A fixed blade knife is a fantastic multi-functional tool for extreme outdoor activities. If you are hunting, fishing, or blazing a trail through the jungle, a fixed blade is the ultimate outdoor survival companion.
The 10 Best Fixed Blade Knives
- Schrade SCHF9 Fixed Blade Knife
- Ka-Bar BK-22 10.5-inch Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife
- SOG Force SE38-N Fixed Blade Knife
- ESEE Knives 4P 4.5-inch Fixed Blade Knife
- Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 4.40-inch Fixed Blade Knife
- Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro 31-001901 4.84-inch Fixed Blade Knife
- Gerber LMF II Infantry 4.84-inch Fixed Blade Knife (Our Top Pick)
- Fallkniven A1 Fixed Blade Knife
- Buck Knives 119 10 1/2-inch Fixed Blade Knife
- Morakniv 4.1-inch Fixed Blade Knife
Our Top Pick for the Best Fixed Blade Knife
Our top pick for the best-fixed blade knife is the Gerber LMF II Infantry Fixed Blade Knife.
Built for military use, the Gerber LMF II is designed for heavy-duty bushcrafting and survival tasks. Wherever you are navigating the wilderness, the dense jungle or the mean urban streets, you will brave unknown terrain with confidence when you have this tough survival tool by your side.
Be Prepared For Any Survival Cutting Task with a Tough Fixed Blade Knife
As opposed to a Swiss Army Knife or a Multi-Tool that has a foldable design, a fixed blade knife has its blade permanently fixed into position on its handle which makes it an extra tough tool. When you have a fixed blade knife in your camping or tactical gear, you will be prepared for all types of survival tasks:
- Piercing animal hide.
- Carving or slicing up thick meat.
- Descaling and gutting a fish.
- Cutting through twine, thick rope or wire.
- Batoning tree branches.
- Feathering a piece of wood for fire-lighting.
- A self-defense stabbing weapon.
How to Choose the Best Fixed Blade Knife
To help you find the best type of fixed blade knife for your hunting, fishing or tactical expedition, here are important features to consider.
Blade Types
There are four main types of fixed knife blades: clip, straight, drop, or a fine edge blade.
Clip Point Blade
A clip point blade knife, like the Buck Knives 119 Special Fixed Blade Knife, is a great knife for piercing through thick meat and skinning game. It gives you extra control with less drag during insertion and a faster withdrawal so it is especially useful in tight, confined places. The fine narrow tip also means that the blade can be quite fragile and susceptible to damage, so it is may not be suited for heavy-duty cutting tasks.
Straight-edge Blade
A straight-edged blade, like the SOG Force SE38-N Fixed Blade, is a great all-purpose knife. The blade has a straight top edge and the bottom part of the blade curves upwards toward its point. You can use the straight edge to apply pressure on the top to get a better purchase on the knife as you cut through thick rope, kindling, or thick meat.
Drop Point Blade
Drop-point knives, like the Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife, or the Gerber LMF II Infantry Fixed Blade Knife, have a weighted pointed tip that is thicker and stronger than the clip-point blade. It has plenty of edge for slicing and cutting meat and batoning wood, but it may not have a sharp enough edge for piercing thick animal hide.
Fine Edge Blade
A fine edge blade, like the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Knife, has a long-lasting sharp edge that glides easily through thick meat and is especially useful for more delicate tasks like filleting a fish. But its fine edge can chip on extra hard surfaces.
Blade Grind
A hollow grind and a flat grind produce an extremely sharp edge but you may have to sharpen the blade more often. The saber grind has a long-lasting edge and is suited for bushcrafting, field-dressing game, and splitting wood but may not have a very good cutting ability. The classic Scandi grind is a favorite with many knife enthusiasts as it is multifunctional and very easy to resharpen.
Read this article to learn more about blade grind profiles.
Construction
Blades are made from stainless steel, high carbon steel or a specialized steel like Cro-Van Steel. Stainless steel is strong, durable and has a high corrosion resistance. High carbon steel is the king of steel and it is well known for its extra hardness and durability but the blade can rust easily if it is not maintained in wet conditions.
Full Tang Design
A full tang design is very popular with many knife experts. When the blade’s tang extends into the handle, it gives the knife better stability and strength.
Handle
Polished wood looks super stylish and feels smooth but it can get slippery in wet conditions. Thermoplastic is lightweight and easier to grip but it can feel a little flimsy in your hand. Glass-reinforced nylon or Kraton, a semi-rubbery high-density polymer, is highly durable and its textured surface gives you a good firm grip but some people may not like the scaled-textured style of handle.
Bolster
A hand guard or bolster prevents your hand from slipping onto the blade and getting a nasty cut.
Carrying Sheath
A carrying sheath allows you to keep your hunting knife ready for action on your belt or strapped to your leg. The sheath may have a drainage hole, an integrated sharpener like the Gerber Bear Grylls Knife. An accessory pouch like the Schrade Fixed Blade Knife, or a MOLLE backing like the SOG Fixed Blade Knife or ESEE Fixed Blade Knife.
Lanyard Hole
Having a lanyard hole in the handle is another great feature. You can use it to attach the knife to your tactical backpack or lash the knife to a sturdy tree branch to make a fishing spear.
Best Fixed Blade Knife Reviews
1. Schrade SCHF9 Fixed Blade Knife
Whether you are hiking, camping, hunting or fishing, the Schrade SCHF9 12.1-inch Fixed Blade Knife is a professional style bushcrafting tool for hardcore outdoor survivalists.
The 6.4-inch, ¼-inch thick 1095 high carbon stainless steel blade is strong and sturdy and its hollow grind gives it an extremely sharp edge. The knife can be used for batoning wood, chopping and slicing up meat and it is very effective as a self-protection tactical-style weapon.
For easy gripping in wet or dry conditions, the full-tang 15.7-ounce knife is well-balanced and the black ring textured TPE handle fits comfortably in your hand. You can wield the knife with confidence knowing that it will not slip out of your hand as the front quillon, thumb jimping, and finger choil allow for extra safety.
The ballistic belt sheath has a removable pouch for convenient storage of the knife and other types of small tools. You can attach the knife to your backpack with the lanyard hole or lash the knife to a branch to make a spear.
Schrade offers a limited lifetime warranty on their sensational fixed blade knife.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Strong and durable high carbon stainless steel
- Extremely sharp edge
- Heavy-duty design
- Well balanced
- Black, ring textured TPE handle
- Comfortable to hold and use
- Front quillon, thumb jimping, and finger choil
- Full tang design
- Lanyard hole
- Solid ballistic belt sheath has a removable storage pouch
Cons
- No drainage holes on the sheath
- The sheath does not have a snug fit
- The finger choils can be uncomfortable after long-term use
2. Ka-Bar BK-22 10.5-inch Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife
The Ka-Bar BK-22 10.5-inch Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife is a great survival tool for any outdoor enthusiast.
Made in the USA, the Ka-Bar BK-22 has a heavy-duty design which makes it the perfect knife for splintering firewood, skinning game, chopping food, and cutting fence wire.
The 5.25-inch straight-edged, drop-point 1095 Cro-Van steel blade has a great ¼-inch thickness and its flat grind makes the blade incredibly sharp with excellent edge retention.
The full tang glass-reinforced nylon handle is strong and durable and comfortable to use. You can customize the handle by replacing the scales. For even more versatility, the knife has an extended pommel that is strong enough to shatter glass or pound in tent pegs.
Ka-Bar has redesigned their heavy-duty ambidextrous polyester sheath. It has a blade insert sleeve, a front cargo pocket with a Velcro closure, handle retaining straps, riveted leg lashing holes, and a drainage hole. You can also secure the fixed blade knife to your backpack with the lanyard hole.
Kar-Bar offer a limited lifetime warranty on their outstanding fixed blade knife
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Made in the USA
- Sturdy and strong 1095 Cro-Van steel
- Thick blade
- Black epoxy coating
- Full tang design
- Very good edge retention
- Razor-sharp blade
- Well balanced
- Ideal for tough tasks
- Comfortable glass reinforced nylon handle
- Heavy-duty ambidextrous front pouch sheath with Velcro closure
- Blade insert sleeve
- Handle retaining straps
- Riveted leg lashing holes
- Replaceable handle
- Extended pommel
- Sheath drainage hole
- Lanyon hole
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- The handle can get slippery when wet
- Too bulky for small hands
- Not ideal for intricate work
3. SOG Force SE38-N Fixed Blade Knife
With a dependable performance and a unique, futuristic style, the SOG Force SE38-N 11.25-inch Fixed Blade Knife is perfectly suited for rough outdoor conditions.
The 6-inch, Black TiNi-coated AUS-8 stainless-steel straight-edge blade has undergone SOG’s proprietary Cryogenic Heat Treatment, which ensures the blade is strong, extremely sharp, and has a long-lasting edge retention.
Whether you to need cut kindling for firewood or defend yourself from predators, the full-tang knife has a well-balanced, lightweight design that feels good in your hand. The ergonomic contoured glass-reinforced nylon handle is abrasion and impact resistant and the textured anti-slip surface, deep finger grooves and thumb notch allow for a secure grip.
Keep your knife ready for action in the tactical nylon sheath that has an accessory pouch, a hook and loop closure, and a MOLLE attachment surface. Use the lanyard hole to lash the knife to a tree branch to make a spear for fishing or attach the knife to your backpack.
SOG offers a lifetime warranty on their extra tough fixed blade knife.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great value for money
- Strong and durable black TiNi-coated AUS-8 stainless-steel
- Virtually unbreakable
- Full tang design
- Thick blade
- Extremely sharp
- Long-lasting edge retention
- Solid construction
- Comfortable textured, glass-reinforced handle
- Black tactical nylon sheath
- MOLLE attachment
- Lanyard hole
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for heavy-duty batoning
- Handle feels a little rough
4. ESEE Knives 4P 4.5-inch Fixed Blade Knife
Sturdy, sharp and extremely lightweight at 7.45-ounces, the ESEE 9-inch 4P Fixed Blade Knife is an excellent every-day-carry survival knife for backpacker explorers.
Made in the USA, the knife has a 4.50-inch long and 1.25-inch thick blade with a 4.1-inch cutting surface. The flat-ground edge is crafted from incredibly hard 1095 carbon steel, which has a long-lasting razor sharpness and good edge retention. Although its steel blade is coated, you must maintain it properly to prevent rusting.
The rugged handle is made from two slabs of Micarta which can be removed and the anti-slip easy-gripping scaled texture is comfortable to hold. To keep your knife safe, the sturdy and strong molded polymer sheath has a Cordura MOLLE backing, a clip plate, a paracord and cord lock, and the sheath comes in black or brown. You can also use the lanyard hole to attach the knife to your backpack.
You have the choice of 7 knife styles to choose from: coated or uncoated blades and different colored/textured handles.
This excellent backpacker fixed blade knife is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Excellent-quality
- Great value for money
- Strong and durable 1095 carbon steel
- Long lasting sharpness
- Very good edge retention
- Extremely lightweight and well balanced
- Easy gripping scaled anti-slip Micarta handle
- Removable handle
- Molded polymer sheath has a Cordura MOLLE back, clip plate, paracord and cord lock
- The sheath is available in black or brown
- 7 styles and colors
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- The handle is a bit short
- The blade can rust if it is not properly maintained
5. Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 4.40-inch Fixed Blade Knife
The Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 Fixed Blade Knife is the perfect tool for outdoor activities, survival, and even tactical applications.
Built tough for rough conditions, the drop-point 4.40-inch, 0.164-inch thick drop-point blade is made from extremely strong CPM-S30V 58-60 HRC stainless steel. It has superb edge retention qualities and a superior rust resistance.
The knife has a well-balanced full-tang design and the G10 handle is durable, impervious to moisture, and stable under extreme outdoor conditions.
Highly versatile, you can use the Bushcrafter to prepare food, baton wood, create a feather stick to make a fire, or even use it to cut explosives.
The durable full-grain leather sheath has a reversible belt loop and D-ring for ultimate accessibility. You can use the lanyard hole to attach the knife to your backpack or lash the knife to a tree branch to catch a fish for dinner.
You can choose from two handle colors: green & red; or sand.
Benchmade offers a limited lifetime warranty on their amazing fixed blade knife.
Pros
- Excellent-quality
- Great value for money
- Ideal for outdoor activities, survival use, and tactical applications
- Strong and sharp stainless-steel
- Extremely strong
- Well-balanced
- Superb edge retention
- Superior rust resistance
- Long-lasting durability
- Full tang design
- Easy to clean
- Durable full grain leather sheath has a reversible belt loop and D-ring
- Lanyard hole
- Two colors
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- G10 handle does not have enough texture to it
6. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro 31-001901 4.84-inch Fixed Blade Knife
Wherever your outdoor adventures take you, the 10-inch Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Fixed Blade Knife is an awesome multi-tasking tool for harsh wilderness conditions.
From hacking up firewood, slicing meat, to filleting a trout, the Ultimate Pro can do it all. The 4.8-inch fine edge, drop-point blade is made of premium grade 9CR19MoV stainless steel which is strong, razor-sharp, highly corrosion resistant and has a great edge retention.
Lightweight at 13.7 ounces, the full-tang knife feels solid and well-balanced in the hand. The large textured, rubberized black and orange handle gives you a good secure grip and the oversized bolster keeps your hand from slipping toward the blade as you work.
You can be prepared just like Bear Grylls for any emergency with this efficient multi-tasker. Use the stainless-steel pommel as a hammer. The two holes in the handle can be used to lash the knife to a stick to create a spear for fishing. Alert potential rescuers to your position, with the loud emergency whistle that is on the lanyard cord.
The military-grade, mildew-resistant sheath has a built-in firestarter rod that fits in a watertight holder. You can use the cut-out notch on the blade with the ferrocerium rod to produce a shower of fire-igniting sparks to create a warming fire. To keep the blade razor sharp, a pull-through carbide sharpener is integrated into the sheath. Gerber also includes Bear’s Priorities of Survival Pocket Guide which fits securely in the sheath for quick and easy access.
Gerber offers a limited lifetime warranty on their fantastic survival fixed blade knife.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great value for money
- Full-tang, premium stainless-steel blade
- Strong and durable
- Holds its edge well
- Ergonomic, non-slip rubber grip handle
- Oversized bolster
- Stainless steel pommel
- High visibility black and bright orange design
- Lashing holes
- Military-grade, mildew resistant nylon sheath
- Pull-through carbide sharpener in sheath
- Built-in firestarter ferrocerium rod has a watertight holder
- Cut-out notch can be used with the firestarter
- Lanyard hole
- Loud emergency whistle
- Bear Grylls “Priorities of Survival” pocket guide
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Can be hard to pull the knife out of the sheath
- Not ideal for heavy-duty chopping tasks
- A little pricey
7. Gerber LMF II Infantry 4.84-inch Fixed Blade Knife
Whether you are engaging in tactical operations or exploring the wilderness, the Gerber LMF II Infantry Fixed Blade Knife is a must-have bushcrafting/survival knife.
The military-style knife has a 4.84-inch partially serrated drop-point blade that is made from super strong 420 high-carbon stainless-steel, which creates a razor sharp blade with an excellent edge retention. Cutting firewood, building a shelter, chopping meat, or cutting through a seat belt are among some of its many extreme survival talents.
Gerber has specially created the LMF II with a ¾ tang design which features a purposeful break between the tang and the butt cap. This ground-breaking design provides insulated protection against stray wires and absorbs any shock from hammering tasks.
The soft-grip glass-filled nylon overmold handle limits any blistering and is comfortable to use. The smartly situated grooves and lashing holes allow you to convert the LMF II into a spear.
The low-profile sheath has a fire-retardant coating and it facilitates movement, limits noise, works for parachuting, and can be attached to a belt or MOLLE vest. Your knife will maintain its razor-sharp edge in the field as the sheath has an integrated sharpener. You can choose from three colors: black, green, or coyote brown.
Gerber offers a limited lifetime warranty on their sensational fixed blade knife.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Made in the USA
- Strong and durable high-carbon stainless steel
- Incredibly razor-sharp blade
- Great edge retention
- Solid construction
- Multifunctional
- ¾ tang design provides insulation protection and absorbs shock
- Glass-filled nylon overmold handle limits any blistering
- Ballistic low-profile nylon sheath has a fire retardant coating
- Integrated sharpener
- The sheath can facilitate movement, limits noise, and works for parachuting
- Can be attached to a belt or MOLLE vest
- Available in black, green, or coyote brown
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Heavy
- Not full tang
8. Fallkniven A1 Fixed Blade Knife
The world-class Fallkniven A1 11-inch Fixed Blade Knife is an all-purpose survival knife.
Made in Sweden, this incredibly powerful knife features an extremely hard and tough fine edged laminated VG10 6.3-inch steel blade, which delivers a superb chopping, batoning and cutting performance. As well as being razor-sharp, the convex grind ensures a long-lasting edge retention.
With a full-tang design, the handle is virtually unbreakable and highly resistant to water and extreme cold and heat conditions.
The knife is well balanced and the ergonomic Kraton handle is comfortable to hold. The handle has an exposed bolster that can be used to hammer in a tent pole or break through glass.
The sturdy black unidirectional Zytel (polymer) sheath can be attached to your belt. You can use the lanyard hole to attach the knife to our backpack or lash the knife to a tree branch and use it as a spear.
Fallkniven offer a 10-year warranty on their awesome fixed blade knife.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Well-balanced
- Full-tang design
- Extremely tough and hard laminated VG10 steel blade
- Long-lasting razor sharpness
- Very good edge retention
- Virtually unbreakable
- Ideal for heavy-duty bushcrafting tasks
- Ergonomic Kraton handle
- Highly resistant to water, heat, and cold
- Exposed bolster
- Sturdy unidirectional Zytel (polymer) sheath
- Lanyard hole
- A leather sheath is available
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- The handle may not be thick enough for some people
- The blade can chip on extra hard surfaces
9. Buck Knives 119 10½-inch Fixed Blade Knife
Stylish but functional, the Buck Knives 119 10½-inch Fixed Blade Knife is a great choice for the avid outdoor adventurer.
Proudly made in the USA, the 6-inch 420 high carbon steel clip point blade is razor-sharp and has excellent strength, long-lasting edge retention, and superior corrosion resistance. It is perfect for piercing through animal hide and meat, performing detailed cutting tasks, creating kindling, and is especially useful for working in tight spots.
The beautiful classic hardwood Cocobolo handle has palm swells for a comfortable grip and the brass pommel/guard adds extra balance and a special touch of elegance.
Weighing just 10.5-ounces, the knife is incredibly lightweight. The protective genuine leather sheath has a snap fastener and an integrated belt loop for easy everyday carry.
The fixed blade knife is also available with a classic black phenolic resin handle.
Buck Knives offers a lifetime warranty on their super stylish fixed blade knife.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Made in the USA
- Well balanced
- Razor-sharp blade
- Strong and durable high carbon stainless steel
- Excellent strength and sharpness
- Superior corrosion resistance
- Long-lasting edge retention
- Easy to sharpen
- Beautiful classic hardwood Cocobolo handle
- Brass pommel/guard
- The genuine leather sheath has a snap fastener and an integrated belt loop
- Available with a black phenolic resin handle
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
10. Morakniv 4.1-inch Fixed Blade Knife
Made in Sweden, the Morakniv 8.8-inch fixed blade knife offers you a great cutting performance for tough bushcrafting activities.
With a razor-sharp 0.125 inches thick high carbon steel blade, the fixed blade knife is robust enough to tackle tough batoning tasks, creating a feather stick or making a spear. It has good long-lasting edge retention and the classic Sandi grind is very easy to re-sharpen.
The extra-large black and orange ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold and the patterned, high-friction grip performs well in wet and cold conditions.
The bright orange hard plastic sheath keeps your trusty knife safe and secure and it has a belt clip and a drain hole.
The knife also comes in military green. Morakniv offers a limited lifetime warranty on their excellent fixed blade knife.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great value for money
- Fantastic price
- Multifunctional
- Ideal for most bushcrafting activities
- Robust design
- Solid, thick and razor-sharp blade
- Long-lasting edge retention
- Easy to resharpen
- Comfortable extra-large high-friction ergonomic handle
- The hard plastic sheath has a belt clip and drain hole
- Available in bright orange or military green
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- The blade can rust if it is not maintained properly
- Not full tang
- The knife can fall out easily from the sheath
Our Top Pick for the Best Fixed Blade Knife
Our top pick for the best-fixed blade knife is the Gerber LMF II Infantry Fixed Blade Knife.
Built for military use, the Gerber LMF II is designed for heavy-duty bushcrafting and survival tasks. Wherever you are navigating the wilderness, the dense jungle or the mean urban streets, you will brave unknown terrain with confidence when you have this tough survival tool by your side.
