Not everyone can afford $200- $300 for a handmade survival or bushcraft knife.
Even $100 is enough these days, so all praise to the manufacturers who are producing some pretty dam good knives – knives that actually offer you good value for you dollar, yet can still perform out in the wilderness.
Some of these knives are so cheap, it’s hard to see how they can even be made in the first place!
I am going to keep this list quite short and concentrate on, what I consider, the very best value for money survival and bushcraft knives available for under $50
Condor Tool and Knife Bushlore 4.375-Inch Drop Point Blade, Walnut Handle with Leather Sheath (Plain)
It’s not difficult to get yourself a good quality knife that meets all the basic requirements for survival out in the wild.
The knife shown here meets all those basic requirements and wont set you back a fortune.
With the manufacturers pedigree goes back to 1787, making quality swords, knives and tools you are guaranteed a quality product.
Things To Consider When Buying A Knife
You may be one of the unlucky ones who buys a cheaper knife and it falls apart or snaps on the very first use. (unlikely, but possible). – so the only advice I can offer is to always READ THE REVIEWS. You know your buying a cheap, so don’t moan when you read 100’s of one star reviews telling you it’s rubbish, yet you still buy it because it’s nice and cheap..!
Having said that, there are some mighty good, entry level, survival and bushcraft knives out there today – in fact, check my list and the associated reviews and your will see what’s out there.
Top ‘Best Value for money’ knives for survival and bushcraft
Schrade SCHF9 Extreme Survival Knife with Fixed 1095 High Carbon Steel Blade and Black Kraton Handle and Sheath6.4″ blade5.6″ handle1/4″ thick blade1095 High CarbonSteel Full tangDrop point bladeKraton handle15.9 ouncesIncludes nylon sheath Amazon Reviews
Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter Black Poly Handle
Replica model of renowned custom knife maker Lloyd Pendleton’s most popular model4.875-inch, high impact polypropylene handle4116 German stainless steel blade3/4 tangCor-Ex sheath3.625-inch blade length8.5-inch overall length2.7-ounce weightlimited manufacturer’s warranty
Amazon Reviews
under $15 all in from Amazon
Cold Steel 80PGTK GI Tanto 7″ CarbonTactical knifeBroad 7″ Tanto point bladeSecure-Ex sheath1055 carbon steel blade with hard spring temper and black rust-resistant finishIntegral quillon guardPolypropylene handle scalesCan convert into a spear or war clubHeavy, balanced feel–throws easilyAmazon Reviews
under $25 all in from Amazon
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Sandvik Carbon Steel Blade, Military Green, 4.1-Inch
Fixed blade outdoor knife4.1-inch carbon steel bladeBlade Thickness: 0.10″ (2.5 mm)Blade Length: 4.1″ (104 mm)Total Length: 8.6″ (219mm)Net Weight: 4.1 oz. (116g)Patterned, high-friction gripPlastic sheath with belt clip1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Amazon Reviews
under $15 all in from Amazon
Szco Supplies Tanto Survivor Fire starter Knife, Black
Cord wrappedBlack bladeStainless steelComes with sheath7″ overall lengthLanyard on handle
Amazon Reviews
under $8 all in from Amazon
Elite Forces Survival Bowie Knife and ABS lined Tactical Sheath
Black anodized coatingNon-reflectiveABS sheathLanyard cord7 1/2″ blade12″ overall
Amazon Reviews
under $15 all in from Amazon
Condor Tool and Knife Bushlore 4.375-Inch Drop Point Blade, Walnut Handle with Leather Sheath (Plain)
Supplied razor sharpFinal honing on a leather stropPP plastic handle & holsterHolster can be attached to a belt or a button on your clothesHardened to 58-60 HRC1/8″ thick blade3 3/4″ blade length9 1/4″ overall length Amazon Reviews