From hunters to parents building a family emergency kit, to extreme sports participants, it is important to have a good survival knife. But among the many choices, what is the best survival knife for your needs?
We attempted to review a list of the best survival knives to help you see the types and options available for your consideration. From blades choices to special features, we believe there is a survival knife for every individual.
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Product FAQ
1. What Are the Main Uses for a Survival Knife?
2. What Are the Basic Types of Survival Knives?
3. Are Survival Knives Safe?
4. What Does Tang Mean?
How We Reviewed
Image source: pexels
In searching for the best survival knife, we reviewed a wide variety products based on features, price, and availability. We also took a close look at things like blades, durability, performance, safety, and portability.
To find the best survival knife, an outdoorsman needs to understand his specific needs as a hunter or other outdoor enthusiast to find the knife that is best for him or her as an individual. We began with the blades and attempted to look at some crucial aspects of the best survival knife.
Fixed Blades
Some knives have blades built as one piece, and the blade is always open. It protrudes from a handle and is always exposed. These knives use a sheath to keep the blade from being unsafe or causing an accident when not in use.
An advantage of fixed blades is their strength. with no moving parts or hinges that need locked, it is a strong survival knife option.
Another advantage is that fixed blades are always ready for use on quick notice, but they take up more space than folding blades.
Folding Blades
Survival knives with folding blades are considered a safe option and are easily portable. The blade folds to be stored in the knife's handle.
When opened, the blade is held in its outright position by a locking mechanism to prevent it from folding during use and harming the hunter. However, the locking mechanism is less sturdy than its fixed blade counterpart.
Clip Knives
A clip knife is essentially a folding blade knife with an attached clip to be fastened to the inside of a pocket or other convenient location. Clip knives offer a convenience of easy portability. Their compact nature is useful for general jobs, however, they often lack the sturdiness for bigger jobs.
Aside from whether knife blades are fixed or folding, there are different types of blades to choose from.
Drop Point
Drop point blades are the most recognizable blades. They have a slow convex curved drop in the point to make the point of the knife strong. This is helpful when opening the rib cage or similar area on your prey.
These blades also have a number of general uses and can be effective for skinning animals.
Clip Point
Knives with clip point blades are perfect for hunters looking to use their knife on a daily basis for things other than hunting. A clip point resembles a drop point, but the point is thinner and easier to more detailed tasks–though it would be less effective at opening a ribcage.
It can still accomplish most necessary tasks while hunting, but it is less efficient at certain tasks than the drop point blade.
Trailing Point
A trailing point blade also has similarities to the clip point and drop point. The back edge of the trailing point blade trails upward for a larger curve on the cutting side. It is also usually stronger than the clip blade
Many hunters love trailing point blades for slicing meat.
Gut Hook
Featuring a hook design on the top side of the blade, a gut hook blade is useful to open the prey's abdominal cavity when you remove the innards.
Serrated Blades
Serrated blades have small teeth while plain blades do not. Most folks understand the difference between the two from common sets of kitchen knives.
However, serrated blades have recently become more popular among survival knives. They act like a saw to cut through difficult areas of the animal. They are useful for cutting hide and other stubborn areas.
They do not allow the same precision and finesse as traditional blades, however, and many hunters feel they afford less control. Straight blades are also better for skinning the animal.
Blade Size
Blade size is often a matter of personal preference, though at some point they become too long to use precisely or too short to exercise a safe grip during hard jobs. A general rule is to avoid blades longer than six inches or shorter than three inches.
Skinning Knives
Skinning knives often use trailing point blades or similar sweeping blades able to peel the skin from the meet of your prey. They are able to perform other general uses and can be used to field dress large kills.
Caping Knives
Caping knives are a must for hunters lucky enough to land a trophy prize. They are able to quickly and accurately cut the skin around the shoulders with an upturned point.
Caping is the process of skinning the head and neck of an animal to create a hunting trophy. Caping knives are designed to cut the skin away from the shoulder, neck, and chest to preserve the trophy portion of the animal.
Image source: unsplash
Blade Materials
There are many different materials used to make knife blades, and each offers its own degree of durability. Some rust or corrode sooner than others. Some can withstand drops and impacts without shattering as soon as others.
The most common blade material today is alloyed stainless steel. Stainless steel is efficient at resisting corrosion, but it does not hold its edge as long as other materials. Carbon steels keep a sharp, defined edge for a long period, but they often rust.
Alloyed stainless steels can be engineered to combine the best of both. Another option is to coat your carbon steel blade with products to prevent rust. This is accomplished by cleaning the blade thoroughly, allowing dry time, and then applying the product.
Rust preventative products are usually a silicone wax. If the wax is effective, you have a sharp survival knife not prone to rust.
Performance Points
To have a knife that performs the best way possible, hunters need to understand their individual needs. A skinning knife will not perform as well in projects that really require a gutting knife, etc.
Overall performance of the best survival knife will include its ability to bone, skin, and cap meet. For survival or sport, you need to be able to properly prepare your meet in order to eat it the right way.
The blade needs to be sharp enough to cut in a way that can skin the animal without spoiling the meat. The shape and curve of the blade factor into the equation for each hunter.
Sometimes the best survival knife is small and performs better than larger knives by getting the work done simply and efficiently. They are also more compact than some unwieldy knives that are hard to perform precision food preparation.
Durability
Survival knives need to last, especially if you are investing more than a small amount of money. That is why it is important to understand the type of steel your knife blade utilizes and be sure to prepare it accordingly.
The durability of many good knives is directly related to the care a hunter takes of it. It is also important to be sure you purchase a knife that can withstand the outdoor elements. Moisture and extreme temperatures can do a lot of damage to a survival knife resulting in rust or lose its edge.
Safety
Safety is another element of survival knives that is often related directly to the actions of its owner. If you are diligent to keep your blade clean, do not compromise safety by cleaning it in a way that is not careful.
It takes a lot of courage to kill an animal with a knife, but that courage has to be complemented with safety.
Holsters
It is important to have a holster for your knife, especially longer fixed-blade knives. Do not rely on keeping a knife in your pocket or hanging it from your belt. You are not John Rambo.
It is a practical idea to combine your knife and holster into one investment and purchase them simultaneously. Holsters make your adventure safer for you and those you are with.
Be Careful What You Cut
Survival knives can motivate you to cut the strangest things, from leather to tin cans. You may even see commercials where knives are shown to cut through shoes or other bizarre items.
It is important to use your knife for hunting and survival instead of recreational cutting. Not only will you dull your knife prematurely, but you will also jeopardize safety. One slip of the knife while trying to cut a pop can and you can be badly lacerated by the blade or even the freshly cut can.
Sharpen Carefully
When it is time to sharpen your survival knife, be sure to do it carefully. A knife intended to plunge through the rib cage of a large animal can surely do damage to your hands, fingers, and other body parts.
Sharpen your knife slowly and with the utmost attention to detail. On the other hand, your knife provides safety, because not only is useful in hunting, it can also be useful in protecting yourself.
So, it is wise to keep your blade very sharp, but do it wisely.
Handles
When it is time to sharpen your survival knife, be sure to do it carefully. A knife intended to plunge through the rib cage of a large animal can surely do damage to your hands, fingers, and other body parts.
Sharpen your knife slowly and with the utmost attention to detail. On the other hand, your knife provides safety, because not only is useful in hunting, it can also be useful in protecting yourself.
So, it is wise to keep your blade very sharp, but do it wisely.
Handles are a very important factor that affects the use of your blade. You need a handle that is comfortable to use and gives you a secure grip that makes you feel confident.
Get comfortable with the contours and surface of your knife. To some degree, it is a matter of preference, but a secure grip and the best contours can add to the knife's efficiency as well as its safety.
Overall Price Range
Image source: pixabay
In searching for the best survival knife, we looked at knives ranging from under $50 to over $300. Variables included the materials used to fabricate the knives, their overall durability, and a few that offered lifetime warranties.
If you know the sort of material you want for your blade or handle, that can go a long way in determining the sort of budget you set for yourself. Also consider how often you will use your survival knife and the sort of tasks you plan to use it for.
If you get a good idea of your needs and amount of wear you plan to put on the knife, you can get a reasonable idea of what you want to spend.
What We Reviewed
Tom Brown Tracker #3
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Features
Tops' Tom Brown Tracker is a popular blade has been a favorite of outdoorsmen for many years. It is a multi-tool that was featured in the movie, The Hunted.
This Tom Brown Tracker #3 is the next, slightly larger knife in the series beyond the Tom Brown Tracker #2. The Tracker #1 is still the largest of the line.
The Tracker #3 is ideal for chopping, skinning, carving, gutting, scoring, and other cutting needs. The handle is made of black canvas Micarta.
Blade
The Tom Brown Tracker 3 is a 10.75-inch knife, with a blade that consumes 5.75 inches of the weapon. The cutting edge runs 5.5 inches with a blade thickness of 0.190 inches.
The blade is steel RC58-60 and is cryo treated with a tumble finish.
Durability
With many high carbon alloys, the Tracker 3 blade offers strong durability while maintaining a sharpness that is also very impressive.
Performance
Owners have consistently cut through rope, meat, branches, and even rubber. Throughout the processes, the blade remains relatively sharp.
Safety
As a fixed-blade knife, the Tom Brown Tracker 3 comes with a Kydex style sheath for safety. The only thing lacking on a very stylish sheath is a mechanism to keep the blade inside. If jostled, the knife is able to come freely from the sheath.
Portability
Under 11 inches long, the knife weighs in at under 14 ounces, and just over 18 ounces with the sheath. The sheath has a rotating spring steel clip that is useful for portability, just be sure the knife stays in the sheath.
Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Blade
The drop point blade on this Ka Bar Becker product has a 20-degree edge angle. The blade is 1095 Cro-Van steel, a high carbon steel used in heavy duty tools.
The blade is a quarter-inch thick for stability. It is a sharp and heavy blade and is covered with a powder coating to protect it.
Durability
Like all carbon steels, Cro-Van steel is prone to rust if not treated. However, it is a strong steel. The Grivory handle is made of a heavy-duty polymer durable throughout heavy use. Ka-bar Becker stands by the product with a Limited lifetime warranty
Performance
The Cro-Van blade keeps its edge after extended cutting and wood chopping. The knife isn't light, but if you do not mind a slightly heavier product for chopping and cutting, it is incredibly efficient.
For delicate jobs, the BK22 can fit the bill at a slow pace with great precision, but its wheelhouse is the big, less precise job like chopping wood.
Safety
Ka-Bar's sheath is well made and offers suitable protection on this fixed-blade knife. It has strong clips to secure the knife and keep it tightly on your belt.
The sheath also has a Velcro belt strap and a handy compartment.
Portability
The sheath clips also lend themselves to portability. This knife is 10.5 inches long, so when securely fastened to its owner, it is easily portable. The knife weights in at 1.5 pounds complete with a sheath.
ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
This 11.75-inch knife with a 6.5-inch blade is made of 1095 steel. It features a stylish gray Micarta handle in a molded polymer sheath.
Blade
The blade on this knife is 1.56 inches long. It is small but very sharp, and it holds its edge for a long time. A backer provides even more security, and the blade does not come out of the sheath unintentionally.
The blade is manufactured with 1095 high carbon steel. The carbon steel is razor sharp and keeps its edge, but it rusts easily. Owners must lubricate and wax the blade as needed.
It comes with textured coating from the factory to resist corrosion and wear. Even with the coating, the blade maintains a smooth feel unlike blades coated in phosphate or oxide coatings.
Durability
When properly cared for, the 1095 steel is durable and long-lasting. A great feature noting the product's quality construction is its transferable warranty. No matter how often the knife is sold or gifted, the warranty remains valid.
No receipt is needed, and they will either fix or replace the knife. However, the warranty does not cover rust and corrosion.
Performance
The 3/16-inch 1095 steel blade is full flat ground. This knife can perform as a primary survival knife or as a tactical weapon.
If you are confident and efficient with a smaller knife, this is definitely a survival knife to consider.
Safety
Offering a black polymer sheath, the ESEE 6P-B Plain Edge Knife comes with durable protection. The sheath also is ambidextrous, meaning it can be used a right or left-handed person.
A friction-resistant mechanism keeps the knife securely in its sheath, and the sheath screws are stainless steel.
Portability
The sheath comes with a removable for your carrying convenience. The knife, at just under 12 inches, also features a lanyard hole on the rounded pommel. The belt clip is the most convenient way to get maximum portability, but the cord option is also a favorite of many owners.
SOG Force Fixed Blade
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
The SOG Force fixed knife comes with a Ti-Ni coating on the blade and a pointed pommel. The grip features good checkering on both side and finger notches on the bottom.
It is a slip-resistant weapon with a six-inch AUS-8 steel blade.
Blade
The blade is marked as a clip point blade, but some argue it is more of a drop point. It has a false edge that is very minimal. It is hollow ground for improved sharpness, but that may wear on its durability over time.
The blade is coated with a smooth coating that has no impact on slicing but does provide rust protection. The AUS-8 steel is not overly prone to rust, however, and the coating also serves to keep the sun from reflecting off the blade, reminding us of its military heritage.
Durability
AUS-8 steel is a commonly used mid-range stainless steel. It has good corrosion resistance and has a very good edge. The knife is well built and durable.
There is always a question of durability with a hollow-grind knife. You are essentially removing metal at the cutting edge, and to a lesser extent the spine.
Performance
For a six-inch blade at a quarter-inch thick, users find the SOG Force to be a surprisingly nimble knife. The product is also easy to hold.
The lightweight handle is a bit narrower than the blade, and the blade has a reduced mass because of the hollow grind. When you put them together, it is a nimble knife that keeps its edge well for a knife that is not carbon steel.
Safety
The SOG Force comes with a nylon/polyester sheath. Some users find it a bit difficult to secure the knife, but the stiffened nylon is better than some competitors.
The blade guard is durable and offers a friction fit. It has a small pouch on the front.
Portability
A wide lanyard hole is available. A belt loop is provided as well as Molle straps and connectors. Two eyelets provide additional lashing options. The knife is 11.25-inches long.
Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade Knife
Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
The Fallkniven A1 offers top-of-the-line design, ergonomics, and value. The knife exceeds international standards for its strength and value for money.
The Fallkniven A1 is a large, multiple-purpose knife capable of heavy-duty use.
Blade
Another reflection-free blade, the black CeraKote coating is a surface coating that protects the blade from rust and with a combination of Teflon and ceramics in a military-style combination.
This coating is applied much like paint is applied to a metal car, meaning that in time it can be scratched through, exposing the metal. The more durable the coating becomes to resist scratches the harder it may be to sharpen.
At just over 6 ¼ inches, the blade is made of a quality VG10 steel. This is a particular type of stainless steel, and the G stands for “gold”, implying it is the “gold standard” that this level of stainless steel.
Durability
A full tang goes entirely through the knife handle to keep the grip from breaking on any hard strike. The handle is made of a durable Kraton, a high-performance elastomer.
The blade and handle are unaffected by water or extreme temperatures.
Performance
This all-purpose knife is large and meant for big jobs. It combines a powerful blade of hard steel with an ergonomically designed handle to withstand the stress of chopping. It is also capable of finer jobs, such as daily cuts.
Safety
This fixed-blade knife comes with your choice of a Zytel sheath or a black dangler leather sheath. Zytel is a DuPont trademark used in items with high strength, abrasion and impact resistant sort of nylon.
Portability
By choosing he Zytel you can attach the knife to your belt or backpack. The knife is safe and secure for travel in the Zytel sheath, even upside down.
Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
The Gerber LMF II offers a textured rubber grip and handle on a knife weighing three-quarters of a pound, just under 1-and-a-half pounds with the sheath.
Blade
From the moment you take it out of the box, the knife has a sharp blade. It is a heavy blade that is made from 420 steel. The 420 steel is stainless steel with higher carbon than other types. It contains at least 12 percent chromium, so it has corrosion-resistant properties.
The five-inch blade is nearly full tang.
Durability
The durable knife is about 80 percent tang, but it was built for wartime use. So, the blade is strong and durable enough for United States Special Operations in times of war.
It can easily cut through power cords and other items that might be useful to a soldier.
For practical purposes, it is a full-tang knife, but maybe closer to ⅘ tang.
Performance
The knife's high-performance blade and excellent grip make the weapon perfect for chopping wood and similar tasks. Using the Gerber LMF II is lighter than a hatchet, but can outperform a hatchet as a chopping tool.
Moreover, the base of the knife can serve as a hammer, and it also offers a glass-breaking mechanism.
Safety
The Gerber's sheath holds the knife in place well enough to be used by military parachuters. It also comes with a built-in knife sharpener.
Sometimes the sheath can grip the knife too firmly and force the user to use a firm enough grip to risk pulling too hard and cutting his hand.
Portability
The sheath comes with attachments designed for Molle straps or ALICE packs. ALICE, meaning All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, is an equipment system adopted by the military in 1973.
Snap closures also hold the six-inch handle to the sheath for more pleasant portability. The knife is 11 inches long altogether and weighs 11.7 ounces.
Schrade SCHF9N Fixed Blade
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
This Schrade knife is a close relative of the Schrade SCHF9. The Schrade SCHF9N is just over a foot long with a 6.4-inch blade. It is a full tang knife with a quarter-inch blade width made of 8Cr13MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel. The handle is Kraton and features a lanyard hole on one end.
Blade
The 8Cr13MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel is a strong cutting steel. This steel retains its cutting edge for a long time and is also corrosion resistant. Stainless steel's resistance to rust and corrosion make it a great product for outdoor and wet jobs.
The drop point blade features a hollow grind for a sharp edge able to do more finesse maneuvers when chopping, slicing, or skinning prey.
Durability
The 8Cr13MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel is a top choice among serious outdoorsmen, and along with a high-end handle, the knife is built for durability.
Performance
The scaled handle provided excellent grip to increase the product's performance. The Schrade SCHF9N can handle almost any job with its sturdy design and razor-sharp blade.
Safety
While the fixed blade knife comes with a sheath, the sheath is not as snug as it could be. It offers a strap across the handle, but if the strap was forgotten or did not function properly, the knife would have a strong likelihood of coming out of the sheath.
A loose sheath is not a great safety measure.
Portability
Despite its shortcomings, the ballistic sheath can attach to the waist for portability. The overall length of the knife is 12.3 inches, and it weighs exactly one pound.
Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 PlainEdge Knife
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
This Bushcraft survival knife is inspired by traditional Bushmen and their need to understand wilderness survival. It features high-quality materials and full tang. It also utilizes a Scandinavian grind.
Blade
Offering a carbon steel blade, the Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 survival knife has a Scandinavian-inspired single bevel grind. Even with heavy use, the carbon blade will hold its edge.
The length of four inches, 3.9 inches are available for cutting. The blade is fully tanged and strong enough to cut just about anything that comes your way.
Durability
The 0-1 high carbon content tool steel is strong and sharp. If proper care is taken to avoid rust and corrosion, this Bushcraft knife should have great durability.
The handle is made of a polished G-10 material that is durable against consistent use and extreme weather. G-10 is a high-pressure fiberglass laminate.
Performance
The Bushcraft G-10 knife performs well dressing out game, and it can also chop wood, slice meat, and cut down brush. Users are consistently pleased with its performance.
Safety
The fixed-blade knife comes with a leather sheath with a right-handed design. The leather is imprinted and able to withstand all kinds of weather.
Portability
For portability, a lanyard hole is available in the handle and another lanyard hole is in the blade. At only 8.75 inches long and less than a half pound, the knife is easily portable.
KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
The KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife was designed as a military knife and was prominent during World War II. With a seven-inch blade and five-inch leather handle, an optional handle is also available in a Kraton version.
The knife if often used both as a modern convenience and a meaningful gift for military veterans.
Blade
The blade on this knife is coated in black and flat ground. It comes to a clip point.
The weapon is made from 1095 Cro-Van steel. With chromium and vanadium, the five-inch blade stands up to the elements and keeps its edge well.
A two-and-a-half-inch fuller is built into the blade's spine making the knife feel lighter. The blade is .17 inches wide.
Durability
This full tank knife has a secure steel pommel that can sustain a lot of use. Stainless steel pins secure the blade at the pommel.
The 1095 Cro-Van steel is a high carbon, heavy duty material complimenting a 100 percent leather handle option.
Performance
Tested over time from WWII through today's serious outdoorsman, the KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife is a high-performing knife for cutting, chopping, fighting, and surviving.
Safety
A 100 percent leather sheath is available when you choose the leather handle option. This keeps your blade safely covered while helping to maintain its sharpness.
A contoured crossguard protects your hand from danger.
Portability
The knife's portability can be deduced by its use with fighting marines. Overall it is just under 12 inches with a weight of 11.2 ounces.
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife
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Features
The Ka-Bar Becker BK22 Companion knife is a lightweight knife featuring a Cro-Van steel blade that is sharp and durable. The handle is very comfortable and made of Grivory material, a Polyphthalamide synthetic resin relevant to nylon.
The knife's blade and tongue are well balanced; the tongue is large and bolted to the handle.
The butt of the blade is also large and very effective. It comes with a durable sheath.
Features
The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife was designed by Bear Grylls, a wilderness survival expert known for mountain climbing and parachuting. He also starred in a wilderness survival television program.
Produced by Gerber, Grylls styled this fixed-blade knife with 7Cr17MoV stainless steel and a 3/4 tang. It features a rubberized handle, and a fire starting with a notch to strike the and spark the fire.
Blade
The 4.8-inch drop point blade features a fine edge with a portion of serrations. The serrated section is an efficient saw, and the fine edge section cuts cleanly.
The 7Cr17MoV stainless steel blade is more than adequate for cutting through rope and small branches.
Durability
7Cr17MoV stainless steel is a best-of-both-worlds material because it is affordable but also a high-performance material. It is essentially modified stainless steel with more vanadium than other steels.
Extra vanadium gives the blade strength and wear resistance. With three-quarter tang and a long-lasting edge, the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife is a durable option.
Performance
The 7Cr17MoV stainless steel performs well as a saw and a fine cutting blade. The butt of the knife has a textured cap made for hammering, and it is more than capable of cracking nuts or driving stakes into the ground.
Also, an included whistle on the lanyard is a small but surprisingly loud tool.
Safety
The whistle is a safety feature, and the lanyard also includes a foldable guide that can be tucked into the sheath.
A separate plastic sleeve holds the blade within a nylon sheath. The tight fit keeps the knife secure, and a diamond sharpening blade is included on the back of the plastic sleeve.
Portability
A supplementary Velcro strap secures the knife handle close to the body. Overall, the knife is only 10-inches long and weighs less than a pound.
The Verdict on the Best Survival Knife
We attempted to review a wide variety of knives in order to find the best survival knife. At the end of the day, each unique outdoorsman has unique needs and preferences. The best survival knife is a subjective label.
We attempted to look at the list of knives and pinpoint one that fit a wide range of budgets and needs. We gave our nod of approval to the KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife. If it is good enough for fighting soldiers, it is good enough for us. The option between two different handles to compliment a black coated, flat ground blade of 1095 Cro-Van steel and a 100-percent leather sheath unquestionably has a place on any list of candidates for the best survival knife.
Featured Image source: pexels
Your survival knife will be the one you have with you when you are faced with a crisis. Whatever is on your person at the time. Unless you wear a sheath knife to work and to the grocery store the best bet is a very good and durable folding knife. I carry a Victorinox Hunter beside my wallet in a hip pocket and a Benchmade 240-2 clipped in my front pocket everyday at work and weekends, and supplement them with a sheath knife when “out” hiking, hunting, etc.