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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 5 of the best survival knives on Amazon. These well-known brands offer knives that are roughly the same size within a few inches and frequently appear on various internet lists. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or just starting your survival gear collection, this list should have you covered, and give you multiple slightly different options.
Now that that’s out of the way, let me tell you why I chose these knives. First, they are 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.
In addition, 4-6 inch mid-sized fixed blades are popular as general utility outdoor knives for your basic internet tabletop survivalists, culture war commandos, and backyard hair-gel bros. Plus, all are easy to get on other websites. Some might fall into the hunting category, and others the murky survival category- but all can be used for firemaking, food and game processing, and are relatively well made and are general purpose.
Key Takeaways
– The Gerber Strong Arm has an over-textured handle and a gimmicky “glass” breaker.
– The Buck 119 is a classic, but you can’t fully field strip it.
– The ESEE Laser Strike has a legendary warranty, a comfortable micarta handle, and a great sheath.
– The Cold Steel SRK is a solid choice for hard use at a great price, although you can’t field strip.
– The Fallkniven S1 takes the top spot with its laminate VG10 steel, convex grind, and high-quality sheath, but it’s expensive.
– If you’re into food prep, lighter or harder user, check out the Honorable Mentions.
Top Picks
- Overall pick: Fallkniven S1
- Best value for your money: Cold Steel SRK
- Best for Heavy-Duty Tasks: ESEE Laser Strike
- Best for Slicing and Game Dressing: Buck 119
- Best Looking: Gerber Strong Arm:
My Knife Preferences
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about my knife preferences.
For daily carry, I like a 2.5 to 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 than a fixed blade. These knives however fall in between those two sizes I prefer, and can be a good hybrid option if you’d only like to carry a single knife. They’re more robust than a small folding knife, but not as bulky as a machete.
The Best Survival Knives on Amazon
Best Overall: Fallkniven S1
Pros:
+ High-quality laminated VG10 stainless steel blade that’s resistant to rust and corrosion.
+ Convex grind that’s great for slicing and overall performance.
+ Comfortable handle with a slightly thinner profile than some of the other options.
+ Sheath options are a great leather dangler sheath or a Zytel option for wet environments.
Cons:
– Expensive, but that’s because of their high-end materials and construction.
– Convex grind requires a different sharpening technique than most people are used to, so there might be a learning curve.
– Not actually made in Sweden, despite being a Swedish brand (they’re manufactured in Japan).
– The zytel sheath option is kind of ugly.
– Can not field strip.
And now, our top pick for the best survival knives on Amazon 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 has a high-quality laminated VG10 steel blade with a full convex grind and is resistant to rust and corrosion. The convex grind is great for slicing and overall performance, but it does require a different sharpening technique than most people are used to. It is durable and has a tang that runs the full length of the handle and almost the full height. Some might argue it is full tang, however using Fallkniven’s own standards the S1X is their model with the full protruding tang. The term full tang can get murky in internet arguments, does it have to be exposed or doesn’t it?
The handle is comfortable with a slightly thinner profile than some of the other options, and the knife comes with either a great leather dangler sheath or a Zytel option for wet environments (though some folks think the Zytel one is kind of ugly).
The main downside to the Fallkniven S1 is the price. Fallkniven knives are known for being expensive due to their high-end materials and construction. But if you’re willing to invest in a top-quality survival knife, the S1 is hard to beat. I’d like to get a bigger one someday, but I probably never will. The Northern Lights Bowie looks incredible but it’s nearly $600.
Best Value for Your Money: Cold Steel SRK
Pros:
+ Affordable at around $35 (on sale) for the SK-5 carbon steel version.
+ Scary sharp out of the box, great for immediate use.
+ Well–balanced and suitable for hard use, batoning, and other survival tasks.
+ Closely resembles the Fallkniven S1 but at a much lower price point.
Cons:
– SK-5 carbon steel requires more maintenance than stainless options and may rust if not cared for properly.
– Blade coating may wear off over time with heavy use.
– Sheath is decent but rides a bit higher than some might prefer.
– Cannot field strip the handle.
In a close second for the best survival knives on Amazon, we have the Cold Steel SRK. This knife has been around since about 1990 and closely resembles my top pick–but at a much more affordable price point (around $45 for the SK-5 carbon steel version).
The SRK comes scary sharp out of the box and is well-balanced, making it great for hard use, batoning, and other survival tasks. The SK-5 carbon steel blade is a step up from the 420HC options for some people, but like the ESEE, it requires more maintenance than stainless steel and may rust if not cared for properly.
The sheath is decent, but it rides a bit higher than some prefer. Another potential issue is the blade coating, which may wear off over time with heavy use. But overall, the Cold Steel SRK is a solid choice for those looking for a tough, affordable survival knife. There is a smaller version known at the SRK-C and other options with more expensive steel, so the price can fluctuate depending on the options.
Best For Heavy Duty Tasks: ESEE Laser Strike
Pros:
+ Legendary ESEE warranty that covers the knife even if you break it doing something stupid.
+ Comfortable Removeable Micarta handle scales with a great grip and they can be removed for cleaning.
+ Hidden fire striker in the handle for emergency situations.
+ Great sheath with multiple mounting options, including MOLLE compatibility and a removable belt clip.
Cons:
– Expensive at around $120, though you’re paying for the warranty and quality materials.
– Coated 1095 carbon steel blade may impart a flavor to food, and some people don’t like coated blades in general.
– Carbon steel requires more maintenance than stainless options.
Rounding out the top three, we have the ESEE Laser Strike which is made in the USA. ESEE is known for its legendary warranty that covers the knife even if you break it doing something stupid, which is a huge plus. The Laser Strike features a comfortable micarta handle with a great grip. It even has a hidden fire striker in the handle for emergency situations.
The blade is made from 1095 carbon steel, which is a step up from the 420HC on the Gerber and Buck. But it’s coated, which some people don’t like because they say it adds a flavor to food. Carbon steel also requires more maintenance than stainless options, and some people say carbon steel adds flavor to the food too- so you really can’t win.
The sheath on the Laser Strike is great and has multiple mounting options, including MOLLE compatibility and a removable belt clip. Please note the price will change depending on the sheath system that comes with it. The only real downside is the price. It’s kind of expensive, but you’re paying for that stupidity-saving warranty. The aftermarket options available for Esee’s in scales and mounting systems are second to none honestly.
Best For Slicing and Game Dressing: Buck 119
Pros:
+ Classic design that’s been around for decades.
+ Comfortable phenolic handle, though it’s a bit bulbous.
+ Decent slicer, thanks to the hollow grind, probably the best in this lineup for food prep.
+ Made in USA since mid century of last year.
Cons:
– Can’t fully disassemble the knife for a thorough cleaning, as the handle has several parts (tang, butt cap, and scales) that can trap gunk.
– Basic leather sheath with a plastic insert, nothing special.
Next up in the best survival knives on Amazon battle is the Buck 119. 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, which is a plus. 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 this knife more of a hunting knife than the rest, and it has been made in the US since the mid-last century.
However, there are some downsides. You can’t fully disassemble the knife for a thorough cleaning. The handle has several parts (tang, butt cap, and scales) that can trap gunk over time. The sheath is pretty basic, just leather with a plastic insert, although very secure so the knife won’t fall out.. Some people might also find the proportions and balance a bit odd. However, others might find it perfect, and if they do, they will show up in the comments and let you know. The larger version of this, known as the 120, shows up in the original Scream movie- I am sure you have an uncle that has already hit you with that cool trivia fact, though.
Best Looking: Gerber Strong Arm
Pros:
+ Made in the USA.
+ Decent 420HC blade steel, though not as good as high carbon options.
+ Solid sheath with good mounting options, including MOLLE compatibility.
+ The diamond grooves look cool on your pickup bumper, your truck box, or the floor of a service elevator (but that’s about it).
Cons:
– Uncomfortable, poorly-designed handle with great looking tactical ribs and grooves feel terrible in the hand, even with gloves.
– Gimmicky glass breaker that seems more likely to injure the user than actually be useful in an emergency situation.
– Blade coating isn’t great for striking a ferro rod, which is a common use for survival knives.
Coming in at number five, we have the Gerber Strong Arm. This USA-made knife has a tactical look with ribs and grooves on the handle. Now, the ribs and grooves might look cool, but they feel aggressive in the hand without gloves. Maybe the diamond texture works best with gloves, it might be argued?
Another issue is the glass breaker on the pommel. It seems more like a gimmick that’s more likely to poke your hand when you’re desheathing it. And I get that maybe it’s called a glass break by most and it’s alternate use might be a head thumper, but feel free to let me know.
The blade is made from 420HC steel, which is decent but I kinda prefer the high carbon options. Maybe I’m getting old? It’s also coated, which looks nice but isn’t great for striking a ferro rod. On the plus side, the Strong Arm has a solid sheath that offers good mounting options, including MOLLE compatibility.
Honorable Mentions
Mora Companion
If you’re more into food prep, the Mora Companion is great for slicing and dressing game. It’s only $13, light, and not full tang (which you don’t need for these tasks).
Ontario SP1
The Ontario SP1 is another solid choice. It’s made in the USA and has a comfortable handle and full tang. Plus, it’s only $40 and it’s large. Although Ontario has been bought out and is on hiatus since the original posting of my Youtube video.
Video Review
Final Thoughts
So, is the Fallkniven S1 the best survival knife on Amazon? If you’re choosing between it and the other top contenders like the Cold Steel SRK, I say go, Fallkniven if you can swing it. The high-quality VG10 steel, comfortable handle, and excellent sheath options make it worth the extra cash. Just make sure you are buying from a reputable seller on Amazon, because rumor has it knockoffs exist.
However, if you’re on a tight budget or already have a trusty survival knife that’s serving you well, the S1 might not be a must-buy. It’s a refinement of the classic survival knife formula, not a game-changer. And most people could definitely get away with the Cold Steel SRK.
But for those looking to invest in their first high-end blade or upgrade from a cheaper model, the Fallkniven S1 is one of the best outdoor multi-purpose survival knives on Amazon. Of course other than that one you own you’re about to tell me about in the comments. I like that one too.