An Army Of Knife Experts Share Tips On Choosing The Best Survival Knife

TopSpecUS

TopSpecUS

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If you’re concerned about survival in the backwoods, having the tools you need when all hell breaks loose, or don’t feel comfortable heading anywhere unprepared, you need a survival knife. A survival knife isn’t just a blade – it’s an instrument of defense and attack, but also one you’ll use to build shelter and cook. It has to be versatile, durable, and reliable.

We asked seven of the most widely-respected campers, hikers, and preppers for their input on what makes a great survival knife. And then we asked 100 more (from Bladeforums) – because you can never have too much information. This survival knife guide is based on their input, as well as our own experiences. You won’t find a better resource on how to choose a survival knife you can depend on.

Check it out and let us know what you think

http://blog.topspecus.com/survival-knife-guide/
 
Reading through the experts' responses closely mirrored most "best survival knife" threads here on Bladeforums.

I've spent plenty of time using a knife as my primary tool, and I couldn't narrow it down to 1 feature that is most important, aside from a well trained and practiced user who actually knows what to do with a knife.
 
MatthewSB said:
Reading through the experts' responses closely mirrored most "best survival knife" threads here on Bladeforums.

I've spent plenty of time using a knife as my primary tool, and I couldn't narrow it down to 1 feature that is most important, aside from a well trained and practiced user who actually knows what to do with a knife.
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Not surprising as we did poll folks from bladeforum :)
 
All that seems oriented towards jungle survival. Michael Forti lists people that live with nature, but seems to ignore cultures that don't live in the tropics. No Saami, Inuit, Mongolians, etc. It makes sense that jungle living is best with a machete. How about in a 4 season deciduous hardwood forest? Tundra? Mountains?

We don't have any jungles in the US. Or Afganistan, for that matter.



I'm also a little befuddled by the statement "hollow handle knives are weak"? Really? All of them?
 
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Cool article, but theres not really a lot of information that isnt commong knowledge for anyone thats even somewhat educated with blades, but maybe thats just me
 
stonproject said:
Cool article, but theres not really a lot of information that isnt commong knowledge for anyone thats even somewhat educated with blades, but maybe thats just me
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Glad you enjoyed it! This is really meant to be a beginner guide for people getting started with knives/outdoors.
 
stonproject said:
Cool article, but theres not really a lot of information that isnt common knowledge for anyone thats even somewhat educated with blades, but maybe thats just me
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But plenty of folks wanting to buy a knife aren't educated about blades.
When I think back to my early teenage years, I bought some terrible knives...of course, that was part of the learning experience. :)

It at least provides enough info to get people thinking before they plunk down their cash, and that's a good thing.
 
RX-79G said:
All that seems oriented towards jungle survival. Michael Forti lists people that live with nature, but seems to ignore cultures that don't live in the tropics. No Saami, Inuit, Mongolians, etc. It makes sense that jungle living is best with a machete. How about in a 4 season deciduous hardwood forest? Tundra? Mountains?

We don't have any jungles in the US. Or Afganistan, for that matter.



I'm also a little befuddled by the statement "hollow handle knives are weak"? Really? All of them?
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Yeah, it was ridiculous how endorsed relatively huge and thick knives were endorsed.

Mors Kochanski has forgotten more about wilderness survival than most of those experts actually know and doesn't use an overgrown machete. I can only guess Mr. Forti has never heard of him.
 
Boats said:
Yeah, it was ridiculous how endorsed relatively huge and thick knives were endorsed.

Mors Kochanski has forgotten more about wilderness survival than most of those experts actually know and doesn't use an overgrown machete. I can only guess Mr. Forti has never heard of him.
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But the blog also has a link to a Bladeforums discussion of blade thickness, where a bunch of people recommended 1/8" thick.

Not everyone is going to agree on what knife to get, or what thickness and length is ideal (or whether it should be a folder or fixed blade).
I do think that the blog gives enough info for people to make up their own minds.
 
I would suggest some follow-up articles that deal with survival scenarios in specific environments, and how the concerns there would change your knife considerations.

Especially important, I think, is a follow-up that talks about how a knife fits into a larger kit of tools.

Dealing with this from a "gear perspective", I think some of us (maybe just me :rolleyes:) forget that training is arguably more important than all the gear. A lot of pre-iron-age people got an amazing amount done without the benefit of modern knives.
 
Cool article, it's a good introduction to hard use knives.
Shorttime said:
I would suggest some follow-up articles that deal with survival scenarios in specific environments, and how the concerns there would change your knife considerations.

Especially important, I think, is a follow-up that talks about how a knife fits into a larger kit of tools.

Dealing with this from a "gear perspective", I think some of us (maybe just me :rolleyes:) forget that training is arguably more important than all the gear. A lot of pre-iron-age people got an amazing amount done without the benefit of modern knives.
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Since it's a beginner's article, maybe they could follow up with specific designs for specialty roles including jobs, environment, and traditional tools of the region. Plus all the folding knife stuff they didn't touch on.

Understanding why traditional designs made it through history helps a lot in choosing a tool that fits your purpose.
 
Do we consider people who thru hike the PCT and AT to be experienced in backcountry travel? How about mountaineers as trained by the American Alpine Institute, The Seattle Mountaineers or NOLS?

Point being that Survival, with a capital 'S' has become a marketing term for a genre of tools and schools. I'm pretty sure that thru-hikers and climbing guides are all interested in surviving (small 's') their backcountry adventure and equally sure that practically none of them carry a 4" full tang fixed blade.

It's still an a fun article to read but honestly something like sticking your head into a self-congratulatory echo chamber.

People should carry what ever the heck they want in their pack to make them happy but tons of people travel safely in the backcountry with far less.
 
Shorttime said:
I would suggest some follow-up articles that deal with survival scenarios in specific environments, and how the concerns there would change your knife considerations.

Especially important, I think, is a follow-up that talks about how a knife fits into a larger kit of tools.

Dealing with this from a "gear perspective", I think some of us (maybe just me :rolleyes:) forget that training is arguably more important than all the gear. A lot of pre-iron-age people got an amazing amount done without the benefit of modern knives.
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Great idea! Thanks!
 
pinnah said:
Do we consider people who thru hike the PCT and AT to be experienced in backcountry travel? How about mountaineers as trained by the American Alpine Institute, The Seattle Mountaineers or NOLS?

Point being that Survival, with a capital 'S' has become a marketing term for a genre of tools and schools. I'm pretty sure that thru-hikers and climbing guides are all interested in surviving (small 's') their backcountry adventure and equally sure that practically none of them carry a 4" full tang fixed blade.

It's still an a fun article to read but honestly something like sticking your head into a self-congratulatory echo chamber.

People should carry what ever the heck they want in their pack to make them happy but tons of people travel safely in the backcountry with far less.
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I have to agree. Some of the things said by the "experts" in the article is the same stuff that led me down the wrong path in knife buying when I started out. I had to figure out the hard way in both time and money that what I was hearing wasn't right for me. Plus, a knife usually makes little difference in most survival situations I've read. A good jacket and a bottle of water is usually a much better option. I carry a knife for convenience, not really because I need it. I've also read the blog of one of those guys. Not what I would call an expert. Enthusiastic beginner who likes knives is more appropriate. :D The rest of the article seemed pretty good but I only skimmed it. I'll read it later.
 
A good article overall. It would be impossible to cover all things in a brief how-to. Also, for better or worse, sometimes the only way to find what knife works for you is to try a lot and see what works. Experience teaches those willing to learn.
 
pinnah said:
Do we consider people who thru hike the PCT and AT to be experienced in backcountry travel? How about mountaineers as trained by the American Alpine Institute, The Seattle Mountaineers or NOLS?

Point being that Survival, with a capital 'S' has become a marketing term for a genre of tools and schools. I'm pretty sure that thru-hikers and climbing guides are all interested in surviving (small 's') their backcountry adventure and equally sure that practically none of them carry a 4" full tang fixed blade.

It's still an a fun article to read but honestly something like sticking your head into a self-congratulatory echo chamber.

People should carry what ever the heck they want in their pack to make them happy but tons of people travel safely in the backcountry with far less.
Click to expand...

I guess John Muir wasn't high speed low drag enough.
 
Some of these comments are so controversial...but I guess those are what opinions are all about...

1) "And if it happens to hold an edge a long time, that’s just gravy on top.”
versus...
1A) popular, durable, and rust-resistant options are 440C steel, 154 CM steel, and S30V steel. Other (steels) may hold a great edge, but don’t offer any other benefits for knife owners.


2) "You need a blade with a thickness of 5/32” to ¼”. That may sound monstrous, but trust us. You’ll want that thickness when you start chopping wood."
versus...
2A) "If you don’t really plan on doing much brush clearing, chopping, or wood splitting, you can get away with a 3/16” blade. The 3/16” thickness is just about perfect for daily use."

Well, 3/16" is 0.1875" thick....but 5/32" is 0.156".
So, it appears as though (the thinner) 0.156" is okay, but you can "get away" with "0.1875". And the 0.187" is "perfect for daily use."

We see a great diversity of opinions here, and I suppose that's a good thing. I'm not sure, however, whether anything has been "settled" other than the fixed beats the folder for woods use....
 
I wonder what these survival experts opinions are about batoning wood?

I prefer to pick up, or break off, twigs and branches myself. The last thing I want to do is risk breaking my knife or damaging the edge by the batoning method.
 
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