Whether you are going camping or on a hiking trail up the mountain, choosing one of the best survival knives on the market can sometimes mean the difference between your life and a critical situation. With so many knives out there on the market, however, people find it difficult to know which one would be best for them. Factors such as size, weight, functions, and quality all need to be taken into consideration, all while still ensuring that the survival knife you buy fits into your budget – you will need to buy food, water containers, and many other items as well.
In this guide, we bring you the best survival knives that are currently available on the market to ensure you have the right knife with you at all times – especially in times when a critical situation strikes.
1. Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
Source: Amazon
When we looked at some of the best survival knives out there at the moment, we found the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife to be a particular option that you should not miss out on. Sure, this one does come at a higher price than some alternatives, but this is a survival knife that will never let you down. The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is available in three colors, including black, green, and coyote. The knife is tough and made from heavy-duty materials, while the handle is made from nylon and a TPV overmold. This provides added comfort while using the knife.
2. Gerber Ghoststrike Fixed Blade Knife
Source: Amazon
This is another great option from the Gerber brand, a brand that is known to deliver survival items that are always made from high-quality materials. The Gerber Ghoststrike Fixed Blade Knife is made from a 420HC steel material, along with a ceramic coating that is available in a black color. The knife features a sheave design and is 3.3 inches in length. In addition to the main blade, you can also choose to add additional accessories to the package, such as an ankle wrap, allowing for easy access to the knife at critical times.
3. Schrade SCHF36 Frontier Stainless Steel Fixed Blade Knife
Source: Amazon
Next up is the Schrade SCHF36 Frontier Stainless Steel Fixed Blade Knife, another quality option that comes at an exceptionally low price, making this an ideal choice for people who are shopping for a survival knife on a low budget. The blade itself has a length of five inches, with an overall length of 10.4 inches when the handle is taken into account. The product is made from a durable 109 high-carbon powder-coated steel. A black finish has been added to the blade for improved durability and to improve the blade’s overall appearance.
4. SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
Source: Amazon
Another excellent choice for those looking to buy a high-quality survival knife at a low price would be the SOG Survival Knife with Sheath, available for under $30. This knife comes, as the name implies, with an included sheath that gives you the ability to easily store the blade without putting yourself in harm’s way. The blade itself measures four inches in length and is made from a quality stainless steel material, providing exceptional performance due to the durability of stainless steel. The knife also weighs less around 3.8 ounces, making this an ideal option if you are looking for a lightweight survival knife.
5. Condor Tool & Knife
Source: Amazon
The Condor Tool & Knife is a high-quality option that is available at a somewhat higher price than many of the other survival knives options we have listed thus far, but comes with a number of important features that should be taken into consideration. The knife offers a 100% genuine leather handle, along with a hardwood-base handle. The blade itself is made from 1075 carbon steel with a blasted satin finish, providing exceptional durability, while still looking good. The blade measures at five inches, with a total length of 16 inches when the handle of the blade is taken into consideration with the measurement.
6. Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife
Source: Amazon
Next on our list is the Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife, a truly exceptional option that is made from top-quality materials. While the price of this survival knife is considerably higher than other survival knives options that are available, when you do decide to opt for the Benchmade Bushcrafter 162, you can be sure that it will last for several years, if not for the rest of your life. This is a truly rugged knife that is made from CPM-530V Steel, which is some of the best steel on the market in terms of durability and strength. The fixed blade construction also provides much better stability while the knife is in use.
7. MTech USA MT-20-35 Series Fixed Blade Knife
Source: Amazon
If your budget is very low, then you should consider buying one of the cheapest survival knives options which is the MTech USA MT-20-35 Series Fixed Blade Knife. This one is available for less than $8 and comes in a variety of colors, including black, orange, blue, and pink. The blade measures in length at 3.75 inches, with an overall length of eight inches. The blade itself is made from a high-quality 3.3mm steel material, with a thicker handle, at 16mm, for improved comfort and grip while in use. The blade’s handle is also equipped with a lanyard for easier access in any situation.
8. Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife
Source: Amazon
The Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife is another great option that offers mid-level features and comes at a relatively affordable price, available for just under $60. The blade itself is made from top-quality steel and features a serrated top edge. The blade measures five inches in length. The Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife offers a unique leather-focused handle and comes with a sheath that makes storage and access more convenient for the user. In addition to the blade itself, this particular product comes with an additional pouch, as well as a sharpening stone, ensuring your blade will always stay sharp, regardless of where you may find yourself.
9. Morakniv Garberg Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
Source: Amazon
The Morakniv Garberg Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife comes with all the features you need in one of the best survival knives, at a price that is just above $70. The blade has a length of 4.3 inches and is made from a high-quality stainless steel material. This ensures the blade can stay sharp for longer and will also be durable for those situations where you need to cut through tough objects. The Morakniv Garberg Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife is available with just a leather sheath, or with an additional Molle Multi Mount System, adding the ability to mount the blade to various areas of your body, or to a bag that you might be carrying with you, with ease.
10. Ontario Black Bird SK-5 Knife
Source: Amazon
The Ontario Black Bird SK-5 Knife comes at a price of just below $100 and is made from a 154CM Stainless Steel material, making this a heavy-duty knife that is perfect for various situations that you might find yourself in while camping, fishing, or exploring the outdoors. The blade features a length of five inches and offers a mirror finish. The handle has been designed to ensure a more comfortable grip. This blade can easily be opened and closed, and features a lock system that converts the product into a fixed blade when needed. The product is also lightweight, which makes it much easier to carry around with you.
11. Fallkniven S1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade Knife
Source: Amazon
The last one on our list of the best survival knives is the Fallkniven S1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade Knife. This is another top-quality knife that does have a higher price tag attached to it, but once purchased, you won’t need to worry about buying another survival knife for a very long time. The knife is made from a top quality steel material. The handle is made from thermorun for improved grip, while also adding to the overall durability of the knife. In addition to the Fallkniven S1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade Knife, when you decide t buy this particular survival knife, the package will arrive with an included Zytel sheath.
Conclusion
When you are planning a trip to go fishing, hiking, to climb up a mountain, or to camp over at a specific site overnight, there are many items that you need to pack to assure your survival. One of the best survival knives should certainly be part of your arsenal – always being ready in your pocket or even simply hanging from your belt. This ensures you have a survival knife that can be used at any time, whether it is to dress wounds that you suffer or to perform simpler tasks, such as to open up a can of food or to clean fish that you caught. We shared some of the best options that we could find in this guide to make the process of choosing the right survival knife for your next trip outdoors faster and easier.