Throughout recorded history, a good knife has been proven time and time again to be an indispensable tool for survival. From ancient civilizations to the modern era, this trusty companion has been the lifeline for pioneers, adventurers, and survivalists alike, helping them conquer the real dangers the world has thrown their way. Whether settling new frontiers or navigating today’s unique challenges, a good knife remains an enduring symbol/tool of preparedness and resilience.
A Legacy of Survival
The history of the survival knife is steeped in the legacy of human survival. Back in the days of our ancestors, when much of the world was new and untamed, and danger lurked around every corner, a good knife could often mean the difference between life and death. From crafting essential everyday tools to defending against predators and people, the knife was the ultimate multitool of ancient times.
As civilizations evolved and frontiers were settled, the knife remained a steadfast companion.
The Importance of Carrying a Good Knife.
Fast forward to the present day, and the world we have been left with remains as unpredictable as ever. Natural disasters, backcountry problems, urban chaos, and social unrest can strike without warning. While we have more tools at our disposal than at any other time in history, a good knife continues to be an essential survival tool.
For modern survivalists and preppers, the survival knife remains an essential tool in their preparedness toolkit. Its usefulness is unmatched, capable of taking on multiple tasks – from cutting firewood to building shelters and even providing a means of self-defense; when the shit hits the fan, a quality knife becomes the trusted ally in the fight for survival.
What to Look for in a Survival Knife
First, stay away from anything that looks like it came out of the latest zombie movie or crash-landed right out of a bad 80s action film. Sure, that flashy Rambo-style knife might look cool, but let’s be honest— in the real world, it serves almost no practical purpose. When it comes to choosing a reliable and functional survival knife, we need to set aside Hollywood gimmicks and focus on the features that truly matter.
Here is what we look for in a Good Survival Knife
1. Full-Tang Construction:
The foundation of a good survival knife lies in its construction, and that starts with the knife’s tang. A full tang is essential in a survival knife because it offers unparalleled strength and reliability. Unlike partial tang knives, which have a weak point where the blade and handle meet, full tang knives are constructed from a single piece of steel extending through the entire handle length. This design ensures that the knife is solid and less prone to breakage, even under intense pressure and use.
In survival situations, a knife is not just a tool; it becomes your lifeline. Whether you’re chopping wood, building shelter, or processing food, a full-tang knife delivers the reliability and balance required to get the job done.
2. Blade Construction:
Choosing the right blade shape and size is another crucial aspect of picking the right survival knife. There are literally dozens of different shapes, sizes, and blade profiles to choose from, so the choice primarily comes down to personal preferences and intended real-world usage.
For many, the drop-point blade stands out as the all-around best choice for survival knives. This shape perfectly balances strength, functionality, and ease of use. When it comes to blade size, bigger is not always better – no matter what your last girlfriend told you! Too large a blade can, and tasks like dressing small game or carving become more challenging. Pick a blade that is too small, and it won’t provide enough chopping power or batoning capability.
We like a blade length between 4 to 7 inches, with an overall knife length around 10 to 11 inches. Going beyond 11 inches may make the knife unwieldy and impractical in a lot of situations.
Blade thickness is another important consideration. A good survival knife should have enough thickness (around 0.17 to 0.25 inches) to withstand heavy-duty tasks like batoning without compromising its ability to handle more delicate work. Finding the sweet spot in blade thickness ensures a survival knife that excels in a wide range of situations and provides maximum durability and functionality.
3. Blade Materials: D2 or 1095 High Carbon Steel:
The steel used in the blade’s construction significantly impacts its performance. High carbon tool steel, such as D2 or 1095, is the preferred choice for a survival knife. These steels are easy to sharpen, hold an edge well, and are reliable for continued outdoor use.
What Knives do we carry at OFFGRID Survival?
Personally I am a blade junkie; I have a wide variety of cutting tools in my collection. But I do find myself often picking a couple of them as my primary every-day carry chooses. These are usually the ones that I tend to grab.
The SOG Seal Pup Elite
This has been my go-to knife for over a decade. Whether I am out in the backcountry or fly fishing a river somewhere deep in the mountains or just on my way to the local hardware store the SOG Seal Pup is usually on my side — and inside the SOG sheath is usually my SOG PowerLock Multi-Tool.
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
With all of that said, I tend to use cheaper blades for day-to-day cutting. Yes, I carry my SOG for emergencies (and I do use it quite a a bit when I am out fishing)….. but I worry less about damaging the blade when I use a $15 – $20 one for daily work. Believe it or not there are a lot of very good knives out there for under $20, specifically the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife.
For more Fixed Blade Knife recommendations, check out our article on Picking the Best Survival Knife: Reviews of our Top Fixed Blade Survival Knives.
Other Types of Knives we routinely carry.
The Good Old Swiss Army Knife
Swiss Army knives still remain a staple in my gear collection. I find them to be fantastic little tools that easily slip into small survival kits, go-bags, and emergency vehicle kits. Despite their small size, these knives are incredibly durable and versatile, offering a number of useful tools such as blades, screwdrivers, and can openers.
SOG Powelock Multitool
Although I don’t think of this as a typical knife, I do carry a SOG Multitool on a daily basis and it does have a couple of different blades in it. In fact, I have been carrying the same SOG multitool for over a decade now, and let me tell you this thing is a workhorse!
Husky Utility Blades
This little blade comes in very handy. I carry a couple of these in my truck and a few in my tool bucket. I break it out when I’m out on a job site to cut just about anything. You can find them at just about any hardware store or on Amazon for under $10 a piece including multiple blades.
What Knives to stay away from?
Survival Knives – When a company markets their blade as a “survival knife” they are probably not worth the weight in your bag.
Stay away from the ones that have a hollow handles, filled with so-called survival gear. The handles on these knives suck and are guaranteed to break when you need them the most.
Fancy Blades – If it looks like it belongs in a movie, chances are it’s of little use in an emergency situation. It may look cool as part of your collection, just don’t count on it to get you out of any sticky situations.
No matter what you carry, make sure you take care of your knife. A sharp knife is far safer than a dull one. When my blade is dull I sharpen it, if it beyond repair I get rid of it.
Looking for a Good SOG? This is what I carry…..
Don’t know if anyone has seen that gerber teamed up with Bear Grils from man vs. Wild. I received the fixed blade as a fathers day gift. Its a really nice blade and it has a bunch of survival perks.
… bear griles fixed blade has a sharpener on the back of the sheath, a flint stick for fires, full tang that at the bottom is shaped for use as a hammer, a whistle, and a pocket survival guide(more like a survival cheat sheet). The only thing that isn’t designed into the knife/sheath is the pocket guide. A lot of non-gimmiky additions for $60. I love the way my hand holds it too. I’d recomend for novice or veteren.
I have a gerber bear grylls and a kabar becker bk2 for my bug out bag. and I prefer the BK2. guaranteed to last forever basically. sure the powder coating will come off, but who cares about looks when you’re surviving.
I got the gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife… I love it… This knife has a good feel to it….
It features an ergonomic grip for comfortable handling and a dependable stainless steel blade with a versatile serrated edge. Additionally, the knife and military-grade nylon sheath are packed with innovative survival tools, including a fire starter, a diamond blade sharpener, an emergency whistle, and a pommel….
One brand I am not hearing much about is Cold Steel. I think their Master Hunter is one of the best GP Knives on the market. I have been looking at their Tomahawks as well.
I carried a Gunsite folder for a year in Iraq and it never failed me. I would put it up against any folder on the market today! Especially in the San Mai steel! Even today it never leaves my pocket!!!
Still working on my BoB, but when I get it together it will have my Recon Scout in it. I actually purchased it over a Randall #14. And No, I’m not a Cold steel rep or anything, I have just been impressed with their products. But when it comes to multi-tools, I invested in a Gerber Multi-Plier 800 Legond. Not cheap, but it is SOLID!!
coldsteel,sharade tough tool,eastwingaxe
Just came across this site very good content and interesting information. Just one note I came across on knife comments that is bogus was the review of the lmfll, rubber overmolding peeled after a few days. (UH NO FREAKIN WAY DUDE) What did you do light it on fire? Im a lmf user and mines been abused, Ive even taken my old one through the torture tests you can pull up on youtube. It will saw through sheet metal, and go beat the handle to death it never breaks down. Also its a full tang so even after the handles gone youd still be fine.
Also I bought a Bear Grylls survival knife. I gave this one to my wife for her bug out bag. This is truly a solid knife for the price tag, great blade, sharpner incorperated, whistle, and fire starter. For the 50.00 i put in it I think its a killer value. The one downside I have heard is the hammer head on the back of the knife if used with decent force there have been reports of the handle chipping off or breaking the butt plate..
Just fyi, i think there is a youtube video on the subject. But on that note I dont know truly what was done to the knife off camera. If your worried take a look at the lmfll or there is also a smaller version with a great sheath with multiple mounting options called the Gerber Prodigy tanto. Pretty cool blade..
One word come to mind for the ultimate knife… BUSSE. These knives are amazing! Busse knives are not inexpensive but how many knives do you know that can bust through wood, brick and steel pipe and not break? They hold a fantastic edge and the balance and ergonomics are second to none. Once you try one, you will be hooked.
I have a Victorinox (swiss army) multitool and Cold Steel TiLite for EDC. The multitool has been with me for almost 10 years now. I agree with the “survival” knife comments. Bought a few as a kid for camping trips. The invariably broke and whatever “supplies” they came with were useless. The TiLite has been the best folder I’ve had, and will open when I draw from my pocket.
I am quite the fan of ColdSteel as well. I personally carry a Rajah III as my EDC and their SRK as my fixed blade. I also carry a kukri and spetsnaz shovel all the time as well. You can never have too many blades or tools while roaming the Swamp.
Two knives…a Mora for camp duty..carving trip wire and snare triggers etc. And…a fighter for those special needs. I have a 3 pound 11″ Bowie style stainless steel blade that can be a machete….a wood splitter…a fighter..a digger..and on and on.
But the Mora Classic 2 is my go to neck knife.
I agree seal pup or any full tang blade no hollow handels, No USMC K-Bar’s the blades will break unless you get the hardened steel blades they are more expensive but worth the money. BUCK Knives and Gerber are hard to sharpen and don’t seem to hold a edge very long for field dressing, for this I choose the CASE knives thats what they are made for!
I have owned many knives over the years and looking at sheath knives, I have to agree the Mora is a fantastic knife for its low price.
I have never had any Kabar that held a decent edge for more than a steak dinner before having to re-sharpen it;
Cold Steel makes a number of great knives, I prefer the Master Hunter as it has performed quite well as a general purpose blade.
Gerber can be hit-or-miss, they don’t make them any more, but their Yagi has been a great knife, sure the powder coating has worn off some, but I have owned it for 15 years and bring on many camping trips.
I would not pay a buck for a BUCK;
ESEE are also very good quality, but I would just as soon spend that kind of money on a Bark River, their Bravo-1 “Field” knife flat out performs, as does their Aurora.
As Jeff posted above, the knife that best suites you is definitely a personal thing, and I would suggest before buying a knife you go to a number of sporting goods stores, gun shows and such to find something that feels good in your hand, will serve multiple purposes, because there is no such thing as “a single best knife” for every purpose you can think of, but there are some knives that perform well for many purposes. When you find the one or two knives you feel best meet ‘your’ needs, do some research, read reviews, and then buy at the best price you can find.
Folding knives and multi-tools are another subject; Victorinox, Leatherman, Gerber are all good… whatever floats your boat so to speak…
One name I am not seeing mentioned is Opinel. They are worth mentioning for several reasons. First they produce folding knives in high carbon steel(if you’re a fan of hcs you know how rare that is). Maybe not a big issue to all, but some folks prefer it. Yes it will rust but it also sharpens easier/faster. Secondly they are cheap, in the 10-20 dollar range. Again not an issue if you have a large budget, but for the rest of us a definite plus. Thirdly they come in a variety of sizes and materials(bladewise). Now to keep this comment balanced, yes they do have some drawbacks. Firstly, the locking mechanism they use is a rotating ring. Not the strongest or most modern design for sure. The design does work but I would never trust a folder like I would a fixed blade. Secondly it is a folding knife! Remember this inherent weakness and you should be fine. Thirdly they use traditional materials(wood handles,hcs blades). Some folks like that, some don’t, it all comes down to personal preferance. Fourthly Opinel is a (gulp) french company(cringe). Just kidding! Really it is a very servicable knife, and for the price it can’t be matched.
i don’t see anything about smith & wesson i own more than half a dozen and i would any one of them with me when TSHTF and i payed as little as 20 bucks for some of them
Personally
I got lucky when I bought my Cold Steel SRK, in carbon v. When they first came out they were on special and I think I paid a little over $40. A great knife. Last one I saw on eBay they wanted $250 for it. For EDC Benchmade Dejavoo, In my BOB I Carry Ontario knife kukri machete, 1095, full tang, they are getting very popular and readily available, for $54. At Ontario knife store. This kukri is great. It will do whatever work need done in the field.
I have had a 5″ Marbles for about 30yrs. It is a high carbon steel blade with a leather washer handle. The blade is now black from a combination of water and deer fat corrosion. I really don’t know how the edge holds up. After cleaning and butchering 2 whitetail bucks it seems to be as sharp as when I started.
It is a small company from da Yoop (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan. When my Father-in-Law visited the shop in the mid 80s when he bought my knife, they offered him a new knife if they could have his old one. The leather is shriveled and cracked, the blade is black and what was 5″ is now a bit shy of 4″ after cleaning over 100 whitetails. He declined their offer.
I treasure my Marbles knife. I know it will last another 30 years and be passed on to someone younger.
I have no idea why it is so often ignored, but the obvious answer to the question of the perfect combat knife/survival knife, is the kukri. I have been involved in life and death combat situations on a number of occassions, and I can tell you that the perfect combat knife is one that allows you to terminate your oponent quickly and efficiently. Gutting and skinning is the provence of the pocket knife. The fillet knife speaks for itself. Fire starting is the design of the k-bar, et al, but when your life is at stake, you need a knife that will terminate your enemy now, not when he bleeds out.
Why do you think it has been the standard for so many years?
My favorite fixed blade is my Cold Steel Recon Tanto. It’s not for chopping wood, it’s keep finely honed. MyEDC folder is a SOG Vulcan Tanto.It holds a great edge. For Heavier chores I like my Cold Steel heavy Machete. I like the weight and it’s not extremely long. If all else fails, I’ll resort to my 10mm Glock
Hello,
He always gets kind of mad whenever someone, namely I, go to a website and brag about his high quality handmade survival knives and his sheaths. I guess you could say that he is the most humble, quiet high end knife maker that I have ever come to know and befriend. But despite him getting a bit disturbed by it, the truth is the truth in my book, and is also worth sharing. But Andrew “Andy” Clifford is the sole maker of his own survival knives, relatively known by his “ACK” mark. I happen to own a couple of his knives, and to me his knives are solid and as durable as I have ever seen/owned. Andy has several very unique and special techniques which he uses and which also gives his hollow handled survival knives the no-nonsense durability and strength of as if they were full tang knives. Andy always says “Shhh!” to the online and public rave reviews of his work because he loves for his wonderful knife making work to speak for itself. Well, believe me when I sday that his knife making and sheath making work More than speaks for itself. I always tell my buddy Andy that I’ll Never keep my opinions of his awesome work quiet, LOL! I tell him that if he knows he does something good and makes great knives, verbally express that about himself. I tell him Why Not express your work and knife making skills> If anyone deserves to pat himself on the back a little bit, he sure does. Does that mean that he is the avsolute Best knife maker? Of course not, not by a longshot. Does that mean that To Me, he’s the absolute best knife maker? Why, you bet it does! And that is my own personal opinion. Also, and I will end with this; but to me, it’s not Only his great skill and many years of experience that make him the #1 knife and sheath maker, but it is his outgoingness and his endless effort to help fulfill the dreams of peoople with his undying compassion to work with those people in any way that he can, to provide to them one of his high quality handmade survival knives, esp when that person is down on their luck financially and their only wish is to finally have and own a solid high end handmade knife. Andy has helped lots of people fulfill their dreams of owning a solid knife, and he still continues to do this to this day. And That to me is what makes him, in my own personal opinion, America’s #1 knife and sheath maker in the world. Feel free to check out some of Andy’s fine knife and sheath work by going to his website entitled ANDREWCLIFFORDKNIVES.COM. Thanks for reading!!