How a High-Quality Survival Knife and Kit Can Make Your Emergency Preparedness Easier
A survival knife kit typically includes a survival knife and various other tools and equipment to help someone survive in the wild.
In addition to a knife, a kit might include items such as a fire starter, a saw, a compass, a first aid kit, and more.
The purpose of a survival knife kit is to provide a comprehensive set of tools that can help someone survive in various situations.
On the other hand, a survival knife is a single tool that is also designed for use in a variety of survival situations.
They typically have a fixed blade, a sturdy handle and are made from high-quality materials that can withstand heavy use.
A survival knife is designed to be versatile and capable of handling various tasks, such as cutting, chopping, slicing, and piercing.
In summary, the main difference between a survival knife and a survival knife kit is that a survival knife is a single tool. In contrast, a survival knife kit includes multiple tools and equipment designed to work together to aid in survival.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Survival Knife Kit for Your Needs
The uses of a survival knife kit can vary depending on the situation, but some common tasks that the kit and a stand-alone survival knife can help with include:
- Cutting and preparing food: A survival knife can be used to prepare food by cutting, slicing, and dicing ingredients.
They can also be used for opening canned foods you may carry or come across, for getting into MRE packages, and for rudimentary slicing and chopping tasks.
Think about it. You may be forced to hunt for your own meals if you’re stuck in the wild or in a situation without a fresh food supply. We’re meat-eaters by nature, after all. And now we are hungry.
- Making Tools: The knife may be the ultimate survival tool, but that’s not to say you won’t need to equip yourself with other “homemade” tools to make life in the wild or post-disaster world a little easier.
Instead of sacrificing your knife to the end of a stick to be used as a spear, you can use the blade to craft that stick into a spear with a sharpened point. That’ll free up your knife for other tasks and make a weapon that puts plenty of distance between you and any threat.
Beyond that, you’ll be surprised at what your knife can be used to make. After all, an essential part of survival is adapting to your surroundings and using your creativity to make the most of what little you have.
- Shelter building: A survival knife can cut and shape branches and other natural materials to build a shelter.
This relates a bit to fire-building and tool-making, but knives are crucial for building a shelter in the wild.
- Fire starting: A survival knife can create sparks to start a fire by striking it against a ferro rod or other fire-starting material.
To start a fire, you need a tinder, but to make a tinder, you often need a blade to make shavings of dry wood to mix with leaves and other kindling.
The blade – preferably the back end (the spine) – can also be used to strike a magnesium rod or flintstone (another valuable part of any survival gear bag) to create a spark and ignite a fire.
From there, a sharp and sturdy blade can be used to chop down thicker branches to be used to keep the fire going. Fixed-blade knives with partially serrated blades can make this and other tough outdoor jobs easier.
- Hunting and fishing: A survival knife can be used to prepare game and fish for cooking.
Steps For Preparing a Caught Fish for Cooking
- Clean the fish: Before cooking your fish, you must thoroughly clean it. This involves removing the scales, gutting the fish, and removing the gills. You can use a fish scaler or your survival knife to remove the scales by holding the fish by its tail and scraping from the tail toward the head. Cut off the head and fins, and make a cut from the tail to the head along the belly. Remove the organs and scrape off any remaining blood or debris with a spoon or a knife. Rinse the fish under cold water to remove any remaining debris.
- Remove the skin: Removing the skin is optional, but it can improve the texture of the fish. You can remove the skin by placing the fish on a cutting board, making a small cut near the tail, and holding the skin with one hand while carefully slicing the flesh away from the skin with the other hand.
- Cut the fish: Cut the fish into portions or fillets, depending on your recipe. If you are unsure how to do this, looking up a tutorial or asking for assistance from someone experienced is recommended.
- Season the fish: Season the fish with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
- Let the fish rest: Allow the seasoned fish to rest at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking. This helps the fish cook more evenly.
Now that your fish is prepared, you can cook it using your preferred method. Remember to follow safe cooking practices and cook the fish to avoid foodborne illnesses. Enjoy your freshly caught fish!
- First aid: A survival knife can cut bandages and remove splinters or other foreign objects from the skin.
- Self-defense: In an emergency, a survival knife can be used as a defensive weapon to protect yourself from wild animals or other threats.
Recommended Survival Knife Kits
Following are various survival knife kits, one of which would be a good option for your emergency preparedness solutions:
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit
This kit includes a Gerber survival knife with a partially serrated blade, a ferrocerium rod, a diamond sharpener, an emergency whistle, a waterproof matches case, a snare wire, a fishing kit, a survival blanket, and more. All the tools are compact and easy to carry in the included nylon sheath.
SE Outdoor Tanto Knife with Firestarter and Sharpening Stone
This kit includes a fixed-blade survival knife with a 4-inch stainless steel blade, a nylon cord-wrapped handle, and a nylon sheath. It also comes with a magnesium fire starter and a sharpening stone, making it a complete survival kit for anyone spending time in the wilderness.
Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty Knife with Spark Starter
This kit includes a Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty knife with a 4.1-inch blade, a black rubber handle, and a plastic sheath. It also comes with a fire starter that can be used to create sparks and start fires in any weather conditions. This is a great option for anyone who wants a high-quality knife and fire starter without breaking the bank.
5 Recommended Examples of Survival Knives
For a heavier-duty survival knife solution, consider these survival knives:
Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife
This knife features a full tang, 4.8-inch blade from high carbon stainless steel. It has a diamond-textured rubber handle for a comfortable grip and a striking pommel at the base of the handle. This knife is durable and versatile, making it a great choice for survival.
This compact knife has a 2.63-inch blade made from 1095 high carbon steel and a durable handle made from Micarta. It is lightweight and easy to carry, making it a good option for hikers and backpackers who want a reliable knife in emergencies.
This knife features a 4.1-inch blade made from high-carbon steel and a comfortable handle made from rubber. It has a plastic sheath for easy carrying and storage, which is a great value.
This knife has a 4.85-inch blade made from high-quality stainless steel and a comfortable and durable handle made from glass-reinforced nylon. It is designed for heavy use and can handle tough tasks with ease.
Outdoor Element Contour Feather Adventure Survival Knife
Bowie profile, 2″ blade, full tang. The Contour Feather knife is made of VG10 steel with a Rockwell hardness of HRC58-60 with 15.5% chromium, which means it’s incredibly corrosion-resistant (stainless steel).
Sharpening That Survival Knife
A survival knife is only as good as the sharpness of the blade. So you should know how to sharpen the blade:
- Using a sharpening stone: To sharpen your knife using a sharpening stone, first wet the stone with water or oil. Then, hold the knife at a 20-degree angle against the stone and move it back and forth along the stone, keeping the angle consistent. Repeat this process on the other side of the blade until the edge is sharp. Finally, remove any burrs by stroking the blade lightly along the stone in the opposite direction.
- Using a honing rod: To sharpen your knife using a honing rod, hold the rod vertically with the tip resting on a surface. Hold the knife at a 20-degree angle against the rod and slide it down the length of the rod, starting at the base of the blade and moving toward the tip. Repeat this process on the other side of the blade until the edge is sharp.
- Using a belt sander: To sharpen your knife using a belt sander, first adjust the sander to the appropriate angle for your knife. Then, please turn on the sander and hold the blade against the belt, moving it back and forth to sharpen the edge. Be sure to keep the blade cool to avoid overheating and damaging the temper of the steel. Finally, remove any burrs with a honing rod or sharpening stone.
It’s important to note that the correct method for sharpening a survival knife can vary depending on the type of knife and the sharpening tool used. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the appropriate technique for your knife and sharpening tool.
Survival Knife Sharpening In The Wild
Sharpening a knife in the wild without any tools can be a challenging task, but there are a few methods you can try to get a sharper edge:
- Use a river rock or other natural abrasive surface: Find a flat, smooth rock near a river or stream and use it to sharpen the knife. Hold the knife at a consistent angle and move it back and forth against the rock to create a sharpening motion. Repeat this process until the edge is sharper.
- Use a leather strop: If you have a leather belt or other piece of leather, you can use it to sharpen your knife. Hold the leather tightly between your hands and use it to stop the knife’s blade in a back-and-forth motion. This will help to remove any burrs and polish the blade, resulting in a sharper edge.
- Use a piece of sandpaper or an abrasive surface: If you have sandpaper or an abrasive surface, you can use it to sharpen your knife. Hold the blade at a consistent angle and rub it back and forth against the abrasive surface. This will help remove dull spots and sharpen the blade’s edge.
Remember that these methods may not produce as sharp an edge as sharpening with a proper sharpening tool, and it’s important to be careful when sharpening a knife in the wild to avoid injury.
Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener
An easy-to-carry knife sharpener that should be in your backpack. It features a fold-out diamond-coated rod and preset crossed blades for easy pull-through sharpening for any knife you are carrying.
The Importance of Survival Knife Kit for Emergencies
Survival knife kits are an essential addition to a tool kit for any outdoor enthusiast or survivalist. They are versatile, durable, and can be used for various tasks in the wild.
As you read through this article, you may have been thinking, “I already have a knife; why do I need a survival knife?” or “I don’t think I’ll ever be in a situation where I need a survival knife.”
These thoughts are completely understandable. But I’m here to tell you that a good survival knife can make all the difference in an emergency situation.
What if you encounter a dangerous animal and need a tool for self-defense? A survival knife can help you in all of these scenarios and more. It’s better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it.
But survival knives aren’t just for emergencies. They can also be incredibly useful for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Need to chop firewood? Cut rope? Prepare food? A survival knife can handle all of these tasks with ease.
So, don’t underestimate the value of a good survival knife. It could be the difference between life, death, and some common sense comfort in an emergency situation. And it can be an incredibly useful tool for any outdoor enthusiast.
You should invest in a high-quality survival knife and practice using it to prepare you for anything coming your way. With the right tool, you can tackle any challenge the wilderness throws. So get out there and explore with the confidence of being well-prepared!
