Best Survival Knife 2020 and Buying Guide

I am stranded in the wilderness. Maybe it’s the result of a hike gone wrong or a busted kayak over the falls. One thing is certain, I thought I prepared for an emergency like this, but as I continue to try to trek my way back to civilization, I find myself wishing I had taken the time to choose a better survival knife. Since I have a long way to go, I begin to contemplate what that knife should’ve been.

Feature Comparison Table of the Best Survival Knives in the World

Click On Image to Read Review	Click On Name to Read Review	Blade x Overall Length	Blade Material (HRC)	Handle Material & Tang	Sheath or Opening & Locking	Latest Price
	1. Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Fixed Blade Knife	4.3″ x 9.1″	High Carbon Stainless Steel (58)	Molded Rubber & Partial Tang	Plastic

Best Survival Knife – Top List Review

1. Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Fixed Blade Knife

This top-rated tactical survival knife features a high carbon steel blade that measures 1/8-inch thick. The blade is sharp and durable to serve you in equal measure in the long term. With a blade length of 4.3 inches, you can easily keep it discrete. It is lightweight at about 4.3 ounces making it flexible as well. In an effort to boost durability, the blade is hardened with a black coating that plays the role of protecting your blade from corrosion.

The handle offers a firm grip thanks to its Scandi grind that prevents slipping. In addition, it has an ergonomic handle made of rubber. When the knife is not in use, you can easily lock it away in the lockable sheath that keeps it secure once the plastic clips are put in place. It is highly recommended as a carving tool thanks to its sharp edge and balanced handling as well as a hunting knife.

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What Is the Survival Knife?

In order to be classified a survival knife; it must be a multi-purpose tool that can function in a range of situations; some of which may be life-threatening. It’s more than just a knife you wear on your hip or strap into a holster. It’s the knife you wield when nothing else will do. Simply put, a survival knife is just that, a knife that will aid you in survival.

What is the Purpose of Your Best Survival Knife?

While some may argue on what the best feature of a survival knife is, all would agree that it must fulfill a couple of requirements. First, a survival knife must be able to cut–vines to build a shelter or maybe to flay the skin off a fresh kill. Second, a survival knife must be able to dig–maybe a foreign object from your own flesh or a trap for your dinner.

Which One would be Best Fixed Blade or Folding?

While there is a need for carrying a folding blade on your person, other than the sheer convenience of size, a fixed blade would always be the best choice when selecting the best survival knife because of its strength and durability.

In a fixed blade knife, there is no joint, which could present a number of issues. A knife with a joint has a very notable weak point. The joint could become worn from excessive use, causing the actual blade to become loose-fitting, hampering the full function of the knife. Because of the weak point of the joint, the survival knife is also at risk of being broken under forceful use such as prying or twisting the knife while in use.

Depending on the type of folding blade, the bendable joint could also begin to rust after becoming wet from use, causing the already weak area to become more so. As a secondary weapon/tool, a folding blade is a must, but when reaching for the better survival knife, makes sure to get a firm grip on your fixed blade. Read More: Best EDC Knife Under $200

Considering the Overall Length of the Survival Knife

Fixed: If choosing a fixed knife as your primary tool, you should put some consideration into the overall length of the knife. If it’s too small, you will be limited in your abilities to utilize it properly, but too large of a knife can prove to hinder you both in your usage and mobility. A perfect size would be around 10”-12”.

Folding: If you’re choosing a folding knife as your primary knife–DON’T!!! If you have it as your secondary, and you have lost your primary in a bear fight or down a crevice while scaling a cliff, keep in mind that the blade is thinner and the knife should be smaller (around 6”-8”).

Measure the Blade Length According to Your Requirement

Another thing to consider is the length of the actual blade in reference to the overall length of the survival knife. While the blade is important, one should take into account the type of handle when determining the most desirable blade length for both a fixed and folding survival knife.

Small Blades: For a small knife with a fixed blade, you will usually want a blade no shorter than the length of your handle, but it could be slightly longer. For example, for a six-inch knife, you want a minimum 3” blade. For a small knife with a folding blade, your blade should be slightly less than the length of your handle because it has to be short enough to fold. For a six-inch knife, you want just under a 3” blade.

Medium Blades: For a medium knife with a fixed blade, you will usually want a blade no shorter than the length of your handle, but it could be slightly longer. For example, for an eight-inch knife, you want a minimum 4” blade. For a medium knife with a folding blade, your blade should be slightly less than the lengths of your handle because it has to be short enough to fold. For an eight-inch knife, you want just under a 4” blade.

Large Blades: For a large knife with a fixed blade, you want a blade that is no shorter than the length of your handle, but it could be slightly longer. For example, for a ten-inch knife, you want a minimum 5” blade. For a large knife with a folding blade, your blade should be slightly less than the lengths of your handle because it has to be short enough to fold. For a ten-inch knife, you want just under a 5” blade.

Choosing the Blade Material

Choosing the blade material really depends on how you as the owner plan to use and care for the knife and in what environment you find yourself in often. Typically, survival knives are either made out of stainless steel or carbon steel. Both have their strengths, and both have their weaknesses, so it’s important to understand their strengths and limitations. When looking at a stainless knife, a person may be drawn to the fact that this type is rust resistant and wouldn’t have to be cleaned as often or as well when exposed to the elements, specifically water.

If you find yourself in a work environment in which you are consistently around water, specifically saltwater, choosing a stainless knife might be your best option; however, being rust resistant seems to be one of the few factors stainless has over carbon. Carbon steel knives are more durable and stronger when compared to stainless, and they also can be sharpened easier and to a finer degree, which is very important in a survival situation. If you are a responsible knife owner, you would know that it’s easy to care for a carbon steel knife when it gets wet by simply wiping it down with mineral oil. Proper care is essential, and that’s a small price to pay for a dependable weapon/tool.

Selecting the Blade Shape or Tip

When selecting the best type of blade shape or tip, it really depends on the intended use of the survival knife, and that is up to whomever wields the weapon.

Drop Point: If you are looking for a strong survival knife that can chop, dig, pry and function as a small weapon, then the drop point blade is a good choice. It is typically a shorter blade, which makes it easier to keep up with. It is also known for its strength.

Clip Point: If you feel that you are in need of a knife whose blade will assist you in more precise measures, then the clip point is the way to go. It is best used for picking and it also good for digging. It can also function well in a hunting situation.

Spear Point: If you feel that you will need your survival knife mostly to dress small game, dig, pry, or convert to a spear-type weapon, then the spear point is the choice for you. The tip of a spear point blade allows itself to be utilized best in these types of situations.

Tanto Point: If you are looking for a blade that is an example of strength and durability, then your choice should be that of a tanto blade. Its design of an angled blade proves itself as a wonderful chopping tool as well as a knife that is practical for piercing and slicing.

Blade Spine

The spine of your survival blade is an important feature if you are in a situation where you need to use your knife to split wood (also called batoning). If the spine of your blade is beveled or rounded, you will find it difficult to utilize in this manner. A flat spine is essential for a method such as this.

Selecting the Blade Edge

When weighing the pros and cons of blade edges, one must decide which type best suits his needs. The plain edge and serrated edge have their strengths; if you can’t decide, a combo is an option, but depending on the situation, there is always one more useful than the other.

Plain Edge: The plain edge, also known as the straight edge, seems to be the most useful in survival situations because of its versatility and range of uses. It’s easier to baton with a plain edge because the serration of the alternative blade tends to get stuck more in the wood. A plain edge blade is also easier to sharpen in the wilderness when you do not have access to sharpening tools.

Serrated or Saw-toothed Edge: Perks of a serrated or saw-toothed edge are obviously tied to the structure of the serration on the blade itself. The “teeth” on the blade are perfect for sawing. This means that if you are looking to cut rope, saw through vines, or even be forced to saw through bone, the serrated blade will do the trick. You just have to understand that your cuts will most definitely be jagged.

Combination or Partially Serrated Edge: Some argue that having a combination blade is the obvious choice when you are unsure of what your situation will be. That sounds like a logical conclusion, but what tends to happen is the owner of the survival knife discovers his blade is really half of what he needs. Either the serration part is too short or becomes dull too quickly, or there isn’t enough straight edge to baton properly.

Knife Tang for Fixed Blade

Typically, there are two types of tang for a fixed blade. The first type is known as partial tang, which means a portion of the blade extends past part of the handle, but doesn’t extend through the entire handle. In a knife with partial tang, the blade is inherently weaker because it can become loose in the handle and break off. The second type is known as full tang, which means the blade extends through the entire handle, making the blade stronger and more balanced. If you’re looking for overall better quality, the full tang is the way to go.

Considering the Knife Handle

The handle of your knife is one of the most important features, being that your hand will be in constant contact with this portion at all times. While, it may be appealing to consider a hollow-handled knife that can be used to store things, this is not a good choice. A knife such as this will be weaker because it is not full tang. You will want a solid handle that’s easy to grip, which means it doesn’t need to be too rounded or smooth, and it will be beneficial to the handler to have some type of stippling or grooves that will provide some resistance in his hand while in use. Keep in mind that if your knife does find itself in a situation where is gets wet, your handle doesn’t need to be made of a slick material, causing you to lose your grip and your knife altogether.

Solid Pommel of the Knife Handle

The pommel sometimes referred to as the butt, is typically the end of the tang or an end cap that reinforces the actual butt. Its purpose is to provide the knife with a strengthened area to “hammer.” This can be helpful when needing to split wood. The pommel, depending on the shape and size, can serve as a hand stop, which prevents the knife from sliding out of your hand.

All about the Knife Sheath

A survival knife requires a proper sheath because of its size. While there are all sorts of materials from which to choose, a leather sheath is one of the most comfortable; however, it’s not a good choice for a wet climate. In that case, Kydex would be better. The most important feature of a sheath is its ability to keep the knife secure in its sheath and to your body.

Final Verdict

After reading the articles provided, it has become apparent that although a person’s knife is most definitely a personal choice, there are a few characteristics that are essential when choosing a survival knife. If I had to purchase a knife today, I would go with the durable and versatile 8”-10” fixed drop point blade with a full tang and straight spine held securely in place by a custom-made Kydex sheath that I would carry on my hip.