According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Bushcraft is a term used to describe “The skill of surviving in the bush.” But what does it mean to “survive in the bush”? Basically, it originally meant Australia’s outback and parts of Africa, Canada, and Alaska, but now the word bushcraft extends to mean the skills used to survive in nature regardless of geography.
If knowledge is the door to survival, the best bushcraft knife is the key to this door.
If you find yourself in an extreme situation, the kind of situation where your life is in danger, what kind of knife would you want at your side?
… the right knife.
Obviously, you are reading this because you like camping, trekking or any other activity in the countryside. But remember that while enjoying these activities, nature can turn against you and it is always better to be prepared for when this happens. You do not want just any old knife: you want a knife that will ensure your survival.
But which is the perfect one for you? We’ve reviewed the Best Bushcraft Knives that are currently available and will bring you our thoughts on each one, including their Pros, and most importantly, their Cons. This information should help you find the one that is best suited to your needs.
So, let’s get to it…
Top 10 Best Bushcraft Knives Reviews
1. KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
A new ally for your outings in nature: Ka-Bar Becker Companion survival knife. It can do just about anything while camping or hiking, from cooking to small wood cutting for a fire. And it comes with a polyester case.
The blade is a little over 5 inches, so it is of ideal size. The sheath is versatile, and the knife cuts well. The blade is cast in sturdy steel and curved at 20 degrees.
Built to last…
KA-BAR has guaranteed this knife for life. This model is more robust but heavier than others. This is not a small survival knife that will slip into the pocket, its a sturdy and functional knife, which you feel the weight in the hand.
The blade is covered with a protective coating and keeps its sharpness even after cutting wood. Designed for slightly heavier work, it is excellent for cutting most thicker branches, etc.. And the belt attachment is of good quality and holds in place well.
Need a spear or a hammer?
The knife has a good overall balance, and can even come in handy as a defense weapon in the forest. It is also very versatile, allowing you to unscrew the pads to turn this survival knife into a spear.
And the handle is strong enough to act as a hammer and a glass breaker.
Pros
- Unscrewable plates, to use for making a spear.
- Robust and functional.
Cons
- Quite heavy.
2. Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Fixed Blade Knife
The Morakniv bushcraft knife is one of the most popular survival blades on the market these days. And taking a look at it is enough to make you understand why. It has a solid design and can even withstand outdoor grilling.
The knife is quite long at 9.2 inches (with a blade length of 4 inches) which means there is plenty of room to hold your knife and cut and chop your way through the thick foliage or use it in other outdoor situations.
Quality, durability, and craftsmanship…
It is excellent for skinning fresh meat. But, it can also be used to peel potatoes or other vegetables when there is no meat around.
Another reason we liked this best bushcraft knife is its very economical price. Given the quality, durability, and craftsmanship of this survival knife, one would expect it to cost over a hundred dollars, but that’s the best part about it – you can get this excellent survival tool for a lot less than that!
Pros
- Rugged and versatile.
- Provides a proper grip for ease of use.
- Inexpensive product.
Cons
- None at the price.
3. Fallkniven F1 Bushcraft Knife
One of our favorites based on the size and quality of the blade is the Fallkniven F1 bushcraft knife with a non-removable gray thermorun elastomer handle. The total length of the knife is about 8.2 inches, which makes it very handy.
It is portable and does a good job when it comes to cutting wood or clearing foliage. A sharp slash of the blade is enough to do the job.
Quality lightweight design…
You will also like the fact that this best bushcraft knife weighs a little less than 7 ounces.
This item comes at a slightly higher price, but you can be confident that you get not only an incredible fixed blade knife, but also one that it has been thoroughly quality tested.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight.
- Manufactured with top-grade materials.
Cons
- High-end product.
4. Condor Tool Bushlore Camp Knife
To continue this selection, next up we have the Condor Tool camp survival knife, which is recognized immediately by its wooden handle. It weighs 7 ounces and features a blade of 4.5 inches. This makes it a lightweight and convenient survival ally in the wilderness.
Its blade construction is of 1075 High Carbon Steel, and it is robust and resistant to wear. The wooden handle is a practical material to hold it, which does not slip.
And with this knife, you will not fear losing it in the forest, as the sheath can be attached to your belt.
Come rain, come shine…
The nylon sheath is military-grade and is treated to resist mold, while the case is water and moisture resistant.
For the price, it’s a superb buy. It’s a sturdy knife, practical, durable, and looks good!
Pros
- Lightweight for comfort.
- Non-slip handle.
- Pocket-friendly price.
- Top grade sheath.
Cons
- The handle is not impact-resistant.
- The blade is not suitable for heavy-duty purposes.
5. Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife
The appearance of the Morakniv bushcraft knife is sober and classic, but it is a real fighter. It features a thick carbon steel blade which has an anti-corrosive black coating to protect it from corrosion. And the whole knife is of high quality and is very robust.
It is well balanced and has been designed to make it easy to use, while the handle is waterproof and resistant to mold.
Need to start a fire?
The fixed blade is reliability and easy to maintain. The leather sheath is also of good quality and has a fire starter attached to it. Simply remove it from the edge of the sheath, strike with the knife and few times and you should have sparked your fire to life in no time at all.
This is a knife, in the true sense of the word, and needs some investment, but being so well built and durable, we can imagine you passing this down from generation to generation.
This is a great example of a tactical survival knife – the blade being thick, efficient, strong, and durable. This all makes it one of the best camping knives currently available.
Pros
- Integrated fire starter on the sheath.
- Manufactured with top quality materials.
- Robust and durable.
Cons
- The knife blade is not rust-resistant.
6. Schrade SCHF9 Outdoor Survival Knife
Surprised by the simplicity of its appearance? Don’t be; this knife is well rounded.
It has a full 6 mm thick solid steel blade, and 1095 steel in the center. This knife will replace a small ax, and if you can break it, let us know.
This best bushcraft knife cuts like a lightsaber and is easy to use. This is because it has both a long handle and a long blade for the most efficiency. With it, you can make small sculptures, or cut out food finely.
The blade is very powerful! It is also resistant to corrosion.
What is more?
The handle is in TPE, pleasant rubbery material, which absorbs vibrations. And offers a good hold of the knife, even if it is wet. It also has grooves for better handling.
It is ideal for wood, advanced manufacturing, crafts, hiking… etc.
Pros
- Classic, elegant design.
- Robust and reliable.
- Inexpensive.
Cons
- Not as short or portable as several users would prefer.
7. Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife
Benchmade brands are a well-known brand in the field. It is a brand very appreciated by the users for the quality of their knives!
This Bushcrafter 162 model comes straight from the USA, and this contributes to the reputation of the brand. Its handle can be removed to make your knife into a spear.
There is more…
This top brand is made of CPM-S30V steel with a hardness of 55-57RC, and the handle is made of Micarta. The Micarta is completely waterproof, and therefore ideal for outdoor use. And is a little rough to the touch for a good grip in hand.
It is a very sharp knife, robust and well finished. It offers good protection against rust, with its treated blade.
You can get this product in either of two colors. It may be a bit heavy, but it’s solid! The handle also doubles up as a hammer. Making it a versatile model in the field of bushcraft, survival, tactics, or forestry work.
It comes with a brown Kydex case, resistant to different temperatures, and allows you to attach your tool to your belt.
The keywords to describe this product are robustness and maneuverability! You will not have to buy a second one, because it will last for years! In fact, you get a lifetime warranty with this product.
As if that is not enough, you can send this knife to the manufacturer as many times as you wish. And whenever, for a free sharpening of the blade.
Pros
- Two color variants.
- Non-slip handle.
- Manufactured with top-grade materials.
- Rust and corrosion-resistant.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Lifetime support in case of sharpening.
Cons
- Slightly heavy.
- Super expensive.
8. Buck Knives 0863BRS Selkirk Fixed Blade Knife
We go to the Buck Knives 0863BRS survival knife. It is a classic survival knife, with wooden handle color, light and sharp. The general visual aspect is very attractive.
While the total length of the knife is 9.5 inches, the cutting edge of the blade is 4.6 inches. It also features a fire starter that is attached to the sheath.
The best part?
It is well balanced, and the polished handle is extremely comfortable to hold. You will not find any difficulties in sharpening the blade on a sharpening stone, and the sheath works well for holding the blade. Made of 420HC steel, this should last you a very long time while also withstanding heavy-duty use.
Pros
- Nice design and finish.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Free fire starter included.
Cons
- Not resistant to chipping.
- The case is not very rugged.
9. Schrade SCHF36 Frontier Bushcraft Knife
Schrade knives have been on the market for decades. And over that time, the company has gained experience in the manufacture and optimization of quality knives. It is, therefore, not surprising that these knives are included in our best bushcraft knives review.
It is made of 1095 carbon steel and is 10.4 inches long, with a blade length of 5 inches. So y you will have no problem cutting wood or using it for other tasks.
Exceptional value…
The SCHF36 t is not an expensive option, but it is still one of the best knives we tested. And what you get for the lowish price is an exceptional knife, specially built for extreme survival situations.
We highly recommend it for people who already have some experience in the field of survival, and are looking for a quality blade to accompany them on their expeditions.
Pros
- Robust and sharp.
- Free ferro rod and sharpening stone included.
- Inexpensive product.
Cons
- Requires sharpening a bit more often than most other bushcraft knives.
- Not designed for heavy-duty use.
10. Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
The Craftline Pro S survival knife was developed by Morakniv, a leading Swedish knife manufacturer. This is a fixed blade, with a no-frills design, that is really affordable!
It is particularly robust and weighs only 115 grams, which is very similar to that of a folding knife. But it is not built to hack down vegetation, it is, therefore, intended for fine precision work. Ideal for woodworking, and obtaining wood chips, but it is also a good hunting knife. It is not very heavy, so easily transportable, in your belt or in a bag.
Nice and sharp…
It is made of top-grade steel, has a good edge, and is easy to sharpen. If you want to prevent rust, you can clean it and use some oil after use. The blade is durable but obviously thinner than the ones you can find on other models of this review, being only 0.2 cm thick.
The handle is adapted to the shape of the hand, which allows good control of the blade. This rubberized handle also prevents your hand from sliding on the blade.
If you are looking for a medium-sized bushcraft knife for more intricate tasks, this may be the one for you?
Pros
- Super affordable.
- Lightweight for user comfort.
- Non-slip handle.
Cons
- Not great for hacking your way through thick brush.
Best Bushcraft Knives Buying Guide
The survival knife, as its name suggests, is a tool that will allow you to get jobs done in more hostile environments. Of course, it is not always necessary for us to ‘survive’ in the truest sense of the word. But knives are always needed in these environments for obvious reasons.
And this does not have to be as extreme as it sounds; they are equally vital for more relaxed camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
However careful we are, we can still find ourselves stuck, facing the forces of nature. In these situations, you must be able to clear a path, find food, defend against wild beasts, or build a shelter. And it is very difficult to perform all these tasks without a knife. It can simply be used to cut, or it can be equipped with many valuable survival items, such as a fire starter.
There are, therefore, many types of knives, for different budgets, which have different functions. So here is a guide for you to make a better-informed buying decision.
- The Blade
Whatever type of survival knife you are considering, the manufacturing quality of the blade is fundamental. There is no point having a blade that doesn’t cut and can’t be sharpened easily.
As an example, the steel used in quality knives is usually type 1095, 5160 or 440C, so look out for them when you are making your selection.
- The Length of the Blade
The longer your blade is, the easier it will be to cut and split, for example, a stick. But the longer it will be, the more difficult it will be to control it, to cut wood accurately, for example. A blade of 9 to 12 centimeters will be more suitable for precise smaller cuts. And can be used for making traps, or for cutting up a fish you have just caught.
Larger blades are meant for more heavy-duty tasks, such as clearing brush and cutting thicker branches.
If you want a good compromise and a versatile blade, opt for an average length of 15 centimeters.
- Blade Steel
The type of steel used is important: it defines the durability of your knife, its resistance to wear, and extreme conditions.
There are two types of steel: steels that oxidize and contain carbon, and regular stainless steel. Steels that oxidize do not resist corrosion but are stronger and easier to sharpen. However, there are a lot of stainless steel blades on the knife market, despite its lower durability.
The robustness of the steel also depends on its index, which refers to its Rockwell hardness. A hardness of 50 to 54 will be a high average.
- The Type of Sleeve
The handle is also an important element because it must not let your hands slip. Therefore, it needs to be coated with a non-slip material, ideally textured, for example, in rubber.
The weak point of a knife is often the point where the blade and the handle meet. This point of balance of the knife is called miter.
The strongest knives are those where the blade, the bolster, and the handle are properly integrated into a single piece.
- The Handle Material
The last factor to consider, which also counts in terms of style, is the material from which your knife is made. It must resist cracks, possible shocks, and extreme conditions.
It also needs to be moisture resistant. We, therefore, love linen and linen Micarta. It is a material impregnated with a heated resin, which is then subjected to high pressure to become a solid material.
For a lower cost, and good strength, composite materials made from fiberglass such as G-10, or Zytel are preferred.
For very heavy knives that will be used for chopping, the handles are ideally textured rubber.
So what are the Best Bushcraft Knives?
In conclusion, which bushcraft knife to choose? For camping enthusiasts, forest walks, or outdoor activities, you need a survival knife, but you do not know which one to choose?
We recommend the…
Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife
This bushcraft knife can be depended on to defend you, to build a shelter, to feed you, to cut wood, etc. etc. etc.
And if you decide to go on an adventure, know that there are also kits provided for this purpose which include a fire starter and a rugged sheath… All the basic necessities you could need!