When it comes to picking out survival knives, you can never go wrong with a fixed blade. Considered the superior out of the 2 variants, the fixed blade survival knife is the typical traditional knife that every survival enthusiast needs to have in their toolkit in 2020. Whether it is for chopping up firewood or skinning any caught game, the uses for the knife are incredibly diverse. In any case, you’d always want a strong and trusty knife by your side on any camping trips lest things were to go wrong, this is where the Best Fixed Blade Survival Knife shines.
Our Top 3 Picks
Buck Vanguard
Great versatile blade
SOG Elite Survival Knife
Great heavy duty knife
KA-BAR
Supremely durable
Best Fixed Blade Survival Knives of 2020
| Fixed Blade Survival Knives | Blade Size | Ratings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buck 192 Top Rated Fixed Blade Knife | 4 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| KA-BAR BK2 Most Popular Fixed Blade Knife | 5.25 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| SOG Elite Hunting, Tactical knife | 7 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| Ontario SP2 Military & Air Force Knife | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price | |
| Morakniv Garberg Best budget fixed Blade Knife | 4.3 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| KA1214-BRK USA Fighting Knife | 7 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| CRKT SIWI Quality & Affordable | 3.3 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| Gerber Strongarm Best Fixed Blade for the Price | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price | |
| KA-BAR Marine Best of the Best | 7 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| Buck 124 Excellent Strength | 6 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| KA-BAR BKR7 Professionals Choice | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
1. Buck Knives 192
The Buck Vanguard knife is a razor-sharp and incredibly versatile blade made with 420HC Steel. The 4-inch long bald specializes in edge retention and delivers excellent strength as well as proves t be corrosion resistant. Although the blade is relatively small, it is suitably heavy enough to be able to perform heavy-duty tasks not typical for blades of its size while also having the added advantage of being more precise.
The blade does not compromise on stability and build, as evident with its full tang inclusion as well as a smart integrated finger guard, making it safe to use and lowering any chances of the blade wiggling out of the hilt. It’s also built for convenient carry, with a high-quality sheath and a comfortable walnut handle that comes with a contoured grip to provide you with a comfortable and stronghold. The best part perhaps is the lifetime warranty offered on all Buck Knives products!
Pros:
Visually beautiful- Great balance for comfort
- Amazing edge retention
- Very strong
- Precise in cuts
- Great handle grip
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
Nil
2. KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 happens to have amassed quite a cult following, it is an incredibly popular fixed blade survival knife and also well-reviewed knife for this very reason. This is hard to contest when you look at some of the features: The knife has a heavy-duty construction made of high carbon steel with a 5.25-inch long blade and a cut point end that proves ideal for survival usage. The knife is often commented on as not being particularly good at any one thing, but being great for versatility as it’s a good all-rounder. The medium size allows it to be perfect as both a utility and camp knife, offering enough length for heavier tasks while not sacrificing on precision either. The handle design is built for toughness and to repel moisture, it’s also comfortable to hold for long periods of time and has a great grip. Perhaps its biggest advantage is the price, for the value, it is an absolute steal!
Pros:
- Durable
- Holds a good edge for a good period of time
- Offers a comfortable grip
- Sturdy hex screws
- Very economically priced
- Very versatile
Cons:
- Heavy
- The blade coating scratches off
3. SOG Fixed Blade Knives w/Sheath
The SOG knife is truly a force to be reckoned with in the survival knives market. The SEAL team elite knives come in a long and slim profile with a clip point end and a fixed blade. The full tang makes it immensely sturdy and practically unbreakable. The build of the blade and its length makes the knife one of the best for any and all heavy-duty chopping tasks in the outdoors, while the slim profile allows you sufficient control over your cuts. The handle consists of glass-reinforced nylon and is both abrasion and impact-resistant, making the entire knife very durable and overall sturdy. For all these reasons, it manages to serve as a standard multi-purpose survival knife with the added benefit of a lifetime warranty against any possible manufacturing defects.
Pros:
- Secure handle
- Keeps edge over a long time
- Practically unbreakable because of full tang
- Rust resistant
- Impact and abrasion resistant handle
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Nil
4. Ontario SP2 Air Force Survival Knife (Black)
The SP2 Airforce Survival Knife is part of the Spec Plus Next Generation series develops by Ontario specifically for sporting and military. Ontario has built a solid reputation based on its brilliant designs and craftsmanship, alongside high-quality material, the SP2 is a perfect example of this. With full-tang blades and 1095 carbon steel hardened to a 57-59 HRC, the blade is incredibly strong. The size and thickness of the blade makes for a comfortable hold, especially when you consider the Kraton handle with a secure and comfy grip. The sharpening process is fairly easy and it keeps its edge very well. The knife overall is also great value for the price especially when you consider the high-quality finish and materials used to construct it.
Pros:
- Great handle
- Full secure tang
- Very strong carbon steel makes it durable
- Great value
Cons:
- The top finger guard slightly too big but this can be trimmed off.
5. Morakniv Garberg Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade, 4.3-Inch
The Morakniv Garberg is the Best Fixed Blade Survival Knife 2020 boasting a full tang and stainless steel build that’s amongst one of the toughest that the Morakniv company has released. The blade is made of a top grade Swedish Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel that is perfect for any wear and tear tasks. The blade is razor-sharp, exceptionally hard and very resistant to corrosion. The full tang allows it the benefit of being able to withstand greater pressure and force without the risk of snapping off. The 4-inch blade is incredibly slim with a thickness of 0.13 inches which makes it easy to sharpen and also great at edge retention. The handle is also very comfortable and has an antislip grip.
Two variants exist, a standard leather sheath one, or a MOLLE multi-mount system that comes with a Polymide sheath as well as extra accessories such as belt loops, velcro straps, multi-mount base and fasteners for packs, belts and even vehicles. It even comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
Pros:
- Full tang
- Tough blade
- Slim and sharp
- Great edge retention
- Corrosion resistant
Cons:
- Little bit Pricey
- Slightly chips off the edges.
6. KA1214-BRK USA Fighting Knife
The BRK USA fighting knife gets its name from being used primarily within branches of the military or by service members. This isn’t to say however that it is limited to just military use, the knife has proven time and time again to being versatile and flexible enough to be used in a range of contexts. This is due to the impressive design, the 20-degree edge angle and a fairly large blade size of 7 inches are great for self-defense and hunting, while the 1095 Cro Van steel make up lends it incredible toughness, as well as make it easy to sharpen. The knife comes with a combo blade, that is to say, one with a partially serrated edge that gives enough friction for tasks like cutting through a rope.
The handle of the knife is made of Kraton G, to ensure a comfortable and solid grip when using for long periods of time, very useful considering it is a rather bulky knife weighing over half a pound with a length of 12 inches.
Pros:
- Very well-made and sturdy knife
- The grooved handle offers a great grip for dry or wet conditions. I am guessing each of the groves is meant for each of your fingers (which is how I hold it)
- The rounded serrated edge is great for reducing snags serrated edge is rounded, which means less snagging
- The pommel is heavy and great for hammering
- incredibly sharp and also sharpens easily
Cons:
- Sheath is heavy
- The knife is too large as an EDC
7. CRKT SIWI Fixed Blade Knife
‘This mission-ready fixed blade is a compact powerhouse. ‘ is what CRKT claims about the SIWI. The 3.3-inch blade is compact yet heavy with a modified drop point and an SK5 carbon steel blade. The blade is tough and can handle quite the beating, with the added benefit of being very aesthetically pleasing, with a non-reflective and resistant black powder coat lending it further durability. It also features a full tang making it even tougher,
The G10 handles give are considered the top of the line and match the stout blade, it’s impervious to moisture and can handle extreme weather conditions and not crack, offering a great texture for grip in even the worst weather. The Kydex sheath also offers great protection and fit.
Pros:
- Great grip on handle, G10
- Small 3 inch blade that makes it very portable and convenient to carry
- Perfect for EDC
- Full tang
Cons:
- Heavy clip
- Sheath starts to chip away at blade edge
8. Gerber StrongArm 420
Gerber has amassed a large fan following for being a knife company that’s been making survival knives or the US military for decades now. The strong arm features a full ranged 420HC blade that comes with s tough-as-hell black ceramic coating that ensures a corrosion resistant blade that can last you for life. The diamond textured rubber handle gives you a strong grip over it even in the grittiest of conditions, with a striking pommel at the base that’s ideal for hammering. The sheath system has snap-together components so the operator can mount the knife both vertically on MOLLE and horizontally on any standard 1.75-inch tactical belt.
Pros:
- Lightweight, great for EDC
- Great sheath system
- Strong pommel
- Durable coating
Cons:
- Handle could be better
- Can chip off
9. KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight
The KA-BAR fighting knife looks like every classic 70s movie knife, with a 7-inch straight-edge blade it is rather large, and since it is built of 1095 Cro-Van steel with 20 degrees edge angles it is also rather strong. The blade is easy to sharpen because of the straight edge and will rarely ever chip or crack like it’s stronger steel counterparts. The overall knife size is close to 12 inches but this is an advantage when you think of heavy duty usage in the wilderness. The clip point blade design works extremely well at piercing and stabbing, which makes sense when you consider that this is a marine knife, the edges are also thick at the base and the knife can withstand lateral forces.
The knife comes with a 100% leather sheath that accommodates the blade sufficiently well. It has a large leather loop for the purpose of attachment to a belt. A strip of leather with a snap is attached toward the top of this loop to keep the knife in the sheath and prevent it from swaying around
Pros:
- Large and great for heavy duty use
- Great sheath
- Sharp edge that easy to sharpen
- Great for batonning
Cons:
- Not ideal for EDC
- Edge retention isn’t too good.
10. Buck Knives 124
The 124 Frontiersman by Buck Knives Carey’s a 6 inch long razor-sharp blade constructed from 420HC steel which lends it excellent strength, and great corrosion resistance. The blade is also easy to sharpen due to being a straight back Bowie and keeps a supremely impressive edge for a long span of time.
The full tang inclusion makes it sturdy and able to withstand great force and pressures, while the integrated finger guard and a deep choil give it a smart design making it easier to use safely. The knife also comes with a black micarta handle with palm swells and curves to give you a strong grip over the knife, with an aluminium pommel that lends the knife great balance and makes it easier to control. Another advantageous feature here is the lifetime warranty that Buck Knives offers on the product- not that you’ll need it much when you’re dealing with such a durable knife,
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty
- Razor sharp blade
- Sharpens easily and stays that way for long
- Strong and heavy pommel for great balance
- Great price, very economical
Cons:
- Too large for an EDC
11. KA-BAR BKR7-BRK Combat Utility
The Ka-Bar Bk7 combat utility knife is an extremely impressive tool that any collector would be lucky to have. The blade is built from the easily sharpened and incredibly durable 1095 crop van steel and comes with a long straight edge. The coating on the blade is substantial and meant to be corrosion resistant. The knife’s one of the very best all-rounders, being especially well built for actual functionality.
The knife is lighter and smaller than most, proving to be a good utility knife for this reason, it has a sturdy and well-balanced build with a smooth handle. It’s a great knife for almost any wilderness task but especially for heavy-duty tasks made possible because of its brilliant coating and blade strength. The knife is affordable and combines the perfect blend of both utility and durability.
Pros:
- Immensely durable coating
- Corrosion resistant coat
- Easily sharpened with a good edge retention
- Very affordable and long lasting
Cons:
- Smooth grivory handle can be hard to grip but this can be easily remedied.
- The blade coating scratches off
Uses of Fixed Blade Knives
To understand the uses of fixed blade survival knives it is first important to know the key differences between them and folding blades. The former get their name because the blade attached to the knife does not bend over or fold into itself. The latter gets its name similarly for the opposite reason, the blade here is designed especially for portability and so folds into the knife and is usually smaller in the build because of this.
Both have their set of advantages and disadvantages, however, fixed blade knives are the traditionally superior survival knife because they don’t have an additional breakpoint that folding knives do, for this reason, they are far more durable and tough. Survival knives by their very definition are meant to be durable and sturdy to handle as much force and abuse you put them through when in tough, life dependent survival situations. When in such a context, you want something that’s the least likely to break midway and is ideal for any of the heavy-duty tasks you put it up to, which is what the Best fixed blade survival knife 2020 is for.
Namely, the strong fixed blade is better for self-defense against any wild animals, hunting for food, and chopping. In most cases you will not have access to other survival tools such as a pickaxe, this is where your fixed blade survival knife can shine by being a good enough, sturdy replacement for tasks like chopping up wood for a fire, leaving marks along trees, splitting wood and saplings, etc. The hilt of these knives tends to be more balanced and heavier as well, which is especially advantageous when it comes to tasks like setting up camp because you can use them to hammer stakes in. Ones with large blades can also be strapped onto rods or large wooden sticks to create spears, lots of survival knives actually come with holes in the handle specifically for this purpose such as the Gerber Bear Grylls one.
Fixed blade knives are also very useful when it comes to skinning the game you caught, slicing up food for cooking prep (especially if they’re of slender build), and for first aid in both creating makeshift bandages and also prepping your wounds. Essentially, survival knives are must-haves in every survivalist’s tool, you absolutely can not venture forth into the wilderness for camping or any other recreational needs without one in case an emergency springs up. And fixed blades are the holy grail of survival knives, the jack of all trades capable of catering to all of your needs whether they’re hunting or treating wounds.
Types of Fixed Blade Survival knives
There exist a myriad of ways to classify and categorize knives. Of these, three distinct categories also exist Heavy-duty, camp knives and utility knives. The distinction here is mostly design and length based.
i) Heavy-duty knives are built to be man-handled. With robust constructions and large (10-15 inch) blades to allow for chopping and slicing. The material is constructed out of a tough variant of steel, with a sturdy handle design for good grip.
ii) Camp knives are smaller comparatively, they’re built for easier handling and increased portability. Because of this the hilt or handle allows for easier grip from a variety of positions and angles and are intended to be multi-purpose in nature.
iii) Utility knives are designed with a small clip or spear point blades to allow for sufficient meticulousness when dealing with delicate activities such as gutting, or carving
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best steel for a fixed blade knife?
When considering knife steels you need to understand and assess what you need most from your blade. There are a plethora of factors that need to be considered, such as ease in sharpening, edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness. No one steel type is ideal for all of these, which is why you need to prioritize and purchase accordingly. A few great all-rounders from high-end steels however tend to be: M390, CTS-204P, CPM-20CV, CPM-M4 and CPM-S90V
2. Why do we need fixed Blade Survival Knife?
As a newcomer in the world of survival tools, it must be confusing to see the hype around one particular tool like the fixed blade knife above all the rest. But rest assured it is the most helpful and easily the most efficient tool you could possibly own.
Picture this, you’re out camping by yourself but suddenly it turns into a survival situation. You either encounter a dangerous predator or the weather immediately changes and you need to change our plans suddenly, this is why a survival knife is so useful. You can use them for a range of activities, from cauterizing your wounds to prevent infections- to building your shelter and using the pommel to hammer in the stakes.
The reason the survival knives are so highly prioritized above other tools is because of the multi-use situation that enables them to carry out a wide range of activities on behalf of other tools you might have missed, like a hammer or an axe or a fire starter. They are truly an all in one gadget.
3. What is the legal length of a fixed blade knife in California, New York, Los Angeles etc?
Legal lengths vary greatly from state to state. It can be illegal starting from even 2.5 inches. However, in most states the general idea is anything less than 5 inches is fine as long as it is not concealed. You should check it out prior to purchasing a knife for yourself though.
4. Laws about Fixed Blade Survival Knives?
Laws tend to be incredibly subjective and vague in this field but a few pointers to note are that in most states you’re not allowed to carry knives that are concealed, this means they have to be in plain view. You also shouldn’t carry knives over arbitrary size limited like 2.5- 7 inches, this varies on the state. Overall you should check the laws in your specific state before purchasing a survival knife because in some areas you need a warrant. And generally, no knives are ever allowed in schools, federal buildings, courts, military installations and planes.
