Ultimately, the choice is yours as to what you want in a knife and what you want to get out of it.

That’s why it’s so important to recognize what a good survival knife can be used for and why you must have a quality blade on hand in the event of any disaster.

You do not want something breaking on you moments after its first use.

Survival Knife Uses

Self-Defense

If we’re talking about survival, the topic of self-defense is bound to arise. And while ideally you never want to get into a knife fight, carrying a blade is better than having no weapon at all.

However,  you may not even need to use your knife as simply pulling it out may be enough to scare off an unsuspecting attacker.

In any case, you want a knife that’s big enough to be used for self-defense but small enough as to not be overly bulky or conspicuous.

 Starting Fire

Knives can play multipurpose roles when it comes to building and starting fires, which is always a crucial element to survive a night in the wild.

To start a fire you need tinder, but to make 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 easier work of this and other tough outdoor jobs.

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 of its own 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 important part of survival is adapting to your surroundings and using your creativity to make the most of what little you have.

Food Preparation

Think about it. If you’re stuck in the wild or a world without a fresh food supply, you’ll be forced to hunt for your own meals. We’re meat-eaters by nature, after all.

In addition to using the knife itself as a weapon or using it to make a spear, a quality survival knife can be used to skin and gut the animals you have killed so they can be cooked and eaten.

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.

Digging and Prying

A quality survival knife should have a durable blade with a thick and sturdy point that won’t break on contact with rough surfaces and hand motions.

You never know when you may need to dig for water or food (insects and ground vegetables) or to hide your valuables or create an SOS signal on the ground.

Or what if you have to pry open a locked door or window, breakthrough glass or jimmy a lock? A good blade should remain intact and unscathed no matter what you dig up or pry open.

Shelter Building

This relates a bit to fire-building and tool-making, but knives are crucial tools for building shelter in the wild.

They can be used to cut branches and vines and another cordage to assemble a variety of on-ground and off-ground shelters.

Now that you know the multitude of functions a survival knife can serve in a survival scenario, there are a few things to consider before going out and buying the first blade that shines at you through the case.

No Folding Knives

Ideally, you shouldn’t count on a folding pocketknife as your primary survival knife. They are great for everyday carry and for having in your purse or backpack for backup, but for survival situations, they simply won’t make do.

If you take into consideration the functions mentioned above, a folding blade won’t be able to perform as well as a full tang fixed-blade knife.

Unlike a weak folding knife, a fixed-blade can dig, pry, chop, carve, slice, stab and anything else you may need it for during a disaster.

Quality Materials = Quality Performance

Though it may cost you a bit more, it’s worth investing in a knife made of the best quality steel by a trusted and reputable brand.

It’s called a survival knife because it could save your life, so why trust your life in the hands of a flimsy knockoff blade?

Good blades are made from high-carbon steels, stainless steels, or blends of the two that go through intensive heat treatment and testing processes. Some quality knives have blades with Chinese or Japanese-made steel, but you’re best off going with a product made in the USA.

Don’t Slip-on Grip

The blade is the most important part of a knife, but the handle comes in at a close second. And if you’re going to be relying on your survival knife for a variety of everyday tasks, you want something that feels good in your hand and has a quality grip.

In addition to having natural contours for the hand, a textured surface will create an easy-to-grip surface. The handle should be made of a strong yet lightweight material that’s resistant to shock and abrasion.

The rest is up to you. You never know how bad it’ll get when disaster strikes. Ensure you’re carrying the best possible tool to get you out of the stickiest situations.