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Survival knives are an essential tool for anyone who spends time in the great outdoors. Whether you’re camping, hiking, hunting, or just exploring the wilderness, Finding the best survival knife is an essential part of enjoy.
However, with so many different types and models of survival knives available on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start when choosing the right one for your needs. This guide will introduce you to some of the best survival knives on the market and help you determine which one is best for your purpose. Our reviews of the best bushcraft knife will talk about the best features of camping and survival knives, allowing you to make an informed decision about the knife model you need for the type of camping you’re going to be doing.
What Should We Look For In A Good Survival Knives?
A survival knife is seen as your best lifeline in survival situations. You have the power to do many things when you have one. You need a good survival knife for cutting and slicing wood and string, drilling your way through nature, hunting prey and making traps, fending off threats and much more.
Fixed Knife
A fixed blade survival knife is the best type of knife for outdoor survival. While a folding knife has its own uses, when it comes to reliability, the knife should be strong and not have weak points. Even the best folding mechanisms can fail under extreme load, and you risk not only injuring yourself by cutting your hands/fingers, but also losing your most reliable survival tool. If you want a good survival knife, the first rule is to have a fixed blade structure.
Tang
Full Tang (One Piece) means that the blade extends from the tip to the bottom as a single piece of metal. Partial tang blades can break or loosen from the handle much more easily over time, using a loose blade can be extremely dangerous because it can break and hurt you at the most unexpected moment. There are several types of partial tang; half tang, mouse tail, push tang, partial tang, skeleton, shrinking tang. All of these should be avoided in a ‘survival knife’.
A good feature to look for in a Full Tang knife is that the back of the blade extends out from the grips. That way, you can use the back of your blade to strike/hammer or pierce the back of your blade with a wood or hammer without risk of damaging or breaking the grips.
Handle
A sturdy handle ensures the best use of your knife. No one wants the handle of their knife to break. Many options are available with a variety of materials. You should choose the handle of your knife correctly, considering the best option. If you are struggling under really difficult conditions, you have to choose the most suitable grip for it.
Suitable options for handle material are composite materials with high durability. For example, G-10 is the best handle material known for its exceptional durability, dimensional stability, electrical insulating property, excellent non-flammability, moisture resistance, anti-slip properties even when exposed to oil. Micarta and carbon fiber handles are also suitable options for the handle. On the other hand, rubber or injection handles should not be preferred as the handle material in a survival knife.
Blade Material
One of the most important features of the knife is the choice of metal. High Carbon and Stainless Steels are considered good choices depending on the condition and other characteristics of the blade. Each metal has a different optimum degree of hardness, and the degree of hardness of a blade varies depending on the metal. Generally, ratings between 58-64 HRC (Rockwell Hardness) are preferred for survival knives.
Blade length and Thickness
An important characteristic of a survival knife is blade length and overall length. These features of the knife make it easy to carry, prepare food, create shelter, etc. affects the variety of uses. Although different situations call for different sized blades, opinions gathered from survival experts are based on blade lengths of 10.5 cm – 16.5 cm (4.2” – 6.5”) and blade lengths 21.5 cm – 28 cm (8.5” – 11”) shows that it is practical to have a blade with an overall length.
The specific thickness range provides a durable, lifetime survival knife. Thicker blades are stronger and make cutting and batoning wood more effective. This feature is also important for power when using it as a lever tool when needed. You may experience breakage when doing heavy work with a very thin blade. On the other hand, a blade that is too thick will be heavy and can cause problems with detail work as well. Between 3.5 and 6 mm, it has ideal dimensions to see these processes.
Top 10 Survival Knives
GERBER LMF II Survival Knife
The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is a popular choice among survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts. The blade is 4.84 inches in length and 3/16 inches thick. The tang is a full tang and the blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel. Its sturdy construction and versatile features make it a great choice for anyone looking for a dependable survival knife.
[affiliatable id=’165167′]
ESEE-4 1095
The ESEE-4 1095 Carbon Steel is another popular survival knife that is well-suited to a variety of outdoor activities. The blade is a full tang, 4.5 inches in length and 0.188 inches thick. The handle is made from Micarta. Its durable construction and versatile features make it a great choice for anyone who spends time in the outdoors and needs a reliable tool for survival situations.
[affiliatable id=’165168′]
Morakniv Garberg Survival Knife (S)
The Morakniv Garberg Survival (S) Stainless Steel is an excellent choice for a high-quality and reliable survival knife. The blade is made from high-quality stainless steel, length is 4.3 inches and tang a is full tang. Its reliable construction, versatile features, and sharp blade make it a popular choice among survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
[affiliatable id=’165170′]
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife is an excellent choice for a high-quality and reliable survival knife. This knife features a 4.1-inch blade made from high-quality carbon steel, which is strong and durable. The handle is made from rubber. Its quality construction, comfortable grip, and versatile features make it well-suited to a variety of outdoor activities and survival situations.
[affiliatable id=’165171′]
Smith & Wesson Border Guard 10in
The Smith & Wesson Border Guard 10in is a fixed blade survival knife that offers a range of useful features for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists. The blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel, length is 5.5 inches and the tang is full tang. The knife also features a glass breaker pommel, which can be used to break car windows or other glass in emergency situations.
[affiliatable id=’165172′]
Ka-Bar Becker Knife
The Ka-Bar Becker Knife is a high-quality survival knife that is designed to handle tough outdoor and survival tasks. The blade is made from high-quality 1095 Cro-Van steel, length is 5.5 inches and the tang is a full tang. The knife features a lanyard hole for added convenience and versatility, and the spine of the blade is also specially designed to work with a fire starter, making it easier to start fires in emergency situations.
[affiliatable id=’165173′]
Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife
The Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S is a solid folding knife that is well-suited for survival situations. Its high-quality construction, lightweight design, and versatile features make it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists alike. However, it should be noted that folding knives may not be as strong or durable as fixed blade knives, and may not be as well-suited to heavy-duty tasks. Our detailed review article for The Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S.
[affiliatable id=’165174′]
SOG Fixed Blade Knives with Sheath – SEAL Pup Survival Knife
The SOG SEAL Pup Tactical Knife is a popular choice for those in need of a reliable and durable fixed blade knife for survival, hunting, or tactical purposes. The SOG SEAL Pup Tactical Knife features a 4.75-inch blade made from high-quality AUS-8 stainless steel. The knife also features a pommel with a lanyard hole, which can be used for various purposes, including as a glass breaker.
[affiliatable id=’165175′]
Cold Steel Recon Tanto Fixed Blade Knife
The Cold Steel Recon Tanto Fixed Blade Knife is a highly-rated and popular option for those in need of a durable and reliable knife for survival, hunting, and tactical situations. The blade of the Cold Steel Recon Tanto is made from high-quality Japanese AUS-8A stainless steel. The knife features a thumb rest on the blade for increased control and precision, as well as a lanyard hole in the handle for additional versatility.
[affiliatable id=’165176′]
SURVIVOR HK-106320-2 HK-106320 Series Fixed Blade
The SURVIVOR HK-106320-2 HK-106320 Series Fixed Blade is a solid choice for those in need of a budget-friendly survival knife. The knife features a serrated section on the spine of the blade, which can be useful for cutting through tougher materials such as rope and branches. Its combination of materials and features make it suitable for a range of survival tasks, but it may not hold up as well as higher-end knives in more extreme situations.
[affiliatable id=’165177′]
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