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Picking the Best Survival Knives

FunWriter | Aug 17, 2011 |

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Expert survivalists will be the first to inform you that one of the most versatile and vital tools for surviving are survival knives. No other tool can assist you in accomplishing almost any task you set out on. A knife is useful for defense purposes, hunting, building shelter, marking your path so search parties can find you, and chopping kindling for fire making.

Picking the best knife is a challenge. It needs to be strong. It needs to be made of high quality material. It must be able to handle a variety of tasks without breaking or dulling quickly. You must first think of the number of elements your knife may come in contact with and the number of uses it might find—all before choosing one to carry.

Here are some basic rule of thumb instructions to assist you in picking the best survival knives for your individual needs:

A full tang is important. The tang of a knife is the blade that extends into the handle. A full tang is when the blade extends deep into the handle. Why is a full tang necessary for survival knives? Simply put: the fuller the tang, the stronger the knife. Extra strength means there will be less chance of the blade breaking, especially when you need it the most.
Size matters. Although a large knife is impressive and brings confidence to the wielder, bigger is not always better. A truly useful knife will be able to handle delicate tasks alongside large ones, and it will be easy to grasp. Good knives have a blade ranging from four to six inches in length.
Be selective about blade type. Double-bladed knives are popular, but they are not ideal for survival scenarios. They can be a hassle to use and cause injury at inopportune or deadly times. Serrated blades have their benefits; they can saw through flesh and clothing. However, smooth blades are recommended as the best choice for survival knives. Why? Smooth blades are easy to sharpen as needed, and they cut wood much better than a serrated blade.
Look at the blade thickness. It is important! The thicker the blade, the stronger it will be. Survival experts recommend investing in a knife with a blade thickness ranging between 5/32 and 8/32-inch. This thickness range is ideal because it allows a margin for delicate work, such as using a blade to construct shelter or skin an animal.
Material matters. The material of a blade is just as important as the side, build, and thickness. Stainless steel or carbon-steel are both recommended materials. To avoid rust, a stainless steel blade works better than carbon-steel. It will not rust easily. However, stainless steel can be difficult to sharpen.

Considering the uses and possible environments your knife will face will guide you in picking the best possible knife. There is no rule that carrying only one knife is correct. Some individuals carry two or more survival knifes, each designed to tackle various tasks with precision and strength.