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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / The Best Survival Knife to Have on Hand

The Best Survival Knife to Have on Hand

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survival knife with autumn leaves in the background

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

No products found.

Product FAQ

1. What Is a Survival Knife?

knife and compass placed in wood table

Image source: Pixabay

No official distinction separates a “survival knife” from other knives used out in the field. Generally, survival knives are blades that one is expected to take on camping or outdoor ventures. That usually means the knife can be sheathed, folded, or retracted (unlike most kitchen knives, for example).

The best survival knife will probably come with additional features geared toward keeping you safe and alive in the wilderness.

2. What Can a Survival Knife Do?

The short answer is “help you survive,” and the even shorter answer is “cut things.” However, you will find that the best survival knife will likely offer many additional features, including but not limited to: digging, slicing, splitting wood, self defense, aiding with first aid, aiding in food preparation, building shelters, sparking fires, prying objects, sending signals, hunting, and even screw driving.

3. Can You Fly with a Survival Knife?

Most survival knives are too long to take in your carryon luggage. You can, however, check most survival knives without incident. This is great news for anyone how has found their best survival knife and wishes to continue using it when on overseas adventures.

One of the biggest comforts while away on a wilderness adventure is having a tool that you have relied on before. Such a tool goes a long way in transforming the unknown into a surmountable challenge.

4. What Features Make the Best Survival Knife?

All knives can be evaluated on the following criteria: the completeness of their tang, the material their handle is constructed from, whether or not they include a sheath, the material their blade is constructed from, and the length of the blade.

How We Reviewed

combat and military knife in wood table

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
  • Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife
  • Schrade SCHF9N Extreme Survival Knife
  • Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion Knife
  • Buck Knives 124 Frontiersman Knife
  • Bushcraft Survival Hunting Knife
  • Gerber 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife
  • Winchester 22-41206 Large Bowie Knife
  • ESEE Knives 6P Knife
  • Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 Knife

Fallkniven A1bL A1 Knife

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Full tang
  • Looks great in black
  • Variable sheath

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
  • After use, the Black cerakote may separate from the blade

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Fire starter rod included
  • Whistle included
  • Watertight sheath

Cons

  • Blade sometimes chips
  • Can be difficult to sharpen once it has dulled

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Great look
  • Full tang
  • Fire starter included
  • One of the cheapest options

Cons

  • Knife can sometimes bend in poor heat conditions
  • Sheath can be a bit stiff

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Military testing
  • Great for collectors
  • HD sheath included

Cons

  • More expensive than budget options
  • Grip can be slippery

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Razor sharp
  • Unique look
  • Cross bar on grip

Cons

  • Not subtle
  • More expensive than other options

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Handsome wooden handle
  • High-performance blade
  • Three color options
  • Fire starter included

Cons

  • Middle price range
  • Snap-on sheath can develop issues opening

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Drop point
  • Glass-filled nylon handle
  • Color options
  • Sheath with built-in sharpener

Cons

  • Different colors cost different amounts
  • No fire starter
  • Partial tang

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Full tang
  • Finger grooved handle
  • A small sword
  • Surprisingly cheap

Cons

  • Not subtle
  • Can be unwieldy for some

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Multiple color options
  • Long blade
  • Highly durable

Cons

  • More expensive than budget options
  • Engraving and laser cut edge can rust if not cared for

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

No products found.

No products found.

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

  • Tested for quality and durability
  • Full tang
  • Limited manufacturer's warranty

Cons

  • Difficult to find
  • Price

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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Last update on 2021-01-17 at 06:26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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