Recommended brands and manufacturers of survival knives
Shieldon Knives
Chinese manufacturer famous for folding knives
Shieldon is a long-established China knife manufacturer. It is known worldwide as a company that manufactures folding knives, especially foldable knives. The design is also very complete, and since its founder DKS invented it in 1998, the design hasn’t changed at all. One of the attractions is that all products have a lock function, so you can use it with confidence.
Morakniv
Sweden’s leading knife brand, which has been in business for 125 years
As an introductory survival knife that can be used outdoors, the Mora knife is attracting attention in Japan. A leading Swedish knife brand with a history of 125 years, it has been certified as a purveyor to the royal family due to its high quality. It’s reasonably priced, yet it has highly practical sharpness and durability.
BUCK
A long-established American knife maker with many fans in Japan
Buck is an American knife maker founded by Hoyt Buck in 1902. Launched in 1964, the Folding Hunter 110 was a best-selling pioneer of Lockback folding knives. Known among outdoor enthusiasts as the most copied knife in the world. The knife itself looks fashionable, but the attached leather case also has a nice design.
Victorinox
Multi-tool maker originating in Switzerland
Victorinox is a Swiss-based knife manufacturer. The Soldier knives delivered to the Swiss Army have been highly evaluated and have laid the foundation for a knife maker. The multifunctional knives that have been manufactured since its inception are particularly well known and contain up to 29 tools. There are also models equipped with LED lights and USB memory, so you can expect an activity that you can no longer think of like a knife.
Recommended & Popular Survival Knife Ranking
Survival knife recommended for camping
Shieldon Reverse Tanto Point 9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus Steel Blade G10 Handle 7091D ($96)
A small knife convenient for camping and hunting
It is a hunting knife from Django, which has many fans in the US. The blade is made of 9Cr18MoV Damascus steel and has excellent corrosion resistance and wear resistance. It is characterized by its sharp crescent shape, which is suitable for detailed work in narrow spaces.
And the handle part uses G10 inlaid carbon fiber. It has an excellent heat resistance and flame retardancy, so it is recommended when handling fire. The attached leather scabbard is also carefully made and can be firmly fastened with a snap button.
VICTORINOX-Traveler BK ($44)
Convenient for camping and traveling with abundant functions
It is a multifunctional knife of Victorinox, which handles many multi-tools. Not only can it be used as a knife, but it also comes with nice tools such as a can opener, bottle opener, and screwdriver. Compatible with both right-handed and left-handed people. The camp will be enriched just by preparing one.
It is used not only outdoors but also in many situations that are useful for travel. You can also remove the corkscrew, so it’s safe when you go on an overseas trip. While multi-tools are convenient, they are not easy to use if they have too many functions, so it is important to select only the tools you need.
OPINEL-Carbon Steel Knife ($23)
Simple and fashionable design
It is a folding knife of Opinel, a long-established French knife maker. Opinel has a very smart and fashionable look, as it is known for its perfect design. Many fans become attached to it while using it.
Since the blade material is made of carbon steel, there is no problem with sharpness. With a blade length of 91 mm and a compact size, it is suitable for detailed work. It is not suitable for cutting large ingredients, but it is large enough for cutting ingredients for barbecue and handling small fish.
Smith & Wesson-Outdoor knife ($53)
The black blade gives a sharp impression
Smith & Wesson’s outdoor knife, which is also used by various public institutions in the United States. It’s a knife with a characteristic black blade, and it looks cool. The Smith & Wesson mark and logo are engraved on one side.
Made from HL1 rubber, which feels soft to the touch, the unique handle is designed to be easy to grip. The attached plastic scabbard also has a logo on it, and the details are well made. If you put it through the belt and pull it out with one hand, it will be a convenient knife that will be ready for action.
Survival knife recommended for fishing
Shieldon Reverse Tanto Point D2 Blade Black 3Cr14 + Carbon Fiber Handle 9042S1-G ($83)
A rust-resistant outdoor knife that can be used in the sea
Shark Ray of the rust knife series using D2 which is a steel material that does not easily rust. In addition to mountain stream fishing, it is also suitable for use in sea fishing. The sharpness makes it easy to ikejime small fish such as horse mackerel to large fish such as red sea bream.
The grip part is comfortable to the touch and has a finger groove so it is designed to be easy to grip. The attached sheath is made of glass fiber reinforced nylon and is characterized by being strong against impact. It also comes with a belt clip that allows you to freely adjust the mounting location by removing the screws.
XHM Awesome-Survival knife ($32)
The long blade makes it easy to handle large fish
A versatile survival knife from XHM is awesome that can be used in any task. With a blade length of 147 mm, it is convenient for tightening large prey. The blade is made of steel, which is resistant to wear and corrosion. With regular maintenance, you can use it for a longer time.
The handle is made of high-quality wood. The casual and fashionable design is attractive. As the housing when the blade is folded, it has a swallowtail design, so it can be used more safely and securely.
COLD STEEL-Outdoor knife Finn Bear ($24)
Non-slip and easy-to-grip design
Cold Steel is an American knife maker that makes the world’s toughest and sharpest knives. The blade is made of 4116 stainless steel developed in Germany. It is sturdy and resistant to rust, so it is a good knife for those who like fishing.
And the grip part is characterized by being designed like a string wrapped around it. Due to this shape, it is not slippery even if water adheres, and it is evaluated as easy to grip. The back of the scabbard is a clip, making it easy to attach to a belt or bag. It can be attached to a belt up to about 5 cm.
MORAKNIV-Pinback Companion Stainless Steel ($31)
Compact size recommended for mountain stream fishing
A scabbard outdoor knife from Mora Knife, which boasts a high quality that has become a purveyor to the Swedish royal family. The blade is made of sturdy and rust-resistant stainless steel. The length of the blade is about 103 mm, which is a compact size, so it is perfect for a knife to bring to mountain stream fishing.
Uses non-slip rubber for the handle. It enhances the grip and you can hold it firmly. The scabbard has a plastic belt loop that accommodates belts up to about 4.5 cm. There is no need to worry about dropping or losing it.
Survival knife recommended for chopping wood
Shieldon Reverse Tanto Point 9Cr18MoV 67-layer Damascus Steel Blade Green G10 Handle 7093D ($97)
Trachodon knife officially accepted by the U.S. Marine Corps
It is a knife of Shieldon, a long-established oriental knife maker. This USMC was also adopted by the US Marine Corps as an army knife at the request of the battlefield. Since it is selected by the military, it has a high durability with origami.
It can be expected to be used for various purposes such as chopping wood and digging soil by taking advantage of its robustness as well as cutting ingredients. The root has a jagged wavy blade, making it easy to cut the rope. It can be said that it is a survival knife for surviving in a harsh environment.
REAL STEEL-Bushcraft II Sheath Knife ($98)
Sheath knife specializing in bushcraft
Bushcraft is a Scandinavian style in which the things necessary for daily life are made by carving wood by ourselves. This knife is designed to be easy to use for bushcraft. You can also do the batoning of splitting firewood with a knife. You can continue to use it without worrying about its durability.
The handle has a hole for the string to pass through, making it even easier to use with the included belt adapter. A fashionable cloth with the maker logo looks great with a knife. Although it is for chopping wood, it is easy to get out because it is a reasonable price of less than $100.
Varusteleka-Seax ($190)
Because it is large, it can be used as a machete
This is a large knife called a bush knife. With a blade length of about 240 mm and a blade thickness of about 4.2 mm, you can expect it to be more like a machete than a knife. It is not suitable for detailed work, but it is a knife that you want to have in the field, such as chopping wood and making shelters.
The material of the blade is carbon steel, which is known for its sharpness and high durability. Even if you use it a little rough, it will not be scratched or chipped. It also comes with a durable leather scabbard, so it’s a great deal.
Toyokuni-Tosa Forge Damascus Mountain Hatchet Wood Sheath ($159)
Easy to use with beautiful blade pattern and balanced weight
This is a Japanese-style knife. The balance of blade length 180mm and weight 390g is just right. The laminated pattern on the side is beautifully engraved, and it looks pretty fashionable. Hard pumpkins can be cut without difficulty, but it is also recommended for bushes and small pieces of firewood.
A stainless steel brim is attached to the boundary between the handle and the blade. This has the role of protecting your fingers when working. There are two types of sheaths to hang when carrying, one is made of lightweight leather and the other is made of wood reinforced with a copper plate. If you want to unify with a classic design, you should choose wood.
How to handle a survival knife
You need a good reason to carry it
Many survival knives have a cool design, so you may want to carry them around. However, be aware that possession of a knife for no good reason may violate the Firearms and Swords Act. If you carry a survival knife, you need to have a clear purpose, such as camping or fishing. However, even if you carry it for a purpose, please pack it so as not to get injured.
How to sharpen a survival knife
Use a whetstone or sharpener
To make your precious survival knife last longer, it is important to sharpen it after use to maintain its sharpness. Common tools for sharpening include whetstones and sharpeners. Soak the whetstone in water for about 5 minutes before grinding. After a while, the sharpening juice will come out, so I will use this to sharpen. Please note that the sharpening juice will flow if the water is left out. If you don’t like the grindstone because your hands get dirty, we recommend using a sharpener. You can easily sharpen it just by inserting the blade. However, it is also compatible with sharpeners, so it is safe to use a whetstone just in case.
summary
A durable survival knife is recommended
Survival knives shouldn’t be easily disabled, so it’s best to choose them for their durability. If you often use it hard, such as chopping wood, we recommend a sheath knife with a long blade length. The best material for the blade is carbon steel, which can easily scrape hardwood. Considering the shape of the blade, the flat grind, which has excellent durability, is the best choice. This time, we introduced the survival knife in detail, citing popular brand names. Please find an easy-to-use survival knife that will make your outdoors even more comfortable.
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