Best Survival Knife For Outdoor Adventure

There are many different types of knives on the market today. However, it’s essential for you to understand that all blades are not created equal. For example, let’s say you decide to visit a famous camping spot for several days. It wouldn’t be wise for you to take a butter knife with you. A butter knife has its purpose, but it would not serve you well in the wilderness . If you listened to conventional wisdom, you would take a survival knife with you. Best survival knife offers many advantages that are hard for anyone to ignore or overlook. This is why its popularity will never decrease.

What is the Best Survival Knife?

This question has been the center of debate for many years. Many knife experts have their opinions when it comes to this subject. There are some features you should keep your eyes open for while shopping for a survival knife.

The first thing you should focus on is finding a knife with a fixed blade. Exceptional survival knives have a fixed blade. For instance, a combat utility knife, an ultimate survival knife, and a Dropped Point Fixed Blade knife fall into this category.

A fixed blade knife should have a full tang. The entire tang is the full length of the blade metal to the knife handle. In layman’s terms, the full length of the knife should be manufactured out of one piece of steel. The handle of the knife should be secured (bolted) on either side of the tang.

Good steel is another point that should be discussed when it comes to shopping a survival knife. You should focus on a knife that has stainless steel. It may be a little more expensive, but it will last longer than a non-stainless steel knife .

Top 10 Survival Knifes Comparison Table

Picture

Name

Editor Rating

Price

Ka-Bar Combat Utility

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Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife

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Ka-Bar Full Size US Marine Fighting Knife Straight

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Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival Full Tang Drip Point Fixed Blade

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Schrade SCHF36 Frontier Full Tang Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife

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Gerber LMF II Survival Knife, Coyote Brown

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Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion Fixed Blade Knife
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Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife, Serrated Edge

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Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty Knife

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Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 G-10 Plain Edge Knife

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Detail Review of the Best Survival Knives

Ka-Bar Combat Utility

It measures 12-7/8 inches and weighs less than one pound (0.75 pounds). The blade is seven inches long, and it has a twenty-degree edge angle. The blade is made out of durable black epoxy powder.

Features: The Ka-Bar Combat Utility Survival Knife has a durable handle that is made out of glass fiber. The handle is designed to make it easy for enthusiasts to hold during wet or dry weather. After taking the first glance at this unique knife, you know that it’s ready for action.

Pros

  • This survival knife has a long and durable blade that will perform well
  • Weighing less than one pound, it’s easy to carry around
  • The blade can be sharpened with ease
  • It’s extremely affordable for people from all walks of life

Cons

  • The sheath does not have any retention
  • You must constantly add lubrication to the blade to reduce rust

Verdict: This is an excellent knife that will perform well under the harshest conditions. This is a good buy for the price.

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Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife

Gerber has put seventy years of their knife expertise into this survival knife. It is ten inches in length and weighs 11.2 oz. A convenient carry around rope is attached to the handle. The blade was designed for edge retention and cutting rope.

Features: This is one of the largest survival knives on this list. The curved handle makes it easy to use. It also has an impressive blade that was designed to excel under the worst circumstances.

Pros

  • It’s extremely rugged. You can use this knife under any circumstances or conditions.
  • The handle is extremely comfortable. Its design makes it easy for you to carry around with ease.
  • The base of the handle can be used for hammering
  • The detailed rubber grips provide maximum comfort and reduce potential slippage during usage
  • It comes with an emergency whistle, a pommel, and a diamond blade sharpener

Cons

  • The pommel is not attached to the tang
  • It may not be suitable for advanced or experienced outdoor enthusiasts

Verdict This impressive knife offers many benefits, but it is more suitable novice campers or hikers.

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Ka-Bar Full Size US Marine Fighting Knife, Straight

It is 13.5 x 3 x 2.5 inches and weighs 11.2 ounces. This impressive knife has a seven-inch straight blade.

Features: It comes with a protective leather sheath. This is one of the things that experienced survival knife owners look for. It has the most famous blade knife design in the world. This knife is designed for soldiers in combat. This is why it has remained popular over the years.

Pros

  • It has a durable stainless steel blade that can last for years
  • The handle makes it easy to use during stressful or challenging situations
  • The design of the blade makes it easier for you to cut rope or other materials without any difficulty
  • The protective sheath protects the blade from the outdoor elements. This will easily extend the life of the blade.

Cons

  • May be a little too large for campers or hikers that are used to carrying a small survival knife
  • This knife can carry out various tasks, but its primary function is combat usage

Verdict The Ka-Bar Full Size knife is durable and has an impressive blade. It is a good buy if you are used to carrying a larger survival knife.

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Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival Full Tang Drip Point Fixed Blade

The blade length is 6.4 inches and the black handle is 5.7 inches. This knife has a high carbon steel drop blade that was designed to excel for years.

Features: The Full Tang Drop Point has a lanyard hole and TPE handle slabs. This rugged sports knife is considered to be a monster by many outdoor enthusiasts. This is the main reason why it continues to grow in popularity as time progresses.

Pros

  • It’s pretty difficult to damage this durable knife. It is one of the toughest knives around today!
  • The Schrade SCHF9 can be used for recreational purposes and professional purposes
  • It has a comfortable handle. The handle also has rings that make it easy for you to grip while using it for various tasks.
  • It comes with a dependable protective sheath

Cons

  • The size of the blade can intimidate some campers or hikers. The large blade works extremely well, but some may not be interested in owning a knife with a blade of this size.
  • It may not be appealing to someone looking for more features.

Verdict: The Schrade SCHF9 is one of the most dependable survival knives being sold in the market today. With a reliable blade and a comfortable handle, you cannot go wrong with this survival knife.

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Schrade SCHF36 Frontier Full Tang Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife

This knife has a blade that’s slightly more than five inches. The handle is 5.36 inches. It weights about 0.81 pounds.

Features: The Schrade SChF36 has a powdered coated handle with grip designs that offer extreme comfort. This knife comes with a black nylon sheath belt. This is great for enthusiasts that know the value of protecting their knife from the outdoor elements. The Schrade SChF36 has a small hole in the handle that accommodates a string or rope for transport.

Pros

  • It has an attractive design
  • The handle is extremely comfortable
  • Unlike other survival knives, it has a blade that cuts with pure precision
  • The blade is rust resistant

Cons

  • It’s a little larger than most survival knives. This can be a drawback for campers and hikers that are not fond of larger knives
  • It does not come with a fancy sheath

Verdict: The Schrade SCHF36 is an impressive survival knife that can practically do it all. The handle is extremely comfortable. It gets two thumbs up!

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Gerber LMF II Survival Knife, Coyote Brown

Made in America, the Gerber LMF II has a drop point blade style. It is ten inches and length and weighs 2.1 pounds. It has an attractive brown handle.

Features: The handle for this sleek knife was designed to minimize the chances of the user getting blisters. This is why you don’t really need gloves to handle this knife. This survival knife is the ultimate when it comes to cutting firewood and building adequate shelter within a reasonable amount of time.

Pros

  • This knife is easy to use. It is ideal for novice and experienced outdoorsmen.
  • The stainless steel blade on the Gerber LMF II makes it possible for it to cut wood and pierce glass without any problems
  • The handle offers shock absorption while you are using it as a hammer
  • Its comfortable and unique design makes it versatile

Cons

  • It may not appeal to those that prefer carrying a large survival knife on their outdoor adventures
  • The blade can easily get scratched while it’s being used. This can be a big turn-off for those who are into preserving the vanity of their blade

Verdict This is an awesome knife that can do many different tasks without any problems. You should pick this one up.

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Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion Fixed Blade Knife

This American made survival knife is 18 x 5 x 5 inches long. It weighs about one pound. It comes with a black nylon sheath that is manufactured out of the hard sheath.

Features: The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 has a versatile steel blade that can be used for skinning captured game or cutting vegetables at the campfire grill. Its weight makes it extremely easy to carry around in your hand or on your hip while it’s in its sheath. The comfortable grip is manufactured out of Grivory. It offers a balanced grip that you would enjoy while participating in your outdoor endeavors.

Pros

  • It’s light in weight
  • It’s extremely versatile. You can use it for kindling wood and cooking. It is well-known for cutting vegetables with pure precision.
  • The blade is very sharp
  • It comes with a nylon sheath that will keep it bright

Cons

  • Being light in weight can make it difficult to handle some chores around the camp
  • The handle is comfortable, but it can become a little slippery once your hands start to perspire

Verdict This lightweight knife shouldn’t be overlooked if you are not into the heavy-duty chores that take place at a campsite. If you are into cooking at the campground, this is the knife for you.

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Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife, Serrated Edge

This serious survival knife weighs 5.3 ounces without its sheath, and it is 8.5 inches long.

Features: This knife has a carbon stainless steel drop point blade. This makes it easy for it cutting thick rope, and it’s perfect for edge retention. The rubber grips offer comfort and make it easy to handle. It will not slip while you’re handling it outdoor . Safety is no issue when you see that the blade can be locked securely after it’s closed.

Pros

  • It has a foldable blade that can be locked while it’s not in use. This is one primary security feature that is not found in many survival knives.
  • The knife’s design makes it extremely easy to use.
  • It comes with a durable nylon sheath. The sheath will keep the knife safe from moisture.
  • It’s lightweight. You can carry it around without being concerned about it slowing you're down during your outdoor adventures .

Cons

  • It’s slightly large. It may not be the ideal knife to carry around daily.
  • You may find it difficult to use it for heavy-duty tasks such as kindling wood.

Verdict: The Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife has some good points that campers and hikers should appreciate. However, this is not a knife you can depend on when it comes to performing serious outdoor tasks in the wild.

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Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty Knife with Carbon Steel Blade

It weighs 4.8 ounces and has a blade length of 4.1 inches.

Features: The Morakniv Companion has a large handle that makes it easy to use and comfortable to hold. It has a high carbon steel blade that is designed to perform well for years to come. It comes with a color matching sheath made out of plastic. Made in Sweden, this survival knife has received endorsements from many knife experts around the globe.

Pros

  • It can be used for cutting wood, carving, and batoning
  • It is great for hunters, bushcrafters, and people that love the outdoors
  • The stainless steel makes it easy for the blade to maintain a sharper edge
  • It is manufactured by one of the most respected knife makers (Mora Knives) in the world

Cons

  • The tip can be damaged if you’re not careful
  • You cannot put too much pressure on the handle while using it

Verdict: The Morakniv Companion is a pretty good knife. The plastic sheath will protect the blade from moisture and keep it sharp. It’s a good buy for the price. The Morakiv will not let you down.

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Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 G-10 Plain Edge Knife

The Spyderco ParaMilitary is 4.8 inches long and weighs 3.75 ounces.

Features: Made in America, it is opened manually with its thumb hole. You can push the blade in after using it. It has a very strong knife lock. This ensures that you will not get injured by the sharp blade. This is great for anyone who experienced problems were injured by survival knives in the past.

Pros

  • It is the perfect everyday carry around knife
  • The sharp blade makes it easy for this knife to cut things within seconds
  • It can be used for self-defense and outdoor use
  • The strong lock was designed to keep you safe while the blade is not being used

Cons

  • This survival knife may be too intimidating for the faint of heart
  • The handle is not that comfortable

Verdict This is an awesome survival knife. It can be used for cutting wood, skinning game, and self-defense. It’s expensive when compared to the other knives on this list, but owning this knife can pay big dividends in the long run. It’s not as popular as other knives on this list, but it should not be underestimated.

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Essential Survival Knifes That Could Save Your Life

A knife will be useful once you are in the wilderness. A survival knife can open cans of food, cut rope, and do many other important things. According to the Knife Rights organization, a survival knife should also be carried by anyone who is serious about protecting themselves in the streets or the wilderness.

You need a knife that will excel under pressure. Let’s look at some candidates.

The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife, the Becker BK2 Campanion, the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion, the Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 Knife, and the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife should be considered if you want a knife that is capable of saving your life. Let’s look at a few more models that also belong in this category.

The Schrade SCHF36 Frontier, the Gerber Bear Grylls, the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife, the Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife, the schf9 extreme survival knife, and the Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty Knife should not be overlooked.

Background Info Of Survival Knife

As I stated earlier, choosing the best survival knife is not an easy task. It is not unusual for outdoor enthusiasts to fall prey to the hoopla surrounding survival knives. Sticking to the basics is one of the easiest ways of selecting a knife that will perform well under extreme conditions.

I am an experienced outdoor enthusiast. I have purchased multiple survival knives over the years. During my earlier years in the wild, I made critical mistakes when it came to choosing a knife that would help me survive in the wilderness. This is probably the primary reason I enjoy covering this important subject.

We will now take a close look at some of the best survival knives around today. These knives have an exceptional reputation for surpassing the expectations of many experienced hikers and campers.

Which Unit Should I Choose?

As I stated earlier, selecting a survival knife is a task that should not be taken lightly. The Schrade SCHF36 Frontier Full Tang Drop Point Fixed Blade Knife should be on the top of your list if you are ready for a durable survival knife that won’t let you down. It has all the features that you need a knife that will be used outdoors.

The powdered coating on the blade ensures that the blade will last for several years. Safety is not an issue when it comes to this knife. Once the blade is secured, you will not be prone to injuring yourself. This is great for anyone who is not accustomed to carrying a serious knife while camping or hiking . The Schrade SCHF36 will not let you down. It will surpass your expectations.

How to Choose the Right Survival Knife: 10 Things to Consider

1. Design: Choosing the Right Type of Survival Knife (Fixed Blade or Folding)

Safety is always a big concern when it comes to carrying a survival knife. This is the primary reason why you should always check out a knife’s safety feature before buying it. Unfortunately, many campers injure themselves when they don’t handle a survival knife carefully.

There are two blades for you to choose from when it comes to survival knives. You can go with a fixed blade or folding knife. The fixed blade has its advantages, but a folding knife offers more advantages that you cannot afford to ignore. For instance, the blade can be stored safely with a folding knife. This will protect you and make it easier for you to carry the knife around.

2. Which is best for a Survival Situation?

A fixed blade is the best option for a survival situation. The fixed blade is ready for action. Unlike the folding knife, you only need to pull it out of its sheath. The Krav Maga Association and other combat experts encourage their students to buy fixed blade knives for their protection.

3. Know the Best Purpose of Your Knife’s Edge

It’s imperative for you to be familiar with your knife’s edge. It is the cutting part of the blade. You must keep your knife’s edge sharp at all times.

4. Length: How Long Should Your Knife Be?

This is one question that has been debated over the years. You should focus on getting a survival knife that is at least five inches long. A four-inch blade can take care of some outdoor activities . If you’re a serious camper or hiker, you should get a knife that has at least seven inches in blade length.

5. Steel: What’s Your Knife Made Of?

The chances are that your knife is made out of stainless steel. It may be powder coated. This coating will help keep the blade sharp.

6. Grind: Sabre or Flat Grind? What’s the Difference?

A knife with a flat ground has one bevel. A knife with a sabre grind has a blade with a bevel that starts in the middle of the edge. A flat ground is more suitable for slicing duties. A flat ground survival knife also has more tip strength.

7. Why is Full Tang Important?

A knife with a full tang blade is vital when it comes to pruning and cleaning game and fish. A thick full tang blade can cut with pure precision with ease. It’s a dream come true for people who have knives with dull blades.

You should get a knife that has a comfortable handle. A comfortable handle will not blister your hand while you’re using it. A comfortable handle will also make it easy for you to use the knife for various tasks.

8. Should You be Concerned about Blade Thickness?

Is blade thickness important when it comes to buying a survival knife? Blade thickness is important because it will be difficult for you to kindle or cut wood with a thin blade. A thick stainless steel knife will make things easy for you in the wilderness.

9. Survival Knives to Avoid

Swiss Army Knives have been popular over the years. We have seen them in action in the movies and we have read about them in novels. However, the Swiss Army Knife is not a suitable knife for hunting and camping . It has some useful utensils, but its blade is not designed to handle the tasks associated with outdoor activities. Can you see yourself cutting wood with a Swiss Army Knife?

A Swiss Army Knife is more suited for people that aren’t into camping and fishing . For instance, it is almost impossible for you to cut game and clean fish properly with a Swiss Army Knife.

You should stay away from The Morkniv Companion knife and other Rambo knives if you are interested in getting a real survival knife. These knives do not have the features that are found in premium survival knives. The knives above will surpass your expectations.

10. Caring For and Maintaining Your Survival Knives

Here are some simple tips that can help you take care of your survival knife:

  • Make Certain You Keep it Dry – Keeping your knife dry will help extend the life of your blade. Wipe your blade thoroughly after you wash it. This will prevent it from rusting.
  • Coat Your Blade with Oil - Make certain you coat your blade with oil periodically. This will protect it from residue and humidity.
  • Don’t Abuse Your Knife – Your survival knife is designed to take care of tasks like cutting rope, chopping wood, and cutting raw meat. It was not designed to reduce wires or break down electronics. Get a household knife for taking care of things around your home. If you abuse your knife, you are damaging your blade.
  • Sharpen Your Blade Properly – Use fine oil or grit and a sharpening stone. Sharpen the blade at a twenty-degree angle. Swipe your blade at least six times on both sides. Now it’s time for you to touch-up your blade with a ceramic stone.

If you follow these four steps carefully, you will extend the blade of your knife.

Conclusion

Many survival knives being sold on the market today. Unfortunately, many of them fail when it comes to meeting the expectations of hikers and campers. This is the primary reason why one should be cautious when it comes to buying a survival knife.

The knives listed above are considered to be some of the best survival knives around today. They have unique features that will help you take care of various tasks associated with outdoor activities . Select one that meets your standards and price range. Please keep in mind that buying a good knife is only the first step. You must use it properly and take care of it. Responsibility is the key word that surfaces when it comes to owning a knife that’s designed for outdoor use.

Relevant Resources:
Michael Ethan

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