Best Survival Knife – Survival Knife Reviews

Searching for the best survival knife for your needs can be easier said than done. There are plenty of survival knives on the market and even more opinions on which one should be considered the best survival knife.

I have been an outdoor enthusiast all my life and have been collecting knives since I was very young. There are a lot of personal things to consider when trying to find the best survival knife for your needs, however, there are a few things that are constants that all good knives should have.

Constants to look for in all quality knives

fixed blade

The first constant to look for is a fixed blade knife, all good survival knives should have a fixed blade. These types of knives can handle much more punishment and hard use than a folding knife and will be a much better tool for chopping and slicing.

full tang

The second constant is that your fixed blade knife must have a full tang. The tang refers to the extension of the blade metal along the knife handle. Essentially the entire length of the knife must be constructed from a single piece of steel with the handles either screwed to either side of the tang or covering the tang. Many good survival knives will also have an exposed tang cap on the end of the knife for hammering.

good steel

The third constant is good steel. This is a problem and it separates cheap knives from good knives and good knives from great knives. There are two main categories of steel, stainless and non-stainless. Stainless steel is generally softer than non-stainless but is more resistant to corrosion. There are many different types of stainless steel ranging from complete scrap to some of the most expensive knives on the market. Stainless steel can be a very good material for blades, but good stuff can be expensive. To cut it short, I’ll list a few stainless steels that are very hard, hold an excellent edge, and will last a lifetime. I would buy a survival knife made from any of the following steels.

AUS-8

AUS-10

AUS-12

440C

BG-42

VG-10

S30V

Non-stainless steel is generally stronger, harder, has a better edge and retains that edge longer than stainless steel, however it is more susceptible to corrosion. I am a big fan of non-stainless steel and most of my knives are made from 1095 High Carbon or better. These are knives that take a beating, have excellent sharpness, and are very difficult to break or bend. There are several different types of non-stainless steel that are extremely strong and that I highly recommend.

1095 high carbon steel

1050 high carbon steel

D2 steel

5160 Steel

personal considerations

The “best survival knife on the market” may not be the best survival knife for you personally. There are a number of things you need to consider in order to find the right blade for your needs. Here are some things to consider:

What are the main functions of the knife you will use? Do you want it for housework, camping, chopping heavy things, skinning, or crafting? These are all very different style knives, although some great survival knives bridge the gap and are great for several of these uses, no knife that I have found is great for all of them. So let’s categorize them and put them in some buckets.

Shrub Crafting

Fixed blades for bushcrafting are typically small to medium sized knives that have a blade of approximately 3″ – 4″ and are made with a high end steel that will retain a VERY good sharp edge like D2. These knives will have a relatively thin drop point blade which increases the ability to make detailed cuts. You will want to stay away from anything that is sawn. A couple of great knives in this category are as follows:

FallknivenF1

Vex Swamp Rat

outdoor survival

Typically their largest and most robust knives, outdoor survival knives, range from a 5″ blade to a 9″ blade depending on how much cutting you are going to do. These knives are usually made from 1095 High Carbon or D2 steel. You’ll want a blade with a blade and tang no less than ¼ inch thick. The tang should remain thick and wide throughout the handle. These knives are made to be struck and are as much a “tool” as they are a knife. You should avoid stretch marks and look for a droopy leaf shape. Some great knives in this category are as follows:

Becker BK 2

Becker BK9

SES RC 5

Ontario RTAK II

Hunt

Hunting knives are a completely different class of knife, they may look like an outdoor survival knife, but they are surprisingly different. Hunting knives generally have a 3″-5″ blade and are made of superior stainless steel. Since edge retention and corrosion resistance are important factors, look for a knife made from VG-10 or S30V. You will want to choose a knife with a blade that is thinner in both the thickness of the tang and the thickness from the edge to the spine. There are a few different types of points you’ll come across, such as a drop point, a trim point, and an aspect point. A couple of good hunting knives are as follows:

Fallkniven Pro Hunter Knife

alpha dollar

Some other important considerations when choosing your best survival knife are the handles and the sheath. Both of these considerations can play a big role in your overall satisfaction with the knife you choose.

Do you drive

Just like any other topic in the world of knives, there is a lot to be said for the handles you choose for your knife. There are many different materials that are really good, however they are different to the touch. Some of the popular knife handles are Krayton Scales, Micarta Scales, and Grivory. Krayton and Grivory are less expensive but I personally think they are just as good as Micarta.

The thickness of the handle should be comfortable for the size of your hands and I suggest making sure you have a lanyard hole at the base of the handle. Another great feature that many of the best survival knives have is removable handles. Normally the handle will be “screwed” on both sides of the dowel. This allows you to clean your knife and change the handles to a different material. Becker series knives are known for this feature and it is a HUGE advantage.

pods

There are a lot of great knives on the market that come with pretty bad sheaths. It can be a big disappointment if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Many popular knives have a huge following and you can find high quality custom sheaths for them, but if you don’t want to go that route, look into a few things. Kydex holsters are generally of very good quality and will last a long time. They do not absorb water or dull the edge of the knife when sheathed frequently. Another solid holster construction is a ballistic nylon holster with a Kydex insert. These last a long time and usually have several transport options. Finally, good old trusty leather. As long as the case is well made and made of good quality leather, it will last you a lifetime.

Another consideration is how you want to wear it. There are several options including scout carry, belt carry, drop leg, MOLLE, or a tactical leg strap. In my opinion, the smaller knives are great for carrying scouts, but the larger knives are great candidates for a drop leg option.