Top 7 Survival Knives in 2023 (Reviews & Buying Guide)

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Survival of the fittest is a saying, and survival knife is a unique product ever introduced. Survival Knives hold a position among the oldest tools ever. This weapon was earlier being used for many purposes. Also, if you are out in any inhospitable places, you need to carry one blade, and you are good to go to explore miles. 

Moreover, survival knives are of several types, and everyone has their purpose of use. Anyhow, the survival knives can be used to cut wood. Also, knives are used for building shelters and mainly for defense. In earlier times, survival knives were the most prominent tool in the military. Though, it’s challenging to sustain without any survival tools and its frequent need.

TOP 7 SURVIVAL KNIVES

ESEE LASER STRIKE

Fine cutting and heavy chopping

ESEE LASER STRIKE

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The ESEE Laser Strike Black Blade contains a black finished 1095 steel blade with jimping. The canvas Micarta scales include a removable bow drill divot with an integrated washer. Handles consist of magnesium/Ferro rod and tinder tabs inside them.

PROS:- 

  • Equipped with fantastic carbon Keydex steel 
  • The product comes with a washer for handle removal
  • Easy to maintain and keep 
  • It consists of a solid grip 
  • Equipped with sheath 

CONS:- 

  • The blade would get rusted if not adequately taken care of.

THE KA-BAR

Mainly for “military purposes.”

Knives

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The “Ka-bar” is especially suitable for military purposes. The knife was issued in 1942 and held a USMC mark with two combat knife posts. The Stretch of the ka-bar is 7 inches with a cover, and it is specially made to replace the brittle knife. However, the blade was of 1095 steel cro-van that holds bevels much better. 

PROS:- 

  • The blade of the knife is fixed 
  • The knife is fully tanged 
  • The synthetic ‘Kraton’ holds a robust feel 
  • The blade design is unique  
  • The sheath of the sword is not easily tearable 
  • Blade thickness  is 0.125 to 0.25 

CONS:- 

  • Requires sharpening before first use  
  • The knife has a smaller handle

ESEE Knives 6P

Textured powder coat blade finish and molded sheath clip plate

ESEE Knives 6P

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The ESEE knives 6P is equipped with a high-quality protective polymer sheath with a clip plate attachment. It consists of an overall 11.75 length, and the length of the blade is 6.50. Also, it’s a professional field knife with a lifetime guarantee. This tactical knife even has a multi-purpose use, for instance, tactical, self-defense, hunting, and other outdoor activities. However, the blade even accommodates with a full stacked micarta tang handle. 

PROS:- 

  • Multi-purpose use of the knife
  • Overall length 11.75
  • Equipped with high-quality sheath 
  • Full tang handle 
  • 100% Lifetime guarantee 
  • Provides safe and comfortable handling

CONS:- 

  • The blade needs occasional oiling to prevent corrosion.

SMITH AND WESSON SWHRT9B

Double edge blade cut

SMITH AND WESSON SWHRT9B

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Smith and Wesson is a well-approved knife. In addition, the overall length with a blade is 4.7 inches. The weight of the product is 0.48 lbs. However, the edge does contain durable and reliable high-carbon stainless steel. The weapon is entirely dependable, quick, and subsites easy access. In terms of security, it does bestow a handguard and a good grip. 

PROS:- 

  • Consist durable and reliable stainless steel
  • High-quality carbon steel
  • Included premium quality boot sheath 
  • To protect hands with a handguard
  • Guaranteed weapon 

CONS:- 

  • Do not provide a sharpening tool.
  • The sheath clip is quite loose.

MORAKVIN COMPANION

Great budget hunting knife

MORAKVIN COMPANION

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Morakvin companion is a fixed blade used mainly for outdoor activities. The weapon holds a high friction grip, making it comfortable and serene to handle. However, the tool has a companion carbon alloy steel. It comes in military green color, and the overall length is 8.6 inches. Also, the weight of the knife bears four ounces. 

PROS:- 

  • Excellent and equipped with a great sheath 
  • Heavy duty and premium quality steel 
  • Great value knife.’
  • The knife is well built for camping 
  • Waterproof plastic sheath 

CONS:- 

  • The blade is only accommodated ¾ tang. 
  • The sheath is only for the right hand. 

RANGER PUUKKO M95

Facilitate with “Teflon” coated blades

RANGER PUUKKO M95

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Ranger puukko M95 is a multi-purpose knife. Uniquely produced and the non-slip handle portrays tempered rubber. The leather material of the tool is premium and does justify its quality.  The steel is “80CRV2” and “Teflon” coated. Mainly, there are various variants available, but the original one is much better. Assuming the rubber must be polymer. 

PROS:- 

  • Excellent bushcraft knife 
  • Lightweight and sharp 
  • Perfectly fit the hands
  • Construction alone is made by keeping the selling point in mind. 

CONS:- 

  • No leather sheath 
  • Heavy-duty weapon

ONTARIO 499 AIR FORCE SURVIVAL KNIFE

Mainly, designed for pilots

ONTARIO 499 AIR FORCE SURVIVAL KNIFE

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The “Ontario 499 Air force survival knife” blade length is 5 inches. The handle is made up of leather, which provides a firm grip on the hands. The eccentric feature is that it is mainly designed for a literal generation of pilots—one of the iconic blades of all time. The tool exists as a sharpening tool, and also contains a clip point 1095 blade. 

PROS:- 

  • Equipped with Sheath scabbard material 
  • Blade material is solid 
  • Overall quality is great 
  • It holds a solid grip 
  • Erratically made for pilots 
  • Contain carbon 1095 blade

CONS:- 

  • Do not provide enough sharpness. 

4 MAIN TYPES OF SURVIVAL KNIFE BLADES

CLIP-POINT- The curve is concave to the spine to point like metal, clip-point is a reverse of drop-point. Most demanded types of blade. 

DROP-POINT- This type features a gradual and convex curve, looks premium because of its strength and ease of sheathing. One of the most common survival knives. 

TANTO-POINT- This type of point comes in many variations. However, it’s designed mainly for fighting, tactical and military purposes. 

SPEAR-POINT- Designed especially for spearing with a symmetrical convex curve, from spine and belly. This point blade is particularized for some reasons. 

BUYING GUIDE

Best Knife

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SHARPNESS – The material build and refining of the blade justifies the quality of the knife. Sharpness is the main feature of the knife and the overall length of the blade in inches. By keeping in mind the quality of steel, sharpness, and length you can easily pick one for yourself. 

BUDGET– According to price, there are several variants of survival knifes available in the market. Some are really up to the mark in accordance with price. In terms of edges, blade quality, sharpness, handle, etc, everything is included. But the purpose needs to be clear. 

COMFORTABLE– A buyer would definitely look up to this factor that how comfortable the knife is while holding. However, nobody wants to put themself in danger and safety is a main priority. Though it depends only on the comfort factor. 

QUALITY– The leather material, build quality, type of steel, the structure of knife, sharpness,. these are some of the qualities when a buyer would go to buy a survival knife. The quality of the tool is also a very important factor while buying a survival knife. 

HANDLE– While holding a survival knife or a tactical knife, having a good grip is primarily important. A survival knife must be efficient enough in its grip and handle quality. In accordance with types of survival knives, there are many formations of handles. For instance, molded, plastic, tempered rubber, wood, steel, etc, and all these features substantiate the handle of quality. 

BLADE TYPE– There are four types of survival blade types, clip-point, drop-point, spear-point, and tanto-point. All these blade types are used for different types purposes. However, the blade type is being considered important because it substantiates the purpose of the work. 

PURPOSE– For what purpose are you buying a survival knife? The first question plunges into the mind. Well, there are several knives for fulfilling every purpose of work. There is no denying that you can’t find one of your choices.

CONCLUSION

Now, in the end, choosing the best survival knife for yourself won’t be tough. Listed some of the best survival knives that won’t disappoint you at all. Moreover, now you can easily opt for the knife of your choice, whether it’s chopping, hunting, fishing, cutting woods in the wilderness, or for military purposes. Now you have got variants just to make a good purchase.

FAQs

How is a survival knife considered helpful in abandoned areas?

If getting stuck in an uninhabited region, a survival knife is sufficient to cut wood to build a shelter. It also helps in hunting and fishing for food. Moreover, it helps in your self-defense.

Does a survival knife help in building shelters?

Yes, a survival knife is more than just a helping or survival tool. It can save your life from so many unwanted things. However, you can quickly build a shelter for yourself in the wilderness, and you can even spend one night sleeping very conveniently.