Hunting Guy

Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Review

Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometer – My Top 3 Choices

Whether I am indoors at home or in my place of work, at some point in time I do need to step out into the outdoors for various reasons. It is good to be forewarned so I am forearmed, so to speak. I can then try and make adequate preparations to face the vagaries of weather as I carry on through the course of my day – travelling, driving, walking, or running.

How do I know what the weather is going to be like? Sure, I can check the latest weather bulletin on the television or read the relevant section in my morning newspaper but is there a quicker way to get this vital information just before I leave home or office?

Yes! There is an easy way. Check out the display screen of an affordable indoor-outdoor thermometer within your home or office premises and you will have all the weather-related information you need. Below are my top 3 choices for the best indoor outdoor thermometer for the money!

  • La Crosse Technology 308-1412S (~ $44.99)
  • AcuRite 75077 Wireless Weather Forecaster (~ $37.75)
  • AcuRite 02027 Colour Weather Station (~ $49.97)

#1 – La Crosse Technology 308-1412S

Check out the wonderful features on my top choice for the best indoor-outdoor thermometer. The display panel on the 308 seems to be always alive, as its 12 different animated panels keep constantly changing as per prevailing weather conditions. A feature of this device is the trend indicator for indoor and outdoor temperatures with specific and customized alerts that indicate the temperature ranges from the lowest through to the highest. The barometer takes about 3-4 weeks to calibrate itself which implies very accurate forecasts for your specific location of region.

La Crosse Technology 308-1412S

You can plan your day around your weather, by quickly studying the animated colour forecast icons on the display screen. The atomic date and time settings which allow the unit to accurately set itself with the progress of time.

The indoor display looks attractive and can be conveniently placed on a shelf, a kitchen counter or a window of your home or office. Unfortunately, it is not possible to mount this device on a wall.

This device is fun to use, convenient to charge through the USB port on the back panel and very practical in the information it so readily provides. This attractive device comes at a very affordable price of under $50 and is money worth spent for the functions and the accurate readings it provides.

Features and Specifications:

  • Display shows weather icons in different colours
  • Sunny, partly sunny, cloudy, rainy, and stormy
  • Minimum and maximum records for both indoor / outdoor temperature and humidity
  • Backlight is adjustable
  • Indicator for sensor signal strength
  • Temperature alerts
  • Trend alerts for temperature and humidity levels
  • Calendar and battery indicator
  • 200 feet transmission range
  • Temperature range: Indoor – 32°F to 122°F; Outdoor -40°F to 140°Fahrenheit

Pros:

  • USB port for charging
  • Large Colour display
  • Accurate readings
  • Weather alerts and forecasts

Cons:

  • The display device may sometimes lose contact with the outdoor antennae unit

#2 – AcuRite 75077 Wireless Weather Forecaster

My #2 choice is the AcuRite 75007 which shows an icon representing the forecasted weather over the next 12 to 24 hours, prominently on its display. The indoor-outdoor temperature readings on the display ae quite easy to for anyone to read comfortably.

Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometer - AcuRite 75077 Wireless Weather Forecaster

For the initial period of 14-days this device is in a learning mode and analyses to calibrate itself to the specific pressure changes endemic to your local region of area. The wireless outside sensor, which has an inbuilt temperature monitor, and integrated mounting options to facilitate easy installation. It is housed in a weather resistant case for durability and has an effective range to transmit from over 300 feet.

The atomic clock is always accurate, as it is synchronized with the National Institute of Standards and Technologies.
If you are looking for an affordable device worth every cent you pay, then look no further.

Specifications:

  • Wireless indoors / outdoors temperature in (°F and °C)
  • Min / Max temperatures with time and date stamp
  • Atomic date and time automatically set and adjusted for daylight savings
  • Displays both 12/ 24-hour time formats
  • Indoors temperature range (-39.8°F to 157.8°F)
  • Outdoors temperature range (32°F to 139.8°F)

Pros:

  • Jumbo display screen
  • 14-day learning mode for accurate weather prediction
  • Self-adjusting atomic clock

Cons:

  • No humidity or pressure readings, only temperature
  • Can lose contact with sensor occasionally

#3 – AcuRite 02027 Colour Weather Station

My #3 choice shows indoor-outdoor temperature, humidity, barometric pressure with a weather trend indicator, and time and data on its display. The sensor collects relevant weather data including changes in temperature, humidity, and pressure to generate customized local weather forecasts based on a specific set of algorithms.

AcuRite 02027 Colour Weather Station

The AcuRite 02027 has a highly visible colour display containing colour coded icons with three different lighting settings. You can set your light preference manually or preferably use the Auto Dim Mode feature that automatically adjusts the light, based on time of day and the year.

You can mount the device onto a wall or simply place it on a stand or table top. The outdoor sensor has an effective range of 300 feet for transmission and works wirelessly.

Features:

  • Displays weather forecast, indoor and outdoor temperatures, and humidity, as well
  • Shows barometric pressure
  • Stores and displays high and low records
  • Wireless
  • Weather resistant
  • Easy installation process
  • Device works and records temperatures up to -40 degrees

Pros:

  • Colour-coded display is very easy to read
  • Readings are very accurate

Cons:

  • Display may not be very visible at higher angles

Conclusion – Best Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Review

All three of my top 3 choices would serve the purpose of having personal access to a good indoor-outdoor thermometer, but taking into consideration various aspects like the features, display size and colour, price and performance of all three of the indoor-outdoor thermometers my number one choice for the best indoor outdoor thermometer is the La Crosse Technology 308-1412S.

Best Tea Kettle under $50

Best Tea Kettle under $50– My Top 3 Choices & Detailed Review Guide

If you live in a place that has a lot of cold weather throughout the year, you frequently need to make hot beverages when your belly craves for something warm. And this is especially true if you’re in the outdoors, camping or hiking your way through wet or cold terrain!

Fun Fact – There are people who prefer to drink hot beverages in hotter regions too, as they believe that hot drinks cool your system down in hot weather. Strange?

We have a choice between the stove-top tea kettle or the quicker electric kettle. The traditional stove-top kettle with or without a whistling sound has probably been in use for a few hundred years and has evolved into the modern appliance we still see today, in homes and businesses in rural locations. The more common appliance today to brew hot beverages in homes and offices is the ubiquitous electric kettle.

My top 3 choices would be as follows:

  • BELLA 1.2L Electric Ceramic Tea Kettle with detachable base and boil dry protection (~$49.99)
  • T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 4-Cup 1750-Watt Electric Kettle (~$28.34)
  • EPICA 1.75 Quart Cordless Electric Stainless Steel Kettle (~$23.95)

#1 – BELLA 1.2L Electric Ceramic Tea Kettle

This super decorative electric kettle is my #1 choice for the best tea kettle under $50. The ceramic Bella Tea Kettle is extremely aesthetic in looks and very useful in functionality. The kettle comes in varying designs and attractive colours to blend into any kitchen décor and environment. The Bella boils faster than a microwave and is safer than a stove.

Best Tea Kettle under $50

To use it all you do is flip the appropriate switch to let this kettle to the heating work for you. The powerful 1200W heating elements heat up the water very quickly. When the water reaches boiling point or the optimal temperature, the built-in shutoff feature kicks in to shut the kettle off to prevent unnecessary over-boiling.

Furthermore, the complete ceramic design of the kettle ensures you get great tasting water which is free of any extraneous rubber or metallic taste, every time you boil. The goose neck facilitates controlled pours, adding to the beauty and the practicality of this electric kettle. The bonus is in the fact that you can detach the base and easily manoeuvre this kettle to conveniently serve all your guests.

Pros:

  • 1200W power
  • A ceramic exterior and interior. A natural insulator for great heating and warmth.
  • Beautiful addition to your kitchen
  • A Blue LED on the on/off switch gives you the status of the kettle
  • Auto shutoff and boil-dry protection ensure your kettle never reaches burning point
  • Very attractive for the counter top.
  • The product has good results.
  • Very useful detachable base to conveniently use the kettle

Cons:

  • The exterior is delicate, requires extra care not to be abruptly hit.

#2 – T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 4-Cup 1750-Watt Electric Kettle

My #2 choice is a uniquely-shaped, heavy-duty kettle that can boil one litre of water quickly especially when you need a hot beverage in a hurry. It sports a deep black colour with android green contrasting nobs, and matching handle.

T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 4-Cup 1750-Watt Electric Kettle

Having variable temperature controls, this electric kettle facilitates steeping of various types of tea powders to the delight of a tea connoisseur. Since this kettle is completely cordless, it provides an hassle-free experience of pouring out your beverage while you serve your guests. You can enjoy your tea in minutes using this powerful kettle.

The 360-degree swivel base, facilitates setting the kettle back from any angle. The automatic shut-off feature ensures your tea or liquid never overboils. Some users have mistakenly complained that this kettle seems to leak out water when it is used. This is because this kettle boils out water very quickly and if it is not lifted quickly from the base when the water reached boiling point; the water overflows through the spout. This only confirms the super efficiency of the heating element in the kettle.

Pros:

  • 1750W – heavy-duty
  • No complicated interface or gizmos
  • Completely cordless for serving convenience
  • Water window to monitor liquid monitoring
  • Attractive colouring and design
  • Removable anti-scale filter

Cons:

The anti-scale filter does not catch the white scummy particles, and these are mostly found floating in the water after boiling, if you use tap water. This issue can be easily sorted by using distilled, purified, or filtered drinking water in the kettle, instead of tap water.

#3 – EPICA 1.75 Quart Cordless Electric Stainless Steel Kettle

This stainless steel, which is very simple to operate is my #3 choice for a tea kettle. No hassles with any fancy buttons and controllable features, you will love this Epica powerhouse for its simplicity that comes at a very affordable price-tag.

EPICA 1.75 Quart Cordless Electric Stainless Steel Kettle

Using the Epica kettle, your hot drinks and beverages like tea, coffee, soups to name a few, are only a few minutes away as the Bellemain heater practically heats the water in under two minutes. Pouring out the liquid is very convenient since the kettle is completely cordless. The auto shutoff feature ensures there is no unnecessary overboiling. The stainless-steel material is also good quality and long-lasting.

Pros:

  • 1500W power – lots of power
  • Kettle is simple to use and very portable as light weight
  • All features are automatically carried out, user input is minimal
  • 1 year limited warranty

Cons:

  • The lid is lined with plastic inside, so may wear out with use.

Conclusion

I would vouch for all three of my choices for a very good tea kettle under $50 as just described and without hesitation would buy my choice #3 if the first two were not available, in that order, for some reason. The powerful heaters for the three kettles range from 1200W to 1750W and depending on the amount of water I need to boil at a time, any one of the three kettles would do the job splendidly.

Without a doubt, considering the features, price, and performance of the three kettles, my number one choice for Best Tea Kettle under $50 is the BELLA 1.2L Electric Ceramic Tea Kettle, for its powerful but, lower wattage, aesthetic looks and design and customer reviews.

Best Keychain Flashlight Review

Best Keychain Flashlight Review & Buying Guide

Imagine it is already dark outside and you have just arrived home in your car. You remember that there was some important data you copied from your work PC onto a pen drive so you can continue working on it at home, after dinner. You rummage in your car, on the seats and in the glove compartment to find the pen drive and don’t succeed in finding it, wherever you search. The car’s interior light does not seem to help either!

A keychain flashlight is a quick and reliable way to provide the light you need to accomplish your purpose. It’s also a great survival tool to carry with you in the outdoors while camping or hiking.

Best Keychain Flashlight 2017 – My Top 3 Choices:

  • SureFire Sidekick 300-Lumen Ultra-Compact Triple-Output Keychain Light, Black (~$75)
  • Best Small Flashlight Highest 360 lumens: UltraTac K18 Powerful LED AAA Key Chain Torch Light 4 (~$29.85)
  • Nitecore TIP BLACK 360 Lumens USB Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight with LumenTac USB Cable (~$29.95)

#1 – SureFire Sidekick 300-Lumen Ultra-Compact Triple-Output Keychain

My choice #1 for the best keychain flashlight 2017 is almost rectangular shaped and can produce a powerful 300 lumens of visible light that reaches up to 50 meters. There are three brightness settings you can choose from, at the simple flick of a button.

Best Keychain Flashlight

The rechargeable battery is the most attractive feature of the SureFire Sidekick, as with other flashlights you either replace the existing battery or remove the battery first from the unit to recharge. The charging process for this keychain flashlight is as simple as directly plugging the device into the mains through its micro USB port, as you would normally do with your smartphone. Incredible but true! Your flashlight is always readily charged as you would normally carry a power bank to charge your smartphone wherever you go!

The external body of this weather resistant keychain flashlight is very compact and the metal clip provided makes it convenient to carry around with you, wherever you go.

Features:

  • Length: 2.5 inches
  • Bezel diameter: 0.58 inches
  • Battery: Lithium-ion
  • Weight: 1.2 ounces
  • Brightness: 300 lumens (high), 60 lumens (medium), 5 lumens (low)
  • Runtime: 1.25 hours (high), 4 hours (medium), 45 hours (low)

Pros:

  • Micro USB port for charging
  • Lightweight and very compact
  • Weather resistant
  • Multiple light output
  • Flood beam

Cons:

  • Made of plastic
  • Unit becomes non-functional if the built-in battery dries up
  • Beacon mode during charging may be annoying for some people especially at nights

#2 – Nitecore TIP BLACK 360 Lumens USB Rechargeable Keychain Flashlight with LumenTac USB Cable

My #2 selection is also a very good choice for a portable keychain flashlight. The exterior material is made of water-resistant polycarbonate and is so robust that it can withstand 77 pounds in weight!

You have a choice between four modes for brightness and the highest power achievable is a brilliant 360 lumens which is quite high for a battery equipped with rechargeable Li-ion. The device memory will “remember” the last brightness mode used before the flashlight was turned off. The light beam lights up your peripheral vision and can reach up to 74 meters.

Nitecore TIP BLACK 360 Lumens USB Rechargeable Keychain

You can conveniently recharge your Nitecore keychain flashlight directly using its micro USB port just like your smartphone (very exciting?) or if you are not near an AC outlet, you can conveniently plug your device into your power bank just like the SureFire Sidekick keychain flashlight.

The advanced temperature regulator automatically stops the flashlight from overcharging even if it is plugged in, preventing the unit from overheating. You can easily loop this flashlight in your keychain using the metallic key ring to conveniently carry it around.

Features:

  • Length: 2.39 inches
  • Bezel diameter: 0.85 inches
  • Weight: 0.75 ounces
  • Battery: Lithium-ion battery
  • Brightness: 360 lumens (turbo), 150 lumens (high), 35 lumens (medium), 1 lumens (low)
  • Runtime: 30 minutes (turbo), 1.5 hours (high), 6.5 hours (medium), 46 hours (low)

Pros:

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Waterproof
  • Shock absorber up to 1.5 m
  • Multiple light output with memory function
  • Micro USB port for recharging

Cons:

  • Consumes battery in turbo mode

#3 – UltraTac K18 Powerful LED AAA Key Chain Torch Light 4

My #3 choice for the best keychain flashlight 2017 is an aluminium-bodied flashlight and one of the best keychain flashlights you can find. Since it is compatible with multiple battery types, you can use alkaline or rechargeable Li-ion batteries with this device and consequently experience a significantly higher level of brightness. You get enhanced lighting through the hidden strobe mode on this device, and four different modes of brightness through a toggle switch, the highest being 360 lumens.

UltraTac K18 Powerful LED AAA Key Chain Torch Light

The keychain flashlight is waterproof and impact resistant as the external body is made of aerospace aluminium. A direct copper thermal path inside the body ensures efficient thermal dissipation so this keychain flashlight won’t overheat.
This keychain flashlight is very compact and can be conveniently attached to your head as a headlamp using the detachable metal clip provided. Using the carabiner clip you can attach this flashlight to a keychain.

Features:

  • Length: 2.95 inches
  • Bezel diameter: 0.55 inches
  • Battery: Lithium-ion
  • Weight: 0.75 ounces
  • Battery: Li-ion 10440 or Alkaline AAA
  • Brightness: Using Li-ion 10440: 360 lumens (high), 80 lumens (medium), 5 lumens (low)
  • Brightness: Using Alkaline AAA: 110 lumens (high), 25 lumens (medium), 3 lumens (low)
  • Can be used as a headlamp

Pros:

  • Lightweight and ultra-compact
  • Shock and weather resistant
  • Multiple light output
  • Flood beam
  • Better thermal dissipation
  • Detachable clip

Cons:

  • Consumes battery in high mode during extended use

Conclusion

All three of my choices for the best keychain flashlight in 2017 would efficiently serve the purpose of providing a bright, but miniature light to help locate something quickly in the dark in a small space, or light your way on the pathway outside your home or in any other similar situation.

However, if you were to choose only one of the above, then my choice # 1 is the SureFire Sidekick 300-Lumen Ultra-Compact Triple-Output Keychain Light as it reputed to be both durable and reliable, while at the same time retailing at a very affordable price.

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!

Best Electric Knife Sharpener under $100

Best Electric Knife Sharpener under $100 – My Top 3 Choices

In my wilderness or the outdoors, one of the most important accessories to my survival and hunting gear are my knives. It is these trusty (not rusty) implements that help me carve my meat, fish, and vegetables into edible and manageable pieces, which when cooked are a delight to look at on my plate and consequently devour. Yes, I agree that my ingredients, condiments, and cooking expertise do add to the flavour, for sure but the hunting knives are the real heroes
And that’s why it is a no brainer to invest in the best electric knife sharpeners in order to keep my knives in top condition for my cutting, slicing, dicing and cutting activities in the outdoors

My Top 3 Choices for best electric sharpener under $100 would be as below:

  • Chef’s Choice 320 Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener, White
  • Chef’s Choice 110 Professional Diamond Hone Sharpener
  • Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

#1 – Chef’s Choice 320 Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener, White

This ultra-efficient sharpener is my top #1 choice for the best electric knife sharpener under 100 dollars. The strength of the diamonds in the tool ensure that I get unrivalled sharpening satisfaction when I make just a few passes with the dull knife through each slot. The sharpener does even better than professional sharpening services.

Best Electric Knife Sharpener under $100 - Chef's Choice 320 Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener

Features of this tool are:

1. Two-Stage Sharpening

I can use this professional two-stage electric sharpener to sharpen and strop both serrated and straight knives. Stage one uses a 100% diamond coated disk and stage two uses a polishing and stropping disk resulting in a sharp and durable knife edge. The biggest advantage of this tool is it sharpens by removing least amount of material from the blade during the sharpening process

2. Internal Elastomeric guides
You get a sharp, perfect edge every time as the internal elastomeric spring guides hold the knife blades in the right position and at the proper angle to the sharpening surfaces

3. 100% Diamond Honing
The extreme hardness of the 100% fine diamond honing abrasives ensure they sharpen the blades without overheating or damaging them

4. Stabilizing Feet
The non-slip stabilizing feet and specially designed base of the sharpener prevent any movement and unfortunate accidents, as the tool is kept fixed to the table or counter-top.

Pros:

  • Easily affordable at $94.95
  • 3-year warranty
  • Reliable for use with professional knives
  • This sharpener is so efficient it can restore a 15° edge for Asian style blades, and a 20° edge for both European and American style blades
  • Very reliable and safe sharpener
  • Durable longer lasting edges
  • After sharpening, the knife blade edge is strong and long lasting while the knife cuts cleanly
  • Results are very sharp
  • A reviewer even said that this sharpener can get my knives sharper than the day I bought them!
  • Saves time and effort in the sharpening process
  • Buyer satisfaction of over 95%
  • Easy maintenance, can use a toothbrush or a paper towel to brush
  • No lubrication or wetting of any moving parts required

Cons:

  • Unsuitable for heavy sharpening of very dull knives as it is only a two-stage knife sharpener
  • Sometimes may have to spend time sharpening every use of your knife

#2 – Chef’s Choice 110 Professional Diamond Hone Sharpener

In the commercial kitchen, nothing is more important than a sharp knife. Period. Check out my top# 2 choice coming from Chef’s choice. If I can own a knife sharpener that can produce a patented triple bevel Trizor-Plus edge on any knife in my kitchen, in a few seconds; then this is the tool I really want to own as it promises a superior sharpening result, over a long time.

Chef's Choice 110 Professional Diamond Hone Sharpener

This tool is effective on every knife available in a kitchen except serrated knives, and even does Asian style, fillet, butcher, and sports knives. An additional feature of this sharpener is its patented guide system which ensures maximum sharpness on all my knives.

The 100% diamond abrasive disks or wheels can sharpen any type of alloy including carbon steel and stainless steel, effortlessly. Whether my knife is thin, medium, or thick the inbuilt magnetic guides help me apply the right sharpening pressure for optimal sharpening angles.

Pros:

  • Affordable as price is $79.95
  • This device is easy to use, safe and very effective and hones to perfection
  • As easy as 1-2-3. The first stage removes some of the blade’s metal to create a new blade, the second stage further lightly sharpens the edge and third stage hones the edge to perfection. You may not need to use all three stages for every knife in your kitchen
  • Durable – This is a high-quality product that is recognised for its 100% diamond abrasives and precision guides so my knives work like new
  • User-friendly – I can sharpen multiple knives with this tool very quickly as compared to other tools on the market
  • The elastomeric angle guides help me get high precision sharpening on my knives
  • Comes with simple easy to follow instruction for use of the tool and a 2-year warranty
  • The 3-stage sharpening removes less metal from the blade surface as compared to other sharpening tools in the market

Cons:

  • This sharpener is not good for serrated knives
  • Grinding noises are heard during the process of pulling the knives through the slots

#3 – Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

If I am looking for a very affordable knife sharpener under $100 that will do most of the jobs of my other two choices #1 and #2, then this tool would be my preference. My #3 choice is most economically priced and it’s two-stage sharpener technology can sharpen all types of non-serrated knives, quite easily.

Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

Because of the high quality Sapphirite sharpening wheels, the process of sharpening takes only a few seconds and I get a razor-sharp edge on my knives very quickly. The device works almost on autopilot avoiding any guesswork from me. The knife blade is grinded and sharpened during the first stage while during the second stage I can hone it to perfection.

Three suction cups are inbuilt into the device at the bottom to hold the knife firmly in place during the process of sharpening and a filter is provided with the device to avoid any spattering of metal shards and fillings

Pros:

  • 1 year limited warranty
  • Excellent value and cheap at $20
  • Good for big amounts of grating and cutting jobs
  • Very fast and reliable sharpening results
  • Sharpens dull knives as well

Cons:

  • May require manual steeling by hand, before sharpening
  • Slight burr sound when honing a blade
  • Cannot adjust sharpening angle and cannot sharpen serrated blades
  • Sharpening performance on high carbon steel is excellent but not so good on stainless steel
  • Device motor seems to be under powered

Conclusion

Considering the price and performance, my number one choice for the best electric knife sharpener under $100 will be the Chef’s Choice 320 Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener. Trust my judgement and go for this – you won’t be disappointed one bit!