What Makes a Good Bushcraft Knife?

If we are talking about Bushcraft and Survival Equipment, surely the first tool we should talk about is a Knife. So let’s take a look at the iconic Wilderness Tool and see whats important.

Bushcraft is a lot about decision making and making the right ones, so lets make a good one when deciding on which Knife to purchase or use, seeing as a blade is undoubtedly at the fore-front of your kit.

A good Knife is a true companion. It should be your greatest friend when in the wild and you should know your favourite knife intimately like our ancestors would have done.

When you think about it, the history of cutting tools is quite fascinating. Imagine our ancestors, crafting their first tools from stone and bone, relying on these primitive objects for literally everything from maybe harvesting an animal, to cleaning it, preparing it, serving it, then making things you need from it to make your position more comfortable. A blade in times past was truely and undoubtedly a mans best friend.

As we evolved through time man rapidly expanded our knowledge of processing raw materials to create bronze and iron blades, gradually shaping the cutting tools we know today. Over a “hella” long time this evolution has led to the modern Bushcraft Knife—an essential tool designed for versatility and durability in the wild.

Primitive blades like our ancestors would have used, made from flint. Archeologists have un covered primitive blades that are 5 times sharper than a surgeons scalpel, and obsidian is one of the only materials known to be able to cut a molecule totally in half!!! These are made by Will Lord, an absolute expert on the subject of anything primitive.

Before we really get started lets take a brief look at the anatomy of a knife so we can learn which parts we are talking about, the best way we can do this is by using a picture, so -

So, what really makes a good bushcraft knife? First and foremost, we have to talk about what they are made from - Steel

Modern Bushcraft Knives are typically made from a variety of steels, each offering distinct strengths and weaknesses.

High carbon steels, such as 1095 and O1, are favoured for their excellent edge retention and ease of sharpening, making them ideal for fine cutting tasks. However, they are prone to rust and require regular maintenance to prevent corrosion.

Stainless steels, like AUS-8 and 440C, are popular due to their resistance to rust and staining, which is particularly advantageous in wet environments. While they may not hold an edge as long as high carbon steels, they are easier to care for.

Tool steels like D2 strike a balance between hardness and toughness, providing good edge retention while being somewhat resistant to wear. However, they can be more challenging to sharpen. Lastly, modern powdered metallurgy

steels such as CPM-3V and S30V combine the benefits of high hardness, wear resistance, and toughness, making them excellent choices for demanding tasks, though they often come at a higher price point. Each steel type presents a unique blend of performance attributes, catering to the diverse needs of the outdoors man and women.

Beyond the blade material, comfort and grip are vital. A good knife should feel like an extension of your hand, allowing for long hours of use without causing discomfort. Look for ergonomic handles made from materials that provide a solid grip, even when wet. This is particularly important in Bushcraft and also Survival, where you might find yourself working in the rain or dealing with slippery conditions but a well maintained wooden handle or scales will often be a classic choice for a lot of us. Often they are beautifully crafted from spalted woods and stabilised with “cactus juice” so it makes it like an epoxy that lasts a lifetime. - its clever stuff.

The actual blade shapes of bushcraft knives vary widely, with common styles including drop point, clip point, and tanto. The drop point is probably the most iconic and well used shape which features a curved edge and a strong tip, making it versatile for both slicing and piercing tasks.

Clip point blades have a concave cutout near the tip, allowing for precise control, while

tanto blades, characterized by their angular tip, are ideal for piercing tough materials.

Additionally, the grind of the blade significantly impacts its performance!!

Full flat grinds provide a thin edge for slicing, while Scandinavian grinds offer excellent control and ease of sharpening, making them popular among bushcrafters . Other grinds, such as

hollow and chisel grinds, serve specific purposes, ensuring that each bushcraft knife can meet the diverse needs of its user in the wilderness.

A great example of a drop point knife where the spine slopes down to the tip, this is quite exagerated but thats the general gist of a drop point blade. This is a Tassie Tigers Knife, made in Australia.

Whilst looking at the actual features of the blade itself there are other uses for a knife other than just cutting and chopping and carving, one we must not forget is fire starting. So the most common way by far the average bushcrafter lights a fire is by ferro rod. To throw good sparks our knives must have a good “sharp” 90 degree spine. When i say sharp i dont mean sharp i mean totally square without being rounded in the slightest. This will give you the friction needed to remove ferrocerium or magnesium from your rod at speed and produce good dense sparks.

This perfectly square edge can also be used in other applications like striping bark from branches or logs, removing rough edges from carvings or making fine tinder for ignition without cutting off too much. Adding all this up you can see how much more effective a knife can be when it has whats commonly referred to as a 90 degree spine.

This is what i consider to be a great value piece of kit including a Full Tang, drop point and a scandi grind (being a Scandinavian brand it makes sense) the Mora Garberg. This is the high Carbon Version, i have the stainless version and just prefer the less maintenance. Click the pic to go to moras website.

Another factor to consider is the knife’s weight and balance. A well-balanced knife feels good in your hand like it was meant to be, you met this knife and nobody can ever take her away from you, “sorry but its true” feeling is important, making tasks like carving and chopping more efficient. While you don’t want something too heavy to carry for long distances, you also need a knife that’s sturdy enough to handle tough jobs without bending or breaking obviously.

Heres another Mora - The bushcraft Black Carbon, which i consider to have the most comfortable handle ive ever used. Its like a soft rubber and stays warm and provides traction in the hand always. If this had the Mora Garbergs Full Tang Blade, i dont think i would need another Bushcraft Knife. This is also available in Stainless i believe

Durability is key. A good blade should withstand the rigors of outdoor use, whether you’re battening wood for a fire or slicing through hard woods. The blade’s thickness plays a role here; a thicker blade can handle more abuse, while a thinner blade excels in slicing tasks, having a balance for what ever tasks you want the knife for is paramount. I would say personally depending on how much of a “banger” or a “smasher” you are a good thickness for a durable knife should be between 4-6mm and whilst we are talking dimensions the length should be around 4-6 inches when speaking generally.

At times i can be a bit of a “banger” this is my custom built Drop Point, based on a Mora. Its has a longer and wider blade designed more for battening and chopping if need be. It has a 6 inch blade and the steel is 6mm thick. Its 01 tool steel which is high carbon and in an extremely well built knife Featuring a scandi grind also, and its a good few years old now but still cuts like the day i bought it. Made by a friend at MBK knives.

Maintenance is another important aspect. A good knife should be easy to sharpen and maintain, as you’ll want to keep that edge in top shape during your time outside. Treat it like a women you’ve been chasing for a long time, when you get them look after them, they’re important and often not cheap!! Whether it’s a simple touch-up with a whetstone or a more thorough sharpening session chuck a bit of animal fat or oil over the handle, blade and sheath. People will say to use this oil or that oil but all oils are water resistent and lubricants and personally i like to use extra virgin olive oil or just the fat from the pan after cooking a load of pork belly or something, or even better render down some tallow from maybe beef or Venison and totally make your own Product for lubrication, waterproofing and more.

Lastly, consider the sheath that comes with the knife. A durable, well-designed leather sheath protects the blade and makes for easy carrying and can be easily maintained again wit oils and fats. But there are other options like, canvas, kydex and certain tree barks like birch or willow or even wood. if you prefer a belt sheath or a dangler it should be secure and allow for quick access to your knife without fuss placed away from your groin on the outside of your body for safety.

A great example of a well made leather sheath. Once again made my a friend over at MBK Knives. I can literally smell that leather from here its beautiful.

In the end, a good bushcraft knife is about more than just the materials or the blade shape; it’s about how it feels in your hand, how you feel with it in your hand, how it feels when your using it for what you want it for and how well it stands up to the challenges of the wild. So whether you’re carving a wooden spoon, preparing a meal, or building a shelter, finding the right knife that resonates with you will make the whole experience easier and more enjoyable.

Enjoy the rest of the site here

Bushcraft and Survival UK Knives - click the link to see our awesome discounted knife selection.

If your interested in primitive knife making or anything primitive at all to that matter, heres an interesting link to Will Lords site

Although a little pricey TBS Knifes offer quality Blades used by many top bushcrafters and survivalists.

Finnish Pukko Knife D2 Steel Ergonomic Handle With Sheath

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Full Tang Knife 12C27 Steel Drop Point Flat Grind with Micro bevel

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