Fall is knife season. As the woods cool and hunting seasons open, blades slide into pockets, hang from belt loops, and live in pack pockets. A good knife is as essential to a successful field day as a sharp scope and stout boots — but not all knives are built the same. Below is a practical look at the main types of knives hunters and outdoorsmen reach for during autumn, plus notes on knives intended for personal protection and everyday carry. I’ll highlight options you can find through Midsouth Shooters Supply so you can pick gear that’s proven, affordable, and available.
Fixed-blade hunting knives — the hard workers
When you’re quartering a deer in a chilly stand of oaks, a sturdy fixed-blade is often the fastest, safest, and most reliable tool. Full-tang construction, a comfortable handle, and a blade steel that balances edge retention with ease of sharpening are the main considerations. Fixed blades come in many shapes — drop-point and clip-point for general work, skinner blades with broad bellies for clean skinning, and longer caping knives for precise trimming. A good sheath that keeps the blade secure and accessible is equally important.
Midsouth’s fixed-blade section carries options from established outdoor brands — Gerber, Cold Steel, Buck and others — covering budget-friendly work knives to premium hard-use models. If you want a rugged field knife you can trust for repetitive skinning and gutting work, look to full-tang fixed blades with simple, grippy handles and edge geometries built for slicing rather than stabbing.
The Roach Belly Fixed blade from Cold Steel
Folding knives — versatility and pocket convenience
Folding knives are the most common EDC (everyday carry) option because they balance compactness with utility. For hunting, a reliable lockback or liner/frame-lock folder with a 3–4 inch blade gives you fine control for caping, trimming, and camp chores while stowing safely when not in use. Stainless steels are common on folders because they resist the damp environment of a hunting pack; higher-end steels like S30V or S35VN give superior edge life at higher cost.
Midsouth’s folding-blade selection includes classic hunters like Buck’s 110 folder and modern tactical folders from brands such as Kershaw and Cold Steel. The Buck 110 Folding Hunter (the enduring classic) remains a favorite for outdoorsmen seeking a traditional, lockback folder with a clip point and comfortable handle. For lightweight, discreet carry, neck knives or small folding blades (like Cold Steel’s Mini Tac) are worth considering.
The Browning Joint Venture Sheep Bone Folding Knife Makes for the Perfect Pocket Knife
Skinning vs. general-purpose blades — know the difference
If you hunt big game, it’s worth carrying a purpose-built skinner in addition to a general-purpose fixed blade or folder. Skinners have a pronounced belly and a shorter cutting edge designed to follow the hide without puncturing organs. General-purpose knives (drop-point or straight-back) are better for heavier chopping, baton work, and campsite tasks. Consider which tasks you do most and let that drive your blade shape choice; many hunters carry a small skinner plus a chunkier fixed blade or sturdy folder for everything else.
Sharpeners, maintenance, and steels
A field knife is only useful if it’s sharp. Ceramic rods, pocket stones, and compact diamond sharpeners are cheap insurance and take up minimal space in the pack. Consider steel type — 420/420HC and 440C stainless are corrosion-resistant and easy to sharpen in the field, while higher-end steels keep an edge longer but may require more attention. Midsouth lists sharpeners and multi-tools alongside its knives so you can assemble a full maintenance kit before season.
This Cold Steel Knife Sharpener is a Simple Quick Tool for Keeping your Knives ready
Knives for personal protection — thoughtful choices, legal realities
Some hunters and outdoors people want a knife that can also serve for personal protection. If that’s a priority, train with whatever tool you choose and check your local carry laws — knives are regulated differently across states and even municipalities. For protection, choose a blade that deploys quickly, has a secure lock or fixed-blade security, and matches your ability to control it under stress. Many modern “tactical” or “defense” folders offer assisted opening or one-handed deployment and ergonomic handles for retention. But remember: a knife used for defense is a last-resort tool, and non-lethal options or avoidance are preferable in most situations.
The Mini Tac Tanto from Cold Steel can be warn around the neck
EDC and legal carry — decide before you leave the truck
Everyday-carry knives that double as good hunting helpers often fall into the pocketknife category: slip-joint or locking folders under legal length limits. Before walking to your stand, know whether your state allows automatic openings, assisted openers, or fixed blades in certain public places. A smart approach: choose a reliable, law-abiding folder for daily carry and stash a fixed blade in your pack for fieldwork where legal and appropriate.
