Best Bushcraft Knives in 2020

Have you ever wanted to test your limits? To see how hard it would be to survive in the wilderness? For turning this dream into a reality, you need to have bushcraft skills. And one of the main tools to help you survive is bushcraft knife.

Bushcraft knife is used for carving and general woodwork; not only for surviving but enjoying a wilderness using traditional techniques.

There are many different knife styles and designs out there. The thing about a knife for bushcraft is it needs to be able to do most things well. You never know what job you will need your knife to perform. Because of this, a proper bushcraft knife has to be very versatile. It also needs to be tough as nails. You don’t want to take a knife that is going to let you down when you need it the most.

There are certain design traits and features that make some knives more suitable for bushcraft than others. In this article, I am going to review eight bushcraft knives that can be found on the market and hopefully help you in your selection.

Top 10 Bushcraft Knives (At a Glance)

Best Bushcraft Survival Knife

 

1. Benchmade Bushcrafter Fixed 162 Outdoor Survival Knife

The Bushcrafter is one of Benchmade’s premium knives for a good reason. It is a fixed 4.43-inch blade knife with a sturdy construction, and although it doesn’t have a scandi grind, Benchmade went with their own patent, and it’s called a “high-ground drop point blade.”

The blade is made of super strong S30V stainless steel, and it is very wieldy and lightweight, even though it is on the larger side. The tough G10 handle is light titanium tubing, standing out from the crowd with its lovely blue hue with reddish highlights. The sheath is a buckskin leather, and although it does ride a little higher than some, it presents the knife better than some low hanging ones.

This knife performed effortlessly, and I used it for several camping and fishing trips. Even though it’s not scandi-grind like most of the other knives, it is premium S30V stainless steel, pressed-in tubular titanium is very resistant to corrosion and made specifically for cutlery purposes.

The material, design, and a full flat grind are on the spot. I didn’t like the sheath though, and replaced it with another one. Mainly it is marketed to the bushcraft community, but on the other hand, it is a solid all-purpose knife, suitable for hunting, survival and utility use.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

2. ESEE Knives 5P Fixed Blade Knife

Just by the looks of it, ESEE-5 is truly made for heavy-duty purposes in the survival industry, designed specifically as a survival tool for downed aircrew.

It is made of high-carbon 1095 steel hardened to 55-57 Rockwell with a high flat ground, and while it is the best choice for professional cutlery, it will stain and rust if not cared properly. This particular model is ideal for piercing and general safety featuring a full flat grind and a drop point, also toward the end of the blade, there is space near the handle so in case your finger slips you will not cut yourself.

Even if handle breaks, you’ll still be able to use it because it features a full tang, also it could be used for hammering. I have nothing but positive things to say. I put this knife through anything and everything, and it performed very well without having to sharpen the blade.

Bear in mind that the steel blade does need some extra attention, and the knife itself is a little heavier than I thought it was going to be. It took me several days to get used to it, and it’s so heavy I had no problem cutting down smaller trees. However, if the knife somehow ever fails you, ESEE Knives comes with a lifetime warranty.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

3. Fallkniven F1

When survival is on the line, the Fallkniven F1 Knife has not only set a standard but also happens to be the official survival knife for Swedish Airforce staff.

The hard-laminated VG10 stainless steel, forged by the hand of experts in Japan, is what it’s made of, while ultra-strong, yet lightweight black Thermorum is the most vintage solution to the grippy handle, but still on the heavier side overall. Even though over half size of this knife is grip, the Fallkniven F1 has an excellent balance between cutting and control surface.

I qualify myself as an owner of all the big names out there, and I have both Benchmade Bushcrafter and Fallkniven F1, and I have to admit – I’m leaning towards this beauty. With its simple yet firm handle and a convex edge, F1 is easily one of the best knives I’ve ever owned. It comes razor sharp of the box, and it stayed that way for a long time.

It proved to be a great camping, hunting, hiking and all around knife, easy to carry. Robust, light, and easy to carry, F1 is not just a regular bushcraft knife but also a professional survival, even military knife. Purchasing it, you’ll get the best of both worlds, and it’s worth it. It is a classic.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

Best Bushcraft Knife Under 100

 

4. KA-BAR Becker Campanion BK2 Fixed Blade Knife

Weighing in at a full pound, Ka-Bar Becker BK2 certainly is the big boy of this group making it a favorite choice for the US Marine Corps and many other armies.

Just over 5 inches in blade length and thanks to 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel, infused with chrome/vanadium carbides for strength, it will provide you a great experience with kindling and skin game considering its affordable price. The handle is made of black Grivory with removable front and rear guards for safety under harsh use. To use the full-tang blade as a spear attachment, the handle scales can be removed.

In hand, this thing feels like a monster. It is a thick and robust knife for that price range, very fit and with a fantastic and attractive finish – they did a very nice job designing this knife. It may feel a bit heavier at first than you expected but it’s easy to get used to.

Overall, it is a good example of quality yet reasonably priced and good looking. You can split rocks with the pommel, shop wood with the blade and finely slice a piece of meat and even though it’s a bit on the heavier side, still is not as heavy as a hatchet but does the job almost equally.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

5. Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife

Morakniv Bushcraft is made by the recipe of the current knife company that still make a wide variety of carving, craft, construction and fishing knives in Sweden. It comes with a scandi-grind blade constructed out of Sandvik 12c27, a Swedish steel used in fixed utility blades.

This model, in particular, features a unique thick DLC anti-corrosive coating, and it’s fully coated, even the edge. Unfortunately, it is not full-tang but rather has a hidden tang running down the most of the rubber handle and it could break if you really give it some hard time.

Another mentionable feature is the black rubber handle which is utilitarian, durable and is resistant to water unlike the Micarta, G10 or other popular handle materials. This is a good basic and very versatile knife for some moderate duty in the field.

It looks good and feels great in hand, very sharp out of the box and holds a great edge. However, has no full-tang construction, therefore there is a possibility it could get easily bent after a good beat on, but it’s nothing surprising for its price.

The Mora is nearly impossible to criticize considering its price and for what it’s worth it is very impressive and looks to be an excellent all-around bush knife.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

Best Budget Bushcraft Knife Under 50

 

6. Condor Bushlore Camp Knife

The Condor Tool and Knife is not only cheap but surprisingly good bushcraft knife for the money. What makes it different from the other knives is its weight. It comes at 12 ounces and because of that is very easy to handle and makes controlled cuts easier.

The blade is made of 1075 carbon steel; it’s 4.375-inch long, and it’s gently curved which helps in slicing. The blade has blasted satin finish that prevents corrosion. Its sharpness is perfect for trimming, cutting, whittling and sharpening branches.

The tip of the knife is tough and can be used for drilling into wood without any problems. The sheath is made of leather and is very thick. This knife has a surprisingly decent chopping ability considering its size. It is perfectly usable for light and medium chopping and carving chores.

Although the steel looks cheap, it is sharp and can easily be sharpened. The handle is big and made of hardwood. It doesn’t seem to have any hot spots and is contoured very nice so it very comfortable. Overall, it is an excellent survival and the best small bushcraft knife for its price.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

7. Schrade SCHF9 Carbon Steel Fixed Blade Knife

Schrade SCHF9 provided so much power while chopping or cutting that it reminded me on a hatchet.

The blade is 6.4-inch long, and it’s made of 1095 high carbon steel. It runs the entire length of the knife, and it holds on edge well, and it’s tough. The blade is covered with a gray coating which is very durable and prevents the rust. The edge is a thick flat grind and widens before it curves up to the tip.

The handle is made of TPE (material that is a mixture of rubber and plastic), and it has three finger cutouts so it’s very comfortable and shock absorbent. The blade steel is flush with the grip on the end of the handle and could be used for crushing or breaking things.

The sheath looks good and has a removable storage pouch. It has a plastic liner for the knife, and it’s secured with an adjustable strap. I consider this one to be the best budget bushcraft knife I’ve tested yet. It is perfect for camping, hunting, backpacking, bushcraft, extreme adventures, safaris, bug-out-bags and emergency kits.

It should be noted that the blade is not made from stainless steel, and it is a bit too heavy, but it has a very good balance and is very comfortable. Great price for a decent all-rounder knife.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

Best Scandi Grind Bushcraft Knife

 

8. Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 PlainEdge Knife

Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 PlainEdge Knife with its no hand guard is the ultimate bushcraft knife, standing out from the crowd of the other traditional bushcraft knives on the market.

It’s designed with the strong classic drop point, a Scandinavian grind blade, and 90-degree sharp spine. The blade is made of Q-1 Carbon Steel, a feature only the best bushcraft knives in the world possess. The handles are made by weaving glass fibers and filling them with an epoxy making them weather and temperature resistant and also great looking. It’s packed with a leather sheath with a plastic insert for blade protection.

This could easily be the most comfortable knife I’ve ever tested. It is a bit heavy though, but the ergonomics make up for this. It really delivers scandi-grind toughness, especially paired with Q-1 tool steel and it’s sparking off a ferro rod like a dream. Finish on the knife is also excellent.

The sheath is a little bit untypical, and if you are looking for lightweight – look somewhere else. The price may be a bit in the higher range but considering all its features, the Spyderco Bushcraft G-10 is definitely one of the top rated bushcraft knives with quality materials, especially the blade and the handle, perfect for wilderness chores which Bushcraft is all about.

Check Current Price and Ratings on Amazon

To sum up this post, in my opinion, the perfect bushcraft knife is a fixed blade, full tang knife about 4-5 inches long with a drop point and a double bevel grind that is not serrated. It has a comfortable handle that doesn’t slip when conditions are wet. The blade is steel with hardness between HRC 55-60 and is around 1/8” thick. The blade should also corrosion resistant.