Ask a hunter or any outdoors man from another walk of life what their single most indispensable piece of equipment is and you probably won’t hear any wasted time in considering. Ask them what tool they lean on most heavily, which performs the highest number of odds and ends in service for them, and those people will likely give you the same answer. Sure, the hunt won’t take place at all without the hunters gun or bow, and no hunter wanders into the field without a reliable, preferably a well broken-in pair of boots, but you’re still likely to get one more or less universal answer to the question mentioned first.

Most hunters will testify solidly and unflinchingly that the most vital piece of equipment in their arsenal and the most central one is their knife - or their knives, as may be the case. In many ways, a trip into the backcountry leans heavily on the reliability and service of a good blade, and it certainly ends with it. From digging impromptu holes for stakes to cleaning out shooting lanes, splitting logs for fire, and every imaginable obstacle in between, a hunter reaches to his belt more than anywhere else to find a partner to help him get through. When the hunt is over, the work of the knife is more essential than ever in cleaning and quartering the harvest.

So for all of these reasons and yet more finer points, it’s essential to do your homework when looking to buy hunting knife to traverse the woods and fields with you. There are many excellent choices, proven by the time invested and accolades provided by seasoned hunters, and those in this list are only a few of many serviceable options.

One of the most recognizable models and one that has perhaps influenced design more than any other is the Buck 119. This knife needs perhaps no introduction, as it has been carried by generations of hunters and other outdoorsmen for generations. Nonetheless, its sturdy six-inch blade is capable of any task required when breaking down large game or skinning and cleaning more modest harvests. Its clipped point handles tasks requiring fine work with ease and its solid phenolic handle is comfortable and stable in the hand. Best of all, Buck guarantees their knives for life. For a classic piece, you simply can’t go wrong with this knife.

When you’re looking to buy hunting knife, another reliable choice is Gerber’s Moment. Though demur, this knife sports an absurdly strong 3.6-inch blade with a straight edge and drop point, and a full through tang apparelled handsomely and adequately with rubber overmolded nylon scales. This knife may be more modest than the 119, but it will not balk at any task and is a prime example of the kind of construction that knifemakers put into a design that is intended to weather hell and come out shining.

Another prime choice for those looking to buy hunting knife is the Schrade SCHF56 Frontier. Much like the Gerber Moment, this knife is a simple design that can absorb a ludicrous amount of abuse and continue to perform at peak. The blade is a hellaciously strong drop point of 1095 steel just under 3 and a half inches, and the full tang is equipped with slab TPE scales that are full, comfortable and literally indestructible. Schrade’s line of knives that includes this one is so robust that these blades can be used to baton through oak rounds and split them with ease while presenting only minor nicks and scratches as signs of their labor. There are axes that can’t quite do so much as that.

If you’re looking for a folding knife, then an excellent option is the CRKT Noma Compact. Though many prefer the stock and steadfast nature of a fixed blade, some prefer folders for their convenience, and this model is sure to please. With a strong lockback mechanism and a blade that is somewhat reminiscent of a skinner, this model will shine when put to the task of caping or gutting.

The next question is where can you find all of these models and countless more? At White Mountain Knives. Not only will you find the stellar examples aforementioned, but you’ll also find countless more examples of excellent hunting knives. Because White Mountain Knives maintains a web of vendor contacts, in the off chance you’re looking to buy hunting knife you don’t see listed, White Mountain Knives will more likely than not be able to find it for you. On top of their excellent selection, when you trust in White Mountain Knives to put a blade in your sheath, you’ll also get free shipping on all orders in the United States. So whether you’ve fallen for one of the beautiful specimens listed above or another equally formidable tool, White Mountain Knives is the place to find it.