When it comes to outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, or even in emergency situations, having a reliable best survival knife can make all the difference. A good survival knife is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of tasks, from cutting branches for a shelter to preparing food or protecting yourself from wildlife. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to find the best survival knife for your needs. In this complete guide, we will explore the key factors to consider when choosing a survival knife and review some of the top options available.
Top 10 Best Survival Knife
Now that we’ve covered the key factors to consider, let’s take a look at some of the top options for the best survival knife available on the market:
ESEE 6P-B Plain Edge Fixed Blade Survival Knife
Introducing the ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife – a cutting-edge companion for those who demand durability and versatility. Boasting an overall length of 11.75 inches, this modern-styled knife features a 6.50-inch 1095 Steel blade, ensuring sharpness and resilience. The Gray Micarta handle adds a touch of sophistication, while the Olive Drab Molded Polymer sheath enhances convenience and protection. With a removable special feature for adaptability, this ESEE knife comes in six variations, allowing users to choose the perfect blend of style and functionality. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a professional, the ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife is a statement of reliability and design excellence.
Pros:
- Removable Special Feature: The knife offers a removable feature for enhanced adaptability and maintenance.
- High Carbon Steel Blade: The 1095 steel construction ensures a sharp edge and resilience in various cutting tasks.
- Stylish Design: The modern aesthetic makes it not only a practical tool but also a visually appealing accessory.
- Versatility: With six variations available, users can choose the one that best fits their preferences and needs.
Cons:
- Hand Wash Only: Product care instructions specify hand wash only, which might be less convenient for those accustomed to machine-washable items.
Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife
Unleash the power of the Gerber Gear Strongarm, a formidable fixed blade tactical knife designed for the challenges of survival. With its sleek black handle, razor-sharp plain edge, and robust full-tang 420HC steel blade, this knife is not just a tool but a survival essential. The Strongarm ensures durability with its full-tang construction and ceramic blade coating, providing resistance against wear.
Its rubberized diamond texture grip offers a secure and comfortable hold, complemented by versatile mounting options – be it MOLLE, belt, or drop-leg fashion, thanks to the included 4 mounting pieces and sheath. For emergencies, the striking pommel lets you break through hard surfaces. Backed by Gerber’s commitment to quality, the Strongarm comes with a limited lifetime warranty, promising reliability and peace of mind for every adventure.
Pros:
- Durable Construction: The full-tang design ensures robustness and longevity, making it a dependable tool in various scenarios.
- Ceramic Blade Coating: The knife features a ceramic blade coating, enhancing durability and resistance to wear and tear.
- Secure Grip: The rubberized diamond texture grip provides a secure and comfortable hold, minimizing the risk of accidents.
- Versatile Mounting: With 4 mounting pieces and a versatile sheath, it offers multiple mounting options – MOLLE, belt, or in a drop-leg fashion.
- Emergency Striking Pommel: The survival tool includes a striking pommel for breaking through hard surfaces during emergencies.
- Gerber Guarantee: Backed by Gerber’s commitment to quality, the Strongarm comes with a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring peace of mind for users.
Cons:
- Price Point: The quality comes at a cost, making it a bit on the higher end compared to other survival knives.
- Weight: Some users may find it slightly heavier, especially if they prioritize lightweight gear.
Bushcraft Survival Knife – Your Essential Companion for Outdoor Adventures
Always be prepared for emergencies with this premium 9.37″ military knife featuring a razor-sharp 4.68″ D2 steel blade, ensuring effortless cutting through wood, paper, plastic, or aluminum without losing its edge. The smart design of the G10 camping knife handle, 1.4″ wide, provides maximum control and precision, boasting an anti-slip, easy-grip design for optimal functionality.
Keep your EDC knife secure in the Kydex sheath, equipped with an upgraded Tek Lok and a lanyard hole for easy belt attachment and safe carrying wherever your adventures take you. This full tang knife doesn’t just stop at cutting – it’s a complete survival kit. The included Flint Rod with a G10 handle and G10 Scraper helps you start a fire in nature, while the Allen Wrench ensures all attachments stay in place on the K-Sheath.
Pros:
- Versatile Cutting: The D2 steel blade effortlessly cuts through various materials, making it a reliable tool in diverse situations.
- Precision Control: The smart design of the wide G10 handle enhances control and precision during use, ensuring optimal functionality.
- Secure Carrying: The Kydex sheath with Tek Lok and lanyard hole allows for easy and secure belt attachment, providing convenient and safe carrying.
- Complete Survival Kit: The inclusion of a Flint Rod, G10 Scraper, and Allen Wrench transforms this knife into a comprehensive survival tool for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Ideal Gift: Packaged in an attractive gift box, this Bushcraft knife makes a memorable and thoughtful gift for campers, hunters, fishermen, or backpackers.
Cons:
- Specialized Use: While excellent for outdoor activities, the knife may be considered too specialized for everyday use.
- Color Preference: Limited color options might not cater to individuals with specific aesthetic preferences.
NedFoss Pocket Folding Knife DA75 – Your 3-in-1 Essential for Every Adventure
Crafted with precision and functionality in mind, the NedFoss Pocket Folding Knife DA75 is a high-quality companion for all your outdoor endeavors. The 8Cr14Mov blade boasts exceptional cutting performance and corrosion resistance, ensuring a sharp and robust tool for various situations. The drop point and black oxide-coated blade design add a touch of elegance to this carefully crafted folding knife.
Pros:
- Cutting Performance: The 8Cr14Mov blade delivers excellent cutting performance, making it a reliable tool in diverse situations.
- Ergonomic Design: The combination of G10 and aluminum handle ensures a comfortable grip, providing an ergonomic design for a pleasant user experience.
- Versatile Features: The aluminum handle includes a seatbelt cutter and glass breaker, essential tools for emergencies, offering quick and efficient solutions in critical situations.
- Convenient Carry: With a pocket clip for easy and quick access, this folding knife is ideal for everyday carry (EDC), ensuring you’re always prepared.
- Multi-Functional: Featuring a thumb stud opening, seatbelt cutter, and glass breaker, it serves as a versatile tool for survival, camping, hiking, fishing, and general utility purposes.
- Perfect Gift: Packaged as a perfect gift idea for both men and women, this pocket knife is an ideal choice for occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and Thanksgiving, catering to outdoor enthusiasts.
Cons:
- Specialized Use: While versatile, the knife may be more specialized for outdoor activities, limiting its everyday utility.
- Color Options: Limited color options might not cater to individuals with specific aesthetic preferences.
Gerber Gear Ultimate Survival Knife – All-in-One Solution for Outdoor Adventures
Crafted with precision and quality, the Gerber Gear Ultimate Survival Knife is a versatile companion designed to meet the challenges of the great outdoors. This exceptional knife features a half-serrated, drop-point blade for all-purpose use, ensuring you’re equipped for any task. The textured rubber grip provides a precise non-slip hold, complemented by a stainless steel hammer pommel, offering durability and functionality in one.
Pros:
- Multi-Functional Design: The half-serrated, drop-point blade, stainless steel hammer pommel, emergency whistle, sharpener, and fire starter make it an all-in-one solution for various survival situations.
- Durable Construction: Made from stainless steel, this knife stands the test of time, ensuring longevity in the face of challenging outdoor conditions.
- Textured Rubber Grip: The ergonomic handle with a textured rubber grip ensures a secure and non-slip hold, providing precision in every use.
- Versatile Sheath: The included durable sheath houses a sharpening stone and a ferrocerium rod, adding to the knife’s functionality and convenience.
- Convenient Size: With a 4.8″ blade length and 10″ overall length, this knife strikes a balance between portability and utility, making it suitable for various outdoor activities.
- Gerber Guarantee: Backed by the Gerber Guarantee, this knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty, offering peace of mind to users.
Cons:
- Weight: At 11.02 oz, some users might find it slightly heavier compared to other survival knives.
- Limited Color Options: The grey color might not cater to individuals with specific color preferences.
KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife
Embodying the epitome of iconic design, the KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife stands as the most famous fixed blade knife globally, trusted for its exceptional craftsmanship and reliability. Crafted with precision, this knife features a 7″ straight edge blade made from 1095 Cro-van steel, ensuring a durable and sharp cutting edge.
Pros:
- Legendary Design: Renowned as the most famous fixed blade knife design globally, the US Marine Corps Fighting Knife embodies a legacy of strength and precision.
- High-Quality Steel: The 1095 Cro-van steel construction ensures durability and sharpness, making it a reliable tool for various applications.
- Leather Handle: The knife boasts a leather handle, providing a comfortable and secure grip, enhancing user control and maneuverability.
- Made in the USA: Crafted with pride in the USA, this knife reflects a commitment to quality and American craftsmanship.
- Versatile Blade: The 7″ straight edge blade with a 20-degree edge angle is suitable for a wide range of tasks, from combat situations to everyday cutting needs.
Cons:
- Sheath Origin: While the knife is proudly made in the USA, it’s worth noting that the leather sheath is made in Mexico.
- Specialized Design: The knife’s design, although legendary, may be considered more specialized for military and combat applications.
Ottoza Handmade D2 Steel Tracker Knife – A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship
Ottoza Official Knives proudly presents this high-quality, handmade D2 steel full tang tracker knife, meticulously crafted for the true outdoor aficionado. The sharp and durable blade, preserved in oil for optimal storage conditions, measures 5 inches, complemented by a 5-inch handle and a total length of 10 inches. This versatile knife is not just a tool; it’s a complete solution designed for hunting, camping, tracking, and survival.
Pros:
- Exceptional Craftsmanship: Crafted from D2 steel, this tracker knife exhibits superior craftsmanship, ensuring a sharp and durable blade for a variety of outdoor activities.
- Multi-Purpose Design: Ideal as a hunting knife, camping companion, tracking tool, or survival essential, offering versatility for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Classic Wood Handle: The attention to detail in the classic wood handle enhances both aesthetics and functionality, providing a comfortable and secure grip for added safety during camping expeditions.
- Premium Leather Sheath: The top-grain leather knife sheath, handcrafted from hard cowhide, ensures durability and style. Designed for right-hand draw in a horizontal tracker style, it can be worn at the back of the belt as a scout carry, offering ease of access.
- Perfect Gift: Whether it’s for a hunter, family member, or best friend, this D2 steel knife makes an excellent choice for a camping gift, anniversary present, groomsman gift, or any special occasion.
Cons:
- Handle Color Variation: The natural material of the handle may lead to slight color variations.
- Accessories Not Included: The box does not include a sharpening stone or fire starter as depicted in the photo.
BPS Knives Adventurer – Your Ultimate Bushcraft Companion
The BPS Knives Adventurer is a Full Tang Bushcraft Knife designed for those who seek a reliable and sharp tool for their outdoor adventures. Crafted with precision and quality, this fixed-blade knife is made of high 1066 carbon steel, hardened to 56-57 HRC, ensuring a razor-sharp edge that holds well. The true scandi grind adds to its cutting prowess, making it ready for action right out of the box.
Pros:
- Sharp and Durable Blade: The carbon steel blade, with a true scandi grind, provides a sharp and durable edge, perfect for a variety of outdoor tasks.
- High-Quality Construction: Crafted with precision, the knife boasts a well-balanced design. The walnut wood handle, coated with Danish oil, ensures resistance to moisture and dirt, enhancing its longevity.
- Versatile Dimensions: With a total length of 10 inches and a weight of 5.7 oz (160 grams), the knife strikes a balance between portability and functionality. The leather sheath with a ferro rod, weighing 10.2 oz (290 grams) in total, offers safe and convenient carrying options.
Cons:
- Maintenance Required: The blade is coated with gun oil; users need to wipe it off before the first use. Being high carbon steel, it’s prone to rust, so proper care, rinsing, and drying are essential.
- Rust Sensitivity: The high carbon steel can rust if exposed to a nested environment; users need to be cautious about storage conditions.
Buck Knives 119 Special Fixed Blade Hunting Knife
The Buck Knives 119 Special stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship, featuring a razor-sharp 6″ 420HC steel blade renowned for its exceptional strength, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Designed for versatility, this blade excels in piercing, detail work, and precision cutting in tight spaces, making it a reliable companion for a range of outdoor activities.
Pros:
- Exceptional Blade Quality: The 420HC steel blade ensures razor-sharp performance, durability, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for various outdoor tasks.
- Comfortable Grip: The traditional black phenolic handle with palm swells offers a comfortable and secure grip, enhancing user control and minimizing fatigue during extended use.
- Balanced Design: The aluminum pommel/guard not only adds a touch of beauty but also contributes to the knife’s overall balance, ensuring ease of handling. The knife weighs 7.5 oz with an overall length of 10-1/2″.
- Durable and Versatile: Engineered to withstand tough conditions, the Buck 119 Special is a versatile tool suitable for hunting, camping, bushcrafting, fishing, hiking, and overlanding.
- Convenient Carry: The genuine high-quality leather sheath with a snap fastener provides secure and protective storage. The integrated belt loop allows for convenient and safe belt carry.
- Lifetime Warranty: Buck Knives stands by the integrity of its products, offering a lifetime warranty since 1902, emphasizing the enduring quality of this made-in-the-USA knife.
Cons:
- Imported Sheath: While the knife is proudly made in the USA, it’s worth noting that the sheath is imported.
Morakniv Carbon Steel Fixed-Blade Bushcraft Survival Knife
The Morakniv Carbon Steel Fixed-Blade Bushcraft Survival Knife is a robust and dependable tool designed for a variety of outdoor activities, including bushcraft, camping, backpacking, fishing, hiking, and survival scenarios. Boasting a premium 1/8-inch carbon steel blade with a protective Black DLC coating, this knife delivers strength, reliability, and resistance against rust, making it an ideal choice for all-weather use.
Pros:
- Premium Blade Quality: The 1/8-inch carbon steel blade ensures durability and reliability in various outdoor applications, offering an excellent cutting edge for bushcraft and survival tasks.
- Protective Coating: The Black DLC blade coating not only provides rust protection but also minimizes reflections, ensuring a discreet and low-profile presence in the field.
- High-Friction Handle: The ergonomic polymer handle with a soft friction grip and finger guard ensures a secure and comfortable hold, promoting safe and efficient use in all weather conditions.
- Easy Access Sheath: The easy-to-clean plastic sheath features a belt clip and loop for convenient access. The integrated fire starter and diamond sharpener add practicality to this all-in-one outdoor tool.
- Compact and Lightweight: With a blade length of 4.3 inches and a net weight of 5.4 ounces with the sheath, this knife is compact and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for those on the move.
Cons:
- Polymer Sheath: Some users might prefer a more traditional material for the sheath, but the polymer design contributes to ease of cleaning and durability.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Survival Knife
Before we dive into our top picks for the best survival knives, it’s essential to understand the key factors to consider when making your selection. Here are some important aspects to keep in mind:
Blade Material
The blade material is one of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a survival knife. High-quality steel such as carbon steel or stainless steel is generally preferred for its durability and resistance to corrosion. Carbon steel blades are known for their exceptional strength and edge retention, while stainless steel blades are easy to maintain and less prone to rust.
Blade Design
The blade design, including the shape and length, is another crucial aspect to consider. A versatile survival knife should have a strong, fixed blade with a length of 4-6 inches, allowing for a wide range of uses from chopping and slicing to detailed cutting tasks.
Handle
The handle of a survival knife should provide a secure and comfortable grip, especially in wet or cold conditions. Materials such as rubber, micarta, or textured metal are preferred for their non-slip properties and durability.
Tang
The tang refers to the portion of the blade that extends into the handle. A full tang, where the blade extends through the entire handle, is generally preferred for its superior strength and durability compared to partial tang or hidden tang designs.
Sheath
A high-quality sheath is essential for safely carrying and storing your survival knife. Look for a sheath made of durable materials such as Kydex or leather, with a secure retention system and multiple carry options such as belt loops or MOLLE compatibility.
Additional Features
Consider any additional features that may be important for your specific needs, such as a serrated edge, a pommel for hammering or glass-breaking, or a fire starter built into the handle.
Conclusion
Choosing the best survival knife is a crucial decision for anyone who spends time in the great outdoors or wants to be prepared for emergency situations. By considering factors such as blade material, design, handle, tang, sheath, and additional features, you can find a survival knife that meets your specific needs. The top picks we’ve reviewed, all offer exceptional quality and performance for a wide range of outdoor and survival tasks. No matter which option you choose, a high-quality survival knife is an essential tool that can provide confidence and security in any situation.
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