Survival Knife reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 239 Reddit reviews across 10 subreddits and 36 posts to rank the best Survival Knife brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Survival, r/knives, r/BuyItForLife, r/FixedBladeEdc, r/Bushcraft. Top-rated brands include ESEE (4.7/5), Mora (4.8/5), Morakniv (4.5/5).
Stats
Reviews239
Subreddits10
Posts36
Brands37
Products82
239 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
ESEE
4.7
(35)
"Get a thin cheap $40 Kershaw for daily use, a benchmade 3" to wear when you’re feeling fancy, and an esse 6 for camping. The esse can baton wood, chop, etc."
"I got me ESEE izula 2 for 80 bucks."
"Drop a hundo and get an ESEE 4. All the survival knife you'll ever need."
"A used ESEE 6 is the best for 100 or under imo."
"Get an ESEE 4HM Really solid."
"Personally, I love my ESEE 4HM. Its handle is perfect."
"The ESEE lineup is amazing, I have a lot of them."
"Esee 6 is fantastic."
"I’d personally just drop the money and get an ESEE of your choice."
"I’m gonna concur with the esee recommendation."
#2
Mora
4.8
(32)
"If I were to recommend an “everything” knife to someone the Mora Companion is tough to beat, especially as a place to start."
"My personal preference is to buy a bunch of Mora knives (very cheap but reliable) and toss one in every bag or vehicle so there's always one nearby."
"Mora Kniv.. You can get them on Amazon for just €20. Mega sharp knives, ultra stable and perfect for survival."
"My top 5 in no particular order: - Mora bushcraft, pick your poison on steel and accessories. - Mora Kansbol. - condor primitive from Matt graham."
"Mora is king of what you describe."
"The Kansbol looks like a good one. The Garberg has a full tang, it’s overkill but it sounded good at the time. I’ve had the “companion” for 10 years in my saltwater fishing gear."
"Mora Kansbol is under $35 and is very similar to the Garberb. It is not a full tang but unless you’re planning on using it to fight the zombie apocalypse, it will probably last your life."
"Wilderness skills instructor here. The answer is Mora. I’ve been using them for almost 20 years and still have my first. Good steel and if you lose it you’re out maybe $25 after shipping."
"Mora Over Really Anything"
"Mora, and with the $30 you have leftover, get a Swiss army knife too."
#3
Morakniv
4.5
(24)
"Morakniv Garberg"
"Morakniv Companion"
"Morakniv you can get them anywhere from $10-100 USD and are actually crazy good knives. I have the garberg and love it but it's well over $75. The companion will run you around $20-30 but it's worth a lot more."
"The Mora Companion is hard not to recommend. It doesn't cost much, holds a good edge, and it's tough."
"Buy a Mora Companion for 10~15$ and you're probably good for 90% of bushcraft activities you can do with a knife."
"I recommend a stainless Mora Garberg. It’ll do what you need it to do and it’s affordable. And almost indestructible."
"Check out the morakniv garberg."
"Another vote for Mora. The Mora did all of the rest of the work, and was still shaving sharp at the end of it."
"A Mora companion heavy duty is close to perfection at the price point... I’ve been using the same heavy duty for almost 10 years and it just won’t die."
"Morakniv companion or outdoor 3000."
#4
Cold Steel
4.3
(19)
"Mine would be my cold steel AD10. It’s beefy, yet still slicey. Triad lock is amazingly strong and made will good all around CMP S35VN steel."
"Get Recon 1 from Cold Steel and that will serve you well."
"Get Recon 1 from Cold Steel and that will serve you well."
"The cold steel SRK! Mine has done me wonders over the years."
"Cold steel SRK"
"I'm fond of my Cold Steel SRK."
"I vote Cold Steel AD10, SR1, (either Lite or normal models) or Ontario Rat 1. Put the $500 you saved into something else"
"Cold steel canadian belt knife."
"Cold Steel SRK (SK-5)"
"The Cold Steel SRK in CPM 3v is on sale right now for $99 at midwayusa.com."
#5
Becker
4.4
(16)
"If you don't mind weight the Becker BK2 is bombproof"
"A Becker BK2 is a great option. Full tang, 1/4 inch blade width and weighs a full pound."
"A becker BK7 is a great all rounder though is slightly more at the 80 or so mark. But a really great knife!"
"I really like the KA-BAR Becker bk2 'Campanion.' Goes for about $70 on amazon."
"It has a great blade length, its incredibly tough and durable, and I think it looks fantastic. Also its very reasonably priced."
"I would recommend looking into Mora, Becker (produced by KaBar), ESEE."
"BK2 + Mora Bushcraft + Gansfors Bruks hatchet."
"I’d get a Becker."
"BK2 is my go-to outdoor knife for really heavy tasks."
"I have a BK2, which might be a bit thick for you, but the BK16 looks nice, the BK10 is about the same size as the BK2 but thinner blade."
#6
Ka-Bar
4.0
(12)
"Ka-bars are right in that price range and full tang. I've used mine for over a decade now with no problems."
"KABAR for the knife. No doubt. They have many different styles now not just the standard USMC which is still amazing for what you want."
"Kabar BK9 + mora companion. Bk9 does wood, shelter tasks companion inexpensive, lightweight, tough, sharp, finer tasks"
"Kabar BK9"
"Kabar BK7"
"Ka-Bar is typically a reputable brand for knives."
"And if you don’t already have one a Ka-bar is always a choice knife"
"Can’t beat a Kabar."
"Kabar Bk 16 or 7. I’m not sure how “tactical” they are, but kabar knows how to make a fighting knife for sure."
"For fifty bucks, go with a Ka-bar. They have full size and smaller versions... Great knives with a lot of history."
#7
Benchmade
4.4
(10)
"Benchmade griptillian has been by my side for about 8 years now. Tons of daily use , camping /fishing/hunting/hiking trips etc etc. Plus a great warranty with Benchmade"
"I have a benchmade mini bug out and it is my every day carry. It’s so freaking light I wouldn’t even know I have it on me if it wasn’t clipped to my pocket."
"Durable, versatile, lifetime investment: Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, CRKT, Civivi."
"I love my benchmade bushcrafter 162. I’ve put it though hell and it keeps pushing"
"Recon 1"
"I like the benchmade bugout on sale"
"Love my Benchmade Bugout. Super light and thin, slips in the pocket well"
"Traditionally though, benchmade bugout or a spyderco manix 2"
"Get a thin cheap $40 Kershaw for daily use, a benchmade 3" to wear when you’re feeling fancy, and an esse 6 for camping."
"Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter can be found at that price."
#8
Fallkniven
4.9
(8)
"Fallkniven is a top choice"
"If you didn’t want to buy another knife for the rest of your life you could get away with just using this one."
"Excellent knife, Fallkniven is an amazing survival knife!"
"Just get a Fallkniven F1 with a DC4 sharpener and that will be all the knife gear you’ll ever need."
"Fallkniven F1 or S1 should fit your needs. They have black coated versions. Both are great for bushcraft and can take a beating."
"Fallkniven f1 , laminated steel. nothing else is even close."
"Best knives and u can find them on ebay for as low as 60 for the falkniven."
"Look into Fallkniven"
#9
Tops
4.6
(8)
"TOPS makes my favorite fixed blades, the BOB i"
"TOPS Knives are my favorite fixed blade knives, most can be had for under $300."
"Tops silent hero"
"Tops Silent Hero is IMO a better ESEE 6."
"TOPS Fieldcraft by: brothers of bushcraft. a little over 100$ but beast of a knife."
"My Tops knife is my favorite because I’ve got big hands their handles are pretty beefy"
"Tops BOB (Brotherhood of Bushcraft) fixed blade knife is pretty awesome."
"I like the knives from Tops they can be a little pricy, but they haven't failed me yet."
#10
Gerber
4.0
(8)
"Folding knife, I got a Gerber when it was on sale at Wal Mart in 2020, still like it."
"Even something “cheap” like the Gerber Gear Ultimate Survival knife, is a good place to start. Comfy grip, strong, weatherproof."
"Gerber Strongarm (people love to hate them but they’re great)"
"Strongarm will be fine. 420HC will be fine for a camping trip."
"Gerber Strongarm"
"Another for gerber strongarm."
"Got one too, solid no frills outdoors knife."
"Gerber Strongarm."
#11
Terava
4.4
(7)
"Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140 today, arrived directly from them in Canada in a week via ordinary post. Excellent knife, lives up to its billing and is cheap."
"Terava Jaakaripuukko 110 Carbon Steel"
"Terava Jaakaripuukko 140 Carbon Steel"
"Terava Skrama"
"Terava Jaakaripuukko as others have mentioned (I'd suggest the 110 but the 140 is great too)"
"Terava jaakaripuukko 110 140"
"Terävä skrama 240"
#12
Kershaw
4.4
(7)
"The Skyline has been my everyday work knife for the past 10 years. Made in the USA and cost me around $24 on sale from Cabelas."
"I bought my made in the USA Kershaw Skyline from Cabelas for like $24. It’s around 10-12 years old and was my every day work knife for most of that time."
"Kershaw Chill is in my pocket every day. I think it is the perfect knife at the perfect price."
"For an everyday carry pocketknife, I really like my Kershaw Chive. It's just the right size for most day to day tasks I need a knife for."
"Got a $20 Kershaw folding knife before hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2020. It's more than a daily used item, and stays nice & sharp for months before honing. Highly recommend."
"Kershaw makes an awesome affordable knife. I have several. I moved on to Benchmade for EDC and really enjoy their products."
"Get a thin cheap $40 Kershaw for daily use, a benchmade 3" to wear when you’re feeling fancy, and an esse 6 for camping."
#13
Condor
4.3
(7)
"Condor Bushlore is a great option."
"Condor bushlore. Best damn knife for a budget, hands down."
"Ooh the condor undertaker looks pretty mean"
"Condor Undertaker"
"That's an excellent knife. But I'm cheap so I bought a Condor Bushlore."
"I have a Condor Bushlore that I usually leave in my daypack. It holds a great edge, and the sheath is nice."
"Condor Bushlore is a good knife for about $40"
#14
Ontario
4.2
(5)
"Ontario rat 2, swiss army compact and climber, opinel are excellent."
"Ontario RAT 1 in D2 steel. Your $600 will buy a dozen and assuming you don't lose them that should be enough for 3 lifetimes."
"Was going to comment this with a RAT 2. Just to note: the company almost closed and is transitioning from NY to VA."
"Ontario 499"
"I have an Ontario 499 that seems good, and I have a Buck 119 that is great too."
#15
Spyderco
4.5
(4)
"Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Benchmade Griptilian are top choices for versatility and durability."
"FWIW I've carried the same Spyderco Dragonfly for the past 25 years and it's been fantastic."
"Spyderco Tenacious is my favorite “modern” knife, but a good Case Trapper is amazing."
"Traditionally though, benchmade bugout or a spyderco manix 2"
#16
Esee
5.0
(3)
"Spend the money, get an ESEE 6 and enjoy it for life."
"Esee 6"
"I've got ESEE 6, I agree that it is overkill. I regret nothing. It's an awesome knife."
#17
Schrade
3.8
(4)
"Schrade made a nice one for a while as part of their Old Timer lineup, it may be discontinued because they're hard to find on amazon. Can be had for around $40 on eBay."
"Schrade sch52. Hell of a knife. Not god steel but looks good and is plenty big unless you want a Randall's."
"Schrade has been my go to for decades. Inexpensive, sturdy, can take a beating and keep cutting."
"Schrade? Eeeeee.... Depends on the quality of the heat treat but Schrade do have some interesting offerings."
#18
Chris Reeve
4.7
(3)
"At $600, your at Chris Reeve Knife money. Go check their Sebenza line. To my experience there isn't anyone with that kind of fit and finish."
"Chris Reeves. If you want to spend that kind of money that would be the way to go. Buy a nice Sebenza or Umnamzaan."
"Chris Reeves if you are willing to spend. Otherwise the spyderco para 3 is a terrific all rounder."
#19
Buck
4.0
(3)
"My favorite fixie is the Buck Selkirk. Good blade length, easy to sharpen and good warranty."
"Buck 119"
"I’d go for a buck special 119 or a mora 120 maybe a Bowie knife from condor."
#20
Bark River
4.5
(2)
"Any bark river all other knifes are obsolete."
"Look into bark river"
#21
Marttiini
4.5
(2)
"The Big Game Martef is an epic choice. Best knife I've ever had, ridiculously sharp and sturdy full tang knife."
"Marttiini makes tough high quality puukkos and they don't brake the bank."
#22
BPS
4.5
(2)
"BPS Adventurer. I cannot recommend enough and I have much more expensive blades."
"BPS Knives go for a very reasonable price and are pretty good."
#23
Varusteleka
4.0
(2)
"Varusteleka Terävä! For $200 you can get a Tiny (awl, scalpel, detail cutter)"
"Skrama 200 or 240 (chopping, batoning, planing, digging)"
#24
Joker
4.0
(2)
"Joker Campero, which is flat ground and stainless"
"Also really love the Joker Nomad 6.5."
#25
Spartan
4.0
(2)
"The spartan is nice"
"Spartan Harley Fighter, TOPS Apache Dawn,"
#26
Bradford
5.0
(1)
"I’m currently very fond of my Bradford Guardian, it’s on my person most of the time."
#27
Battle Horse Knives
4.0
(1)
"I love my Battle Horse Knives Woodman knife"
#28
Microtech
4.0
(1)
"I have a Microtech Ultratech. A switchblade. I hope they legalize these things everywhere. I do not regret spending $300."
#29
Condor Tool & Knife
4.0
(1)
"I have a Condor Tool & Knife Stratos that is a great knife overall but I don’t like the blade profile."
#30
Lamnia
4.0
(1)
"Lamnia is a good source for Puukko knives. The Rokka is worth a look"
#31
CRKT
4.0
(1)
"I really love my CRKT M16-14ZSF but there are a number of variations that would all be good."
#32
Milwaukee
4.0
(1)
"Honestly, Milwaukee HVAC knife."
#33
Civivi
4.0
(1)
"The Civivi elementum 2 fits nicely in hand, very sturdy and easy to open and close. I got it because I was looking for small knife for camping and outdoor adventures and it's great for that."
#34
Eafengrow
4.0
(1)
"The Eafengrow EF135 goes for $60 on Amazon and is a great value."
#35
Outdoor Edge
4.0
(1)
"Outdoor Edge. They have a new EDC knife that’s $45. It’s essentially as sharp as a razor blade with the ability to replace blades for around a dollar a piece."
#36
CFK Cutlery Company, IPAK Survival
4.0
(1)
"I’ve gotten a couple of knives on eBay from CFK Cutlery Company and IPAK Survival and love them. Their handmade and they auction a lot of them, so if you’re patient you can get a really good deal."
#37
Glock
3.0
(1)
"Very inexpensive very replaceable does what you might need it to do"
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
