Knives are some of the oldest tools man has known, and if you are stuck in the woods with just one item, a good outdoor knife may be the one that would come in handy. Everybody wants a reliable knife by their side when journeying out, whether they're an inexperienced outdoors person or a skilled survivalist. A good knife will, indeed, get you out of any fix.
What to look for in an outdoor knife
The blade shape
The purpose of a blade is determined by its shape, and many are built for a single purpose. A clip point bowie or a robust drop point are both excellent choices for a hunting or survival knife meant for general purposes. A machete or kukri may be useful for chopping and bush craft.
The knife’s handle
The handle of a knife can change depending on the situation, but it should always be secure and grippy. Traditional handles such as wood and rubber are still in use, despite the popularity of G10 and Micarta. When inspecting a knife handle, consider whether it would be easy to use for routine tasks such as cutting.
The blade material
Among the most significant factors when choosing an outdoor hunting or survival knife is the blade material that can be the distinction between knives you'll carry for the next several years and a gleaming piece of metal that breaks the very first time you use it.
The Tang
Go for full-tang knives unless the knife is really well-made or something you don't mind throwing away after use. This basically means that the knife's steel section below the blade stretches out of the handle as well. Full-tang knives are normally more costly, but they last longer.
Here are the best outdoor knives in 2021
If you are looking for an outdoor knife suited for food prep, carving, and cutting tinder, then this is the knife for you. This blade has a versatile fixed blade that is 4.1 inches and made out of Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. The blade is 0.1 inches thick, 8.6 inches and has a weight of 116 g. The best thing about stainless steel is that it is less prone to rust and lasts longer in comparison to carbon steel.
The Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife has a pattern and a high friction grip that makes it comfortable to grasp in the hand especially for cold and wet conditions. The knife also features a Swedish steel razor that is exceptionally tough and sharp. The knife has a color matching plastic sheath that has a belt clip. The blade has a drop point shape.
What we liked about it
For an outdoor knife that is both versatile and flexible, the Outdoor Edge 3.5" RazorLite EDC Folding Knife is simply ideal. This knife changes blades quickly and easily by pushing the lock release button on the handle to take out and insert a blade. This knife features a total of six 3.5 inch Japanese stainless steel replacement blades that come in a pack sold separately. The blades are shaped in drop-point and are heat treated to make sure that they retain a sharp edge.
One thing that stood out for us about this knife is the glass/nylon grivory handle that has a pocket clip and TPR inserts. This material is lightweight and incredibly strong. The handle has a polymer frame made out of nylon/fiberglass that is molded onto the grip. The handle of the knife and the stainless steel pocket clip are fastened together securely to make it ready to use at all times. The blade holder is made out of rigid 420J2 stainless steel, coated in black oxide. One handed opening is made possible by the dual thumb studs.
What we liked about it
This is a 7.1 inch overall length knife that is suitable for outdoor, survival, tactical and EDC purposes. The Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1 Outdoor Knife is made out of black oxide high carbon stainless steel which makes it quite durable. It has some thumb knobs and a finger flipper which makes it easy and quick to access, as well as an ideal knife to carry around on your adventures.
The knife has a clip point shaped blade that is made out of carbon steel. It also has a black handle made out of aluminum and has a weight of 68 grams. The length of the blade is 3.1 inches and it has a weight of 3.5 ounces. It is a secure outdoor knife that has a liner lock which ensures that the blade does not slip from the handle.
What we liked about it
The Outdoor Edge 3.0" Onyx EDC Folding Pocket Knife has a total of three replacement drop point blades. The blades are hand finished shaving sharp and heat treated to make them retain a sharp edge. They can easily and quickly be changed and replaced by pushing a lock release button on the handle to take a blade out and insert another one.
The knife has a grivory fiberglass/nylon handle that is very strong and lightweight. The handle also has a tremendous texture that enables one to have a secure, firm and non-slip grip. The pocket clip on this knife is made out of stainless steel and is fastened securely to the handle to make the knife safe and ready to use at any time.
What we liked about it
