Best Survival Knife for the Money

I’ve been a survival & hunting enthusiast for over 30 years now and even to this day, the first thing I ever pack before even essential clothing is a great survival knife. I just cannot stress the importance of having a great survival tool with you and personally, there have been many an occasion, where my survival knife has helped me overcome the odds & survive in the outdoors.

Trust me, it’s that important!

Thats’ why, I decided to help fellow survivalists & knife enthusiasts by making this monstrous guide on choosing the best survival knife for the money in 2018! By the time you finish reading this, you will know exactly which knife to choose & more importantly, why to choose it. Instead of blindly guessing and getting confused due to the huge number of knives in the market, you’ll benefit from my actual experience of using these knives and know that they come highly recommended.

Although there are many more factors to consider, budget is an important consideration for most and because of this very reason, I’ve classified this survival knife buying guide by picking my top choices under the ranges of $200, $100 & $50. You’ll also learn what parameters to look at when buying a survival tool plus some major brands & why to choose them.

So, without further ado, let’s get going, me lads!

Best Survival Knife

Best Survival Knife under $200 – Top 5 

ESEE Knives LSP Laser Strike Fixed Blade Knife with Canvas Micarta Handles

First up on my list of the best survival knife under $200 is the ESEE Knives LSP Laser Strike Fixed Blade Knife that comes equipped with Canvas Micarta Handles. This full tang knife has a blade length of 4.75 inches with an overall length of 10 inches and is made from 1095 High Carbon steel.

ESEE Knives LSP Laser Strike Fixed Blade Knife

It comes along with a few accessories such as a Kydex sheath, handle removal washer, a belt clip plate, tinder tabs and a Ferrocerium fire starting flint which makes it a good well rounded camping survival knife. It looks great in terms of fit and finish and is razor sharp out of the box so you need to be a little careful there.

The 1095 steel blade takes abuse pretty well thanks to the superb heat treatment given by ESEE. I personally like the forward finger choil as well because it gives a much better grip while performing delicate tasks.

The Ferrocerium rod is hidden below the scales while the washer is present on the lanyard paracord. All in all, this is a great balanced knife that is extremely comfortable and ergonomic and is my top choice if you’re looking for a great survival tool below the $200 mark.

Key Features of the ESEE LSP Knife:

  • Overall length of knife – 10 inches
  • Blade length – 4.75 inches
  • Handle length – 5.25 inches
  • Material – 1095 high carbon steel
  • Handle – Canvas Micarta
  • Price – under $200

 

 

Tops Knives Steel Eagle 12 3/4 in Sawback

The next survival knife that we’re going to review is the Tops Knives Steel Eagle 12 which is a fairly large full tang knife with an overall length of 13 inches. The blade shape is unique and is called a hunter’s point shape while the blade itself is made from 1095 carbon.

Tops Knives Steel Eagle 12

Tops have a huge history of making some amazing survival knives and this one is no exception to that. It’s extremely durable and if you’re one of this who does a lot of notching, then you’ll love the saw back design. The steel holds a good edge and is razor sharp out of the box.

I keep this knife with me when I’m planning to do a lot of outdoor chores such as hammering, chopping, buttoning or prying and it hasn’t disappointed me at all so far. Plus it’s a pure Made in USA knife with an excellent grip.

The handle material is made of black linen Micarta and is about 6.5 inches long. For a price point of under $200, this one is an absolute steal.

Key Features of the Tops Steel Eagle Knife:

  • Overall length of knife – 13 inches
  • Blade length – 7.5 inches
  • Handle length – 6.5 inches
  • Material – 1095 C, RC 56-58
  • Handle – Black Linen Micarta
  • Price – under $200

Benchmade – Hidden Canyon Hunter 15016 Knife

Another great survival tool that you should definitely consider under the $200 price range is the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter 15016 Knife. This 6.32 inches long drop point blade is made from CPM-S30V and has a superb edge retention thanks to the premium stainless steel used in the blade.

Benchmade - Hidden Canyon Hunter 15016

The handle itself is made from glass reinforced G10 material which gives it a good weight plus makes it easier to hold under sticky conditions. This is a fixed blade knife with a Kydex sheath and is ambidextrous so you don’t need to get into a debate upon the virtues of left vs right.

It also comes with the Benchmade lifetime warranty although I’ve never had to use it simply because the knives are so well made and of superior quality. I’ve personally used this knife to process multiple deers and the knife is still extremely sharp!

If you’re looking for a compact horizontal EDC knife, then the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter 15016 is the one for you.

Key Features of the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter 15016

  • Overall length of knife – 6.32 inches
  • Blade length – 2.67 inches
  • Blade Thickness – 0.14 inches
  • Blade Style – Drop Point
  • Handle – G10, 3.53 oz
  • Price – under $200

Tops Knives B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Knife with Tan Handle

Number 4 on my list of the best survival knifes under $200 is the Tops Knives B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Knife which is one of the best wilderness knives in the market today and is extremely useful for all survival enthusiasts.

Tops Knives B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Knife

This 10 inches long full tang knife has a Tan canvas Micarta handle with a blade length of 4.5 inches and and blade thickness of 0.1875 inches. This is a great heavy duty knife and I’ve gutted multiple deer with this without any major issue. It’s also performed really well in tasks like cutting tree limbs for shelter or cutting a para cord.

There is a bow drill divot on the handle that allows you to create fires effortlessly while the thumb scallop offer great grip during cutting tasks. There is also a small scraper on the exposed pommel which is great while striking ferro rods. The manufacturer also claims that this knife has gone through some rough duty testing in the wilderness of Canada and is certified by local survival experts!

If you’re looking for a great bushcraft knife under 200 dollars, then this one should definitely be on your shopping list.

Key Features of the Tops Knives B.O.B. Brothers of Bushcraft Knife

  • Overall length of knife – 10 inches
  • Blade length – 4.5 inches
  • Handle Length – 5.5 inches
  • Blade Thickness – 0.1875 inches
  • Blade Style – Drop Point
  • Handle – Canvas Micarta
  • Price – under $200

ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife with Desert Brown Molded Polymer Sheath

And finally, rounding up this list of the Top 5 Survival Knives under 200 is the ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife. This is one of the best hunting knives I’ve ever used and the 11.75 inch long 1095 high carbon steel knife is a true pleasure to wield in the outdoors.

ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife

The blade takes up about 5.75 inches of the overall length and is a true survival knife thanks to its ability to perform multiple tasks from chopping to slicing to batoning. There are slight serrations on the top edge of the knife which works well for cutting purposes while the solid handle comes into play while doing chopping tasks.

I did not like the sheath a lot to be honest but it’s not bad overall. You might do well to buy a better sheath just for this knife. The best part about this and all other ESEE knives is the life time warranty and the fact that they’re Made in USA.

One point to note is that while the 1095 is an excellent blade material, it is prone to rusting if not cleaned and cared for properly. What I usually do is clean the blade with some rust preventive oil and this maximises the life of the tool. Don’t overthink on this one; for this price point (about $120), you really can’t go wrong!

Key Features of the ESEE 6P Black Fixed Blade Knife

  • Overall length of knife – 11.75 inches
  • Blade length – 5.75 inches
  • Handle Length – 6 inches
  • Blade Material – 1095 steel
  • Handle – Grey Micarta with Desert Tan Molded Polymer Sheath
  • Price – under $200

Best Survival Knife under $100 – Top 5 

Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife

First up on this mega list featuring top survival knives is the Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife which is one of my choices for the best survival knife under $100. This is a ceramic coated, full tang knife with a 420HC drop point blade.

Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife

As the name suggests, this is one of the strongest knives out there and with the rugged quality of Gerber, it performs extremely well too. This tool has been designed keeping military survival training in mind and the solid grip on the knife thanks to the diamond textured rubberised handle is a prime example of that. Another example of the same military design is the striking pommel mounted at the handle base which is reminiscent of the kind of tasks needed for a rescue operation.

With a blade length of 4.8 inches and an overall length of 9.8 inches, this knife weighs a total of 7.2 oz and comes equipped with a nylon webbed modular sheath. There are also detachable hoops in case you are carrying a belt and this built in the USA knife also features a snap in MOLLE sheath.

I found that the 420HC stainless steel lent a great edge to the knife and the spine of the blade is also ground to a very effective 90 degree angle which makes it great for combat and piercing tasks. Go ahead and buy this knife and you’ll fall in love with the Gerber quality!

Key Features of the Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife

  • Overall length of knife – 9.8 inches
  • Blade length – 4.8 inches, drop point blade
  • Handle Length – 5 inches
  • Blade Material – 420 HC stainless steel
  • Comes with – MOLLE sheath, pommel
  • Price – Under $100 survival knife

Schrade SCHF1 Fixed Blade Knife

Not a lot of people would have heard about this knife or the brand but if you ask survival enthusiasts, this knife will tick a lot of their boxes in the right places. Made from SAE 1070 High Carbon Steel, this partially serrated drop point blade has an overall length of 12.7 inches with a blade length of 7.5 inches.

Schrade SCHF1 Fixed Blade Knife

It’s a rather heavy knife and not one of those cheap “Rambo” knives that are floating in the market these days. The handle uncorks to reveal a screwdriver set and you can replace that with a fire starter kit as well. The pommel is great for driving those tent stakes and the edge retention of the knife is also very good.

I’ve been using this handle knife for about a year now and so far, it’s held up pretty good. You obviously have to take care of things like rusting but overall for a less than $100 budget, this one will do the job.

Key Features of the Schrade SCHF1 Knife

  • Overall length of knife – 12.7 inches
  • Blade length – 7.5 inches, partially serrated, drop point blade
  • Handle Length – 5.2 inches
  • Blade Material – SAE 1070 High Carbon Steel
  • HRC – 57
  • Price – Under $100

KA-BAR BK-10 Becker Crewman Fixed Blade Knife

#3 on my list of the top survival knives under $100 is the Ka-Bar BK-10 Becker Crewman knife and it’s popularity can be judged by the fact that it has received over 100 positive customer reviews on Amazon!

The BK10 is made from 1095 Cro Van steel and comes equipped with a zytel handle and a polymer sheath. The overall length of the knife is 10.875 inches while the blade length is about 5.5 inches. The BK10 is way lighter than the famous BK2 and that’s why it allows for much quicker cutting and slashing movements. If you’re looking for a great bushcraft cum survival knife, then this one should be your priority.

KA-BAR BK-10 Becker Crewman

It’s extremely sharp out of the box and my suggestion to you would be to be extra careful with it. Also, go for the micarta scales options and not the grivory scales option.

The pommel is also very strong and perfect for all hammering and smashing tasks be it rock or nut. Obviously, the BK10 is not a replacement for a machete so don’t expect the world from it when it comes to chopping related tasks. All said and done, it’s a great bushcraft knife to own for less than 100 dollars.

Key Features of the BK10 Becker Crewman

  • Overall length of knife – 10.875 inches
  • Blade length – 5.5 inches
  • Handle Length – 5.275 inches with Zytel handle
  • Blade Material – 1095 Cro Van Steel
  • HRC – 55-57
  • Price – Less than $100

SOG Force Fixed Blade SE38-N

With a 6 inch long, AUS 8 steel blade, the SOG Force Fixed Blade SE38-N sure packs a punch and is a great tactical cum survival knife to carry with you. A true heavy blade tool to use in the outdoors, the SE38-N has a great edge and good overall retention qualities.

SOG-Force-Fixed-Blade-SE38-N

Whether it’s battening or hacking or skinning, the knife delivers a positive experience on all parameters and is visually unbreakable thanks to the thick blade and full tang design along with SOG’s unique cryogenic heat treatment. The sheath comes quipped with a lanyard hole, lanyard and MOLLE attachment.

Another great plus is that it comes with a lifetime warranty against any manufacturing defect. All said and done, a great heavy duty knife to add to your portfolio.

Key Features of the SOG Force Fixed Blade SE38-N

  • Overall length of knife – 11.25 inches
  • Blade length – 6 inches
  • Handle Length – 5.25 inches, MOLLE compatible sheath
  • Blade Material – AUS 8 steel with cryogenic heat treatment
  • Price – Less than $100

Cold Steel 38CKJ1 Hunting Fixed Blade Knife

Finishing my list of the best survival knife under $100 is the Cold Steel 38CKJ1 Hunting Fixed Blade Knife. This 10.75 inches long knife has a blade length of 6 inches and a blade thickness of 0.19 inches and has a clipping style blade.

This is one of the best multi-purpose survival cum hunting knives in the market and is extensively used by Navy seals which is a testament to its durability under extreme weather conditions. It works great for all kinds of hacking, cutting, chopping and prying work thanks to the strong VG1 steel and is extremely sharp out of the box.

Cold Steel 38CKJ1 Hunting Fixed Blade Knife

The blade has a good angle grind which is truly appreciated once you’re doing some battening work. The 90 degree back grind is mainly while you’re using ferro rods. The only issue is that the sheath that comes along with this knife is not MOLLE compatible. Also, while the VG1 steel is more durable and harder than normal steel, this means that you need to spend some more time in sharpening it. However, at this price point, it’s a great value for money hunting knife and comes strongly recommended from my end.

Key Features of the Cold Steel 38CKJ1

  • Overall length of knife – 10.75 inches
  • Blade length – 6 inches
  • Handle Length – 4.75 inches, sheath is not MOLLE compatible
  • Blade Material – VG1 steel, highly durable
  • Price – Less than $100

Best Survival Knife under $50 – Top 5 

Morakniv Bushcraft Fixed Blade Knife

My #1 choice for the best survival knife under $50 is the Morakniv Bushcraft Fixed Blade Knife which has an overall length of 9.1 inches and a blade length of 4.3 inches. This knife blade is not only tungsten coated to avoid corrosion but is also made from which carbon grade steel which makes it perfect for all your bushcraft & survival tasks.

Morakniv Bushcraft Fixed Blade Knife

The spine has been ground purposely so that you can easily use it along with a fire starter while it also has a scandi grind to prevent nay type of slip-offs. The handle can definitely be better and while the rubber grip does provide  good grip, it’s not really world class.

If you’re looking to perform some basic batoning or fire starting tasks or scraping tinder, then the Morakniv Bushcraft Fixed Blade Knife is perfect for you. Obviously you can’t expect the world when buying a survival knife under $50, but for this price range, it’s real value for money.

Key Features of the Morakniv Bushcraft Fixed Blade Knife:

  • Overall length of knife – 9.1 inches
  • Blade length – 4.3 inches
  • Handle length – 4.8 inches
  • Material – high grade carbon steel, 90 degree grind
  • Handle – Black handle with over-molded rubber grip
  • Price – under $50

Buck Knives 0102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Knife

One of my favourite survival tools is the Buck Knives 0102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Knife which even at a price point of less than $50 is one of the best full tang knives available in the market.

This Made in the USA knife comes with the standard Buck Forever lifetime warranty and at an overall length of 7.75 inches is a beauty to look at thanks to the hardwood cocobolo handle and the brass pommel at the base.

Buck Knives 0102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Knife

The knife itself is made from 420HC steel and is a 4 inch long clip blade that is not only resistant to corrosion but also has a brilliant edge retention. It’s perfect for all your slicing and piercing work and thanks to the deep choil and integrated finger guard is a true hunter’s delight. I don’t have large hands so this feels just perfect and this blade is one of my first choices when it comes to cleaning game because it just keeps cutting. Beautiful knife with a great performance and highly, highly recommended.

Key Features of the Buck Knives 0102 Woodsman Fixed Blade Knife:

  • Overall length of knife – 7.75 inches
  • Blade length – 4 inches
  • Handle length – 3.75 inches
  • Material – 420HC steel, clip style blade, anti-corrosive
  • Handle – Hardwood cocobolo handle with brass pommel base
  • Price – under $50

Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival Full Tang Drop Point Fixed Blade

Another contender on this list of the top survivals knives under $50 is the Schrade SCHF9 which has over 1000 positive reviews on Amazon alone!

Schrade SCHF9

This is one long knife with a total length of 12.1 inches and a blade length of 6.4 inches. Made from 1095 Carbon steel, this drop point blade has been my steady companion for over 2 years now and has a great edge retention. This is a great blade to carry on your next camping trip and especially for those whose primary use for this is going to be batoning.

The sheath that comes along with this knife isn’t that great but the grip on the handle is pretty good. It’s a heavy knife with a weight of approximately 1 pound and is a good addition to any survival enthusiast’s bug out bag.

Key Features of the Schrade SCHF9 Knife:

  • Overall length of knife – 12.1 inches
  • Blade length – 6.4 inches
  • Handle length – 5.7 inches
  • Material – 41095 Carbon steel, drop point blade
  • Weight – 1 pound
  • HRC – 56 to 58
  • Price – under $50

MTech USA Xtreme MX-8054 Series Fixed Tanto Blade Tactical Knife

I had never used an MTech knife prior to this so was pleasantly surprised once I tested it out last month and the MTech USA Xtreme MX-8054 did not disappoint at all. Made from 440HC stainless steel, this gold titanium coated tanto blade measures about 5.5 inches long and is an ideal tactical knife that you can carry in survival situations or camping expeditions.

MTech USA Xtreme MX-8054

The grip of the G10 handle is pretty good and does help during wet conditions and the knife also comes along with a black nylon sheath. There is also a lanyard hole at the end which allows you to attach an additional para cord.

There are serrations long the back and spine along with a blood grove which all aid during cutting, notching and chopping tasks. I particularly liked the finger guard which prevent accidental cutting of your own hand and the only complaint I have is that the nylon sheath could definitely be better. All in all, for around $30, this is a great tactical blade to own!

Key Features of the MTech USA Xtreme MX-8054 Knife:

  • Overall length of knife – 11 inches
  • Blade length – 5.5 inches
  • Handle length – 5.5 inches, G10 handle with lanyard hole
  • Material – 440HC steel, gold titanium coated tanto blade
  • Sheath – nylon
  • Price – under $50

Gerber Bear Grylls Paracord Fixed Blade Knife

And finally completing my roundup of the best survival knife under $50 is the extremely popular Gerber Bear Grylls Paracord Fixed Blade Knife. Made from hard stainless steel, the handle comes wrapped with 60 inches of customisable paracord and is a true budget survival knife.

Gerber Bear Grylls Paracord Fixed Blade Knife

The overall knife length is 7.75 inches out of which the blade itself takes up about 3.25 inches and this lightweight knife also comes with a removable belt loop. I’ve found this knife to be indispensable on fishing trips and is particularly suited to cutting and cleaning fish. Obviously, it’s not in the range of it’s bigger cousins but at this price point, it sure packs a punch thanks to its sharp edge and low blade profile.

A great all round survival knife to own if you do regular campings and something that won’t hurt your pocket.

Key Features of the Gerber Bear Grylls Paracord Fixed Blade Knife:

  • Overall length of knife – 7.75 inches
  • Blade length – 3.25 inches
  • Handle length – 4.5 inches, comes with 60 inches of paracord
  • Material – hard stainless steel
  • Price – under $50

Top 5 Brands to Look for when Buying a Survival Knife (1000)

I’ve always been of the view that one should always look at the brand while buying a survival knife because that’s one of the key considerations and factors that should influence any buying decision. Because there are so many knife manufacturers in the market, it does get confusing as to what brand to pick.

That’s why I’ve picked my list of the Top 5 Survival Knife Brands that one can safely bet on along with a little history on the brand and why it’s included in this list.

Gerber

Gerber is one of the oldest knife brands in the market and started off as a small company in 1939 which manufactured cutlery sets. However, by 1960, they had branched out into producing a lot of survival gear and their main products were survival knives.

Even after 70 years, the company founded by Joseph Gerber continues to grow and is considered by many survival enthusiasts as one of the best brands in the industry. Right from knives such as “Magnum Hunter” to the more recent “Gerber Bear Grylls”, any knife from this company represents quality and value for money.

Over the last few years, Gerber has done a lot of advancements in production especially in the USA and hence, more and more American knives are now hitting the shelf with better quality steel blades such as the 154CM steel knives and S30V Gator premium knives.

Buck

Another American manufacturing company, Buck, is among the finest hunting and survival knife brands in the world at the moment. Starting off in San Diego, the company now has their head office in Idaho and has been owned by five generations of the Buck family so far. They’re credited with inventing the folding or half tang knife so much so that originally Buck knives were associated with folding knives!

Buck has produced a great many survival knives for us enthusiasts including the Model 110, 0102, 119BR, 65 Hood Punk and the 501 among many others. I’ve covered the 0102 Woodsman earlier in this article so you’ll know the kind of quality knives this company manufactures. You can definitely put your money into any knife owned by this brand and you’ll not be disappointed.

Cold Steel

Another one of my favourite survival and combat knife manufactures is Cold Steel and almost every survival and outdoor enthusiast is familiar with this name and the quality knives manufactured by this company.

Founded in 1980, the company produces some of the strongest survival blades I’ve ever used and has many innovations to its name. From Krayton handles to tango point style blades, Cold Steel truly manufactures some of the best survival knives in the market as of now.

If you want another proof of the company’s quality, then look no further than the American military and law enforcement agencies where a number of their blades are used in combat and rescue operations. Currently, the company also operates manufacturing plants in Taiwan and Japan – all the Cold Steel knives that use VG1 Stainless Steel are manufactured in Taiwan while the ones that are made from German 4116, 1055 carbon steel etc are manufactured in Japan. Like I said, you can trust Cold Steel knives with your life as they are true value for money and of extremely superior quality!

Ka Bar

Another great brand that I’ve always found producing quality survival tools is Ka Bar and of course, most of you would be familiar with their world famous Ka Bar Becker series of hunting knives, a few of which I’ve chronicled earlier as well.

Ka Bar was the first combat knife adopted by the USMC and the US Navy as their official service knives. When it comes to high quality hunting, combat and military knives, you can trust this name as be absolutely content with your purchase. Established in 1988, each knife undergoes a rigorous manufacturing and QC process before it is brought to the market and these processes include blanking, tang stamping, tempering & grinding, inspection and testing.

A prime example of its superior quality is the Ka Bar USMC knife!

ESEE

An finally, the last brand that I consider as one of the best survival knife manufactures is ESEE. Owned by a parent company called Randall’s Adventure & Training, ESEE is a privately held company operating out of Alabama and is one of the biggest names in the wilderness and outdoor gears industry.

I’ve owned a lot of ESEE knives through the years and some like the ESEE6 and the Junglas remain my favourite to this date. Almost all their survival gear is tested in the jungles of South America and other remote environments before hitting the market which ensures that they are coastal tweaked and worked upon to give you a true survival tool.

Established in 1997 and owned by Jeff Randall & Mike Perrin, ESEE knives carry some of the highest ratings on Amazon and are undoubtably, one of the first brands that you should consider while purchasing a survival knife.

Of course, don’t limit yourself to just these 5 brands listed above; there are a lot of other brands & knives that I have reviewed in this article that are just as good, if not better. However, the whole idea was to let you know you’re getting yourself a quality knife even if you decide to restrict yourself to just these 5 brands!

Closing Thoughts

So there you have it! My mammoth list of the best survival knife for the money is done and dusted and I sure hope you benefit from the detailed reviews listed above. The whole idea of this post has been to segregate survival knives based on budget and then filter out the Top 5 Knives for you to choose from.

Also, because there are so many knives in the market currently and new ones are introduced as well from time to time, I will definitely try and update this list of the top survival knives from time to time. If you feel there’s a particular blade or survival tool that I’ve missed out on and which should have been on this list, do give me a shout out via the contact form here and I will make sure I include your choice.

So fellow hunters and survivalists, do spread the word around for this post and share it as much as possible with all your friends and contacts. The more people get to read this, the better survival knife they will choose!

Best Self Defence Knife under $100 – My Top 3 Choices

An average person on the street probably never imagines that he could be a victim of a robbery or a mugging and that an attack of a similar nature cannot happen to them at any time without warning. The assumption in most cases is that bad things like these do take place but they happen to other people. The harsh reality is that you could be the unfortunate victim of the next robbery or mugging and unless you have taken adequate preparations you may suffer some serious damage to your health, finances, and property.

There are unsavoury people around with the sole intention of living off your earnings and property and have made it their business to steal from other people to survive. Unless you are “Rock” the wrestler Dwayne Johnson or someone who participates regularly in the WWF tournaments, you would do best to look for a good self-defence knife.

Best Self Defence Knife under $100 – My Top 3 Choices:

  • Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife – Best Karambit Knife (~$ 38.38)
  • Spyderco Matriarch Spyder Edge Knife (~$ 80.97)
  • SOG SEAL Pup Elite E37SN – Best Tactical Fixed Blade Knife (~$ 70.74)

#1 – Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife – Best Karambit Knife

My choice #1 is the Ka-Bar which is a tactical knife popularly used by the military and law enforcement in the USA. This self-defence weapon will surely be a dependable friend and maybe your only lifeline in an emergency.

Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife

This karambit or curved knife has an overall length of 5.625” while it’s blade is about 2.3125”, but despite its small dimensions, most law enforcement officers have the Ka-Bar as a concealed weapon. This is a good alternate for them to fall back on in the rare case he or she is disarmed. You would expect to inflict deep and painful wounds on your adversary while you change a bit of his anatomical topography, as a reaction to protect yourself, if attacked. The design of the pistol-like grip enables you to use either hands on the knife naturally and as convenient. Better positioning is facilitated when you use your index finger in the finger grip, near the blade for added control. The impact-resistant zytel handle is virtually unbreakable.

Pros:

  • Very light at 0.20 pounds
  • Drop point tip
  • Easy concealable
  • Doesn’t rust easily
  • Very affordable
  • Razor sharp blade and full tang construction
  • Reverse or forward grip, can use either hand to handle
  • Comes with a sheath with metal clip

Cons:

  • Stabbing motions not very impressive
  • Purely for self-defence purposes

#2 – Spyderco Matriarch Spyder Edge Knife

This ideal self-defence weapon is my #2 selection for the best self defence knife under $100 as it is almost impossible for someone to disarm you without you causing them some injury first.

In close combat, you can depend on this karambit knife to do some very serious damage. Though the initial impression on this knife is that it is small, it can deliver a superb cutting performance that you can stake your life on and do some cutting and slashing to your adversary. The pistol-like grip on the handle ensures you have a very good and firm grip on the knife using either hand as is convenient.

Spyderco Matriarch Spyder Edge Knife

The overall length is 8.39” while the blade 3.55”. The folding length would be about 5” making it very easy to conceal as it is small and very light in weight. You can even carry this formidable weapon in your breast pocket! The Spyderco knife is a folding knife that has a lock-back mechanism. If you slash at flesh using this knife, you can expect to cause a lot of damage to your opponent or adversary because of the uneven cuts from the serrated edge which will hit more veins than just cutting or slashing them. This knife has a serrated edge very unlike most other knives.

Some other features of this Spyder edge knife are the fibreglass reinforced handle and the four-position clip on it.

Pros:

  • Very lightweight at 0.22 pounds
  • Blade is razor sharp and supreme cutting performance
  • Easy to conceal
  • Tip-up/tip-down carry position
  • Serrated edge
  • Reverse or forward grip

Cons:

  • Not much for stabbing motions
  • Easily dulled and needs sharpening
  • Slightly expensive

#3 – SOG SEAL Pup Elite E37SN – Best Tactical Fixed Blade Knife

My #3 choice is this fixed blade tactical knife originally designed for the US Navy seals.

This knife can be used as a great self-defence weapon by ordinary citizens, though generally used by military personnel. Having an overall length of 9.5” it’s blade is 4.85” long and has a convex shaped tip point which is an example of clip point blades. Concealing this knife on your person may be a little difficult but would easily discourage anyone from meddling with you to their hurt. You can slice, cut, and even stab a human opponent with it easily. Besides this, you can also use this knife for other everyday tasks.

Best Self Defence Knife under $100 - SOG SEAL Pup Elite E37SN

The unique factor with the Pup Elite knife is that the other side is partially plain edge and partially serrated with wide teeth. The spine is serrated form tip to handle and has a straight portion for you to place your thumb for control. The knife resists corrosion and rust as it is made of AUS-8 steel and is coated black, while the downside is that the stainless steel could easily dull.

The handle grip has deep finger grooves and is made of glass-reinforced nylon (GRN) which is a thermoplastic material that is very strong and impact-resistant. The handle is both weatherproof and waterproof. The nylon sheath provided with the SOG Pup knife has a belt loop attachment for easy conveyance and comes with a lanyard hole at the end of the handle.

Pros:

  • Versatile and lightweight at 0.34 pounds
  • ¾ tang and partially serrated
  • Rust-resistant and razor sharp blade
  • Good for stabbing, cutting, slashing
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • Steel prone to dulling
  • Bulky, not easy to conceal

Conclusion – Best Self Defence Knife under $100

My top choice is still Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife as best self-defence Knife under 100 dollars or even under $200 for its affordability, light weight, easy concealability and its features.

However, I would not hesitate to select any of my two other choices in that order, as all three knives are very good and useful as a self-defence knife.

Best Survival Knife under $200 – My Top 3 Choices

If you have a budget constraint and are looking for a survival knife in a sub $100 budget, then check out my top picks for the best survival knife under $100

Imagine you are out in the rugged wilderness in the middle of nowhere-land and possibly facing a serious situation. You need to have a trustworthy and a dependable friend by your side in the form of a quality survival knife, to help you accomplish a wide variety of tasks, both major and minor, so you can survive the rough weather and the harsh unfriendly environment.

Some of the crucial tasks this very important tool can help you with are:

  • Splitting firewood

  • Creating a fire

  • Building a shelter

  • Cutting rope

  • Opening cans

  • Skinning game and many more

In a survival situation, your trustworthy implement or tool can help with any chopping, pounding, prying, thrusting, and cutting tasks typical of times spent in the wilderness. You can do all these and more, with a very good fixed-bladed knife from a reputed manufacturer.

My Top 3 Choices for the best survival knife under $200

My top 3 choices would be as follows:

  • Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife (~$188.09)

  • ESEE 6 (~$124.72)

  • Tops Knives Bushcrafter Kukuri (~$170.00)

#1 – Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife

This knife is my #1 all-rounder choice to survive in the wilderness by any counts. Just check out its fantastic features and you will probably understand why. At under 200$, the cost is quite affordable for the steel coloured version of this fabulous knife, and worth very cent spent on the price.

Best Survival Knife under $200 - Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife

Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings, and Reviews on Amazon.com

Constructed using Japanese VG-10 steel (translate “G” into “gold” quality) for the blade, the essentially stainless-steel blade contains a sizeable amount of carbon to combine both the benefits of stainless and carbon steel into the VG-10 blade. The Fallkniven A1 keeps its edge over a long time, is incredibly sharp and is extremely easy to maintain and (rarely) sharpen. The blades of the world’s most expensive and popular survival and chef knives, are made using VG-10.

The Fallkniven A1 has just the right blade length at 6.33” to make it an ideal survival knife. Check out some of its features; fixed blade made of VG -10, full tang for extra strength, flat top, superb handle with a fantastic grip, flat end, lanyard hole and drop point to easily pierce any object.

However, it’s not all praise for this knife either, as you do not find any real choil and jimping for this knife, else the grip on the handle could have possibly been a little better. You may need to replace the Zytel or leather sheath that comes with the knife as it wears out quite quickly. Despite these very minor setbacks, the Fallkniven A1 comes very close to being the perfect survival knife.

Pros

  • Superlative engineering in construction and design

  • Perfect knife balance and good weight

  • Superior VG-10 steel blade combines features of stainless and carbon steel.

  • The Convex ground blade is ideal for hard use

  • The amazing handle provides a tremendous grip of the full tang knife to the user even in wet conditions, as it is made from textured hard rubber

  • Great knife that has all the must-have survival features (multipurpose)

Cons

  • Some users find the handle of the knife slightly short for use

  • The sheath is of low quality and flimsy and may need to be replaced with a custom sheath

#2 – ESEE 6 Survival Knife

True knife lovers have created this #2 choice of mine – the ESEE 6 knife. I am sure Rambo has joined me in cheering loudly for this one? The knife intuitively feels, balances and grips just right. The jimping beyond the bolster aids in a better grip on the knife.

ESEE 6 Survival Knife

Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings, and Reviews on Amazon.com

The construction and the design of this knife makes it a sturdy, strong, and a durable tool, which can be used in all types of survival situations. The grey micarta scale handle feels good in the hand and has a lanyard hole in the rounded pommel at the end of the handle. The razor-sharp blade works exceptionally well for any chopping, cutting, splitting and similar tasks and holds its edge well in all situations.

The only drawback with this knife is both its length and weight, as it seems a little heavy and a little too long for some users to do some of their tasks. As far as I am concerned, I would recommend this knife to anyone who is looking for a fantastic tool to help them survive and camp, out there in the wilderness.

Pros

  • Looks and feels very good (remember Rambo cheering?)

  • 1095 high carbon steel blade, ideal for rough use

  • The knife holds its razor edge for a long time

Cons

  • A little heavy, length slightly long, for some users

  • Plastic moulded sheath

#3 – Tops Knives Bushcrafter Kukuri

My #3 choice is this incredible survival knife that is suited for any type of outdoor situation. This is an ideal knife to help you with different kinds of jobs regardless of whether you are in a survival or a camping situation. The long fixed-blade that is 7.75” long and is made of 1095 RC 56-58 steel makes this kukri extremely durable, sturdy and one very tough customer.

Tops Knives Bushcrafter Kukuri

Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings, and Reviews on Amazon.com

The blade has a lot chopping power and the handle design facilitates repeated use of the knife over extended periods or time, without injuring your hands, even in harsh conditions. The end of the pommel features a very handy lanyard hole. If you are ready to spend a little more money on this knife, the heavy-duty tough “jack of all trades” knife will be a very good accompaniment to serve your survival and camping needs. The knife feels slightly heavy and a little large for jobs that need fine blade control, but it is still very useful for most survival and camping jobs.

Pros

  • Very efficient at splitting wood and with many other smaller tasks

  • The quality of the knife and its design is par-excellence

  • The grip on the handle feels perfect

Cons

  • May feel slightly heavy for some users

  • Sheath needs improvement

  • Whittling or skinning may be little difficult

Conclusion

Considering the price, features, performance, and durability; my number one choice for the Best Survival Knife under $200 is the Fallkniven A1 Survival Knife. No doubt, this trustworthy friend will certainly accompany me, to my next sojourn in the wilderness.

Don’t forget to also check out some more options when it comes to picking survival or hunting knives:

Best Survival Knife under $100 – My Top 3 Choices

A survival knife may be my only friend when I am caught in a hostile wilderness in extreme environmental conditions. I need a lot of confidence in my knife that it will not break, chip, rust or bend at a crucial moment, due to the excellent material used in its high-quality construction. Second-rate material and slip-shod construction can put me in great danger, when my knife is the only tool that I can use to extricate myself in certain situations, especially when I am caught between the rock and a hard place – so as to speak!

I need to confirm that my knife manufacturer, has a good reputation in the market and the manufacturing process and material used in making the knife, have good reviews from users who have been in survival situations.

My Top 3 Choices for the Best Survival Knife under $100

My top 3 choices would be as follows:

  • KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion (~$80)

  • KA-BAR USMC Knife (~$72)

  • Gerber’s Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro (~$76)

#1 – KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion

This is my #1 choice and is a fixed blade, medium sized, drop point knife. It has a secondary bevel at a 20° angle that facilitates usual camping tasks like for example, skinning game. This carbon steel knife made of 1095 Cro-Van steel blade is extra thick and ideal for hunting and camping tasks that are common to survival in the wilderness. The knife is full tang and has a lanyard hole and a hammer shaped pommel on the Grivory handle.

Best Survival Knife under $100 - KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion

The material of the handle facilitates a smooth and contoured grip so it feels good in the user’s hand. The sheath is made using fiberglass reinforced nylon material and fits the blade so perfectly that there is no sound when the sheath is shaken. The nylon loop fits the widest belts to conveniently carry the knife without obstruction. The knife measures 10.5” while the blade is 5.5” long and the tang extends full length of the knife to make it extremely durable and very powerful. This heavy-duty survival and hunting knife can efficiently chop and split wood, pry open joints and boxes, and skin game. Cutting and chopping branches or logs are easy tasks for this super survival and camping knife.

Pros

  • Money worth spent under $100.

  • Very strong construction

  • Heavy-duty jobs are a breeze

  • Very versatile, works well as a mini axe when required and pierces objects like a spear because of the drop point shape of its tip

  • Aesthetic looks, visually impressive and intimidating with its all-black design

Cons

  • This knife may be on the heavy side as it weighs nearly 1 lbs. Any survivalist who want to carry minimum weight, may prefer something lighter.

  • Some prefer a thinner blade to skin game and perform other slicing/cutting tasks

#2 – KA-BAR USMC Knife

My #2 choice for the best survival knife under $100 is one of the most popular and reliable fixed blade knives in the world as it was originally created to be used by US troops in World War II. This knife has certainly been around for 50+ years and still going strong.

The knife has a leather handle and a 7” straight blade and is one of a few that has the US Marine Corps stamp. Aside from the long length, the blade has a 20° angle and is created from extra strength Cro-Van steel. Built as per strict guidelines, the US Marine Corps knife is resistant to corrosion and can hold its sharpness of edge much longer, when compared to other knives.

KA-BAR USMC Knife

This KA-BAR knife is extremely sharp, very durable, and ready to use from day one. The blade is built for heavy duty, long term use and is very easy to sharpen in case I ever need to, which is quite rare. With a good grip on its high-quality leather handle, I should not have any issues using it regardless of the situation I find myself in.

The manufacturer is very reputed for creating outstanding knives and whether you are going to use it for survival in the wild or for everyday tasks, this knife will serve your needs and deliver.

Pros

  • Manufacturer is very reputed in the market

  • Very sharp and durable, you would never need another survival knife again

  • Very well constructed knife

  • Good for long-term use

  • Effortless gripping facilitated by knife handle

  • The knife is designed as a versatile multipurpose tool for survival, hunting, sporting, and other similar activities

Cons

  • The fixed blade may be bit too sharp for some users

  • The sheath is made in Mexico and has a shorter life than one made in the USA

#3 – Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro

This is my #3 choice and can easily be comparable with my first two choices in case my first two choices are not availability due to some reason. I am very familiar with this brand name’s reputation for durability and this knife can be used in a variety of survival situations.

Gerber’s Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro

Famous for their extreme sharpness and their capability to cut and slice, the textured grip of the handle facilitates a firm grip on the knife while in use. The blade is made of stainless-steel and is 4.8” in length. The knife cuts sharply every time. The blade does not rust and is so tough that is almost impossible to bend or break. The full tang construction further ensures that the blade is strong and can withstand continuous and extreme use in chopping and cutting.

The point of the blade allows me to cut deep into the wood or game that I am cutting or slicing, and it is very easily manoeuvrable. The thumb ramp or groove position helps the user to get the required stability and leverage when cutting or peeling with the knife.

Pros

  • The Ultimate Pro is very durable.

  • It has a very sharp blade

  • The knife has a full bladed tang construction

  • A tough knife that can handle very hard work.

  • The design of the knife and the tip of the blade makes it very sturdy

  • Very lightweight and easy to hold and handle

  • The handle of the knife facilitates a durable grip

  • It is a multi-purpose tool

  • I can start a fire by using one side of the blade as a striker

  • The sheath can be used by people who are right handed as well as left

Cons

  • The loop used for attaching the sheath seems to wear out quite quickly and is not very durable.

  • The thumb groove is smooth and quite close to the blade.

Conclusion

Considering the price, features, and performance, my number one choice for the Best Survival Knife under $100 is the KA-BAR Becker 22 Campanion knife. Not only is this a great drop point blade under the 100 dollar mark, it’s an extremely resilient and quality knife that will give you maximum value for money!