Survival KnivesA bushcraft, or survival, knife is used for various outdoor tasks such as cutting rope and other materials, chopping tree branches, whittling wood or skinning game. The wide range of tasks it can accomplish is necessary since most outdoorsmen can’t afford to be weighed down by multiple tools.

Bushcraft Knives vs. Survival Knives

The term bushcraft knife and survival knife are used interchangeably. Some say a bushcraft knife is designed for a situation where the owner has intentionally set out to accomplish wilderness tasks, whereas a survival knife is designed for more of an unintentional, emergency situation. In practice, however, this distinction is minimal at best and most manufacturers do not distinguish between them.

Further complicating matters is that these knives are also sometimes referred to as “wilderness” knives or “camping” knives.

One task that does seem to be suited for a survival knife but not for a bushcraft knife is “batoning”. Batoning is using the knife as an implement for chopping larger branches. The knife is placed on the wood to be cut and the owner hammers on the spine of the knife to drive it into the wood.

Blades

Survival knife blades should typically be about four inches long. Those with a larger palm may desire a longer blade, though a blade longer than five inches is not generally recommended.

Better quality knives are typically have a full tang or hidden tang. A full-tang knife has a blade that runs the entire width and length of the knife and is often visible on the edges of the handle. A hidden-tang knife runs the full-length of the knife but narrows as it enters the handle and is completely covered by the handle.

Steel can be stainless or carbon-steel. Stainless steel will not rust, a big advantage in wet conditions. Carbon steel blades are easier to re-sharpen and will hold a keener edge.

Edges can be serrated or straight. Full-serrated edges are typically not recommended since they are difficult to resharpen, but many knives will have a small part of the blade that is serrated while the majority of the edge is straight.

A2 and VG-10 are popular, high-end carbon steels, while 440C and AUS8 are popular high-end stainless steels.

Handles

A survival knife handle should be rugged, comfortable and easy to grip in any weather condition. Micarta and stag bone are popular choices. Stacked leather grips are popular as well, though may not be the best choice in a consistently-rainy climate.

Knives of this type typically do not have any sort of finger guard, since they are not intended for the forward-and-back motion of sawing, but rather for the up-and-down motion of cutting and slicing.

Hollow handles with screw-off butt caps can double as storage compartments but are typically less durable than solid handles so are not recommended.

Complementary Knives

While versatile, these blades are not designed to be “utility tools”. Tasks that require twisting, wrenching or screwing, for example, are inappropriate for this type of knife. A multi-tool is a better choice for those tasks and makes a perfect complement to a survival knife.

For tasks that require a longer blade, a machete or ax would be a more appropriate tool.

Brands

Most major knife manufacturers make a knife in this category. Popular, well-regarded choices include knives from Fallkniven, Bark River Knife and Tool and Ontario Knife Company.

The “Best” Survival Knife

Readers often ask us what the favorite survival knife is. Of course, the ideal knife in one situation may not be appropriate in another. In addition, if you truly find yourself in a “survival” situation, the best knife is going to be the one you’ve got with you.

Despite that, it’s helpful to point out a few knives that have been recognized over and over again as some of the premier blades in this category. In particular, the Frosts Mora is an excellent “value” knife that performs well beyond its modest price point.

And the Fallkniven F1 is recognized again and again as a top-notch, versatile and rugged knife that is well made and perfect for backcountry applications.

Finally, the Fox River Hunter by Bark River Knives is a top performer that gets tons of recognition from those in the know.

Where to Buy Bushcraft Knives

We’ve written about a number of great bushcraft knives below — you might want to check those out before shopping. But if you want a quick list of links, here are links to two of our favorite manufacturers:

Bushcraft / Survival

Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pack | Cody Lundin & Doug Ritter Recommended Professional Survival Gear

Designed by Doug Ritter of “Equipped to Survive,” the Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pak earned positive reviews from survival instructor...
JT Hats
1 min read

Buck X-Tract Multi-tool, One Handed | Lockback Combo Edge Knife w/ LED 731

Multi-purpose gear for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoorsmen gets better every year. If you make the Buck 731 X-Tract LED Multi-Tool...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Trail Hawk Camp Hand Axe | Tomahawk Hammer w/ Hickory Handle

Possibly many of today’s backwoodsmen are a little embarrassed to carry a tomahawk, but I wouldn’t think of leaving mine at...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Gerber Back Pack Axe, Small | Camping & Wood Chopping Hatchet w/ Sheath 45912

Gerber’s Back Paxe offers backpackers a versatile camp tool small enough to carry conveniently into the deep woods. While it doesn’t...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel True Flight Throwing Knife | Fixed Spear Point Blade w/ Sheath 80TFTC

The True Flight Thrower from Cold Steel combines common sense materials and good design. This balanced throwing knife also cuts and...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Cold Steel SRK Survival Knife | Navy Seal Search & Rescue, Fixed Black Blade w/ Concealex Sheath

Years ago, any hunter looking for a good field knife expected something this good. Today, the Cold Steel Search and Rescue...
JT Hats
1 min read

Hudson Bay Camp Axe by Snow & Nealley | Tomahawk Frontier Trade Replica w/ Hickory Wood Handle 012S

If you think this camp axe from Snow and Nealley looks a lot like a tomahawk, you’re right. The Hudson Bay...
JT Hats
1 min read

Gerber Camp Hand Axe, Chopping & Wood Splitting | Nylon Handle w/ Belt Sheath 45905

The Gerber 45905 Camp Axe is a good size for canoeists and hunters able to carry larger gear on their backwoods...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Case Hobo Gift Set, Camping Survival Knife | Zippo Firestarter Lighter, Fork & Spoon, Belt Pouch

The Hobo Gift Set from W.R. Case fits in anywhere and actually does offer survival basics as well as practical camp...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Swamp Rat Ratmandu RMD Camping & Survival Knife | Custom Drop Point Fixed Blade, Full Tang

Still available from Swamp Rat Knife Works in 2011, the Ratmandu knife comes in a variety of handle colors but always...
JT Hats
1 min read

Pygmy ATAK by Mad Dog Knives | Camping Knife w/ Drop Point Plain Edge Full Tang Blade

Mad Dog Knives makes the Pygmy ATAK knife in two versions, distinguished by different thicknesses of the high carbon tool steel...
Sharon
1 min read

Mad Dog Para Raider Survival Knife | Dutch Military Replica Full Tang Blade

Mad Dog Knives produced the Para Raider knife for elite members of the Dutch military, but a few pieces did find...
Sharon
1 min read

Crocodile Dundee Knife Replica | Bowie Australian Frontier Fixed Blade by Down Under Knives

Bowies large enough to suit Crocodile Dundee were common on the American frontier but are much harder to find now. Today,...
JT Hats
1 min read

Wetterlings Axe Chopping Blade, Hand Forged | Swedish Hickory Handle 32H

Hand forged in Storvik, Sweden, the S.A. Wetterling Axe with hickory handle represents 100 years of Swedish tradition. The best Wetterling...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel TrailMaster Genuine Bowie Knife | High Carbon Steel w/ Kraton Handle SK-2

The Cold Steel Trail Master isn’t just a knife with a Bowie-style blade. The Trail Master is a genuine Bowie knife...
JT Hats
1 min read

Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 Survival Knife | Military Pocket Clip Folder, Plain Edge

Spyderco’s Para-Military 2 is the third version of a Spyderco design originally meant for military use. First scaled down for civilian...
JT Hats
58 sec read

SaberCut Saw by Ultimate Survival | Manual Chainsaw, Emergency Chain Compact Tool

There may be times when you’re far from town and nothing but a saw will accomplish the work at hand. The...
JT Hats
1 min read

Commando Wire Bone Saw | Survival Blade Metal Cutter

The Commando Wire Saw claims the ability to cut through a variety of materials including wood, plastic, bamboo, and bone. A...
JT Hats
1 min read

Puma Packer Camping Knife, Lockback Folder | Large Green ABS Grip Handle, Gold Series 230465

Puma’s recommended knife for backpackers — the Puma Packer — actually is slightly heavier than other Puma folders with the same...
JT Hats
57 sec read

Jungle King Bowie Hunting Knife by Trademark | Fixed Skinning Blade w/ Survival Kit, Nylon Sheath

This heavy, fixed-blade Bowie knife from Trademark holds much more than a sharp edge with two different compartments of gear and...
JT Hats
1 min read

Leatherman Core Multitool & Crater Knife Combo Set | Plain Edge & Serrated Lockback 831085 C33LX

One of the most sensible improvements to any multitool is a separate knife to use instead of the awkward pen-knife blade...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Bull Bob Dozier Knife by Ka-Bar | Clip Point Hunting & Survival Black Blade

Designed by Bob Dozier and produced in collaboration with Ka-Bar, the Ka-Bar Bull Dozier knife shows the forty years of knife-making...
JT Hats
1 min read

Ninja Tanto Knife w/ Caltrops, Shuriken Stars, Punch Dagger | Fantasy Master Recon Belt Sheath

Like the Ninja themselves, this Ninja Recon Tanto Knife from Fantasy Master holds secrets you won’t suspect until it’s too late....
JT Hats
56 sec read

SOG Large Fixed Woodline Knife WD01-L | Hunting & Fishing Plain Edge Survival Blade

SOG’s Woodline knives put the company’s tactical quality to work for the hunter and fisherman. Built for practical camp work and...
JT Hats
1 min read

Bear Grylls Survival Knife by Gerber, Serrated | Outdoor Emergency Kit Handle w/ Whistle, Firestarter & Sharpener 31-000751

Bear Grylls, British SAS veteran and outdoor survival show star, collaborated with Gerber to produce this interesting and very capable survival...
JT Hats
1 min read

SOG Woodline Folding Knife WD-50 | Compact Survival Plain Edge by Specialty Knives & Tools

SOG’s Woodline WD-50 Folder fits in a belt pouch, not in the pocket. For a compact survival knife large enough to...
JT Hats
1 min read

Ka-Bar Potbelly Hunting, Camping & Survival Knife | Adventure Gurkha w/ Zytel Handle 2-5600-4

If you’re looking for a heavy duty camp knife, hunting knife, and survival tool, stop here. Look no farther than the...
JT Hats
1 min read

Becker Knife & Tool Combat Bowie, Black BK-9 | Ka-Bar Survival Full Tang High Carbon Steel Blade

Becker Knife & Tool once produced a wide variety of survival knives built to the specifications of founder Ethan Becker, who...
JT Hats
1 min read

Columbia River Knife & Tool Custom Folding Knife Set 9040GWC | CRKT GoWork Multi Tool Flux Pack, 2009 Innovative Design Award

Blade Magazine presented Columbia River Knife & Tool with the 2009 Most Innovative Imported Design award, earned by CRKT’s Flux knife...
JT Hats
1 min read

SOG Revolver SEAL Folding Bowie Knife FX21-N | Locking Black TiNi Survival Saw Blade

More than a folding knife and not quite a fixed blade, the SOG Speciality Knives & Tools FX21-N Revolver SEAL shows...
JT Hats
1 min read