While you can technically use any camp knife for basic or rudimentary whittling. If you want to step up your whittling skills and ability it’s important that you choose a camp knife that is well suited for whittling.
Because of this we researched and reviewed hundreds of different camp knives, using a variety of criteria such as the size and type of blade as well as its wood carving ability, to come up with this list of the very best camping knives for whittling.
- Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Pocket Knife with Beechwood Handle
- Morakniv Wood Carving Junior 73/164 Knife
- BeaverCraft Sloyd Knife C4s 3.14″
- Old Timer 34OTB Middleman 5.6″ S.S. Traditional Folding Knife
- Old Timer 24OT Splinter Carvin’ 6″ Traditional Folding Whittling Knife
- Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
- Case XX WR Pocket Knife Amber Bone Medium Stockman
- Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool Tinker Pocket Knife
- Mastercarver Pocket Whittler II Folding Knife
- Whittler Red Bone Folding Knife 3.5″
10 Best Camping Knives for Whittling
While there are purpose-built and specific knives meant only for whittling which have very small and maneuverable blades and large ergonomic handles, such as the BeaverCraft Whittling Knife which you can see on Amazon by clicking here.
For this list of best-camping knives for whittling, we have focused on knives that not only are great for whittling but also make good general-purpose knives for around the campsite as well.
Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Pocket Knife with Beechwood Handle
To start things off we have chosen the world-famous Opinel Pocket Knife which offers a very simple single blade design that has changed very little since it was first introduced in 1890. While some may not appreciate the simplicity of this knife, this is exactly what makes this knife so great and why it makes a great whittling knife.
The first thing to realize when considering Opinel knives is that Opinel actually makes several different versions of this pocket knife using numbers to denote the different versions. While the variations are very minor it is worth noting that in this review we are specifically referring to the number 9 version of the knife.
The number 9 Opinel Pocket Knife is a great all-around pocket knife for camping that has many great features including a fully locking blade, extremely hard and durable carbon steel blade, and a slightly contoured beechwood handle that gives the knife a timeless look and feel.
While this knife makes a great general purpose EDC or everyday carry knife around the campsite it’s also a more than capable whittling knife as you’ll see below.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- The carbon steel blade is extremely durable and sharp and takes and holds an edge very well making it great for carving and cutting softwoods.
- Thin and shorter blade length at 3.5 inches makes the blade very maneuverable when making intricate cuts.
- Ergonomic beechwood handle provides a comfortable and sure grip on the knife while whittling.
- Blade locking ring provides a fixed and sturdy blade you can trust while whittling.
Morakniv Wood Carving Junior 73/164 Knife
Another great knife for camping as well as whittling is the Morakniv Wood Carving Junior 73/164 fixed blade knife.
As with the Opinel brand, Morakniv is another knife brand that has a long and proud history of knife making as they have been making knives in Mora, Sweeden since 1891.
This fixed blade knife by Morakniv has a 3-inch carbon steel blade that uses a company secret hardening process that makes the blade extremely sharp as well as durable and comes with a protective sheath to store the knife in when not in use.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- Thin and short 3-inch carbon steel blade allows for intricate and detailed cuts when whittling.
- The fixed blade provides excellent rigidness and control for cuts while carving.
- Has a stout finger protection guard that prevents your hand from slipping down onto the blade.
- Short and rounded beechwood handle keeps the knife small and compact in your hand while whittling.
BeaverCraft Sloyd Knife C4s 3.14″ Wood Carving Sloyd Knife
BeaverCraft exclusively makes and is known for their quality sloyd knives or craft knives and are purpose-built for wood carving and whittling. And this particular sloyd wood carving knife is a prime example of not only their quality but also their commitment to wood carving and whittling knives.
Also, while this fixed blade knife by BeaverCraft was specifically designed and built for wood carving and whittling, it also makes a pretty good general purpose knife around the campsite for light work when needed which is why it made it on this list.
This quality fixed blade knife has a durable high-quality carbon steel blade, an ergonomically contoured handle, and a leather protective sheath while not in use.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- The thin pointed tip of the blade can be used for fine detail work and can be used in tight places while whittling.
- The rounded portion of the blade can be used to make rolled slicing cuts and allows for cutting in the hollow areas.
- Cabon steel blade provides a very durable as well as a sharp edge for cutting and carving.
- The ergonomic and contoured oak handle provides a very sure and comfortable grip while whittling.
- The fixed blade provides a very rigid and predictable blade for cuts and carving.
Old Timer 34OTB Middleman 5.6in S.S. Traditional Folding Knife
When you think of the traditional folding pocket knife, this is definitely the type of knife that comes to mind, as this classic three-blade design embodies old-world design and quality craftsmanship.
The Old Timer brand is actually made by Taylor Brands which is well known for its quality and well-made knives and also makes the Schrade, Uncle Henry, and Imperial brand knives.
While the Old Timer brand makes a lot of different versions of their knives this is one of our favorites for around the campsite due to its multi-blade configuration, rugged construction, high-quality materials, and compact design.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- Multi-blade design including spey blade, clip point blade, sheepsfoot blade ensuring you have just the right type of blade no matter what type of cut you are making.
- Uses a polished 9Cr18MoV high carbon steel for the blade which not only takes an edge well but maintains the edge for a long time, which provides a very sharp and durable blade for whittling.
- 2.4-inch blade length is small and compact enough for fine detail work when whittling.
- Classic heat-treated back springs keep the blade firmly in its fixed position allowing you to carve and cut with confidence.
Old Timer 24OT Splinter Carvin’ 6″ Folding Whittling Knife
If you’re looking for a knife that is more purpose-built for whittling and moves away from the general-purpose camp knife than this Old Timer 24OT Splinter Carvin’ knife should definitely be on your shortlist.
While most of the blades on this knife with the exception of perhaps the detail blade will not be very practical for general purpose cutting around the campsite, where this Old Timer knife really shines is when whittling thanks to its 6 blade configuration purpose-built for whittling.
This Old Timer 24OT Splinter Carvin’ knife is great for those campers that are looking to up their whittling and carving skills and need a whittling knife with more blade options for specialty and intricate cuts.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- Includes 6 different knives for whittling including a detail blade, straight gouge blade, hook blade, V scorp blade, gouge scorp blade, and a chisel blade allowing you to have just the right blade no matter what type of cut you are trying to make.
- 65Mn high carbon steel blades provide a very fine and sharp cutting surface for whittling.
- Secure heat springs ensure the blade stays locked in place to allow you to carve and make cuts with confidence.
- Compact design and size make it easy to maneuver while whittling.
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
This basic fixed blade knife by Morakniv is one of the most popular simple camp knives on the market today and has been for the last several years due to its cheap price and quality design.
While this knife is not the most robust or high-end knife as it doesn’t have a full tang nor does it usually particularly high-end materials, for a knife that usually costs less than $20 you really do get a lot of bang for your buck.
While this camp knife by Morakniv will not be able to perform as much fine detail whittling work like the Old Timer knife above that is specifically built for whittling, it is a great simple knife for when you are just getting started whittling. Also thanks to its more general-purpose fixed blade design it makes a great little basic knife to keep around the campsite for a variety of simple and lightweight jobs.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- The fixed blade design provides a rigid and predictable blade for whittling.
- 4.1-inch hardened Sandvik 12C27 high-quality Sweedish steel comes razor sharp right out of the box so it’s ready to go right when you get it.
- Stainless steel blade on this knife stays sharper for longer compared to a carbon steel blade allowing you to carve and make cuts for longer without having to sharpen the blade.
- The ergonomic textured grip is comfortable in the hand and provides a sure grip when making large or fine cuts.
Case XX WR Pocket Knife Amber Bone Medium Stockman
This Case XX WR Pocket Knife has a very similar look and feel when compared to the Old Timer 34OTB Middleman Knife from above and is just as practical around the campsite and for whittling.
Case is another knife maker with a long and proud history as they have been making knives in the USA since 1889, so you can definitely trust the quality and craftsmanship of these knives.
This versatile Case knife has a classic three-blade design, providing several different blade options depending on the type of cut you are trying to make. In addition, this knife has a very rugged design and feel and comes in a variety of different styles so your sure to find one that fits your particular tastes.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- Multi-blade design comes with three different blades including a clip blade, sheepfoot blade, and a spey blade allowing you to make a variety of different cuts while whittling.
- Secure springs keep the knife blade fixed in place while in use, providing a very safe and predictable knife blade while whittling.
- Small compact design allows for easy maneuverability when making cuts from different angles.
- Textured grip provides a very sure and safe grip while whittling.
Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, Tinker Pocket Knife
You can perhaps make the argument that no knife list is complete without referencing the iconic Swiss Army Knife.
And while the Swiss Army knife needs no introduction, as even the most novice of knife enthusiasts are aware of the history, quality, and versatility of a Swiss Army Knife, these types of knives might not come to mind when thinking about whittling knives.
However, in our opinion, this is an oversight as their famous versatile design which usually has multiple blades with varying cutting surfaces makes them an ideal camp knife for whittling or carving wood.
In addition, due to their multi-tool design, they are also super helpful and handy to have around the campsite for a variety of tasks and jobs.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- Multi-blade design provides several different types of blades in order to make a variety of different types of cuts.
- Quality construction guarantees a knife that you can rely on for years to come.
- Stainless steel blades provide a very durable and sharp edge for cutting.
- Compact blades and overall size allows for fine detail work when whittling.
Mastercarver Pocket Whittler II Folding Knife
One of the smallest and most compact whittling knives on this list is the Pocket Whittler II Folding Knife by Mastercarver which is only 3.75-inches when closed. But just because this knife is super small and compact doesn’t mean that it doesn’t make a convenient and useful camp knife or whittling knife.
In fact, one of the best things about a knife like this is that it is so small, making it easy to throw in your pocket and use it as an EDC or everyday care knife. Allowing you to always have a knife on you without adding a lot of weight or bulk to your pockets while camping or anywhere else.
Also, while Mastercarver might not have as a recognizable name brand such as Case or Morakniv in our opinion it still provides just as much quality and reliability as these more well-known knife brands.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- The compact size of this knife makes it extremely maneuverable when trying to get into those tight spaces or when making very fine or small cuts while whittling.
- This 1.75-inch 440C steel blade has a very sharp blade allowing for effortless cutting into softwoods. In addition, the V-shaped grind on this blade makes it super easy to sharpen when the blade becomes dull.
- Slightly contoured handle allows for a comfortable and reliable grip on the knife while whittling.
Whittler Red Bone Folding Knife 3.5″
Even though this Whittler Red Bone Folding Knife is last on this list of best-camping knives for whittling and is made in China we found it still provided a lot of quality for the price, usually only costing around $15. And made a great little knife to have around the campsite for camping and whittling alike.
To begin with, this classic folding knife has a multi-blade design including three different blades allowing you to make a variety of different types of cuts depending on the situation. In addition, while the materials did not appear to be the finest in quality the knife did seem to be well made, and the blades were razor-sharp right out of the box.
This folding pocket knife makes a great starter knife for whittling if you are working with a tight budget but still want a quality knife that you can rely on.
Why it’s Great for Whittling
- 3 bladed design allows for a variety of different cuts while whittling all with the same knife.
- Blades are very sharp allowing for easy cutting and carving into softwoods.
- Solid construction with secure springs provides a very stable and predictable cut while whittling.
- The small compact size makes the knife very maneuverable for fine detail work and small cuts.