10 Best Survival Knife for Outdoor Adventures In

A survival knife is an essential tool for any outdoor enthusiast in 2024. It can be used for a variety of tasks, such as building shelter, preparing food, and signaling for help. When choosing survival knives, it is important to consider your needs and the type of environment you will be using them in.

Louis Martin Custom Knives is a family-owned American brand that has hand-forged one-of-a-kind survival and outdoor knives at its own facility since 1993. Every blade is individually forged from real pattern-welded Damascus or high-carbon steel, built with full tang construction, paired with a leather sheath, and finished and shipped from the USA. If you want a survival knife you can count on, browse our hand-forged survival knives or call (631) 812-5595 with questions.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a survival knife

• Blade material: The blade should be made of high-quality steel that is resistant to corrosion and easy to sharpen.
• Handle design: The handle should be comfortable to grip, even in wet conditions. It should also be durable enough to withstand the rigors of outdoor use.
• Size: The size you need depends on your tasks. For light work such as preparing food, a smaller knife is sufficient. For demanding tasks such as building shelter, a larger knife is a better choice.
• Tang: A full tang blade, where the steel runs the full length of the handle, is far stronger than a partial tang and is the standard for serious survival use.

The Top 10 Best Survival Knives for Outdoor Adventures

A survival knife earns its keep through shelter building, food prep, fire making, and emergencies. Here are 10 survival knives worth considering, starting with our own hand-forged option:

Louis Martin Eagle Wings Survival Hunting Knife

The Louis Martin Survival Hunting Knife is built for hard outdoor use. This 15-inch knife is hand-forged from high-quality steel, features a comfortable grip, and comes with a leather sheath for storage and carry. Because it is forged one at a time, the knife in the photos is the exact one you receive.

Features of the Louis Martin Survival Hunting Knife:

• 15-inch overall length with a hand-forged high-quality steel blade
• Full tang construction
• Comfortable grip
• Leather sheath for storage and carrying

Benefits of the Louis Martin Survival Hunting Knife:

• Durable and reliable
• Easy to use and maintain
• Versatile across camp tasks
• One of a kind, direct from the maker

If you want a hand-forged survival hunting knife rather than a production model, this is the one to look at first.

Morakniv Garberg Carbon Steel Knife

An all-around production choice for survivalists. It has a full-tang carbon steel blade that is durable and easy to sharpen, with a rubber handle that grips well even in wet conditions.

Benchmade Raghorn, Carbon Fiber

A factory-made option aimed at hunters and outdoorsmen. It has a drop-point blade suited to field dressing and G10 handle scales that are durable and lightweight. Compare it with a hand-forged hunting knife if you want an individually made alternative.

Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool

A multi-tool for those who want a survival knife that also offers other features. It includes a knife, saw, pliers, hammer, and fire starter.

Gerber Ultimate Survival Knife

A production survival knife with a full-tang stainless steel blade that resists corrosion. The handle is rubber, textured for a secure grip.

Helle Nord Survival Knife

A traditional Scandinavian-style survival knife. It has a fixed blade made of carbon steel and a curly birch handle that is comfortable to grip.

KA-BAR John Ek Commando Knife

A classic military-style survival knife. It has a drop-point blade made of 1095 Cro-Van steel and a handle of stacked leather washers.

TOPS Knives Fieldcraft 3.5 Knife

A compact and versatile survival knife. It has a full-tang 1095 Cro-Van blade that is durable and easy to sharpen, with a Micarta handle.

Survive Knives GSO 5.1 Knife

A survival knife also suited to self-defense. It has a full-tang 1095 steel blade with a Micarta handle and a finger guard for added protection.

Opus Knives, The Ness Wolf Knife

A distinctive-looking survival knife with a full-tang 80CrV2 steel blade, a curly birch handle, and a brass guard and pommel.

What Are the Key Takeaways?

The best survival knife for you depends on your individual needs and preferences, but the fundamentals hold: full tang, quality steel, and a grip you can trust when wet. Production knives deliver those basics consistently; a hand-forged Louis Martin blade adds real Damascus steel, a leather sheath, and the fact that no one else owns the same knife.

If you have any questions about a specific blade, call (631) 812-5595 or leave a comment below.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a survival knife?

• The most important factor is the blade material. The blade should be made of high-quality steel that is resistant to corrosion and easy to sharpen, with full tang construction for strength.

What is the best handle design for a survival knife?

• The best handle design is one that is comfortable to grip, even in wet conditions. The handle should also be durable and able to withstand the rigors of outdoor use.

What size survival knife should I get?

• The size depends on your individual needs. If you will only use the knife for light tasks, such as preparing food, a smaller knife is sufficient. For more demanding tasks, such as building shelter, a larger knife is a better choice.