serrated edge.
Furthermore, this knife has a stainless steel clip on the back side of the handle. This clip will help you hang this knife. Thanks to its bottle opener feature, you can also open a bottle with this green knife.
On the top of the handle, you will experience a soft and comfortable rubberized grip. To sum up, this NRS pilot knife is the best kayaking knife to bring with you on the water.
Specs
Brand: Northwest River Supply
Blade material: Stainless steel
Handle material: Glass Reinforced Polypropylene
Color: Green/Black
Age range: Adult
Pros | Cons |
Compact knife | The clip isn’t strong enough |
Stainless steel locking blade | Sometimes, it can’t be single-handedly opened |
Fits well into PFD | |
A reversible stainless steel clip | |
A handy bottle opener | |
The perfect option for boating & camping |
5. Aqualung Blunt Tip Knife | Stainless Steel with Blunt Tip
The Aqualung Squeeze knife is an amazing backup knife that can be attached to a belt, jacket, or pocket. It has a nice locking mechanism. You need to squeeze the two sections around the handle when you want to pull off the knife from the sheath. In this way, you can remove the knife easily.
Its locking system is pretty effective. The knife does not come out unless you squeeze two sections.
Aqualung knife has a blunt tip. It has a good cutting edge and a serrated edge on the other side. In addition, the blade of this rescue knife has a cutting hook. Its 3-inch blade is made of stainless steel. You can hold this handle comfortably. There is a lanyard loop at the end of the handle. Two removable grommets are located underside the sheath. The sheath is made of plastic. Hence, it is not too much strong.
Specs
Brand: Aqua Lung
Blade material: Stainless steel
Handle material: Plastic
Color: Charcoal
Age range: Adult
Pros | Cons |
Made of stainless steel | It is challenging to cut underwater |
Easy to carry | Available in one color only |
Doesn’t get rusted | The handle is not so strong |
Safe locking system | |
Its blade is sharp | |
Fits well |
6. Spyderco Tasman Salt 2 Knife for Kayaking
Tasman Salt 2 Knife by Spyderco is another amazing rescue knife. The Spyderco company makes top-quality knives of high-quality steel. This knife weighs 2 ounces. Its serrated edges are powerful and curved. In this way, you can pull over the rope pretty well. This knife is designed with a comfortable handle. It comes in handy for people who have small hands.
It is not easy to sharpen the serrated edges of the knife. Another cool thing about the Spyderco Tasman Salt 2 knife is that you can send back this item to the company for free sharpening. They will sharpen your knife for free. However, the shipping charges are only five bucks.
Its blade is of higher quality, if you want to cut off a rope quickly, this is the best knife to have. If you want to spend money, this knife is pretty expensive. The downside of this knife is that it has a sharp tip. This sharp tip may hurt you.
You can explore our article on the “Best Survival Knife with Firestarter” for in-depth insights. Stay prepared and take your outdoor adventures to the next level.
Specs
Brand: Spyderco
Blade material: Stainless steel
Handle material: Yellow Fiberglass Nylon
Color: Yellow
Age range: Adult
Pros | Cons |
Lightweight knife | Expensive |
Best quality rope cutter | Its sharp edge can hurt you |
Perfect for boating & fishing | Serrations are hard to clean |
Corrosion resistant | |
Top ergonomics | |
Anti-slip handle |
7. NRS Co-Pilot Knife for Adventures
NRS Co-Pilot Knife has a two-and-a-quarter-inch long stainless steel blade. The blade is half serrated and half straight. It has a rubberized handle that offers maximum control of the knife. In addition, the handle has a bottle opener feature. There is a hole at the end of the handle that can be used to tie this knife.
Its sheath locks the knife firmly in place. NRS Co-Pilot’s knife clip is a glass-reinforced Nylon that functions as a spring-loaded release system. So when you insert or pull out the knife, it quickly pops out. In addition, it also has a back clip; you can wear it on your PFD.
It has a stainless steel blade that resists corrosion. The best feature of this knife is its blunt edge. It is not sharp. In this way, if you fall out of the boat and get tangled up in a fishing line, you can easily take this knife with the blunt side.
After that, you can slide this blunt side underneath the rope without hurting yourself. In this way, you can free yourself. You can also use this blunt edge to spread peanut or avocado cream. If you need a top-notch knife for Kayak fishing, the NRS Co-Pilot knife is your ultimate choice.
Specs
Brand: NRS
Blade material: High Carbon stainless steel
Handle material: Glass reinforced Polypropylene
Color: Blue
Age range: Adult
Pros | Cons |
Comfortable & rubberized handle | Tiny blade |
Blunt tip | Doesn’t have a glass breaker |
Sharp blade | |
Smooth serrated edges | |
Feels nice in the hand | |
Good for rescue and boating | |
Nice lanyard attaching point |
Features to Consider Before Purchasing a Kayaking Knives
These are the features to keep in mind before purchasing a Kayaking knife:
• Blunt tip
Most Kayaking knives are designed with a blunt tip. You need to keep in mind that the knife you are going to purchase should not have a sharp tip.
Instead, it should have a blunt tip.
• Corrosion resistant
The water conditions can impact your knife’s quality. Your knife’s blade can get rusted. So if you are planning to paddle in the water, you should have a knife with a corrosion blade in hand. Corrosion-resistant blades can deal with worse conditions. Accordingly, consider this corrosion-resistant blade feature.
• PFD attaching point
PFD attachment point can help you to attach your Kayaking knife securely to your lash tab. It means that you can attach your knife to PFD easily. In addition, PFD attaching point can also be attached to your life jacket. It will give you a more professional look.
• Fine sheath
Your Kayaking knife must have an easy-to-release sheath. So you can put your knife into it whenever you do not use it. Whenever you need to pull off the knife, the sheath can help you release the knife quickly.
Bottom Lines
Recreational boaters and rescue experts like the amazing features of a Kayaking knife. The kayaking knife is also called a pilot knife. Its sheath helps you keep the knife safe in its place until you need it. You can simply pinch the lock button with a single finger to deploy the knife.
But finding the best knife for Kayaking purposes is a time-taking task. With that in mind, we have created this article.
These are the best Kayaking knives you can use for adventures:
- Buri Gear Aid Kayaking Knife
- NRS Titanium Kayaking Knife
- Columbia Bear Claw River Knife
- Northwest River Supply Green Kayaking Knife
- Aqualung Blunt Tip Knife | Stainless Steel with Blunt Tip
- Spyderco Tasman Salt 2 Knife for Kayaking
- NRS Co-Pilot Knife Knife for Adventures