If you have ventured into the great outdoors, you must know the significance of having the right gear. One such essential tool that many avid campers, hikers, and survivalists swear by is the bushcraft knife. Unlike other knives built for specific purposes, a bushcraft knife is a versatile tool that can help you tackle various outdoor tasks with ease. Whether you're starting a fire, preparing food, building shelter, or cutting through thick ropes and branches, this knife has got your back.
What exactly is a bushcraft knife, and how does it differ from survival knives? A bushcraft knife is a type of fixed-blade knife designed to handle various outdoor activities. It typically features a full tang construction, which means that the blade extends the full length of the handle for maximum strength and durability.
The blade's edge is often sharp and pointed, allowing for precise cutting and carving. These high-carbon steel knives also tend to have a comfortable grip that provides a secure hold even in wet or slippery conditions.
However, not all bushcraft knives are created equal, and you'll find a wide range of models with varying features and specifications. Some popular brands include Morakniv, Ka-Bar, and Benchmade, among others. When selecting a bushcraft knife, it's essential to consider factors such as blade length, blade material, handle material, and overall weight. A bushcraft blade can have blade steel with a Scandi grind, flat grind, or even a convex grind.
Whether you're a seasoned outdoorsman or a beginner looking to explore the wilderness, a reliable bushcraft knife should be on your list of essential gear. With its versatility and dependability, it can help you overcome various outdoor challenges and make your outdoor adventures more enjoyable and secure. In the next sections, we'll dive deeper into the features and benefits of a bushcraft knife, as well as how to choose the right one for your needs.
How We Choose
We believe that there's no such thing as the best bushcraft knife because every bushcrafter has different needs and preferences.
That said, we do believe that there are some knives better suited to bushcraft than others. Excellent bushcraft knives should be comfortable in hand and well-balanced; they should have a thick blade with plenty of belly for slicing through materials easily; a heavier knife for splitting wood and it should have an ergonomic grip with a deep finger guard for safety. It should also be easy to sharpen and maintain; made from high-quality materials; built tough enough to withstand hard use in the wild; and affordable enough for budget-conscious shoppers.
With all these factors in mind, we talked to dozens of experienced bushcrafters—as well as experts who study this craft professionally—to get their opinions on what makes a great bushcraft knife. We then sifted through hundreds of options before finally narrowing our list down to five knives that met or exceeded our expectations based on customer reviews and expert ratings.
Buck Knives 0863BRS Selkirk
The Buck Knives 863 Selkirk is a great choice for anyone looking to get into bushcraft. This knife has a 420HC steel blade which gives it excellent strength, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. It also comes with a ferro rod which makes lighting fires much easier.
The 9 ½ inch overall length means you can tackle most tasks without having to change knives mid-job. The 7.6-ounce weight makes this knife easy to carry around all day long, while the total carry weight of 10.7 ounces means you can confidently take it on the trail or into the woods if need be.
This knife is made from Micarta handle material so it feels nice in your hand and will hold up well over time if taken care of properly. Overall, we think this is one of the best bushcraft knives out there - especially at this price point!
NedFoss Survival Hunting Knife with Fire Starter and Kydex Sheath
The NedFoss Hyenas knife is a great choice for anyone looking to get into bushcraft and outdoor activities. This knife is lightweight, easy to use, and has a sharp blade that will cut through anything you need it to.
The fiberglass handle provides excellent grip while the sheath keeps your knife secure when you're not using it. The ferro rod fire starter also makes this an ideal camping or survival tool. Whether you're hiking in the woods or just want something handy at home, this knife will serve you well no matter what you need it for.
It's made of 440C stainless steel which means it's strong enough to handle most tasks without breaking down on you - perfect if you're going out hunting too!
Gerber Gear Ultimate Survival Knife
The Gerber knife is a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable tool that can handle any task. This knife has a partially serrated blade, which makes it ideal for cutting rope or branches. It also features an emergency whistle, firestarter, and sharpener in the sheath.
The ergonomic rubber handle provides a non-slip grip so you can work efficiently even when wet or muddy. The sheath includes a sharpener so you can keep your knife in top shape no matter where you are or what you're doing. And with its durable nylon construction and half-serrated blade, this knife will last through years of use without breaking down or losing its edge.
Whether used to explore, work, defend, or survive - the Gerber Knife takes on all of life's tasks head on!
NEDFOSS Hunting Knife, 13'' Fixed Blade Bushcraft Knife with Sheath
The NedFoss Claws is a great knife for those who want to get their hands dirty. It has a full tang design that provides durability and reliability, even in the most demanding of situations.
The blade is made of high-quality stainless steel, ensuring it will hold its edge well for years. The partial serration on the blade gives you increased control when cutting through tough materials, making it ideal for tasks like carving wood or butchering game.
The ergonomic handle makes this knife comfortable to use regardless of your hand size or grip style, while the non-slip grip ensures you have a firm grasp on the tool at all times. And with its 13-inch length and 7-inch blade, this knife is perfect for any outdoor activity from hunting to fishing to hiking – there's something here for everyone!
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in
The Schrade SCHF36 Frontier is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and durable fixed blade. The knife features a full tang construction which means it's made from high quality steel that will hold its edge well.
The handle is made from thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE, which provides an ergonomic and comfortable grip. The finger choil on the handle offers additional support while the jimping in the spine of the blade adds extra traction when cutting materials such as rope or branches.
The knife also comes with a convenient polyester belt sheath that can be attached to your belt using the metal clip - making it easy to access when you need it most. Overall, this is a great option if you're looking for something that will last you years without needing any maintenance or repairs.
Bushcraft Knife FAQs
What Is A Bushcraft Knife?
Bushcraft knives are knives that you can use in the wilderness for a variety of different purposes. They can be used to hunt, trap animals, and build shelters.
Bushcraft knives also tend to have sturdy handles that feature thick rubber grips so that your hands don't get as sweaty when using them. This is important because if your knife handle gets slippery while you're using it, it could end up getting away from you and injuring yourself or someone else.
Are Bushcraft Knives Good For A Survivalist?
Having the best bushcraft knife on hand for any situation is always a good idea. Of course, your choice of the blade depends on what type of survivalist you are: natural disaster survivor or wilderness explorer. If you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, then it's important to have a reliable emergency kit that includes food and water as well as extra clothing and shelter supplies.
A basic bushcraft knife can help you prepare for emergency situations by cutting firewood for fuel or cordage to make a shelter. You can also use your knife to harvest fruit from trees if you find yourself hungry but without any canned goods in your pantry cabinet. On the other hand, if you're an avid backpacker who likes spending time in nature away from civilization, then having a high-quality bushcraft knife on hand is practically essential! You'll need one when it comes time to build a fire pit or construct an emergency shelter out of natural materials like tree branches or animal hide blankets.
Do I Need A Bushcraft Knife To Go Camping?
If you're backpacking or canoeing in the wilderness and not going off-grid for any length of time, then a fixed-blade knife with a sheath will do just fine. But if you're planning on spending several days or weeks in the wild, you'll appreciate some extra features that bushcraft knives offer.
The first is their size. A good bushcraft knife should be at least 9 inches long, so it can handle small game like squirrels without being too unwieldy. The second feature is a multi-purpose design that includes one or two additional tools such as a screwdriver or can opener. These features give bushcraft knives more functionality than regular pocket knives, so they are an excellent choice if you plan to spend extended periods camping in the wild.
Conclusion
The Schrade 36 Frontier is a great choice for anyone looking to tackle more advanced bushcraft tasks. With its full tang construction, thermoplastic elastomer handle, and multi-purpose design with additional tools like screwdrivers or can openers, this knife has all the features you need to make your camping experience successful. Whether it’s chopping wood or skinning game animals, the 36 Frontier fixed blade will help you get the job done quickly and easily. With its durable carbon steel build and convenient belt sheath attachment, you won't have to worry about maintaining or repairing this trusty tool anytime soon.