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Date Published: 2021-10-27

Top Five Wilderness Survival Knives


Top Five Wilderness Survival Knives

By Adelia Ladson

A wilderness survival knife is the most important piece of gear in any outdoorsman’s backpack, hunting gear or fishing tackle. It is also essential for every survival kit and bugout bag. The best ones have a comfortable, slip-free grip, and the ability to handle whatever cutting or chopping task you throw at it. Many of the knives include survival necessities, including survival kits, built-in compasses, and sawbacks. Here are the top five wilderness survival knives!

Bushmaster Bushcraft Explorer

When it comes to survival tools, the Bushmaster brand is at the top of my go-to list for tough equipment that will stand up to any environment or weather condition. The Bushcraft Explorer has richly veined zebra wood handle scales with a hardness and durability that are beyond compare. The scales are securely fastened to the tang with brass pins, assuring that when you use this awesome bushcraft knife, you will never have to worry about its reliability. Combine the incredibly strong zebra wood with a 1095 high carbon steel blade that’s razor sharp, and you have a knife you will use for every situation. The 9 5/8” overall fixed blade is protected by a genuine leather belt sheath with a snap closure and lacing holes. Also, a lanyard hole in the knife’s handle offers an alternative carrying option. This compact knife won’t take up much room at your side or in your gear.

Gil Hibben Tundra Hunter

This list wouldn’t be complete without a Gil Hibben knife. The master knifesmith, an avid hunter and fisherman, used his firsthand experience as an Alaskan hunting guide to design the Tundra Hunter. It has a razor-sharp 420HC stainless steel blade, complemented by a stainless steel guard and pommel. The handsome CNC machined, layered G10 handle scales have a knothole pattern and are secured to the tang by heavy-duty screws. The handle features ridges just below the handguard to improve control when using the knife. The 11” overall length, fixed blade knife slides securely into a premium black leather belt sheath with a snap closure. When it comes to wilderness survival knives, Gil Hibben always knows exactly what you need!

Gerber Ultimate Survival Knife

Known for its everyday carry tools like the multi-tool, Gerber has a long history of exceptional knives. So, it’s no surprise that the Gerber Ultimate Survival Knife is a highly-capable wilderness survival knife. Loaded with extras like a striking edge spine and included ferro rod for firestarting, the 10” overall fixed blade has everything you want in a survival knife. The razor-sharp, stainless steel drop point blade has a stonewashed finish and partial serrations. The spine is ground to a 90-degree edge to create the striking edge. The tough, TPU handle has a slip-free, textured rubber grip and a stainless steel hammer pommel. The attached wrist lanyard has an emergency whistle, another survival extra. The Gerber survival knife comes in a rubberized polymer belt sheath with a nylon back where the ferro rod and an integrated diamond sharpener are located.

Colombian Raptor Machete

Whether you’re braving the wilds of a forest or the wilds of a jungle, the Colombian Raptor Machete is an excellent wilderness survival knife. It has a ferocious 3Cr13 stainless steel blade with both a sawback and gut hook, guaranteeing that this machete is up to any job you put in front of it! The ergonomic brown ABS handle is built to last and gives you a firm grip when you’re working the blade, plus, it has a lanyard hole so you can attach a wrist lanyard. A tough nylon belt sheath protects the blade and lets you carry the 18” overall machete anywhere.

Timber Wolf Two-Piece Trekker Set

Actually, the Timber Wolf Two-Piece Trekker Set makes this a list of six top wilderness survival knives. I had to include it because it gives you the versatility of blade size that you need for a variety of cutting or chopping needs. The keenly sharp blades are forged of stainless steel with a mirror-polished finish, and each features a beveled edge. The finger-grooved handles are pakkawood with stainless steel pommels. Both fixed blade knives can be securely carried and stored in a sturdy nylon belt sheath. It’s crucial that you have a set of wilderness survival knives that you can depend on to take care of the tasks that come your way, and this is it!


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