Choosing the Best Survival and Bushcraft Knife

Choosing the Best Survival/Bushcraft Knife

A Comprehensive Guide for Survival University Students

There are so many different types of survival/bushcraft, not to mention specialty knives out there.  What is right for you?

When you are deep in the wilderness, surrounded by the untamed beauty of nature, your survival knife will be one of your most frequently used tools. Whether you are building shelter, preparing food, or carving tools, having the right knife is crucial for your safety, fun, and success. For students of The Survival University, understanding how to choose the best survival or bushcraft knife is a key step in mastering essential outdoor skills. In this guide, we will explore what qualities you should look for in a top-tier survival knife. If you are reading this you are likely a current or past student of TSU, so we thought we would use The Spirit,  a knife designed by The Survival University (manufactured by Condor Knife & Tool) as an example of the good, bad, and the ugly of high-end knives.

What Makes a Great Survival or Bushcraft Knife?

Mora has been around since the late 1800s and is a well-trusted name in the outdoor industry.  Here you have two of their top knives.  One is stainless steel and the other is High carbon steel.  One full tang, the other partial.  Notice the handles are also different.  Both are great knives!

Blade Material  

The material of your knife’s blade is one of the most debated and discussed considerations. It affects durability, edge retention, and how well your knife will perform in tough environments.  So, it is certainly important…but is it as important as advertisers make it seem?  Yes and no; bad metal has been used in the past and has led to disastrous results.  There are even well-known outdoor companies that have come out with public apologies on forums like Facebook and YouTube, but with the good metals, we can quickly distill what you need to know down to the following options.

High-Carbon Steel: Known for its sharpness and ease of sharpening, high-carbon steel is a solid choice for survival knives. However, it can rust without proper care.  It will need to be sharpened more often, but it will sharpen on just about any abrasive surface you can find.  As a bonus, high-carbon steel can also be struck on a rock to produce a flint-and-steel-style spark for fire making.  There are a great many tricks and hacks to keep your high-carbon steel knife safe and sharp in salt water and wet environments.  The number one is to simply keep your knife as dry as possible and dry it off immediately if it gets wet.  We will certainly be adding blogs about caring for your knives in the future.

The Bushcraft Black comes with a protective coating that stands up to moisture and salt water.  Notice it does get worn away with heavy knife use.  Keeping the knife dry and oiling the blade occasionally allows you to get the benefits of a high-carbon knife in most situations.

Stainless Steel: While not as easy to sharpen as high-carbon steel, stainless steel is highly resistant to rust and corrosion, making it ideal for wet or humid conditions.  It will take longer to sharpen, but it should hold the edge a bit longer, too.  Stainless steel is really nice to have on adventures, like canoe trips, where your knife may be getting wet often, as it does not rust as easily as high-carbon steel.  Stainless steel is also a great option if you adventure in saltwater areas. 

As one gets more specific in their needs (for example, a knife specifically designed for wood carving only like those used by the horse carvers of Nusnäs who carve the famous Dala horses or an award-winning butcher like Jason Nauert) one needs to look into more details about the steel.  We certainly look at those specifics as they come up in future blogs, but believe it or not, the basic distinctions above are all you need for your bushcraft and survival knives which will serve hundreds of purposes in the field and around the house.  Jason Nauert teaches butchering to the special forces and has a show called The Butcher on the outdoor channel.  You can spend some time with him in person at TSU in the Austere cooking class.

The Spirit uses high-carbon steel, specifically 1095, which strikes an excellent balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening, making it ideal for long-term bushcraft and survival tasks. 

Blade Length and Shape

The length of your knife’s blade impacts its versatility. For survival and bushcraft, a blade length between 4 to 6 inches is ideal as it provides enough cutting surface for most tasks without being cumbersome.  There are a variety of blade shapes in the outdoor community; sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.  We will go into great detail about each shape as we write blogs aimed at the skills they are specific to.  

Blade shape is partially about preference and mostly about function.  Different shapes were designed with different tasks, originally.

Handle Material

A secure, comfortable grip is essential when you are using your knife for extended periods. The handle material should provide excellent traction even in wet or cold conditions.  The handle is one of the most important parts of a knife.  You will be using this tool a great deal, and much like your boots we wish for comfort and absolutely nothing that can lead to blisters!  We will be doing detailed blogs in the future on topics like handle design, but for now I highly recommend you hold any knife you consider buying.  If your knife does not feel safe and comfortable in your hand; it does not matter what the material is.  That being said, when choosing a knife, we should know a few basics about some of the most popular materials in wide use. 

Pay a great deal of attention to handle design and material.  Your knife should feel comfortable and secure in your hands.

Wood: Provides a natural feel and is often favored by traditionalists.  I like wood handles more than any other material out there.  However, as a survival instructor, I travel a great deal, in and out of the country, and there are several places that will not let you bring your knife through customs if you have a handle made from materials like bone or wood.

G-10: This synthetic material offers excellent grip and durability.  

Micarta: Known for its toughness and moisture resistance, Micarta handles are often used in high-quality knives.

The Spirit boasts a durable, ergonomic, micarta handle that offers a traditional aesthetic while providing excellent grip and comfort during long tasks.  The handle is designed to replicate some of the best features of current tools on the market.  My kids really like the way the knife feels and so do my wife and I.  This makes me feel fairly comfortable to say that the handle will be comfortable for people with tiny, small, and average-sized hands. 

Full Tang Construction

For ultimate durability, your survival knife should have a full tang construction. This means the blade runs the entire length of the handle, providing added strength and preventing the blade from breaking under pressure. A knife with full tang construction is a good choice as it ensures you can rely on the knife in the harshest of environments.  If you have a knife of good material, and use proper techniques, it is unlikely you will break the metal, but a slip or a drop could break the handle.  Replacing or rigging up an impromptu handle in the field is much easier with a full tang knife than with other options.  We will go into proper techniques with many of our skill-builder blogs.

Blade Thickness

Two well trusted knives from opposite sides of the blade thickness measurements most experts recommend.

The thickness of your blade will determine its ability to perform different tasks. For survival and bushcraft, a medium thickness (around 5/64 - 3/16 inches) is ideal. This thickness allows for strong chopping ability while still being nimble enough for more delicate tasks like carving or making feather sticks.  

The Spirit has a blade thickness of 2/16 inches (3.5mm), making it a versatile option for everything from slicing to light chopping without weighing you down.  It is a bit thick for food preparation in the kitchen, so many people carry a specific knife for the camp kitchen and another for their woodcraft skills.  If you wish to carry only one knife though, this size is a pretty nice compromise between a woodcraft and a kitchen knife.

Sheath Quality

A good sheath not only protects your knife but also provides a secure and comfortable carry option. Look for a sheath made from durable materials such as leather or Kydex that securely holds the knife in place while allowing for easy access.

Whatever material you choose, your knife should be held securely and the sheath should protect both you and the blade.

The Spirit comes with a Kydex sheath.  A decent Kydex sheath should provide a snug fit to ensure the knife will not slip out, even during strenuous activities.  There is certainly room for improvement and improvisation with Kydex and attachments. I would add something to make the knife a little more secure if you stay with the knife as is.  I chose to go another route (follow along with our instruction series if you want) and made a nice custom secure leather sheath.  

Happy with the steel and handle, but unhappy with the sheath?  A small bit of work and you have a custom sheath.

I have heard valid arguments for and against both Kydex and leather.  This is a topic for future discussion. For now, as this is about choosing a knife, I personally do not focus too much on the sheath if I like the other qualities of a knife.  We will be posting several FREE classes on making gear in the immediate future.  If you find a great knife with a garbage sheath, which is more common than one might think, it is really easy to make a personalized sheath.  Many knife companies save money on the sheath or try to woo you with “special features” on a sheath.  It is far better to focus on a good handle, versatile blade shape/length, and quality metal than the sheath. 

Blade Shape and Bevel Angle

This is a highly debated area that needs to be addressed in detail in stand-alone future blogs, but we need to at least touch on it in this quick guide.  Blade shape should be aimed at the tasks you perform most often.  For the most part, stay away from serrated edges!  Also avoid knives with saws on the back of the blade. The saw on the back of most knives is not properly made, and rarely will they cut more than ¼ of an inch, if that, into wood like pine.  There are a few that are well-made, but they tend to be rather expensive.  Many of us also use the spine, or back, of the knife for things like batonning and scraping ferro rods.  A saw back knife can get in the way or be damaged if used for these techniques.

Across the board, experts argue about many parts of the knife, but only a salesman will ever tell you to get a serrated edge on your bushcraft/survival knife.

The bevel angle is the sharpness of the edge, and the grind refers to the shape of the blade as it tapers down to the edge. Different grinds are better for different tasks. Here are some common grinds you will find on outdoor knives. 

At the most basic level, different grinds have different amounts of metal supporting their edge.  This is from the shape and effects how sharp and strong the edge is, and what it is best suited for.

Scandinavian Grind (Scandi Grind)

• Description: The Scandinavian grind has a flat bevel that starts from the top of the blade and tapers down to a sharp edge. The edge is wide and flat, with no secondary bevel.
• Common Uses: Ideal for carving, making kindling, or whittling wood.  You will find this on almost every high-end knife made specifically for wood carving.  It is also on many bushcraft and survival knives.  I prefer this grind on all of my knives that are not set up for a special task, but there are valid arguments on which of the common grinds is best for your outdoor knife.
• Pros: Very sharp and easy to sharpen. Great for detailed tasks.
• Cons: Not as strong for heavy-duty tasks, like chopping with an axe or adze.

Convex Grind

• Description: A convex grind has a curved shape, where the blade gradually tapers into a rounded edge. This grind is thick at the spine and becomes thinner toward the edge, creating a strong and durable shape.
• Common Uses: Great for heavy-duty tasks like chopping, batonning, and cutting through tough materials. 
• Pros: Extremely strong and durable, can handle hard work without chipping or breaking.
• Cons: It is a little harder to sharpen and requires more effort to maintain the edge, due to the abuse tools with this grind take. Beginners often accidentally change the grind of their axe while trying to maintain a convex grind.

3. Hollow Grind

• Description: A hollow grind has a blade that is ground down on both sides, creating a concave shape. This gives the knife a very thin and sharp edge.  Think “razor” sharp.
• Common Uses: Best for tasks that require precise, clean cuts, like skinning, filleting, or slicing.
• Pros: Very sharp and great for slicing. It is lightweight and easy to control for fine work.
• Cons: The edge can be more fragile and may not hold up well to heavy use or tough materials.  It is also very hard to sharpen hollow grinds in the field as you usually need special sharpening tools, like grinding wheels.

Saber Grind

• Description: A saber grind has a flat bevel that starts partway down the blade, giving it a thicker, more durable spine. The edge is still tapered to a sharp point.
• Common Uses: Good for tasks that require durability, like chopping and bushcraft work.  You find this type of grind on knives that are used to cut straight down like a kitchen knife.  It is extremely common on hunting knives as well.  There are many people who prefer this grind on their other outdoor knives too.  
• Pros: Stronger than a flat grind and still offers good cutting performance. It’s a good all-around option for outdoor tasks. Some people find it beneficial to put a micro bevel on their Scandi grind to get the same extra bit of support on their edge.
• Cons: Not as sharp as a flat grind, so it might not be ideal for precision tasks.

The Spirit has a Saber Grind for its edge.  I find that a flat or Scandi grind works better for beginning students, both in carving and sharpening skills.  This is however a highly debated area amongst the outdoor community.  The good news is that it is incredibly easy to change the bevel angle on a knife, actually many people do it on accident while sharpening.   I would recommend trying to find a knife with the edge style you prefer, knives are expensive after all, but if you find a knife that checks the rest of your boxes it is fairly easy to change this aspect of your knife. We will be teaching you how to do this a few blogs from now, should you prefer a different grind on your knife. One of the first things I did with my Spirit knife was change my grind to a Scandi grind. 

Adjusting the grind to something more to my personal liking.

Additional Considerations When Choosing Your Survival Knife

While the Spirit offers an ideal combination of features for most survival situations, it is important to remember that your needs might vary based on the type of environment you will be in. Consider the following:

Climate: If you are heading into wet environments, prioritize a knife with a rust-resistant blade, such as stainless steel. For dry and arid conditions, high-carbon steel knives like the Spirit will perform excellently.  We will teach you some ways to maximize high-carbon steel knives in wet environments soon too, so make sure to be on our newsletter list.

Skill Level: As a student of The Survival University, you will be learning various techniques such as batonning, carving, and whittling. A full-tang knife with a medium blade thickness like the Spirit is ideal for both beginners and seasoned survivalists.  I do recommend changing the bevel angle to a Scandi Grind to get the most out of this knife.

Conclusion: Your Essential Tool for Survival

As you progress in your training at The Survival University, your knife should serve as a faithful companion, empowering you to tackle any challenge nature throws your way.  There will be a multi-part series where I use both the Spirit and the Courage knives and discuss how they perform, the good and the bad, for certain types of skills.  I hope you join me on those and use whatever knife you have to follow along with each project and adventure.

When you are ready to upgrade your gear, a high-quality knife is more than just a knife—it is a tool that can help you become more self-reliant, efficient, and confident in the wild. Ready to sharpen your skills and gear up for adventure?   

If you are interested in learning more about survival gear or would like to explore the wide range of classes available, visit The Survival University at www.thesurvivaluniversity.com. Stay sharp and stay prepared for whatever wilderness adventure lies ahead!