Fantastic custom and factory fixed blades just hitting the market.
There’s just something about a solid fixed blade knife. At once, these knives are simple yet elegant—especially when crafted by a master. We’ve scoured the globe—or at least three continents—to bring you a dozen excellent fixed specimens. They range from fillet knives to fighters and everything in between, and each is certain to induce the expansion of wish lists.
Jeremy Yelle Fighter
Blade length: 7.5” Blade material: Feather damascus forged of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels Blade grind: Convex w/an unsharpened clip Handle material: Stag Furniture: Blackened 416 stainless steel Knife to know: Jeremy Yelle is a journeyman smith in the American Bladesmith Society Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,700 Maker:Jeremy Yelle (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Nate Carper Custom Knives Acid Rain
Blade length: 7.25” Blade material: “I call this my Acid Rain pattern. I made a seven-layered billet using an 80CrV2 carbon steel core, 1084 carbon steel for the next two layers, nickel shim for two layers and followed up with 300 layers of a Raindrop pattern on the outside.” Blade grind: Full flat w/a tapered tang and distal taper Handle material: Dyed and stabilized maple secured w/Loveless bolts Overall length: 12” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact Nate Carper for more information Maker: Nate Carper Custom Knives (SharpByCoop image)
Tom Haslinger Damascus Kissaki-Moroha Tanto
Blade length: 6.7” Blade material: HCK damascus forged in 320 layers of 1080 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels Rockwell hardness: 58 HRC Handle: Stainless steel wire wrap Tsuba (guard) material: Stainless steel Kashira (buttcap) material: Textured stainless steel Overall length: 12.65” Weight: 13 ozs. Saya (sheath): Lined cowhide w/koi leather overlay Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $1,490 Maker:Tom Haslinger
Michael West Silver Lining
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 3.93” Blade material: Damasteel twist damascus Blade grind: Freehand hollow Furniture: Argentium silver Handle material: Ebony and argentium silver Overall length: 9.6” Sheath materials: Leather and argentium silver Maker’s price for a similar knife: $3,100 Maker:Michael West (SharpByCoop image)
Mille Blades Fillet Knife
Blade length: 8” Blade material: Damascus forged of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels Handle material: Stabilized tiger maple Overall length: 13” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact Adam Mille for more information Knife to know: Adam Mille is an apprentice smith in the American Bladesmith Society Maker: Mille Blades (SharpByCoop image)
Andrew Bonavia Gyuto
Blade length: 8.5” Blade material: Forged 1084 carbon steel Blade grind: Full flat Blade @ widest: 2” Handle material: Dyed spalted maple Overall length: 14” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $531 at press-time exchange rate Knife to know: Andrew Bonavia is a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Maker: Andrew Bonavia (Rod Hoare image)
Brad Millman O-Tanto
Blade length: 11.75” Blade material: 120-layer 1095 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels w/nickel cladding and an 80CrV2 carbon steel core Blade grind: Flat to convex near the edge Handle: Raffir poplar burl Bolster: Forged-finished stainless and copper Overall length: 16.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,200 Maker: Brad Millman (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Blacks Blades Mosaic Damascus Bowie
Blade length: 13.5” Blade material: Mosaic damascus Blade grind: Flat Blade thickness @ ricasso: .236” Handle material: Tassie blackwood Furniture: Hot blued mild steel Overall length: 19.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: Contact Shane Partridge for more information Maker: Blacks Blades (Rod Hoare image)
Aimee’s Forge Boot Dagger
Blade length: 4” Blade steel: Nitro-V stainless Blade grind: Flat Construction: Full tang Handle material: Black and red G-10 Handle pins: Black G-10 Overall length: 8.75” Sheath: Leather w/belt clip Maker’s price for a similar knife: $431 at press-time exchange rate Knife to know: Aimee Conte is a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild and an apprentice smith in the American Bladesmith Society Maker:Aimee’s Forge (Rod Hoare image)
Zane Dvorak Integral Hunter
Blade length: 4.25” Blade material: Black Edge mosaic damascus forged from 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Flat to convex Blade pattern: Clip point Handle material: African blackwood Overall length: 9.25” Sharp stuff: Forged integral single guard; carved handle groove matches the one in the bolster Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,400 Maker:Zane Dvorak (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Jeroen Knippenberg Integral Chef’s Knife
Blade length: 6.7” Blade material: A multi-color Feather damascus pattern forged from 15N20 nickel alloy and O2, O1 and 115W2 tool steels Blade grind: Convex Handle material: Desert ironwood Overall length: 11” Knife to know: Jeroen Knippenberg’s Integral chef’s knife won Best Chef’s Knife at the Dutch Knife Exhibition Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,600-$2,140 at press-time exchange rate Maker:Jeroen Knippenberg (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Dragon’s Breath Forge Period Piece
Blade length: 18” Blade material: 1080 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels Handle material: Bronze and Elforen Bolster: Silver, bronze and garnet Overall length: 24” Maker’s price for a similar knife and scabbard: Contact Jamie Lundell for more information Maker:Dragon’s Breath Forge (SharpByCoop image)
White River Exodus 3 is a great little companion blade to add to your gear.
A small bushcrafter/EDC knife, the Exodus 3 by White River Knife & Tool can be very useful. Also known as the Adventurecraft, this lean cutter has a thin, super-sharp blade that does all the chores that a larger knife can’t do easily, from skinning small game to whittling firesticks to removing splinters. It’s a great little companion blade to add to your gear. Does it cut? Let’s see.
White River Knife & Tool Exodus 3 Specs
Company: White River Knife & Tool Blade length: 3.15” Blade material: A2 tool steel Rockwell hardness: 60-61 HRC Blade @the thickest: 0.130” Blade finish: Stonewashed Scales: G-10 Weight: 2 ozs. Overall length: 7.2” Sheath: Kydex® Weight w/sheath: 3.5 ozs. Knife to know: Leather belt loop and different handle materials available MSRP: $140
Light Cutting Duty
The author used vertical cuts on the 8-ounce leather as fast as he could. The edge bit swift and deep with a nice crunching sound.
Slicing regular lined notebook paper went very fast. The Adventurecraft cut smoothly and aggressively. As I warmed up to its thin shape, the cuts were faster. The flat-ground blade is easy to index in use.
Next up, it sliced single-walled cardboard very quickly with a slight curl to the cut pieces. The blade’s width and full flat grind pulled the curl as the blade went through. The aggressive edge was still making noise as it sliced.
Medium Cutting Duty
For skiving the 8-ounce leather, the blade rendered very thin flaps time and time again.
I used vertical cuts as fast as I could on 8-ounce scrap leather. The edge bit swift and deep with a nice crunching sound. I somehow managed to keep all the skin on my fingers in the process. The Adventurecraft is very aggressive cutting leather.
For skiving, the blade rendered extremely thin flaps of leather time and time again. As expected, I surrendered a few thin slices of skin on the leather. The Adventurecraft has a very sharp edge!
Heavy Cutting Duty
Since the handle is as narrow as the blade, the author had to adjust his grip a few times when whittling the firestick. The deeper he cut, the more it wanted to roll in his hand. So he made the curlicues thin and kept on whittling. As he noted, “It’s a handy whittler in any case.”
I grabbed a piece of pine from the kindling pile and started to whittle a firestick. I had to adjust my grip a few times as the handle is as narrow as the blade. The deeper I cut the more it wanted to roll in my hand. So I made the curlicues thin and kept on whittling. It’s a handy whittler in any case.
The edge withstood 30 whacks into a deer antler. The little blade took the beating with no chips or rolls, a sign of excellent heat treatment.
Half-inch sisal rope was next. The Adventurecraft put out 160 crunching cuts before some sliding ensued. The pressure I used on each cut made it challenging to hang on to the narrow handle. I really had to grip it tightly. It cut aggressively once I got going.
I checked the edge with 30 whacks into a deer antler. The little blade took the beating with no chips or rolls. Yep, excellent heat treatment! Back at the workbench, I grabbed the sheet of notebook paper for a second go-round. The Adventurecraft still sliced smoothly.
Final Cut
I would widen the handle for more leverage in cutting. This is a handy little blade to have around the campsite or in a backpack. It’s great for everyday uses.
Check Out More Outdoor Knives:
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Large Work Knife takes the author’s favorite media to task.
With camping season in full swing, it’s always a good idea to have a sharp knife at your side to build a lean-to or traps and make firesticks, to name a few. The Large Work Knife by KG Handcrafted Bladeware can fill the bill. Ground from 5/32-inch A2, a tool steel known for providing a keen edge, it begged for a good testing.
Large Work Knife Edge Test
I like to start off by slicing 20-pound bond copy paper because it gives a good idea of edge profile and keenness of the edge. The knife sliced the paper smoothly with no resistance. It’s nasty sharp for sure. Though I’m not a big fan of the chisel grind and Scandi profile edge, each has its place.
The Large Work Knife excelled cutting the 8-ounce leather, providing very fine slices at the same thickness and angle.
I grabbed a piece of double-walled cardboard and commenced cutting. The edge was very aggressive and only a slight rolling of the cut pieces occurred from the Scandi profile edge. The handle made for great control. I really like it. It worked best by using a push cut.
Medium-Duty Cutting
Leather was next. The A2 blade zipped through it very fast. The edge created a nice crunching sound as it went and was very aggressive. The wrapped handle was great at controlling the width of each cut. It was fun to do but be sure to keep your fingers out of the way. Next, I skived 8-ounce leather. The blade made short work of it, providing very fine slices at the same thickness and angle.
The knife powered through 200 clean, crunching cuts of sisal rope very quickly. The handle was comfortable and provided a non-slip grip with no hot spots.
It was time to make firesticks. The knife made great curlicues. Cut depth was very manageable. It was a perfect use for the chisel grind on the correct side for a right hander. Nicely done, KG Handcrafted Bladeware! Woods seems to be the perfect medium for this blade style.
Now for my favorite, cutting sisal rope. The knife powered through 200 clean, crunching cuts very quickly. With no stopping in sight, I ended the cuts before I used up all my rope, another great medium for the chisel grind. The handle is comfortable and provided a non-slip grip with no hot spots.
Heavy-Duty Cutting
I batonned the Large Work Knife through a 1.5-inch-diameter branch. It split the first 2 inches quickly then started to drift to one side the farther down I got. The drifting could have been due to the fact it was old wood or a chisel grind. Either way, it worked with no damage to the knife whatsoever.
Thirty hard whacks into the antler put some very small chips in the fine edge an inch or so before the tip, as the author expected. When he returned to the copy paper, slicing was smooth with minimal tearing by the chip area. The knife was still nasty sharp.
Chopping deer antler to test how well a blade has been heat treated is not recommended and might void the warranty. I did it anyway. Thirty hard whacks into the antler managed to put some very small chips in the edge, as I expected it would. The fine edge will do exactly that.
Finally, I returned to the copy paper. Slicing was smooth with minimal tearing by the chip area. The knife was still nasty sharp. Job well done!
Overall Take On The Large Work Knife
This knife is well-made for EDC chores. I love the A2 steel. The handle is very comfortable.
Changes
The knife performs well for its designed purpose. I would just run the grind higher.
Large Work Knife Specs Maker: KG Handcrafted Bladeware Blade Length: 4” Blade Material: A2 tool steel Blade Grind: Chisel Blade at Thickest: 5/32” Blade Pattern: Semi drop point Handle Material: Waxed cotton string and resin cord wrap Weight: 6 ozs. Overall Length: 8.5” Sheath: Oil-tanned cowhide over aluminum and Kevlar® Weight w/Sheath: 9 ozs. Maker’s Price: $320
Designed by Allen Elishewitz, KA-BAR’s USA-made drop-forged EPT pairs a 2.5-inch blade with a clip-equipped sheath for easy pocket carry.
KA-BAR has expanded its line of drop-forged steel tools with the Elishewitz Pocket Tool, or EPT. Designed by veteran maker and former Force Recon Marine Allen Elishewitz, the compact fixed blade targets the growing daily carry market with a format tailored specifically for pocket carry rather than belt wear.
Built for Daily Duty
The EPT centers around a short, broad 2.5-inch drop-point blade ground flat to a 20-degree edge per side. KA-BAR crafts the knife from 0.1875-inch thick 425 high-carbon stainless steel, hardened to 56–58 HRC. The stout blade geometry offers plenty of strength for routine cutting tasks while keeping the overall footprint manageable.
Because the knife utilizes a one-piece drop-forged construction, the skeletonized handle is integral to the blade. A finger ring integrated into the butt end assists with control during use while serving as a quick-draw indexing point when pulling the knife from a pocket.
Pocket-Friendly Carry
Rather than relying on a traditional belt sheath, the EPT comes equipped with a custom USA-made sheath featuring a reversible, loop-over wire pocket clip. This setup allows the fixed blade to ride deep inside a pocket in much the same manner as a standard folding knife.
At 6.75 inches in overall length and weighing 3.2 ounces (0.2 lbs for the knife alone), the U.S.-manufactured piece delivers the structural integrity of a fixed blade without adding unnecessary bulk to a daily kit.
Elishewitz Pocket Tool (EPT) Specs Designer: Allen Elishewitz Overall Length: 6.75 in. Blade Length: 2.50 in. Blade Width: 1.70 in. Blade Thickness: 0.1875 in. Blade Steel: 425 High Carbon Stainless (56–58 HRC) Blade Type/Grind: Drop Point, Flat Grind Edge Angle: 20 degrees per side Construction: Integral drop-forged 425 stainless steel Weight: 3.2 oz. total (2.24 oz. knife weight) Sheath: USA-made sheath with reversible wire pocket clip MSRP: $78
The history of cutlery has many different facets but none any more glorified than the fixed-blade knives that have seen battle for centuries. Fixed blades are still a major part of our fighting forces’ need for strong steel and they’ve become more diverse since the modern tactical age began in the early-to-mid 1990s.
Condor Tool & Knife’s Neck Gladius
One thing hasn’t changed: such knives must perform duties outside of combat. An example is Condor Tool & Knife’s Neck Gladius, a diminutive version of the classic Roman combat sword. Designed by writer/outdoorsman and BLADE University instructor Joe Flowers, its double-edged blade is handsomely ground in Condor’s favorite blade material: 1075 high carbon steel. The black-paracord-wrapped handle has a tail at the base. A black Kydex neck sheath includes a nice length of paracord for neckwear.
The black Kydex sheath of the Neck Gladius includes a suitable length of paracord for neck wear.
One of the best uses I’ve found for small neck knives is preparing tinder as a firestarter. The neck knife makes for an excellent companion to a larger knife for doing detail work, so I put the Neck Gladius to work doing just that.
Hitting my sweet spot, a pine forest north of town, I used the small blade to dig out some nice chunks of pine resin, which burns nice and long as tinder. I complimented the pine resin with some fine pine shavings to complete the kit. The little Condor will handle other small tasks as well, such as cutting paracord to length. “Handy” is its middle name!
Condor Tool & Knife Neck Gladius Designer: Joe Flowers Blade Length: 3.14″ Blade Material: 1075 high-carbon steel Handle Material: Baracord wrap Weight: 2.12 ozs. Overall Length: 6.06″ Sheath: Kydex with paracord lanyard Country Of Origin: El Salvador MSRP: $54.98
DoubleStar Blades Chico Diablo X
Designed by BLADE® field editor Kim Breed, the Chico Diablo X from DoubleStar Blades is, as you might expect, tough as nails. It is a medium-sized sheath knife with a harpoon-pattern blade. A deep index finger groove extending from the bottom/front of the checkered scales into the tang adds grip when getting down to business. The black Boltaron sheath has a real-deal Tek-Lok for carry options. Weight is a manageable
6.24 ounces.
A deep index finger groove extending from the bottom/front of the checkered scales into the tang of the DoubleStar Chico Diablo X adds grip when getting down to business.
The knife’s size is perfect for medium-duty field tasks such as dressing game, prepping meals, cutting rope and working wood. It’s not heavy enough for chopping but is a serious slicer. I tested the blade across the grain on a 4.5×2.25-inch slab of cold corned beef brisket. Despite the blade being shorter than the chunk of beef, the Nitro-V stainless steel glided through the brisket, taking off one clean quarter-inch slice after another. The Chico Diablo X is a well-built multi-tasker worth every penny of its surprisingly affordable price tag.
Doublestar Blades Chico Diablo X Designer: Kim Breed Blade Length: 3.75″ Blade Material: Nitro-V Stainless Handle Material: Black G-10 with green G-10 liners Weight: 6.24 ozs. Overall Length: 8″ Sheath: Black Boltaron with Tek-Lok attachment Country Of Origin: USA MSRP: $149.99
Kizlyar Supreme Senpai
The Kizlyar Supreme Senpai is the longest knife of the test group, including a tanto blade in more of a traditional Japanese curved-tip style. The handle is spare of curves save for a slight finger groove and short guard. The scales are nicely rounded and Kizlyar provides a sandwiched matching green synthetic belt sheath for carry.
The Senpai includes a traditional Japanese tanto blade. The handle has nicely rounded scales spare of curves save for a slight fi nger groove and a short guard. The knife comes with a matching green synthetic belt sheath.
Given its weight and slim blade profile, I liked the Supreme Senpai for slicing and shaving from a utility standpoint. I roughed out a seasoned hardwood tent peg using a small hatchet, and tested the blade at finetuning the pointed tip and shaving the sides. The long blade came in handy as I could pull it through while slicing and shaving rather than simply pushing it downward against the tough hardwood—my reasoning being, if it could handle stout wood, simpler chores like meal prep and cutting rope would be a snap. The Supreme Senpai blade performed well shaping the challenging wood, leaving no doubt it could be handy around camp.
Kizlyar Supreme Senpai Blade Length: 6.75″ Blade Material: AUS-8 stainless Handle Material: OD green Kraton/ABS plastic Weight: 10.3″ Overall Length: 12″ Sheath: Polyamide Nylon Country Of Origin: Russia MSRP: $150
Halfbreed Blades Medium Infantry Knife
How brutish is the Aussie-made Halfbreed Blades Medium Infantry Knife? Consider this—it’s around just one ounce shy of the other three test knives combined in weight! The blade is a whopping .23-inch thick at its thickest, features 1.5 inches of serrations from the tang forward, and has a black, rust-resistant Tefl on coating. The ample handle scales are “chunked” black G-10 and there’s a wicked skull crusher. The sheath has rear attachments for MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying
Equipment) or belt carry.
The Halfbreed Medium Infantry Knife incorporates brutish .23-inch blade steel. The author pulled it through five lengths of 3/8-inch rappelling rope in one clean slice using the forward plain edge portion of the blade.
This overbuilt brute is a handful capable of chopping, slicing and shaving. Given its near three-quarter-pound weight it will no doubt chop, but the serrations somewhat limit the chopping ability of the blade’s plain edge portion. (Serrated edges will chop but it’s hard on them, and resharpening the teeth is a royal pain.)
I tested the knife at slicing and started with lengths of ⅜ -inch synthetic rappelling rope. Working my way up, I was able to slice cleanly through five lengths of the rope side-by-side before I ran out of rope. The handle offered superb grip throughout the testing process. The Halfbreed entry has the ability to perform heavy-duty camp chores like
shelter building, chopping branches for firewood and shaving wood.
Halfbreed Blades Medium Infantry Knife Blade Length: 6.69″ Blade Material: Bohler K110 D2 Handle Material: Black G-10 Weight: 17.08 ozs. Overall Length: 11.77″ Sheath: Black Kydex Country Of Origin: Australia MSRP: $335
Texas-based maker gives his take on the Randall Model 19.
It’s safe to say Adam Williams has had a lifelong love affair with Randall Made Knives.
“I’ve been drawn to Randall Made Knives and their designs since my grandmother gave me a copy of the 1973 edition of The Gun Digest Book of Knives and saw my first image of a Randall knife. I was around 11 or 12,” he wrote.
Little did this matriarch know where her gift was going to lead her grandson. Eventually, the Texas-based maker said he worked for the legendary company when a chance trip to Randall’s headquarters in Orlando, Florida, for a stock sale developed into a whole lot more.
“While there, I asked if they ever hired. They told me they were actually hiring right now and would need me to start within two weeks,” Williams related. “I rode back to Tampa and asked my now wife if she’d be open to moving to Orlando, and without hesitation, she said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I showed up for my first day at Randall Made Knives expecting to sweep floors. Instead, they handed me a piece of steel stamped Randall Made, Orlando, Florida and told me to start grinding. I couldn’t believe it.”
Given this history, it’s little surprise Williams finds Randall a wellspring of inspiration in his own creations. His 10.63-inch Silverado hunting knife is one such example. The blade style is modeled after the stout design of the Randall Model 19—also known as the Bushmaster.
Adam Williams
Williams gives the classic all-purpose design his own twist, forming the ample 6-inch blade from Baker Forge Raindrop copper go mai and outfitting it with an azure hunk of fossilized walrus ivory. He finishes it all off with a nickel silver guard and butt cap. Despite his familiarity with Randall’s design language, his Silverado presented challenges, particularly in venturing into new materials.
“This was my first time using Cu Mai, and thus my main challenge with this knife. It was also my first time using Gator Piss etch,” Williams said. “Jordan Berthelot of JB Blades provided plenty of tips regarding the etch. This coupled with multiple re-sanding, re-buffing and re-etching, I finally got the finish I was looking for on the blade.”
Rare materials, excellent execution and legendary inspiration—it’s likely Randall’s namesake, Bo, would have approved of Williams’ work.
Survival Knives Need To Be Versatile, Durable, And Strong. These 10 Blades Are Everything You Could Ask For When In A Sticky Situation
A survival knife is most often a heavy-duty fixed blade built to withstand hard use in multiple roles, generally in the wilderness. It must be able to whittle, carve, chop, slice, and maybe dig. It also holds down the regular duties of a knife and assists in all cutting chores. Additionally, if your back is up against a proverbial wall, it should have the chops to serve as a weapon.
Survival Knife Features
When looking for a quality survival knife there are four key things you need to look for: the quality of the steel, handle material, the robustness of the guard, and the caliber of the sheath.
Steel
As with all knives, it all starts with the blade steel. Carbon steel and stainless steel are both used with survival knives, both have their pros and cons.
Carbon steel requires a bit more diligence to maintain and keep from rusting but offers ease of in-field sharpening. Stainless steels are more resistant to the elements and, if you spend the money, the higher grades offer enhanced edge-holding capabilities.
Handle
Next, you want to look for a knife that has a comfortable handle. This is key, given you’ll use the knife for extended periods of time.
What you need to consider is:
How is the handle contoured?
Does it feel good in your hand?
Is it made of synthetic or natural handle materials?
Personally, I would stay away from leather because of its nature to soak up moisture. I would look to some sort of synthetic like G-10, micarta, or reinforced thermoplastic. These synthetic materials are dimensionally stable and are not affected by changes in temperature, humidity, and exposure to UV.
Guard
The guard keeps your hand in place by preventing any forward movement while the knife is in use. You might be able to wrap a finger around the guard to further choke up on the handle for extra control during cutting or whittling.
Given survival knives are tasked with a number of rough-and-tumble duties, it’s wise to consider an ample guard—at least for the sake of safety.
Sheaths
Not as sexy, sheaths are equally as important as the knife itself. Essentially, the accessory helps protect the knife when not in use, as well as provides a means of portability. Most attach to a belt or MOLLY field, in the case of a backpack.
Materials such as Kydex provide the best options. Why? The thermoplastic is light, form-fitted to the knife blade, and impervious to the elements. What more could you ask for?
You might also notice some sheaths are made of ballistic nylon with a hard plastic liner inside to prevent the knife from destroying the sheath. These are also a good alternative and are more cost-effective along with being fairly weather resistant.
Leather and other natural materials on the other hand, generally ware out quickly with active use. Worse yet, they retain moisture, which can be hell on a blade—especially a carbon-steel blade.
What To Avoid When Buying A Survival Knife
Yes, survival knives come with a host of features but there are some that are useless or worse. These three features aren’t worth the price.
Spine Serrations
Ugh … serrations on the blade spine. Admittedly, some like having serrations as a cutting option for certain materials. However, generally blade spine serrations offer limited use at best and are more of a hazard because of how close they are to your hand.
Honestly, if you need serrations, bring along a serrated folding knife like a Spyderco Delica or Endura. Problem solved.
Blade Holes
Alright, these serve no function at all, except they make the knife look cool. That might be alright for a collection novelty, but not a wise course when in the wilds.
Worst of all, the holes in the blade do nothing but weaken it. Stay away from them.
Odd Blade Designs
Like blade holes, they may look cool but rarely do they enhance the function of a survival knife. We’re striving for utility here, not unique looks.
Stick with the traditional blade styles—spear point, clip point, and drop point. These are proven and do the job perfectly.
10 Best Survival Knives
There are countless makers producing dozens of different survival knives. These 10 stand out from the pack for either their features, their toughness, or their price.
Mora Garberg
Mora is the king of value when it comes to inexpensive survival knives. Most come in at less than $50, but you are hardly compromising in quality.
I personally favor the Garberg, which has a 4.3-inch carbon-steel blade with a Scandi grind and a full tang through the handle.
The blade spine is at 90-degree, designed specifically for use with a ferrocerium fire starting rod. The dual-molded handle is made from weather-resistant polyamide. Its unique Multi-Mount sheath is included and fastens the Garberg to an ATV or snowmobile, as well as a belt.
It’s a tough too, so you are getting a lot of knife for your money. It’s made in Sweden and sold worldwide.
MSRP: $111.99
Cold Steel 49LCK-DTBK SRK Survival Rescue Knife
A long time classic of the Cold Steel product line, this knife is a proven, solid performer in the outdoors. Its 6-inch clip point blade is made of SK-5 carbon steel and attached to a textured desert tan Kray-Ex rubber-like handle that is textured for a great all-weather grip.
The blade has a black, epoxy-coat for low visibility and high weather resistance. And its single lower handle guard indexes to the grip.
The SRK is suitable as a hunting knife, survival knife, or even a fixed blade for military use. It’s a very handy design that excels at camp utility and food prep.
The stainless-steel blade provides ample resistance to the elements and holds an edge well. Its drop point design has plenty of belly for slicing and the partial run of serrations adds a bit more utility to the knife.
The handle material is rubber for an excellent non-slip grip. The large finger recess indexes your grip and allows for maximum user comfort. The butt cap of the handle is steel and can be used as a light-duty hammer when needed.
The hybrid nylon webbing and molded plastic sheath is durable and includes a fire starter and blade sharpener.
Superior handle ergonomics paired with a useful blade shape and partial serrations are what makes this one a winner.
MSRP: $62
Benchmade Anonimus 539GY
This is Benchmade‘s new high-end fixed blade, with some excellent features. First and foremost, high-end CPM CRUWEAR tool steel, which provides ultimate wear resistance and edge retention.
The flat ground, 5-inch long drop point blade offers plenty of belly for effective slicing and cutting. Notches on the blade spine provide a secure non-slip grip for your thumb or index finger, and the single, lower guard keeps your hand in place.
The Anonimus is secured by a molded Boltaron belt sheath very similar to Kydex. The G-10 handle sports machined-in texturing for a non-slip grip.
MSRP: $290
CRKT Catchall
Designed by custom knifemaker Russ Kommer, the Catchall by CRKT is on the heavy-duty side of things.
This broad chopper-style blade measures 5.5 inches in length and has a sheepsfoot-style blade. The blade is made from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, which holds a decent edge and provides excellent corrosion resistance.
The ergonomic handle features finger grooves for a secure hold, and the handle material is rubberized glass-reinforced nylon. The Catchall might not be the type of knife for lighter cutting jobs but rather more intense tasks, such as chopping and baton work for splitting kindling for firewood.
The Catchall would be great paired with a lighter duty survival knife dedicated to finer chores. The sheath is a glass-reinforced nylon variation with ballistic nylon webbing belt loops. A single webbing strap with button snap holds the knife inside the sheath securely
MSRP: $79.99
Buck Knives 119 Special
This is one of Buck‘s signature fixed blades. Sporting a 6-inch-long Bowie-style clip point blade made from 420HC stainless steel, the 119 Special has found its home in the outdoors with hunters and outdoorsmen alike.
The handle is a black phenolic resin, which is durable and highly weather resistant. And the knife comes with a black leather sheath. The handle butt cap and double guard are made from aluminum. The 119 Special is capable of handling both camp utility chores like whittling and baton work. The piece is also balanced enough to handle food prep.
MSRP: $96
Condor Knife and Tool Pack Golok
The Pack Golok from Condor Tool And Knife is a devastatingly effective chopping tool, with its 11-inch long, convex-ground 1075 carbon-steel blade attached to a rounded walnut wood handle that adds tons of user comfort and control.
The upswept blade profile adds forward weight to the balance, which is key to the performance of this knife. It can take down saplings with ease and slay its way through weedy growth like a machete. It also handles baton work like a champ.
The Pack Golok is much more than just a machete and more useful than one, and it comes with a leather sheath and swivel belt loop for portability.
MSRP: $101
White River Knives’ Firecraft FC3.5 Pro
TheFirecraft FC3.5 Pro from White River Knives has a 3.5-inch-long spear point blade ground from high end CPM S35VN stainless steel. The handle is coarse-textured G-10 and comes in a choice of orange, black, or OD green.
Regardless of which handle color you choose, you are getting a no-nonsense fixed blade able to handle a wide variety of tasks at the campsite or out in the wilderness.
The notch in the blade spine allows for easy use with a ferrocerium fire starter rod. The wide blade can handle food prep chores and camp utility tasks. The finger ring allows you to dangle the knife from the pinky finger, keeping it close at hand, while retaining the ability to use your hand to grab or hold items.
The S35VN steel holds an edge well and is able to power through tough cutting. Each knife comes with a molded Kydex belt sheath.
MSRP: $160
RMJ Tactical Combat Africa
The RMJ Tactical Combat Africa is one serious piece of bladeware that can serve as a survival or military knife. It’s 7-inch-long blade is made from 80CRV2 tool steel. The .25-inch thick stock means this knife can withstand some serious use and some prying as well.
The clip point shape allows for optimal penetration, with some belly for slicing applications. The 3D machined G-10 handle has diagonal flutes, adding hand traction and channeling water away for a comfortable grip.
Furthermore, the lower hand guard and blade spine thumb ramp help to keep your hand safe from sliding forward. The knife is capable of chopping, prying, batoning, and slicing.
The knife is a bit on the steep side when it come to price. But in return you receive the superior engineering and craftsmanship for which RMJ Tactical is known.
MSRP: $395
TOPS Brakimo
The TOPS Brakimo was designed by noted survival expert Joe Flowers, who owns and runs Bushcraft Global, a renowned survival school.
Flowers designed this knife to be a backup to a machete or a main camp knife. The 5.25-inch drop point blade is made from 1095 carbon steel. It is wide and sports a Scandi grind for optimal edge geometry for camp tasks. As a bonus, the carbon steel is easy to sharpen in the field.
The knife is rather weighty for its size at 9.4 ounces. The sculpted handle is made from OD green canvas micarta for a comfortable and nonslip grip. The handle’s downward turn at the butt allows you to choke up at the end of the handle during chopping. Each Brakimo comes with a molded Kydex belt sheath with large metal clip for easy belt attachment.
