One question that often gets asked by folks who are just getting into the outdoors, regardless of the activity they are pursuing, is “what should I carry with me when I’m outside?”. Well, the answer varies based on the temperature and terrain you plan to spend your time in, as well as how long you plan on being there. However, there are a few basics that you should have with you on almost every outing.
A quality knife is something you should always have strapped to your hip, or in your bag no matter what. Whether you are going on an hour-long day hike or a 3 week backpacking trip, you should have a knife with you. In fact, I recommend carrying one in your day-to-day life. Always check out your local laws on what you can and cannot have (especially my European readers). Anyways, why should you carry a knife?
It is the most versatile cutting implement. Period. A proper knife can process firewood, build other tools, aid you in fashioning a shelter, skin game, dig holes, build a bow drill kit, etc. But what about an axe or a saw? Yes, these are valuable tools, but a saw is very one-dimensional and an axe can be downright dangerous in the wrong hands. I have heard the argument for an axe over a knife (mainly from Mors Kochanski followers), but the truth is that unless you’ve spent years working with just an axe, a knife is better to have if you can only pick one. While a knife won’t process firewood as fast as an axe or saw, you’ll be able to perform many more detail-oriented camp tasks with one.
What Makes a Good Survival/ Bushcrafting Knife?
Ideally, the knife you have with you will be a fixed blade. Meaning it isn’t a pocket or “folding” knife. I am not against folding knives for use in the outdoors (blasphemy, I know), but for the sake of simplicity, I will only be covering fixed blades in this article. I will, however cover folders/multitools in depth another time.
Knife Tang Explained
The tang of a fixed-blade knife is a decision that will come down to personal preference and experience. Tang is how far the blade material runs into the handle of the knife. For a quality survival/outdoor knife, you want either a full or 3/4 tang (such as most Mora products). Sorry, no Rambo knives. Full tang will provide you with more strength than a 3/4 but may weigh slightly more. I have beat the crap out of multiple Mora knives, and never had one break. I do know it has happened, but you should be okay as long as you aren’t going overboard. Plus, they’re inexpensive!
The Mora Companion is a favorite at Neanderthal Outdoor Co. despite not being full-tang
Specifications
Blade length should be somewhere between 4-6 inches. Keep in mind that the longer your knife is, the more unwieldy it becomes. The thickness of your blade is another thing to consider. Obviously, a thin blade is weaker, but it will allow you to perform more detailed tasks, like making feather sticks and prepping food more efficiently than a thick blade. The ideal blade thickness is 2.5-5mm. A comfortable handle/scales on any knife is important. No one wants blisters after using their knife for hours. How slick your knife will be if it gets wet should also be factored in.
Steel
I’m not a metallurgist, so I will break it down like this:
Most blades made of a high-quality stainless or carbon steel will suffice. I know that a lot of bushcraft purists out there think that carbon is the only way because you can throw sparks off the back of it with a rock (this puts unnecessary wear on your knife and should only be done in an absolute emergency), but it takes a lot more to maintain a carbon steel blade in the field than it does a stainless one. Just keep that in mind when making your choice. You will have to do research as to what type of steel a particular brand is using.
Brand Recommendations
Before I even begin, I know this topic is hotly debated all over the internet. If you disagree with my opinion, that’s fine. Also, don’t take everything I say as the gospel. I am not going to mention a bunch of brands here, only two because I don’t want to overcomplicate this process.
Do your own research, but most importantly, TEST YOUR GEAR BEFORE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT. One thing we, at Neanderthal Outdoor Company, will NEVER do is give a positive review on any piece of gear that we (or a trusted associate) have not personally used time and time again. This is one of the shadiest practices in the Outdoor Writing industry. If we haven’t used it, it won’t be mentioned on our site. Period.
If you have never purchased a fixed-blade knife for use in the outdoors before, I will make it simple. Just buy a Mora. They are inexpensive, comfortable, lightweight, easy to sharpen, and hold a decent edge. The one disadvantage to most of their models is that they don’t have a full tang (the one exception I am aware of is the Garberg). If you take care of your knife, it will last a lifetime. Don’t abuse it, and be sure to maintain it properly if it’s been exposed to the elements.
Mora not your thing? I am also a big fan of Cold Steel. The SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) is an absolute workhorse of a knife that has never let me down, and I’ve had mine for about 8 years. I’ve owned a few of their products and have been impressed by all of them. Cold Steel is another brand that offers inexpensive knives to the consumer, but they are high quality. They have a variety of different models and styles. Just go on their site and take a look. You may get overwhelmed by all the choices available.
DISCLAIMER: Cold Steel was purchased by GSM Outdoors sometime last year. I have not purchased or used any of the knives produced since this decision was made, so I cannot say whether or not any changes in quality have been made.
The Cold Steel SRK is one of the most durable knives I have ever used, and it’s full tang!
Conclusion
If you already own a knife that you feel comfortable with while outside, then disregard this article and carry that. Even if it is a folder. A knife is only useful if you have it with you, so carry what you are comfortable carrying. If you are looking to purchase a new knife, go with a lightweight, solid fixed blade from a reputable brand. The ideal blade length is somewhere around 4-6 inches, full or 3/4 tang. A comfortable grip is a must, and it shouldn’t be unwieldy otherwise, you’re likely to leave it at home and that doesn’t do anyone any good.
I hope this article has been useful to you whether you are a seasoned outdoorsman, or brand new to spending time in nature. Stay tuned for more information on how to stay safe and comfortable in the outdoors!
Extra Tip(s)
Try your best to keep your knife on your person at all times. If you’re not used to it, it may feel clunky and uncomfortable, but what if you get separated from your bag? Having your knife on your belt guarantees that if things get serious, you have a serious tool.