The debate over which survival knives are the best is ongoing and highly heated. There are so many options available when looking for the best survival knives that it’s mind-boggling. I searched for a long time, read hundreds of reviews, and tested survival knives numerous times before compiling my elite list of the best five survival knives on the planet.
Why is it five? The truth is that, just as each knife is unique, each person is special, and what survival knife works best for you may not work for someone else. By the end of this review, you should have a good idea of which survival knives are best for you.
The Three Most Important Features of a Survival Knife
Before we get to the top five, we must understand why I chose what I did. Survival knives are not your typical chef’s knives and must be built to withstand anything you can throw at them without breaking or failing; survival knives are designed to handle potentially life-threatening situations.
Every survival knife should have the top three features.
1. Fixed Blade – Despite recent technological advancements, folding knives will never be as strong or durable as a tried and true fixed blade knife. Fixed blade survival knives have a full tang that extends down to the butt of the handle, and each of my top five images is a full tang, full fixed blade survival knife.
2. High-Quality Steel – This may be the most important feature to look for in a survival knife, and it is certainly one of the most hotly debated topics regarding survival knives. While there are hundreds of different types of steel, my top five images are either stainless steel, carbon steel, or a combination of the two, which is my preference.
3. Thick Blade or Heat Treatment – Let’s face it, survival knives aren’t designed to slice tomatoes for your next catering event; they’re designed to hack, slash, chop, skin, and save your life! We require a knife that will not let you down when failure means death. This is why we look for at least a 1/8′′ blade thickness and a reputable company that will heat treat the knife properly for maximum strength.
The World’s Top 5 Survival Knives
Whoa, that’s a big claim. So, first and foremost, let me issue a disclaimer. Some of you will say, “No way, X/Y/Z makes a $500 knife that’s way better!” The truth is that you could be correct, but I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend $500 on a knife.
This is a list of the best survival knives FOR THE MONEY! These knives will give you the best bang for your buck and typically outperform any $500 survival knife. I should also state that these survival knives are not in any particular order. I have not been paid by any of the manufacturers listed here to favor any of these survival knives; this is simply a list based on my personal use and experience with these survival knives. Enough chit-chat; let’s get to work!
1. KA-BAR 7 Combat/Utility Knife – You can’t look for high-quality survival knives without coming across KA-BAR. These knives are tried and true, with so much history and field experience that many people will not even consider switching brands. KA-BAR employs 1095 Cro-Van Steel, a stainless/carbon alloy that is extremely tough and durable while remaining soft enough to hold a razor-sharp edge.
There are many different types of KA-BAR survival knives, but my favorite is the seven-inch blade with the Kraton G handle; they make a leather handle, but I found the Kraton G to be much better for grip and MUCH more weatherproof. Also, make sure to get it with a Kydex sheath; Kydex outperforms leather hands down; don’t be concerned about the few extra dollars; get it!
This knife can do it all and has been used as the USMC’s standard issue knife for years for a good reason; it is simply amazing.
2. Becker BK2 Companion Survival Knife – When Ethan Becker designed this bad boy, he broke the mold; with a blade thickness of 1/4′′, this thing could withstand a nuclear attack! With a true full tang design and a handle that is two pieces of Givory stuck around raw steel, this has to be the most rugged knife in my top 5.
The Becker BK2 is tough as nails; I’ve seen videos of people putting hundreds of pounds of weight on the knife without it even flinching; combine that with a beautiful drop point design and one of the best-designed sheaths in the business, and you’ve got yourself a knife that will output and outhandle most $400 survival knives for a fraction of the price!
My only complaint about these survival knives is that the blades are a little short for battening wood. However, when I tested this knife, I found it to be the easiest to baton with due to its super thick blade.
The Becker BK7 has a seven-inch blade as opposed to the BK2′s five-inch blade, but it is a bit thinner and comes with a nylon sheath rather than Kydex, which is very disappointing. I prefer the BK2 to the BK7, but you can’t go wrong with either.
2. Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife – I’m not a big fan of Gerber blades because most of them are outsourced these days, but I’m also not a big fan of Chevy cars…but Chevy does make the Corvette, which I adore. This survival knife, my friends, is Gerber’s Corvette of survival knives.
It is, in my opinion, Gerber’s final redeeming quality. This knife, made in Portland, OR of super tough 12C27 stainless steel, requires very little maintenance. This super-thick, razor-sharp blade can cut through any survival task in seconds. Survival knives come and go, but this one is a tried and true legend in the armed forces and is heavily used during wartime.
These survival knives have a rugged steel butt-cap that can be used as a striking weapon or a hammer, and the sheath is one of the best designs I’ve seen. These survival knives are incredible, and you get a low price for a bomb-proof, essential survival tool.
4. Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) – If you’ve ever seen Cold Steel’s marketing, you’ve probably been terrified or disgusted. I think it’s a little gimmicky, but it proves a point: Cold Steel makes some of the world’s BEST survival knives, and if it can cut through a whole cow, it’ll probably do the trick. All kidding aside, Cold Steel manufactures a wide range of survival knives, some inexpensive and others exorbitantly priced.
For the money, the Cold Steel SRK is one of the world’s best-designed and-made survival knives. It is made of AUS8 steel, my preferred steel for edge retention and durability, and it has a super tough, super comfortable Kraton handle (think super tough rubber). While the blade length is on the short side, it is incredibly thick (3/16′′) and long-lasting.
It has an excellent Kydex sheath, which is something that most survival knives don’t have these days. I adore the drop point blade design; I’ve always believed that drop point blades make the best survival knives. Cold Steel makes terrific knives, and this is hands down their best one for the money!
5. Buck 119 Limited Edition – What is there to say about the Buck 119 special? The reputation of this knife is as strong as that of KA-BAR. Many outdoor enthusiasts swear by this knife, and the design has stood the test of time for a good reason. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Buck’s philosophy goes, and who can argue with that?
This knife is super strong, razor-sharp, easy to clean, requires no maintenance, and is stunning. Buck uses 420HC stainless steel on the blade for maximum durability, and if it ever breaks or fails, Buck offers a lifetime guarantee on it; what a gentleman!
My only criticism is that the sheath is leather, so make sure the blade is dry before storing it or don’t store it inside the case. The handle may become a little slick if wet, but I believe this knife has excellent ergonomics and fits snugly in hand, so it does not slip out; all in all, a survival knife among survival knives!
Last Thoughts
Survival knives are so crucial in a survival situation that if you could only bring one item, you would be foolish not to get a high-quality survival knife. While survival knives come in various shapes and sizes, this list of the top 5 survival knives in the world will help you narrow that list considerably.
You could entrust your life to each of the knives mentioned above; believe me, many people have. Survival knives can also be used for family camping and other household tasks, making them indispensable tools for everyday use.
Would you be ready if disaster struck as you read this sentence?
