Are you looking for the best bushcraft knife that will help perform different wilderness tasks like skinning hunted animals, cutting tree limbs, or carving woods?
A variety of Bushcraft knife styles and designs are available in the market so its very difficult to choose the right tool. Before choosing a bushcraft knife you need to consider certain factors such as blade material, length, handle type, type of camping chores and price. After the great research, here we have considered all important factors and write this review of the top 10 best bushcraft knives in 2019 which are very useful for you.
KA-BAR
The highly durable, lightweight weighing only a unit pound designed by none other than Ethan Becker himself, suites not only all the campers and hunters but also those who generally like to be in the wild. With its ability to lock itself in its hard glass-filled nylon sheath in place, the BECKER BK2 is not only secure but also prevents unwanted cuts and bruises.
The KA-BAR BECKER BK2 comes with its ultra mid handle. The knife is imported from New Orleans, USA. It weighs only one pound and the blade is made of the Van – Bro 1095 carbon steel giving it complete corrosion resistance.
The fixed blade feature makes it suitable for clumsy young adults who would generally end up harming themselves without the BECKER BK2 COMPANION KNIFE’s grivorygrip. The blade is heavier than other BKs which only makes it more suitable for heavier tasks such as batoning.
The BK2 is essentially BK22 with more sheath options. To be fair, it can be easily regarded as your perfect companion for your off-road trip doing surprisingly adequate justice to its name.
- It is light and easier to use.
- It has a fixed blade.
- It has a 1095 carbon blade.
- Ultra mid grip allows pressure cutting.
- The sheath has no pockets.
- The sheath locks the knife more tightly.
Schrade SCHF9
The unisex, fixed blade, multi coloredSCHRADE SCHF9 is a perfect outdoor gadget that comes directly from Taiwan with its nylon belt carrier which is more or less very similar to a fanny pack.
The ideal length of 12.1 inches with a 6.4 inchKurki point blade and the TPE handle just add up to the craftsmanship of the knife. The one-pound tangy knife makes sure it fits in every hand as it was customized for the grip of the person holding the knife with the ringed structure on the handle.
With the lanyard hole, you may attach the knife anywhere as per your desire. Also, with the removable pouch, it is very convenient for every day to carry.
Moreover, the ballistic belt with the removable hand-carry makes it more quickly accessible and dependable. The blade is crafted too much perfection with the 1095 high carbon stainless steel with a ring textured thermoplastic elastomer handle as a cherry on top.
- The handle is perfectly insulating.
- The blade is fixed.
- 1095 carbon blade is generally not corrosive.
- The lanyard hole allows a much firm grip.
- It is extremely light and sturdy.
- It does not work for left-handed people.
ondor Tool & Knife
The Condor is one of the 4.3HCbushlore tools ever designed to ensure human survival in the harshest of the circumstances. The Condor traces its proud history to 1787, the very year GerbWeyesburg company was found in Solingen, Germany.
The satin perfect blade is finished using the ancient Egyptian’s method of beating it with sand or bead blasting but it needs to be oiled after every use to make it as good as new after every use. Its classic look makes it very hard to resist.
The look is achieved partially because of the way the blade is fixed with two brass rivets in the hardwood and partially because of its customization ability due to the availability of different retro colours.
From El Salvador, a 7-ounce knife is a beautiful tool for all sorts of campers and hunters. The 4.3125-inch hardwood handle allows a good grip but is relatively smaller for larger hands. The 1075 high carbon blade cuts through everything as swiftly as an axe.
- It has a classic look.
- The sand gives the blade edges a perfect finish.
- It is lightweight.
- The lightweight of 7 oz. ensures quality batoning.
- It is 100% leather.
- The blade needs to be oiled after use.
Morakniv
The Swedish MORAKNIV, my personnel favourite bushcraft knife is the indispensable outdoor tool and serves many purposes with ours 1/8 inch approximately 3mm, razor-sharp blade.
The blade is further perfected with its anti-corrosive DLC black majestic coating which further enhances its durability even in wet conditions. Also, the steel is hardened to HRC 56-58 to adapt it for batoning. The Scandi grind bites into the surface of the cut to avoid slipping and better penetration.
The 4.3-inch blade makes carving much easier. The black plastic sheath includes another very important caveman’s crafting tool, the fire starter, along with the integrated diamond sharpener which makes the blade as good as new after use.
In simple words, the MORAKNIV is the best deal out there which is a hundred and ten per cent worth every bit of your money. The ergonomic handle has a high friction rubber grip. The deal comes with a one-year rigorous bushcraft warranty which makes it all even more interesting as a buy.
- It has an ergonomic handle.
- It acts as a fire starter.
- It is much sturdy despite the blade width.
- It is cost-effective.
- It only has a one year warranty.
Morakniv Bushcraft
Yet another marvellous creation from the house of MORA knives Sweden is their 0.125/4.3 inch bushcraft knife. The blade is hardened to 56-58 HRC to bear the stress during batoning, it is corrosion free like other MORAKNIV bushcraft tools and is further assisted by oiling the high carbon blade after each use.
It has a Scandi grind which stays sharp for longer. Also, it has a relatively thin blade but it is robust enough to withstand the pressure cutting stress. It has a spine which is compatible with a fire starter and can ignite anything from dry leaves, tinder or even your barbecue grill.
The MORAKNIVs usually differ in their sheath, which is either of plastic or MOLLE in the six models i.e. the Pathfinder, Orange, Tactical, Serrated, Carbon black and Serrated tactical. They weigh as much as 8.8 oz. to as low as 5.1 oz.
The package comes with a manufacturer warranty of a year and even has loopholes in the grip to ensure proper buckling with your belt. This purely synthetic MORA knife was manufactured by the Industrial Revolution, model number 10791 and has proved its role in the wild for many adventure lovers.
- It is cost-effective.
- It has a firm grip.
- The blade locks securely with the sheath.
- It is purely synthetic.
- It has a spine.
- It does not include a Ferro rod.
Morakniv Craftlin
The MORAKNIV CRAFTLINE PRO S is a relatively safer all round tip bushcraft knife having many similarities with the BASIC 546. It is considered as an all-weather work partner due to its optimized TPE rubber handle. Like other bushcraft knives, the CRAFTLINE also has a 3.6 inch fixed blade.
It has an amazing ergonomic grip which insulates the blade and therefore does not transfer the effect of the extreme weather, whether it’s hot or cold. The blade stays sharp longer and withstands more weight because of it’s 12c27 Sanvickstainless steel nature that enhances the reliability and durability pic the product.
This feature also saves the trouble of oiling the blade to increase its life span. Included with the knife is a combo- sheath which allows the attachment of several knives. The high-quality MORA knives have been attributed since 1891.
Weighing only 2.88 oz. makes the knife even handier and easy to use. The only issue is that bushcraft prime, skinning of animals for survival becomes harder because the knife does not have pointy edges.
- It has a unique combo sheath.
- The blade is of pure stainless steel.
- It has an ergonomic grip.
- It has a round tip blade.
- It is not pointed.
Schrade SCHF36
The 15.8 oz. Chinese SCHRADE SCHF36 had its legacy of dependability, durability and exhibition of craftsmanship with its 10.4 inch overall and a 5 inch fixed blade. It is safer because of the fixed blade, security of lanyard hole and finger coil.
The tangy design and the ring textured handle make this knife one of a kind. It has easy and quick access with the polyester belt which makes it convenient for EDC. This may be regarded as the best Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. creation in size one for unisex adults.
The blade is both stout and strong. It is very inexpensive for only $30 with a heavy-duty Ferro rod to sharpen it with. In other words, it is highly cost-effective. The 1095 high carbon steel blade, is extremely sharp.
However, the knife has some reservations for handling tough batoning but for what it costs, it does way more. From chopping coconuts to survival in the wild, the knife proves to be handy.
- It is cost-effective.
- It has a lanyard hole.
- It has a fixed blade.
- It has a Ferro rod.
- It can not be used for tough wood.
- It has less edge retention capacity.
Buck Knives
The 0863BRS Selkrik fixed blade BUCK knife is one of the Bushcraft Gods with its 420 HC razor-sharp steel blade, fire starter and a perfectly textured nylon sheath. The knife was named after the rugged Silkrik mountain range at the beginning of the Northhandle, Idaho, relating to its uses in such rough and testing environments.
The blade has excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance with 7.6 knife weight and a total carry weight of 10.7 oz. only. It has a Micartasteel blosterhandle with its multi ferrous uses from easy, secure grip to being used as an improvised hammer when outdoors and even for starting a fire in emergencies, the steel blaster does it all.
Furthermore, the knife has a 4-5/8 inch drop point. The integrity of the product can be well determined with its lifetime warranty, a signature feature of BUCK knives since 1902.
The package usually comprises only of the knife itself without any sheath and the warranty does not include normal wear and tear, product modifications and misuse.
- It has excellent edge retention.
- It has a razor-sharp blade.
- It is non-corrosive.
- It acts as a fire starter.
- The handle may be used as a hammer.
- It has a forever warranty.
- It has a very short blade which is unfit for carving.
Ka-Bar Becker
The unit pound Dremecorp built KA-BAR SHORT POINT DROP knives are one solid piece design included in their neck knives category. These neck knives are modesty sized to be carried in belts and backpacks without being cumbersome.
The knife’s thumb serration area not only helps control force while pressure cutting but also helps in jimping. The flat ground feature allows the knife to retain the edges without much wear and tear due to friction.
It has a signature blade which can be easily sharpened in the field due to a more sensitive blade. With its 1095 carbon blade which KA BAR referred to as the Cro Van i.e. chromium-vanadium mixture helps to ensure better stainless properties.
It has a Cordura sheath and the blade has an epoxy resin black powdered coating to further increase the durability of the knife. It has been made unisex adult-like other bushcraft knives and holds a fixed blade. The Scandi grind feature is also included.
- It helps in jimping.
- It has a stainless steel blade.
- It has great edge retention.
- It has a flat ground feature.
- The handle is slippery with less grip.
- The blade is not all seasons.
Benchmade
The Bushcrafter 162 is a survival knife with a drop point blade imported from the USA. Within the package, a belt loop and a sheath are included. This beautifully crafted knife was originally designed by Shane Sibert with a 58-60 HRC steel blade. Weighing around 7.7 oz. the bushcrafter was built for the trail.
The blade is carefully designed to ensure first-rate edge retention and corrosion resistance with CPM-S30V steel. It has a blade length of 4.4 inches and an overall length of about 9.15 inches.
It is indeed a workhorse with its life sharp warranty where Benchmadesharpens your blade free of cost. Also, the original Benchmadeproducts are replaced or repaired expense-free in case of any rare damage to the Benchmadeoriginals due to its lifetime warranty.
Its G10 handle features a resin-soaked fibreglass coating which makes it impervious to moisture and very stable even in drastic climate changes. The knife has a leather sheath and a belt loop along with a D ring for easy excess. With a 0.164-inch blade thickness, the bushcrafter is surprisingly sturdy and proves itself to be the right weapon of choice out in the open.
- It has a stainless 58-60 HRC blade.
- It has excellent edge retention.
- It does not corrode.
- It works well in all seasons.
- It is not much ergonomic.
Buyer’s Guide for Best bushcraft knife
Before buying any product, it is very important to determine what the purpose of purchase is to better understand what one is looking for in the product. Knives have many purposes but a bushcraft knife has, even more, some may go for a knife which is best for batoning, others which are best for jimping, carving, a feather stuck production, fire starting, skinning of animals etc depending upon the type of wild that you wish to run into. However, some may be looking for an all-rounder altogether which would help them attain all the bushcraft uses with one compact, portable tool. Once you decide what you want, it’s much easier to pick a knife well suited for the job.
Dimensions
Another important thing to determine is what dimensions of the bush knife well be adequate for the job. For instance, if you desire to skin any animal, you need a longer blade with hard pointy edges. For batoning, a tougher blade is used. Carving involves a slim blade with a firm grip. For fire starting, one needs a Cro Van mix blade. It is not wrong to conclude that, for whatever purpose, the bushcraft knife’s dimensions are of much importance.It must also be regarded that your grip must be firm and the handle must be at home with your hand. If you have XL or 2XL glove size, some knives may prove to be cumbersome for you. Hence, to ensure a sturdy, comfortable grip on the handle is a necessity for the bushcraft.
Durability
Another factor one should check before purchasing a bushcraft knife is the durability of the knife which depends on both the blade and the handle. The DLC coating or the black powder epoxy resin coating makes the blade more corrosion resistant and impervious to moisture making it fit for use in wet conditions.The handle can also be made more durable with the use of a thermoplastic polymer which acts both as an insulating material and an all-weather grip along with a weather neutralizer so that the harsh climate fluctuations are minimized. The quality of the product thus, must not be compromised in the terms of durability.
Maintenance of the tool
Some bushcraft knives require special maintenance and must be provided with so to ensure their use in the future. This maintenance consumes both time and energy, if you can’t keep up with the requirements, it is better to pick a tool with fewer demands. There are knives which require oiling of the blade after every use to minimize wear and tear.Some blades need to be sharpened more often. Hence, the best thing one can do is to just make sure to buy a tool which you can maintain to make it cost-effective and to increase its life span.
Sheath
Bushcraft knives come in all sorts of carries. Having a tool with the proper sheath is important so that it bit only fits your size requirements but also becomes portable and convenient for use. Bush knife does not need to have a relatively larger sheath because it only hinders its use and portability.
Some sheaths fix the knife too tightly and obstruct it’s ready to use quick access and therefore prove to be ineffective in the wood environment which demands readiness every second in case of emergencies. The sheath can either be made of leather, MOLLE, plastic or other mixed materials. Nowadays combo sheaths are introduced which can carry multiple knives. The sheath tends to be attached with a belt or a backpack allowing it to be carried with much ease.
Fixed blade
As the discussion mainly encompasses bush knives, the blade needs to be fixed rather than opening or jointed. The latter two seem mite fancy but are just as ineffective in the bushcraft. Having a fixed blade not only reduces the risks of back folding and causing nicks but also increases its effectiveness in terms of force. In bushcraft, pressure cutting is usually part of the game which is only possible with a fixed blade. It also aids In jimping, batoning and skinning of animals. To have the best wilderness experience, a classic fixed blade bush knife must be used.
Special features
Another important thing is to know what special features you want in your knife. All-weather usable knives are available in the market which works equally well in both dry and wet conditions, surprisingly well in rainforests. The handle of some premium knives is designed to aid fire production in forests. With the right strike rate, the knife can be easily used for all sorts of the tasks demanded from a bushcraft knife. The MORA knives can produce a spark of 3000 degree Celsius which is more than sufficient to keep you warm with the campfire or light a fire in you’re bbq party.
Net Weight
For bushcraft, a moderately weighing knife is usually required, this not only makes it much more easy to carry and quickly accessible despite one’s gender and strengths. They range from 1 oz. to 20 oz. For the batoning purpose, a heavier knife is used to ensure that the edges are retained. Pressure cutting demands a medium weight knife whereas skinning is also possible by a lightweight yet very sharp knife for a smooth cut.
Blade dynamics
The blade stealth and sturdiness along with the blade width is an essential parameter which determines swiftness in the blade dynamics and can just not be ignored in an attempt to achieve perfection in the bushcraft you are involved in.
Cost-effectiveness
We live in an age where economics is our prime objective and cost-effectiveness, our biggest achievement. Hence, when choosing a bushcraft knife, it is very important to calculate the ROI. Some bushcraft knives start as low as 30$ along with the sheath and Ferro rod, which is undeniably the most inexpensive deal anyone could ask for in this era. You need to make sure your knife is worth every penny before you buy it.
Manufacturer’s warranty
Another thing which makes a knife any interesting buy is the manufacturer’s warranty. Some manufacturers provide a years warranty and some trust their quality so much as to offer a lifetime guarantee of their craftsmanship. However, the warranty does not include the normal wear and tear of the product and misuse of the product.
Legal prospects
It is very important to realize that bushcraft tools are very dangerous and often require legalization and licenses. None of the bushcraft knives is suitable for people under the age of 18. Being aware of the legal work about the ownership of the tool is the sole responsibility of the owner, neither the manufacturer nor the seller.
Warning
The bushcraft tools are known to contain TDIs and other chemicals by the State of California which may be carcinogenic and cause reproductive issues or even result in infertility.
Important FAQs
Bushcraft refers to thriving in the natural environment, the acquisition of the skill set to do so. It includes fire craft, trekking, fishing, hunting, navigation in nature, shelter making and all that is essential for survival in the wild. It may involve the use of knives, axes, spears etc. It can simply be described as the skills about life in the bush.
It is a simple survival kit including sturdy footwear, base layer, middle layer, weather suitable clothing, waterproof jackets and trousers, hats, karrimat, sleeping bag, plate, spoon, mug, a wash kit, towels, first aid, torch and some spare batteries to help you get through all times. Small high-fat food content may also be packed for emergencies.
Yes, there are companies designed solely to help you get your bush crafting skills on the go whether you’re a beginner or a pro. They include Adventure lure, Kick starter, Ray Mears, Lone scout bushcraft and many others. They have special training sessions in the wild with well-learnt trainers you help you with.
Many companies allow the adults to make customized bushcraft knives for themselves which have a grip of their choice specially designed to allow more swift hand movements, customized blades, colour selection, material selection and lanyard hole positioning according to your choice can be crafted.
Yes, many adventure lovers have reached out globally to induce their wanderlust into other people by their literary works, some books such as Bush Craft 101 by Dave Canterbury, Essential Bush Craft by Ray Mears 2003, The SAS Survival Handbook by Lofty Wiseman, Advanced Bushcraft by Dave Canterbury will help you get started.
Conclusion
In this rapidly advancing technological age, we all need time to connect with our roots in mother nature every once in a while, what better why you do that than bush crafting with the finest tools? If you read the buyer guide and reviews carefully and follow them, you will get the best bushcraft knives that will meet your expectation and needs. Without further adieu, find your perfect bushcraft partner knife now and get started!
