A climbing knife, more specifically a rock-climbing knife is easily one of the most useful tools to add to your climbing gears. Your vertical adventures are neither safe nor convenient without a proper climbing knife. You’ll find versatile use for them during adventures; their high functionality enables these blades to be utilized on not only climbing but also camping, hunting, fishing, etc. Such as cutting ropes, old or new webbing from rappel stations, preparing v-thread, sectioning bandages, or simply cutting food and fruits out in the wild.
There’s no telling what obstacle you might face, so it’s always wise to be prepared with the best climbing knife. In this article, we have gathered some of our most favorite climbing knives of this season. The models we’ve chosen are remarkable in the quality and functionality these are intended for, in addition to the extra features, i.e., compactness, locking mechanism & transportability, making them more versatile in application. We have also taken the price into account in consideration of the available features. So, without further ado, let’s start!
Top 5 Best Climbing Knife
| Product Name | Size | Weight | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETZL - Spatha, Knife with Carabiner Hole | 4 x 8 x 1 inches | 43 grams | BUY NOW |
| EDELRID Rope Tooth Knife | 5 x 1 x 0.5 inches | 60 grams | BUY NOW |
| CRKT Delilah's P.E.C.K. EDC Folding Pocket Knife | 4.75 x 1.5 x 1.25 inches | 25 grams | BUY NOW |
| TRANGO Piranha Knife | 7 x 5 x 1 inches | 49 grams | BUY NOW |
| Spyderco Snap-It Salt Folding Knife | 7 x 2.5 x 1 inches | 66 grams | BUY NOW |
| HX OUTDOORS - fixed blade knives | 10.94 x 3.54 x 1.69 inches | 816 grams | BUY NOW |
Best Climbing Knife You Can Buy
- PETZL Spatha Knife
This unit is can easily be your go-to knife whether you’re a rock or ice climber, camper, or hiker. The Spatha is packed with all the necessary features. It’s widely admired as even though it’s fairly on the larger side, it’s quite lightweight to carry.
The durable stainless steel blade is rustproof and weatherproof. The serrated blade features impressive sharpness, which can be put to versatile uses. Due to the blade holding an edge for a long time, you don’t need to deal with frequent resharpening sessions.
It’s equipped with a functional lock and a notch for easy opening. The large textured handle is comfortable to wield, even while wearing gloves. The lanyard hole allows the knife to be fastened with a harness securely.
Pros:
- Convenient shape & lightweight.
- Budget-friendly.
- Equipped with back-lock function.
- Opening to attach carabiners.
- Sharp combo blade with serrations.
Cons:
- Doesn’t support one-hand operation.
- EDELRID Rope Tooth Knife
The climbing knife from Edelrid can be a cool choice for bouldering, climbing, mountaineering, etc.; due to its long blade, it’s specially designed by climbers as well. The Rope tooth features a similar look to the previous product but is a tad heavier. You also get a carabiner hole to equip it with your gears or harness.
The 3-inches long partially serrated blade is made of high-grade stainless steel, so it’s resistant to all forms of corrosion, and it features a decent sharpness too. The rest of the construction is made of durable plastic; you can use the loophole to girth hitch the blade with a backpack, harness, etc. its affordability has also made it one of the most popular knives out there.
Pros:
- Long partly serrated blade.
- Equipped with a carabiner hole.
- Features locking of position.
- Conveniently lightweight.
Cons:
- Narrow opening for a carabiner.
- Difficult to open with gloves.
- CRKT Delilah’s P.E.C.K. Folding Pocket Knife
The Delilah’s P.E.C.K features a compact and durable body that’s designed to adapt perfectly to any adverse situation. The knife is made from 3Cr13 Stainless steel with efficient toughness, enabling it to tackle various unforeseen situations.
The closed length of this knife is 68 mm; the weight isn’t significant either, making it easy to carry around, so apart from rock climbing, you can also use it as an EDC. The blade measures about 49mm in length featuring a straight edge that sharpens easily and fast. While the silver bead blast finish helps to achieve a less reflective metal surface. It requires a straightforward upkeep routine; handwashing and storing after drying should take it a long way.
Pros:
- Slim and efficient design.
- Designed with a pocket clip.
- Allows locking blade.
- Covered by limited-time warranty.
Cons:
- Edges are not serrated.
- Needs sharpening often.
- TRANGO Piranha Knife
Staying true to its name, the Piranha knife from Trango is an outstanding tiny monster designed to take down any possible obstacle in your way. It packs almost everything in its small frame, featuring a carabiner hole that also works like a keychain.
The knife is about 6cm long, so it’s pretty small-scale. Constructed of 440C stainless steel, known for its superior hardness that features rugged and surgically sharp serrated edge. It also stays honed for a lengthier period, allowing you to spend the minimum amount of time in maintenance. Secure design is another plus side of this model; the blade is designed to stay closed when attached with a carabiner. The small handle of this micro-knife is designed ergonomically for comfort in wielding.
Pros:
- Single hand operation.
- Ultra-compact design.
- Safe and durable mechanism.
- Includes a bottle opener.
Cons:
- Too small to use with gloves.
- Spyderco Snap-It Salt Folding Knife
The Snap-it from Spyderco is the kind of blade you’d want to rely on in a tight spot. The model follows a well-thought design made from high-grade materials. The design ensures safety with back lock function, so it stays pinned to the intended position diminishing the chances of accidents.
The 2.96-inch-long serrated blade is constructed of H-1 steel known for excellent edge retention, so it will rarely need touch-ups. Resists corrosion like a pro; the strong blade doesn’t brittle and requires minimum maintenance. The trademark round hole in the blade ensures easy opening also reduces the weight. The textured Kraton handle provides an easy and non-slip grip; apart from a lanyard hole, it features D-ring on the other end to attach with harnesses.
Pros:
- High-end blade.
- Durable build.
- Ergonomic FRN handle.
- Functional locking mechanism.
Cons:
- HX OUTDOORS Fixed Blade Knives
This heavy-duty fixed blade from HX Outdoors can be your perfect companion for outdoor adventures. The 9.25-inch knife comes with a tough Oxford sheath for fastening in harnesses, tactical gears, and backpacks.
The knife features a 3.54-inch blade made from 440 stainless steel. That’s not only exceptionally sharp but also resilient to external force and is resistant to rusting. The blade offers 3 different sharp sections; a close-serrated notch blade, a cutting edge, and a hook blade. The G-10 ergonomic handle provides a textured surface that won’t slip out of the grip regardless of the situation. The lanyard hole ensures secure storage.
Pros:
- Full tang knife.
- Remarkable versatility.
- Titanium-coated sharp blade.
- Comfy anti-slipping handle.
- The package includes a quality nylon sheath.
Cons:
- Doesn’t come sharpened.
- Bit large to carry for some users.
FAQ
Q: Why do I need a climbing knife?
A: If you are climbing outdoors, having a knife in your kit can be something you’d be grateful for in the future. They come very handy in expeditions in the wilderness, be it in chores or emergencies.
Q: What makes a climbing knife different from an outdoor knife?
A: The climbing knife is designed with a sharp serrated edge with a compact and transportable build along with a much durable blade to withstand adverse environments that aren’t available in all outdoor knives.
Q: What warrants the use of a climbing knife?
A: Climbing knife is a specialized blade that is designed to meet all your needs. Just as you cannot head to alpine line or multi-pitch climbing without gearing up with a knife, whether it’s clearing worn-up webbing, unjamming the belay device, and all the other sort of required cutting, you can count on these.
Q: Can I use my climbing knife in cases of rescue?
A: You may lean on this option as a last resort. Therefore, receiving proper training before climbing outside is necessary to keep calm and make level-headed decisions to tackle any unforeseen situation.
Q: What else can I use my climbing knife for?
A: Because of its sturdy and sharp blade, the climbing knife can be put in tons of uses, chopping up food, gauges, clothes, wires, etc., anything you need to severe.
Q: Is it better to get a folding climbing knife?
A: It’s the most preferred version because of its compact body and safety in use. While the fixed blade needs a sheath that needs to be taped securely; so it doesn’t unlatch.
Q: Can I get my climbing knife fastened on a harness?
A: Knives that feature pocket clips by default can easily be mounted on a harness for easy accessibility.
Q: Can I turn my folding knife into a climbing knife?
A: Given that the folding knife is quality-grade, you can screw a clip to it if it doesn’t already have one, or you can use the lanyard hole.
Final Verdict
If you want to make your adventures treat you easier and safer, there’s no other way than to gear up for any possible mishaps. The best climbing knife is a step forward that way; before you choose the one to buy, thorough research about the product helps a lot. We have tried to present you all just that, an unbiased review of each knife that we deemed worthy of your investment. Make sure you go through all of them to ensure you’re missing nothing. Good Luck!