Tested: The Best Bushcraft Knives For The Outdoors

When venturing off-grid, exceedingly few tools offer as much utility and versatility as a bushcraft knife. Able to make the difference between thriving in nature versus merely surviving in it, bushcraft blades have grown increasingly popular over the last decade as the larger outdoor space continues experiencing an influx in interest. With so many available models on the market, it can be difficult even knowing where to begin one’s search when shopping for a modern bushcraft knife. Well aware of this reality, we’ve searched high and low, scouring the segment in order to deliver this curated buyer’s guide and hands-on review of what we found to be the very best bushcraft knives currently available. 

Selection & Testing

In an effort to uncover the latest and greatest bushcraft knives on the market, we kicked off our search by first generating a list of criteria that we would use to guide our selections, factoring-in areas such as blade steel, blade thickness, handle scale construction, and grind. Allowing these elements to steer us, we then pieced together a shortlist of candidates that we felt very well may represent some of the best bushcraft knives that money can currently buy. In an effort to gain a more comprehensive sense of each bushcraft blade’s performance, we managed to track down every knife on our shortlist in order to put it to the test. By getting hands-on with each knife, we were able to glean vital information that can be obtained by reading a spec sheet or product description, such as the knives’ ergonomics, craftsmanship, and build quality. 

More importantly, our hands-on testing phase would also reveal the real-world performance capabilities of each selection comprising our shortlist. This testing period saw each knife on our shortlist used to tackle a variety of essential bushcraft-style tasks via a series of standardized tests. These tests included taking on both regular and fine whittling, as well as undergoing a feather-sticking test. Focusing on each blade’s hard-use workhorse capabilities, every knife on our shortlist was also subjected to a log splitting/hammering test. What’s more, this battery of tests also included seeing each knife used for basic food prep, plus the spine of each blade was used for a Ferro rod-striking test. Additionally, each knife on this list took a turn being worn on my belt for a few days, providing us with a real-world sense of what it’s actually like to live with each bushcraft blade on our shortlist. 

With the information obtained through our extensive hands-on testing phase, we were then able to narrow our original shortlist of picks down to a final hard list of selections that we found to be the absolute best bushcraft knives on the market. There were several knives that came extremely close to earning a main spot on this list, but, for one reason or another, were just slightly edged out by other blades — models that can be found in our honorable mentions section at the very bottom of this writeup and review. 

Gerber Principle

Best Budget Pick: The Gerber Principle is a compact yet capable Puukko-style fixed blade that punches well above its weight on just about every level, from its size to its value. Measuring 7.50” overall while weighing in at under 4oz, the knife features a 420HC full-tang construction sandwiched between a rubber overmold handle set. Boasting a thickness of 0.13”, the blade consists of a 3.10-inch drop point item finished with a zero-edge Scandinavian grind that makes it absolutely perfect for bushcraft use. Best of all, despite its accessible price point, the Principle is made in America too. And, in typical Gerber fashion, the Principle affords pretty stellar bang-for-your-buck.

The Principle’s shorter length does make more ideal for finer, more delicate tasks, as well as applications such as food prep or kindling processing that call for a bit more finesse and control. With a blade that only extends around 3.0” from the handle, the knife isn’t as conducive to hard-use tasks such as log-splitting, at least compared to the larger models that I got hands-on with while testing. And, while you’ve got less blade to work with, that’s not to say the Principle has any issue being hammered through a log. The handle provides enough space and grip to achieve a solid, firm grasp on the thing, and its rubber overmold construction also does a pretty terrific job of absorbing vibrations during hard use. At 0.13”, the Principle’s blade/full tang construction is also one of the thinner tangs/blades on this list. This spec gave me some reservations about the knife’s ability to stand up to hard use, though these suspicions ended up being unfounded, as the little Scandi-ground USA-made fixed blade proved to be a bonafide workhorse. 

There’s honestly a lot to like about the Gerber Principle. Though it’s a small touch, I found the mini thumb-ramp on the sheath to hugely improve the ease of removal, especially when mounted to a backpack or shoulder strap. I also really appreciate that Gerber has opted to employ a 90° spine, as it allows the back of the blade to be used for Ferro rod-striking. Being our budget pick, I was expecting the Scandi-ground factory edge on the Principle to be pretty mediocre, but I was pleasantly surprised by just how razor-sharp this zero edge proved to be. Moving on…the knife ships with a hard plastic sheath that comes with both vertical and horizontal carry attachment items. Made in America, the sheath also offers pretty stellar retention, though appears to be devoid of friction offsets as I noticed a decent amount of blade rattle right out of the gate — an area that will likely worsen over time. It also just has a noticeably cheaper feel to it compared to the KYDEX sheaths that come with the more high-end bushcraft knives that I tested. 

I do worry that the rubber overmold handle may eventually get chewed up and deteriorate over time with enough abuse. Having said that, when my testing had concluded, I didn’t spot any signs that would serve as an early indication that the handle will fall apart. I did, however, notice that the handle did start to develop an almost sticky feel to it. One downside to this knife that I did notice was the design’s balance — or rather lack thereof. Simply put; it’s just poorly balance. With that said, its somewhat diminutive size makes this less of an issue, and its sub-4oz weight makes it super easy to control, regardless of balance. The Principle is also very similar in design to the USA-made Terracraft fixed blade from the Gerber Reserve lineup — albeit with a shorter overall length, a different handle construction, blade material, and a Scandi grind. Aside from tiny minor blemishes on the edges of the handle, I was surprised to see that the Principle’s overall construction and build quality was actually fairly comparable to that of Gerber’s markedly pricer Terracraft knife. On top of coming backed by Gerber’s lifetime warranty, this knife can also be customized using the brand’s online configurator. 

Verdict: Small but mighty, the Gerber Principle is a value-laden USA-made bushcraft-specific fixed blade that’s tough and robust enough to take on hard-use tasks while still being compact enough to lend itself to more delicate tasks such as kindling processing and food prep. 

Condor Tool & Knife Krakatoa Folder

Best Folding Pick: The Condor Tool & Knife Krakatoa Folder is one of exceedingly few folding knives on the market that can legitimately to go toe-to-toe with much larger fixed blade knives when it comes to bushcrafting. Crafted around a framelock-equipped stainless steel liner fitted with a Micarta scale on its show side, the Krakatoa Folder features a reversible pocket clip and a dual thumb-stud-deployed 3.50” drop point blade forged in 1095 high-carbon steel — arguably one of, if not the best blade steel choice for hardcore bushcraft and survival knives. 

Having gotten hands-on with a plethora of knives from Condor, I anticipated the Krakatoa Folder’s edge to be decently sharp. Despite going into this review with preconceived notions, I was still pretty blown away by how ridiculously sharp the Scandi-ground edge was. This made it fairly easy to hammer the folder through a log, though its razor-sharp edge was all the more apparent when feather-sticking, making kindling, or whittling. True, the shorter blade does give you less material to work with, though it doesn’t noticeably hinder performance in any way. Not unlike every other knife or tool from Condor that I’ve had the privilege of testing, the Micarta scale on this knife’s show side is damn-near perfect, with every contour perfectly aligning with the underlying frame. The handle also features a notched cutout that not only provides easier access to the framelock, but also doubles as a finger groove that provides a much better grasp on the knife. Having said that, with the immensely grippy Micarta scale on its show side, the stainless steel framelock-side of the knife is noticeably lacking in grip.

At 8.0” overall, the Krakatoa is definitely a full-size folder, clocking in at roughly a quarter-of-an-inch shorter than the Spyderco Para Military 2. Regardless, the knife is still pretty small for a bushcraft knife — though its smaller scale also has a few major advantages. For starters, the smaller size of this knife makes it easier to control — and therefor allows it to better lend itself to more delicate tasks like whittling or food prep. More importantly, it’s just markedly more compact than most bushcraft-focused fixed blades, making it much more pocketable, much more lightweight, and generally much more travel friendly. This also makes it a perfect choice for motorcycle campers, backpackers, or any other off-grid activities where minimizing weight and mass is a must. Another major highlight on this folder is its locking mechanism, as I found this folding knife’s immense strength to be owed to its unique, ultra-robust take on a framelock mechanism, which sports a lock-bar piece that’s nearly twice the length of the items seen on normal frame-locking EDC folders. 

Though my testing proved the Condor Tool & Knife Krakatoa Folder to actually be a wholly capable bushcraft knife, it isn’t without a few minor downsides — the first and most obvious of which is no doubt the fact that it’s a folding knife, and as such lacks the structural integrity of a full-tang fixed blade design, plus features more moving parts, making it harder to clean this pocket knife — plus makes it more prone to some type of failure. Moving on, I liked that this folder comes with a pocket clip, as it makes the knife easier to carry or store compared to larger fixed blades, though I did notice that it definitely creates a bit of a hotspot when the knife is taking on hard-use tasks. What’s more, while hammering this folding knife through a piece of wood, I did notice that the two bottom handle screws on its show side had fallen out. Because I admittedly didn’t check how tight the hardware was prior to testing, I honestly can’t say if this was a result of poor internal threading, lackluster quality control, or simply a few loose screws — though either way it’s an objective downside, albeit one that may be unique to the unit I happened to test. 

Verdict: If you’re looking for a more compact alternative to a rigid fixed blade but still want true bushcraft capabilities, Condor Tool & Knife’s Krakatoa Folder is almost certainly the best option currently on the market. 

ESEE Knives ESEE-RB3

Best USA-Made Pick: Also known as the “Camp-Lore RB3,” the ESEE Knives ESEE-RB3 is an archetypal bushcraft-specific fixed blade knife that’s been engineered from the ground up for woodcraft and survival use. Designed by adventure traveler, survivalist, writer, and photographer Reuben Bolieu, the Camp-Lore RB3 consists of a 0.125-inch-thick 1095 full tang construction that spans 8.13” overall and culminates in a 3.50-inch drop point profile. Set on both sides of the tang are Micarta scales that are perfectly sculpted — and line up perfectly with the tang beneath. In typical ESEE fashion, the RB3 boasts a ridiculously sharp factory edge. Also, just like other ESEE knives, the ESEE-RB3 comes backed by an unconditional “no-questions-asked” lifetime warranty — a fact that speaks volumes about this blade’s overall durability, materials, and build quality. 

This simple yet effective design does just about anything one could hope for from a bushcraft blade. It’s handle offers stellar ergonomics and affords the necessary grip to handle everything from log-splitting to feather-sticking. Because the RB3 was the second knife that I tested, I didn’t actually realize just how well it excelled at processing wood — that is until trying out several other bushcraft knives that didn’t perform at the same level as the ESEE. This frankly shouldn’t come as a surprise, as producing quality USA-made outdoor knives that you can trust with your life is very much the brand’s bread and butter — and has been since ESEE Knives’ inception in 1997. 

At just 0.125”, part of me initially wished that ESEE and Bolieu had opted for a slightly-beefier tang snd blade construction, though after the performance it exhibited during testing, I feel like this blade’s measurements are right where they need to be. The RB3’s blade is thick enough to handle hardcore cutting tasks and other hard use applications while still being thin enough to easily slice through all manner of materials. Because of the way the knife’s handle uses a finger guard and groove just below where the blade starts, it’s able to provide a ton of grip and leverage — even when the handle is wet or being used with gloves on. With that said, my finger was just barely able to fit into this groove — leading me to believe individuals with larger hands will have a slightly harder time comfortably handling this knife. 

My complaints surrounding the ESEE Knives ESEE-RB3 were few and far between. The RB3 ships with a nicely-crafted USA-made leather sheath, and while it gets the job done, I would prefer if the thing came paired with some kind of hard sheath as they tend to afford more versatility and carrying options. Fortunately, Armatus Carry actually produces an available aftermarket KYDEX sheath for the ESEE-RB3. And, while it has absolutely no problem being hammered through a piece of wood, I did find splitting logs with the RB3 to be a bit trickier than the full-sized models I tested like the ZT 0006, Reiff F5, and Benchmade Bushcrafter. This latter area is pretty much the only real gripe I came across when testing this knife. 

Verdict: Though not particularly game-changing or innovative, the ESEE Knives ESEE-RB3 really does do everything that a quality bushcraft knife should; it’s exceptionally tough; offers stellar ergonomics; and excels at all manner of wood-prep and wood-processing tasks while still lending itself to a myriad of other outdoor and camp-focused applications. 

Zero Tolerance 0006

Most Versatile Pick: Moving on to the largest knife on our list, we have the Zero Tolerance 0006. Made in America, this 10.62-inch fixed blade features a beefy 0.19-inch-thick full tang construction that’s been brought to life in super premium CPM 3V “Super Steel” from Crucible Industries. Sporting a set of textured G10 scales, the Triple-0 Six’s design combines traits from survival knives, combat knives, and bushcraft blades — resulting in an immensely versatile knife that’s capable of lending itself to a wide range of uses and applications. 

I found this Zero Tolerance knife design is also super well balanced, which is even more important considering its size and weight — as an unbalanced design would be markedly more noticeable when dealing with a knife with this much heft. Unsurprisingly, this premium USA-made knife comes from the factory with a ridiculously sharp edge with a full flat grind. Even though it doesn’t feature a Scandi-ground blade, the 0006’s drop point item nonetheless excels at wood processing, with a razor-sharp blade that makes it perfect for whittling, feather-sticking, or shaving kindling. Because of its larger size, it is less conducive to finer, more delicate tasks, though its extended length also makes it incredibly easy to hammer its blade through logs. Alongside its objectively top-shelf nature, use of a super premium blade steel, and stellar build quality, what really makes this knife special is its unparalleled versatility. 

Despite not having a Scandinavian grind, the 0006’s top-shelf blade steel and ridiculously sharp factory edge allow it to process wood almost as well as its Scandic-ground counterparts — plus it’s markedly more versatile than them as well. The series of notches towards the base of the blade’s spine provide a ton of extra traction and grip when choking up on the knife. These ridges grooves are so deep that they’re even effective when wearing gloves. I also no doubt appreciate the tactical aesthetic this detail adds. The guard on this knife not only ups its tactical-style, but it’s also incredibly effective — especially when taking on hard-use tasks. The very bottom of the handle also sees the base of the knife’s tang capped off with a pommel/guard. Additionally, the Zero Tolerance 0006 ships with a custom KYDEX sheath with an embossed ZT logo. Affording a myriad of carrying options, the thing provides a ton of retention, yet is still easy to draw from its sheath. It also comes attached to a nylon belt loop with a secondary snap-secured loop, though it can be removed for other mounting. 

Overall, Zero Tolerance’s 0006 is just a fantastic knife, though I did uncover a few very minor gripes when putting it through its paces. Even with its chamfers edges, the ZT 0006’s handle doesn’t have the most naturally ergonomic shape, though its size, construction, and milled-out grooves did allow me to achieve a firm yet comfortably grasp on the knife, plus I had plenty of grip and leverage when taking on harder-use tasks. We also need to acknowledge how much the 0006 costs. With a more-than-$300 price tag, the 0006 doesn’t come cheap, though its size, materials, design, and craftsmanship make its MSRP a lot easier to justify — as does the fact that it can be used for so many different applications and uses. 

Verdict: If you’re looking for a solid bushcraft blade that’s just as capable of serving as a combat knife, survival knife, camp knife, or general outdoor knife, the highly-versatile — and thoroughly premium — Zero Tolerance 0006 is almost certainly the knife to buy. 

Reiff Knives F5 Field Survival Knife

Best Overall Pick: Based in Texas, Reiff Knives is a boutique brand that unequivocally makes some of the very best outdoor, survival, and bushcraft knives that money can buy. After an enormous amount of customer demand, the company has recently unveiled a larger version of its flagship F4 knife that maintains its absolutely phenomenal ergonomics and handle design while seeing the entire thing slightly scaled-up. Taking its name from its five-inch blade length, the Reiff Knives F5 Field Survival Knife measures 10.0” overall. Set between a pair of grippy Micarta scales, the F5’s 0.18-inch-thick full-tang construction has been forged in super-top-shelf CPM 3V super steel, affording the blade excellent toughness, extreme hardness, and extraordinary edge retention. 

The F5’s blade can be describe as almost irresponsibly sharp, as its factory edge is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced on a knife this large and this thick. Whether whittling, feather-sticking, log-splitting, or shaving kindling, the F5 lends itself to just about every bushcraft task, while also being conducive to food prep and other around-camp activities. The handle of the F5 measures around an inch wide at its thickest point in the center. Between the contours and grooves in the scales and the beefy thickness of the handle in general, this knife features what’s unquestionably the best ergonomics of every bushcraft knife I tested. It just feels incredibly natural and comfortable, lending itself to all manner of woodcraft tasks. Made in a small shop in America, the Reiff benefits from super meticulous craftsmanship and build quality, with an overall level of fit and finish that’s nothing short of superb. 

Another detail I really like is how the team at Reiff has opted to incorporate a bow drill divot into the lanyard hole at the base of the handle. Likewise, the back of the blade can also be used to spark a Ferro rod — another very logical and genuinely useful feature to have on a bushcraft knife. Equipped with a removable Ferro rod holder, the KYDEX sheath that the F5 ships with fits the knife perfectly, offering just the right amount of retention to ensure the blade stays in place, but can still be easily drawn. Reiff also offers the F5 with the option of a leather sheath made from super premium Crazy Horse Leather. With its super rugged build quality and hardwearing material selection, the F5 also makes for a great survival knife. 

The longer I spent with the F5, the more abundantly clear it became just how incredibly calculated this knife really is. Everything from the placement of the lanyard hole to its Kydex sheath are painstakingly considered and perfectly dialed in. It really is hard to overstate just what a terrific knife it is on practically every level. My gripes surround the Reiff F5 were few and far between — and massively outweighed by the knife’s slew of strengths and pros. Weighing just over 9oz, the knife doesn’t cut through wood as well as some of the other knives I tested, though it’s worth pointing out that this is largely due to the fact it doesn’t feature a Scandi grind — an area that slightly lessens its conduciveness to bushcraft while hugely upping its overall versatility. It’s also worth mentioning that Reiff makes several of its knives with available Scandinavian grinds. The only other complaint I have is the F5’s price. At over $350, it’s far from cheap, though all things considered I think this MSRP is actually really easy to justify. 

Verdict: If you don’t mind shelling out the financial premium this USA-made knife requires, the Reiff Knives F5 Bushcraft Survival Knife is almost certainly the best bushcraft knife that money can currently buy. 

Editor’s Note: Though the Reiff Knives F5 Field Survival Knife is slated for a release in the coming weeks, we’ve been given early exclusive access to the knife for testing and review. Interested buyers should check the Reiff Knives website for updates.

Benchmade Bushcrafter 163BK

Best Premium Pick: In 2013, Benchmade tapped renowned designer Shane Sibert to pen a hardcore bushcraft-specific fixed blade knife, ultimately giving way to the 162 Bushcrafter. Just over a decade later, and the Oregon City outfit has now tasked Sibert with delivering a new and improved version of the knife, this time dubbed the Benchmade Bushcrafter 163BK. Spanning just over 9.0” overall, the 163BK is an ultra-premium take on a bushcraft knife, consisting of a 0.16-inch full-tang blade that’s crafted from CPM CRUWEAR and sandwiched between a set of carbon fiber scales over accent red G10 liners. 

In typical Benchmade fashion, the build quality on this bushcraft knife is nothing short of stellar, with an overall level of craftsmanship and fit and finish that makes it abundantly clear that the thing was hand-crafted in America by a skilled expert. As per usual, this Benchmade knife left the factory with a superb, razor-sharp factory edge, though part of what makes this blade special is the fact that it can easily slice through all manner of wood and other materials despite its substantial 0.16-inch blade thickness. What’s more, it’s beefy 0.16-inch thick blade and nearly-one-inch-thick handle allowed me to achieve an outstanding grip on the knife, which is crucial for hard-use tasks such as log-splitting — an area where this Bushcraft blade absolutely excels. The heft and weight of this knife also makes it perfect for chipping away at larger pieces of wood. The fullers in the blade don’t appear to have any impact on performance, though they do undeniably add a few style points which I fully appreciate. 

It’s also exceedingly rare to see utility-driven bushcraft-style knives like this composed of such top-shelf materials. The knife nerd in me also found it difficult not to be taken with the sheer volume of precious materials on this knife, from its super beefy CRUWEAR blade to its massive layered carbon scales. Also, rather than being a full dress-style fixed blade, these materials are actually ideal for off-grid use, with the carbon fiber handle being grippy, lightweight, and incredibly strong, and its CruWear blade offering a superb balance of toughness and edge retention. Benchmade also produces an equally impressive — though more affordably priced — version of its new Bushcrafter with a CPM S30V blade and G10 scales, along with a leather sheath. The Oregon City outfit also produces Mini variants of its new Bushcrafter models that span just 7.58” overall. Like all knives from Benchmade, the Bushcrafter’s price includes a lifetime warranty, along with the brand’s LifeSharp service, which will clean, tune, resharpen, and if need be, re-hone a knife, for life, free of charge, you just have to pay shipping and that’s it.

The Bushcrafter’s KYDEX sheath both looks and feels great. It offers a ton of retention, features a removable Ferro rod holder, and comes on a raised belt clip attachment that can be removed or swapped for other mounting setups. Alongside the retention afforded by the sheath’s friction and snap-in, the thing also features a locking thumb button that ensures the knife stays in, even when being shaken or oriented upside down (or both). I did notice that with a good yank, the knife will come out of the sheath without the button being pressed. This is admittedly a very minor gripe (as the button still prevents accidental deployment) though when I’m paying roughly $500 for a knife, I expect every minor detail to be perfect, so I feel like I have to deduct points here. This brings me to my only other real complaint surrounding this knife, which is its objectively steep price. 

Verdict: The Shane Sibert-designed Benchmade Bushcrafter 163BK is an unmistakably premium interpretation of a hardcore bushcraft knife that sees a versatile design brought to life using meticulous craftsmanship and super-top-shelf materials. It admittedly doesn’t come cheap, though if you can afford it, there really are very few better options. 

Editor’s Note: Though the Benchmade Bushcrafter 163BK is slated for a release in the coming weeks, we’ve been given early exclusive access to the knife for testing and review. Interested buyers should check the Benchmade website for updates.

Bushcraft Knives Comparison Chart

What Is A Bushcraft Knife?

Bushcraft knives are a type of outdoor-focused blade designed specifically for hard-use tasks. Though they tend to be fairly versatile, the main purpose of most bushcraft knives is processing wood — in fact I’d argue a more fitting name for this genre of knife is “woodcraft.” Consequently, these knives feature blades and constructions that are thick and robust enough to stand up to the abuse of hard-use outdoor applications, whether that be getting hammered through a piece of wood, being used to carve a spoon or canoe paddle, or feather-sticking and fire prep use. Almost always of the fixed-blade variety, bushcraft knives are also characterized by their general simplicity, ease of use, and ease of maintenance and cleaning. Immense durability is another defining characteristic of bushcraft knives, as is these blades’ ability to survive practically any terrain or weather conditions. Like their survival-style counterparts, bushcraft knives tend to be rugged enough to trust with your life in off-grid scenarios. 

What’s The Difference Between Bushcraft & Survival Knives?

Put very simply, survival knives are intended to be backup survival tools for outdoorsman, hikers, or off-roaders that find themselves stranded off-grid and need a versatile tool to do everything from process wood to hunt small game. Bushcraft knives, on the other hand, are designed for individuals that are intentionally heading out into the backcountry and want a tool to help make their time off-grid as comfortable — and entertaining — as possible. Both types of knife are extremely durable, though bushcraft knives are engineered largely for processing wood. Consequently, the majority of bushcraft knives feature edges with Scandinavian — or “Scandi” — grinds.  Unlike survival knives that are often more versatile — and often more focused on combat, hunting, or self-defense — the design of bushcraft knives are often rooted in history and can be traced back to traditional outdoor and woodworking knives such as Yakut, Leuku, or Puukko blades. 

What To Consider When Shopping

Though there are numerous areas that should be taken into account when purchasing a bushcraft knife, the reality is that a small number of elements trump all others in terms of importance. Below, we’ll briefly break down each of these pivotal areas in this mini guide on what to consider when purchasing a contemporary bushcraft knife. 

Construction/Layout: The way a knife is configured is extremely important, as it plays a key role in determining the blade’s strength and structural integrity. When purchasing a bushcraft knife, you’ll exclusively want to consider fixed blade knives with full-tang constructions, or ultra-robust folding knives with super sturdy and secure locking mechanisms (such as a framelock or Tri Ad lock). 

Blade Steel: As the element that comprises most of the actual knife (save for its handle scales) the blade steel/construction of any bushcraft knife is of extreme importance. What’s more, this factor also plays a key role in not only determining the hardness of the knife’s blade, but also how well said blade is able to maintain/retain a razor-sharp edge. 

Blade Thickness: A blade’s ability to hold an edge is primarily owed to its construction (and grind), though the thing’s ability to handle abuse and hard-use tasks directly boils down to the thickness of its spine. Consequently, this is another absolutely pivotal area to take into account when shopping. It is worth mentioning that thicker blades can hinder cutting power, though this tradeoff is almost always worth it — especially with bushcraft knives. 

Edge & Grind: A bushcraft knife’s ability to lend itself to wood processing and woodworking is mainly owed to the blade’s grind. More specifically, most of the best bushcraft knives feature a Scandinavian grind (which does a better job of splitting wood over its edge). 

Handle Material: A bushcraft knife’s handle’s ability to stand up to the element is largely owed to its handle construction — an area that also plays a massive role in deterring both grip and durability as well. As a result, handle material is another crucial factor to consider when shopping in this space. 

Ergonomics: How rugged and grippy a handle is tends to boil down to handle scale material, though how well that handle fits in the user’s hand comes down to ergonomics. Consequently, you’ll want to pay attention to the shape of the handle, its thickness, and any grooves, texturing, or contours that can increase grip or improve ergonomics, allowing the thing to fit more naturally in its user’s hand. 

Build Quality: It’s not just the materials used to make a knife that play a massive role in its overall quality and durability, but also how well and how meticulously those constructions have been pieced tougher. This area also plays a monumental role in separating the cheaper bushcraft knives on the market from their more premium — and more rugged and capable — counterparts. 

Sheath: Though this only applies to fixed blade bushcraft knives — which is admittedly most bushcraft knives — you’ll want to pay close attention to the type of sheath that these knives come paired with. Some knives ship with leather sheaths while others are sold with hard plastic or Kydex items — plus some are offered with the option for either. Regardless, this is another area to factor into your decision when shopping. 

Honorable Mentions

The Victorinox Venture Pro is a Swiss-made bushcraft blade that features a full-tang construction brought to life in Sandvik 14c28n steel and cloaked in a thermoplastic elastomer handle with a unique Victorinox print pattern. Spanning 9.50” overall, this knife features an ergonomic handle with a bow drill divot, plus ships with a hard sheath with an integrated set of tweezers and ball-point pen — taking a page out of the Swiss Army knife playbook and applying it to this outdoor fixed blade. 

An up-specced take on a value-laden survival and bushcraft knife, the Morakniv Garberg BlackBlade benefits from a versatile blade with a black DLC coating, a Scandi grind, and a partially-serrated edge. Alongside its incredible bang for your buck, this affordable bushcraft blade is also largely characterized by its immense durability and off-the-charts versatility. 

Made in America, the Demko FreeReign MagnaCut is a super modern take on a bushcraft knife that puts a contemporary spin on the traditional formula — updating the profile of the knife and bringing that profile to life in cutting-edge CPM MagnaCut. From the mind of one of today’s most renowned knife-makers, this Andrew Demko design was extremely close to earning a main spot on this list, though was edged out by the Zero Tolerance 0006 — though only by a slim margin, making the FreeReign MagnaCut well worth considering when shopping for a new bushcraft knife.

The Montana Knife Company Marshall Bushcraft Knife is an elevated, American-made interpretation of a modern bushcraft and survival knife that’s able to take on everything from chopping and cutting to digging and hammering. Spanning 12.625” in total, the Marshall is crafted around a full-tang construction that’s composed of cryogenically heat-treated 52100 high-carbon ball-bearing steel with a parkerized matte black finish. Finished by hand in Montana, this high-end bushcraft model also sports a beefy 0.17” thickness and a set of grippy G10 scales. 

Since first hitting the market, the TOPS Knives Fieldcraft By the Brothers of Bushcraft has uneqvicoally stood as one of the best bushcraft blades that money can buy — and that was before TOPS opted to upgrade its existing 1095 construction to a more premium 154CM steel. Though it ticks just about every box one could hope for when buying a bushcraft blade, the Fieldcraft BoB that we’d planned on testing didn’t arrive in time — sadly relegating this objectively terrific bushcraft knife to an extremely honorable mention. 

Tested: The 7 Best Survival Knives for Off-Grid Living

Interested in checking out another curated selection of outdoor-focused fixed blades? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best survival knives for an in-depth look at the most rugged and versatile survival-grade blades currently on the market.