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- LAST UPDATED: January 10, 2021
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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.
The Best Bushcraft Knife
Spyderco Bushcraft G-10
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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
- Fully-tanged, four-inch blade has no hand guard, and features Scandinavian grind
- Includes limited manufacturer's warranty
Specifications:
| Brand: | Spyderco |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | CPM-S90V |
| Overall Length : | 8.75" |
| Blade Length : | 4.00" |
| Color : | Black |
| Weight: | 6.22 oz |
- PROS
- O1 steel gives you a very sharp blade
- Holds edge well
- Full tang
- High durability
- Great handle ergonomics
- CONS
- Blade requires maintenance to prevent rusting
- Not great for batoning longer wood
- Expensive
- Blade is short
Helle Temagami Carbon Knife
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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:
- The first knife in Helle's collaboration with Survivorman les Stroud, the Temagami was also Helle's first step towards leaving the stick-tang only era.
- Good craftsmanship requires the ability to create handle shapes which are consistent with the blade
- Our sheaths are made of specially tanned leather, and treated with saddle grease for increased lustre and durability.
Specifications:
| Brand: | Helle |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | High Carbon Steel |
| Overall Length : | 9.00" |
| Blade Length : | 4.25" |
| Color : | Wood |
| Weight: | 5.80 oz |
- PROS
- 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
- CONS
- Expensive
- Can chip
- Can rust
Fallkniven F1 Bushcraft Knife
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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:
- This Fallkniven F1 knife has a convex ground satin finished blade, made from a stainless steel laminated VG-10 core.
- Fallkniven knives from Sweden began manufacturing knives back in 1984.
- The F1 knife has proven to be an incredibly popular design, one that you only fully appreciated once you've experienced its superior design and craftsmanship.
Specifications:
| Brand: | Fallkniven |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Overall Length : | 8.30" |
| Blade Length : | 3.80" |
| Color : | Black |
| Weight: | 5.20 oz |
- PROS
- VG steel blade
- Handle material is made of lightweight thermoplastic (thermorum)
- Full tang construction
- Grip holds well
- Convex grind
- CONS
- Handle is small for people with big hands
Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion Bushcraft Knife
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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:
- Full tang heavy duty field knife suited for camping chores.
- 1095 Cro-Van steel provides a strong blade with a black durable blade coating.
- Contoured Zytel handle scales provide a high performance grip.
- The Companion offers a versatile design that excels at splitting kindling, skinning game, camp cooking prep and more.
Specifications:
| Brand: | KA-BAR |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | 1095 Cro-Van Steel |
| Overall Length : | 10.75" |
| Blade Length : | 5.25" |
| Color : | Black |
| Weight: | 15.90 oz |
- PROS
- Well made and heavy duty
- Versatile and performs a number of tasks
- Affordable
- Quality hardshell sheath
- 1095 carbon steel blade
- Safety features
- CONS
- Must remove belt to attach sheath
- Powder coating may wear off blade
- Doesn’t excel at any one task
Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty
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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:
- Fixed blade outdoor knife with 4.1-inch high carbon steel blade
- Extra-large ergonomic handle with patterned, high-friction grip that makes the knife comfortable to hold and easy to handle
- Color-matching plastic sheath with belt clip
- Limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty; Made in Sweden
Specifications:
| Brand: | Morakniv |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Overall Length : | 8.10" |
| Blade Length : | 3.75" |
| Color : | Black |
| Weight: | 2.30 oz |
- PROS
- Easy to sharpen due to a 27 degree edge angle
- Very reasonably priced
- Durable
- Great for slicing
- Grip is comfortable and holds well
- CONS
- You need a hatchet for heavier duty tasks
- Sheath is very basic
- Not a full tang
- Small belt loop may not fit on tactical belts.
Condor Walnut Handle Bushlore Bushcraft Knife
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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:
- The Bushlore knife is a strong and capable mid-size fixed blade from Condor Tool & Knife.
- It has a 1075 steel blade with a bead blast finish and satin finished grind.
- The handle features riveted Hardwood scales with contoured edges.
- The Bushlore comes with a premium brown leather sheath.
Specifications:
| Brand: | Condor Tool & Knife |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | 1075 Steel |
| Overall Length : | 9.25" |
| Blade Length : | 4.25" |
| Color : | Wood |
| Weight: | 8.00 oz |
- PROS
- Blade material
- Durable and tough
- Hardwood handle
- Reasonable price
- Full tang
- CONS
- Doesn’t excel in one particular area
- No drainage hold in sheath
- Weight
ESEE Camp Lore RB3 Bushcraft Knife
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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:
- This Reuben Bolieu designed ESEE Camp-Lore RB3 fixed blade features a stonewashed black oxide finished 1095 steel blade with a Scandi grind.
- It comes fitted with ergonomic canvas Micarta scales that offer a comfortable and secure grip during your toughest outdoor chores.
- The knife includes an upgraded leather pouch style sheath.
Specifications:
| Brand: | ESEE Knives |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | 1095 Steel |
| Overall Length : | 8.125" |
| Blade Length : | 3.50" |
| Color : | Tan |
| Weight: | 5.87 oz |
- PROS
- Durable
- Full tang knife
- Good edge retention
- Easy to sharpen
- Ergonomic handle
- CONS
- Smaller blade limits some applications
- Scandi grind isn’t for everyone
- Not good for batoning
Benchmade Bushcrafter Knife
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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:
- Robust, rugged style meets unmatched function, no matter the application
- or first-rate edge retention and corrosion resistance
- Features a resin-soaked fiberglass body that's impervious to moisture and stable across fast-changing climates.
- Provides enhanced stability when in use; Leather sheath with belt loop and D-ring for easy access.
Specifications:
| Brand: | Benchmade |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | CPM-S30V Stainless Steel |
| Overall Length : | 9.20" |
| Blade Length : | 4.43" |
| Color : | Tan |
| Weight: | 7.72 oz |
- PROS
- Throws sparks very effectively
- Great ergonomic design
- High-quality materials
- CONS
- 90-degree spine may cause some discomfort
- Knife is a little loose in the sheath
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier Bushcraft Knife
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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:
- Blade is made of reliable 1095 Powder Coated High Carbon Steel with a black, ring textured thermoplastic elastomer handle
- Quick and easy access with the convenient polyester belt sheath making it ideal for EDC
- Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the finger choil and jimping
Specifications:
| Brand: | Schrade |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | High Carbon Steel |
| Overall Length : | 10.25" |
| Blade Length : | 5.00" |
| Color : | Black |
| Weight: | 12.82 oz |
- PROS
- Handles heavy duty and delicate jobs equally well
- Comes with sharpening stone for steel blade
- Comes with ferro
- Rugged
- CONS
- Uncomfortable handle grip
- Nylon used for the sheath is not high quality
Real Steel Bushcraft Knife
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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:
- Drop point blade is made from Sandvik 14C28N steel with a plain cutting edge.
- Subtly textured G-10 handle scales for a high performance grip.
- The blades back is optimized for use with fire steel.
- The handles are fastened with two screws, which can be loosened and give access to milled space for storage.
Specifications:
| Brand: | Real Steel |
| Style: | Bushcraft Knife |
| Blade Material: | 14C28N Steel |
| Overall Length : | 9.50" |
| Blade Length : | 4.50" |
| Color : | Black |
| Weight: | 4.00 oz |
- PROS
- High-quality materials for blade and handle
- G10 handle with Kydex sheath and removable belt loop
- Functional and attractive design
- Ergonomic and ambidextrous handle
- D2 steel
- CONS
- Not heavy-duty
- Can be inconsistent
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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