Bushcraft knife: an essential tool for outdoor enthusiasts

Features of bushcraft knives

A bushcraft knife is almost like a multi-tool: incredibly versatile! A good knife can be used for fine woodwork, to split wood, to gather and prepare food or to make a fire. In fact, there's very little reason not to carry a bushcraft knife with you when you're out camping or hiking in the woods. Bushcraft knives may even be life-saving.

How to choose the best bushcraft knife

The first choice to make when finding your bushcraft knife concerns the type of steel. There are knives made of carbon steel and stainless steel, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Carbon steel is not corrosion resistant, but with proper maintenance and drying after use, this is not a big problem. Carbon steel is tough, easy to sharpen and suitable for firesteel use, as it makes more sparks than stainless steel. Stainless steel, as the name suggests, is low-maintenance and corrosion-resistant. It retains its sharpness well to make sure you don't have to sharpen it often. A third option is hybrid steel, such as D2. This is pretty corrosion resistant, tough and retains its sharpness well.

Another important factor is the grind of the knife. A convex grind is ideal for tough bushcraft tasks such as making feathersticks. A Scandi grind is better for more general tasks and woodworking.

Bushcraft knives come in many shapes and sizes. Do you want to build a fire? If so, a knife with a sharp spine is practical because it will enable you create sparks with a firesteel. Do you want to prepare food with the knife? Choose a bushcraft knife with a thin blade. Or use our buying guide to discover which bushcraft knife suits you best: how do I choose the best bushcraft knife.