Knives are among the earliest tools known to humankind, and if you’re stranded in the woods with only one thing, a decent survival knife is precisely what you need. A proper survival knife can be helpful in just about any situation, which is why finding the best cheap survival knife is critical. Whether you’re a novice outdoors enthusiast or a seasoned survivalist, everyone needs a dependable knife at their side while venturing out.
A survival knife should serve as a general-purpose tool rather than a specialized one. The knife will most probably be used for cutting, chopping, and splitting wood, as well as prying and digging. You’re probably not going to use it for hunting or slaughtering.
Many knives are sold as both tactical knives and survival knives, but the two functions are not completely interchangeable.
The Mossy Oak survival hunting knife is crafted from stainless steel. This gives it enhanced edge retention, outstanding hardness, as well as rust resistance. The knife has a razor-sharp clip point blade that makes it ideal for survival training, camping expeditions, and military combating. It can also be used by outdoor sports enthusiasts and survivalists who are out for an adventure.
This combat knife is ultra-sharp and is stronger than any bowie knife or hunting knife. The knife has a 15 inch fixed blade, with a length of 10 inches, a thickness of 3.8 mm, and a weight of 16.8 oz. It has a classic rubber handle that provides a comfortable non-slip grip and high friction when handling.
The outdoor knife comes with an easy-open fastening system on the heavy-duty nylon sheath, which also has a belt hanging system that makes the knife safe and easy to carry around. The paper package beneath the plastic container is a silver sharpener and a black fire starter that are ideal for outdoor camping.
Specifications
- Brand: Mossy Oak
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Color: Black
- Blade material: Stainless Steel
- Overall Length: 15 inch
- Weight: 16.8 oz
- Thickness: 5/32 inch (3.8 mm)
- Blade Length: 10 inch
Pros:
- Excellent hardness from the Stainless Steel makes it durable
- Provides a comfortable grip
- Classic rubber handle offers high friction when using
- Safe and easy to carry
- Nylon sheath is easy to open
- Blade is resistant to rust, so it’s easy to maintain
- The blade has edge retention and doesn’t need constant sharpening
Cons:
- Coating on the knife may come off
- Knife may need constant sharpening to stay sharp
- Handle can be noisy when the knife is in use
2. Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
- Dimensions: 9 inch (22.9 centimeter) overall length with a blade length of 4.7 inches (12.1 centimeter) and a weight of 7.7 ounces
- Durable: Blade is made of reliable 7Cr17MoV high carbon stainless steel with a black rubber wrapped handle.
- Dependable: Quick and easy access with the convenient belt or boot sheath making it ideal for everyday carry
- Secure: Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the hand guard
- Guaranteed: This product is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
The Smith and Wesson fixed blade knife is also a contender for the best cheap survival knife. This knife has a dual edge blade made out of 7Cr17MoV high carbon stainless steel. The stainless steel material is reliable and durable. It also had a TPE handle.
This solid knife has a boot Sheath or a convenient belt that makes it easy and quick to access. This means that you can safely and conveniently carry it around. The knife is also secure because it has a handguard, making sure that you can use it with confidence, without having to worry about the blade slipping. The knife is ideal for tactical, outdoor, and survival activities.
Specifications
- Brand: Smith % Wesson
- Model Name: SWHRT9B
- Color: Multi
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Style: Fixed Blade
- Dimensions: 12 x 7.5 x 2 inches
- Product Weight: 5.61 Ounces
Pros:
- High carbon stainless steel material on the handle makes it durable
- Sheath makes it safe and easy to carry around
- Blade is secure and cannot slip easily
- Rubber wrapped handle provides a firm grip
- The Clip is extremely long-lasting and customizable to your preferences
- This knife is a highly effective self-defense tool
- Coating on the blade is long-lasting
Cons:
- May not be the ideal choice for camping
- Knife does not stay fastened in the sheath very well
- Knife is too short to be carried openly
3. SOG Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath
- FIXED BLADE WORK KNIFE: The SOG Ace is a tough full tang knife made with corrosion-resistant 7CR17MOV steel in stone wash finish; hiking knife measures 8.75 inch in total length
- OUTDOOR AND BUSHCRAFT KNIFE: A clip-point tip and thick blade jimping provide max control and versatility for this field knife; companion knife is great for cutting, carving, and batoning camp chores
- PUT THIS CAMP KNIFE TO WORK: Use these hunting knives or camping knives for any all-weather adventure; SOG Ace survival fixed blade knife has excellent edge retention and rust resistance
- LIGHTWEIGHT BELT KNIFE WITH SHEATH: This 4 oz. workhorse has a unique belt clip sheath with a built-in cord-cutting groove; grippy TPR handle is sturdy and comfortable for long hours of use
- SOG KNIVES FOR LIFE: Take care of your SOG field knife and we’ll take care of you; SOG fixed blade knives are built to last, and we consider all repair and replacement requests.
The SOG Fixed Blade survival knife has a fixed blade, just as the name suggests. This knife is a strong full tang knife made out of 7CR17MOV steel that is resistant to corrosion and has a stonewash finish. The hiking knife has a total length of 8.75 inches.
This knife is ideal for camping or hunting, as well as all-weather adventure. The blade of the knife is resistant to rust and has great edge retention. This field knife also has a thick blade and clip-point tip to make it versatile, and to provide maximum control. It’s great for carving, baronial camp chores, and for cutting.
The product comes with a unique belt clip sheath that has a cord-cutting groove that is built-in. The handle is comfortable and sturdy, with a TPR grip which makes it easy to use for long periods of time.
Specifications
- Brand: SOG
- Model Name: ACE1001-CP
- Color: Black
- Handle Material: Stainless Steel
- Blade Length: 3.5 inches
- Style: Ace-Black Sheath
- Blade Shape: Clip point
- Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 1 x 2 inches
- Product Weight: 4 Ounces
Pros:
- This field knife is versatile and can be used for a number of functions
- You can use this knife in all-weather adventure
- Blade of the knife offers great rust resistance
- TPR handle offers comfort when using the knife for long hours
- Sheath makes the knife easy and safe to carry around
- Resistant to corrosion
- Knife is small and fits easily in your hand
Cons:
- Blade may require frequent sharpening
- Sheath does not work for horizontal carry
- Sheath isn’t flexible enough to easily remove the knife from your belt
4. Whetstone Clip Saber 16″ Bowie Knife
- Black coated stainless steel
- Full tang blade
- Includes Nylon belt sheath
- Made in China
- 16 inches overall, 5 inch handle, 11 inch blade
This 16-inch Full Tang Stainless Steel Bowie Knife from Whetstone is also a strong competitor for the best cheap survival knife. This Whetstone Bowie knife is guaranteed to be a wonderful addition to your knife collection of outdoor or hunting gear. This razor-sharp blade has a tough handle with an additional grip that fits comfortably in your hand.
This product has a handle and blade made out of stainless steel material and a clip point blade shape. The handle and blade are coated in black. The knife has a full tang 11 inch blade and a 5 inch handle. It comes with a nylon belt sheath and a carrying case to enhance safety.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Trademark GLB
- Model Number: B01LR44GUM
- Model Name: Clip Saber
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Stainless Steel
- Product Dimensions: 16 X 3 X 0.5 inches
- Product Weight: 1.2 Pounds
- Blade Shape: Clip Point
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Lightweight design makes it easy to use for long periods
- Knife is made from good quality material
- Durable
- Has a full tang making handling effortless
- Knife is very sharp and cuts easily
Cons:
- It’s not a full tang knife
- Knife can get a dull edge that needs sharpening once in a while
- Sheath is not very strong
5. Best Deer Hunting Knife with Sheath-Fixed Blade
- Overall length: 10.5”
- Black-colored stainless steel blade material
- Full Tang Heavy Duty
- Nylon sheath with button
- Metal handle wrapped with thick camo nylon rope for a secure hold
Any camper, hunter, outdoor, survivalist, or knife enthusiast will appreciate this outdoor hunting knife with its high-quality sheath. This survival knife provides any adventure enthusiast with the utility and versatility that they seek. The blade material is stainless steel, and the knife has a black body color.
The overall length of the blade is 10.5″, the blade length is 5.5″, and the length of the handle is 6″. The knife has a nylon camouflage handle with a wrap nylon sheath featuring nylon buttons. For a solid grip, a thick Camo nylon string is wound around the metal handle. This heavy-duty knife also has a full tang. This outdoor hunting knife offers a mix of quality and functionality.
Specifications
- Brand: Defender
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Stainless Steel
- Color: Black
- Overall length: 10.5”
- Package Dimensions: 12 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches
- Package Weight: 11.2 Ounces
Pros:
- The knife has a unique style
- Blade is sturdy, providing easy handling
- Good quality for a cheap price
- Small size makes it fit nicely in your hand when using
- Sharp blade is great for camping
Cons:
- Blade does not retain edges and needs frequent sharpening
- Knife is smaller than how it appears in the images
- The paint on the knife may chip off
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Cheap Survival Knife
Style comes second to function when it comes to the best cheap survival knife. The performance of your system will be your first focus, and it will be determined by a number of tried-and-true important characteristics.
Here are some important factors you should consider before purchasing a survival knife:
The shape of the blade
The shape of a blade determines its use, and most knives are designed with a particular purpose in mind. A clip point bowie or sturdy drop point blades are both great alternatives for a general-purpose survival knife. For cutting and bushcraft, a kukri or machete may be beneficial.
The knife blade material
The material from which your blade is crafted may be the difference between a survival knife you’ll use for years and a shiny metal blade that breaks the very first time you use it. The blade material is therefore one of the most important elements to consider when picking the best cheap survival knife. When it comes to dependability and durability, a fixed blade knife outlasts a folding knife.
The handle
The handle of the survival knife can be switched based on the situation, but it must always allow for easy gripping and be secure. Despite the growing popularity of G10 and Micarta, classic handles including rubber and wood are still used on knives. Take into consideration whether the knife handle is convenient to use for survival tasks, like cutting through tough materials.
The tang of the knife
Unless the survival knife is exceptionally designed or is an item you wouldn’t mind discarding after usage, go for full-tang knives. The term “full tang” refers to the handle and the blade being made from a single metal piece. A full tang is better than a partial tang. This essentially implies that the steel part of the knife just under the blade extends into the handle as well. Knives with a full tang are usually more expensive, but they’re also more durable and long-lasting.
A sheath
The sheath must keep the sharp knife safe and protected while allowing you to maneuver freely. It should protect you from being stabbed or cut by your camp knife when climbing or navigating through dense foliage or terrain. It should also prevent the knife from falling out if it’s turned upside down.
Wrap Up
There are a lot of survival knives on the market. With our best cheap survival knife buying guide, you can find one that’s both affordable and provides the qualities you need for survival situations, adventuring, or emergencies. Just keep in mind that durability and safety come first. Happy adventuring!
