Outdoor Knives|Knife Forum and Community|Forum|Knife Enthusiast
There seems to be a lot of confusion about what a Bushcraft/Outdoors knife is VS a Survival blade, or a one knife/SHTF knife option. To me these are different categories. The steel options and thickness or durability of the blade is less of a factor on the former, and VERY important on the latter.
To me the survival blade is thick, .170-.220, with a thick comfortable handle made of G10, Micarta, or perhaps Carbon Fiber, NOT wood or other less durable, porous materials, and in 1095, 01,3V, Cruwear, perhaps Magnacut(needs more field time), Elmax, A2, M4,or a limited few proven blade steels.
What do YOU think?
You bring up a great point about the distinction between bushcraft/outdoors knives and survival blades, as these are indeed different categories with distinct purposes and design requirements.
Bushcraft/Outdoors Knife: This type of knife is typically designed for tasks that require precision, control, and finesse—like carving, whittling, skinning, and preparing food. It often has a thinner blade (around .100-.125 inches) that allows for detailed work and fine slicing. The steel used in bushcraft knives tends to be tough, easy to sharpen in the field, and maintain a good edge. High carbon steels like 1095, O1, or Scandinavian steels such as Sandvik 12C27 are common due to their ease of sharpening and ability to take a razor-sharp edge. The handle materials may include wood or other natural materials, which offer good grip, especially when wet, and are often preferred for their comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Survival Blade: In contrast, a survival blade is designed with durability and versatility in mind. This knife needs to handle more extreme tasks like batoning, chopping, prying, digging, and other heavy-duty work that could damage a less robust blade. A survival blade usually has a thicker spine (.170-.220 inches) and is made from tougher, more wear-resistant steels like CPM 3V, CruWear, or even newer steels like Magnacut and Elmax, which offer a balance of toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. The handle materials for a survival blade are typically synthetic, like G10, Micarta, or carbon fiber, because they provide better durability, weather resistance, and are less likely to crack, rot, or absorb moisture compared to natural materials.
Your understanding aligns well with the general consensus: bushcraft knives prioritize control and precision, while survival knives prioritize durability and versatility. The steel choice and thickness for each type reflect those priorities, making them suitable for their specific roles in the field.
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