If you’re looking for something challenging and adventurous, then rock climbing and mountain climbing might just be right for you. To be safe and efficient, you can carry the right equipment, such as a climbing knife.
Climbing knives are the new weapon of choice for climbers everywhere. They offer a unique way to quickly cut through rope or other climbing accessories, with the added benefit of minimal risk.
Climbers who go on rock climbing expeditions are exposed to challenging circumstances. Therefore, climbers need to possess various types of tools and equipment that can help them handle each scenario.
You should always carry a knife while climbing mountains for emergencies. It will be very useful when you get into trouble, and help you to rescue yourself.
The ultimate knife for climbers is the Climbing Knife. This one-of-a-kind tool has been designed to be used in a wide variety of outdoor sports like rock climbing, hiking, or any other adventure that involves the need for a multipurpose tool.
There is no doubt that the best climbing knife should be one that is suitable for all your activities and has the right features to make you more comfortable when you are in the mountains. You have the right to choose the best climbing knife, so start with our recommendations to find the best climbing knife for you.
Also read: The Best Mora knife can be used for many purposes outdoors such as skinning animals or even preparing food. Some people use this type of pocket knife to whittle wood to make tools like spoon handles, chopsticks or bows.
What are the best climbing knives?
Extremely Sharp
Spyderco Snap-It Salt Folding Knife
The knife is extremely sharp and is easy to open with one hand while climbing.
Best All-Round Climbing Knife
Edelrid Rope Tooth Climbing Knife
With its robust and practical design, the Edelrid Rope Tooth is a climbing knife that will keep you safe on your next climb.
Good Performance
Trango Piranha Climbing Knife
The smallest tool for climbers is the Trango Piranha, a keychain sized micro climbing tool. It’s perfect for climbing trips where just in case emergencies arise.
Great Value
PETZL Spatha Climbing Knife
A small, yet powerful knife that is the lightest, and also the largest non-micro knife, is the best choice for your cutting needs.
Very Affordable
Gerber Remix Knife
This is the best affordable climbing knife. It’s very durable, easy to carry, and corrosion-resistant.
So Powerful Rescue Knife
EDELRID Rescue Knife
This compact but very powerful rescue knife is a good companion for you if you have to defend yourself from a dangerous situation.
Very Lightweight
Spyderco RockJumper
This lightweight, versatile and reliable knife is the perfect outdoor companion.
Best Multi-Purpose Climbing Knife
Trango Shark Nut Tool and Climbing Knife
The Trago Shark is a multi-purpose tool. It’s the perfect combination of a nut driver and a locking knife. The ultimate combination climbing knife.
Great for Outdoor Activity
CRKT Jettison Climbing Knife
The CRKT Jettison Climbing Knife is designed for a variety of outdoor applications and it’s a must-have for any camping, hiking, or climbing enthusiast.
Most Durable Metals
CRKT NIAD Climbing Knife
The CRKT NIAD is built from the most durable metals around: titanium and stainless steel.
Our Top Choices
| Product | Our Rating | Preview | View |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 – Spyderco Snap-It Salt Folding Knife |
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#2 – Edelrid Rope Tooth Climbing Knife |
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#3 – Trango Piranha Climbing Knife |
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Read more: Top 10 Best Bushcraft Knife Under 100
What are the best climbing knives?
Our top picks, Here we made a list of the best climbing knife. We wish our this article will help you to find the best one for you.
Spyderco Snap-It Salt Folding Knife
The Spyderco SNAG-IT Salt is a knife you’ll want to rely on as it exceeds the expectations of even the most hardcore of climbers. It has a rust proof 2.96-inch steel blade that is attached to the handle with a simple clip.
This model of the Spyderco has a blade made of H1 steel, which is known to be the hardest stainless steel in the industry. It’s made from an alloy containing a combination of nitrogen and other elements, so it will never rust or corrode. The blade is 100% corrosion-proof.
You will love the ease of use of this knife! The knife is extremely sharp and is easy to open with one hand while climbing. It has a rounded hole in the blade so you can easily open it with just one hand. The serrated edge makes it easy to cut ropes and cords.
The snap shackle is attached to the knife handle at its pivot pin. This allows you to clip the knife to a carabiner or D-ring, and it also makes it easy to take the knife with you if you don’t have a sheath. It features a bright yellow handle made from fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN), a grip-enhancing material.
The locking mechanism is strong and will not come open without a little effort. The outer panels are textured, which help when wet.
Features
- Reliable High Performance
- Ultra Corrosion Resistant
- Enhance Safety
- Rustproof H-1 Steel
- A Secure Grip
Pros
- Grip even for a wet hand
- Fully serrated
- Easy to open with one hand
- Highly visible in dark due to colored handle
Cons
- Single-hand opening only for right-handers
Edelrid Rope Tooth Climbing Knife
Climbers love the Edelrid Rope Tooth. It’s a sturdy climbing knife that can be attached to your harness. The partially serrated locking blade and unique design make it a favorite among top climbers.
With its robust and practical design, the Edelrid Rope Tooth is a climbing knife that will keep you safe on your next climb. This combo blade length is just over three inches, so you can use this blade for more than just cutting.
The Edelrid Rope Tooth is the ideal knife for climbers. It is designed to cut rope or wire and it has a sturdy handle for strength and comfort.
This is a good climbing knife with a high-quality stainless steel blade that is ready to cut through anything you want.
The Rope Tooth is the perfect tool for anyone looking for a tool that saves time and effort. It automatically locks in place when it’s opened, and the design makes it easy to load and use. It’s also extremely convenient for everyday use.
This knife is easy to open with one hand, making it an excellent choice to use in any situation.
Features
- Stainless Steel
- Locking Blade Is Partly Serrated
- Sharp
- Large Swivel Hole
- Backpack With Carabiner
Pros
- Can be opened with just one hand
- Relatively lightweight
- Long blade for ease of use
- Good attachment point for a carabiner
- Blade locks into place upon opening
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons
- Durability concerns with plastic handle
- Somewhat bulky
Trango Piranha Climbing Knife
The smallest tool for climbers is the Trango Piranha, a keychain-sized micro climbing tool. It’s perfect for climbing trips where just in case emergencies arise.
The Piranha is a small but strong, vertical-field knife. It has a very sharp tip, and it’s easy to cut. It’s made from tough stainless steel, and the handle is shorter than most climbing knives. There’s a divot in the blade’s base that allows pinching while cutting, and it’s small enough to fit into a small backpack.
This knife is small and easy to carry. It can be clipped to your belt loop or carabiner, or you can carry it with a key ring or a chain. So you can carry it with you wherever you go. You can lock the blade and open it easily.
This knife is made from a single piece of 440C stainless steel and has a serrated 1-inch blade, which makes it good for cutting through clothing and other materials. Although it is bulky, it is suitable for an emergency.
The handle of this knife is also made of stainless steel, so it makes it slightly heavier, but that’s not noticeable.
The knife is a lot of fun and it’s the perfect size to carry on keychains. It also has a big carabiner hole making it very easy to attach the knife securely to a track bag, and since it’s small it’s much easier to hold in your hand with a glove on.
A good summertime knife should be small, compact, and versatile, such as the Piranha Knife. Its tiny size makes it easy to carry around, and its bottle opener helps you stay cool with some chilled drinks.
Features
- Small and Compact
- Purely Serrated
- Surgical quality 440-C stainless
- Easy to attach to a harness or keyring
Pros
- Ambidextrous
- Bottle opener included
- Affordable
- Super light
Cons
- Too small blade
PETZL Spatha Climbing Knife
This is an essential tool for climbing enthusiasts who are looking for an easy-to-use knife where a glove-friendly knife is needed. The design has been improved with new features such as a longer blade, lock, and cut-out for easier opening.
A small, yet powerful knife that is the lightest, and also the largest non-micro knife, is the best choice for your cutting needs. It has a long, stainless-steel blade, which can handle both a serrated and a fine edge. The clip point, along with the stainless steel, can make this a versatile, and versatile, cutting tool.
It has a user-friendly locking mechanism that lets you open the knife with bare hands. It has a textured wheel or notch that makes it easy to open with bare hands.
A nice feature of this knife is that the blade can be opened by twisting the handle to move the pivot. You can open the blade with your fingers without removing your glove. This is handy while wearing icy gloves.
For safe operation, the lock prevents the blade from opening, even under the highest pressure, which will avoid accidents.
Attach the knife to your backpack or belt by using a carabiner. The handle is textured to keep your hand from slipping when holding it.
Features
- Smooth and Serrated Combo Knife
- Easy To Open
- Safe and Secure
- Durable
Pros
- Locking mechanism is simple and effective
- Lightweight
- Easily clipped to harness with carabiner hole
- Easy to open with gloves on
- Affordable
- Combo blade is good for climbing purposes
Cons
- Non-metallic handle
- Some durability concerns with nylon handle
Gerber Remix Knife
Whether you plan to rock climb or to do a lot of other climbing, the Gerber Remix is the climbing knife for you. It features everything you need, and much more.
Designed for climbing, the Remix is built with the minimalist in mind. It’s simple, but functional.
This is the best affordable climbing knife. It’s very durable, easy to carry, and corrosion-resistant.
This folding knife has an ergonomically designed handle that allows for more robust performance and greater durability, every day, year after year.
The Gerber Remix Climbing Knife is a quick-access tool for the frequent climber. The circular handle on the Gerber Remix makes it easy to attach the knife to your harness and the high carbon stainless steel blade length of just over three inches will be useful for a variety of tasks.
Features
- Lightweight
- High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Corrosion Resistant
- Anodized Aluminum Handle
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable handle and blade materials
- Quality serrated edge for cutting difficult materials
- Convenient circular ring for carabiner clip
- Corrosion resistant blade metal
Cons
- Large blade is less compact
- Heavy
EDELRID Rescue Knife
The Edelrid Oasis Rescue/Rope Knife was designed specifically for canyoning. It’s a rescue and rope knife. It can cut through rope and webbing, and a retractable blade makes it a good tool to use when climbing or in other situations where you need to cut rope or webbing.
This compact but very powerful rescue knife is a good companion for you if you have to defend yourself from a dangerous situation. It has a simple harness holster, so it’s always ready to go when you need it most.
The compact holster will secure the knife while you are using it on a hard surface and make sure it’s available whenever you need it.
The knife is completely serrated and made with high-quality stainless steel. It also has a nice rubberized handle which makes the knife feel safe in your hands and gives you the grip required for chopping. It has a finger hole to ensure that the blade remains secure even if your hands are wet.
It has a rounded tip for added safety and an attached plastic holder that allows you to attach it to a belt or backpack.
Features
- Ergonomically-Shaped Handle
- Finger Hole for a Secure Grip
- Stainless Steel Serrated Blade
- Rounded Point for Additional Safety
- Robust Plastic Holder
Pros
- Serrated
- Blunt tip
- Ergonomic handle
- Friendly harness holster
- Affordable
Cons
- Plastic handle
Spyderco RockJumper
This lightweight, versatile and reliable knife is the perfect outdoor companion. This knife is designed to be used in outdoor settings where there’s a lot of walking. It has been specially designed to serve the needs of climbers, so it’s ideal for any climbing or outdoor enthusiast. RockJumper is an innovative product designed to fulfill the cutting needs of climbers.
The Spyderco is made in Japan and has many of the same features found in other Spyderco’s Japanese folders, Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) handle, a broad 3-inch long blade with a plain or serrated edge, a signature round hole, accessible signature round hole, and a robust back lock.
No matter the type of knife, whether serrated or plain edge, the blade is made using VG-10 stainless steel. It has a full-flat grind and is designed to be easy to sharpen.
These blades are designed for lasting reliability, and their sharp Wharncliffe shape contributes to the intense cutting power and dagger-like precision that they’re known for. They feature FRN (ferritic/martensitic) stainless-steel liners for the best grip in hand, and a sturdy back lock to enhance the strength of the blade. The blades also have a unique Bi-Directional Texture pattern finish, which ensures non-slip grip control for the user.
The knife is made of high-quality carbon steel and has a jumbo lanyard hole. It also has mounting holes on the handle for attaching it to your keychain or bag. It also comes with four-position clip attachments that make the knife very versatile for a variety of different functions.
Features
- Superior Blade Steel
- Reliable High Performance
- Light and Durable
- Easy To Carry
- Non-slip Grip
Pros
- Light
- Mid-sized
- Super sharp
- Solid lock
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Bit pricey
Trango Shark Nut Tool and Climbing Knife
The Trago Shark is a multi-purpose tool. It’s the perfect combination of a nut driver and a locking knife. The ultimate combination climbing knife. It’s the perfect piece for all of your rock climbing and alpine needs.
Trango’s new Shark is the ultimate multitasker. It’s part nut tool, part knife, and its integrated blade/nut design makes it a perfect tool for trad climbers. With this tool, you can trim down your rack, and ensure you always have the gear you need for that tricky project.
The serrated shark knife features surgical grade stainless steel that has been hardened to a 440-degree temper, giving it a sharp, durable edge for an exceptional cut that opens and closes with just one hand.
When clipped to a carabiner, the knife can’t open up on your harness, so you can’t be in danger of a knife accidentally opening up and slashing someone.
If you’re serious about climbing, the Trango Shark is for you. It’s small and light enough to carry in your pack, and will keep your hands free for other things.
Features
- Serrated Blade
- Locking Knife
- Nut Tool
- Surgical Quality 440-C Stainless Steel
- Opened and Closed With One Hand
Pros
- Affordable
- Multi-purpose design
- Knife blade can’t open when clipped with carabiner
- Relatively light for nut tool combination design
Cons
- Not very useful for sport climbers
- Blade is pretty small
CRKT Jettison Climbing Knife
The CRKT Jettison Climbing Knife is designed for a variety of outdoor applications and it’s a must-have for any camping, hiking, or climbing enthusiast.
It has razor-sharp blades and frame lock that make this EDC knife an indispensable addition to your collection.
The knife also has a frame locking mechanism to ensure safety and security while the knife is both closed and opened.
You can chop through ropes, slice veggies, and even slice bread without worry. The outstanding blade detail offers a sleek, straight edge that easily slices through surfaces.
The climbing knife’s handle is made of durable titanium and the blade is made of durable stainless steel, so the knife is safe and easy to use. It’s also very compact, making it a perfect companion for hiking or camping.
Features
- Useful Utility
- Exceptionally sharp edge blade detail
- Durable titanium handle
- Strong And Lightweight
- Brute Strength
Pros
- Extremely lightweight finish.
- Sheepsfoot blade shape provides cutting utility.
- Frame lock utilizes a thick lock bar to secure the blade.
- Large blade for medium-duty jobs.
- Excellent flip deployment.
- Easy to close with one hand.
- Flipper pocket knife.
Cons
- The blade needed some touch-up sharpening.
CRKT NIAD Climbing Knife
The CRKT NIAD was designed with the minimalist in mind, so that it can do only what it needs to do, get this knife down to an astronomically low weight, and be the stuff of a speed climber’s dream.
It’s made completely from durable titanium, making it tough enough to survive even the most extreme conditions. It’s a fast, super light knife.
You can’t beat the NIAD for portability, and it’s also lightweight, durable, and versatile. All of these words describe the CRKT NIAD knife.
The CRKT NIAD is built from the most durable metals around titanium and stainless steel. This all-metal folding knife weighs less than 17 grams, making it an easy carry for those who might be forgetful about carrying their knives around.
The CRKT NIAD is designed to be highly durable, with a 1.56-inch stainless steel blade with a three large serrated nook, making it one of the most versatile knives in its class.
Features
- Lightweight
- Titanium Handle
- Carabiner hole for attaching to harness
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight
- Durable titanium handle
- Combo edge for a variety of uses
- Frame locking mechanism for safety
Cons
- Small size makes it difficult to handle
Bayer’s Guide For Climbing Knife
It’s well-known that a knife is a versatile tool, and it can be used for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including outdoor activities like hiking, camping, kayaking, rock climbing, and caving.
Climbers need to bring along knives that can handle a wide variety of tasks, like cutting a stuck rope in a crack, cleaning up old tat at a rappel anchor, or cutting a piece of cord for a v-thread while ice climbing.
Climbers should choose purpose-built climbing knives, which are specially designed to be carried on a harness and cut climbing ropes. In a quest to find the best climbing knife, there are a few things to look for. These include the following salient features:
Handle Material:
When choosing the best rock climbing knife to purchase, you need to pay special attention to certain features. The handle material is a good example of such features.
Generally, the length of the blade determines the handle material. They are preferred for their lightweight finish, enhanced grip and are easily shaped to fit the desired shape.
Most climbing knives will have handles made from either plastic or metal. Metal is usually the most durable option, and while plastic is lighter it tends to get slippery and uncomfortable to hold on to.
If you don’t want to lose your grip, or if you’re planning on using a climbing knife for other activities besides just climbing, then you may want to opt for a metal handle.
Blade Length:
If you want a knife that you can easily carry on a climbing harness, then a smaller knife is definitely the way to go. The first thing most people notice about a climbing knife is its size.
Most climbing knives have a blade length of less than four inches, making them smaller and more compact than larger fixed blades. While this is an advantage for a lot of uses, it’s also why it’s important to choose the right climbing knife.
When it comes to cutting rope and cord, the smaller knives tend to be easier to handle because they’re generally smaller and easier to carry. They are also less likely to break during high-pressure use, so they can serve us well if we need to cut through rope or cord.
Size
The best rock climbing knife is one that’s foldable and significantly smaller, allowing you to keep it in your harness, in your bag, or in your pocket.
Weight
When selecting a climbing knife, consider its weight. If it weighs too much, it will affect your performance. Go for a climbing knife that weighs no more than three ounces.
Performance
This rock climbing knife should boast excellent performance. The best rock climbing knives should come with features that make them easier to use in a variety of circumstances.
They should be easy to use in both bare hand and glove conditions and be able to handle rain, snow, and wind as well as hot and cold environments. The best knife for you depends on what kind of work you do, what you want to accomplish with the knife, and what you need to do with it.
Blade Type:
There are many blade types like plain, serrated, combo edge (serrated-cum-plain), and serrated edge. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can pick the blade that’s right for you.
The plain blade is ideal for those who want to keep their blades sharp. For harder materials, like ropes and wood, a blade with a serrated or combo edge works best.
These are usually harder to sharpen. A good knife for cutting and working with hard materials includes both serrated and plain edges. To get even better performance from a knife, you should use a combo edge instead of a plain one, as this type offers the best of both serrated and plain edges. For climbing, the ideal choice is a knife with a serrated or combo edge.
Stainless-steel Blade :
The best climbing knife blades available today are made from stainless steel, a highly flexible material that works in almost any situation. These blades are considered the best for most climbing activities, from bouldering to ice climbing.
Stainless steel is one of the most popular choices for making climbing gear. However, stainless steel blades do have their drawbacks. For instance, they are harder to sharpen and are less corrosion resistant.
Blade Metal:
Not all pocket knives are made from the same materials, and even if they are, not all knives are equally strong and durable. Some pocket knives are made of steel while others are made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy.
Not all knives will cut like a surgeon’s scalpel but some pocket knives will have excellent knife sharpness and edge retention. Many knife manufactures are reluctant to provide consumers with clear information about their products.
So you have to do some homework before you make a purchase. The best type of climbing knife for beginners is an alloy steel blade because they are very easy to sharpen.
They’re also more durable than carbon steel blades. While products made with carbon are generally light weight (a plus in a climbing environment), carbon steel blades tend to chip and snap more easily than their stainless steel counterparts.
They can also corrode, but that’s true of any metal blade. Carbon steel blades do hold an edge well over time, but they’re not the best choice for climbers because of durability concerns.
Strong Handle:
If you’re planning on using a climbing knife, make sure the handle is of high quality and it’s designed for use while climbing. The material of the handle should be something that won’t slip easily even when you’re wet or cold.
However, it shouldn’t be too smooth either. Full-length knives are made of high-quality stainless steel that is strong and durable. Metal handles are preferred by those who want to carry them for longer periods.
Locking Mechanism:
A folding climbing knife is a handy tool, but it’s also dangerous. You have to keep the blade away from your hand so that you can’t close it on accident and hurt yourself. You need a durable lock, to keep the blade open when it’s not being used, and you need a strong blade that won’t break easily after some use.
Harness Attachment System:
What makes a climbing knife is its ability to easily attach to a climbing harness so that you can easily carry it en route. A good climbing knife will come with a small hole, allowing you to easily attach it to your harness using a small attachment cord.
Frequently Asked Questions For Climbing Knife (FAQ):
Why Do I Need A Rock Climbing Knife ?
There are many things you’ll need a climbing knife for if you’re going to be climbing, and one of those things is removing tape from your gloves. Your climbing knife can also clean away debris on your anchor, cut the cord for a V-thread, shorten your static ropes, open up your snacks, and more.
What makes a climbing knife different from an outdoor knife?
If you’re interested in a multipurpose knife for all your outdoor activities, then the climbing knife is the perfect knife for the job. Climbing and utility knife for rock, trail, and mountaineering that has been engineered to perform in adverse conditions.
It has an excellent quality build, and a sharp serrated edge that is ideal for cutting rope, wood, and other hard materials when you’re in the mountains or out on the trails.
How does a climbing knife differ from a standard outdoor knife?
Climbing knife is lightweight and has a secure blade with a serrated edge. It will attach to a climbing harness very easily. The features that make these knives unique from other knives.
Can I use my climbing knife in cases of rescue?
Yes, you can. When the worst case scenario does come up, it’s important that you have the training and experience to react calmly, so you can make the best decisions to tackle any unforeseen situation.
Is a folding climbing knife a better option than a fixed blade?
Yes, that’s an excellent idea. If you want a knife that you can lock securely, a folding knife is the perfect choice. While the fixed blade requires a sheath, which needs to be taped securely.
Can I get my climbing knife fastened on a harness?
Knives that are intended to be mounted to a person’s body by means of a clip or belt loop can also be mounted on a harness, making them easy to access.
Is it more beneficial to get a climbing knife with a combo edge?
If you’re looking for a versatile knife, a combo edge would be best for you. It has both smooth and serrated edges which lets you use it for different purposes like smearing avocados, cutting ropes, etc.
The best climbing knife is a tool that helps you to make your adventures easier and safer. It should be short and serrated, and made specifically to cut ropes and webbings.
Before you decide which one is the best, research as much as you can, and know what you are getting into. We have reviewed all of them to make sure you get everything you need to be able to do it.
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