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What Are The Best Survival Knives in 2025

"Essential Insights for Selecting the Ultimate Survival Knife: Expert Tips for Outdoor Enthusiasts" When it comes to choosing the best survival knives, understanding their features is crucial for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists alike. A quality survival knife should boast a full tang for optimal strength and durability, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of various tasks. Look for a blade made from high-carbon stainless steel, as this material provides excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. The blade length is also vital; a 4 to 6-inch blade strikes the perfect balance between maneuverability and versatility. Don’t overlook the grip; a textured handle made from materials like rubber or Micarta ensures a secure hold, even in wet conditions. Additionally, consider knives with added features such as a serrated edge for cutting rope or a built-in fire starter. Lastly, always evaluate the weight of the knife; while you want it to be sturdy, it should also be lightweight enough for extended carry. By keeping these practical tips in mind, you can confidently select a survival knife that meets your outdoor needs.

1

Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife

Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
Buy Now $15.80

Why We Love It

This knife is praised for its sharpness and durability. The comfortable grip and the sheath are highly appreciated by users. The Morakniv Companion is often lauded for its value for money, making it a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists. Reviewers also commend its versatility, stating it's equally useful for carving wood or preparing food.

Pros

  • High-quality Swedish steel
  • Comfortable grip
  • Comes with a secure sheath

Cons

  • Not full tang
  • Sheath may be too loose for some users

A Swedish-made fixed blade outdoor knife with a 4.1-inch stainless steel blade.

The Morakniv Companion knife is an all-around tool designed for outdoor survival. It features a 4.1-inch hardened Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade known for its sharpness, high hardness, and excellent toughness. The knife has a patterned, high-friction grip handle that makes it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. It includes a color-matching plastic sheath to keep it secure and protected.

2

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife
Buy Now $79.99

Why We Love It

The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife is often praised for its solid construction and multiple survival features. Users appreciate the included fire starter and sharpener, as well as the hammer pommel. It's not just a knife, but a multi-functional tool that's met with approval from survivalists, campers, and outdoor adventurers.

Pros

  • Full tang construction
  • Integrated fire starter
  • Includes a diamond sharpener

Cons

  • Serrated edge may not be preferred by all users
  • Sheath quality could be improved

A full tang, high-carbon stainless steel knife with an integrated fire starter.

The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife boasts a robust, high-carbon stainless steel blade and a comfortable, rubberized grip. The full tang blade adds strength, while the serrated edge increases versatility. It comes with an integrated fire starter and a diamond sharpener in the sheath. Additionally, the pommel at the base can be used as a hammer.

3

Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife

Buy Now $108.00

Why We Love It

Reviewers love the robust design of this knife, highlighting its ability to withstand tough conditions. The comfortable grip and the hard shell sheath are also appreciated by many users. Several users have commended the knife's performance in various survival situations.

Pros

  • Durable blade
  • Comfortable grip
  • Comes with a hard shell sheath

Cons

  • Relatively heavy
  • May require frequent sharpening

Fixed blade knife with a drop point shape and a 20-degree edge angle.

The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife features a 5.5-inch drop point blade made from 1095 cro-van steel, making it incredibly durable and resistant to wear. The handle is made of Grivory and provides a balanced grip. It comes with a hard shell black nylon sheath which is resistant to impact, heat, and chemicals.

4

Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife

Buy Now $16.00

Why We Love It

This knife is praised for its excellent balance between quality and affordability. Users appreciate the high-quality blade and the secure grip provided by the handle. The knife is also praised for its versatility, being suitable for various outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and hunting.

Pros

  • Quality blade
  • High friction grip
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Plastic sheath may not be very durable
  • Not full tang

Fixed blade outdoor knife with a Sandvik stainless steel blade.

The Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife features a 4.1-inch stainless steel blade which provides excellent edge performance, high hardness, and resistance to corrosion. The high-friction grip handle ensures a secure grip, regardless of the weather conditions. It comes with a plastic sheath that matches the handle and a belt clip for easy carrying.

5

Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Fixed Blade Knife

Buy Now $19.00

Why We Love It

Reviewers often highlight the quality and performance of the blade. The secure grip provided by the Kray-Ex handle is also often appreciated. The knife has been praised for its versatility, being suitable for various tasks such as cutting, chopping, and piercing.

Pros

  • Excellent edge retention
  • Secure grip
  • Comes with a quality sheath

Cons

  • Relatively heavy
  • May require frequent sharpening

Fixed blade survival knife with VG-1 Stainless Steel blade and Kray-Ex handle.

The Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Fixed Blade Knife is designed specifically for rescue operations. It features a 6-inch VG-1 Stainless Steel blade that provides excellent edge retention and resistance to rust. The handle is made of Kray-Ex, providing a secure grip even in wet conditions. This knife comes with a Secure-Ex sheath for safe carry and storage.

More Specific Lists

Looking for something more specific? Check out these specialized lists:

Fixed Blade Survival Knives

7 products

→

Folding Survival Knives

7 products

→

High Carbon Steel Knives

9 products

→

Multi-tool Survival Knives

7 products

→

Survival Machetes

7 products

→

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 10 Products Updated Oct 09, 2025
Product Fixed Blade Blade Length Blade Material Handle Material Additional Features Sheath Type
1 Gerber Gear Ultimate Knife, Fixed Blade Survival Knife with Fire Starter
Yes 4.75 inches Stainless Steel Textured Rubber Fire Starter, Whistle, Diamond Sharpener Nylon
1 Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
Yes 4.1 inches Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel High-Friction Grip Color-Matching Sheath Plastic
2 Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife
Yes 4.8 inches High-Carbon Stainless Steel Rubberized Grip Integrated Fire Starter, Diamond Sharpener, Hammer Pommel Nylon
2 Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
Yes 5.5 inches 1095 Cro-Van Steel Grivory Hard Shell Sheath Nylon
3 Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
Yes 4.1 inches Stainless Steel High-Friction Grip Belt Clip Plastic
4 ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife
Yes 6.5 inches 1095 Steel Micarta Black Molded Polymer Sheath Polymer
5 Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade Knife
Yes 6.3 inches VG10 Steel Kraton Durable Sheath Zytel
6 Benchmade - Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife
Yes 4.4 inches CPM-S30V Steel G10 Leather Sheath with D-ring Leather
7 SOG Fixed Blade Knives with Sheath - SEAL Pup Elite Survival Knife
Yes 4.85 inches AUS-8 Steel Glass-Reinforced Nylon Finger Groove Kydex
8 Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Fixed Blade Knife
Yes 6 inches VG-1 Stainless Steel Kray-Ex Secure-Ex Sheath Secure-Ex
1

Gerber Gear Ultimate Knife, Fixed Blade Survival Knife with Fire Starter

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
4.75 inches
Blade Material
Stainless Steel
Handle Material
Textured Rubber
Additional Features
Fire Starter, Whistle, Diamond Sharpener
Sheath Type
Nylon
1

Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
4.1 inches
Blade Material
Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel
Handle Material
High-Friction Grip
Additional Features
Color-Matching Sheath
Sheath Type
Plastic
2

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
4.8 inches
Blade Material
High-Carbon Stainless Steel
Handle Material
Rubberized Grip
Additional Features
Integrated Fire Starter, Diamond Sharpener, Hammer Pommel
Sheath Type
Nylon
2

Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
5.5 inches
Blade Material
1095 Cro-Van Steel
Handle Material
Grivory
Additional Features
Hard Shell Sheath
Sheath Type
Nylon
3

Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
4.1 inches
Blade Material
Stainless Steel
Handle Material
High-Friction Grip
Additional Features
Belt Clip
Sheath Type
Plastic
4

ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
6.5 inches
Blade Material
1095 Steel
Handle Material
Micarta
Additional Features
Black Molded Polymer Sheath
Sheath Type
Polymer
5

Fallkniven A1 Fine Edge Fixed Blade Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
6.3 inches
Blade Material
VG10 Steel
Handle Material
Kraton
Additional Features
Durable Sheath
Sheath Type
Zytel
6

Benchmade - Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Outdoor Survival Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
4.4 inches
Blade Material
CPM-S30V Steel
Handle Material
G10
Additional Features
Leather Sheath with D-ring
Sheath Type
Leather
7

SOG Fixed Blade Knives with Sheath - SEAL Pup Elite Survival Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
4.85 inches
Blade Material
AUS-8 Steel
Handle Material
Glass-Reinforced Nylon
Additional Features
Finger Groove
Sheath Type
Kydex
8

Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Fixed Blade Knife

Fixed Blade
Yes
Blade Length
6 inches
Blade Material
VG-1 Stainless Steel
Handle Material
Kray-Ex
Additional Features
Secure-Ex Sheath
Sheath Type
Secure-Ex

Frequently Asked Questions About Survival Knives

What makes a survival knives the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your survival knives recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of survival knives?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.

Explore More Survival Knives Categories

Fixed Blade Survival Knives (7 products) Folding Survival Knives (7 products) High Carbon Steel Knives (9 products) Multi-tool Survival Knives (7 products) Survival Machetes (7 products)