Everyone needs a survival knife in their arsenal to help them get through the rough patches of life. Whether you need it for camping, hunting, or any other outdoor adventure, there are many different types of knives that can be used as survival knives. You may think that spending more money on a higher-quality knife will give you better results in your time outdoors but this is not always the case. There are plenty of cheap knives out there that offer great performance and reliability for an affordable price. Here we have compiled the 10 best survival knives under 100 dollars so take a look!
Some survival knives are designed for heavy-duty work and will be the best choice if you’re planning on cutting down large pieces of wood. Others may not have a blade that is quite as long or thick, but what they lack in size is made up for by other features such as a built-in compass or whistle which can come in handy when camping outdoors. Most people prefer to purchase their knife separately from any additional accessories like sheaths so they’ll need to make sure those are purchased separately too!
You should always carry a survival knife or some other kind of pocket knife when travelling as it can come in handy for a lot of things and sometimes having a reliable and best survival knife can make a huge difference. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to a good knife, to go camping or hiking with, but in any kind of an extreme situation you would want the best option possible, and so we have prepared you a list of some of the best survival knives out there in the market to help you make the right choice.
With so many new products out in the market, it becomes hard to choose between different brands and harder to choose the right one. The best survival knives are the ones that make a useful tool for hunters and trappers and they sure are out there somewhere, you just need a nudge in the right direction to get yourself the best product.
Contents
- 1 List Of Top 10 Best Survival Knife Under 100 Of All Time
- 2 Best Survival Knife Under 100 Reviews
- 2.1 #1 KA-BAR Full-Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight
- 2.2 #2. Smith & Wesson 10.6in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
- 2.3 #3 GERBER LMF II Survival Knife, Black [22-01629]
- 2.4 Features of GERBER LMF II Survival Knife
- 2.5 #4 Condor Tool & Knife
- 2.6 #5 ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife
- 2.7 #6 KA-BAR 1258 Short USA Clip Point Knife
- 2.8 #7 Ontario Survival Knife
- 2.9 #8 Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
- 2.10 #9 Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife
- 2.11 #10 Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife
- 3 How To Choose The Best Survival Guide Under 100 | Buyer’s Guide
- 4 FAQ’s
- 5 Conclusion
List Of Top 10 Best Survival Knife Under 100 Of All Time
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Best Survival Knife Under 100 Reviews
#1 KA-BAR Full-Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife, Straight
This is a fixed blade knife that has an overall length of 12 inches and weighs about 14.75 ounces. The handle on this great survival knife is made from durable leather and the blade is made from high carbon steel in order to provide it with its strength for tough tasks. It also comes with a nylon sheath that can be used for carrying, storage or just displaying your new handy tool!
The KA-BAR Full-Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife is a fixed blade knife made in the United States. It’s designed for hand to hand combat and general utility tasks, but can also be an effective weapon in close quarters battle with its sturdy design and heavy-duty construction. The full tang provides excellent strength while still being lightweight enough at just over 16 ounces that it won’t wear you down when wielding it repeatedly or carrying it long distances on your back.
- Very durable
- This survival knife comes razor sharp from the factory
- The blade has been laser cut
- Versatile in nature
- Sturdy construction
- Strong built
- A full tang blade
- Has a flared handle design
- Hard to sharpen the blade again.
#2. Smith & Wesson 10.6in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
The Smith & Wesson has a blade that is made of high carbon stainless steel and measures in at just over ten inches. It weighs less than one pound, so it’s easy to carry with you while camping or hiking. This knife comes pre-sharpened from the company and features two different cutting edges on either side of the three-inch serrated section for added use options. The handle is ergonomic, which makes this knife comfortable to grip securely for hours when chopping wood or preparing food outdoors without worrying about blisters forming on your hands or discomfort during prolonged use.
The best part about the Smith & Wesson is that it comes with a nylon and sheath for easy carrying on your belt. It also includes an emergency whistle, which will come in handy when you need to signal for help while outside of civilization or stranded away from camp during bad weather conditions. The blade features serrations at either end so once again this knife can double as two knives if needed. With all these great features, it’s no wonder why this survival knife has been named one of the top ten under 100 dollars!
- A full tang knife
- Provides tremendous grip even when wet
- Perfectly balanced blade
- Convex ground blade ideal for hard use
- Low-quality sheath
- The handle is slightly short
#3 GERBER LMF II Survival Knife, Black [22-01629]
![GERBER LMF II Survival Knife, Black [22-01629]](https://distenia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GERBER-LMF-II-Survival-Knife-Black-22-01629.jpg "Top 10 Best Survival Knife Under 100 Dollars 2021 Reviews 13")
The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is a perfect choice if you’re looking for the best survival knife under 100 times your budget. It has all of the quality features that one would want in their go-to tool when out on an adventure as well as being affordably priced, making this model a great buy. The full tang blade makes it durable and able to stand up to plenty of abuse while also being sharp enough to cut just about anything that might come your way. With its serrated edge, saw teeth back spine tip and pommel (or hammer) at the butt end, there’s practically nothing that can’t be broken down or chopped up with ease.
The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is a tough, reliable knife that you can rely on to get the job done in any survival situation. It’s composed of stainless steel and has a rubber grip for improved control when using it. The blade locks into place with a compression fit so you won’t have to worry about your blade coming loose from its handle while out in the wilderness or emergency scenario. With this tool by your side at all times, not even Mother Nature will be able to stop you!
Features of GERBER LMF II Survival Knife
– Stainless steel blade with a rubber grip for improved control
– Blade locks into place to prevent it from coming loose during use
– Lifetime warranty and guaranteed quality of the product. Comes packaged in an environmentally friendly box that can be recycled or repurposed after use!
Specifications: Length: 12 inches; Weight: 13 ounces; Made in China. Limited lifetime warranty (contact vendor for details). Grip colour may vary due to availability.
The box measures approximately 11 x 11 x 14 inches, which is great for storing your knife when not being used. The knife features a serrated edge on one side and a blunt tip on another side – making this tool perfect for surviving any situation you come across!
- Black rubberized handle with grip ridges for a tough grip
- Great for hard use
- Durable built
- The blade is razor-sharp
- Low-quality sheath.
#4 Condor Tool & Knife
The Condor Tool & knife is a fine quality survival knife that comes at an affordable price. The handle is made with a beautiful walnut, making the knife look beautiful and appealing and the blade is really sharp made of 1075 high carbon steel, with a blasted satin finish that makes it look even more attractive.
This knife can handle any survival situation task with ease and you have a pro knife that will not let you down wherever you are and will be. The knife is made with the finest materials, thus making it one of the highest quality survival knives in the market.
The Condor CTK232-4.3HC is a tremendous knife that doesn’t put a hole in your pocket and when it comes to bushcraft tools, there is nothing that quite matches this one. It is light yet sturdy and a durable knife.
If anything, what we don’t like about the knife is the edge grind angle, which we find too large because it creates a lot of drag at the bevel’s “shoulders” when you cut through the wood which causes the blade to wedge in and stick. Other than this, there is no large queries and disappointments with the product and should be on your wishlist soon.
- An excellent Bushcraft tool
- Has a walnut handle that provides great grip
- Sturdy and built to last
- Blasted satin blade finish
- The blade needs to be slightly sharper
- The edge grind angle too large
#5 ESEE Knives 6P Fixed Blade Knife
The ESEE-6P is a fixed blade, full tang knife that features grey linen Micarta scales, and a black finished blade with a plain cutting edge required for the best survival knife under 100. The blade also includes a coyote brown molded sheath with a clip plate, a paracord, and a cord lock that gives it an attractive look. The design represents a fine balance and a fit that is light yet tough to hold. The Micarta handle feels homely in your hand and the rounded pommel offers a hole for lanyard attachment which offers an amazing grip to your hand and also prevents it from slipping from time to time.
The 3/16″ thick, 1095 steel blade is fully flat to the ground that will serve you as a primary wilderness survival knife, or be fitted to your modular system for duty carry in any tactical environment. The 1095 steel is a top choice for any professional cutlery designed for hard use, but it will also rust and stain if not properly cared for, especially on the cutting edge and around the laser engraving, therefore you should take care to keep the blades properly lubricated and cleaned.
For that, we will suggest that you use a dry film rust inhibitor such as Tuf-Glide or Tuf-Cloth. This blade also features a jimping on the spine for increased thumb grip and includes a very durable, olive drab molded polymer carry sheath with a removable clip and this blade can any day be your partner for hard as well as general use.
- Great for both hard as well as general use
- Made from a top choice of carbon steel
- Light and durable
- Jumping on the spine for better grip
- Lifetime warranty provided by the company
- Can me sharper
- The carbon steel is prone to faster rusting and decay
#6 KA-BAR 1258 Short USA Clip Point Knife
The KA-BAR 1258 short black knife is a strong and compact knife that is designed with a black thermoplastic elastomer handle with a Kydex sheath and a plain edge to give the blade a superior grip and it doesn’t fall off your hand again and again. The handle other than the black thermoplastic feature has oval-shaped for the added comfort to your fingers. The powder-coated, high carbon steel blades with powdered metal butt caps and carbon steel guards feel a great mix for your next adventure and should be a definite choice from the mentioned list.
The 1258 clip point knife features a 5 1/4″ blade with an overall length of 9 1/4″ making it an averagely sized blade that is easy to carry around with you. These practically sized fixed blade knives are a perfect size and also the perfect companion for your camping trips or carrying and for general utility purposes.
- Strong and compact
- User-friendly and durable
- Handle material is comfortable to use
- The grind angles are perfect for both edge retention and sharpness.
- Light in weight
- Sheath is weak
- The handle is short.
#7 Ontario Survival Knife
The Ontario Knife Company 8665 Rat-3 model features a black coated blade with a plain edge and a tan micarta handle. The RAT-3 is an excellent outdoor knife that will stand the test of time. This model is built to be versatile and durable that is outfitted with a 1095 carbon steel blade and has been coated with a durable black coating to provide you a superior finish.
The canvas Micarta handle mentioned is slim, yet fills the palm and provides enough texture for a secure grip to prevent any slippage. The knife has an overall length of 7.90″ with a tan-colored handle and a full flat taper blade grind.
The blade also includes a heavy-duty nylon belt sheath with Molle compatibility. Be rest assured because RAT’s make an ideal fixed blade “every day carry (EDC)” or for on the worksite, campground or down range thereby making them multipurpose blades.
- Versatile and durable
- Tough Micarta handle
- Includes a Molle compatible sheath
- Perfect grip size
- Cheap Ontario sheath
- Handle to tang fit is a bit low on quality
#8 Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
The Gerber LMF II is one of the top-rated, military-inspired, rugged, fixed blade survival knives. The knife is field-tested to ensure that it is up to the company’s rigorous standards. The design has been upgraded by adding a pointed stainless-steel butt-cap at the end of the blade that can be used to break glass in case of emergency and with this innovation, they only have the tang extend of about 3/4 of the way through the handle, purposefully separating it from the stainless-steel butt-cap to help with shock absorption and prevent electrical shock when in use.
This is a 10″ serrated knife build with 420HC stainless steel that is tested to be both, strong and durable. The nylon handle has a comfortable grip that also features two holes to convert it into a spear, and a hole at the end for a lanyard.
The sheath is also designed smartly which includes a built-in carbide sharpener and a belt attachment ensuring that the knife will keep its edge for a long time. This knife has been reviewed to be a great knife to pick when you are on a budget, but still, needs good steel quality and versatility.
- Military-grade quality knife
- Versatile in nature
- Comfortable to use and durable
- Solid built with excellent serration
- Nylon handle provides a comfortable grip
- Not a full tang knife
- Not too well suited for carving
#9 Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife
The Ka-Bar is a well-renowned company that makes great knives in the survival range. The one we are talking about here is the BK-22 Becker knife that has been designed as a full tang, fixed blade knife. The product has been tested to ensure quality and durability and we will definitely recommend the BK-22 greatly as compared to its predecessor, the BK-2 because this being the newest model has a great heavy-duty polyester sheath with a front cargo pocket and a blade insert sleeve.
The knife handle is meant to fit larger hands basically, and the grip feels very natural. The knife is a drop point straight-edge blade, with a 5.25-inch blade and an overall length of 10 1/2’’.
It also comes with a new heavy-duty polyester front pouch sheath. The blade is a flat ground 1095 Cro-Van steel and is best suited for hunting and camping tasks, such as splintering firewood, killing and skinning game, and chopping food. The blade comes in an affordable range and is a good choice when it comes to versatility.
- A full tang, fixed blade knife
- Overall a good quality knife as compared to its predecessor
- Versatile and durable
- Holds a good edge
- Heavy enough to do light chopping
- Heavy in weight
- Is not great for finer cutting jobs
#10 Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife
The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Black is an indispensable tool for a variety of outdoor, hunting, emergency, or tactical applications. The blade is made of a high carbon steel 1/8-inch and is extremely sharp, durable, and is hardened to HRC 56-58 to better withstand any stress on the blade. The tungsten DLC anti-corrosive black coating on the blade helps protect against any kind of corrosion and a pro tip that is oiling the carbon blades after every use will come in handy to prevent it from further corrosion.
The Bushcraft Survival has a Scandi grind that prevents the knife from slipping off easily, bites into any surface without getting stuck, and stays sharp for a long time.
The 4.3-inch blade is relatively thin making it easier to carve out things yet is robust enough for batoning and other demanding outdoor activities. The knife holds an included Morakniv Fire Starter in which, you can easily light dry grass, leaves, paper, bark, and even your favourite gas grill or stove. It also comes with a removable belt loop and belt clip that safely and securely hold your knife in place.
The survival Sheath on the knife has an integrated diamond sharpener making it easy to sharpen the blade. The spine of the blade is ridge ground so that it can be used with the Morakniv fire starter that lasts approximately 7,000 strikes and produces a 3,000-degree spark, even when wet. The ergonomic handle on the knife including a high-friction rubber grip gives the feeling of control, making work easier and more enjoyable.
- Sharp and durable
- Has an anti-corrosive coating on the blade
- Added Scandi grind for better grip
- Comes with a fire starter
- Versatile in nature
- Lesser edge on the knife
- Expensive
How To Choose The Best Survival Guide Under 100 | Buyer’s Guide
When there are limited options in the market, you don’t get a lot of customizations and vividly detailed products and have to settle for a mediocre item. But today, we don’t have to worry about that at all. There are a lot of options to choose from and the competition is what makes these products better. There are some really important pointers to consider for buying a good and durable survival knife and they are as follows.
The metal used in the blade
While choosing the best survival knife under 100 at first we have to check the metal used in the blade. There are generally two types of steel that survival knives are built from carbon and stainless steel. Stainless steel is popular because it is virtually indestructible, can resist corrosion, and is easy to sharpen. However, it still can rust, and that too at a higher rate than carbon steel.
High Carbon steel blades tend to be tougher and more durable than stainless steel, however, it can corrode faster than stainless steel and requires more maintenance. There are other different materials that blades are made out of or have different coatings on them to make them durable, so the final choice is yours to choose from.
Design of the blade
Choosing the design of the blade is also a very important task and you have many designs to choose from. There are straight blades that are certainly the easiest choice available for chopping woods and is also easy to sharpen; then there are the serrated ones which are a good choice but usually require a special sharpener; then comes the most common types of designs for blades including clip point, drop points, spear points, trailing points which are also considered some of the best designs because such designs have the blade tip close to the center which gives you better control and also lightens the blade without sacrificing performance or durability.
So, determine where and for what purpose you are likely to use the knife before picking one.
Knife tang
Another thing to consider while selecting a survival knife is its tang. Tang is the back part of the blade where it connects into the handle. The best option considered is a full tang knife in which the metal extends through to the end of the handle that provides strength to the entire knife and they remain well-balanced, withstand lots of pressure, but are more expensive in nature.
While the knives with partial tangs aren’t as sturdy as the full tang knife and the blade can loosen over time and are less likely to stand up to pressure being put on the knife.
Blade’s edge
The design of the cutting edge is also a critical factor when choosing a survival knife. Different types of cutting edges are designed for different purposes and so you should know the purpose and then choose the knife best suited for you.
Firstly, there are the straight cutting edges which are specifically designed to be general-purpose edges and can feature either a positive rake angle, a neutral rake angle, or a negative rake angle measured from the bolster. Then there are recurved edges that feature a straight section and their purpose is to create the blade that is good for both cutting and carving near the bolster but which is also tipped heavily for better chopping performance.
Length of the blade
Choosing the right length of the blade can be a task because different length blades are best suited for different purposes. Blade lengths that range from 8 to 10 inches are usually long enough and have enough weight, well suited for chopping but, they are difficult to control when trying to perform small, precise, cutting tasks.
While blade lengths ranging from 6 to 7.5 inches represent an excellent compromise between long, heavy-duty, blade designs, and short utility blade designs. Knives with blade lengths ranging from 3.5 inches to 5 inches are much better suited for more delicate tasks such as cutting notches in stakes and staves to build traps and snares, skinning small game animals, and gutting fish, slicing up tubers, etc.
Therefore keep your length game strong and determine the best length as per the requirement.
Handle material
It is very important that you get to understand the handle material to know about the best survival knife under 100 because it determines the comfort and toughness of the knife in order to prevent cracking and breaking and it must be impervious to the absorption of moisture for prevention of rot. The most common material used to make a handle is Canvas or linen Micarta and is considered good to deliver good form and durability.
There are other models too having fiber-reinforced plastics such as G-10 and Zytel which are a good option when it comes to overall performance. If you are more concerned about the grip and the soft cushioning of the handle then you must look for textured rubber or polymer handles such as those made from Krayton or Hypalon and are good choices for heavy-duty choppers.
It is of utmost importance to learn about the handle material of a survival knife under 100$ as it regulates the easiness and sturdiness of the knife. Make sure that you choose a knife whose handle is composed of sturdy elements in order to avoid cracking and flouting, and prevents rusting. The extremely well-known material utilized to compose a handle is Canvas or linen Micarta and is viewed as acceptable to carry great structure and solidness.
FAQ’s
Conclusion
Make sure you get the best survival knife under 100 for you for whatever reason you might be trying for. It might become like a task when searching for the best survival knife on the market because of the different features and whatnot. But ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference, your budget, and
what activities you will be using it for.
All the ten best survival knives under 100 mentioned in the above list are of high quality, and you really cannot go wrong with any. But the final decision is up to you and we have tried to narrow down the list for you so that you make a rational decision and utilize your precious time on more important things.