Survival vs Bushcraft Knives. What is the Difference?

Ever wondered what the difference is between bushcraft knives and survival knives? In this video, I talk about the key differences between both knives, so you can make an informed decision on which one to use.

Bushcraft knives are designed for more precise tasks such as carving, splitting, cleaning, and skinning. This type of knife is great for carving intricate designs in wood, skinning game, and other delicate tasks.

On the other hand, survival knives are designed for more rugged tasks such as chopping, sawing, and slicing. These knives generally have a wider, thicker blade which are great for cutting through brush, carving logs, and other more heavy-duty tasks.

So, when making your decision on which knife to use, it's important to consider the tasks you plan on doing. If you're looking for a knife for more precise tasks, then a bushcraft knife is for you. If you're looking for a knife for more rugged tasks, then a survival knife is the better choice.

I hope this video helps you to understand the differences between bushcraft and survival knives. Now, you can make an informed decision on which one to use. Thanks for watching!

[chriskourliourod]

In my experience, a good knife is a good knife, period. For the past couple of seasons, I used a mora HD carbon companion to thoroughly field-process numerous deer along with deboning and quartering the meat. You don’t have to split the pelvis—use your knife to follow where the meat meets the bone and then eventually sever the tendon holding the ball joint together. Freeing the hindquarters this way eliminates worrying about the bladder and colon, and you can thank a Greek butcher for this valuable information.

[itiswhatitis]

So this is the way I describe the difference between survival and bushcraft to my kids… “survival is when you have to and bushcraft is when you want to” …you name it. Eat, build, create, gather, explore. And the more you learn the more the distinction matters less.

[SixFoe_]

This has been the best explanation to differentiate between the categories of “survival” vs “bushcraft” I’ve seen on YT.

[BobanMisevic]

I have had alox Swiss Army knife since 1988. It did everything I needed knife for : camping, fishing, hunting, cooking you name it. Had to replace it a few years back due to blade becoming too tin and small from sharpening. My new knife is alox pioneer x . Add Maglite solitaire and bic mini lighter and that is all I need.

[dksparticles]

I really like what you said about materials. Obviously there is the constant back and forth between carbon vs stainless for the blades, but I never considered the sheath materials as well. I knew that the main advantage or the fallkniven zytel was that it is waterproof and that it has some intentional play of the blade so that if it gets wet and freezes, it would allow you to get the blade out. I haven’t considered resistance to fuel, oil, fire, etc as the strenghts of the sheath.

[dennisleighton]

Some thoughts:
Firstly, I thought about what the woodsmen of a century ago carried out in the wild. Generally, they seem to have preferred a large, heavy-bladed knife that could be used to perform many and various tasks about the camp and in the wilderness - often this would be like a bowie knife. In the business of living in the wild, finesse didn't often carry a high priority; for example fine, evenly spaced feathersticks etc.
Secondly, I thought of the chef in the kitchen. How many chefs (or cooks) normally rely on only one knife? Very few. They would have several - each of them the best for a specific task.
Thirdly, I thought of how one would actually end up in a survival situation (excluding aeroplane pilots). Usually (but not exclusively) it would be the result of a trip away from "civilization" where something went wrong and they are now in IT! This would logically presuppose that, prior to such an adventure, there would have been some sort of preparation phase, and consideration about what kit to take along. I think this is a reasonable and logical deduction. One could therefore accommodate a proper knife selection. Also other tools, eg a folding saw, or possible an axe.
Taking all this in account, it seems to me that an adventurer (just like a chef) would consider what would be needed for what purposes and plan accordingly. I would think a prudent adventurer would select more than one knife: possibly a large knife (like a Cold Steel Trail Master), a medium size knife (like a Cold Steel SRK (or ESEE 4), and a smaller knife, say a Mora Skandi grind knife. He/she might even have a SAK and/or Leatherman on his/her belt.
The "only ONE knife" scenario is a popular one for the sake of discussion and debate, but with little practical application. Also, with this all in mind, it would mean that each knife choice could have the specific grind choice one would prefer for the particular application, instead of relying on one grind for all jobs.
In the words of that great man Lord Baden Powell (founder of the Boy Scouts movement), "Be prepared!"
In all this there is not, of course, only one CORRECT answer, as personal preference will always play a major decision-making role.

[jamesparker]

The best knife in my opinion is the one you have on ya when you need one . Just saying . I know that a number of people will disagree with me but I like a hollow grind . Back in the late sixties and early seventies I carried the Puma White Hunter it got me through 18 months of Vietnam and it still serves me today .

[bikemannc]

Excellent definitions and Very helpful. I've been involved for many seasons in wilderness survival and yours is the first to detail the why's and what's between Bush crafting & Survival; thanks again

[chrisbarrett]

Great clear explanation on the basic differences in outdoor knives. So many people buy their first knives and select the 2nd best choice. Great quality video Fella.👊

[JoeDebono]

Thanks for this useful summary. A while back I started an open ended trip around Australia and in the first fortnight I snapped what I thought was a “good” knife, just trimming a wedge of wood. I settled on a Spanish made Niels Lucius which I thought was a bushman’s knife but, according to your categorisation is a survival knife, with a flat grind and a very thick back that would take some effort to break. It’s a little heavy on my belt but I wouldn’t head bush without it.

[osok]

Wow that Fallkniven S1x is absolutely beautiful. After hearing you describe it I just ordered myself one. Thank you and great video 👍

[Azoth]

Nice to see someone repping a Marttinni knife! Ive had one that i purchased in Lapland when i was 12. Used it daily as a teenager growing up in a 3rd world tropical country and now it comes with me on my camping and hiking trips 18 years later.

[stevefisher]

Great informational video - very well spoken. I love the scandi grind but when I discovered the convex grind of a bark river knife I fell head over heels in love!!! Needless to say, I now own quite a few bark river knives. The Fallkniven F1 is one of the best knives ever made in my opinion. I think it makes one heck of a bushcraft knife as well. It is a very versatile knife. New sub here - love the content!!!

[ProdigalPrepper]

Honestly I thought it was good education. I’ve been looking at some camping items and this will help me figure out what I need to learn about to make a good purchase. Thank you.

[genesisreset]

Love the animated illustrations between the grinds! Now I know the differences after watching many so-called Bush crafters or survivalists on YouTube. Thx

[marmadukegrimwig]

Short, sharp and straight to the point. Excellent.

[Robert.Northwoods]

The BK2 is a sabre grind ground knife. This is considered as its own grind ( theoretically, it is just a very high scandi with a secondary bevel) and has different characteristics as a scandi and a flat ground knife. These scandi ground knives were of course also meant to prepare food and process meat and hide as well as wood processing.

[ColinNew-pfix]

I tend to carry three blades if I go off into an isolated area:

1/. My survival knife - chunky 7" blade, carried on my person
2/. A secondary splitting tool, such as small wood machete, Sherade Froe, or cleaver - carried in my hip bag or backpack
3/. A finer work blade: a Mora, or lockable folding blade, or a multitool. Usually a Scandi grind to slice, carve and shave wood.

This way I have two forms of splitting wood. One is a redundant blade in case I lose my main splitting tool.

[Saxon-uzkc]

the bk2 is a tank of a blade....a true beater, i have one along with the Terävä Jääkäripuukko totally reliable in survival situations, great video i gave it a thumbs up

[ColinNew-pfix]

Thumbs up. Great delivery. Good points. You have an endearing nature, which goes beyond just the content.

One important factor for which donates the difference between a bushcraft knife and a survival knife is simply the length of blade. And the reason being is when I'm batoning, I have more area to hit with the baton (striking wood).

So for a proper survival knife for me I need about a seven inch blade. The longer (and chunkier) the blade the bigger the diameter of wood I can split.

Hope all that is legible.

Respect from England.