Ozark Trail Knife

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing an Ozark Trail Knife

If you’re in the market for a new knife, you may have come across the Ozark Trail brand. As Walmart’s in-house brand for outdoor gear and equipment, Ozark Trail aims to provide quality and performance at an affordable price point. But are Ozark Trail knives any good? And what do you need to know before buying one?

In this comprehensive buying guide, we’ll give you the rundown on Ozark Trail knives – from materials and construction to performance and price. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the best Ozark Trail knife for your needs and compare them to other popular knife brands on the market. Let’s dive in!

What are the Best Ozark Trail Knives for Camping and Outdoor Use?

Ozark Trail offers a wide selection of fixed blade and folding knives suited for camping, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Some of their most popular models include:

• Ozark Trail 3-Piece Knife Set – Includes a 6.5” clip point bowie knife, 4.75” drop point skinner, and 3.25” gut hook knife. Good general purpose camping/hunting set.
• Ozark Trail Eagle Talon Fixed Blade – Features a 6.5” stainless steel blade and textured TPR handle. Durable mid-sized outdoor knife.
• Ozark Trail Folding Pocket Knife – Compact 3” drop point blade and aluminum handle. Convenient everyday carry knife.
• Ozark Trail Multi Tool Pocket Knife – Contains 12 tools including a 3” knife blade, scissors, bottle opener, and screwdriver. Versatile for camping and hiking.
• Ozark Trail Hawkbill Knife – 3.5” hawkbill blade ideal for fishing tasks like cleaning and filleting fish.

How Does the Quality Compare to Other Knife Brands?

It’s no secret that Ozark Trail products are affordably priced compared to premium outdoor brands. However, their knives offer reliable performance and quality for the low cost. The materials and construction may not be top-tier, but they use decent stainless steel blades and durable handles capable of withstanding outdoor use.

When compared to other budget-friendly knife brands like Morakniv, Ozark Trail models are quite comparable in terms of build quality, sharpness, and versatility. They may not stand up to heavy duty use as well as higher end knives from Benchmade or Spyderco. But for typical camping, hunting, and everyday tasks, Ozark Trail knives deliver plenty of value.

What Materials are Used to Make Ozark Trail Knives?

Here’s an overview of the common materials used for Ozark Trail knives:

• Blade Steel – Most Ozark Trail knives use stainless steel blades, typically in the 420 to 440 range. This provides decent corrosion resistance and edge retention for the price.
• Handles – Handles are usually made of materials like plastic, rubber, aluminum, or wood. Some higher end models may use materials like micarta or leather.
• Sheaths – Leather or nylon sheaths are included with fixed blade Ozark Trail knives. Pocket clips are attached to some folding knives.

You can occasionally find D2 or 1095 high carbon steel on higher end Ozark Trail knives. But most models use standard budget stainless steel. This keeps costs down while still offering good performance.

Are Ozark Trail Knives Durable?

For a discount brand, Ozark Trail knives offer respectable durability and longevity. The stainless steel blades resist corrosion and maintain their edge better than lower quality carbon steel. And while the handle materials may not be premium, they can withstand impact and wear during outdoor use.

One advantage of Ozark Trail is that defective or damaged knives can easily be returned or replaced under Walmart’s warranty policy. So you’re covered even if you get a knife that underperforms or breaks. Overall, Ozark Trail knives may not match the lifespan of a high-end knife. But they can reliably handle camping, hunting, and EDC needs on a budget.

Where Can I Buy Ozark Trail Knives Online?

Ozark Trail knives and accessories are primarily sold at Walmart stores. But you can also conveniently purchase them online at:

• Walmart.com – Large selection of Ozark Trail knives available to ship or pick up in store.
• Amazon.com – Many popular Ozark Trail knife models available for purchase.

Walmart tends to have the biggest inventory and regularly runs sales on Ozark Trail products. Make sure to compare prices at different retailers to find the best deals. Amazon also stocks knives and accessories from the Ozark Trail line.

What Are Some of the Most Popular Ozark Trail Knife Models?

Here are 5 of the best-selling and top-rated Ozark Trail knives that outdoor enthusiasts love:

1. Ozark Trail Eagle Talon Fixed Blade Knife – Features a 6.5″ stainless steel clip point blade and TPR handle with finger grooves. Durable mid-sized outdoor and hunting knife.
2. Ozark Trail Folding Pocket Knife – Compact 3″ drop point folding knife with aluminum handle and pocket clip. Great for everyday carry.
3. Ozark Trail Multi Tool Pocket Knife – Contains 12 handy tools in one knife including a 3″ blade, scissors, bottle opener, awl and more.
4. Ozark Trail Paracord Knife – Fixed blade knife with bright orange paracord wrapped handle. Includes fire starter rod in the handle.
5. Ozark Trail Hawkbill Fishing Knife – 3.5″ hawkbill blade shaped perfectly for fishing tasks like cleaning and filleting.

How Do You Sharpen an Ozark Trail Knife?

Ozark Trail knives can be sharpened using these methods:

• Use a whetstone – Soak stone in water and rub knife blade back and forth using the 20 to 30 degree angle as a guide.
• Electric sharpener – Pull knife blade through sharpener slot at proper angle a few times on each side of the blade.
• Diamond sharpening rod – Gently pull edge of the knife down length of rod using the angle of the existing edge as a guide.
• Arkansas stone – Use water or honing oil and sharpen using circular motions, alternating sides of the blade.

Go slowly and be careful not to overheat budget stainless steel blades while sharpening. Leather strops or ceramic honing rods can be used to maintain the edge between sharpenings.

Are Ozark Trail Knives Good for Survival Situations?

While they may not offer the quality of more expensive specialized survival knives, Ozark Trail knives can serve basic survival needs. Their stainless steel blades retain an edge and won’t corrode as easily as plain carbon steel. The full tang construction and textured handles also provide a solid grip for tasks like shelter building, fire starting, and food prep.

Smaller Ozark Trail pocket knives and multi-tools are convenient for keeping in a bug out bag or survival kit. The cheaper price makes it easier to have backups on hand as well. However, the budget materials may not hold up to heavy duty long term survival use as well as more ruggedly built knives.

What Sizes Do Ozark Trail Knives Come In?

Ozark Trail offers a range of knife sizes:

• Small pocket knives – 2 to 3.5 inches closed
• Medium pocket knives – 3.5 to 4.5 inches closed
• Large pocket knives – 4.5 to 5.5 inches closed
• Fixed blade knives – 4 to 12 inches overall

Their folding pocket knives and multi-tools are very compact and portable for EDC. The fixed blade knives come in mid-range sizes optimal for outdoor activities as well as large bowie knife designs.

What is the Price Range for Ozark Trail Knives?

One of the biggest appeals of Ozark Trail is the very affordable pricing. Here are the typical prices:

• Basic folding pocket knives – $5 to $15
• Multi-tools and tactical folding knives – $15 to $30
• Fixed blade hunting/camp knives – $15 to $40
• Large fixed blade bowie knives – $40 to $80

Higher end models with premium steel and handle upgrades can reach around $100. But most standard Ozark Trail knives are very budget-friendly, even those meant for outdoor and survival use. This makes them accessible options for campers, preppers, and anyone wanting a beater knife.

How Do Ozark Trail Knives Perform for Fishing, Hunting & Outdoor Tasks?

While they may not be the top choice of hardcore outdoorsmen, Ozark Trail knives can certainly get the job done for camping, fishing, and hunting. Their stainless steel blades retain an edge through light to medium duty tasks like:

• Field dressing game
• Cleaning/filleting fish
• Chopping branches/firewood
• Building makeshift shelters
• Stripping bark/whittling wood

Some Ozark Trail models designed for fishing and hunting even have blades tailored for those specific tasks. For the very affordable price point, they perform reliably for most outdoor activities short of heavy duty survival use.

What Do Customers Say in Ozark Trail Knife Reviews?

Here are some common thoughts from Ozark Trail knife reviews:

• They offer great bang for your buck if you don’t want to spend a lot on a knife.
• Very budget friendly prices make them excellent beater knives.
• Blades hold an edge adequately for light camping/hunting use.
• Steel quality and edge retention exceeds expectations for the low price.
• Not as durable or high-performing as pricier knife brands.
• Larger models provide a solid grip and balance for outdoor tasks.

Overall, lots of reviewers are pleasantly surprised at how suitable Ozark Trail knives are for occasional outdoor use given the super cheap prices. They acknowledge you get what you pay for, but say the value is outstanding.

Do Ozark Trail Knives Come with a Sheath?

The majority of fixed blade Ozark Trail knives come with a belt sheath for securing the knife when not in use. The sheaths are made from either:

• Nylon
• Polyester
• Leather

Polyester and nylon sheaths are the most common. Higher end models may come with leather sheaths. Folding pocket knives and multi tools often have a pocket clip instead of a sheath. But the larger fixed blade knives intended for hunting and camping generally include a sheath.

How Should You Maintain and Care For an Ozark Trail Knife?

Taking care of your Ozark Trail knife properly will help extend its usability. Recommended maintenance tips include:

• Wash knife and sheath after use, don’t let blood or debris dry on.
• Oil blade with mineral oil if storing long term.
• Avoid cutting into hard surfaces that will dent/chip blade.
• Sharpen blade before it gets fully dull for easiest sharpening.
• Use quality sharpening tools like whetstones or diamond rods.
• Inspect knife for damage after heavy use.
• Clean handle as needed, re-oil wood handles.
• Have loose screws/fittings tightened as required.

While Ozark Trail knives are designed to be budget-friendly, taking care of them will help enhance their durability and lifespan. Avoid letting sap, dirt or moisture linger on the blade or handle.

What Accessories Are Available For Ozark Trail Knives?

Ozark Trail offers a small selection of accessories for their knives including:

• Replacement sheaths – Nylon or polyester replacement sheaths available for many models.
• Sharpeners – Compact diamond sharpeners and whetstones.
• Firestarter rods – Screw-in firestarter rods that fit in certain knife handles.
• Paracord – Can be wrapped around handles for more grip.
• Cleaning kits – For removing debris and oiling blades.

You can also find universal knife accessories like sharpening systems, survival kits, and paracord that will work with Ozark Trail models even if not branded. Customized kydex sheaths are available from third party sellers too.

Where Can I Find Discounts or Sales on Ozark Trail Knives?

As a Walmart brand, the best discounts and deals on Ozark Trail knives are often at Walmart. Some money-saving tips include:

• Check online and in-store for Walmart’s regular rollbacks on Ozark Trail knives.
• Look for Ozark Trail knives in the bargain bins or clearance sections in stores for deeply reduced prices.
• Shop during the holiday sales events where Ozark Trail knives are often discounted further.
• Take advantage of Walmart’s price match guarantee if you find it cheaper elsewhere.

Signing up for the Walmart+ membership program can also give access to special prices. And you may find some discounts buying Ozark Trail knives through third party Amazon or eBay sellers.

What Types of Handles Are Available on Ozark Trail Knives?

Ozark Trail uses several handle materials on both their folding and fixed blade knives:

• Rubber – Provides excellent grip, especially when wet.
• Plastic – Affordable and durable, comes in various colors.
• Aluminum – Lightweight metal handles, sometimes textured for grip.
• Wood – Attractive and traditional, requires occasional oiling.
• Paracord – Wrapped handles great for emergency situations.

Lower priced Ozark Trail pocket knives tend to have plastic or rubber handles. The fixed blade models often have textured rubber, plastic, or paracord handles best suited for outdoor activities.

What Are the Pros of Buying Ozark Trail Knives?

Here are some of the advantages of choosing Ozark Trail knives over other brands:

• Affordable – Exponentially cheaper than premium outdoor knife brands.
• Wide variety – Broad range of folding and fixed blade styles and sizes.
• Easy returns – Any defects or issues can be returned/exchanged at Walmart.
• Sturdy – Durable enough for light to moderate outdoor use.
• Holds an edge – Decent edge retention for budget stainless steel.

If you want a cheap beater knife or don’t want to spend big bucks testing out different styles, Ozark Trail is a solid budget choice to consider.

How Sharp Are Ozark Trail Knives Out of The Packaging?

The factory edge on new Ozark Trail knives is reasonably sharp out of the box but not extremely fine. It’s enough to slice through cord, open packages, and make feathersticks and tinder. But you may want to polish the edge a bit more with a stone or ceramic rod for certain tasks.

Their stainless steel blades are unlikely to be shaving sharp like higher end knife steel can get. However, Ozark Trail knives can still get most light cutting jobs done unless you need extreme precision. And a quick sharpen makes them much improved if the factory edge seems overly dull.

The Bottom Line

For the incredibly budget-friendly price, Ozark Trail knives deliver decent quality and performance for outdoor enthusiasts. The materials may not stand up to serious abuse like more costly options. But they are plenty capable for typical camping, hunting and EDC needs. And the variety of styles available makes it easy to find the right Ozark Trail knife suited for the job.

While not on par with premium brands, Ozark Trail knives far exceed expectations considering the wallet-friendly price tags. Their affordable prices and availability at Walmart makes them great value options for those wanting a beater knife or don’t need perfection. All in all, Ozark Trail knives can be a practical choice for value seekers not wanting to break the bank.