What Are the Best Survival Knives for Bushcraft and Wilderness? The Ultimate Expert Guide: Part 1 - Survival Knives: Reddit Answered

D2 carbon steel offers exceptional edge retention and wear resistance, making it brilliant for extended trips where resharpening opportunities are limited. For traditionalists, 1095 Cro-Van steel provides outstanding toughness and sharpens quickly on basic field stones, crucial when you're miles from civilisation.

If the budget allows, CPM S30V represents the premium tier. This steel is corrosion-resistant alongside impressive edge retention, though it commands a higher price point. Each of these steels has earned its reputation through decades of field use by serious outdoorsmen who depend on their tools.

The right steel depends on your specific needs. Frequent water exposure? Lean towards corrosion-resistant options. Primarily dry-climate use? High-carbon steels offer superb performance at lower cost.

How do you choose between fixed-blade and folding knives for survival situations?

Understanding the strengths and limitations of each knife type helps you make the right choice:

Our Fixed-blade knives win hands down for survival work due to their superior strength and reliability. With no moving parts to fail, they're utterly dependable in extreme environments. They excel at heavy-duty tasks like batoning firewood, building shelters and processing game meat that would destroy lesser tools.

Folding knives offer different advantages. They're compact, lightweight and perfect for everyday carry. Where weight matters, their portability makes them ideal as backup tools for lighter tasks or as your primary blade for day hikes.

The sensible approach? Carry both. A fixed blade as your workhorse survival tool and a quality folder as your utility backup. This combination covers virtually every cutting task you'll encounter and keeps your pack weight reasonable.

What brands should you trust for high-quality survival knives?

Several manufacturers consistently deliver knives that perform when it matters:

Fällkniven

• Reputation earned through military contracts and extreme-environment testing
• The F1 series represents the gold standard
• Originally designed for the Swedish Air Force
• Proven in some of the harshest conditions on earth

TOPS Knives

• Brings innovation to traditional survival knife formats
• Collaborations with wilderness experts
• Designs that work brilliantly in real-world scenarios

Ka-Bar

• Legendary reliability backed by decades of military service
• The USMC knife remains a benchmark for fixed-blade survival tools
• Time-tested designs

Benchmade

• Cutting-edge materials and precision engineering
• Premium performance for serious work
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality control

How should you maintain and sharpen your survival knife?

Proper maintenance extends the knife's working life. Follow these steps.

Daily Maintenance:

• Clean your blade after each use, even if it looks clean
• Apply a light coat of protective oil to prevent corrosion
• This takes minutes but prevents problems that could compromise your tool

Sharpening Process:

• Use diamond or ceramic stones for excellent results
• Maintain a consistent angle between 15-20 degrees
• Use light, controlled strokes rather than heavy pressure
• Test the edge regularly during sharpening to avoid removing excess material
• Finish each session with stropping to polish the edge to razor sharpness

Storage:

• Store your knife in a moisture-resistant sheath between uses
• Keep the blade and handle dry before storage
• Check periodically for any signs of corrosion

What blade length works best for versatile survival use?

Choosing the right blade length is crucial for wilderness versatility:

A blade length between 10 and 15 centimetres handles the widest range of tasks effectively. Shorter blades struggle with heavy work like splitting wood or processing larger game. Longer blades become unwieldy for detailed work such as making feather sticks or preparing trap triggers.

This mid-range length offers sufficient mass and leverage for demanding tasks while maintaining the control required for precision work. It's compact enough to carry comfortably yet substantial enough to handle serious wilderness challenges. The Fällkniven F1, for example, demonstrates how this length range performs brilliantly across diverse scenarios.

Fallkniven F1 VG7Wolf Fixed Blade

£145.95 - £164.95

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Should you choose serrated edges, plain edges or combination blades?

Understanding edge types helps you select the right tool for your needs.

Plain Edges:

• Excel at precise cutting and clean slicing
• Easier to sharpen in the field using basic stones
• Deliver better control for detailed work
• Best for most bushcraft tasks (carving, food preparation, wood processing)

Serrated Edges:

• Shine when cutting fibrous materials like rope or webbing
• Maintain cutting ability longer between sharpenings
• Concentrate pressure at multiple points
• Require specialised tools for field sharpening

Combination Edges:

• Features both plain and serrated sections
• Offer versatility for users encountering varied cutting scenarios
• More complex to sharpen properly

Consider your typical tasks when choosing. If you're primarily processing wood and preparing food, stick with a plain edge. If you're regularly working with rope or synthetic materials, a combination edge might serve you better.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of full-tang versus partial-tang construction?

Construction type dramatically affects knife performance and reliability:

Full-tang knives provide maximum structural strength by extending the blade material through the entire handle. This distributes force evenly across the tool, preventing weak points that could fail under stress. When you're batoning wood or prying, full-tang construction ensures the blade remains fixed in the handle.

These knives typically cost more due to increased material and manufacturing complexity, but the investment pays dividends in reliability. You can even hammer on the pommel in emergencies without damaging the tool; this would usually destroy a partial-tang knife.

Partial-tang knives weigh less and often cost less, but they're more prone to structural failure. The blade only extends partway into the handle, creating a potential weak point. For serious survival work where tool failure could prove dangerous, full-tang construction is worth the extra weight and cost.

How do you safely carry and store survival knives during outdoor activities?

When carrying any fixed-blade, safety and accessibility are paramount. Follow these guidelines.

Sheath Selection:

• Use a dedicated sheath that securely holds the knife
• Ensure the sheath protects both the blade and anyone handling your pack
• Choose quality sheaths with retention systems preventing accidental blade exposure
• Verify the sheath allows quick access when needed

Carry Options:

• Horizontal carry: Often works better for extended hiking
• Vertical carry: Can be more accessible for camp work
• Some sheaths offer adjustable positioning to suit different scenarios

Legal Compliance: Always ensure your carry method complies with local legal regulations. In the UK, carrying fixed-blade knives requires a legitimate purpose for outdoors, wilderness activities or similar justifiable purposes. Proper blade protection isn't just about safety; it's about demonstrating responsible ownership.

What are the legal considerations for carrying survival knives in different regions?

UK knife laws require careful attention to ensure compliance:

UK Legal Requirements:

• Folding knives with blades under 7.6 centimetres and no locking mechanism can generally be carried without specific justification
• Larger folding knives and all fixed-blades require a legitimate reason for carry in public
• Legitimate reasons include wilderness activities, bushcraft, outdoor work or similar pursuits where a knife is a necessary tool
• Simply owning the knife isn't restricted; you can purchase, collect and keep survival knives at home without issue
• Regulations apply specifically to carrying them in public spaces

Best Practices:

• Always verify current local regulations before carrying any knife
• Laws vary by region and can change
• When heading into the countryside, be prepared to explain your genuine need for the tool if questioned
• Responsible ownership means understanding and following these requirements while pursuing your outdoor activities safely and legally

This guide synthesises decades of collective outdoor experience with practical insights from active wilderness communities. From selecting appropriate blade steel to understanding full-tang construction, these fundamentals help you make informed decisions about survival knives. By equipping yourself with quality tools, proper maintenance knowledge and a sound understanding of their capabilities, you'll confidently meet whatever challenges the wilderness presents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

James Gregory

Content Writer

James Gregory, from Heinnie Haynes, is part of the team behind the UK’s most trusted supplier of knives, tools and outdoor equipment. Since 1996 Heinnie Haynes has built a reputation for specialist knowledge and excellent service, helping customers find the right gear while staying safe and within the law. James is a knife expert, who is happy to answer customer questions and give his exceptional advice.