Choosing A Fixed Blade Survival Knife

Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on December 02, 2013  

A fixed blade survival knife is by far the best kind of knife for self-reliance. Sure, there are plenty of other types of knives out there and even multi tools and knives that you can buy, but nothing can really replace a quality fixed blade survival knife. A fixed blade knife is designed to take anything nature can throw at it. When choosing a fixed blade knife, there are a few things you need to know.

THE BLADE OF A QUALITY SURVIVAL KNIFE

A survival knife will be used for several different things. You may have to hunt with it, split wood, chop branches and remove vegetation. This does not mean that you have to buy a machete or a knife with a rather large blade. A blade somewhere around six inches in length will probably be best.

A good quality survival knife will have a full tang construction and be around 3/16th of an inch thick. A full tang construction means that the metal of the blade will extend down through the handle. A survival knife with the proper thickness and a full tang construction will ensure that the knife is strong enough to do what needs to be done.

THE HANDLE

There are several different kinds of handles for survival knifes. The material used to make the handle also varies, and most of the materials that are commonly used are fine. When buying a fixed blade survival knife, make sure the handle fits your hand. Just because your buddies have a certain brand, doesn’t mean that knife will perform well for you. Make sure you have the fit and feel that is comfortable for you.

THE SHEATH

Because the blade doesn’t fold back into the handle, you will need a sheath for your knife. Most fixed blade survival knives are sold with some kind of sheath, but you can also buy a sheath separately. The thing to remember when looking for a sheath is that you want to be able to get your knife out easily. You also do not want a sheath that would make it too easy to lose your knife. Find a sheath that is comfortable and allows you easy access to your knife.

When choosing a fix blade survival knife you will have a host of options. The Pathfinder Store has chosen our survival knives based upon proprietary criteria that make our knives some of the best in the industry. To choose your knife visit our Survival Knives page today.