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10 Best Survival Knives of 2020

January 16, 2020 By Jackie Moore Leave a Comment

Survival knives are one of the most important pieces of equipment you can bring on your next camping trip or backpacking adventure. When deciding on one, make sure it offers all of the basic features you need to get by in the wilderness. Our article is going to help you find one by reviewing 10 of the best survival knives on the market. We’re also going to rank our listings by popularity.

10. Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife

Ontario-499-Air-Force-Survival-Knife,-Black

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Good for: Shoppers who want a knife and sharpening kit in one.

One of the best survival knives is the Ontario 499 Air Force survival knife. Made in the United States, this blade features a leather handle design and both a serrated and smooth cutting edge on the blade. It also includes both a sharpening stone and a convenient storage pouch too. Unfortunately, it’s doesn’t offer any bonus features.

Pros
Leather handle casing improves handling significantly.
Includes sharpening materials for extended maintenance.
Cons
Offers limited additional features.

9. Freehawk Multifunctional Portable Outdoor Survival Knife

Freehawk-Multifunctional-Potable-Outdoor-Knife-Survival-Tactical-Knife

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Good for: People searching for a more comprehensive knife design.

Another one of the best survival knives is made by Freehawk. As soon as you take a look at the knife, you will see that it is full of additional features. It comes with a portable light, a seatbelt cutter, an automotive window breaker, and a fire starter tool. As for the blade design, it offers both a serrated and smooth cutting edge along the bottom.

Pros
Suitable for a wide range of survival needs.
The additional features are easy to use.
Cons
Weighs a bit more than other products.

8. Mossy Oak Survival Knife

MOSSY-OAK-Survival-Knife-10-inch-Fixed-Blade-Hunting-Bowie-Knife-with-Sharpener-and-Fire-Starter

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Good for: Budget-conscious consumers.

If you’re on a really tight budget, one of the best survival knives for you is made by Mossy Oak. The blade measures a modest 10 inches in length and features both a serrated and smooth cutting edge. In addition, the blade comes with its own protective nylon sheath and a small sharpening and fire starter kit.

Pros
Lightweight and portable enough for easy storage.
Fairly affordable.
Cons
The sharpening piece is a bit difficult to use.

7. Survivor HK-56142 Series

Survivor-HK-56142-Series-Fixed-Blade-Survival-Knife,-12-Inch-Overall

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Good for: People who prefer a more classic look.

As soon as you pick up the Survivor HK-56142 series, you will notice that the blade balances easily in your hand. One of the features we like most about this particular product is that the grip area features a textured design to improve handling. We also like that the protective sheath is very durable and that it keeps the blade adequately secured. You can also store an additional small knife or blade in the accessory compartment.

Pros
Comes with its own sharpening stone.
The design is very well balanced.
Cons
The sheath can feel somewhat bulky.

6. Blade Mate Survival Knives

BladeMate-Tactical-Folding-Knife-Survival-Rescue-Pocket-Knife

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Good for: Shoppers who are on a very tight budget.

Blade Mate made our list of the best survival knives for many reasons. For starters, they’re one of the most affordable options currently available. Their blade designs also feature an included seatbelt cutter and a glass breaker tool on the end of the handle. However, the blade design is a bit on the small side measuring 3.5 inches in length.

Pros
Acts as a multifunctional tool for many basic needs.
Lightweight design.
Cons
The blade length may be too short for some users.

5. DAX Survival Knife

DAX-Survival-Knife-550-Paracord-Handle,-Best-Survival-Gear

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Good for: Budget shoppers who don’t want to sacrifice functionality.

The DAX survival knife is just as affordable as the Blade Mate with the addition of several useful features. For starters, their blades can be used to start fires with the included fire starter lanyard. Their blade is also one of the few options we found with a full tang design for improved construction. In addition, the handle is covered in heavy-duty parachute cord for even more versatility.

Pros
One can use it to start fires.
The blade design is quite durable.
Cons
The handle feels somewhat bulky with the parachute cord.

4. Gerber 22-01400 LMF II

Gerber-22-01400-LMF-II-Survival-Knife,-Coyote-Brown

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Good for: Users who want a simple sharpening solution included.

Gerber’s survival knife is one of the few products we found that incorporated a built-in sharpener into the blade’s sheath. This is a definite bonus for users who prefer a knife with a more worry-free design. As far as the blade goes, it measures just under 5 inches in length and is made from durable steel. It also features a glass breaker on the blade’s hilt.

Pros
The included sharpener is very easy to use.
Can be attached directly to your thigh or arm.
Cons
The blade length is a bit shorter than average.

3. Schrade SCHF9

Schrade-SCHF9-12.1in-Stainless-Steel-Fixed-Blade-Knife

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Good for: More regular use where durability is an important factor.

The Schrade SHC49 survival knife is the second option that utilizes a full tang blade design. Combined with its carbon steel construction, this drastically improves its overall durability. We also found the included belt sheath to be very well designed and quite durable. Unfortunately, the blade does not fold and can be a bit bulky.

Pros
Full tang blade and carbon steel construction improves durability.
The sheath protects all of the blade’s cutting area.
Cons
Does not fold and can feel a bit bulky.

2. Whetstone Cutlery The Vermillion Survival Knife

Whetstone-Cutlery-The-Vermillion-Survival-Knife-and-Kit-with-Sheath-Knife,-Black

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Good for: Hardcore survivalists.

The Vermillion survival knife is our second best pick to consider. One of the best things about this particular knife is that it includes a wide range of accessories to make sure you’re prepared for the outdoors. Some of the included items that store within the blade’s hilt are a compass, bandages, a fishing hook, fishing line, and matches. We also found the portable whetstone to be a great added bonus.

Pros
Includes all of the basic surviving essentials.
Everything stores away easily in the hilt.
Cons
The sheath feels too thin for the blade.

1. Maxam SKJSK Survival Knife

Maxam-SKJSK-Survival-Knife

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Good for: Consumers who want to stay prepared.

Finishing our list of the best survival knives is the Maxam SKJSK series. Much like the Vermillion survival knife, this product comes with several accessories that fit securely in the knife’s hilt. It also comes with a rubber band to convert the knife into a mobile slingshot. A machete is another useful item to take with you on your excursions into the wilderness, so do take a look at the best machetes on the market today.

Pros
Comes with additional features to improve your survivability.
The sheath is very sturdy.
Cons
Putting the accessories back into the sheath is very difficult.

Final Words

When looking for the best survival knives, just remember to take into account the types of weather conditions and environments you regularly explore. Fortunately, many of our recommendations are designed for a wide variety of climates. If there is a product that you would like to recommend, tell us about it in the comments.

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