Best Camping Survival Knife: A Detailed Review and Comparison
Are we headed out for an exquisite and daring adventure in the uncharted wilderness, folks? Well, you can kiss civilization goodbye, and say hello to pure, unadulterated nature - but wait! We won't be doing this without a trusty survival knife.
This quintessential tool could mean the difference between a smashing adventure and a dismal survival drama. Ah, the survival knife, the outdoor enthusiast's best friend. Permit us to assist you in your quest for the perfect blade - one that delivers when it counts, offering a symphony of design, functionality, and overall value.
“A survival knife is the survivalist's paintbrush, and the wilderness is our canvas - a blank page, awaiting the bold strokes of survival.” ~Someone, maybe, somewhere?
Why not then, with the mighty pen - or rather knife - of the prepared explorer, review the market's finest edge tools? Mind you, not just any knives made the cut - pun intended.
We spent hours chewing the fat, testing, debating, and heel-dragging to round up the top survival knives out there. That and we bought (nearly) all of them for our own personal use as well.
What to Look For in a Survival Knife
When it comes to camping survival knives, there are several key design features that make them effective. One important feature is the blade material. A camping survival knife should have a blade made of high-quality stainless steel or carbon steel.
These materials are known for their durability and ability to hold a sharp edge for a long time. They are also resistant to corrosion, which is important when using the knife in outdoor environments where it may be exposed to moisture and other elements.
Another important design feature is the blade shape. A camping survival knife should have a versatile blade shape that can handle a variety of tasks. A drop point or clip point blade is commonly preferred for camping as it provides a good balance between strength and precision. The blade should also have a sharp point for piercing and a curved belly for slicing and chopping.
The handle design is also crucial for an effective camping survival knife. The handle should be ergonomic and comfortable to hold, providing a secure grip even in wet or slippery conditions. It should be made of a durable material such as rubber, G10, or micarta, which can withstand rough use and provide good traction. The handle should also have a guard or finger choil to prevent the user's hand from slipping onto the blade during use.
A full tang construction is another important design feature to consider. A full tang means that the blade extends all the way through the handle, providing strength and stability. This is essential for heavy-duty tasks such as batoning wood or prying. A full tang knife is less likely to break or fail under pressure, making it a reliable tool for camping and survival situations.
Lastly, a camping survival knife should have additional features that enhance its functionality. These can include a serrated edge for cutting through tough materials like rope or branches, a spine that can be used for striking a fire starter, or a pommel that can be used for hammering.
These extra features can make a camping survival knife more versatile and useful in various outdoor scenarios.
To keep it fair and square, we ranked these knives based on their design, functionality, and purses-friendly nature. So, sharpen your wits, folks, as we slice and dice our way through our top picks!
BTW If you buy anything with the links we provide on this page we might get a small percentage of the sale from the manufacturers end. For more info click here.
1. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife
What's in a name, you ask? A whole lot when Bear Grylls is attached! This knife, my friends, is like having a survival guide encoded in steel. With a full tang blade, fire starter, and diamond sharpener bundled in, it's ready to star in your next adventure epic.
It's a price friendly option that can get the job done. It's a great backup knife or truck knife (for when you forgot your favorite one at home.)
2. Morakniv Companion Knife
No, it won't keep you warm on those chilly camping nights, but it sure will help you build a fire! The Morakniv Companion, with its scandi grind blade, is a DIYer's dream - and it won't send your wallet into an early grave.
This is a great beginners knife, especially for older kids. Not too heavy, easy to use, and easy to keep a sharp edge to. One of the most popular knives out there and for good reason.
3. The Buck Knives 0863BRS Selkirk
Call it a love letter to the traditional bushcraft knife. The Selkirk, with a genuine leather sheath and fire starter to boot, offers a multi-function design that'll see you through thick and thin. And it looks just dashing, doesn't it?
You can't go wrong with a Buck knife. They have been an American institution since 1902 and continue to make incredible products. I don't have one of these...yet.
4. ESEE Knives 6P-B Plain Edge
When survival is not a game but a real-life situation, this is the knife you want to have. The ESEE 6P-B – with its robust 1095 carbon steel blade, micarta handle, and bombproof build – is a serious knife for serious situations. It's as much of a trusty sidekick as Robin was to Batman!
Jokes aside, these are bomb proof knives. Good for large work which required a lot of kinetic activity, like batoning and hacking. For more detailed work we prefer smaller knives, but our ESEE 6 lives full-time in our truck.
We have a bunch of ESEE Knives. Really love them.
5. Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade
Turning up the heat in our list is the Fallkniven A1 - the James Bond of survival knives. It's sleek, it's cool, and it's packing a VG10 core that'll hold up against the toughest survival situations. And let's not get us started on how cool it'll look in your camping gear!
I absolutely love this knife. It's in my top 3 for sure. Heavy enough to be used like an axe, but sleek enough to be used for more subtle activities as well. If I could only have 1 knife it would be the A1. (If i could have 2 knives, which I usually have, it would be the Becker Companion and the Fallkniven Frej!)
But wait – we’re not done yet! Just like a Swiss Army Knife has more tricks up its sleeve, we’re pulling out more picks for your survival quiver. Are you ready to delve deeper into the wilderness of survival tools?
6. Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion
Designed by the living legend and master survivalist Ethan Becker himself, the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion is a beast of a blade that doesn't horse around. It features a 1/4 inch thick, full tang 1095 cro-van steel blade, meaning it shrugs off harsh treatment like a champ. This beauty is basically a small hatchet, a cleaver, and a knife all in one. Nothing says "I'm ready for anything" quite like a BK2 strapped to your belt!
To harp on the hatchet idea, that really is what the Companion is like. It feels and operates like a small axe. It's so sturdy it almost feels indestructible. A fantastic blade which we keep in our car at all times.
7. Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife)
Used by the Navy SEALs during their Basic Underwater Demolition training, the Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) is indeed a cut above. The 6-inch VG-1 stainless steel blade is trusty, rust-resistant, and holds an edge that rivals a razor. Lightweight and well-balanced, this knife is a lifesaver - literally!
I really like the way the handle feels on this knife. We have several iterations of it, including the smaller SRK Compact Fixed Blade, which we let the older kids use when we are whittling and such. We opted for the upgraded CPM-3V steel blade on our full sized 6" SRK.
8. Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife
So you think Bear Grylls has got game? Wait 'til you see the Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife. This 5-inch 1095 high carbon steel blade has a storied history of saving lives in the wild. And if that's not a good enough endorsement – we don’t know what else would be!
9. Fallkniven Northern Light Frej Model NL4
We saved our favorite for last. This is my go-to carry outdoor knife, and it comes with me on every outing I go on. It's not the toughest (that would be the Ka-Bar Companion), it doesn't have the best sheath, but it's a dream to use. Perfectly balanced, sharp and always capable, and it makes me look like a legit wilderness dude every time I use it.
It isn't cheap, but if you want a knife that you can pass down to your kid, this is the one. From the handmade nature of it, to the look and functionality, you are getting what you paid for. There are several other sizes in the Northern Lights lineup, but the Frej is the Goldielocks of them all.
So there you go, folks. More picks to whet your blade-loving appetites. Whether you're a weekend camper, a survival enthusiast, or prepping for a zombie apocalypse, these knives are up to the task. And remember—if the knife fits, carry it!
Up Next
