The best hunting and survival knives in the UK 2023

Intended for adventurers and nature lovers, the hunting and survival knife is a versatile and efficient tool. The sturdiness of its blade allows it to cut leather, wood and even metal! However, it is important to choose your model according to your needs. Our comparative guide presents the best hunting and survival knives of the moment.

Perkins Knives customizable hunting knife 1
8/10

Best value for money

Perkins Knives customizable hunting knife

The best hunting and survival knife in 2021

Entirely handmade, this hunting knife is perfectly balanced. This makes it easy to handle despite its huge handle.

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This is a handcrafted hunting knife. Entirely handmade, the Perkin Knives was born in a workshop and not in a factory where machines make kitchen knives, table knives and machetes in a jumble. The blade is made of 440 C steel, a guarantee of strength and resistance to rust. Note that this hunting knife has a custom leather sheath with a secure belt loop.

The blade is 4.5 mm thick at its thickest part and 1.5 mm thick at the end. The length of the blade is 17.5 cm. We don't know exactly how the blade is fitted, but there is no play! And the heaviness of the handle balances the knife perfectly. Fully customizable, this knife arrives very sharp. The price is in the average range of high-end hunting knives.

GVDV Folding Pocket Knife 2
8/10

Best value for money

GVDV Folding Pocket Knife

The best entry-level hunting and survival knife

Rather small, this folding hunting knife has a beautiful all black design. The steel blade has a titanium coating that improves its strength and sharpness.

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For those who like folding hunting knives, we recommend the GVDV. Also suitable for wilderness survival, this knife is equipped with a glass breaker at the end of the handle. The blade is made of 7Cr17 stainless steel with a titanium coating for added strength.

Unfolding is done by deactivating the safety locking system. The whole thing measures 21 cm when unfolded, which is reasonable. The handle alone measures 12 cm. The all black look with the fake carbon makes it discreet while remaining pretty. The belt cutter with replaceable blade is one of the big advantages of this knife. And the blade is very sharp.

Hobby Hut HH-401 3
8/10

A great choice

Hobby Hut HH-401

A great value for the money

It took 150 to 200 layers of 1095 and 15N25 bent steel to design the blade of this hunting knife. The weight is noticeable, but the quality is there.

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The Hobby Hut HH-401 is both a hunting knife and a survival knife. The manufacturer has used walnut wood for the handle, a wood known for its resistance to wear and tear and its ability to grip. The blade is made of damask steel. Several types of 1095 and 15N25 steel had to be bent several times to obtain the 150 to 200 layers that make up the blade.

This hunting knife weighs its weight. Moreover, this reinforces the impression of robustness of the whole. Obviously, the Hobby Hut HH-401 is very sharp, not easy to catch. We love taking this knife in hand, it has an exceptional handling. Moreover, it comes with a nice sheath. However, you will have to sharpen it.

Hobby Hut HH-303 4
8/10

Very good

Hobby Hut HH-303

The alternative

This hunting knife with micarta wood handle is beautiful. Forged and decorated by hand, it cuts, slices and drills to perfection.

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Also handmade, the Hobby Hut HH-303 is a stainless steel hunting knife. Constructed in full length, the 100% hand forged blade has excellent strength and long life. A leather sheath is included in the package. Overall, the knife measures 33 cm. The blade is 21.6 cm, which is long, and the handle measures half that.

This is a very good hunting knife that cuts, slices and drills very well. You can use it especially in narrow places. The micarta wood handle is well crafted. It has a strong grip and contributes to the balance of the whole. On the other hand, this handle is small, especially if you have large hands.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best hunting and survival knife

Any specific needs?

The best hunting and survival knife in 2021

The best entry-level hunting and survival knife

A great value for the money

The alternative

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best hunting and survival knives

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP EXCELLENT VERY GOOD
Perkins Knives customizable hunting knife 5
8/10
GVDV Folding Pocket Knife 6
8/10
Hobby Hut HH-401 7
8/10
Hobby Hut HH-303 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Perkins Knives customizable hunting knife
GVDV Folding Pocket Knife
Hobby Hut HH-401
Hobby Hut HH-303
Entirely handmade, this hunting knife is perfectly balanced. This makes it easy to handle despite its huge handle.
Rather small, this folding hunting knife has a beautiful all black design. The steel blade has a titanium coating that improves its strength and sharpness.
It took 150 to 200 layers of 1095 and 15N25 bent steel to design the blade of this hunting knife. The weight is noticeable, but the quality is there.
This hunting knife with micarta wood handle is beautiful. Forged and decorated by hand, it cuts, slices and drills to perfection.
17.5 cm blade in 440 C stainless steel with Rockwell hardness 58-59 HRC
Folding and very handy knife
Beautiful Bushcraft knife
Very nice knife
Gigantic handle, not made for small hands
No sheath
Weight
Handle not suitable for large hands

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Buying guide - hunting and survival knife

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How to choose your hunting and survival knife

Here are the essential parameters to consider before buying a hunting and survival knife.

#1 - The size of the blade

Ideally, your survival knife should be between 22 and 28 cm long, from the tip of the blade to the bottom of the handle or pommel. This means that the blade itself should be at least 18 cm long. This is considered the ideal length, as a longer blade can be difficult to handle for more precise tasks like gutting small game or carving traps.

A smaller blade, on the other hand, will prevent you from doing heavier tasks like cutting, hunting, or for self-defense.

#2 - How the blade is attached

The blade on a survival knife should always be fixed. While the folding knife allows you to conceal it or carry it without the need for a sheath, the articulation of the sheath will make the blade less effective at performing certain tasks and make it less durable.

If you need your survival knife to be strong and resistant to wear and tear, a fixed blade model is a better choice as it allows you to perform more varied tasks such as: lifting, chopping, splitting and carving or rigorous cutting.

Also, the back of the blade should be square and finished at a right angle to the side of the blade so you can use it with a ferrocerium rod lighter. As for the saw teeth on the back of the blade, they are not always as useful as some people think, so you can leave that option out.

#3 - Silk

The tang of a knife is the part that connects the blade to the handle. This includes the "tail" or "tip" of the knife that is usually covered or enclosed in the handle. When choosing a survival knife, look for models with a full tang. This means that the blade extends from the tip to the back of the handle in one solid piece with a full width.

The handle is usually made of two separate pieces that are attached to the tang with glue, pins, rivets, bolts or other fastening system. The handle can also be molded onto the tang. A solid tang offers greater strength and durability.

#4 - The thickness of the blade

A sufficiently thick and sturdy blade will ensure years of heavy use and will not break easily as you cut, chop, and perform other demanding tasks. In other circumstances, the knife can even be used as a lever.

So choose a knife with a blade thickness or back thickness of 4 to 6 mm.

#5 - The material of the blade

Survival knife blades come in a variety of materials, and carbon steel is the one that stands out from the rest.

Carbon is an ultra-strong material, and carbon steel blades offer hardness, sharpness, and better edge strength than traditional stainless steel blades. Common carbon steels are D2, 1095. The downside of carbon steel is that it is susceptible to rust and therefore requires special cleaning after each use.

Stainless steel is also an option, as it is more resistant to rust, but can dull more quickly and lose its sharpness. So base your choice of material on the amount of moisture and stress your survival knife will be subjected to.

More moisture? Choose stainless steel. Popular and reliable stainless steels include 440C, 154 CM and S30V. More demanding tasks? A carbon steel model is better. On the other hand, a ceramic or titanium knife is far from suitable for use as a survival knife.

How to use a hunting and survival knife?


A very useful and practical tool for campers and hunters, the hunting and survival knife is a weapon of protection against all possible dangers. It is essential to know how to use it correctly to avoid any risk of injury. First of all, it must be held correctly for easier handling.

Indeed, a survival knife is made up of many useful gadgets such as a fishing line, a slingshot, a compass, etc. So you have to be careful not to lose it. Moreover, you need to adapt the blade of your item to the task you want to perform. In addition, you need to make sure that the blade is of good quality because its effectiveness depends entirely on it.

Apart from that, you can use your knife to start a fire. To prepare the fuel for the fire, you can chop up dry wood or other fuel. To keep the fire going all night, you need to cut wood and collect dry branches. You can also use it to chop a few branches to build a shelter to protect yourself from wild animal attacks, for example.

To maintain your hunting and survival knife, it is advisable to use a dry cotton cloth. Before storing it, you should wipe it well, especially the blade, and wait until it is perfectly dry. Indeed, moisture could cause rust and damage your tool. In addition, it is recommended to use a case that will protect it from dirt and moisture.

Hunting and survival knife or Swiss Army knife?

Hunting and survival knife

The hunting and survival knife is part of the survival kit for camping or other outdoor activities. It is sharp, often foldable, and can be used to remove thorns and splinters from wounds or to cut bandages. In the event of a car accident, you can use it to cut through seat belts or break windows to free yourself. You can also heat the blade with fire and cauterize wounds if the first aid kit is lacking.

This type of knife is also handy as a self-defense tool against animals or even humans. It can slow down or repel an attacker. Even if you don't use it, having it is a deterrent. Apart from these benefits, the hunting and survival knife can easily hurt you if you are inexperienced. Also, you can't use it to cut large objects like a tree branch.

Swiss Army Knife

The Swiss Army Knife is a very versatile tool, consisting of several small pocket tools. Suitable for hobbies, DIY and survival, it makes your job easier. Unlike the survival and hunting knife, it is much more work of repair and small things of everyday life. Indeed, it often contains a nail clipper, tweezers, bottle opener, screwdriver, etc. In addition, its blade is durable and robust despite its small size.

However, the Swiss Army Knife does have its drawbacks. It can be difficult to use in tight spaces. The springs on its scissors can break easily. Also, placing it in a pocket with other items can damage your other belongings because of its sharp points and blades. And speaking of blades, you'll probably need to sharpen it before use.

Verdict

To make the right choice, determine your objectives and expectations. The Swiss Army knife is widely used in everyday life and can be used for outdoor activities. However, its sharpness is limited. The hunting and survival knife can be used as a defensive weapon in addition to its basic qualities. It is the tool of the survivalists.

Tips

Sharpen your hunting and survival knife

To be effective, your survival knife must be properly sharpened, which is not always easy when you are out in the wilderness. You'll need to find a stone with fine, even roughness and rub your knife on it, being careful not to press too hard. But the best option is always to carry a portable sharpener.

Keep the knife with you at all times

It's important to always carry your survival knife with you if you don't plan to chop wood or go hunting. This is because you may find yourself in a sudden situation where you need it, to protect yourself from wild animals for example, or to cut your way through vegetation.

Choose a case that attaches to your belt

There are different kinds of sheaths for your hunting and survival knife, but favor a model that can be attached to your belt. That way, you won't have to dig through your bag because your knife will always be within reach. There will also be less chance of it getting lost.

Apply coconut oil to the tool

After cleaning, it is recommended to lightly apply coconut oil to the blade of your knife to create a protective film. If you have a folding knife, coconut oil can also be used to oil the opening and closing mechanism of the knife.

Store your survival knife properly

When you are in town and not using your survival knife, you should store it in a proper place. It should be kept away from dust and especially out of the reach of children. On the other hand, you can choose to take it everywhere with you, in case it comes in handy in your daily life.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , bestreviews.com
  2. , thewirecutter.com
  3. , natureoutside.com
  4. , frankonia.fr
  5. , armurerie-francaise.com
  6. , naturabuy.fr
  7. , le-couteau.com
  8. , couteaux-services.com
  9. , le-couteau.com
  10. , forgeorigine.com
  11. , knivesandtools.fr
  12. , lagertha.fr
  13. , hattila.com
  14. , couteau-chasse.com
  15. , couteau-chasse-opinel.fr
  16. , naturabuy.fr
  17. , couteaux-services.com
  18. , coutebox.com
  19. , hattila.com
  20. , boutiquechasseetpeche.ca
  21. , cdiscount.com
  22. , survivalismepassion.com
  23. , bouticoupe.fr
  24. , decathlon.fr
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Perkins Knives customizable hunting knife 9
Perkins Knives customizable hunting knife
GVDV Folding Pocket Knife 10
GVDV Folding Pocket Knife
Hobby Hut HH-401 11
Hobby Hut HH-401
Hobby Hut HH-303 12
Hobby Hut HH-303

Lecteurs

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