Everyone seems to agree that a good survival knife is a must-have item for any outdoor enthusiast, bush crafter, or prepper. There are plenty of useful sites available to learn about survival knives. However, the important phrases adaptability and practicality should impact how you think about knives.
Additionally, do you consider a knife to be a weapon, a tool, or both?
Furthermore, before deciding on the type of knife to buy or carry, consider at least two critical factors: the knife’s function and qualities.
Whether you’re batoning wood or making a meal, your survival knife must be able to meet the demands you put on it. Because your survival knife is one of the most crucial objects to take into the wilderness, ensure it includes a few key attributes.
Your knife might be all you have to survive a wilderness emergency. These critical survival knife qualities will make all the difference in such a situation.
Purpose of the Knife
The sort of fixed-blade knife to carry depends on its intended usage.
What is the purpose or rationale of carrying a knife? The phrase survival knife refers to a specific purpose or use of the knife. That suggests that the knife’s purpose is personal survival. In other words, it will be the only knife you can rely on to save your life.
Survival can be classified into several broad areas, including combat/tactical, wilderness, urban, water/sea, jungle, mountain, desert, medical, and emergency. As a result, a survival knife is designed uniquely for each of these survival categories. As a result, a person must determine what type of use they want to gain from a fixed-blade knife.
However, several fundamental features make a survival knife worthwhile to purchase.
1. Fixed blade
The blade of your knife is by far the most significant component. It will do the majority of the work and must be quite sturdy. A poorly constructed knife will break under strain. There may be no worse feeling than watching your tool crack.
A fixed-blade knife is the best option. Folding knives are less sturdy and dependable than fixed-blade knives. The hinge on a folding knife’s blade might break due to stress. Folding knives or pocket knives are just not designed for the duties you will be performing with your survival knife. Of course, a folding knife is better than nothing, but it is far from perfect.
2. Full tang
The first feature of a survival knife is that it must have a full tang. For those unaware of the term, it refers to the knife blade and handle tang produced from a single piece of steel. The tang is the section of the knife where the handle scales are attached. The knife tang should extend to the bottom of the handle rather than tapering into it, as in a rat tail style.
Some survival knives feature a hollow handle that is molded, bolted, or welded to the blade. Unfortunately, this welding point exposes the knife to cracking and breaking at the place where the blade and handle tend to connect.
However, in recent years, there have been substantial advancements in hollow-handle knives, and some people are now recommending them as useful knives.
3. Single-edged blade
A good survival knife will also have a sharp edge on one side of its blade. Do not purchase a knife with a double-edged blade because it will be impossible to complete certain jobs.
If the survival knife has only one sharp edge, it can be used to split wood using a baton. Batoning is the process of hitting the blade’s unsharpened edge with a piece of wood and forcing it through another piece of wood to split it.
More edges equals more to sharpen. A single-edged blade is all you need, and a survival knife with a 90-degree spine allows you to strike Ferro and break down tinder without dulling the blade.
4. Sharp point
While it may seem ridiculous to say that your survival knife should have a sharp point (after all, it is a knife), there are plenty of knives on the market with varied points (rounded, hooked). Now, a knife with a sharp pointed tip has various benefits.
One advantage is that it transforms the knife into a useful hunting or battle weapon. Second, it can be used to remove splinters or pry things open. Three, a sharp, pointed tip can be a useful instrument for digging.
5. Knife edge grinds
There are numerous grinds, six of which are mentioned below.
- Hollow grind: This has a very sharp edge and can easily cut through anything, but it does not retain its edge well with use.
- Flat grind: The blade tapers from spine to edge on all sides.
- Saber grind: Saber grinds maintain the edge effectively, although they do not cut as easily as hollow grinds. It is similar to 2 but begins farther down the blade.
- Chisel grind: Similar to a chisel (thus the name), only one side is ground.
- Double or compound bevel: The blade is thinner directly behind the edge, increasing cutting capacity. The actual edge, on the other hand, has a wider angle and hence lasts longer while cutting less effectively.
6. Sheath
A knife should be sheathed to protect both it and you. A sheath should be made of durable material, such as leather or Kydex, and feature a tunnel belt loop. Also, the handle should have a strap to keep it from sliding out of the sheath. Some sheaths have a small pocket for a sharpening stone, which adds weight but may be handy.
It is entirely up to you where you wear your knife, whether on your belt, leg or wherever, although the police may not approve of a disguised blade! In public settings, take it off and store it deep in a bag, or better yet, avoid carrying it until absolutely necessary.
In the end!
When used appropriately, a survival knife can provide benefits that few other instruments can. Remember these traits the next time you’re shopping for a new knife. Remember, your knife is only as effective as the person wielding it. A knife does not make you a master. Only through practice can you learn the abilities necessary to survive in the wilderness. However, a decent knife makes things a lot easier.