Survival knives

T

Tacticalpyro

Joined
Oct 25, 2014
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Hey guys, im looking for a good survival/bushcraft knife but i do not want to pay any more than $40. Any suggestions? Im looking for something thats good quality and will last with extreme use in the outdoors.
 
What exactly do you mean by survival? What blade length, and what uses do you have in mind for it?

But, as a blanket statement, "any" Mora, and many condors fit that budget as well. Look at the bushlore.

Good luck :).
 
You could always take a look at the bk 11, works well equipped with a belt clip and esee pouch. Bk11s are right around that budget.
 
I am planning on using it for:batoning, chopping, carving, just most of the extreme uses it would come to need in a outdoors situation. And for the size i dont want anything tiny but i dont want anything too bulky. I need a medium sized durable fixed knife that will get the job done and will last. Probably around or less than a foot in length.
 
Go to the Knife Excahnge,

Then go to the Fixed Blade section,

Then patiently wait for a Becker BK-16 to pop up.

When one shows up in your price range, buy it.
 
Take a look at the new line of schrade bushcraft knives; the SCHF36, SCHF37, and SCHF38. They're not out until 2015. Plus they come with a fire steel for under 40 I think. I don't have much experience with schrade knives but I enjoyed using their axes.
 
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I feel what one needs is something like a Vic Farmer and the skill set needed to avoid "extreme uses" during outdoor recreation.

Doesn't sound like that's what you want. I'd go Gerber LMF or Schrade Extreme Survival. Sounds like they would make you happy. :thumbup:
 
I think that a Mora is the safe choice, but it isn't super heavy duty and the sheath retention on mine is non-existent. (Probably just bad luck.)

They aren't brought up a lot, and the brand has a fairly poor reputation, but I picked up an MTech Xtreme 8108 last week. Just kind of curious about the brand and wanted something to practice grinding and mods on.

I can't "reccomend" the knife as I haven't used it on anything but paper and cardboard yet, but my initial reaction is pretty positive for the $20 price tag. 4mm thick, 3.75" stonewashed blade, rounded & textured g10, and a surprisingly good sheath.

I started thinning out the primary already. If it takes a decent edge (did not come sharp) and holds up to batoning and regular use I will probably remove the scales and drill out the tang to lighten it up. It's heavy, 7.34 ounces, wider grip.

jr4g9l.jpg

That's not a hump on the spine, just part of the sheath.
 
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Another vote for the Mora, in particular the Mora Robust. This is a hard use blade that won't break the bank. The mini-survival knife by Gerber (BG) is also one of the knives that is small enough to probably be on you when you actually need it. Even my trusty Basic 9 is useless if it is not within reach. They say the very best survival knife is the one you have with you!
 
Becker Eskabar aka BK14. By far the toughest easest to sharpen, handiest knife I have ever owned. Wrap the paracord around the sheath so you cam carry it cross draw and get the $10 scales and its a great budget everything knife.
 
Something like the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife Survival Fixed Blade should work.

IMO, you should haunt the The Knife Exchange For-Sale-Production-Fixed-Blades-(Individual) and get a good deal on a great knife. Just a couple of days ago, a nice Becker BK2 was listed for only $49! That would have fit every one of your requirements easily.
 
Look, for a budget bushcraft knife, Mora is the tops. But, if you just want to wail on a slab of steel during "extreme use," you probably don't want a Mora.

You can get a Cold Steel Bushman or a True Flight Thrower and beat on it till the cows come home. I have the True flight; other folks have adapted it for Bushcraft use. It's 6" long 3/16" thick, and you can even do a little chopping with it.

Second from left:
Wood_Chopping.jpg


True_flight_blade.jpg


I gotta tell you though, Bushcraft is about making do with what you have, aided by skill and knowledge. It's not about brute force.
 
Grey Falcon said:
Take a look at the new line of schrade bushcraft knives; the SCHF36, SCHF37, and SCHF38. They're not out until 2015. Plus they come with a fire steel for under 40 I think. I don't have much experience with schrade knives but I enjoyed using their axes.
Click to expand...

Yes! This might be right up your alley. Here is a review: Clicky for linky
 
Tacticalpyro said:
I am planning on using it for:batoning, chopping, carving, just most of the extreme uses it would come to need in a outdoors situation. And for the size i dont want anything tiny but i dont want anything too bulky. I need a medium sized durable fixed knife that will get the job done and will last. Probably around or less than a foot in length.
Click to expand...

If you want 1 knife to do that, I'd suggest finding a Becker on sale. I believe knifecenter is a supporting dealer, so I think it is kosher to post this: they are selling the BK15 for a pretty nice price. Right around your budget. I think it would be a pretty capable medium size woods blade.

BUT, I think you'd be better served just carrying something larger for the big tasks, and something on the small size for everything else. If I were you, I'd dump that budget into a Condor Golok, and just carry whatever folder or small fixed blade you have. It would be a lot more "fun" than trying to chop and baton with some wee little knife that can't handle it.
 
I would get a good machete for chopping and keep a folder in your pocket to take care the more precise cutting. Think knife system...

Other than that, the Condor Bushlore is a good knife; not a chopper. I also like the Kabar Becker BK-16/17 but it is not a chopper either. As mentioned, watch for a BK-2 on the exchange. It will handle most anything you can throw at it. But I prefer the thinner steel of the BK-10. Be careful with Beckers, they can be addictive.
 
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