Best Survival Knives

The right survival knife could save your life! Choosing the right one is an important step for anyone who spends time outdoors. A dependable knife makes many tasks easier, from starting a fire to building shelter or preparing food. We’re sharing our top picks for the best survival knives you can buy right now—from budget-friendly to high-end choices. We’ll break down the details, covering both fixed blades and folding knives, and explain which features really matter when your safety might depend on your gear.

Fixed Blade vs. Folding Survival Knives

When we consider survival knives, an important question is always fixed blade versus folding knife. Each type has real strengths, but the choice depends on where you’ll use it and your comfort level.

Why Choose a Fixed Blade?

Fixed blades offer unmatched reliability for survival. With no moving parts, there’s much less to go wrong. Under stress, simplicity matters. Fixed blades are easier to clean, quicker to deploy, and tend to stand up to heavy use like batoning or chopping.

For ease of carry, we look for knives with blade lengths in the 4 to 7 inch range. This size balances plenty of utility with comfortable handling—and these knives don’t become a burden to carry on your belt. 

When Folding Knives Make Sense

Folders are easier to slip in a pocket, and some find them far more comfortable for daily wear. Campground or local rules often make fixed blades off-limits; in those cases, having a solid folding knife is much better than nothing. Strength drops off compared to a fixed blade, but strong locking mechanisms help close the gap. We’ll cover two of our favorite folders below, both using locks that have proven themselves in rough conditions.

Key Features to Look for in a Survival Knife

The right survival knife shares a few important traits:

• Blade length: 4 to 7 inches is ideal for general tasks
• Thickness: 1/8 to 3/16 inch resists snapping and can baton wood
• Full tang construction: More robust and reliable
• Blade shape: Drop point or straight clip point for versatility, stay away from aggressive clip points with deep scoops or main-edge serrations
• Steel: Carbon steel offers toughness and sharpens easily but needs care; stainless resists rust and can hold an edge longer
• Handle: Rubber, micarta, or high-quality synthetic for grip security
• Finger guards: Help prevent injury when hands are wet or tired
• Pommel or tang: Flat or pointed for pounding or scraping
• Sheath: MOLLE compatible or with storage pockets help keep gear handy
• Folders: Look for dependable locks (Tri-Ad, AXIS) and comfortable, ergonomic handles

Budget-Friendly Fixed Blade Survival Knives

Not everyone wants to break the bank for a survival knife. Good news: there are tough, reliable knives out there for under $100. Let’s look at three of our favorite affordable fixed blade survival knives.

Cold Steel SRK-C (Survival Rescue Knife Compact)

The Cold Steel SRK Fixed Blade Series offers a lot for the price. The SRK-C model comes with a 5-inch blade about 1/8 inch thick. This is enough steel for serious work, but still small and light enough to carry easily. The full tang construction means the steel runs all the way through the handle, boosting strength.

We like the Kray-Ex rubber handle for its grip, even with cold or wet hands. The pronounced finger guard keeps hands safer, especially if you’re tired or in challenging conditions.

Key details:

• Blade: 5 inches, 1/8 inch thick, straight clip point
• Steel: SK5 carbon steel with powder coating
• Handle: Kray-Ex rubber for grip and insulation

Pros:

• Strong for the weight
• Easy to control and carry
• Good traction in any weather

Cons:

• Carbon steel requires more care to avoid rust
• Coating helps, but not a substitute for maintenance

If you need something a bit bigger, the full-size SRK comes with a 6-inch blade.

Gerber StrongArm

For a tough, budget stainless option, take a look at the Gerber StrongArm. Made in the USA, it features 420HC stainless steel for durability without breaking the bank. Like many survival knives, this design bridges the gap between true combat knives and dedicated outdoor knives.

Specs and standout features:

• Blade: 4.8 inches, 3/16 inch thick, drop point
• Steel: 420HC stainless
• Handle: Rubberized, symmetrical with pinch grip area
• Tang: Full length, durable
• Pommel: Pointed for striking

Pros:

• Great all-around durability
• Handle resists slipping and works for many grips
• MOLLE-compatible sheath

Cons:

• Not a high-end steel, but tough for the price

Mid to Premium Tier Fixed Blade Knives

Looking to invest in a serious survival tool? These fixed blades come with time-tested quality and thoughtful design, built for those who want top-notch gear.

Fallkniven S1 and S1 Pro

The Fallkniven S1 line sets a standard for premium survival knives, made in Japan. The base S1 model features highly capable VG-10 stainless steel but even higher performance steels are available. The convex blade grind on these models delivers unmatched strength and control when hacking or slicing. The handle is comfortable even after long hours of use.

Core features:

• Blade: About 5 inches, convex grind
• Steel: VG-10 (base, upgrades available)
• Handle: Overmolded rubber, solid grip
• Pommel: Protruding tang for striking

Pros:

• Outstanding toughness and cutting performance
• Excellent ergonomics
• Proven reliability in the field

Cons:

• Higher price
• Heavier than budget models

Becker BK-7 and ESEE-6: Large Carbon Steel Survival Knives

Nothing says classic survival than big, carbon steel fixed blade knives. Simple carbon steel will not hold an edge as long as other options, but they are tough, relatively affordable, and very easy to sharpen in the field.

Becker BK-7 Combat Utility

The Becker BK-7 is a classic big-blade survival choice. It boasts a 7.25-inch blade of 1095CV carbon steel with a powder coat. It’s a true full tang knife, with synthetic handles that are comfortable for long use. You can swap them for Micarta scales if you want.

• Blade: 7.25 inches, 3/16 inch thick, high flat grind
• Steel: 1095CV carbon steel, powder-coated
• Handle: Bolted synthetic, contoured for comfort, optional Micarta upgrade
• Extras: Sheath with pocket for gear, protruding tang

Pros:

• Big enough for light chopping and batoning
• Comfortable grip and good balance
• Built to last decades

Cons:

• Bulky for everyday carry
• Better for serious tasks than precision work

ESEE-6

Right behind the Becker is the ESEE-6. Slightly shorter at 6.5 inches, it adds a finger choil for better up-close control. The blade is full flat ground for great slicing, and the 1095 carbon steel with coating stands up to rough handling.

• Blade: 6.5 inches, 3/16 inch thick, drop point, full flat grind
• Steel: 1095 carbon steel, powder-coated
• Handle: Standard flat micarta or contoured micarta/G10 (small price bump)
• Tang: Full, with protruding end

Pros:

• Great control for detailed work
• Comfortable grip with upgrades available
• Lifetime no-questions-asked warranty

Cons:

• Not the best for heavy chopping compared to longer blades

Both knives have solid track records and customer support. If we were to split hairs on the performance differences between the two, the Becker would hold the edge for bigger tasks while the ESEE-6 is a little nimbler for smaller tasks. Choose based on your needs, but both are excellent options.

Folding Survival Knives: Reliable Folder Options

While fixed blades are our top pick for survival, modern folding knives with strong locks can do more than many expect. For those who need a folder—because of size, comfort, or legal reasons—these are our favorite rugged options.

Cold Steel AD-10

The Cold Steel AD-10, designed by Andrew Demko, features the Tri-Ad Lock, known for its robust locking strength, and is available at both premium and budget oriented price points. S35VN steel on the high end offers both edge retention and toughness, while the AUS-10 of the “Lite” versions still provides plenty of toughness, although not as much edge retention.

• Blade: 3.5 inches, broad drop point for versatility
• Lock: Tri-Ad Lock (very strong, safe under pressure)
• Handle: Contoured for comfort, minimal hot spots if run without the pocket clip

Pros:

• Built for strength and safety
• Comfortable grip, rare for folders in this class
• Compact enough for pocket carry

Cons:

• Less blade length than a fixed blade
• Heavier than many folders due to beefed-up construction

Benchmade 560 Freek Series

Benchmade’s Freek series uses the AXIS Lock, a crossbar lock design popular for its easy one-handed operation and reliability. Although premium S90V stainless steel is an option, for survival knife purposes, we prefer the models with CPM-M4 blade steel for the extra toughness that alloy brings to the table.

• Blade: Drop point, high flat grind, versatile
• Lock: AXIS lock, ambidextrous and easy to use if you hurt your primary hand
• Handle: Black and gray milled G10, with red liners and barrel spacers
• Construction: Open back style for easy cleaning

Pros:

• Strong and easy to clean
• Excellent grip and control
• Stands up to harsh use
• Lock is fully ambidextrous

Cons:

• CPM-M4 isn’t stainless, so it has a protective coating
• No protruding pommel for striking

Conclusion

The search for the best survival knife comes down to finding one that fits your needs, budget, and comfort. Any of the knives listed above can serve as a core tool in your kit. The most important detail? Carry it with you—because the best knife is always the one you have when you need it.