The Best Survival Knives
In my opinion, the realm of survival, a knife is not merely a tool; it's an extension of one's instincts, a symbol of preparedness, and can often be the line between life and death in dire circumstances. Over my span of navigating the untamed wilderness and enduring the unforgiving elements, the significance of a reliable blade has been beaten into every fiber of my being. Whether traversing dense jungles, scaling treacherous mountain peaks, or braving the icy loneliness of polar territories, the necessity of a knife is ever-present. From bushcraft, to procuring food, defending against predators, or search and rescue, a knife emerges as the standard necessity in every survival scenario. Its presence serves as a steadfast signal of hope amidst the darkness of uncertainty. In the wilderness or urban jungle, where every decision carries weight and every resource is valued, the possession of a survival knife is not merely advantageous—it's vital.
Survival knives boast greater length, width, and thickness compared to a smaller everyday carry knife. While it may not be the ideal tool for delicate tasks, its larger dimensions render it exceptionally proficient for purposes such as chopping wood, cutting rope, breaking glass, and addressing any unforeseen challenges that may arise in genuine survival scenarios.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Survival Knife
When choosing a survival knife, it's essential to tailor your selection to your intended usage. Whether it's urban self-defense or wilderness survival, the knife's purpose should align with your needs. Assess the blade material carefully, opting for quality steel for long-lasting performance in demanding situations. Additionally, pay attention to handle ergonomics and grip comfort, as a secure and comfortable hold is vital for extended use in challenging environments.Moreover, blade length plays a critical role. Longer blades provide enhanced cutting power and versatility, but they might be less practical for intricate tasks. Balance your preference for blade length with the tasks you expect to tackle.
Furthermore, consider the knife's tang – a full tang construction ensures durability and stability, making it suitable for heavy-duty tasks like batoning wood or building shelters.
Lastly, don't overlook the sheath quality. A reliable sheath ensures safe storage and easy access to your survival knife when it's needed most.
Best Overall
Toor Knives Egress
Conceived out of an undeniable need for a dependable and versatile search and rescue blade, this knife has been crafted by a team steeped in military experience, encompassing Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school, as well as first responder careers.
The Egress proudly showcases a CPM S35VN blade, thoughtfully selected for its exceptional durability and unwavering wear resistance. This steel assumes paramount importance in search and rescue scenarios, where the blade may be subjected to prolonged use in a variety of challenging conditions. With remarkable corrosion resistance, it thrives even in marine environments or situations that involve exposure to moisture. The blade, at 0.25-inch thick, exudes sturdiness and robustness, tackling heavy-duty cutting, prying tasks, and more. The addition of a new, larger 0.25-inch diameter tungsten carbide Breacher Ball™ on the pommel adds an extra layer of utility, making it ideal for breaking through tough materials during emergencies.
Best For Work
The Valor
The Valor is a purpose-built, meticulously crafted, and indispensable part of the essential gear used by frontline military personnel. Whether employed as a formidable weapon or a versatile cutting and prying tool, this blade has been engineered with today's warriors in mind.
Measuring an overall length of 10.875 inches and substantial blade thickness of 0.1875 inches, the Valor emerges as an exceptionally durable, effective, and versatile tool in the field. It weighs in at 9.3 ounces, ensuring it strikes the perfect balance between robustness and maneuverability. The Valor's design incorporates the innovative War Wedge™ breaker on the back of the knife, delivering blunt force capabilities for breaching and splitting tasks. The G10 handle is intricately carved in a 3D radial pattern, strategically creating a belly in the central portion to enhance grip stability and overall control.
The CPM 3V blade showcases precision engineering, featuring a Hybrid Fuller™ that not only reduces overall weight but also imparts symmetrical balance to the knife. The extra-high flat ground bevel seamlessly meets the swedge grind, leading to a reinforced tip, making it exceptionally versatile in various cutting scenarios. For added resilience, the blade is meticulously assembled with custom-turned hardware crafted from 303 stainless steel.
Complementing its outstanding design, the Valor comes complete with a fold-over FlexTech KYDEX® sheath, thoughtfully designed to accommodate all Toor Knives mounts. This combination of exceptional features makes the Valor the ultimate work survival knife, tailored specifically for the demands of modern warriors on the front lines.
Best for Budget
The Mullet
Crafted from tough CPM 154 steel, this exceptional fixed blade offers an innovative design. Its short swerve grind not only reinforces the tip but also minimizes resistance, making it exceptionally effective when dealing with challenging surfaces. With a total length of 8.5 inches, a weight of 7.5 ounces, and a blade thickness of 0.1875 inches, this fixed blade, known as the Mullet, expertly fills the gap in our collection. It sits right in the midsize category, slightly larger and heavier than our Krypteia model. The Mullet boasts ergonomic G10 or ebony handles adorned with the signature texture of Toor Knives, providing a secure and comfortable grip during outdoor and rugged use.
But that's not all - this blade comes prepared for modern challenges. If you ever find yourself locked out, the Mullet has your back. Introducing the Breacher Ball™, a 0.1875-inch tungsten carbide ball expertly integrated into the hardened tang of the Mullet. It excels at breaking through standard, tempered, and safety glass, making it the most comfortable and efficient breacher tool available.
Every Mullet is proudly handcrafted in sunny San Diego, CA, by our highly skilled and talented manufacturing team. To ensure its safety and convenience, each Mullet is accompanied by a FlexTech KYDEX® sheath. Whether you're an enthusiast or a professional, the Mullet is designed to meet your survival knife needs with style and reliability for all scenarios life can throw at it.
Best Survival Axe
Toor Knives Tomahawk
The Toor Knives Tomahawk emerges as the pinnacle of belt-mounted breaching tools, designed to meet the most demanding survival and tactical needs. This full-size Tomahawk has been ingeniously engineered to concentrate most of its weight in the head, significantly increasing impact force when swung.
At the blade end, the Tomahawk features a tapered flat grind, serving two essential purposes: reducing weight and allowing for the achievement of a razor-sharp edge. On the opposite end, the point of the blade acts as an invaluable breach and prying tool, ready to tackle a wide array of challenging tasks. What sets it apart is the curvature on the top of the blade, which enhances its prying capabilities, functioning as a lever for increased leverage.
The double recurve handle of this Tomahawk stands as a testament to both comfort and versatility. It allows for secure and comfortable gripping not only at the bottom of the Tomahawk but also near the head, providing adaptability in various situations. Adorned with Toor Knives' signature textured G10, it offers a superior grip, even in the most demanding conditions. The Black Oxide blade finish not only adds to its rugged aesthetics but also enhances corrosion resistance.
