Looking for a good survival knife for camping, hunting, or fishing? We’ve rounded up 25 of the best-selling, highest-rated blades on the internet. Now, we’re ready to narrow it down to the top 7.
The best camping survival knifes aren’t only sharp, they’re strong and versatile as well. In crafting this review guide, we compared products by construction material, design, affordability, and more in an effort to bring you a no-frills guide to shopping for survival knives.
After the review we’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions about survival knives.
The Top 7 Camping Survival Knives of 2020
Here is our list of the top 7 survival knives for camping and hunting, presented in no particular order:
#1. Best Fixed Blade Knife for Camping & Backpacking: Fallkniven S1x Fixed Blade
When it comes to pocket knives and survival blades, the Swedish company Fallkniven AB is one of the best. The company was founded in 1894 to take advantage of the globally-renowned Swedish steel. Today, knife making is their principal activity and they seem to only be getting better and better at it.
The S1x represents their superior workmanship in almost every way. The Swedish-made LamCoS is one of the strongest, sharpest, and safest steel varieties we have encountered.
The Thermorun handle is made of an advanced synthetic material designed to absorb the stress of use. Vibrations are a thing of the past with a precision blade like this one. It’s the most expensive blade on our list, but it represents a superior quality that real survivalists will appreciate.
Blade Length: 5.2”
Blade Material: Lam CoS
Pros:
- High precision hunting knife made with Swedish steel
- Excellent sheath is strong and offers a firm, rattle-free hold
Cons:
- Quite expensive compared to some of the other knives on the list
#2. Best Fixed Blade Hunting Knife: ESEE Knives Ashley Game Skinning Knife
Although they haven’t been around for that long, ESEE Knives has already established themselves as a big player. Their products are distributed worldwide, to adventurers who are looking for a new echelon of survival gear.
The Ashley is a sleek hunting knife with a surprisingly modern shape. The steel is 1095 high carbon, which is an old standard for American knife manufacturers. And for good reason, too. 1095 offers a great balance of hardness and flexibility, with pretty great edge retention.
The leather sheath is a classy addition that you can’t always expect anymore. While it used to be the standard, it seems like synthetic sheaths are becoming more and more common. Because the sheath itself has quite the slim profile, the Ashley is not ruled out for every day carry.
Blade Length: 3.5”
Blade Material: 1095 High Carbon Steel
Pros:
- Sleek, slim design makes this appropriate for EDC as much as hunting
- Micarta handle offers great shock absorption and vibration control
Cons:
- A little expensive for a fixed blade knife of this length
#3. Best Metal EDC Pocket Knife: Kershaw Natrix Copper XL Folding Pocket Knife
There is something about the feel of a Kershaw blade that other manufacturers simply cannot emulate. It’s the sleek design, the smooth, clean metal, and a slim profile that make it fit easily in the pocket. Nothing slides in and out of a picket like a Kershaw knife, and the Natrix is one of their best models in years.
The full copper handle of the Natrix is much heavier than previous models that used stainless steel. Copper is far denser than stainless steel, so it is no surprise that this knife has some real heft to it. The frame lock is also made of copper, adding to the overall security and weight.
One handed operation is one of the things that Kershaw blades to best. This is even without any kind of spring loading action… it is just a really smooth motion.
Blade Length: 4”
Blade Material: D2 High-Carbon steel
Pros:
- Copper construction is dense, sturdy, and heavy
- Excellent one-handed operation
Cons:
- Heavier and larger than other folding EDC pocket knives
#4. Best Fixed Blade Knife for Hunting & Fishing: Gerber Freeman Guide Fixed Blade
You can always count on Gerber to produce a strong yet affordable camping knife. No matter which model you choose, you will be getting a reliable blade that can get the job done without breaking the bank. Of course, one of the reasons that Gerber knives are more affordable is the steel that they choose.
There is nothing to scoff at with 5Cr15MoV. In fact, it is one of the most popular blade steels in the world. But there is no question that other more expensive steels will provide better edge retention. One of the things about Gerber blades is that they do need to be sharpened often to perform at peak.
The Freeman is a full-tang, fixed blade knife that offers a stability and overall strength that folding blades cannot. The finger grooves on this particular model add a level of control that is truly addicting.
Blade Length: 4”
Blade Material: 5Cr15MoV Stainless Steel
Pros:
- Affordable mid-range survival knife
- Gerber handles tend to offer fantastic vibration dispersion
Cons:
- Requires more frequent sharpening
#5. Best Survival Knife for Hunting and Bushcraft: Mossy Oak Fixed-Blade Survival Knife
This knife is, by a considerable margin, the biggest blade on our list. This isn’t some dankly little folding toy. Nor is it one of those skinny fixed blades that some people use to clean their fish. No, this is a full-sized, full-featured survival tool that goes well past the everyday demands of a pocket knife.
The blade itself is an impressive 10 inches long, bringing the entire knife to 15”. With this kind of length, users will have more leverage and control than with any other knife. This makes certain actions like splitting and chopping far easier.
This saw-backed blade is also accompanied by a couple of bonus accessories that could prove essential. The first is a fire starter, and the other is a knife sharpener. Some survival knives have a little compartment for these things inside the knife handle. This one opts instead for a solid handle, making it far stronger.
Blade Length: 10”
Blade Material: 440C Stainless Steel
Pros:
- Extra long survival knife with saw-backed clip point blade
- Includes a fire starter and a knife sharpener
Cons:
- Relatively softer blade steel is prone to bending
#6. Best Value Folding Survival Knife: Grand Way Tactical Folding Knife with Spring Assist
What does the word tactical mean when it comes to folding knives? Simply put, it means that you are getting a versatile, multi-purpose knife capable of handling any situation. That is precisely how we would descript the Grand Way tactical folding knife.
Not only does this come with a razor-sharp 420 SS blade, but it also features a nylon paracord handle and an on-board firestarter rod. This combination prepares its user for the worst, while performing at its best.
However, we get a feeling that the real reason the Grand Way Tactical Knife is so popular is different. This knife is only fifteen bucks, which makes it the absolute best value survival knife that we looked at. At this kind of price, it is easy imagine ordering a dozen of these and giving them out as stocking stuffers. Of course, that’s only after we bought one for ourselves.
Blade Length: 3.7”
Blade Material: 420 Stainless Steel
Pros:
- Most affordable folding survival knife on our list
- Includes an on-board firestarter an paracord handle
Cons:
- Needs to be sharpened right out of the box (doesn’t arrive very sharp)
#7. Value Pick Swedish-Made Survival Knife: Morakniv Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
Here is yet another Swedish-based knife maker who has enjoyed success entering the global market. Morakniv is focusing their efforts on making blades and survival knives that are far cheaper that other Swedish brands. It seems to be working; Morakniv blades are a small fraction of the cost of brands like Fallkniven.
This is a blade that is designed to be used for a little bit of everything. Cutting, slicing, food prep, and tinder prep are just a few of the things it would be great for. While not large enough for hunting and not strong enough for chopping, this little knife is still quite valuable.
Blade Length: 4.1”
Blade Material: 12C27 Stainless Steel
Pros:
- Available in many colors
- Very affordable for a Swedish-made knife
Cons:
- Not has durable or sharp as Fallkniven
How to Select a Survival Knife for Camping, Backpacking, or Hunting
The survival knives on our list are only a small selection of what is available out there. If you are still unsure which knife to choose, have a look at the following questions. We’ve done out best to answer these questions in a way that will make it easy to choose a survival knife.
