Best Survival Knives and Buyer’s Guide: The Best Survival Knife Can Make All The Difference

HOW TO CHOOSE A KNIFE OF SURVIVAL

Folding Fixed Blade Vs Folding Blade

Although we like handmade damascus folding knives for their compactness, the fact is that fixed-blade knives are the best competitor in the circumstances of survival. Folding knives are easy to carry but the pivot or joint creates a point of weakness when associated with survival situations.

You need a knife that can handle tough tasks and folding knives do not cut it. Solidly fixed blade knives do not have areas of weakness. In addition, the deployment speed is higher than this, and it is important to ensure that it is properly locked before use. Speed and safety are crucial in survival situations.

Carbon steel blade

The last thing you want in the desert is a cheap mild steel knife that will not hold its edge. The blades are made from different materials but for survival situations; Consider a steel blade with a high carbon content. Stainless steel is also durable, but not as strong as carbon steel.

The most popular variant of carbon steel is known to be used in the United States. If you do not want to have to lubricate your knife to protect it from corrosion, a 420HC, AUS-C or 440C stainless steel blade will be a worthwhile investment.

The thickness of the blade

You want to avoid unnecessary weight and as such, a knife with a thin blade will suffice. However, it is not always a good idea. It's because being a good blade is not enough.

Survival blades should be able to handle all the tasks that come their way and that is why thick blades are a better choice for some. The blade should be thick enough to avoid bending, but thin enough to withstand delicate tasks such as skinning. The general sweet spot here is 0.17-0.25 inches.

Blade length

Although this does not seem to be the case, it is not always better to survive in the world of survival. For example, a blade that is too thick or too long, it is difficult to cut snares and dress a small game. On the other hand, a knife too short interferes with your ability to beat or cut effectively.

You want something long enough to handle what you need to do, but not as much as it bothers you. Most knives have 6 to 12-inch blades, but anything over 10 inches prevents your ability to handle it effectively.

Full Tang  VS Partial Tang

A full tang simply means that the blade extends the full length of the knife while a partial wire is a blade does not extend all the way. The main advantage of a full tang is that it is extremely robust.

Partial keys are fragile and can not effectively handle tasks such as digging or in disposing. Another problem associated with partial tangs is that the blade can loosen and play in the handle.

Strong and synthetic handle

More often than not, you need to use a survival knife in bad weather. This makes choosing a knife with a strong solid handle. The most important things to look for in a survival knife handle include grip, durability and strength. Avoid anything with hollow, plastic or cheap metal handles.

A knife handle with a fishing line and hooks may look cool but it compromises strength. Anything that lacks durability or strength will become a liability and you may be hurt.