How to Choose the Best Survival Knife | Buying Guide 2024
If you're gearing up for outdoor adventures or simply want to be prepared for any situation, picking the right survival knife is an essential step. A survival knife is not just for cutting—it is a tool with various uses, including building shelters, preparing food, starting fires, and even defending against danger.
Its versatility makes it a crucial tool for any outdoorsman, explorer, or hunter. But with so many options, how do you know which one is best for you?
Here’s the personal survival knife-buying guide. We have discussed some essential pointers, such as what makes a knife effective, its features, and how to choose the best survival knife.
So, let’s begin!
What Is a Survival Knife?
A survival knife is a multi-purpose survival tool used to accomplish tasks related to survival. Its capability to accommodate all kinds of activities helps an adventurer survive the outdoors in survival missions. These activities include cutting, chopping, making fire starters, building shelters, and hunting with game processing.
When choosing a survival knife, make sure to pick one that better suits your needs and lasts through the use and abuse demanded by survival situations.
Different Types of Survival Knives
There are various types of the best survival knives 2024 on the market, many of them with unique qualities. Knowing their types will help you choose the right type for your needs.
1.Fixed Blade Knives
Fixed-blade knives are preferred for most survival knives since they are stronger and more resilient. In a fixed knife, the blade is mounted entirely immobile so that a user may have a stiff and stable platform.
These knives can handle heavy-duty work such as chopping wood and prying. However, their bulkiness and weight might make them impractical to carry.
2.Folding Knives
Folding knives, which fold into the handle, are often referred to as pocket knives. They are much smaller and easier to carry but are usually much weaker compared to fixed blades. These knives are perfect for some light applications and as backup knives.
The advantages of folding or pocket knives include their compact size, ease of carrying, and versatility.
3.Tactical Knives
With features like glass breakers, insulated handles, and serrated blades, tactical survival knives are durable and versatile. They are frequently used by law enforcement and military personnel because they are made to resist harsh environments.
The tactical knives sport features such as a Tanto point for piercing, serrated edges for cutting hard material, and a non-reflective coating. Because of their adaptable design and sturdy construction, they are invaluable tools in survival scenarios.
4.Bowie Knives
Known for their large size and distinctive clip point, Bowie survival knives excel at tasks such as hunting, skinning, and chopping wood. They frequently feature full-tang construction, which provides remarkable sturdiness and strength. The knife's ergonomic handles are made for a comfortable grip, making it suitable for use in a variety of settings.
Due to its unique combination of practicality and historical value, Bowie knives are a favorite among survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Which Type of Steel to Use for The Survival Knife?
The blade material and quality of top survival knives for wilderness depend on their durability, sharpness, and ease of maintenance. Below are the most common materials in use.
1. Stainless Steel
Being made of stainless steel, the blades provide the user with a suitable option where there is lots of moisture. They are also relatively easy to maintain. The pros include ease of keeping clean and resistance to corrosion. However, they are not very strong.
2.High Carbon Steel
High-carbon steel blades offer the best strength and are excellent at holding an edge. They are very strong and hold an edge longer. The high-carbon steel tends to rust and requires extra maintenance.
3. Tool Steel Blades
Tool steel blades are made from the best quality alloys, thus combining the proper balance of strength, edge retention ability, and rust resistance. They mostly appear in top-quality survival knives. They are sat on a bit of a higher end of the price range and require sharpening and maintenance.
Blade Design
The design of a blade determines its functionality and effectiveness at doing certain tasks. The following are some of the most common blade designs:
1.Drop Point
A drop point blade features a convex curve on the back that slopes down to the tip. This design provides a strong tip and a large cutting area, making it versatile for various tasks but less suitable for piercing.
2. Clip Point
A clip-point blade has a concave clip near the tip. This gives the tip extra strength and allows it to cut deeper, but it slices poorly.
3. Tanto Blades
Tanto blades are characterized by a Japanese style of fixed blade that translates to a “straight sword.” They have a chisel point and flat grind, which makes the end of each Tanto very strong, but there is no curve or belly for slicing. While excellent for piercing, such a design is not very good at general cutting.
4.Spear Point
Spear point blades are symmetrical in form with a central point at both ends, which provides a good balance between piercing ability and cutting performance. They are quite commonly used in fighting knives.
Blade Length
Blade length is another important consideration in top-rated survival knives. It should be short enough to handle a variety of tasks but long enough to be convenient to carry.
1.Short Blades (Less Than 4 Inches)
Short blades are handy for controlling detailed work, making them perfect for intricate tasks. They have limited reach and are effective for heavy-duty tasks.
2.Moderate Blades
Moderate blades have a mix of control and functionality that makes them quite versatile for most survival tasks. Although they provide a good balance between control and reach, they are not specialized, making them large for detailed work or too small for heavy-duty tasks.
3.Long Blades (More Than 6 Inches)
Long blades are perfect for heavy-duty tasks like chopping and splitting wood, but they can be a little trickier to control for fine work.
Material of The Handle
The handles of top-rated survival knives are just as important as the blade. It needs to provide a secure and comfortable grip, even in wet or cold conditions. The following are the materials that can be used to make a knife handle.
- Rubber: Excellent for non-slip gripping and quite an absorbent of shock.
- Wood: Classic looking, good gripping but prone to cracking and relatively absorbent of moisture.
- Micarata: Very durable composite material and offers an excellent gripping surface.
Design of The Survival Knife
Look for handles with unique designs that fit comfortably in your hand. A textured surface can improve grip, and a finger guard can help prevent your hand from slipping onto the blade.
1. Full Tang Design
A full tang knife is a structure in which the material of the blade runs through the entire length and width of the handle. This means the blade and tang are one continuous piece of metal. Full tang is stronger and more durable.
2. Partial Tang Design
A partial tang knife is one in which the blade only extends partially into the handle. Partial Tang is lighter and more inexpensive but less strong.
Best Features of a Survival Knife
Survival knives are so valued because they are versatile and dependable. The best features of a survival knife include the following:
- Quality corrosion-resistant steel will ensure sharp blades that stand up to rugged conditions with ease.
- A sharp, multi-purpose edge will cut, carve, or defend as needed.
- The handle is ergonomically designed and made from materials that provide a secure hold, even in wet conditions, such as rubber or micarta.
- Other features that increase its functionality include an integrated fire starter, a heavy-duty sheath for safe carrying, and a pommel used as a hammer.
Additional Features
When curious about how to choose a survival knife, it is important to look into its additional features. Here, we have highlighted some of them.
1. Serrations
Some survival knives, partially serrated, could be useful for cutting through heavy rope and fabric. Serrations, though, make sharpening harder.
2. Lanyard Hole
It includes a lanyard hole, which allows you to attach your knife to your wrist or gear if you need to do something else. This is especially useful in harsh environments where dropping your knife can spell doom.
3. Sheath
A good sheath can protect the blade and then make carrying the knife safer and easier. Look for sheaths made with tough materials such as leather, Kydex, or nylon, which have a secure locking mechanism to help hold the knife in place.
What to Look for in A Survival Knife?
Below are major aspects that are crucial to consider. As you evaluate your options for the best survival knife, look for these factors:
1. Full Tang Construction
Ensures maximum strength and durability.
2. High-Quality Blade Material
Resists wearing off while maintaining an excellent edge.
3. Unique Handle
In order to have a firm and comfortable grip, it should not slip or get the hand tired if held for years in continued use.
4. Durable Sheath
Protects the blade and allows its owner to have a comfortable carry.
Now that you know what to look for in a survival knife, let’s examine how to choose one.
How to Choose a Survival Knife?
The best survival knife may mean combining several components depending on an individual’s priorities or needs. Here, in this survival knife buying guide, let’s look at the pointers you need to consider when picking one.
1. Identify Your Needs
Do you want this survival knife for cutting, chopping, or self-defense? Determining your needs can help you understand whether you need a bowie survival knife or a hunting one.
2. Set a Budget
You should decide on a budget. Usually, the higher the price, the better the materials and build quality of the knife.
3. Research and Compare
Look for survival knife reviews and ratings, compare different models, and consider expert recommendations.
4. Handle the Knife
Visit the store if possible, handle the knife, and get a feel for it. Especially as it regards balance and comfort. However, if you aim to buy from a reliable place online, you can always head to Unholy Blades.
5. Check the Warranty
A nice warranty will earn you peace of mind. It is an indicator of how proud the manufacturer is of their product.
Affordable Survival Knives for Camping
Affordable survival knives for camping and hunting offer a practical balance between quality and price. Some of the affordable options come from Unholy Blades. Their unique and authentic collection of affordable survival knives for camping and other adventures is hard to miss.
If you are looking for a good hunting knife for the great outdoors, consider types like drop-point knives, which provide a strong point that is controllable for skinning game, or gut hook knives, which make field dressing easier.
Best Survival Knives 2024
The market for the best survival knives has rarely been as competitive as in 2024. A number of models stand out with their fine-tuned performance, durability, and value, considering modern materials and designs. When looking for the best survival knives in 2024, you can always opt for Unholy Blades.
Unholy Blades stands out as the most outstanding brand for premium, affordable, high-quality survival knives. Every blade we offer is sharp and can be trusted in any survival situation. We truly combine the best features in an affordable survival knife for both enthusiasts and professionals. You can also explore our website to find the survival knives with the best reviews.
Final Takeaway!
It is an exercise of choice based on needs, features, and materials that go into the survival knife. The best survival knife may be worth its weight in gold. Possibly, all such things can be achieved only by a good selection of the knife with regard to key points like blade material, design, handle comfort, and, of course, features onboard.