Survival vs Bushcraft Knives. What is the Difference?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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 .

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!!!

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.👊

You summed it up very well .For myself I find a fine middle ground in grind material and cost with a Cold Steel SRK in V10 with a attached fire rod. In the States at gun shows around $50.00 US.

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

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

Another strong point for fallkniven knives is that after I use my f1 and a1 to process deer and other game I boil the knife and the sheath for sanitary reasons and it works out great. I always hated sticking a bloody knife back in a leather sheath after field dressing game.

Excellent chat. very clear and objective. I liked it even more because I have a BK2 and ESEE 4. Two great tools. I also have the Mora for bushcraft services. Hugs from Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Short, sharp and straight to the point. Excellent.

the bk2 is a tank of a blade....a true beater,i have one along with the Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140.....both totally reliable in survival situations,great video i gave it a thumbs up

Very nice points! I have been using my Jääkäripuukko 110 as my go to bush knife! If the apocalypse zombie comes, then I will grab my BK-7! A "survival knife" may be used as a self defense tool, so a bigger blade would be better in my opinion. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪

The first time I'm watching one of your videos and I'd say that it was pretty spot on as far as content VS length. I think you covered the essentials so weary well done. Best regards Conny from Finland the land of puukko 😉

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.