American made bushcraft knives

Heading outdoors – whether or a few hours, a few days, or far longer—survivalist requires American made bushcraft knives. This, among other items for basic survival and convenience. From the fire starter to compass, a bushcraft knife comes in handy. Bushcraft knives are sleek and nimble in design with a thin blade but can sculpt and carve while creating kindling for the fire and help you tackle tons of everyday tasks out in nature.

Note that bushcraft knives differ from survival knives, heftier and designed for life-and-death tasks. A bushcraft knife is best for carving, kindling a fire, and performing everyday events in the woods.

A bushcraft knife is a survival tool that is more finely tuned for smaller, handheld cutting tasks. More so, they come in different sizes, designs, and materials.

The Purpose of Bushcraft Knives

There is a wide variety of knife types around—and bushcraft knives are pretty unique. Bushcraft knives are purpose-driven blade types and lack the flash found with other survival tools. Suppose you take a general survival knife into the great outdoors, intending to use it. You will be astonished how the versatile survival blade has so many shortcomings. No knife can do a better job than a bushcraft knife.

Bushcraft blades are expressly designed for various hard-use purposes in the great outdoors, built to be streamlined and functional over more significant periods and usage. Such knives come with more sturdy material, with better balance and durability. They chop, chisel, carve and strip tougher material such as wood.

Bushcraft knives are designed and constructed specifically for survival usage or camping-focused tasks.

For the right bushcraft knife, look at our top picks right here.

Best Overall Bushcraft Knife: Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue

The Cold Steel makes some of the best bushcraft knives in the world. Each blade features a powder-coated finish that reduces friction and prevents corrosion. The Cold Steel SKR brings a survivalist design, clean edges, and a razor-sharp blade. Its blade features an SK-5 or CPM-3V steel for a strong, durable edge that is ever sharp—making it one of the bushcraft knives on the market.

Pros

• Razor-sharp
• Excellent fit and finish and the sheath
• Best for fishing use
• Includes a sheath
• Hand wash care instructions

Cons

• Handle too small

Best American Made Bushcraft Knife: Morakniv Companion

The Markov is a legendary bushcraft knife—and for a good reason. It has earned a reputation for comfort, toughness, and capability.

You can choose between a 12C27 stainless steel and a high-carbon variation.

The tool features a 4.1-inch drop-point blade with a grippy rubber hand or the precession Scandi grind. But note the rounded blade spine will short charge you for creating some fire. It won’t help when scraping a Ferro rod but makes up for a nice landing place for your thumb.

Also, the bushcraft knife comes in many colors. You can choose between black and green or the high viz. Even better, it made its sheath of hardened plastic for the best storage. The cover features a belt clip and thumb-ramp for easy access.

Morakniv Companion rides low on the belt with no obtrusive. Even better, the knife eschews the traditionally full tang make—the “rat” tang which is far from a deal-breaker.

Pros

• Excellent design
• Color options are available
• Handle for comfort

Cons

• No squared spine
• Just a plastic sheath

KA-BAR Becker BK2 Companion

KA-BAR Becker BK2 features a flat-back design that adds to its versatility.  It comes with a 1095 Cro-Van blade with a hardened edge that stays sharp.  It’s one of the handy tools around the campsite.

The ergonomic handle fits well in hand for total control over the blade.  Its large lanyard loop and drop-point design make the bushcraft knife best for hunting, camping, and survivalist use. You also get hybrid nylon and plastic sheath with this knife.

Pros

• Flat grind finish and full-tang design
• Durable hardened edge and drop-point design

Cons

• The black coating is so thick that you cannot spark a Ferro rod with it

ESEE PR4 Fixed Blade

ESSEE makes some of the best American bushcraft knives, with the PR4 model being a great choice.   The blade features a rustic and rugged look—a handle with a leather design complemented with notches and knurling for added grip.

The bushcraft knife stonewashed 1095 HC steel blade looks fantastic with a weathered look.  You get a 4-inch blade and 4.75’’ handle and a 90-degree spine for striking fire-steels. It also comes with a full genuine leather sheath.

Pros

• Full-tang traditional design
• Spear-point blade
• Ergonomic handle grip
• Leather sheath included

Cons

• Knife dull out of the box

Schrade SCHF36 Frontier

The bushcraft knife features a design and construction with durable 1095 powder-coated carbon steel.  Its textured TPE handle offers a fantastic grip even in wet weather. Also, the ergonomic finger grooves come in handy for control over the blade.  The coated blade offers friction-free and corrosion resistance.

It is one of the best American-made bushcraft knives out there. You will love the nylon sheath with fire-steel and Emory board.

Pros

• Very heavy duty
• The handle has a good grip and is safe
• Full Tang.
• 90-degree spine

Cons

• It Comes with lots of gimmicky junk
• The sheath is oversized and ugly

Bottom line

By now, you should have your eye on a preferred model for your bushcraft needs. The knives are medium-sized fixed blade knives, mainly carbon or high-quality stainless steel. Pick one with a comfortable grip, sharpened spines for crapping a Ferro rod, as well as for another fire starter.

Also, the edge should be suitable for carving and splitting wood and other natural material. 

Bushcraft knives have an attachment that allows them to be carried on a belt in a formed sheath in plastic or leather.

Even better, most of them can be used in high-stress work but fall into a medium-duty role. Choose from the above list for the best price and service.