Choosing a Survival Knife

A knife is a fundamental component of any survival kit or go-bag. Choosing the right knife can be daunting. Here are some considerations to help you make an informed choice.

A knife is a fundamental component of any survival kit or go-bag -- so essential, in fact, that a kit without one is effectively half empty. While other tools and supplies may still be useful on their own, the absence of a knife will significantly limit your ability to use them to their full potential. A knife serves as a cornerstone tool in nearly every survival scenario, enabling a wide range of life-saving tasks. If I were forced to choose just one item to rely on in an emergency, it would be a knife.

Choosing the right knife, however, can be daunting. The market offers an almost endless selection, designed to meet a wide range of preferences, budgets, and needs, either real or perceived (usually the latter). In truth, most knives will get the job done, but some are better suited for survival than others. You should choose your knife like your life depended on it – Because one day, it just might.

Let me offer some factors and considerations to help you make an informed choice that best suits your needs, intended use, and budget. Plus, I’ll offer you two specific product recommendations.

We Get No Kickbacks

It’s important to begin by making it clear that neither True North nor our staff receive any kickbacks, compensation, or incentives of any kind for the products we mention. We do not use affiliate links, accept commissions, receive payments, or take free products from manufacturers. Most importantly, True North does not sell gear. Our gear and product recommendations, both online and in our training courses, are completely impartial.

Our goal is simply to guide folks toward equipment that we personally use and trust. While it may sound cliché, the core of our mission at True North is to train and advise others as if they were members of our own family.

Half Empty?

I began by stating that a survival kit or go-bag that doesn’t contain a knife is "half empty” so let me explain. One of your seven survival priorities in any emergency is the ability to make a fire. Fire serves many purposes – among other things, it can boil your water to make it safe to drink; it can keep you warm to keep you healthy and functioning; it can help you to signal for help; and, most importantly, boost your spirit. In effect, the other six priorities are in so many respects linked to Fire.

So, many survival kits include a fire-starter plus some type of tinder, either natural or manufactured. It may be great that you can get a flame started, but without a knife, how, then, would you transform it into a thriving fire? You need a knife!

With one, you can cut, gather, and process all the kindling and fuel that you’ll need to make the fire lasting and effective. While, yes, I agree that it wouldn’t be impossible without a knife, you might also understand that you’ve created a great deal more effort than would otherwise be needed, plus greatly slowed your response time. Why make an otherwise difficult situation even harder?

Knife Considerations

Here are some key factors to consider when picking a proper knife for your survival kit or go-bag:

Choose a fixed-blade knife

A fixed-blade knife allows you to get to work immediately when you most need it. Don’t get me wrong – I always carry a folding knife with me every day, and I also keep a multi-tool handy.Having a knife and a variety of useful tools within easy reach makes everyday outdoor tasks much simpler and more efficient. However, I still view them as supplementary tools, not primary ones.

I want to be confident that when I retrieve my blade from my side that it is ready to go in even the most difficult situation – That is, consider how difficult it would be to pull open the blade of your folding knife or multi-tool when the tips of your fingers are painfully impaired by the cold. Or, what if you suffered a broken arm?

Okay, yes, both are still doable. But again, why make an otherwise difficult situation even harder?

Your knife should be full tang

A full-tang knife has a solid piece of steel running from the tip of the blade through the handle. This construction greatly reduces the risk of failure under stress. In a survival situation, your knife will be used for many other purposes well beyond just simple cutting -- digging, chopping, pound

ing, and prying. While partial-tang and folding knives can certainly do the same, they are far more likely to break under such use.

Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better

You don’t need a machete or a “military-style” knife with a 14-inch blade. Oversized knives are often impractical, harder to pack, heavier to carry, and increase the risk of serious injury. The last thing you need in an emergency is to worsen your situation with a serious gash or amputated digit.

The blade of my fixed knife is just over 4 inches. I am fully confident that it will serve my needs in an emergency.

You Don’t Need to Spend a Lot of Money

Many so-called survival knives are priced close to $200, often more.While several of these are certainly high-quality tools, there are plenty of equally reliable, well-made options available for under $100, and even closer to $25.A functional, dependable survival knife doesn’t have to break the bank.

Two Knife Recommendations

The following two knives are models by the same manufacturer, Mora, that I personally use and trust. They meet the criteria outlined above and represent reliable options at two different price points.

Mora Companion
- Blade length: 4.1 inches
- Overall length: 8.5 inches
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Price: Around $25

The Mora Companion is one of the best values available in a fixed-blade knife. The stainless-steel blade is easy to sharpen and far less prone to corrosion than carbon steel, making it a solid choice for users who want low maintenance. It reliably handles common survival tasks such as processing wood for tinder and fuel, shelter construction, and food preparation. While the Companion is technically a three-quarter tang rather than a full tang, this is a justified exception as it is exceptionally robust, and has proven durable over decades of real-world use.It has earned a permanent place in my own survival kit so I regularly recommend it to clients.

Besides, heck, at this price, you can afford to buy multiple knives – One for survival kit or go-bag; glove compartment; and home.

Mora Garberg Carbon
- Blade length: 4.3 inches
- Overall length: 9 inches
- Blade material: Carbon steel
- Price: Around $90

The Mora Garberg Carbon is a more heavy-duty option and has become my standard outdoor knife. Its full-tang construction provides excellent strength and reliability for demanding tasks such as batoning, chopping, and sustained use in harsh conditions. Carbon steel requires more care than stainless -- it is more prone to rust and should be wiped down and lightly oiled -- but it typically holds an edge longer and performs exceptionally well under hard use. For those willing to maintain it properly, the Garberg offers outstanding durability and performance.

My only criticism of both knives is their factory sheaths. While functional, they are aesthetically unappealing and do not attach to a belt in the way I prefer. That said, this is a minor issue and easily addressed with aftermarket sheath options. In sum, it does not detract from the performance or reliability of the knives themselves.

The Wrap

A knife is not just another piece of gear -- it is a foundational tool that supports nearly every survival priority. While the market offers countless options, choosing the right knife does not require chasing trends, gimmicks, or high price tags. It requires only an honest assessment of how you plan to use the tool, your budget, under what conditions, and how reliably it will perform when things go wrong.

A well-chosen knife, combined with proper training and skills, can significantly improve your ability to solve problems, conserve energy, and maintain control in an emergency. Choose thoughtfully, carry it consistently, and practice using it.

When it matters most, you’ll be glad you did.

Meet the Author

Erik Kulick, Founder & Chief Instructor

Erik is a Pennsylvania-certified EMS Instructor, Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, and served in law enforcement. He works with individuals and groups across all skill levels -- from beginners to members of the SOF community. He's been featured in national and international media, including CNN, The Associated Press, Backpacker, and The Guardian.

To learn more about Erik, visit him on LinkedIn and be sure to follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.