The Best Survival Knife

Having taught wilderness survival course for many years, I've had the opportunity to test a great variety of different knives. There are many knives that will get the job done, though there are some key features that will help you find the best tool for you.

In survival situations, your knife may end up being your most important tool. Its used to carve friction fire kits, cut woody edible plants, carve trap pieces, and split wood, just to name a few uses.

In choosing a survival knife, sometimes the best place to start is to discuss what isn't ideal. Folding knives, including multi-tools, are often a poor choice. Their blades can fold on your fingers, even if it is a locking blade, and the knives can break at the joint during vigorous use. The handles on these types of knives also often cause blisters when doing significant carving.

Another poor choice for a survival knife are ones with huge blades. In a survival situation, most of your knife work involves carving. Large blades are very difficult to control when carving and making intricate cuts. I've seen too many people cut themselves severely with these unnecessary large blades.

I believe the best survival knife is one with a strong fixed blade, a very comfortable handle, and has a blade that is easy to control and not too large. Pictured at the top of this page are some of my favorite choices.

The knife at the top of the photo was custom-made by a friend. It uses a recycled hacksaw blade that runs through the handle to create strength. The small 2 and 1/2-inch blade is very easy to control and is superb for intricate carving.

The knife at the bottom of the photo is an Old Timer brand knife with a six-inch blade. The knife is large enough to be used for splitting pieces of wood and is extremely durable.

My favorite knife, and what I believe is the best survival knife, is pictured in the center of the photo above. It is the Frosts Classic Mora Knife made in Sweden. It has a four inch blade, simple handle, and reasonable price. The size of the knife makes it perfect for almost any task needed in a survival situation. I believe the Frosts Classic Mora offers the best combination of control, durability, comfort, and cost. I have used this knife for many years and am incredibly impressed in how well this simple tool functions and performs.

Visit the Frosts website to learn more about the Classic Mora, our pick for the best survival knife.