This guide delves into the world of fixed blade knives, highlighting ten exceptional tools every survivalist and bushcraft enthusiast should consider. These knives are not just tools; they are extensions of your will in the wilderness, capable of handling everything from shelter construction to fire preparation and beyond. We’ll explore their features, strengths, and why each earns its place in the top tier of survival knives. If you’re looking for a reliable, robust fixed blade to accompany you on your next adventure, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.
The Crucial Role of a Fixed Blade Knife in the Outdoors
A fixed blade knife stands in stark contrast to its folding counterparts, boasting a blade tang that extends through the handle, providing unparalleled strength and stability. This robust construction means there are no moving parts that can break under pressure, making fixed blades inherently more durable and dependable in demanding survival situations. In survival and bushcraft environments, your knife may be called upon to perform a variety of tasks, from batoning wood for fire, carving tools for trapping, to even preparing food. Therefore, a strong and reliable fixed blade isn’t just a helpful tool – it’s a crucial component of your survival kit. Consider it your primary cutting, splitting, and shaping tool. The fixed design means that any task you would normally perform using a hatchet, axe, or saw on occasion can be performed with this robust tool. The advantage is that you do not need three large, very heavy, highly specialised tools. Your all-in-one knife is much lighter, and can perform all essential tasks you require.
The reliability of a fixed blade knife comes down to its fundamental design philosophy. The absence of a folding mechanism means no hinges to fail, no screws to loosen, and no risk of the blade accidentally closing on your fingers during hard use. This translates to enhanced safety and confidence when operating under duress. The simplicity of the design also typically means easier maintenance and cleaning in the field. A quick wipe is generally all it takes to keep the blade in prime conditions. A fixed blade becomes an essential part of your toolkit, offering a versatile solution for everything that you come across in the wilderness. Ultimately, a high quality fixed blade knife is an investment in your safety.
What to Consider When Selecting a Survival Knife
Choosing the right survival knife requires careful consideration of several crucial factors. First, think about the blade material. High-carbon steels offer excellent edge retention and can be easily sharpened in the field, but they are susceptible to rust and corrosion, requiring more maintenance. Stainless steels offer superior resistance to rust, but they often don’t hold an edge as well as high-carbon alternatives. A good middle ground could be a tool-grade steel that balances edge retention and corrosion resistance. The blade construction must be something you also take into consideration, whether you opt for a full, partial, or stick tang blade will affect how the blade will take any hard use. When picking a blade you should look for a full tang or a stick tang, as a partial tang can fail when put under the pressure required for bushcraft. Then there’s the blade design itself. The best survival knives typically feature a drop point, clip point, or spear point blade, all of which are versatile for performing a variety of outdoor tasks.
Handle material is another essential aspect. You’ll want something durable, grippy (even when wet), comfortable, and resistant to the elements. Common options include Micarta, G-10, and rubber polymer materials. Ergonomics are critical to minimise fatigue and increase productivity. Consider the size and thickness of the handle, as well as any contours or texture that can improve grip and handling. Beyond these core components, consider blade length, ideal lengths generally will range from 4.5 inches to around 6 inches. This length is small and lightweight enough to allow for delicate tasks when needed, but large enough for heavy duty chopping and batoning. It is also worth taking time to consider, the sheath type and its quality, this will effect wear, carry, and protection of your tool for years come. It is also worthwhile trying different knives, as it ultimately will come down to personal preferences and hand size to pick the optimal overall tool.
The Mora Garberg: Scandinavian Reliability
The Mora Garberg is a quintessential Scandinavian knife, known for its no-nonsense durability and practical design. This knife is crafted with a full-tang stainless steel blade, this means that the spine steel extends all the way through the handle, to provide the strength and toughness needed for extensive field work. This knife is built like a tank, making it an ideal partner for batoning wood, carving, and other demanding survival tasks for years to come. The robust 3.2 mm thick blade offers impressive strength and resists breakage.
The Garberg’s handle is a marvel in ergonomic design. Crafted from a textured polyamide, and formed with a comfortable, secure grip, even when wet or cold. It provides exceptional control and reduces hand fatigue for extended use. The knife features a scandi grind, which is designed for creating sharp edges easily in the field. The sheath is made from strong plastic polymer, and offers a secure locking and carrying setup. The Mora will not win in looks alone, but its practical approach to design is the reason it is beloved by so many survivalists and bushcrafters. Overall the Garberg offers excellent overall value and offers an exceptional level of strength of its price range.
Benchmade Bushcrafter: A Premium Outdoor Powerhouse
The Benchmade Bushcrafter is a premium offering designed for serious outdoor work. Known for its high quality and rugged construction, this tool stands up to heavy use, and will perform flawlessly in almost any bushcraft scenario. The knife utilises a high quality steel in the form of CPM-S30V stainless steel, offering improved toughness and edge performance to the standard stainless steels. A tough, and reliable material, it is exceptional for hard use survival scenarios. One of the hallmarks of the Benchmade Bushcrafter is its full tang construction, making it a robust and reliable tool, that is built for extensive field use. The thick full tang of the blade provides superior resistance to bending, snapping, and breaking.
The handle on the Bushcrafter is ergonomically designed in a way to ensure comfort, grip, and control during use. Constructed from durable G10, the material is textured to provide grip and handling confidence in damp conditions. The sheath on the Benchmade is made of high quality leather, and offers superior protection, carry options, and has a premium feel. The overall design of the knife looks to take into account both form and function, resulting in a highly effective piece of kit, and easily justified price point. While more expensive than some survival knives, the benchmade is an investment for a solid and reliable piece of kit.
ESEE 6: Rugged American Built Reliability
The ESEE 6 is a quintessential American survival knife, renowned for its "tank-like" robustness and unwavering reliability. It’s designed with a thick, full tang made from high carbon steel, which will hold a fantastic edge and will last for years. The ESEE 6 is designed to withstand some of the most extreme conditions, a true testament to its quality of construction. The ESEE is famous for offering a ‘no questions asked’ warranty, this further emphasises the trust and quality of this tool.
The Micarta handle is designed for comfort and security, offering both grip and ergonomic use, even when wet. This knife provides a comfortable and secure feel, and inspires confidence for hard use tasks. The sheath is made of very sturdy kydex and is designed for reliable carry and protection of the tool. The design of the sheath is very well thought out and provides multiple carry options and is designed for the most strenuous outdoor environments. The ESEE 6 is often considered a go-to for serious survival and bushcraft enthusiasts, providing a high level of quality. While the steel may require regular attention to prevent corrosion, its rugged qualities and robustness make it a first choice for many.
TOPS B.O.B. Fieldcraft Knife: Versatile and Practical
The Tops B.O.B, the Brothers of Bushcraft Fieldcraft knife, is designed in part by a collective of survival and bushcraft specialists. Unlike some knives which are designed on the basis of looking cool, the TOPS has been designed with functionality in the mind first and foremost. It has an ergonomic handle and durable overall construction, making it a versatile piece of kit for all bushcraft activities. Crafted from high quality 1095 high-carbon tool steel, its offers a robust construction that stands up to demanding field use while maintaining a sharp edge. It is important to note that due to the steel used, more care is required to prevent corrosion.
The handle design is highly prioritised with the B.O.B. The handle is Micarta, formed with gentle curves, which greatly enhance both grip and comfort, reducing hand fatigue. The handle also incorporates a bow-drill divot which is a small feature which highlights the knives design goals. The sheath, made from kydex, is designed to be hard wearing, versatile, and provides multiple carry configurations. This is a great knife if you are after a more unique all round performer, and has a strong fan base among bushcraft experts.
Fallkniven A1: Swedish Precision and Strength
The Fallkniven A1 stands as a testament to Swedish engineering and craftsmanship, offering exceptional durability and performance in demanding outdoor environments. Crafted from laminated VG-10 steel, this knife delivers outstanding strength and edge retention and the core layer has a very high hardness, giving excellent sharpness. This layered construction makes it a very strong blade. The blade design is a long curved design, with a strong thick blade spine, making it optimal for both cutting and batoning wood. Its durable construction is more than capable of handling any wilderness condition it faces.
The handle, comprised of Kraton polymer, provides a solid and reliable grip, even in wet and slippery conditions. The handle provides a robust, and sure grip, and the design is engineered to ensure minimum hand fatigue. The sheath is typically made from Zytel, and offers great retention and multiple carry options. This combined with the extremely high performance of the blade, the A1 offers excellent value for money. The A1 is designed as a tactical knife used by the Swedish Air force. The Fallkniven is very aesthetically pleasing, while being extremely functional for a variety of tasks.
Cold Steel SRK: The Affordable All-Rounder
The Cold Steel SRK, or Survival Rescue Knife, is a long-standing staple among outdoor enthusiasts for its no-frills design and resilient performance. The knife boasts a highly robust stainless steel construction, which offers an excellent blend of hardness, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for harsh environmental conditions and hard use. The blade, with a clip point design, is optimal for a wide range of tasks, including chopping, batoning, and fine details. The Cold Steel offers a very well rounded approach to design.
The Kraton polymer handle is designed for a secure, comfortable, and non-slip grip. The handle is designed to hold to its grip even in wet, cold, or muddy conditions, a must have for a good bushcraft tool. The sheath for the knife is made out of secure and durable Secure-Ex, which can offer a secure locking mechanism and versatility for carry options. While not as high end as some knives, the Cold Steel SRK offers durability and a functional design for an exceptionally affordable price point, perfect for those starting out in bushcraft.
Ka-Bar Becker BK2: A Heavy-Duty Workhorse
The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 is a true heavy duty workhorse. The knife is known for its extreme robustness and durability, making it a go to tool for serious survival in the wilderness. The BK2 is constructed from 1095 high-carbon steel, making it extremely durable when put under hard use, this knife is an absolute brute and will not fail easily. Designed to take a beating and keep going, the Becker BK2 is a serious competitor in the high performance knife space. The design is very much utilitarian and built solely with functionality in mind. It’s a tool that stands up to the most challenging camp duties with ease.
The handle of the BK2 is made from textured Grivory polymer, and is designed to provide a very good grip, control, and comfort during use. The handles are also designed to be resistant to the elements, making them a high performing and reliable choice. The sheath is made from a strong plastic material with good retention properties, ensuring maximum security and is perfectly suited to carry in the outdoors. This is a knife suited more to hard use bushcraft, where the extra weight is worth it for the added robustness. The knife is designed to handle tasks where other blades may bend or break.
Buck 119 Special: Classic American Design
The Buck 119 Special is an iconic American hunting design, that is often utilised as a bushcraft tool. Its classic design and proven reliability have made it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts for decades. This timeless design features a clip point blade crafted from 420HC stainless steel, offering a balance between edge retention and corrosion resistance, while being easier to sharpen. Its design is not specifically made for hard use bushcraft, but its reputation and robust history means it is still an excellent contender. Its thin and sharp blade are capable of intricate work when needed, while also being able to cope with heavy usage.
The handle of the 119 Special is made from phenolic resin, and is designed with a classic pommel, and finger guard design. It boasts a comfortable grip, and a high level of durability, perfect for use in outdoor situations. The sheath is traditionally made from leather, and offers a secure way to carry your knife. The leather sheath is a classically American design and has a beautiful vintage feel to it. This knife is an ideal choice for those who want to own a piece of American history while also having a reliable piece of kit.
Spyderco Bushcraft G-10: Precision and Ergonomics
The Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 is a high-performance, well engineered tool, designed for practical bushcraft use. Spyderco are known for their high end designs, and this knife is no different, using premium materials, and having a precision finish. The knife utilises a full tang blade, constructed of high quality O-1 tool steel, a tough steel that gives excellent wear resistance. The steel requires extra care to protect from corrosion, but this is an expected caveat with high end tool steel. The robust and strong blade is ideal for more strenuous outdoor work.
Spyderco places a very high level of focus on ergonomics, and this is shown through the handle design. The handle is constructed from G-10, it is both textured and shaped to provide maximum grip and comfort during use. The handle design is very unique and the subtle finger contours really make the difference in terms of prolonged usage. The sheath, made from leather, is well made and offers good carry options. If you are a seasoned bushcrafter looking for well engineered precision tool, then the Spyderco G-10 will likely fit your needs.
Conclusion
Selecting the right fixed blade survival knife is a personal choice, based on your individual needs, budget, and preferences. Each of the knives highlighted in this guide offers unique qualities and strengths, but all are robust, reliable, and exceptionally capable in survival and bushcraft scenarios. The Mora Garberg offers excellent value and a dependable design, while premium options like the Benchmade Bushcrafter and Fallkniven A1 provide top-tier materials and performance. The ESEE 6 and Ka-Bar Becker BK2 are designed for heavy-duty tasks, while the TOPS B.O.B. offers a more versatile, practical approach due to its ergonomic and thoughtful design. The Cold Steel SRK is great for those on a budget, and the Buck 119 Special offers a piece of classic American History. And lastly, the Spyderco G-10 is a higher end option with a focus on ergonomics and precision. The important thing is to find a knife that is comfortable, dependable, and suits your style and needs. Do your research, consider each option, and choose a tool that will serve you well for many years to come.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a fixed blade and a folding knife for survival?
A fixed blade knife has a tang that extends throughout the handle, making it more durable and reliable for heavy-duty tasks. In contrast, the folding mechanism in a folder creates potential weak points. For the most challenging survival situations, a fixed blade is always the superior choice.
What is the ideal blade length for a survival knife?
Many survivalists find that a blade length between 4.5 and 6 inches is most versatile for survival and bushcraft tasks. This length provides enough blade for wood processing and food preparation, without being too unwieldy.
What is the best steel for a survival knife?
There is no magical, perfect steel, but there is a range of steels that work best for your use-case. High-carbon steels, like 1095 and O-1 tool steel, offer an exceptional edge, and are generally easier to sharpen, but are more susceptible to rust. Stainless steels, such as CPM-S30V or VG-10 provide corrosion resistance but might not hold an edge as long. A good compromise is often a tool-grade that balances the two.
How do I maintain my fixed blade survival knife?
Regular cleaning and oiling are essential. After each use, clean the blade and dry it thoroughly. If you choose a high carbon steel, use a light coating of mineral oil or a specific knife oil to prevent rust. Regularly sharpen the edge with a honing steel or whetstone to maintain optimal performance.
Should I choose a full, partial, or stick tang blade for hard use?
For hard use scenarios such as batoning or chopping wood, a full or stick tang is essential. A full tang extends all the way to the end of the handle, offering the highest level of durability. A stick tang has the strength of a full tang, but is narrower, therefore lighter overall. In contrast to these, partial tangs are not suitable for heavy use, and can be prone to breakage.