10 Best Bushcraft Knives in 2021 [Review Guide]

LAST UPDATED: February 16, 2021

10 Best Bushcraft Knives in 2021 [Review Guide]

Best Choice

Spyderco Bushcraft G-10

 5/5

Read Our Review

Best Value

Helle Temagami Carbon Knife

 4.5/5

Read Our Review

Premium Pick

Fallkniven F1 Bushcraft Knife

 5/5

Read Our Review

Today's review guide is brought to you by product expert Jordan

Published 12:20 pm

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One of the most popular activities today is bushcraft, which is a way for you to develop survival skills as you experience nature with a minimal amount of equipment. You might take a compass, a fire starter, and a flashlight with you, and, of course, a knife. The best bushcraft knife will be able to perform a variety of survival-related functions for you, such as helping to cut wood for your fire, build your shelter, clean fish, and more.

Bushcraft knives are great all-around knives that are durable and strong, and they are good for fire craft as well as woodworking. They are needed to help start fires and gather firewood. Similar to an EDC Knife – a Bushcraft knife should be able to protect you if you find yourself under attack from a wild animal. Finally, you need to use them to help you prepare your food. Take a look at our top picks for bushcraft knives on the market today.

At a Glance : Our Top 5 Pick For Best Bushcraft Knives

PRODUCT OF OUR CHOICE: Spyderco Bushcraft G-10
TRIPLE-LAYERED STAINLESS STEEL: Helle Temagami Carbon Knife
FULL TANG CONSTRUCTION: Fallkniven F1 Bushcraft Knife
QUALITY HARDSHELL SHEATH: Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion Bushcraft Knife
VERY REASONABLY PRICED: Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty

The Best Bushcraft Knife

Spyderco is a company that is known for its pocket knives as well having great eye for attention to details, and it shows in the Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 knife. This knife comes from a collaboration between Tactical Bushcrafter Chris Claycombe, BushcraftUK.com, and Spyderco Designs.

The Bushcraft G-10 has a Scandi Grind with a 4.1-inch blade that is made of O1 steel and an edge length of 3.938 inches. It is 8.75 inches long, and it weighs 7.8 ounces. This knife is not very heavy, and it is convenient to take with you when you are getting back in touch with nature.

The handle is made of G-10, and it grips well. It has a lanyard hole in the bottom, and a well made leather sheath with a plastic cap for the tip of the knife. These features are useful because you can run a rope through the lanyard and keep your knife right by you at all times.

This knife works well for a variety of tasks, and it will hold up to use well. It excels at slicing and making delicate cuts. It is full tang and incredibly durable with an ergonomic handle. Spyderco products are known for their ability to last a long time, and this knife performs a number of functions well.

This knife was made for survival and tactical activities, and it is an ideal choice for many users. It is one of the best bushcraft knives out there. When you are surviving off the land, a knife is the most important tool you have. You need to make sure that it is versatile and can perform a number of different functions, as this one can.

Key Features:

Crafted from the highest quality materials
Built for performance and durability
Bushcraft knife designed by tactical bushcraft expert Chris Claycombe, popular bushcraft website BushcraftUK.com, and Spyderco designers
Includes limited manufacturer's warranty

Specifications:

Brand:	Spyderco
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	4.00"
Weight:	6.22 oz

This is a very attractive bushcraft knife that is very lightweight at just three ounces. The blade is 4.33 inches of laminated triple-layered stainless steel with a flat grind, and it is incredibly sharp. The edge is well made and easy to sharpen as necessary. It has a semi-full tang for extra strength.

The handle is a 4.41-inch leather and curly birch handle, and it is comfortable and easy to grip. The knife is stable in your hand, and it has a finger guard for added protection from the sharp blade. It has a fixed blade with a straight forward positive angle for increased cutting power, it sweeps to the tip for control. The drop point and the forward positive angle are great for gutting fish.

This knife is best suited for refined skills such as carving and preparing food, and it is not as well suited for building traps. It does come with a Scandinavian style pouch sheath that holds it securely. It is made in Norway, and it is a very attractive design.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	Helle
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	4.25"
Weight:	5.80 oz

Triple layered laminated stainless steel blade
Comes with custom full grain leather sheath
Attractive design
Handmade
Lightweight at three ounces
Finger guard
Durable and strong

This bushcraft knife was originally made for the Swedish army, and it is very durable. Although it isn’t full tang, it is plenty tough. It is 3¾ inches long, and it is light and safe to use. The sure-grip thermorun handle is comfortable and easy to maneuver.

The steel blade is a drop point VG-10 stainless steel with a satin finish and a full convex grind, and it includes a black zytel sheath. This knife is well proportioned and very versatile, and it works great for a number of daily tasks. It is 8.3 inches long and weighs just 6 ounces, and it has a thick blade at 4.5 mm, so it functions as a larger knife.

This knife is made of tough stainless steel, and it holds up well in cutting both wood and meat. The handle almost completely encases the tang, but the part that sticks out is great for hammering. The construction is both simple and solid, and it is comfortable to use. It is one of the best bushcraft knives on the market today.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	Fallkniven
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	3.80"
Weight:	5.20 oz

The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion bushcraft knife is on par with the quality of other Ka-Bar knives. It has a full tang blade that is heavy duty and well suited for almost any task you need it to do. It is 10 5/8 inches long with a 5¼ inch black, and it weighs 16 ounces making it on the heavier side for a knife.

The blade is .25 inches thick and made of high carbon steel. It has a drop point profile, and the blade has a full flat grind. In addition to carving, skinning, and splitting wood, it can also chop because it is stronger than other bushcraft knives. This is a tough bushcraft knife that serves a lot of purposes, and the handle material is a basic design made of zytel (high-density plastic).

Overall, this bushcraft knife has a simple design, but it is very functional. It is sturdy and comfortable and it can perform a lot of different functions well. It is another one of the better bushcraft knives on the market.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	KA-BAR
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	5.25"
Weight:	15.90 oz

Morakniv is a Swedish company that is associated with the Swedish military and known for making affordable, sharp knives. This Scandinavian knife is a medium-duty knife that features a 4.1 inch high-carbon steel fixed blade. The knife is easy to hold and comfortable with an ergonomic, high-friction grip, and the blade is 0.125 inches thick with a Scandi grind. The knife weighs only 4.8 ounces, and it is 8.8 inches long.

This knife is a good bushcraft knife with a thin blade, and it is very sharp and great for making delicate cuts. The grip is easy to hold, even in wet conditions. It has a 27-degree edge angle, which makes it easy to sharpen. It is a rattail tang, but it holds up well.

This knife is best for carving and general-purpose tasks. In addition, it is made from 12C27 stainless steel, and it holds its edge very well. The plastic sheath does an acceptable job of storing the knife, although the belt loop is small and may not fit on tactical belts.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	Morakniv
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	3.75"
Weight:	2.30 oz

Condor Walnut Handle Bushlore Bushcraft Knives

The Condor Walnut Handle Bushlore bushcraft knife is one of the most popular bushcraft knives on the market, and it is an attractive knife with all of the functionality you need. It can chop through wood and slice through food with ease. It is versatile and can perform any outdoor task you want it to.

This knife is 9.5 inches long with a 4.5-inch blade, and it is very sharp. It has a Scandi grind in 1075 carbon steel, and it is sturdy. It also is a drop point profile. The blade is 0.125 inches thick, and it is a little heavy at 12 ounces. It has a leather sheath, and the belt loop is securely stitched on. The handle material is walnut hardwood.

The blade is large enough for heavy duty cutting, whittling, and cleaning of large game, and the spine of the blade works well for starting your fire. It is a well-made knife at an affordable price. The full tang makes it tough enough to do most jobs well. You can make controlled cuts as long as you secure your grip.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	Condor Tool & Knife
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	4.25"
Weight:	8.00 oz

This bushcraft knife is one of Esee’s Camp-Lore collection of knives. It is designed to be ergonomic and non-coated, and it is a Scandi grind. It weighs six ounces and is 8.3 inches long. The drop point blade has a 0.125-inch thickness, and it is 3.5 inches long. It has a razor-sharp edge, and the flats of the blade are finished in a tumbled Black Oxide coating. It does a great job of ferro rod striking as the spine is 90 degrees.

The handle is rounded and comfortable to use. It is easy to grip as well, even when it is wet outside. The stonewash finish is attractive and distinct. The sheath is made of quality leather, and the knife is secure inside. It is a durable full tang knife that is easy to sharpen.

This bushcraft knife has great precision and works well for carving and slicing. It can process firewood, although that is not its intended purpose. It is perfect for bushcraft slicing. It is a fixed blade knife, and it is ambidextrous. It is another one of the best knives out there.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	ESEE Knives
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	3.50"
Weight:	5.87 oz

Benchmade is known for using quality materials to make the best knives. This knife has a 4.4-inch blade with a 90-degree spine that is good for ferro rod striking. It is 0.164 inches thick with a drop point profile. It is made of s30v stainless steel with a G-10 handle. It weighs in at 7.2 ounces.

It has a leather sheath that has compartments for carrying fire steel. It is also extremely sharp and durable, thanks to the s30v stainless steel construction. It does a great job of retaining its edge, and it takes little effort to perform precision cuts. It chops and batons efficiently.

This is a great fixed blade knife that can do everything from building a fire up to precision cuts. The G-10 handle is a good size and works for large hands. This is one of the better knives out there. Having a high-quality knife such as this one will make your life a lot easier when you are out in nature.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	Benchmade
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	4.43"
Weight:	7.72 oz

Schrade SCHF 36 Frontier Bushcraft Knives

This is a full tang knife with a coated 1095 HC steel blade. It is full tang with a 90-degree spine, which is great for striking a ferro rod. In addition, the blade is 5.05 inches long and its thickness is 0.22 inches. It has a drop point profile with a hollow grind, and the blade has a finger choil.

The Schrade SCHF36 Frontier has a thermoplastic elastomer handle, with a lanyard hold and a solid grip and a black nylon sheath that has a storage compartment, a sharpening stone, and a ferro rod. The blade can easily be sharpened so that it is always ready to perform. This is extremely important when you are out in nature and unsure of the dangers you may face.

The spine of this fixed blade knife is thick and it can handle tough jobs such as batoning and chopping. The hollow grind gives it a fine edge for detailed cuts. It weighs 8.6 ounces, and it is 10.5 inches long. The Schrade SCHF36 is rugged and durable, and it can perform a range of tasks.

The nylon sheath is not made very well, and it won’t last long, but getting the ferro rod and the sharpening stone is a great deal. Your blade will never be dull.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	Schrade
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	5.00"
Weight:	12.82 oz

The Real Steel Bushcraft knife has a D2 steel blade. It is full tang with a 4.13-inch long blade and is Scandi ground. The blade is 0.14 inches thick and very sharp. It also has a drop point profile. It is 8.62 inches long and is lightweight, as it weighs just 5.8 ounces.

The handle is ambidextrous and ergonomic with well-executed contouring. It is a G10 handle with red liners and a barrel pin lanyard hole. It is a coyote brown colour, and it has a rugged yet attractive design. The sheath is Kydex and can be positioned in many different ways for ease of use. The sheath does come with a drainage hole, and the knife fits in tightly.

This knife is best suited for light to medium duty tasks. It has great functionality, and it can be used for carving and slicing. You might need something else for batoning or chopping wood; otherwise, it is one of the better outdoor knives for light to medium duty jobs.

Key Features:

Specifications:

Brand:	Real Steel
Style:	Bushcraft Knife
Blade Length :	4.50"
Weight:	4.00 oz

Best Bushcraft knives – A Quick Comparison

Those were our reviews of the currently most popular Bushcraft knives on the market – see how they compare and find the one that suits your needs. There’s an Bushcraft knife for everyone’s taste and budget, and we’re sure you’ll find one to your liking.

Designed By Tactical Bushcraft Experts

Spyderco Bushcraft G-10

Fixed Blade Knives
Full-Flat Grind
Plainedge Blade
Carbon Fiber

Triple-Layered Stainless Steel

Helle Temagami Carbon Knife

Handmade in Holemdal, Norway.
Handle Material – Curly birch.
Genuine Leather Sheath Included.
Designed by Les Stroud in 2011.

Made For The Swedish Army

Fallkniven F1

VG-10 stainless drop point blade with satin finish
Black checkered Thermorun elastomer handle
Carried by the Swedish National Defense

Great For Outdoor Adventures

Ka-Bar Becker BK2

Full tang heavy duty field knife suited for camping chores.
Made in Olean New York, U.S.A
Designed by Ethan Becker
Manufactured by KA-BAR Knives Inc.

Affordable, Sharp Knives

Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty

Morakniv knives made from high carbon steel
The classic Scandi grind are easy to re-sharpen.
Extra-large ergonomic handle with patterned, high-friction grip

Versatile For Outdoor Tasks

Condor Walnut Handle Bushlore

Crafted from the highest quality materials
Built for performance and durability
Blade Material: 1075 HIGH CARBON STEEL

Ergonomic Non-coated Design

ESEE Camp Lore RB3

ESEE carbon steel knives are made from 1095 steel
Country of origin: USA
Micarta handle

Built For The Mission

Benchmade - Bushcrafter 162

American Made CPM-S30V Steel
Ultra Durable G10 Handle
A Modern Bushcraft Kni9fe
Kydar sheath with belt loop for easy access.

Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife

Schrade SCHF36 Frontier

Blade is made of reliable 1095 Powder Coated High Carbon Steel
Knife features a ferro rod, sharpening stone and a lanyard hole
Black ring textured thermoplastic elastomer handle

Classic Bushcraft Knife

Real Steel 02RE030

D2 steel blade
G-10 handle scales
Includes Kydex sheath with removable belt loop
Limited Lifetime Warranty

What Is the Difference Between a Bushcraft Knife and a Survival Knife?

Although people sometimes use the two terms interchangeably, a bushcraft knife is different from a survival knife. Both are designed to help you survive, but bushcraft is more about refining your skills to build comfort in the wilderness, while survival is more about staying alive.

One way of viewing a bushcraft knife is as a subset of survival knives. With this in mind, here are a few of the key differences:

A bushcraft knife is more delicate and used for more refined work
They have different grinds
Survival knife is for surviving in nature (more general-purpose)
Bushcraft knife is for living in nature (more specific tasks)
Bushcraft knives can be lighter weight

How to Choose a Bushcraft Knife

This knife needs to perform a number of functions, so you should consider each of the following:

Function

For a knife to be able to cut fruits and other food and split wood, you need a blade that is very sharp and fixed in place. It is important that it has an excellent grip to make your tasks easier.

Blade size

Your bushcraft knife should be mid-sized, ranging from 3.5 to 5 inches in length. If it is too large, it won’t be much help for carving a spoon, and if it is too small, you won’t be able to cut wood for your fire.

Blade grind

The key to the blade grind is to make sure that it is strong and versatile. A thin cutting edge will reduce the strength of the blade quite a bit. Avoid a hollow grind, and choose a flat grind, chisel grind, Scandi grind, or convex grind instead.

Blade design

You need a blade that is long and flat. This blade should have a tip and be thick. It should also have a drop point.

Cutting edge

The best cutting edge will depend on your personal needs. If you choose a bigger angle, the edge will be stronger, but it won’t cut as easily. If the angle is smaller, it will be harder to split wood. If you need to do both, try a cutting edge right in the middle.

Blade steel

You can choose stainless steel, chromium, or carbon steel for your blade.

Handle material

Your knife needs a stable, strong grip. You can also consider shock absorption, aesthetic design, and durability for the handle of your knives.

Tang

The portion of the knife inside the handle is the tang; a fixed blade is easier to use, but it needs to feel sturdy.

Ways to Use a Bushcraft Knife

A bushcraft knife needs to be versatile, and it has four primary functions:

Working with wood to make shelter and tools
Building a fire
Preparing your food and water
Protection and survival

Woodworking is one of the primary functions of a bushcraft knife. You need to use it for delicate tasks such as making a spoon, carving out tent stakes, or building a shelter. Bushcrafters go into the wilderness to test themselves and see how they can use nature to meet their needs, and refining these woodworking skills is a big part of what they do.

Building a fire requires gathering wood, and a bushcraft knife allows you to cut branches from trees for your fire. You can then carve out tinder to keep your fire burning. Using a bushcraft knife allows you to prep all of your firewood.

Whether you are gathering fruit from trees or catching fish, a bushcraft knife allows you to skin, chop, and prepare your food. If you are in a cold climate, you can use the tip of your bushcraft knife to break the ice on a pond so that you can access the water below the surface. In addition, the knife can be used to harvest rainwater from trees.

If you need to protect yourself, you can use the bushcraft knife for this purpose. The bushcraft knife is much similar to it’s sibling – the hunting knife. It is also good for survival tasks, including splitting wood, first aid, hunting, and digging. This versatile knife will help you accomplish everything you need to do to survive.

Who Should Buy a Bushcraft Knife?

Anyone who is into bushcrafting should buy one of these knives, but other people can benefit from this knife as well. These knives are durable, strong, efficient, and versatile, and they can fill a range of functions. For example, if you are into woodworking, these knives offer you a way to improve your craft by enhancing your precision. A bushcraft knife can also be used for engraving hard materials and some softer materials as long as it has a sharp blade. Finally, campers and survivalists can use this knife as well.

The Verdict: Which Is the Best Bushcraft Knife?

Each of these knives has something to offer, but we have chosen the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 as our favorite. It has a simple and functional design, is made of high-quality materials, and has a great finish. In addition, the sheath is functional and lightweight. The blade is just the right length and shape to process wood, and the handle is one of the most comfortable handles out there.

The best thing about this knife is that it can do just about anything you need while you are out in the wilderness. It is reliable and can be used to carve, slice, start fires, and protect yourself.

When you are bushcrafting, you are out in nature and refining your survival skills by living off the land. You need to build your own shelter and find and prepare whatever food you are going to eat. This knife, more than any other, can help you get the job done.

Bushcrafting is an excellent way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and teach yourself how to be a minimalist and live off the land. You don’t need much, but you do need a knife. The right knife will allow you to build your fire, carve out tools and other things you may need, and protect yourself from nature.

We hope that this article has helped you choose a bushcraft knife of your liking. If you have any questions feel free to contact us anytime.