Folding Survival Knife

Finding the Best Folding Survival Knife

A survival knife is an essential tool if you end up facing an emergency or find yourself in a survival setting. Even though a standard regular knife can be used, it may not be as convenient and safe. 

A survival knife has been specifically designed to deal with survival settings. If it can fold, it is even better, since it is safe to carry and will not occupy a lot of space. If you are looking for a survival knife for emergencies, you’ll want to go for the best folding survival knife.

Best Folding Survival Knife

In this buying guide, we are going to explore the 5 best survival knives that you can buy for emergencies. These have been customized explicitly for maximum functionality. Here is a quick look at what we have.

Kershaw Blur Black Pocket Knife

The Kershaw Blur Black is a pocket knife that you can use every day. It has a 3.4″ drop point blade made with stainless steel.

The knife is characterized by a SpeedSafe-assisted opening to make it safe and secure, helping you operate the knife with one hand. It has a thumb stud that allows you to open the knife with just a push of the thumb.

The knife has a reversible pocket clip to store the knife safely. You can comfortably carry the knife in your pocket with discretion. You can choose the side the knife carries or the tip position of the blade.

This knife’s handle is ergonomic with an insert liner lock for extra strength and durability. The handle has a Trac-Tec grip that enables you to use the knife in any setting. The knife can be counted on for both defense and other tasks.

The blade of the knife is made with Sandvik 14C28N steel that is known for a high performance and corrosion resistance. The blade is razor-sharp and can stay sharp for a long time.

The blade is coated with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating that makes it sturdy and wear-resistant. It also adds beauty to the knife.

It has a secure locking system, all thanks to the inset liner lock that prevents blade closure.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 6 x 1 x 1 inches
  • Product weight: 4.2 ounces

Pros

  • It has a secure locking system
  • It has been made with a high-quality stainless steel material
  • It is tough and corrosion resistant
  • It has an ergonomic handle with a Trac Tec grip to make it comfortable for any setting
  • It is easy to open and operate

Cons

  • Some users complained that it broke after a short time
  • It is expensive

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SMITH & WESSON SWFRS Serrated Stainless Steel Knife

This Smith & Wesson is an 8-inch high carbon folding knife that will serve you well when you are faced with an emergency. It is characterized by a 3.3-inch drop point serrated blade. It is lightweight at only 5.8 ounces, making it convenient to carry around.

The knife has a stainless steel handle that has a G-10 inlay. It is dependable and easy to access and operate due to its pocket clip and thumb plate. You can securely carry it around, as it has a non-slip liner lock that will keep the blade in place.

The blade is serrated so that it can stay sharp for longer. Apart from the cutting functions of a knife, it can also be a strap cutter and a glass breaker.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
  • Product weight: 5.8 ounces

Pros

  • It has a serrated blade to help it stay sharp for longer
  • Made from high carbon stainless steel material that is durable
  • It is lightweight
  • It has a thumb plate and pocket clip to make it easy to access and operate
  • It has a non-slip liner lock for safety
  • It can also cut a strap and glass

Cons

  • Some users complained of the lock failing after a few months
  • Some users had issues with the knife locking up all the time

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Smith & Wesson Border Guard folding knife

The Smith & Wesson Border Guard is a ten-inch knife with a 4.4-inch serrated blade. It weighs 8.8 ounces and is made with high carbon stainless steel with a serrated Tanto blade and an aluminum handle. The handle has Trac-Tec inserts for greater comfort when handling the knife.

Since the blade is made of high carbon stainless steel, it is very durable. It is dependable as well, featuring a pocket clip and ambidextrous thumb knobs that help you quickly access the knife when the need arises.

The knife has been made with safety in mind. Specifically, the knife was designed so that the blade would not slip. This knife also features a liner lock to help the blade securely stay in place. The knife also features a lanyard hole, two blood grooves, a glass break, and a strap cutter.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 6 x 1.8 x 1 inches
  • Product weight: 8.8 ounces

Pros

  • It has an ergonomic handle with Trac-Tec inserts to make it comfortable
  • Made with high carbon stainless steel that is very durable
  • It has a serrated tanto blade that stays sharp for a long time
  • It is safe and easy to carry

Cons

  • It is heavy
  • Some users found the liner lock tension to be too strong
  • Some users had an issue with the knife unfolding on its own after some time

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Steinbrueck Tactical Folding Pocket Knife

This is a great pocket knife that features a spring-assisted opening. It has a 3.4-inch stainless steel blade with a reversible clip. The blade has a stonewashed coating that makes it rugged and corrosion resistant. It also makes the blade razor-sharp, so this knife is ideal for many different applications.

The blade is not only made with stainless steel material, but it has also been hardened to 58-59 HRC hardness, making it highly durable. The handle has been constructed with a 1.5mm thick stainless steel material, so you can count on the knife to be sturdy. The handle is ergonomic with an anti-slip finish, providing a comfortable grip.

Best of all, the knife is easy to use and carry. The reversible clip makes it best suitable for both right hand and left-hand users. It is a multifunction knife that can work in a variety of settings. The knife features a glass breaker and belt cutter.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 5.1 x 1.8 x 1 inches
  • Product weight:0.5 pounds

Pros

  • It is lightweight
  • Made with a high-quality stainless-steel material, and stonewashed for more durability
  • It has an ergonomic handle with a non-slip finish
  • It features a reversible clip that makes it suitable for both right-handed and left-handed users
  • It is razor-sharp

Cons

  • Some users complained that the blade could not stay in a locked position after using several times
  • Some users complained that the knife does not stay sharp for a long time

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Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Serrated Pocket Knife

The Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops is a 7.1-inch knife with a blade that is 3.1 inches. The knife is made from high carbon stainless steel with an aluminum handle. It features a serrated clip point blade. The knife has a weight of 3.5 ounces, which is fair.

Thankfully, the knife is easy to access and operate. Apart from the pocket clip, which is convenient, it also has a finger flipper and an ambidextrous thumb knob that makes it ideal for any setting.

The Extreme Ops features a liner lock that helps the blade stay in place and be non-slip. You can be confident in the security and safety of this blade.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 4 x 1 x 0.3 inches
  • Product weight: 3.5 ounces

Pros

  • It has been made with high carbon stainless steel material
  • It is easy to access and operate
  • It as a liner lock that makes the blade non-slip
  • It has razor-sharp edges

Cons

  • Some users complained of poor locking mechanism, as it does not snap open or close down well
  • Some users complained that it is not safe as it does not easily slip open

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Buyer’s Guide

All of the folding survival knives we’ve covered here are great picks that will serve you well and give you value for money. In this particular section of the guide, we focus on the specifics to help you make the best choice.

Most Lightweight Knife

If the weight of the knife is a primary concern to you, then the Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops serrated pocket knife would make the best choice. It is the lightest of the batch with a weight of just 3.5 ounces.

Best for Both Right-handed and Left-handed Use

If you need something that you can use with either of your hands, then the Steinbrueck Tactical folding pocket knife would make the best choice. It has a reversible clip that makes it suitable for both right-hand and left-hand use.

Best Knife for Everyday Use

If you are looking for a knife that you can use every day – not strictly when you’re in a survival setting – then the Kershaw Blur Black would be your go-to companion. It can handle common everyday tasks, do well in survival settings, and perform under any weather condition.

Most Budget-friendly

If you are budget-oriented and you are looking for a cheap knife, then the Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops serrated pocket knife would make the best choice. It retails at $11, making it the most affordable by far.

Our Overall Recommendation

All of these knives are great picks, but our overall recommendation is the Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops serrated pocket knife. It is inexpensive and offers many great features that get you value for your money. If you prefer a multifunction knife, then we recommend the Kershaw Blur Black knife as you can use it for any setting.

Even though we may advise you on the best survival folding knife, it is also essential to know what to look at so that you know how to choose. Some of the factors to keep in mind when you are looking for a folding survival knife include the following.

Blade Length

When it comes to a survival setting, the size of the blade matters. A short blade is more convenient to use, though it may be harder for some parameters. It all depends on preference, use cases, and the size of the carrying hand. An ideal blade should have a length between 4 and 7 inches.

Blade Thickness

The thickness of a blade influences its versatility and durability.

Quality

A good knife should be made out of quality stainless steel material, preferably high carbon stainless steel. That will ensure the knife is stain and corrosion resistant, as well as durable.

Handle

The handles should be made of the right material and give you a comfortable grip. Non-slip grip is always better, as it will help you to be safe. A thin and light grip is still better, as it will give you a comfortable grip for a long time.

Folding Mechanism

Different foldable knives have different locking mechanisms. Many knives have a liner lock or a spine lock. A liner lock is strong, but may be uncomfortable and hard to lock. A spine lock is more comfortable to use and handle. Most knives have an ambidextrous lock that is safe and easy to use. When choosing a folding knife, choose one that you can conveniently operate with one hand.

Conclusion

Different knives come at different prices. It is important to note that the features that come with the knife have a significant influence on the price. The greater the number of features it includes, the more it is likely to cost you.