How To Choose a Survival Knife

For people who are outdoorsy and spend most of their time hunting or camping, a survival knife is necessary. When choosing your survival knife, consider the following:

Material

The most preferred survival knives are those made from stainless steel and or carbon steel. Stainless steel blades are recommended for those that live or will travel to tropical places where it is humid. This is so that the blade will not rust because of the moisture.

Stainless steel knives are also easier to keep and maintain compared to carbon steel. Even if it is pricier compared to carbon steel, more people are noticing the merit of a stainless-steel knife. Aside from the price, drawbacks also include it is more difficult to sharpen and maintain an edge than carbon steel. Still, it is preferable as a survival knife because of its durability.

Blade

If it is your first time purchasing a survival knife, you have to know the main difference between a fixed blade and a folding knife to help you make a more informed decision on which type is more suited to your preference. A fixed blade knife is a knife with a blade that does not fold. It is commonly carried in a sheath to protect the blade. It is simple to maintain and clean since there are no hinges or moving parts.

They are preferred by many because they are big, robust and long lasting and are best suited for outdoor activities such as hunting, camping, fishing, and tactical use. Depending on the outdoor activities that you prefer, fixed blade knives might be the better option. You can browse our range of fixed blade knives here.

Folding knives on the other hand as its name suggests has a blade that could be folded and hid in its handle. They could basically perform the same tasks as that of the fixed blade, but they are considered to be flimsier and not as sturdy when it comes to heavy duty cutting.

Handle

To make sure you are purchasing the survival knife that is suited to your requirement, you also need to know what makes a knife’s handle the best. The handle serves two purposes and that is it ensures a secure and comfortable grip while holding the knife and it serves as a finger guard to prevent accidents of the hand slipping down onto the blade.

The materials used to make the knife’s handle is usually wood, plastic or high-density rubber. All three have merits and it will just depend on the preference of the user. Although, it should also be taken into consideration that the handle of a survival knife must be unbreakable even under extreme use. It should be able to withstand a lot of abuse, so a stronger material is preferable.

We are all unique, so choose a knife that is comfortable for you to hold and isn’t too hefty so it will be easier for you to wield it. You also need to consider the knife laws in your area and select a blade length that is allowed.