What follows are my favorite survival knives that I have reviewed. If you are new to the site and new to knives, these are what I would consider the best survival knives that I have reviewed.
Please keep in mind that I’m not a survival expert, and my catalog of survival knife reviews isn’t very large. These are knives that I have found to be exceptional performers in the out-of-doors and also offer good value.
It would probably be more appropriate for me to title this page “recommended outdoor fixed-blade knives,” but that doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. At any rate, I hope this page helps you by putting some of my favorite survival knives in one spot.
The prices are roughly as follows: 1 $ = under $50; 2 $$ = $50 to $100; 3 $$$ = $100 to $200; 4 $$$$ = $200+.
Survival Knife Recommendations:
| Survival Knives | Overall Length (inches) | Blade Length (inches) | Weight (ounces) | Blade Steel | Price | Made In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fallkniven F1 Read My Review | 8.3 | 3.8 | 6 | VG10/420J SGPS | 3 $$$ | Japan |
Becker BK-2 Read My Review | 10.625 | 5.25 | 16 | 1095 | 2 $$ | USA |
Fallkniven A1 Read My Review | 11 | 6.3 | 11.2 | VG10/420J | 4 $$$$ | Japan |
Ka-Bar Kuktri Machete Read My Review | 17 | 11.5 | 20 | 1085 | 2 $$ | Taiwan |
ESEE Junglas Read My Review | 16.5 | 10.5 | 22.5 | 1095 | 3 $$$ | USA |
Mora Companion | 8.6 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 12C27 | 1 $ | Sweden |
ESEE Izula II Read My Review | 6.75 | 2.75 | 3.2 | 1095 | 2 $$ | USA |
ESEE-3 Read My Review | 8.31 | 3.88 | 5.2 | 1095 | 3 $$$ | USA |
Schrade SCHF9 Read My Review | 13 | 6.4 | 15.9 | 1095 | 1 $ | China |
Ontario Machete Read My Review | 23 | 18 | 23 | 1095 | 1 $ | USA |
How to Choose a Survival Knife
Below are some considerations from me in selecting the best survival knife for your specific needs. As you can tell, there is a wide variety of survival knives: from big choppers to small field knives. What follows are some of my thoughts after handling and using countless knives.
Size
I don’t want to be too crass, but size matters when selecting a survival knife. An ultra light backpacker trekking the Appalachian trail for months, someone planning to spend a week in the Amazon, and someone looking for a knife to keep in the back of their truck in the event of a winter emergency will all have completely different needs when it comes to a survival knife. If you are planning on carrying the knife with you over long distances, size and weight becomes a huge concern. The type of uses you foresee for your knife and environmental factors also make size a concern. The other gear you will carry is another factor in selecting an appropriate knife. For example, if you are carrying a saw or axe, then you don’t need a big chopper.
Personally, I like big knives. They aren’t always practical, but they are fun. Even if I am carrying a big knife, I also like to have a small lightweight knife for finer detail tasks and as a backup in case something happens to my other knife. A good rule of thumb for most people is to select a knife with a blade between 4 and 6 inches. As you develop your style of working with knives you will discover naturally what size you prefer.
Steel
After determining the size of knife you are looking to purchase, you need to then examine the steel. The biggest decision will be whether to go with a stainless steel or high carbon steel blade. Even stainless steels rust, but high carbon steel knives are much more prone to rust and corrosion unless they are coated and well maintained. High carbon steel knives are also generally tougher and easier to sharpen. Stainless steel knives are generally more brittle, but they hold their edge longer.
I have great survival knives in both high carbon and stainless steel. The best choice for you will depend on your personal tastes, style of use, comfort level with maintenance, and your environment.
Blade Shape
Blade shape can be a very important factor in selecting a survival knife. I generally like a more simple and classic blade shape for my survival knives, as that makes them easier to sharpen and more versatile. I don’t like recurved blades for a survival knife (they can be very difficult to sharpen, especially in the field), and I don’t like blade shapes that have double edges, saw backs, serrations, or very sharp swedges on the spine, as that can get in the way when batoning with the knife.
I also prefer a plain edge over a serrated or partially serrated edge in a survival knife. Some folks swear by partial serrations, with the idea being that the serrations will be able to “saw” through material long after the plain edge has gone dull, but if you know how to maintain an edge and pack a small sharpener with you, you can keep a plain edge sharp, and I find a well maintained plain edge to be more serviceable than a partially serrated edge.
Handle
The handle of a survival knife is arguably more important than the blade. If the knife isn’t comfortable you can’t use it as efficiently, can’t use it as well, and may even injure yourself. This can make the difference in a survival scenario. I prefer a simple handle without a lot of stuff going on with it. I try to avoid excessive jimping, finger grooves, etc in favor of a super simple handle that I will accommodate my hand well and minimize the chance of developing blisters. You will notice that the knives I recommend have extremely simple handles which are likely to fit a variety of hand sizes.
Sheath
The sheath of a survival knife is also hugely important. There are 3 main styles of survival knife sheath:
- Plastic and kydex sheathes;
- Nylon (cloth) sheathes; and
- Leather sheathes.
I prefer a plastic or kydex sheath because they are usually very durable, securely carry the knife, allow the user a wide variety of mounting options and ways to use the sheath, and work well in all kinds of weather conditions (including extreme cold, which is admittedly not a big issue for me since I live in Florida).
Nylon and cloth sheathes are typically cheaper and less durable. Sometimes these can be OK if they come with a plastic sleeve. A nylon sheath isn’t always a terrible option, and they can sometimes be very lightweight, but I tend to prefer kydex for its improved durability.
Leather is a more traditional sheath option. These have been used by man for thousands of years, so leather has a definite track record. However, they can freeze in cold conditions, and they can trap moisture on the blade leading to rust. They also aren’t usually outfitted with all of the bells and whistles nylon and kydex sheathes have these days, like molle locks, tek locks, etc, which cuts down on your mounting and carry options. Leather can still be a great choice, especially if you like belt carry.
Regardless, you want a lightweight and durable sheath that keeps your knife safe and out of the way when on the go, and is easy to access when you need it.
Final Thoughts
These were some basic considerations when selecting the best survival knife for you. There is a lot to consider, but hopefully these high points and my detailed reviews will help you find the perfect knife for your needs. Did I leave something out? Feel free to tell me about it in the comments section below.
I definitely agree with the Schrade SCHF9. Great low cost option. Under $40.00. 1095 carbon steel, full tang, flat grind. It’s a big chunk of steel, really heavy duty.
Thanks for stopping by and letting me know about your review – I’ll have to check it out the next time I am on youtube. I agree that the SCHF9 is a tremendous value and I look forward to recording a video review of my own in the not-so-distant future. 🙂
Dan
You’ll want an exposed full tang construction, should the handles failed due to extreme beating in the field, one can still continue to use it without much hassle , or even better by wrapping paracord around it for usage.
Just browsing the internets looking for another option… Have a KA-Bar Mark 1, couple of Buck 119’s, Mora #1 and #2 and a Becker Tac Tool acquired over the years. Thinking about something else, but ultimately, I’m covered with some fairly simple basics.
Nice collection, Andy! Might I recommend adding a machete to the roster? I am putting together a machete review next… handy tool to round things out.
At any rate, cheers and thank you for stopping by!
Dan
Finally! After one BS list after another, advice on survival knives that is actually sane. Congrats. YOU are helpful to those seeking advice.
Thanks, Tom! I try my best to check the bullshit at the door. I won’t pretend to be a survivalist, but we own everything we review and do our best with it. Take care.
Dan
I enjoy your reviews. Would like to see a head to head review of the Junglas vs the new ka-bar choppa. I think you might be surprised at the performance of the lighter Choppa.
Great article. I own most of the recommended knives and multiples of some of them. Example – you can put the Fallkniven F1 cased in its ugly factory sheath in the front pants suit pocket of a formal suit if you need to carry a fixed blade. The Fallkniven A1 is an upgrade of the Cold Steel SRK that Fallkniven used to make for Cold Steel ages ago.
A few years ago, I wrestled with the questions and came to a decision. I was going to buy my son a survival knife that he should carry in his grandpa’s hand-me-down car. My son had no knowledge of knives, no training and lived 3000 miles away in a much more weather hostile environment. It is also an environment in which the car today might be the car stolen when you went out in the morning to drive.
On reflection, it was the Ontario TFI. I already had multiples for myself. No compromises in the design. Slightly over 5 inches. Acceptable factory sheath (which set it apart from a lot of potential competitors). Ergonomically designed handle. I think also told him to put the knife in a zip lock bag and stuff it somewhere in the car where a thief would not find it.
Remember – I am choosing under a series of significant limitations. And those limitations apply to a lot of people. For the most part (and this includes your girlfriend), they never hunt and clean game, whittle down a piece of wood, sharpen a knife blade, build a knife sheath. The Swedish airforce pilot who carries the F1 had a course. The rural adult who grew up with carrying a Mora understands the limitations of that knife. Understand the following. I am laughing when I see another youtube survival knife video wherein some self proclaimed expert is touting that his new knife can baton logs. The guy who grew up with a Mora knows that you don’t baton wood to make a fire or baton green wood. You don’t need to do it as well.
You guys really ought to keep your lists up to date. This one in particular suffers greatly because you include knives that are less typical survival and more bowie/machete, haven’t updated it to reflect the Laser Strike, and have yet to review one of the most highly regarded knives out there in the Esee 6. I understand that life makes it hard to maintain a site that is most likely a hobby more than dedicated profession. I’m just disappointed because I enjoy your reviews compared to some others out there and am a little shocked that you haven’t gotten around to checking out the 6 yet.
Thanks, Bob. You are right this list has some dust on it and can use some updating, or maybe I need to simply take it down if it’s of limited use. You know, I should order an ESEE 6. That would be a good one to review and perhaps include on the list. You are also right in that this is just a hobby site. I have a day job, a second job, and then I also like to work on this site for fun. Usually my efforts are focused on getting new reviews out, but I can’t neglect some of these old lists.
Dan