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Knives have been a dependable tool dating back to prehistoric times and they are just as important, and vital today. The best survival knife will be the best companion, especially during outdoor activity.
There’s nothing like a tool that can help you build a fire, forage food, and keep you safe all at once. Fixed blade, drop point, leather sheath, ergonomics– there are various features to consider when purchasing your new, handy tool.
It’s no doubt that a survivor tool is a great thing to earn and carry on your person regularly, but with the many options of survival knives, especially if you’re new to the world of knives, it can be a challenge to figure out which one is best for you. Don’t worry, we’ve done the work and have listed the top survival knives on the market.
Our Top Pick
Fallkniven A1 Fixed Blade Knife
The Fallkniven A1 Fixed Blade Knife packs serious power while being easy to grip, easy to handle, and looks sleek. The Swedish company has produced many knives, which have been used by their airforce, with their laminate VG10 stainless steel and full tang. With rave reviews and a renowned name behind it, the A1 is a water-resistant, reliable tool certain to be there for you when you go into survival mode or simply, need to cut some branches.
Other Great Picks
Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty Knife
A simple, dependable survival knife, the Moraknic Companion Heavy Duty Knife is an affordable option that is highly trusted by professional outdoorsmen. Its large ergonomic handle with patterned TPE rubber handles easily and is impact-resistant, so you can use this tool comfortably. This knife by Moraknic has a 4.1 inch fixed-blade made with hardened Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel that is perfect for hunters, outdoor adventurers, and bushcrafters alike.
Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
If the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is trusted enough to be used by the airforce, we’re sure you’ll respond with the same amount of praise. Its design was geared toward cutting the fuselage of an aircraft to free a crew, and with its MOLLE compliant build for service members, it can take on tough tasks such as breaking glass, building outdoor shelter, or even catching dinner. It’s an affordable survival with toughness and price that speak to its recommendations.
Ka-Bar BK-10 Becker Crewman Fixed Blade Survival Knife
The Ka-Bar BK-10 Becker Crewman Fixed Blade Survival Knife has a front pocket sheath, Zytel handle, and is made with 1095 Cro-Van steel. It’s a durable knife that offers precise control and a healthy 5 ½ inch blade. Ka-Bar has become a respected name in the world of survival knives and their line is a perfect example of power through simplicity.
ESEE Laser Strike Fixed Blade Knife
The ESEE Laser Strike Fixed Blade Knife with Micarta handle has five stars across the board. Forge from 1095 carbon steel with anti-corrosion coating, the Laser Strike is a modest medium build but has enough blade and strength for outdoor emergencies, building essentials, or even, skinning an animal. The micarta handle provides ample comfort and we highly recommend knives with this material.
Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife
The Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife is an iconic tool carried by pilots for generations for dependable support and use. The 5-inch Parkerized blade, a carbon steel blade, has a convenient serrated top edge, sawteeth on the spine, and is held by a natural leather handle. With hundreds of great reviews on Amazon, this unique, classic knife will never leave you with a dull blade, can be used to hammer down a tent, and has an industrial age design that is useful and unforgettable.
Schrade SCHF9 High Carbon Steel Fixed Blade Knife
Schrade’s SCHF9 High Carbon Steel Fixed Blade Knife is perfect for camping and bushcraft with a meaty 6.4 inch blade and 12.1 inch overall length. This knife features a thermoplastic elastomer handle, convenient ballistic belt sheath, full tang design, lanyard hole, front quillon, thumb jimping, and finger choil makes it a knife designed for comfortable use and easy on-person access. In case of emergencies, take out your Schrade and you’ll get the help you need.
TOPS Knives Fieldcraft Fixed Blade Knife
TOPS Knives Fieldcraft Fixed Blade Knife was designed by wilderness professionals for the primary use of building shelters. This coalition, The Brothers of Bushcraft, have designed a knife that can take on any terrain or environment. Effective when it comes to woodwork and skinny, the Fieldcraft Fixed Blade Knife is made with a 90 degree sharpened spine and firesteel to take you to new places and help along the way.
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife
Gerber is a reliable brand when it comes to survival knives and the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife with Serrated Edge is a standout blade with unique support from the wilderness master, Bear Grylls. The stainless steel blade, which is also a drop point blade, is great for cutting rope and for edge retention. Not only does Gerber offer a Ferrocerium Rod Fire Starter, which is perfect for emergencies, but it is designed with a stainless steel pommel that can serve as a hammer or the like and comes with a nylon sheath that is lightweight and mildew resistant. With over 2,000 five-star reviews, we can certainly recommend this knife with the utmost confidence.
Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 Outdoor Survival Knife
The Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife is a highly recommended, rugged, beautiful knife with a modern build and fiberglass body. Crafted with USA made CPM-S30V steel, this is a versatile, good survival knife that should be added to any collection of outdoor tools. Benchmade is known for their EDC (everyday carry) products and has been producing quality steel blades with corrosion resistance.
What Is A Survival Knife?
A survival knife is a knife designed for surviving in the wilderness. It is an essential tool for a survival kit and is often used for essential building, carving, emergencies outdoors, and most survival situations. Survival knives are lightweight and come in various blade lengths, handle material, and blade material.
Because survival knives are used for a variety of activities such as skinning or cutting wood, they have a very sharp edge and sometimes, a serrated blade. Based on the brand and features, survival knives vary in knife design and blade shape. Most survival knives will come with a sheath such as a nylon sheath or Kydex sheath, which is used to protect and cover your knife when it is not in use. It is an essential survival tool.
What Types Of Survival Knives Are On The Market?
There are many types of survival knives that vary in shape, knife blade, blade steel, and its general purpose and design. Types of survival knives include boot knives, buck hunting knives, combat survival knives, folding knives, military survival knives, drop point knives, Rambo survival knives, fighting knives, bushcraft knives, hard use pocket knives, tactical knives, tanto knives, and ultimate survival knives. Survival knives have been around for decades and also have their own special history.
For instance, a military survival knife (like our Ka-Bar pick) is used by the U.S. Marine Corps as the official USMC fighting knife as well as Navy Seals, which use a SOG Navy Seal knife. A tanto knife is also known as a Japanese short sword and was popularized by Cold Steel. Some survival knives have serration, while others have a straight edge blade– the choice is yours.
What Are Survival Knives Used For?
A survival knife can be used for a myriad of outdoor activities and emergencies. They are the epitome of a multi-use tool with the simplicity and convenience of an everyday knife and come in handy more than you could imagine. Survival knives can be used for foraging vegetables or skinning game, batoning (splitting or cutting wood), making shelters, and building fires.
They can also replace everyday familiar tools such as a hammer, and can even be in assistance of crafting other tools in an emergency, such as a fire bow and drill. If entering peak survival mode, these amazing knives are also great when it comes to self-defense and weaponry. These survival blades have a cutting edge that certainly gets the job done, no matter what that may be.
What Is The Difference Between A Multi-Tool And A Survival Knife?
Survival knives and multi-tools are quite different, however, they both are extremely handy especially in outdoor environments. A multi-tool is a collection of various tools into one, so you are prepared for many different situations. Both are essential tools in a survival kit but serve different purposes.
Survival knives are lightweight while multi-tools are often a bit bulkier, but still compact. Multi-tools come with a small knife, but they are nowhere near as sharp and protective as a survival knife. Survival knives are powerful tools in and of themselves if used properly. If you need additional tools such as a can opener, screwdriver, or pliers, a multi-tool would be useful.
What Is A Fixed Blade?
As opposed to folding knives, a fixed blade knife has a blade that is fixed in place and cannot be moved or folded down. Fixed blade knives offer matchless durability and strength, which is why they are a preferred survival knife. A fixed blade runs through the entire handle so they are much stronger, and since the blade is always out, they are suited for quick survival in emergencies.
Most knives on our list are quality, fixed blade knives.
What Is A Bowie Knife?
A bowie knife is a type of fixed-blade fighting knife and is commonly used to refer to any large sheath knife with a crossguard and clip point. Bowie knives have a profound history in our culture but are not used as much as they were in the 19th century because of their large size and weight. Hunters and outdoorsmen prefer the convenience of a lightweight survival knife.
The concept and design of a bowie knife have since been made into a few variations of a survival knife.
How Do I Care For A Survival Knife?
Survival knives are built to last but caring for them properly will ensure long term quality. Gently clean your knife with soap and water and be sure to thoroughly dry your knife after cleaning.
Regular sharpening is also essential for a useful, sharp survival knife. A dull knife will result in a mishap and limits the knife’s ability. Investing in a good blade oil is also a great way to take care of your knife and avoid friction while preventing rust. Always use your knife properly so it can stay sharp, manageable, and ready for survival mode.
What Is Bushcraft?
Most survival knives are great for bushcraft. For those who are new to bushcraft, bushcraft is simply the wilderness survival skills for thriving in a natural environment. Acquiring skills such as firecraft, hunting, fishing, shelter building, foraging, rope work, and more are all under the bushcraft umbrella.
You’ll find bushcraft in the description and name of most survival knives since they are useful tools designed for bushcraft.
Full Tang Vs. Half Tang
You’ll find the word “tang” when researching survival knives. The tang is the part of the steel blade that extends into the handle of the knife (not to be mistaken with the actual cutting blade itself). A full tang extends from the blade through the handle to the tip of the handle.
A half tang is a tang that is only partially inserted into the grip or handle. An adhesive (usually epoxy) is used to hold the blade to the grip, while a full tang is seen throughout the anatomy of a full tang knife. Full tang knives are much stronger.
The Best Survival Knife
There you have it – our picks for the best survival knife. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, love camping, or want some extra protection, a survival knife is an amazing convenient tool.
We love their compact size, versatility, and durability. When it comes to creating a safe environment and being prepared for any emergency, a good survival knife is a necessity. If they are great for survivalists, they are great for those yearning to accomplish the same outdoor safety or merely to add to their survival kit.
There are a ton of great outdoor tools besides survival knives though – so be sure and take a look at our other reviews in the home and kitchen categories.