Top Survival Knives to Bet Your Life On

Are you trying to decide which survival knife best to trust your life in a SHTF situation? A single knife may not always be best suited to do multiple tasks. When our very life depends on a tool as important as a survival knife, we need the best best possible tool for the job. Before we continue, it's worth mentioning that a knife while portable and a is a must have in any survival situation, it really is no match for a small folding saw or an axe for processing firewood. For extra peace of mind, these survival tools should be standard fare in any survival pack as well. Here are some of today's best survival knife choices across multiple categories.

Multi-Tool Knife

In the Multi-Tool category the Leatherman Charge TTi is at the top of the list. With it's S30V stainless steel knife blade it offers outstanding edge retention, flexibility and hardness. I really Like the diamond file as it will be handy in case I need to touch up an edge on my axe or larger fixed blade knife. The rounded titanium handles make it light to carry and offers an excellent gripping surface. While there are many other multi-tools out there and believe me I have tried almost all of them, the Leatherman Charge TTi is still to this day one of my favorite daily carry knives.


In the next two categories, I have limited my choices to a straight edge blade. Knives with saw teeth are hard to sharpen and I think you are much better off with a folding saw instead. Also, I don't like the black finish in a survival knife. While they look great when new, the first time you take your new expensive knife out in the bush and lightly use it the finish is trashed. That's just my preference as I tend to go overboard when caring for my tools. If scratches don't bother bother you tacti-cool black knives are nice, and the finish does help to offer a little more protection against the elements.

Medium Fixed Blade Knife

SOG Seal Pup Elite is a great knife to carry in a vehicle as a trunk knife. It features a durable Zytel handle and a 4.85-inch straight edge satin finished AUS8 stainless steel blade. Best of all it's rather reasonably priced and comes with a MOLLE compatible Nylon carry sheath with accessory pouch. The Seal Pup Elite is a very popular knife that consistently ranked very high in many reviews.





Fallkniven F1 Pilot Survival Knife is what many consider the best survival knife made. It is a 3.82" blade with a Kraton textured handle and a Zytel sheath. The knife is made in Japan and is the same knife used by Swedish Military Pilots as their survival knife. The blade is made from laminated VG-10 steel which makes it very tough and resistant to rust.


A large knife can be used for fire building duties much easier than a smaller knife can. For anyone who has ever cut, split and stacked a cord of wood, you know how much work is involved. This is why my knife will never replace an axe or saw. A larger knife will work well in an emergency in case you find yourself without a saw. Larger knives do cost more, although when your life is at stake, they become priceless tools you absolutely can't do without.

Large Fixed Blade Knife

Cold Steel San Mai Laredo Bowie is one amazing knife. This knife features a heavy duty 10 1/2" long blade made from vacuum heat-treated VG-1 San Mai III steel. It has a 4 1/2" back sharpened clip point would make this one formidable weapon in a hand to hand confrontation. The blade is 5/16" tick and comes with a thick leather sheath that is made with heavy stitching and held together with brass rivets.




Fallkniven A2 Wilderness Knife is the larger brother of the F1. It is well balanced and is very well made. It features a Convex Blade with a length of 7.95" and the super tough laminate VG-10 steel. This is one impressive, well built knife and is one of my favorites.





No matter which survival knife you ultimately choose, you can't go wrong with any of the knives listed here or on our Giant Survival List