By far the most important survival tool you can take into the wild is a good knife. Making a strong, sharp blade with just resources from nature is very difficult. Flintknapping is the process of chipping away at stone to get a sharp edge. It requires years of practice, and still will not produce a blade as sharp or as strong as a steel blade.
Knives help us cook, build shelters, process firewood, work a ferro rod, clean game, and defend ourselves. However, knives that are not built properly can do more damage than good. Poor quality steel blades can dull quickly or can snap off in your hand. Poorly built mechanisms on folding blade knives can cause serious injury. Uncomfortable grips can cause cuts or nasty blisters. In this article, we will cover the aspects of a knife you must consider in order to bring home the perfect survival blade.
Build and Size
The design of your knife is one of your biggest decisions. You might think a folding blade knife is a good call, but it would never be my first choice. Ideally, you want a fixed blade, full tang knife. This means that the steel of the blade runs all the way to the end of the handle. These knives are incredibly strong and reliable. I have had lots of folding blade knives that would not stay tight at the joint or at the safety and became worthless. Partial tang or hidden tang knives are going to be more prone to having the handle break apart, so full tang is best.
For the size of your blade, it can be tough to find a good fit. For survival purposes, you want the knife to be big enough to process firewood. However, you want it small enough for finer work like cleaning fish or small game. If you are going to be moving around a bunch, you may want to avoid longer blades. I have a knife with a ten-inch blade that I love, but it is so long that it constantly gets in my way when on my hip. I now prefer a blade somewhere between four and six inches long.
Comfort
I know many of us buy our survival gear online these days but consider buying your knife in person. You want to be sure that the handle is comfortable in your hand, and that the blade does not twist when you strike firewood. You should be able to use the knife for extended periods of time without any ‘hot spots’ or blisters forming on your hands. If you are going to buy a knife online, try it out immediately and return it or reshape the handle if it is not right.
Steel Type
The first survival knife I purchased was a disaster. When it arrived, I was pumped. It perfectly fit in my hand and had an ideal shape and design for survival tasks. I was sure I made the purchase of the century. Then deer season came, and I bagged three deer. As I tried to skin the first deer, I noticed that the blade was dull after just a few minutes. Perhaps I forgot to sharpen it before hunting? I got a razor’s edge on it again and a few minutes later it was dull.
After this hunting trip, I did some research and realized I had purchased a knife with inferior steel. I learned which steel types will hold an edge better and made a new purchase. My new Buck brand knife has been on my hip for four years now, and I have only had to sharpen it twice. Be sure you take your time and do research on steel types. Here are just a few you can consider:
420HC STEEL – This is a very average option as it has the edge retention of high carbon alloys. It will stay rust-free, but plan on bringing your sharpener.
5160 STEEL – Also called spring steel, this steel is flexible and durable.
13C26 SANDVIK – This steel has great edge retention and is also tough. However, plan on spending a few hours whenever you do need to sharpen it.
S30V STEEL – This is one of my favorite blade steels for edge retention. It also takes some time to sharpen when it does get dull.
Shapes
There are lots of different shapes of blades used for survival purposes. Each one is designed for the environment in which it was developed. Here are a few options you can consider:
Kukuri – This longer knife is almost a cross between a machete and a chopper. It was designed in Nepal for military purposes. The blade is normally one to two feet long and tends to hook forward for an aggressive curve. This makes it perfect for chopping through a jungle or hacking off the limbs of attackers. It is a bit large for some of the more detailed work you may need to complete, but people love them for survival.
Machete – These three-foot-long blades were designed to hack paths through the jungles of South America. They are long and straight and are designed for swinging. They are not practical as the only blade for survival as they are too large for many tasks. However, they are ideal for self-defense.
Chopper or Camp Knife – These blades are sometimes hard to find, but they do a great job. Choppers have a thick spine to the blade so they can handle processing firewood. Normally they are a full tang drop point with a blade between four and twelve inches long. Many survivalists like the longer versions of these blades. You may have to contact a blacksmith for this one.
Billhook – This is more of a homesteading blade than a survival blade, but I love talking about it. You probably have to ask a blacksmith to make you one of these. There is a three-inch-wide blade that is roughly one foot long. It comes to a point that curves towards the sharp edge for a hook at the end. There is also another chopping edge facing the other way. This tool is really ideal for chopping and limbing brush. It is not good to take on hikes as its shape and weight make it bulky.
Hunting Knife with Gut Hook – I love these knives for deer season as I can process my deer quickly without bringing a big set of different blades. The hunting knife is smaller and lighter than a camp knife and is often too thin for processing firewood. However, the curve of the three-inch blade is ideal for skinning deer. The gut hook on the spine is perfect for opening up the belly to gut your kills.
The choice is really yours on these. I own most of them, and they all have their purposes. I suggest you decide which one will be the best fit for your needs and start with that one. I feel like the camp knife with a six-inch blade is the best all-around survival option for my needs. Whatever you buy, just be sure you do your research and keep your receipt. If you are only going to have one survival knife, you need it to be a perfect fit. Happy shopping!