Ever wonder how to choose the perfect survival knife? This article will show you how. In my opinion, a survival knife is your most important tool when caught in a wilderness survival situation. While it’s true that you can improvise a knife out of stone or bone when out in the wilds, there’s nothing that compares with the steel blade for its strength, versatility, and usefulness. However, not every steel knife will do in a survival situation. Knowing what to look for when choosing a survival knife is just as important as having one. After reading this article, you will know what properties make up the perfect survival knife and you will be able to find one that is tailor made for your needs and situation. While there are many attributes that are less than ideal in a survival blade, here’s a list the main things you should avoid when choosing a survival knife: Similar to the list of ‘dont’s’ above, here’s a list of core requirements that every survival knife should meet:

Now that the basics covered, if you want to go beyond them then you’ll want to be aware of the following: For the rigors and requirements of survival knives, not all steel is equal. Steel quality determines the strength of the blade, its toughness (ability to take impact), how easy it is to sharpen, and how long it will hold that edge. While I could write pages and pages about the various differences of steel types, for the purposes of this article I’ll briefly cover the most important points. Most knives are made from two broad classifications of steel: Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel. As a general rule stainless steel is more rust resistant than carbon steel but can be more brittle (less tough) and more difficult to sharpen compared to the average carbon steel. Carbon steel on the other hand can be made extremely sharp, is tougher when being used for splitting or chopping, is easier to sharpen, but if not maintained it will easily rust. It’s important to know that most of these differences disappear as you go up in terms of price and quality of manufacture.

Here is a list of steels that I recommend: The way a knife blade is shaped determines its overall functionality. For example, a chef’s knife is shaped in such a way that it is perfect for slicing tomatoes or dicing garlic. That same knife however has no business out in the woods. The same holds true for the double-edged spear point and tanto-style knives. These knives are built for fighting and are perfect for thrusting and stabbing but do not hold out well in a survival situation. Instead you’ll want to choose a clip point or a drop point style blade. These blades are suited well for the tasks required in a survival situation. A clip-point blade’s tip is formed by a slight concave curve at the top. When slightly curved these tips are perfectly acceptable and strong. Clip points with exaggerated curves are susceptible to breakage if your pounding the spine while chopping wood. The drop point blade is the best all-around blade style. It is formed when the back or dull side of the knife slopes downward at a slight angle beginning at around the half-way point and meets the blade edge slightly above center.

This blade geometry is best suited for the various tasks required out in the field.Griffin Tactical Knife For Sale The edge or the sharp side of the blade should be from base to tip one continuous edge. 2nd Hand Tyres BoksburgIn most cases you’ll want to stay away from serrated edges. Lab Puppies For Sale Grand RapidsWhile they do have their uses, they are difficult to sharpen out in the field and there is little functionality that they add out in the bush. In general you’ll want the spine or back of the blade (opposite the blade edge) to be flat (no saw or sharpened edge). This allows it to make a good hitting platform when pounding it with a hard stick to aid in splitting wood. One exception to this rule is Tom Brown Jr.’s “Tracker” knife.

Although the knife is a bit cumbersome for my tastes, it’s unique design is suited well for splitting and chopping wood. Although I go into a lot of detail explaining the ‘ideals’ to look for in a wilderness survival knife, it ultimately comes down to your individual preferences. The most important thing, as I mention in many other threads, is to find what works for you. If you have some friends who have different knives, try them out and see if you tend to prefer a smaller or larger version. Take those attributes that I’ve told you to look for and put them to the test. Here are some excellent resources for learning more about knives and their make up:Choosing the best survival knife for your needs can be a difficult task. Many retailers offer a huge variety of knives with many different features, shapes, and sizes to choose from. From folding multi-tools to large heavy blades and everything in between, the options can seem endless. Having taught wilderness survival course for many years, I've had the opportunity to test a great variety of different knives.

There are many knives that will get the job done, though there are some key features that will help you find the best tool for you.In survival situations, your knife may end up being your most important tool. Its used to carve friction fire making kits, cut woody edible plants, and carve trap pieces, just to name a few uses.In choosing a survival knife, sometimes the best place to start is to discuss what isn't ideal. Folding knives, including multi-tools, are often a poor choice. Their blades can fold on your fingers, even if it has a locking mechanism. Folding knives can also break at the joint during vigorous use. Additionally, the angular handles on these types of knives often cause blisters when doing significant carving.In my opinion, another poor choice for a survival knife are ones that have very large blades (greater than six inches). In a survival situation, most of your knife work involves carving. Large blades are very difficult to control when carving and making intricate cuts.

I've seen many many people cut themselves severely with these unnecessary large blades.I believe the best survival knife is one with a strong fixed blade, a very comfortable handle, and a blade that is easy to control and not too large or heavy. Pictured at the top of this page are some decent choices.The knife at the top of the photo was custom-made by a friend. It uses a recycled hacksaw blade that runs through the handle to create strength. The small 2.5 inch blade is very easy to control and is superb for intricate carving.The knife at the bottom of the photo is an Old Timer brand knife with a six-inch blade. The knife is large enough to be used for splitting apart pieces of wood and is extremely durable.One of my favorite knives, considered one of the best survival knives by many, is pictured in the center of the photo above. It is the Frosts Classic Mora Knife made in Sweden. It has a four inch blade and simple handle. The size makes it great for almost any task needed in a survival situation.

It offers a good combination of control, durability, and comfort. I have used this knife for many years and am incredibly impressed in how well this simple tool functions and performs.The knife pictured below is the Mora Bushcraft Black. In recent years this knife has replaced my Classic Mora in what I consider to be the best survival knife. The Mora Bushcraft Black has several significant advantages as a survival knife. The fixed blade is 4 inches long. It is made of a high carbon Swedish steel which is incredibly durable and holds an edge extremely well. The flat grind creates a blade geometry that is excellent for survival tasks such as carving and slicing, and is also very easy to re-sharpen in the field. The blade is also coated to prevent corrosion.Another major advantage is the excellent handle. Its shape makes it very comfortable to work with, especially during tasks that require hours of carving. The handle material is tremendously durable and provides excellent grip even in extremely wet and cold conditions - a very important attribute for survival situations.