A survival knife (also known as a tactical knife or hunting knife) is one of the most important pieces of equipment a hunter, survivalist, outdoorsman, hiker, camper or anybody just trying to live off the land can have. A good, high-quality survival knife will last you years, so think of it as a long-term investment. Whether you’re looking for a foldable knife or a fixed-blade knife, you should be aware of the pros and cons of both. Folding knives are more compact and can be carried in your pocket. Fixed-blade knives, on the other hand, tend to be larger and require a sheath for carrying. However, because they’re made of one solid piece of metal, they’re generally better suited for heavy-duty chopping and slicing tasks.
We know that picking out a knife among the hundreds that are on the market is no easy task. So with the goal of making your buying decision easier, we analyzed and compared 50 of the most popular survival tactical knives, out of which we selected the twelve best.
1 Best Overall: Benchmade 940-1 Osborne-Plain Edge Survival Tactical Knife
The Rolls Royce of survival tactical knives. The Benchmade 940-1 Osborne is absolute quality from top to bottom. This fine, ultra durable blade is 3.40 inches long and has a blade thickness of 0.115 inches.
The knife is close to 8 inches in length from tip to end, but the blade can be retracted for convenient carrying.
- Very lightweight and durable
- Reverse tanto blade with AXIS locking mechanism
- Extremely high construction quality
2 ZT 0350SW 3.25 Inch Utility Tactical Hunting Survival Knife
The Zero Tolerance 0350SW is a superb all-around survival knife that excels at many tasks. The blade is made of S30V stainless steel and has a nice stonewashed finish.
Additionally, the knife has a quad-mounting system that allows convenient carrying from multiple positions.
- Patented SpeedSafe opening mechanism allows for quick opening
- Very high build quality
3 Spyderco ParaMilitary2 G-10 Tactical Survival Knife
The Spyderco Paramilitary tactical and survival knife has a beautiful camouflaged and textured handle that is made out of G-10. The DLC-coated blade is comprised of a super durable CPM-S30V high-carbon steel.
The knife is ergonomically designed to minimize slippage and maximize convenience.
- Uses a special compression lock system
- Built-in metal pocket clip allows for convenient carrying
4 CDS-Survival MOVA-58 Stainless Steel Tactical Survival Knife
With the CDS-Survival MOVA-58 you get an all-in-one knife kit including a leather sheath and sharpening stone.
The knife is handmade in Spain and the laser-cut blade is made of Molybdenum-Vanadium 58. It’s a great all-purpose knife that excels at many different tasks.
- knife is 5.7″ long and the blade is 0.2″ thick
- Great for batoning, cleaning fish, shaving and chopping
5 Best Value: Ka-Bar Becker BK7 Utility Tactical Survival Knife
A very highly rated and popular knife, the Ka-Bar Becker BK7 is used by many military soldiers. It’s lightweight, durable and is great for many different uses. The knife has a durable nylon handle and a 1095 Cro-Van steel blade. Ka-Bar knives are well known for their quality, and the Becker BK7 certainly lives up to that reputation.
- Made in the USA
- Terrific value for money spent
6 Gerber Ghoststrike 30-001006 Fixed Blade Survival Hunting Knife
Sleek and ultra-lightweight, the Gerber Ghoststrike is one of the best mid-tier knives on the market. The knife can be mounted either vertically or horizontally on your ankle for convenient access.
The Ghoststrike features a 420HC steel, corrosion-resistant blade.
- 7″ long knife with a 3″ blade
- Ankle wrap/sheath can be worn over both shoes and boots
7 Gerber StrongArm 30-001038 Fixed Blade Survival Hunting Knife
This is another great quality hunting knife made by Gerber, one of the leading knife manufacturers.
The Gerber StrongArm 30-001038‘s sheath system allows you to mount the knife in a number of different ways, including on a belt, drop-leg, or vertically on MOLLE.
- Rubber handle with diamond texture
- Ceramic coating prevents corrosion
8 Ka-Bar 1214 Utility Serrated Edge Tactical Survival Knife
Another great Ka-bar knife that is great for all purposes. The Ka-Bar 1214‘s 7″ long blade has a 20 degree angle edge.
Weighing just 0.65 lbs., this lightweight knife comes with a durable plastic sheath and the synthetic handle is comfortable and easy to grip.
- High quality, versatile Ka-bar brand knife
- Great value for your money
9 SOG Specialty Knives TFSAT8-CP Flash II Tanto Tactical Survival Knife
The SOG Specialty Knives TFSAT8-CP is a lightweight, foldable knife made by one of the most reputable knife makers in the world.
It has a 3.5″ long straight edge blade, which is made out of a very hard AUS-8 steel. Additionally, it has a very strong and sharp tip, making it ideal for piercing.
- Ergonomically designed and well balanced
- Glass-reinforced nylon handle
- Patented S.A.T. mechanism rapidly propels blade open
10 Best Budget Model: BlizeTec “5-in-1” Pocket Folding Tactical Survival Knife
The BlizeTec 5-in-1 multi-purpose knife is one of the most versatile survival tactical knives on the market.
In addition to the blade, the knife has 4 other components: seat-belt cutter, window breaker, LED flashlight and fire starter. The knife is also compact, lightweight and easy to carry.
- Has five different functions
- Great for many emergency and survival situations
- Comes with lifetime warranty
11 Spyderco Tenacious Folding Tactical Survival Knife
The Spyderco Tenacious folding knife is one of the best inexpensive knives on the market. This ergonomically designed knife fits perfectly and comfortably in your hand.
The blade is made of 8Cr13Mov steel with an oversized hole for easy opening of the blade.
- Very sharp, durable blade built to last
- Four way pocket clip allows for draws and carries from multiple positions
12 Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival Tactical Hunting Knife
If you’re looking for a cheap hunting or survival knife, then they don’t get much cheaper then the Schrade SCHF9 Extreme.
The knife’s blade is made out of 1095 high-carbon steel and has a kraton handle. Comes with a nylon sheath and nylon leg strap.
- Weighs just 16 oz.
- 6″ long blade; 12″ overall knife length
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