Bushcraft knives are a very popular type of wilderness knives. By offering a wide range of accomplishable tasks, including cutting rope, chopping down tree branches, whittling wood, and skinning game, these knives eliminate the need for woodsmen to be weighed down by various wilderness tools. The term “Bushcraft knife” and “survival knife,” are pretty much interchangeable, though it can be said that Bushcraft knives are made more for tasks that one sets out to accomplish, as opposed to those that are unpredicted and done for true survival purposes. For avid woodsmen, Bushcraft knives are must-haves, and one should never venture into the woods without one.
How to choose the right Bushcraft Knife
When choosing a Bushcraft Knife, there are quite a few things you should take into account, typical features and qualities that should accompany these types of knives to ensure that you get the most possible of out your knife.
The blade
The typical survival knife blade is generally four to five inches long, a good compromise between size and dexterity. Blades that are longer than five inches are often awkwardly sized to fit the knife’s purposes; a medium sized blade will allow for finer work than a larger blade. For tasks that require larger blades, such as wood chopping, tools like machetes and axes are recommended over a Bushcraft.
Alloy
The steel used to make these knives is often stainless or carbon steel. Carbon steel is generally harder than stainless steel, and will often last longer by removing the need to constantly re-sharpen your knife. But when you do sharpen a carbon steel blade, it is a lot harder, because carbon steel blades are often duller than ones of stainless steel. Two high end, quality carbon steels are the A2 and VG-10 type steels.
Stainless steel blades tend to cost more than their carbon counterparts, due to their complicated manufacture, but have the advantage of rusting less easily, which is an important benefit in a knife, and should not be overlooked. Two high end, superior stainless steels are 440C and AUS8 steels.
Handles
The handle of your Bushcraft knife should be simple yet rugged, fit comfortably in your hand, and be easy to grip in any weather; a good handle will not get too slippery in the wet. Popular choices for grip materials include Micarta and Stag Bone, as well stacked leather grips, though the leather grips are not always durable in harsher weathers. The only real way to tell if a knife’s grip is right for you is to test them and see which one you are comfortable with.
Price
Prices of quality survival knives range from around thirty to over one hundred dollars. Yet for the variety of tasks accomplishable with these knives, they are worthy investments.
Product Recommendations
Here are three knives that we chose as quality Bushcraft knives to look into when looking to buy a survival knife.
3. Gerber 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife
The Gerber LMF II was created for survival in even the worst conditions. The knife was engineered by a former soldier named Jeff Freeman, who tested it with his troops to ensure its quality performance.
The knife is ten inches long in total, with a 4.8 inches, partly serrated, stainless steel blade that is rugged and versatile as well as adaptable for any situation in which it might be needed. From cutting rope to wood or skin off of an animal, this knife is perfect for any outdoorsmen.
The knife has a rugged glass-filled nylon handle with a TPV overmold that is designed to absorb shock as well as to fit comfortably in your hands and not slip out of them when wet. Its versatile design features a Plexiglas punch at the end of the handle that is meant for glass-breaking, and rope holes that give you the option of converting it into a spear, giving the knife even more abilities.
The knife comes with a low profile sheath that features a built-in carbine blade sharpener that is perfect for sharpening the tough knife when it gets dull. The sheath eases movement and can attach to a belt or a MOLLE vest; it made of ballistic nylon with a fire retardant coating.
Pricewise, the knife hovers around the middle of the pack, at sixty five dollars, including the sheath. With so many great qualities, this knife is perfect for any woodsman/outdoorsman.
2. Condor Tool and Knife Bushlore
The Condor Bushlore knife is a plain but ultra-robust and adaptable knife fit for any rugged outdoor enthusiast. It has a medium sized blade at 4.3 inches, with a finish of blasted satin. The blade material is 1075 high carbon steel, giving it a rough dependability which is crucially important in a survival knife.
The knife is produced by the reliable German Gerb Weyesman Company that has been making high quality knives since 1787. With such rugged features, the knife can take a full beating and come out unscathed.
The knife is a “full-tang” knife, which means that the blade and the handle come together to form one single piece. This crucially adds to the knife’s sturdiness and ability to endure punishment. The entire knife is 9.4 inches long, including double rivets and a lanyard hole for carrying convenience, and comes with a leather sheath.
As knives go, this one is relatively cheaper, at just thirty five dollars. The opportunity presented by this quality blade and amazing price is almost too good to pass up on.
1. Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Knife
The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Knife is so much more than just a quality knife. The rugged blade comes with not just a sheath, but also a knife sharpener and fire starter.
The fixed blade of this knife is 4.3 inches, made of thick carbon steel with anti-corrosive black coating to elongate the knife’s longevity. The total length is nine point one inches, with an ergonomic handle that provides a high-friction rubber grip. The absence of large carbide deposits promotes an excellent edge sharpness for the best possible experience.
Accompanying the blade is a black plastic sheath with an integrated diamond knife sharpener, as well as a Morakniv fire starter that yields seven thousand strikes to produce three thousand degree sparks. As an additional bonus, the starter works even when wet.
Similar to the Gerber, this blade is priced midrange at sixty dollars, including the sheath. Accompanying the knife’s purchase is a one year manufacturer’s warranty covering any damages that might occur.
If you are looking to buy a Bushcraft survival knife, you need to find the knife that is right for you. Decide what it is that you want in your blade, and what you need it for, and use that to choose one. With our guide of highlighted features to look for in a knife, you are sure to find the perfect Bushcraft survival knife that will last you a very long time.
