Mushroom Knives: The Complete Top 10
Mushrooms have delicate stems making the harvesting process complicated. Mushroom knives exist for this very reason; they are designed to slice mushroom stems neatly, and most are equipped with other secondary features such as brushes for easily cleaning away dust that might have been deposited on the mushroom. You might ask, why not just pluck the mushrooms from the ground, well that would ruin the delicate root-like fibers also known as mycelium from which a new mushroom can grow.
Not Much Time? Skip To What You'd Like To Learn...
-
Why Use A Mushroom Knife?
-
How To Use A Mushroom Knife
-
Considerations When Buying A Mushroom Knife
-
Top 10 Mushroom Knives
Why Use A Mushroom Knife?
The most obvious reason is to do a clean job, mushroom knives are equipped with a hawk-bill shaped blade that easily cuts through the stem instead of crushing it. This tool is also much safer to use while harvesting mushrooms compared to other knives. Mushroom knives are also equipped with a natural brush at the end of the handle letting you clean debris off the harvested mushrooms on the go
People also buy mushroom knives to add them to their survival gear, especially for morel hunting. While mushroom picking does require some learning having a mushroom knife will always come in handy as you will be able to harvest more, after all, dry mushrooms can still be stored in the pantry for future use.
For full information on how to store your mushrooms check out our article here.
How To Use A Mushroom Knife
Your Amazon Prime shipment just arrived, and now you can't wait to get chopping but hold on, how do you even use the damned knife? Well, the rule of the thumb does apply here if you already have some experience foraging for mushrooms then you will have no problem using a mushroom knife. That said here are some basic steps on how to use a mushroom knife:
-
Sharpen Knife - Before you get cutting ensure that your knife is sharp enough. This is because some companies ship their knives with a blunt edge. It's recommended using a whetstone to sharpen the blade as it offers a uniform job and is much safer to use.
-
Forage - Identify a fresh mushroom that's ready for harvest, carefully squeeze the stem between your thumb and the cutting edge of the knife. This produces a clean cut without having to apply too much pressure which would otherwise just smash the delicate stem.
-
Brush - Use the brush attached on the handle to lightly brush away any soil particles that might be clinging on to the mushroom.
-
Clean - Clean the knife and depending on the safety mechanism in place you can fold the blade and store away in your knife pouch (included in some models).
Considerations When Buying A Mushroom Knife
Before you settle on which mushroom knife to buy there are a few considerations you need to make. These include:
-
Brand - A brand's name says a lot about any item, always go for brands that have an online presence as its much easier to get actual customer feedback regarding such items.
-
Brush vs. No Brush - The majority of mushroom knives are equipped with a brush. However, there are a few models that lack this additional feature. This should always be a significant consideration as you will require to get a brush as an additional item if your knife of choice lacks one.
-
Length - When it comes to the length of the mushroom knife is always recommended to go with the most comfortable length depending on the size of your palm to avoid getting one that's not comfortable to use.
-
Material - Always go for long-lasting materials such as stainless-steel blades thereby avoiding having to deal with rusted blades.
-
Handle - The best mushroom knife should be equipped with a comfortable handle with a good grip. Always be on the lookout for the kind of material used to make the handle.
-
Warranty - It's recommended to go with a brand that offers warranty cover in case your knife doesn't live up to the expectations, or there are questions regarding its quality.
Top 10 Mushroom Knives
1. Classic Outdoors Folding Lock Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Hanziup
Price: $23.98
Material: Stainless steel blade, boar hair brush, and wooden handle
Overview:
Rated at 4.7 out of a possible five stars this happens to be the best-equipped mushroom knife on Amazon. The pocket-size design makes it easy to carry around, and the 5 ounces item weight will not even be noticeable. The bristle stiffness on the brush is more than enough to clean your mushrooms without causing any damage. The firm also includes a neoprene pouch for carrying the knife.
What We Liked:
-
The smooth color wood handle is not only grippy but also stylish
-
The blade is curved with the sharp edge being on the inner side making it safer to handle
-
The knife is shipped in a case along with a mushroom book making it an excellent gift for anyone intending to get into mushroom foraging
What We Disliked:
-
You will have to sharpen the knife as most of the customers did complain about receiving un-sharpened blades
-
The bristles might get slightly smooshed by the pouch, but they will still do a pleasant cleaning job
2. Maserin MAS806-BRK Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Maserin Knives
Price: $35.98
Material: Stainless blade, synthetic rosewood handle, and natural bristles
Overview:
The curved rosewood handle with Maserin logo and metric scale offers a sturdy grip as well as additional functionality. The knife features a hawkbill blade that's easy to use and sharpen and rust resistant. Other appliances include a pair of tweezers, an attachment clip, and a natural bristle brush. When closed the knife measures a mere 5 inches making it easy to carry around.
What We Liked:
-
The firm includes a pair of tweezers which will definitely come in handy when dealing with certain species of mushrooms
-
The metric scale on the handle is a nice addition for those of us who like to measure before cutting
What We Disliked:
-
The product contains some chemicals that require a legal disclaimer in the state of California due to the possibility of causing cancer
3. Royal7gifts Folding Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Royal7gifts
Price: $14.99
Material: Stainless steel, natural wood
Overview:
Royal7gifts is offering this package consisting of a pair of brand-new knives each equipped with a natural bristle brush, and a measuring rule inscribed on the side. The blade is made of anti-rust material and has a uniquely curved design for clean cuts. The blade folds easily for storage while the keychain attachment will come I handy if you want to carry the knife around with you. Royal7gifts offers this package in tow different size designs and also a selection of two colors.
What We Liked:
-
The firm is offering two knives for the price of one making this one of the best bargains in the market
-
The knife is available in two different sizes as well as colors for you to choose from
What We Disliked:
-
The bristles are made of acrylic instead of natural animal hair which is much smoother
4. Rough Ryder Mushroom Hunters Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Rough Ryder
Price: $9.68
Material: Stainless steel, synthetic hardwood handle, natural boar hair bristles
Overview:
This knife features a two 5/8-inch-long stainless-steel pruning blade that's designed explicitly for harvesting mushrooms. The handle has a silk-screened ruler and a stainless bolster. The natural boar hair will come in handy when you have to dust off your truffles. Other features include a lanyard hole on the spine for quick attachment to a key ring and a closed lock design for safe storage.
What We Liked:
-
The knife features a 440-steel blade that will maintain its sharpness over prolonged use
-
The natural boar hair bristles are sturdy enough for daily use without any noticeable wear and tear
What We Disliked:
-
This knife is made in China and has a rather generic build
5. RUN-snail Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: RUN-snail
Price: $7.99
Material: Stainless steel, hardwood handles, and natural bristles
Overview:
This knife represents the ultimate economy package, for less than $8 you get a curved stainless-steel blade that's not only rust resistant but also has a serrated outer edge which you can use to scrap and peel away the outer layer found on some mushrooms. The blade is foldable for safe storage while the handle is sturdy enough to withstand pressure. The knife features a silk-screened ruler on the front side which will come in handy when you want to take measurements. The handle is also equipped with a key chain for quick attachment.
What We Liked:
-
The blade is sharp enough that you can use it right off the box without having to sharpen it
-
The knife measures a modest 6.7 inches making it inconspicuous and can even be carried in your pocket
What We Disliked:
-
The keychain is rather flimsy, and customers have reported that it breaks off after numerous usage
6. Morakniv Karl Johan Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Morakniv
Price: $25.98
Material: Stainless steel, plastic sheath, and real horsehair
Overview:
The Morakniv Karl Johan mushroom knife features an ergonomically designed handle that is not only comfortable to handle but also easy to clean. Morakniv knives are made in Sweden thus guaranteeing European quality standards. The blade measures 24inches with a curved edge for clean cuts.
What We Liked:
-
The additional sheath serves to protect the user from the sharp blade during transport
-
Unlike other models, the brush on this knife is made of real horsehair which is much softer thus avoiding damaging the mushroom
What We Disliked:
-
The handle was rather short and might be uncomfortable for people with overly large hands
7. Opinel No 08 Mushroom Hunting Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Opinel
Price: $25.60
Material: Stainless steel, chromium, beech wood
Overview:
Opinel knives are made in France and incorporate a time-tested design that ensures that the knife is safe to use and also long-lasting. The knife features a Virobloc safety ring that locks the blade for safe transportation. The brush has natural bristles for all your mushroom cleaning needs while on the go.
What We Liked:
-
The additional safety measures introduced by the Virobloc safety ring make this knife a must have
-
The beech wood handle is not only easy to grip but has also been treated to ensure it can withstand the elements
What We Disliked:
-
Some customers complained about the blade getting stuck in the wooden handle after it got exposed to the rain
8. Balado Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Balado
Price: $15.51
Material: Stainless steel, synthetic handle
Overview:
This knife is made in China and features a curved stainless-steel blade that's easy to use. The handle is made of synthetic materials making it lightweight and firm.
What We Liked:
-
The blade is strikingly firm and will withstand prolonged usage without needing a replacement
What We Disliked:
-
The brush bristles are made of acrylic which hardens over time making it rougher
9. SagaForm Forest Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
[Currently Out Of Stock]
Brand: SagaForm
Price: $15.58
Material: Stainless steel, Hua Limo wood, and plant fibers
Overview:
SagaForm is a Swedish company with years of experience in the field of Pantry tools. Their mushroom knife is no exception and features high-quality handle made of Hua Limo wood and a brush made of plant fibers. The knife is shipped with a canvas case for secure storage and transportation.
What We Liked:
-
The knife comes with a canvas case with a loop for easy storage on your belt loop
What We Disliked:
-
The bristles usually wear off quickly
10. Hanziup Folding Mushroom Knife (Check The Latest Price Here)
Brand: Hanziup
Price: $26.98
Material: Stainless steel, boar hair, solid wood
Overview:
This knife packs a 3-inch stainless steel blade and a solid wood handle. The brush is made of boar hair with just the right stiffness for knocking off the dirt. The package also comes with a neoprene pouch to protect your knife.
What We Liked:
-
The brush is foldable for more accessible storage in the neoprene pouch
What We Disliked:
-
The handle gets loose over time which is a common complaint when it comes to foldable knives
Conclusion
Gone are the days when the only reliable source of mushrooms would have involved going to the grocery store. With a well-equipped mushroom knife, you could well be on your way to forage for fresh ones from the nearby bushes. If you are in the market for a mushroom knife, then this guide is essential.
Other Articles You'll Love...
Top 10 Mushroom Growing Kits
Top 10 Bread Slicers
Top 10 Bread Lames