Featured Image: Pixabay
Human life, before the invention of the knife, is nearly unimaginable. Can you envision shaving meat from the bone with a stone? Or, relying on your teeth and nails to slice through fruit rinds and plant fibers? The knife has been a key part of human survival from prehistory to the present. Today, many options for a survival knife exist, and it is our goal to determine which is the best survival knife on the market.
You may be a huntsman, a boy scout, an adventurer, or simply someone who likes to rely on their own tools. In any case, a survival knife is an essential tool, capable of performing nearly too many tasks to count. This guide will provide you with the criteria you need to evaluate which is the best survival knife for you.
We'll present you with these criteria and our favorite knives on the market today, but first, it is necessary to ask some of the most frequently asked questions about how to identify the best survival knife.
Comparison Table
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Product FAQ
1. What Is a Survival Knife?
2. What Can a Survival Knife Do?
3. Can You Fly with a Survival Knife?
4. What Features Make the Best Survival Knife?
How We Reviewed
Image source: Pixabay
When it comes to survival, there's no joking around. That's why we evaluated our top picks in terms of their Tang, Handle Material, Sheath, Blade Material, and Blade Length. Additionally, we discuss each of their features, their pros, their cons, their price, and where to find them. The best survival knife needs to shine in all these categories.
Overall Price Range
You can expect to pay between $20 and $200 to secure a candidate for a best survival knife. Material and additional features heavily influence this price range.
What We Reviewed
Fallkniven A1bL A1 Knife
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Features
A handsome, all black knife with a full tang, the Fallkniven looks like it could come straight out of a gritty action movie or a ninja's arsenal. The knife offers excellent chopping while still being able to handle daily cutting tasks. We loved the ergonomic grip that made all its tasks easy to accomplish. Plus, this model comes with a sheath that can be fastened in multiple ways. With this Fallkniven model, you can attach your knife to your belt or pack easily and even upside down if you prefer.
Pros
Cons
Price
$$$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Kraton
Sheath Included?
Yes, one that offers a lot of variety.
Blade Material
Iam.Vg10
Blade Length
About 6.3 inches
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife
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Features
Is there a more famous survivalist than Bear Grylls? This Gerber candidate for best survival knife has Mr. Grylls's endorsement. Uniquely orange and black for easy identification without sacrificing aesthetics, this knife comes in as one of the cheaper options for a survival tool. Plus, it comes with a built-in fire starter rod and an emergency whistle in case you really get yourself stranded and aren't keen on things like eating snakes to survive like the famous Bear.
Pros
Cons
Price
$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Textured rubber
Sheath Included?
Yes, a waterproof sheath with a fire starter rod
Blade Material
Premium 9CR19MoV stainless steel
Blade Length
4.8 inches
Schrade SCHF9N Extreme Survival Knife
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Features
This is perhaps the most attractive candidate for the best survival knife. The Schrade cuts its silhouette out of a textured black that looks both ancient (like obsidian) and futuristic (like molded nano-carbon). Although cheaper than many options, this knife is more oriented to the hardcore crowd than the casual. This knife includes a fire starter and can be carried in multiple ways.
Pros
Cons
Price
$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
G-10
Sheath Included?
Yes
Blade Material
65Mn High Carbon Steel
Blade Length
3.8 inches
Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion Knife
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Features
This is a mid-price survival knife that does a lot correctly. The Becker Companion Knife comes with a heavy duty front pouch sheath. We liked the all black look that doesn't necessarily stand out from the competition, but looks great in and of itself. The over five-inch blade sets it apart from some of the more compact models we have listed. The best endorsement for this knife is that it is officially used by the military.
Pros
Cons
Price
$$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Steel
Sheath Included?
Yes, a heavy-duty sheath
Blade Material
Flat ground 1095 Cro-Van steel
Blade Length
5.25 inches
Buck Knives 124 Frontiersman Knife
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Features
Ah, the classic buck knife… Sometimes you can't beat the classics. While it represents a departure from the more military oriented blades mentioned earlier, the 124 Frontiersman Knife. nonetheless, makes our list due to the solidity of its construction and the backwoodsman aesthetics that it brings to the table.
Pros
Cons
Price
$$$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Black micarta
Sheath Included?
Yes, a high-quality protective leather sheath
Blade Material
420HC steel blade
Blade Length
6.25 inches
Bushcraft Survival Hunting Knife
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Features
If you like a more a distinguished look than the backwoodsman and special ops options that we've listed so far, you may gravitate toward the Bushcraft Survival Hunting Knife. The wooden handle really sets this knife apart from its competition, and it provides many of the survival features that can be found in other models.
Pros
Cons
Price
$$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Cocobolo exotic wood
Sheath Included?
Yes, high-quality leather multi-position sheath with fire starter
Blade Material
Stainless steel molybdenum-vanadium 58 (MOVA-58)
Blade Length
3.94 inches
Gerber 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife
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Features
Like the Bushcraft listed above, the Gerber also offers multiple color options. This blade will run you slightly more than the budget options but less than most of the midrange models that compete for the best survival knife. Gerber has long been a trusted brand for blades, and this LFM II Survival Knife fits the bill.
Pros
Cons
Price
$$
Tang
Partial tang
Handle Material
Glass-filled nylon
Sheath Included?
Yes, with a sharpener
Blade Material
420HC stainless steel
Blade Length
4.84 inches
Winchester 22-41206 Large Bowie Knife
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Features
The good ole “Arkansas Toothpick” is not a subtle blade. However, the Winchester 22-41206 Large Bowie Knife will serve as a great companion for anyone exploring the wilderness realms. The classic cross guard and the brass and wood aesthetics make this the pick for anyone that needs not just a survival knife, but a small survival sword.
Pros
Cons
Price
$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Riveted wood
Sheath Included?
Yes, ballistic nylon
Blade Material
Surgical stainless steel
Blade Length
8.57 inches
ESEE Knives 6P Knife
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Features
This blade comes in the most color options of those we've listed so far. But, it is so much more than a color game. The micara scale handle provides one of the most unique grips on the knives we've included. Its price range and full tang blade make it a great option.
This knife is, however, a bit of a "double-edged sword." On one hand, its functionality is quite long lasting and durable. However, the spots where it has been engraved and sharpened can develop rust if it is not well taken care of.
Pros
Cons
Price
$$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Micarta scale
Sheath Included?
Yes, black molded polymer
Blade Material
1095 steel
Blade Length
6.5 inches
Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 Knife
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Features
If you can still find this model, you can purchase what is perhaps the best survival knife on the market. However, although its construction is “above and beyond,” so is its price. The materials and solidity of design are much to be envied, but it is no longer widely available on the market.
Ultimately, this would make a great knife if found second-hand or for a discount. As is, there may be better options that you can find which are more available and cheaper.
Pros
Cons
Price
$$$
Tang
Full tang
Handle Material
Contoured handle
Sheath Included?
Yes, leather
Blade Material
O-1 tool steel
Blade Length
4 inches
The Verdict
The type of knife you envision carrying will greatly determine which of these models will constitute the best survival knife for you. Some will gravitate toward the nearly sword-like Bowie knives, while others prefer the more “spec op” style subtle look. These choices will largely be determined by the specific needs and adventures of the buyer.
However, when it comes to providing features for a reasonable price, it is hard to beat the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife. Not only does it come with all the features one expects from a stellar knife (such as full tang and solid blade construction), it also features a whistle and a fire starter rod. When it comes to survival, having a cutting tool is only one part of the equation.
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