Originally, I wanted to compare just the Cold Steel SRK and the Gerber StrongArm, but I figured adding a few more knives, the word “Amazon,” and ranking them would make for a better article. With any luck, it’ll bring in new folks. It actually worked, too, because the original video is one of my most popular. Some people love it, others love it less.
So, I’ll be ranking five of the best survival knives on Amazon. Why these? They’re name brands, all around the same size, and you encounter them a lot on stupid internet lists like this one. The ESEE Laser Strike is a bit of an oddball. Maybe the ESEE 4 or 5 would have been the more popular choice, but I already had the Laser Strike, and to be honest, all ESEEs are thick.
These roughly 4–6-inch fixed blades are popular as general-purpose outdoor knives for your basic internet tabletop survivalists, culture war commandos, and backyard hair-gel bros. They’re also available away from Amazon. Some lean more toward hunting, others toward camp chores, and none is a fine slicer.
Key Takeaways
- The Gerber StrongArm comes last for me because of its aggressive handle texture and intrusive glass breaker.
- The Buck 119 is my pick of these five for slicing and game dressing, though you can’t remove its handle for cleaning.
- The ESEE Laser Strike has a comfortable Micarta handle, removable scales and a good sheath.
- The full-size SK-5 Cold Steel SRK is the value pick and the one I’d buy for rough use.
- The laminated-VG10 Fallkniven S1 takes first place for refinement, but I’m less convinced by the price.
- The Mora Companion and Ontario SP1 remain the two honorable mentions from the original comparison.
Top Picks
- Overall pick: Fallkniven S1
- Best value for your money: Cold Steel SRK
- Third place: ESEE Laser Strike
- Best for slicing and game dressing: Buck 119
- Fifth place: Gerber StrongArm
My Knife Preferences
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about my knife preferences. For daily carry, I like a 2.5–3.5-inch folder. I prefer a smaller knife when I know people will see me using it, like buttering my toast in the office. But when I’m at home or camping, a 3–4-inch folder is my go-to.
For camping and processing firewood, I want a really big fixed blade, about 8–12 inches. Of course that means no one at the other campsites will talk to me. Which is fine, I don’t like people anyway. Small fixed blades are like phones on a belt clip or socks with sandals. Not my style. I’d rather carry a 3-inch folder.
These knives fall between the two sizes I prefer. They can be a good hybrid option if you’d only like to carry a single knife: more robust than a small folder, but not as bulky as a machete. They can work as a pack knife for smaller wood and camp-food jobs. For this comparison, I’m mainly looking at hand feel, price, weight and sheaths. I tend to use my larger fixed blades for yard work and camping, so these don’t get much use. Everyone uses a knife differently. If you’re paring fine vegetables or peeling tomatoes, look elsewhere.
The Best Survival Knives on Amazon
1. Best Overall: Fallkniven S1
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Our top pick is the Fallkniven S1. It’s kind of hard to make a decision between the Cold Steel SRK and the Fallkniven S1, but for the sake of refinement the S1 won out on this list.
The S1 I reviewed has a laminated VG10 stainless-steel blade with a full convex grind. You can sharpen it like a conventional knife and add an edge bevel, but maintaining that convex curve calls for a different technique. It feels nimble in the hand, with a slightly thinner handle than some of the other options.
Mine has the leather dangler sheath, which I prefer. Leather can hold moisture, though, so the synthetic sheath makes more sense for wet use or damp storage. Stainless steel can still rust. The knife is from a Swedish brand and made in Japan. Its handle cannot be removed like the ESEE’s scales. The tang runs through the handle, but it isn’t the exposed-tang construction of the S1X. The term full tang can get murky in internet arguments. Does it have to be exposed or doesn’t it?
The main downside is the price. I’d like to get a bigger Fallkniven someday, but I probably never will. The Northern Lights Bowie looks incredible. These knives are expensive, probably a little too expensive, and the tradeoff here is a slightly nicer hand feel and that convex grind.
2. Best Value: Cold Steel SRK
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In a close second, we have the Cold Steel SRK. Or arguably the best if you figure in size or price. This knife has been around since about 1990 and closely resembles my top pick at a much more affordable price point for a full-size fixed blade.
The full-size version here uses coated SK-5 carbon steel. It came very sharp out of the box and feels well-balanced, with a nicer texture in the hand than the StrongArm. There’s still some pickup-toolbox texture going on, but it’s finer, with fewer needless grooves and no glass breaker poking out the back.
The sheath secures the knife well. It rides a touch higher than I’d like, but it’s not too bad. If you want a tough, affordable survival knife to beat up, this is the one I’d buy from these five.
There is also a smaller SRK-C and versions with more expensive steels, including San Mai.
3. ESEE Laser Strike
| PROS | CONS |
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Rounding out the top three, we have the USA-made ESEE Laser Strike. ESEE’s warranty is legendary. You’re paying a bit more for that stupidity-saving warranty, which is a huge plus.
The full-tang Laser Strike has an extremely comfortable Micarta handle. Even the chamfered finger choil is comfortable. Honestly, ESEE handles are about my favorite, and the removable scales make cleaning and swapping them out much easier than on the other knives here.
The blade is coated 1095 carbon steel. Some people notice a flavor from carbon steel when cutting food, and some people just don’t like coatings on their blades. The Buck and this both have tradeoffs, so if you’re still mad about me ranking the Buck lower, you can move it here if you want.
There’s a hidden fire striker inside the handle if you get desperate. In all honesty, I’d pack a reliable lighter before worrying about that. The sheath is great, and there are plenty of mounting options. Since I’ve had kids, I car camp rather than backpack, so I chose the easy-in, easy-out pocket or belt clip that mounts to the Kydex. The aftermarket options for ESEE scales and mounting systems are second to none, honestly.
4. Best for Slicing and Game Dressing: Buck 119
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This knife ain’t bad. It’s a Buck. Buck fans might not agree with my flippant attitude about their serious knives, but I am not a serious person. Worry about more important things like video games, millennials, and tofu.
Back to the knife. The 119 features a 420HC steel blade, but this time it’s uncoated. The phenolic handle is comfortable, though a bit bulbous, and the hollow grind makes it a decent slicer. In fact, the Buck 119 is probably the best knife in this lineup for food prep. I would classify it more as a hunting knife than the rest.
You can’t fully disassemble it for a thorough cleaning. The handle has several parts, including the tang and butt cap, and I like being able to get in there if gunk collects over time. The sheath is leather with a plastic insert. It’s okay, but it could hang lower.
Some people might find the proportions a bit odd. Others might find it perfect, and if they do, they will show up in the comments and let you know. I go into more detail in my Buck 119 review. The larger version, known as the 120, shows up in the original Scream movie. I am sure you have an uncle who has already hit you with that cool trivia fact, though.
5. Gerber StrongArm
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Coming in at number five, we have the Gerber StrongArm. This USA-made knife has a tactical look with ribs and grooves on the handle. The diamond grooves look great on your pickup bumper, your truck box, or the floor of a service elevator. They feel about like you’d expect in your hand.
Maybe the texture was designed for gloves. Bare-handed, I find it too busy, especially for vigorous use. The rubberized handle already supplies grip without all those ridges.
Then there’s the glass breaker on the pommel. To me, it seems more useful for poking yourself while reaching for the knife. If breaking glass is something you regularly need to do, there are more specialized tools. I’m sure there will be some opposing opinions in the comments, which technically counts as research.
The blade is coated 420HC stainless steel. It can still rust, but it’s a different maintenance proposition from the carbon-steel options. Our knife steel guide explains those tradeoffs. The coating on the spine also isn’t ideal for striking a ferro rod. The sheath is pretty good, though, with plenty of mounting options. I prefer a belt, but you can put it upside down on your vest for tactical cosplay.
Honorable Mentions
Mora Companion
If you’re more into food prep, the Mora Companion is good for finer slicing and dressing game. It’s inexpensive, light and not full tang, which you don’t need for those tasks. This is the smaller, less bulky option from the original video.
Ontario SP1
The Ontario SP1 in the original comparison was a larger, heavier, USA-made, full-tang option with a comfortable handle. I hadn’t reviewed it in detail at that point, so it stays an honorable mention here.
How the Five Ranked Knives Compare
Here’s the short version of the ranking. Blade and steel refer to the versions discussed above, including the laminated-VG10 S1 and full-size SK-5 SRK.
| Knife | Blade | Steel | Weight | Why I’d choose it | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fallkniven S1 | 5.10 in | Laminated VG10 | 6.70 oz | Nimble feel and convex grind | Big jump in price |
| 2. Cold Steel SRK | 6.00 in | SK-5 | 8.20 oz | Value and rough camp use | Carbon-steel care |
| 3. ESEE Laser Strike | 4.75 in | 1095 | 9.50 oz max, knife only | Handle comfort and removable scales | More weight |
| 4. Buck 119 | 6.00 in | 420HC | 7.50 oz | Food prep and game dressing | Bulky handle; can’t strip it |
| 5. Gerber StrongArm | 4.8 in | 420HC | 7.2 oz | Sheath mounting options | My least favorite handle |
Video Review
Final Thoughts
So, is the Fallkniven S1 the best survival knife on Amazon? It takes the top spot on my list for its nicer hand feel and convex grind. But it’s expensive, probably a little too expensive, and the Cold Steel SRK is a very close second. If you’re buying on Amazon, choose a reputable seller.
Buy the SRK if you want to beat stuff up. Pick the Buck if food prep and game dressing are more your thing. The ESEE’s comfortable handle and removable scales give it a good argument, too. If your current knife is doing the job, the S1 might not be a must-buy. It’s a refinement, and most people could get away with the SRK.
If you want a broader selection beyond these five, our survival knife guide covers other options. And yes, I like that knife you own that you’re about to tell me about in the comments, too.
