Best Survival Knife

Best survival knife image
The Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge share two essential characteristics: the blade is 6.3-inches long and is made of VG10 steel. VG10 knife steel is extremely durable and effective. The blade laminate is among the nicest and most appealing we’ve come across. The most impressive feature of the Fallkniven A1 is the smooth texture of the knife blade which makes it useful for versatile tasks. The handle is comfortable to hold, good for both big and small hands. The overall model has a durable finish with a Zytel sheath and a full tang design. This best survival knife remains unaffected by all kinds of elements including water, rust, and dust.

We like the Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 for its high quality design. It has a 4-inch blade, full tang knife design, and comes with Scandinavian grind which is best for heavy use. This step-up pick is nothing short of practical, durable, and efficient. With a leather sheath, it is priced appropriately to suit the demands of professional outdoorsmen and women. The blade comes with durable adhesive strips to prevent oxidation of the steel and keep moisture away from the package during delivery. Lastly, the handle is both round and comfortable, best for big and small hands.  

We think that the SOG Flash II Knife is a good starter survival tool for most people. If you’re looking for something affordable and durable, you’ll like this best survival knife. It has a stronger blade and handle design. Plus, it is a quick release folding knife that is much more effective at what it does than it looks. The SOG comes with a glass-filled nylon handle to make folding and unfolding easy. The reversible bayonet clip ensures safety. While the extra handle lock and assisted technology offer single-hand blade opening compatibility.

A Little Background

Buying a survival knife can take a long time because it’s an important outdoor tool. A survival knife has many purposes, for example, it can be used for hunting, cutting or carving wood, and for other outdoor uses. The ideal and best survival knives are thick-bladed and heavily-padded. However, there may be lightweight knives with heavy knife blades, but that you can only find once you’ve done your research.

The origin of the best survival knife goes back to the 19th century when the concept of “hunting knife” was used for survival purposes for explorers, outdoorsmen, and explorers. Since this tool is meant to set traps, cut branches, carve materials, and for hunting purposes, it comes with sharp and fixed blades and a thick tang. A good knife with a hollow handle has limited strength for tasks such as carving, chopping, cutting, etc. Hence, for menial tasks, a lightweight and hallow survival knife would work. On the other hand, a strong tip and back on the knife is good for hunting, which includes splitting wood and pounding on hard surfaces. Some knives also feature a sharp edge which makes creating sparks for fires easy and effective. While a sharp edge is good for hunting, it’s also proven sufficient for self defense. A sharp and durable tip can mimic the functionality of a spear tip, which lets you defend against animals and other threats.

In short, the best survival knife can save you from harm as the best possible safety measure for outdoor use. It saves you from hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and cold in a number of ways; that is if you choose to invest time and effort into building shelter, carving wood for fire, or hunting for food. Such powerful tasks need a protective and durable survival knife for the best possible results.

The only good way to buy the best survival knife is to rely on something or someone with the most possible knowledge on outdoor tools. That’s where we come in. So, you know what’s the best use of a survival knife without compromising on quality, price, or durability.

How To Choose A Survival Knife

Your life literally depends on this decision. Always remember that when buying a survival knife, you need something that won’t let you down. There are many products out there that are useless or ineffective in the face of dire circumstances. For better know-how of what features to look for in the best survival knife, you should consider the following factors.

Size: Size is the most significant feature in such outdoor tools. If you think bigger is more efficient and effective at carrying out important tasks – you’re wrong. You need a strong and thick-bladed knife, not a big knife that takes up more space than needed. The size of the blade will always interfere with its sharpness and carving abilities. That said, look for a medium or small-sized blade with a heavy-duty design.

However, certain tasks such as batoning and chopping require size more than strength. For that, the blade needs to come into contact with hard surfaces such as wood. So, striking a tree or a branch with a small survival knife is not the ideal way to go. The ideal average size for the best survival knife on the market should be what you find most comfortable to work with. There’s no single best buy for everyone. But with practical know-how and testing can you determine the ideal choice for you.

Blade: The blade is what makes a survival knife fit for outdoor use. Without a rugged and sharp blade edge, it might as well be a table knife of use no but to cut cooked vegetables or meat. The style of the blade includes clip point, drop point, edge, and spin. We’ll take you through each of these features so you know what to consider when choosing the right blade design.

Before we move on to the components that make up blade design, what you need to consider first is whether you want a fixed blade. With a fixed blade, you do not have to fold the tool before storing it and unfold when you have immediate use of it. Now, in survival situations, most people don’t have the time to remove the survival knife from their pockets and unfold to be able to use it. An efficient knife is one which is handy, ready-to-use, and practical. Other kinds of non-fixed blades such as a folding tactical knife just don’t make the cut.

Another major concern with folding blades is that a folding blade snaps more quickly and is weaker than fixed blades. This makes the blade more likely to do nothing in the face of dire and immediate need. So, wouldn’t you want to survive more efficiently with a blade that’s ideal for all kinds of tasks such as cutting, chopping, peeling, pounding, or prying?

The ideal blade length for survival knives can be between 4 to 7 to 11 inches. A short or long survival knife has its use in versatile applications. For example, a long blade is good for chopping or batoning, while a short blade is ideal for carving, prying, and peeling.

The next important component is the blade edge. Is it carbon steel? Carbon steel blade is the most durable and universally-used by professionals. When it comes to choosing the best survival knife, you may not want to compromise on blade edge quality over anything else. It might not look it, but there’s a lot of difference between different kinds of steel when it comes to knives. For outdoor purposes, a sharp edge and hard-to-break carbon steel is all you need.

A main component for high-quality carbon steel blades is the ability to withstand abuse more often than stainless steel knives. Taking care of stainless steel is simple because it comes with stain-proof and rust-proof properties. But carbon steel blades need to be wiped down on a regular basis, especially when it’s used outdoors, for resisting rust and stain. We opted for blades that are more or less variants of carbon steel. They’re tough, effective, and convenient to handle.

The blade thickness of the best survival knife, based on studies, is between 0.15 to 0.27 inches. It’s completely natural to get lured by a thin survival knife because of its light weight. But buying a thin blade is not always the right path to take. You never know of what use the knife might be the next minute. So, staying one step ahead of the game when it comes to thickness is important. A thick blade resists bending, but an extremely thick blade is not essential for carving thinner materials or skinning.

A clip point blade is much thinner and sharper at the tip than the rest of the body. The back side of the blade is double-edged and heavily-padded. Hence, it becomes more suitable for sharpening objects, skinning, and piercing holes.

A drop point blade has a curved edge from the middle which makes it ideal for hooking and more versatile purposes.

Handle: The survival knife’s handle must be made of synthetic material. While most people pay attention to the blade sharpness and thickness, the handle goes unnoticed and is often made of low quality material. This compromises the strength, durability, and grip of the entire tool. Avoid using plastic and metal knife handles because they lack proper density which quickly deteriorates and puts you at a risk of injuring your palms from holding it for a long time. Secondly, metal conducts heat and temperature so you get an extremely hot and an extremely cold handle during the summer and winter season.

Buy the best materials for a handle which are Kraton, synthetic rubber polymer, glass fiber, nylon, GRN/FRN, and Micarta. Dense rubber is also sufficient for certain survival knives that offer durability, strength, and grip ability.

Our Best Pick

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The Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge comes from Sweden with its 6.3-inches blade length and durable material. This best survival knife pays attention to the details as you can see by its ergonomic grip handle and Black leather sheath. The blade is made up of laminated VG10 steel which is undoubtedly hard to crack and longer lasting. The drop point design of the blade makes the Fallkniven one of the best quality survival knives on the market. Not forgetting about its convex ground and partially flat blade which is at least 0.24 inches thick. If you ask us about the performance of this fix blade knife it’s effective, accurate, and durable. It makes tedious tasks look quick and easy such as chopping, slicing, and even cutting through wood.

If you want something that works well with wood, this best survival knife is up to the task. As for the construction, the steel laminated material is twice as strong as other steel knives. This makes the Fallkniven suitable for heavy-duty use. More importantly, you want something that sticks as long as you out in the woods, and the sharp edge and semi-rubbery density polymer rubber handle is the right choice for it.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This survival knife prides itself with many durable features, but it does have its drawbacks too. For example, the handle is made up of an unbreakable material supported by a short handle area. The short handle rules out users with relatively large hands, especially the finger holes.A little bit more room for finger grip would have been ideal.

Our Best Step-Up Pick

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The Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 is an upgraded pick to buy. It’s designed for pure wilderness survival with its 4.1 inches blade length and O-1 type steel construction. The Bushcraft knife is a tactical knife with a sharp edge and 0.14-inch blade thickness. You can put all your weight on it and it doesn’t give in. What we specifically liked about this best survival knife was the Scandivanian grind. It is a full tang blade with lots to offer to its users. The O-1 type steel is a combination of tungsten, vanadium, chromium, silicon, and manganese. This means it’s tougher than most other tactical knives on the market.

The handle of the Bushcraft is laminate G-10 which is of black fiberglass material. You might want to consider buying fiberglass for wilderness survival as its extremely useful and offers a good grip and texture. When compared to a tactical folding knife, the Bushcraft is much safer and effective. It has a 4-inch blade and a high carbon construction which provides safety given its ergonomic design, and has a contoured shape for chopping, slicing, and all other tasks that need you to survive out in the wilderness. What more could one ask for in a high-end, reasonably-priced, and long-lasting tactical knife?  

Our Best Budget Pick

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The SOG Flash II Knife is a quality contender with lots to offer to its users. It is an affordable folding knife with safety features that make it both qualified and persistent. It has a straight edge with a drop point shape and 3.5-inch blade length. If you want a lightweight survival knife with similar features to high-end knives, this is your ideal pick. It functions similar to most other survival knives including highly competitive Benchmade, Spyderco, and Ka-Bar Decker. For people who are always searching for better tools at good prices, the SOG Flash is comfortable and useful. It’s the ideal survival pocket knife to buy with a drop point blade and lifetime manufacturer warranty. The SOG Flash is guaranteed for life because of its ergonomic handle and folding design. You ask anyone who has used a glass-reinforced handle, they’ll turn to this best survival knife for absolute performance.

You must know that this best survival knife is easy for camping and trekking purposes. So, if you happen to lose it on your journey, you wouldn’t feel bad about it because of its low price and easy availability. On an ending note, the reversible, bayonet mounted pocket clip offers stability when its most required. That’s when you know you have the SOG Flash II at your side in survival situations.

Our Best Wilderness Pick with Extra Features

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The Brite Strike BSTLSK-100-CE has a 3.5-inches blade and is 8.6-inches long. It is a tactical knife designed for extreme wilderness survival made of stainless steel, hardened aluminium, and titanium. The stainless steel blade material is coated with titanium to offer extreme protection against rust, stains, and water. While the hard anodized steel aluminium finish body material is good for mobility. The Brite Strike has excellent features like the LED mini flashlight, spring stainless steel clip, fire striking tool, and much more. We specifically liked the Ferrocerium fire striking tool which makes it the best survival knife for extreme survival situations.

Our Best Water-Resistant Pick

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The ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife is constructed with full steel and has a full tang. ESEE is a reputable brand known for their military survival knives and top survival knives. And this product is a good combination of it. It comes with an appealing gray and black handle. The handle is made up of Micarta and the lanyard hole holds comfortably. The best part about using this knife is that it doesn’t slip under any circumstance. So, even if it’s pouring down, the handle is still as secure and offers a good grip as when in the dry climate. All-in-all, the ESEE 6P has a sharp edge, 6.5-inches blade, and overall design that’s 11.75-inches long.

Our Best Stainless Steel Pick

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The Tops Knives Tom Brown Tracker has a blade that’s 5.5-inches long and a body that’s 10.75-inches long. Made from ATS-34 and Micarta, this best survival knife has it all. The clip point design, full tang, finger grips on this knife is impressive. The lower/back cutting edge of the blade is serrated which helps increase stamina for heavy-duty tasks such as chopping or batoning. We liked this pick for its extremely durable and long-lasting blade and handle construction. Together these components work together making the knife perfect for any kind of survival use. The stainless steel blade made from Hibachi chrome-molybdenum alloy is a good example for that.  

Our Best Pick with Spear Point Design

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ESEE ESLSP-BRK Laser Strike is a fixed blade knife with an overall length of 10-inches and a blade length of 4.75-inches. It is one of the best survival knives with a spear point design and high carbon steel blade construction. The carbon-steel blade adds durability and effectiveness to the tool. Which means it can withstand all kinds of elements such as water, dust, rust, and stains. This full tang pick is good for skinning and piercing, all thanks to its spear point blade type. Since the tip of the blade is placed precisely at the center of the cutting edge with a fixed blade and fire brow drill compatibility, it’s in the league of other highly competitive picks such as Rambo knife, Ka-Bar Cutlass Machete, and so on.

Our Best Pick for Professionals

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The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife is backed by professional adventurers like Edward Bear Gryll. It is a full tang, stainless steel construction with military-grade features. A similar contender of the Gerber Ultimate Pro is its LMF II version which shared the same features that make it one of the most durable picks on the market. For example, the knife comes with a protective sheath which is mildew-resistant and is made of nylon. With even has a built-in fire starter feature and a lanyard with an emergency whistle. This is the best all-in-one survival knife for most people. Which makes it the best for professionals like SEAL pup scouts. Of the survival knives we reviewed, the Gerber is the best at everything. You can build a fire, break glass, build a shelter, find and cut wood with this. The 4.8-inch blade length and drop point blade keep you more active and alert.

Our Best Serrated Pick

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If our previous pick isn’t available, you’ll also like the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife. Have you heard of Gerber Legendary Blades? These blades have been customized to meet the needs of professionals on a whole new level. The Gerber LMF II is a part of this family. It comes with ergonomic features that help survivors adapt to new environments. For example, a Northern Irish adventurer, Bear Grylls has contributed to the manufacturing of a fresh line of Gerber knives and other tools. (1)

With a 10-inch serrated blades body, it has a durable stainless steel buttcap and an over-molded handle. This best survival knife stands up against all kinds of survival tasks. It has been engineered by experts and field-tested too. Which makes this the best serrated blade knife on the market. As for the design, it has a comfortable and slip-resistant handle. The carbide sharpener supported by the sheath is an impressive feature to have. If the stainless steel blade loses its sharpness over time, the carbide sharpener can bring it back to its original edge.

Our Best Military-Grade Pick

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The Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion is mostly used for military purposes. It has been tested for both quality and durability. The Ka-Bar Becker is made of durable carbon steel and is reinforced with vanadium and chromium which makes the blade rugged. The blade itself is 5.25-inches and the overall knife 10.5 inches. With a drop point design, this survival knife is both ergonomic and 0.25-inches thick. We liked the Ka-Bar because it’s not just an ordinary survival knife. This army knife has everything you need to build a shelter, prepare your meals, chop wood, and pry open containers. In the end, you’ll want to use something that makes survival tasks quick and easy. And the Ka-Bar is a survivor for a world of survivors. If you want something even more rugged, go for the Gerber LMF II Infantry, which was specifically designed to save an aircrew from a downed aircraft. Pretty amazing, right?           

The Competition

After researching the top ten survival knives for our readers, we’ve come to a conclusion that choosing a survival knife isn’t as easy as it looks. At its most basic, a survival knife contains features that will either make or break your game. Plus, survival knives aren’t for everyone. If you spend most of your days of the year outdoors, camping, hiking, trekking, or backpacking, you need a certified survival kit after careful consideration. That’s what we’re here for!  

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a survival knife?

The main objective of the best survival knife is to secure and support certain tasks such as chopping wood, cutting rope, peeling, batoning, clipping, prying, and striking. What one considers the ideal components for building a shelter, starting a fire, and surviving in a forest are what make up a survival knife. Some of you have experienced true survival situations and not just for camping or trekking, so finding the right tools is necessary for staying alive. So, taking the features of the best survival knife sincerely is important. That said, here is a simple run-down of all the important uses of a survival knife:

  1. It can be used to pry cans, boxes, and similar objects.
  2. It can be used to build a fire.
  3. It can be used to cut and secure ropes to build a shelter.
  4. It can be used for hunting and skinning animals.
  5. It can be used for slicing, dicing, cutting, and digging for food.
  6. It can be used for chopping down and splitting branches.
  7. It can be used as self defense against all kinds of threat.
  8. It can be used to catch fish, clean them, and cook them.

Partial or Full Tang – Which is important?

The tang of a survival knife is what goes into the handle. The longer the tang, the more secure and sturdier will the blade be. Never settle for a partial tang as it’s weaker than full tang. An alternative to full tang would be an extended tang which makes both the blade and handle good for smacking or crushing.

Half Tang: The blade area of the knives extends halfway into the area of the handle.

Full Tang: The blade area of the knives is the same size as the area of the handle. It enters the handle completely meeting at the base of the handle.

Extended Tang: In an extended tang, the blade area of the knife extends beyond the handle and it creates a durable base or pommel at the end of the handle which makes it a multi-purpose tool for outdoor use.

Rat Tail Tang: A rat tail tang is narrower than the blade itself. Imagine a popsicle stick and the wood stick holding the popsicle upright is the tang and the popsicle itself is the blade.

What are the different types of blade point in survival knives?

You might think that survival knives come in a single blade point, but that isn’t the case. There is Tanto, drop point, clip point, spear point, trailing point, and Sheepsfoot. All these serve a unique survival purpose and that is to shield and support you from all the different tasks you carry out. We’ve discussed the design and use of a drop and clip point blade in this guide as they’re the most basic types of blade points on the market. Here are the rest of them.

Tanto: Tanto is the name of a Japanese sword and it has a straighter spine and a double bevel blade. In a Tanto point, the surface of the blade angles toward the tip; creating a triangular angle at the point. This kind of point is good for prying, slicing, peeling, dicing, and cutting.

Spear Point: In a spear point blade, the blade mimics the design of a spear where the tip is at the center of the blade and the right and left side are doubled-edged angling towards the tip. This is good for prying and piercing only. Not the ideal choice for versatile survival use.

Sheepsfoot: In a Sheepsfoot blade, the blade is shaped almost like the handle with one side of the blade curving. They are more flexible and versatile than they look. Which makes them good for carving, peeling, and skinning only. Most Sheepsfoot knives are foldable too.

Trailing Point: Trailing point blades are good for scaling and skinning since the tip of the blade has a curved edge. It’s much higher or longer than the handle, so they’re more flexible than they look.

Do I need a compass in my handle?

A compass in any survival knife handle is a special feature. However useful it is, not many people opt for a compass based on the price and quality of the tool. That said, a compass can come in handy in pure life and death situations that is when you’re lost in the woods or at sea. Most compasses are placed at the butt of the knife’s handle. They are supported by a wide range of materials and are often cheap to buy. However, with a compass at the butt of the handle you will definitely miss out on extended tang abilities for pounding or crushing. But if you still insist on buying a compass for real-life experiences in unknown habitat, buying a compass is essential. It can be a life-saver.

About the material of compasses, you will be able to find impact resistant, flexible, and protective compasses that come with a removable cap for extra protection against water, moisture, humidity, and rust.

What is a blade grind?

A grind is the shape of the cross-section of the blade. In simple words, it’s the way the blade thickens or thins as the cutting edge. There are a number of grinds available on the market for the best survival knife. They are as follows:

Hollow grind: A hollow grind is the most popular kind of grind there is. The sides of the cutting-edge curve inwards toward the tip, creating an accurate concave design. Both sides of the blade meet at a certain point, or tip, making that tip razor sharp. But in spite of the concave shape, this type of grind is fairly ineffective for high-end use. It can deplete in quality and durability very easily and so it’s often used for basic tasks.

Full Flat grind: The full flat grind slopes equally from both sides, making a triangular shape as it meets at the tip. This type of grind is simple, yet extremely effective. So effective that it comes in many variants. Full flat grinds are sharp, but not as strong as other grinds.

High Flat grind: In a high flat grind, where a full flat grind slopes equally from the base of the blade to the tip, the high flat grind tapers halfway to the tip.

Scandinavian grind: A Scandinavian grind is also known as the “V” grind. Both sides slope towards the tip starting from the tip of the cutting edge. This type of grind is good for sharpening wood but is not as durable to rely on for heavy-duty tasks.

Chisel grind: The chisel grind is when one side of the blade slopes towards the tip while the other side remains parallel or straight. The side which tapers towards the tip is often at 25-degrees angle.

Convex grind: In a convex grind, the top edge of the blade curves in a convex angle towards the tip of the blade. Unlike others, a convex grind curves towards the tip instead of a straight line.

What are the different kinds of steel used for making survival knives?

While steel is the best option for survival knives, there are different variations of steel that you need to be aware of such as carbon steel, Cro-Van steel, 440C, etc.

Carbon steel: Carbon steel is the most common and effective kind of steel for survival knives. Carbon steel is lightweight, cost-effective, and is ideally ductile. The carburizing procedure of steel makes carbon more rigid and rugged for use. Carbon steel works just like stainless steel but has far greater strength than stainless steel. So, if you want steel blades that’ll last longer, go for carbon steel as your ultimate choice. (2)

Stainless steel: Rather, carbon steel is more like a cousin to stainless steel, but with a different manufacturing process. Stainless steel comes with properties that make it last longer unless it’s not taken care of. Unlike carbon steel, stainless steel requires polishing to resist stain, rust, and other elements. Now, as for its composition, stainless steel contains 12% chromium which adds good corrosion and rust resistance. But it also depletes the blade’s sharpening abilities. Stainless steel blades tend to lose contact with precision and become soft-edged quickly. So, it’s better to rely on stainless steel for menial tasks. (3)

AUS-8 steel: AUS-8 steel is a variant of stainless steel with rugged and durable properties. It is heat treated to meet certain industry standards.

CPM3V steel: CPM3V is a powder-made steel variant. It is used to coat on other materials. However, it has a fast deterioration rate but without affecting the quality of the blade material.

1095 carbon steel: 1095 shares the properties of carbon steel and non-stainless steel. Even though 1095 has a sharp edge, it is prone to rusting and corrosion unless you lubricate it regularly. 1095 blades are also much thicker than standard knives.

420HC: 420HC is a traditional carbon stainless steel variant. This is the type of knife you’ll find on most old-school adventurers and hunters. It may not be as rugged as others, but they’re sharp, easy to sharpen, and effective. If you want a classy survival knife, buying 420HC is your best bet.

440C: 440C is stainless steel with chromium and crystallite. Crystallite makes the material durable while chromium helps resist corrosion, rusting, and stains.   

Do I need a sheath to protect my survival knife?

High-quality knives with sharp edges and a durable handle must be protected by a sheath from rust, corrosion, water, and other environmental factors. There are different types of sheath materials such as leather, kydex, nylon, and plastic. The best materials for survival knives are leather and kydex. A leather sheath is the only traditional material used for knives with many advantages such as smooth texture, thick design, and good appearance. You can also replace your sheath for a new one to protect the same survival knife. Hence, a sheath is must-buy for outdoorspeople as a part of their survival kit.

Here’s what you need to know about a sheath and its design and features that make using a survival knife much simpler.

Attachments: A sheath must have a lower or a belt and lanyard attachment. A lower attachment is where there is a kind of hole at the base of the sheath which is used to attaching the knife to the leg, shoulder back-straps, or to a belt. This keeps the knife from slipping out while making sure the knife is kept well and away from external elements. Brands like the Ka-Bar Becker, LMF II, etc. offer attachments on the lanyard hole for better use.

Strap: If you want something that doesn’t get in the way, using a sheath strap for safety is necessary. If the knife is protected by the sheath on all sides, that is when the sheath wraps itself around the knife, with the help of a crossover strap, you should be able to hang the sheath at your side. The strap is attached to the sheath at the base which means taking the knife out of the sheath is easy and quick.


What’s the difference between survival knives and kitchen knives?

Simply put, kitchen knives are designed to cook food which involves cutting or peeling all kinds of ingredients. The only function that draws a line between kitchen and survival knives is this: the former are made to prepare food while the latter for outdoor use. With a kitchen knife, you can expect to buy either a serrated edge, straight, or a granton knife. Among these, a serrated edge knife is the most common. These knives are straighter edges that are adept at cutting through different textures as varied as meat to vegetables or fruits. Professional kitchen knives are tested under heavy pressure to ensure proper performance and safety for the following types of cooking skills:

  1. Detailed cutting, generally used by professional cooks, on vegetables, breads, and fruits.
  2. A sharp edge chef’s knife which is used for versatile cooking tasks such as cutting, slicing, chopping, peeling, hacking, or de-boning.
  3. A meat cleaver uses a knife to cut and hack meat.

A survival knife is only intended for outdoor use for dealing with various survival situations. There are all kinds of survival knife such as army knife, survival pocket knife, hunting knives, folding knife, fixed-blade knife, knives with drop-point blade, full tang knife, and wilderness survival knife. Such knives are manufactured to deal with any survival situation which includes setting traps, building a shelter, cutting branches, and cutting ropes. That said, every survival knife is a kind of kitchen knife, but no kitchen knife is a survival knife.

Military knives belong to military servicemen and servicewomen who use it for cutting through thick cords, ropes, etc. One good example of military knife is the Ka-Bar USMC which was used during the World War II. (4)

In many cases, using kitchen knives for a survival situation may be possible but for only a short period of time. Kitchen knives are not adept at withstanding extreme pressure and prolonged use outdoors. You can use one in case if your existing one is spoiled or broken. They act as good substitutes to survival knives. The blades will break down easily and lose their edge if used for a long period of time for chopping or cutting through thicker and harder materials. Plus, kitchen knives aren’t durable enough to resist stains, rust, water, and other elements.

Can a pocket knife make a good survival tool?

When compared to bigger knives, a pocket knife is also a practical and useful tool to have in your survival kit. It can be used to tackle menial tasks that make up your daily routine. The best advantage of such knives is that they fit comfortably in your pocket and a comparatively more portable and compact. A common Everyday Carry Knife, or EDC, is a must-have for utility tasks such as opening a package, prying open a can, or recycling a material. If you head out for camps more often, this could also help with food prepping, carving, and the likes. These make up the foundational tasks of camping outdoors. And without them, you’re very likely to remain hungry or inefficient at your adventure. This survival tool comes in handy when other tools such as tweezers or splinters aren’t available. They’re the best utility knife blade to buy under budget and as backup.

You should also know that EDC tools aren’t meant for everyone. And not everyone understands the core basics of an EDC tool. A EDC tool also follows certain legal and safety protocols, like a survival knife, to ensure the customer’s safety and efficiency. EDC knives are made up of high-grade materials and are only prone to rust or corrosion or damage when you do not maintain them. According to the American Knife & Tool Institute, there are specific knife laws in place to confirm the performance and reviewing of EDC knives. This means, every survival tool undergoes various testing and certifications before it is researched and sold as a “survival” tool.

Wrapping It Up

We’ve finally found something that makes other competitors look like they’re not skilled enough. The Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge is a good value for the price. It has an easy-to-use design which is both durable and effective. It can bring life back to your routine tasks such as cutting rope, building a shelter, batoning wood, etc. After many knives that we tested, this one has the most reliable customer reviews and a reputable customer service feedback. If you want something that allows you to be tough at what you do, the Fallkniven is the best knife for everyday heavy-duty use.