The 10 Best Survival Knives to Use in the Wild | 2019

Whether you’re out camping or hunting, a good survival knife comes in handy.

It’s not only good for recreational use but in the event of an extreme situation as well.

What constitutes the best survival knife is subjective, but many quality knives share similar features.

The blades are durable, the grip is comfortable, and they can actually manage survival situations such as clearing paths, preparing food, etc.

We kept those features in mind when creating our list, one that will help you find the best survival knife for your needs!

Top 5 Survival Knives – Editor’s Pick

Before getting into the reviews in search for the best survival knife, the table below details the specs of our top 5 picks:

10. Mossy Oak Survival Knife

Ideal for: Light utility, budget-friendly

This blade may be a good option for adequate use without breaking the bank.

It’s large due to it being Rambo-style, the blade length is 10 inches, and the total length is 15-1/8 inches.

The blade’s full tang and made from 440C stainless steel.

It has a rubber grip, and it comes with a nylon sheath, fire starter, and sharpener.

One of the bigger downsides is that it can struggle to hold an edge.

Heights: 

• Well-balanced
• Good grip

Plains:

• Edge can be frail
• Can develop nicks

9. CDS-Survival MOVA-58 Stainless Steel Outdoor Knife

Ideal for: General outdoor, camping, light/medium use

This high-rated blade is seen by many as the best survival knife for how well-crafted it is.

It’s handmade from Spain with the blade cut by a laser.

The knife is full tang, stainless steel MOVA-58, and it features a Cocobolo wood handle.

Its blade is 5.7 inches, while the overall length is 10.82 inches.

With this, you get a leather sheath, sharpener stone, and fire steel.

Take care that the blade sometimes cuts through the sheath’s snap closure.

This can make it require two-handed opening.

Heights: 

• Good feeling handle
• Comfortable weight
• Comes with useful gear

Plains:

• Uneven grind on the edge
• The handle doesn’t always sit flush to the blade

8. Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade Knife

Ideal for: General outdoor, all-purpose

The Fallkniven A1 is full tang and made from Laminated VG10 steel.

Its grip is ergonomic, and it’s made from Kraton (a semi-rubbery high-density polymer).

The construction is simple, yet sturdy and thick, offering a good amount of support.

Along with the knife, you get a Zytel (polymer) sheath.

Some do not appreciate just how lightweight it is as it can come across as flimsy compared to the knife, but weight-conscious individuals may enjoy the feel.

Overall, the knife is well-built and meant to withstand extreme weather both heat and cold.

Heights: 

• Retains good grip when wet
• Well-balanced
• Made from Laminated VG10 steel

Plains:

• Can chip easily
• May arrive extremely dull

7. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife

Ideal for: Light/moderate use, casual outdoor, budget-friendly

The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife is another top best survival knife for those looking for an inexpensive option.

It features a half-serrated blade that’s full tang and made from high carbon stainless steel.

The blade is 4.75 inches while the overall knife with handle is 10 inches.

A high point of this knife involves the accessories, it has an emergency whistle and a metal pommel.

The knife may not be durable enough for heavy use, but it can benefit recreational users.

Heights: 

• Multiple uses
• Fits well in the hand
• Nylon sheath with firestarter and diamond blade sharpener included

Plains:

• The pommel isn’t attached well
• Serrations can be ruined after minimal use

6. Schrade SCHF9 Stainless Steel Fixed Blade Knife

Ideal for: Casual/medium use, hiking, camping

With the Schrade SCHF9, you get a dependable knife that’s full tang and made from 1095 high carbon stainless steel.

The blade is 6.4 inches in length, and overall, the knife is 12.1 inches long.

Be aware, however, that the tang can slightly protrude all around the handle.

Nevertheless, it is durable enough for light to medium usage.

It comes along with a belt sheath that has a removable pouch for extra convenience.

Heights: 

• Holds a good edge
• Not too heavy
• Slip-resistant
• Ring-textured, TPE handle

Plains:

• The blade might arrive bent/warped
• Grip not comfortable for everyone

5. Gerber LMF II Survival Knife

Ideal for: Casual/heavy use, general outdoor

Next on our best survival knife list, we have the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife that can be a good knife to have when you’re out.

It should also help keep you safe in a survival kit in case of an emergency situation.

It has a blade made from 420HC stainless steel, and the handle is made from glass-filled nylon with a TPV over the mold.

Although the blade isn’t full tang like most survival knives, it does run down 80% the length of the grip.

This purposeful design is meant to provide insulation protection and better absorb shock.

Its durability can be seen in the fact that it was originally designed for use to free aircrew from a downed aircraft.

Heights: 

• Robust design
• Comfortable handle

Plains:

• Requires frequent sharpening

4. Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife

Ideal for: Versatile use, light/heavy use, general outdoor

With the Ka-Bar Becker BK2, you can get a well-made blade that’s full tang and that is made from 1095 cro-van steel.

It can be used for multiple purposes from camping to hunting.

The blade is 5-1/2 inches long and the overall knife is 10-1/2 inches.

The grip could do with more comfort to offer a stable hold.

All in all, it can perform adequately for your outdoor tasks.

Along with the knife, you get a glass-filled nylon sheath.

It locks the knife in place, so you must apply some pressure to release it.

Heights: 

• Good sharpness
• Swings well

Plains:

• Can be too heavy for some

Suggested: When you are out camping, make sure you also a camping stove with you, and some chairs for when you are supervising the food (and a firestarter, in case you can’t get it started). 

3. ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife

Ideal for: All-around use, light/heavy use

The ESEE 6P knife features a 6.5 inches blade, and overall it’s 11.75 inches long.

It’s made from high carbon 1095 steel, while the handle is gray micarta.

Though this knife is well-made, the steel is known to rust.

It’s important to keep it maintained, especially if you know the blade will get wet.

It’s sharp with a nice coating and it also comes with a high-quality molded polymer sheath.

Heights: 

• Balanced well
• Good size overall
• Can be used as a throwing knife

Plains:

• Arrives slightly dull
• Handle ergonomics could be better

2. Buck Knives 0119 Special Fixed Blade Knife

Ideal for: General outdoor, camping, hunting, heavy use

The Buck Knives 0119 Special Fixed Blade is a knife you can take out camping for light utility and meal prep or keep by your side while hunting.

It’s remarkably versatile, has excellent sharpness, and is a good enough size that anyone can carry comfortably.

For the handle, it comes two ways: one is a black, phenolic handle with an aluminum pommel.

The other is hardwood Cocobolo with a brass pommel.

The handle can get a tad slippery though under certain environmental circumstances though, so be careful!

Heights: 

• Great edge out of the box
• Properly balanced
• Made from 420HC steel
• Full tang

Plains:

• Handle/grip don’t always align

1. Ka-Bar Full 1220 US Army Straight Edge Fighting/Utility Knife

Ideal for: Light/medium use, general outdoor

At the top of the list as the best survival knife is the classic Ka-Bar Full 1220 US Army Knife.

It’s used by military personnel and enjoyed for its reliability and ease of use.

This has a full tang, 7 inches 1095 chrome vanadium blade, and it also features a leather handle.

The handle appears rather smooth, but over time it can lose that feeling.

However, it can provide the knife with a more stable hold overall.

Though it’s not the best for heavy use, it works well as a medium-duty standard survival knife.

Heights: 

• Holds edge for a while
• Solid, balanced feel
• Reliable and easy to use

Plains:

• May arrive dull

Conclusion

Having the best survival knife at your side comes in handy whether you’re in a drastic situation or you’re simply enjoying outdoor activities like camping.

The reviews above should offer you guidance on selecting the right knife for your needs.

Have any thoughts about the products we reviewed? Let us know in the comments.

Recommended: In case you are planning on going camping, don’t forget to bring yourtent and an air mattress, to make things more comfortable.