Bushcraft Knives

A knife designed for Bushcrafting allows a Scout to easily and safely perform advanced Wilderness skills.  We discuss and teach these skills in our Wilderness Survival classes.  Having the proper knife makes a huge difference what a scout will be able to due during training. 

Note: Fixed Blade Knives are banned in many Scout Camps and by many Troops.  

Troop 60 doesn't have a ban on these types of knives, but Scouts must demonstrate maturity and proper technique to use them. 

For survival training, we recommend the following:

• Morakniv Companion

  • More than adequate for training and survival use

  • Less than $20!

  • Hi-Vis Orange is the preferred color

  • Two Blade Options

    • Stainless is better for general use in the Pacific Northwest since it doesn't rust

    • Carbon Steel is better for teaching care of blades, sharpening and for flint and steel fire training

    • Either is fine for a mature Scout

Bushcraft Knife as Main Piece of Survival Gear

Survival gear should be based on your priorities of survival, environment and skill set.  When possible, survival gear should have multiple uses.  Your knife of course is the most versatile tool for survival and a good Bushcraft Knife will cover all Priorities of Survival.

Bushcraft Knife Rules

There are a combination of features that make up an ideal Bushcraft Knife.  Not all criteria needs to be met to have an adequate knife.

Rule 1 - Fixed Blade NOT Folder

• A Bushcraft Knife will take a beating and a folding knife can only be beaten so many times before it breaks 

Rule 2 - No Hollow Grind

• A hollow grind is easy to sharpen but isn't as strong as a flat or convex grind and may wrinkle with abuse

• Scandi Grind is ideal, but a convex or flat grind is acceptable

Rule 3 - Full Tang

• A full tang blade will outlast a blade with a partial tang

• Plan to beat your knife blade over and over when batoning 

• Some legendary Bushcraft Knives such as the Morakniv Companion only have a partial tang and work great, but full tang is still better and preferred 

Rule 4 - Sharp Spine

• Sharp spine needed for scraping wood to make tinder, debarking roots and striking ferrorods

• Any spine can be sharpened with a belt sander

• A sharp spine can be uncomfortable when carving - if you do a lot of carving, leave the spine next to the handle rounded

Rule 5 - Blade Length 3.5-5 inches

• Anything less than 3.5 inches is too short

• A 6 inch blade is more difficult to carve with, anything bigger is excessive

Rule 6 - High Carbon Steel

• High carbon steel allows for a great edge

• Can be used to for Flint & Steel fire techniques

• High carbon steel rusts and requires special care and isn't ideal in salt water or for young Scouts

• Steel choice is complex and many arguments regarding soft vs hard, durability, rust resistance, etc. 

Rule 7 - Blade Thickness 3-5mm/0.12-0.20 inches

• Blade needs to be used for splitting wood and repeated beatings

• Blade needs to be nimble enough to make small bushcraft projects such as small game traps

Rule 8 - Durable Handle

• Handle needs to handle repeated abuse

• Grip is better than slip 

• Synthetic grips are generally more durable and grippier than old school grips

Rule 9 - Durable Sheath

• Needs to survive long term use

• A sheath you can pierce with your knife is not one you want on your belt or in your pack

• Adequate drainage of water

  • You will get wet in the outdoors, it's better to drain water away from your knife than to hold it against it

• Plastic is better than leather

  • Leather will hold onto water, salt and food smudge left on your knife - these can lead to rust

  • Some tanning techniques use chemicals that cause metal corrosion (chromium salts or copper sulfate)

Quality Bushcraft Knives

There are many quality Bushcraft Knives available to choose from.  They range in price from under $20 to over $200.  Quality varies significantly, but the many of the higher end knives are more for show than actual function. 

We don't advise Scouts or parents purchase expensive knives, as they will likely get lost or damaged through the course of the scouting experience.  It is easy to replace a lost $20 knife.  It is much more painful to lose a $200 knife on your first scouting outing.  A Scout or Adult is also more likely to use a $20 knife and get to know its limits and how to use it than a premium designer showpiece that stays in its sheath.

Of the many knives available on the market, we recommend Swedish-made Moraknivs.  We don't get any money or special perks for using this brand.  But from years of experience, we have learned the hard and expensive way that a $20 Mora meet the bushcraft needs for most and is a very affordable way of outfitting someone for Wilderness Survival.  It is unlikely that a Scout will wear through a Mora during their scouting career, even with heavy, repeated use. 

Displaycase Bushcraft Knifes

Many knives are designed for show.  They look great hanging from your belt or sitting in a display case.  Exceptional craftsmanship results in nice curves, refined polishing and excellent esthetics.  This attention to detail usually comes with a price and you will likely be able to find a knife at a fraction of the price with just as much or more utility.  

The Camillus Eagle Scout Fixed Blade Knife makes and excellent gift for a Scout who has completed the journey to Eagle Scout.  It is obviously designed and priced to be displayed in its companion solid walnut gift box in your home or office.  That said, with a full length tang and 4 inch 1095 carbon steel blade, this Camillus Eagle Scout Knife is made for bushcraft use and can be used as such if having an official BSA Eagle Scout Knife is worth the price.  And honestly, it can still be placed in a display case after many years of rough use by your Scout and will have even more sentimental value. 

Displaycase Knives are NOT recomeneded for Scouts as they will be damaged and potentially lost. 

Knife Construction 

The way a Bushcrafting Knife is constructed plays a big part in how well it will preform with different tasks/uses.  When choosing a good Outdoor's Knife, it is important to understand some basic concepts in knife construction. 

A lot goes into making a Bushcrafting Knife in how the blade is shaped and ground, what metals are used and the overall quality of the knife itself.  In many ways a knife designed for Bushcraft use may be very different than sheath knive that we use for hunting or in the military.  We discuss this on our Bushcraft Knife Construction Page.