Bushcraft Perfect

What Makes a Good Bushcraft Knife?

A good bushcraft knife is one of the most important tools in my kit. It’s not just about having something sharp—it’s about having a knife that can handle the various tasks that bushcraft throws at you, from carving wood and splitting kindling to preparing food. Over the years, I’ve learned that the right knife can make your time in the wild much easier, while a poor choice can leave you struggling with even the simplest tasks.

Blade Material: Why Steel Matters

The type of steel used in a knife blade affects its durability, sharpness, and how often you’ll need to maintain it.

I prefer high carbon steel for bushcraft knives because it holds an edge well and is easier to sharpen in the field. It also sparks well when struck against a ferrocerium rod, which is a bonus for fire-starting.

The downside is that high carbon steel can rust, so you need to take care of it—wipe it down after use and apply a light coat of oil to keep it in good shape.

Stainless steel is another option, and it resists rust better than high carbon. It’s lower maintenance, but the trade-off is that it can be harder to sharpen and might not hold an edge as long under heavy use.

For some tasks, stainless works just fine, but if you’re doing a lot of carving or batoning, you’ll notice the difference.

Blade Length and Thickness: Finding the Balance

The length of the blade determines how versatile the knife is for different tasks. I find that a blade length of 4 to 5 inches hits the sweet spot for bushcraft.

It’s long enough for tasks like splitting small logs but still short enough to give you control for carving.

If the blade is too long, it becomes cumbersome for finer tasks like notching or crafting. On the other hand, if it’s too short, it won’t be able to handle heavier tasks like batoning.

The thickness of the blade also matters. A thicker blade (around 3-4 mm) provides more strength for heavy-duty tasks, while a thinner blade is better for detailed carving and slicing.

I prefer a knife that’s thick enough to split wood but not so thick that it loses its ability to perform more delicate work.

Handle Comfort and Material: Don’t Ignore the Grip

The handle is where a lot of knives fall short. It doesn’t matter how good the blade is if the knife isn’t comfortable to hold for extended periods.

I look for handles that fit my hand well without creating any hot spots. Some knives come with contoured grips that help with comfort, while others use simple, straight handles. The key is finding one that feels good in your hand, even after hours of use.

Handle material matters, too. Wooden handles provide a natural feel and a good grip, but they require maintenance to avoid drying out or cracking.

Micarta and G-10 are synthetic materials that offer excellent grip even when wet, and they’re more durable than wood.

I’ve used knives with both natural and synthetic handles, and while I like the feel of wood, I lean towards synthetic for the durability.

Full Tang or Bust

A good bushcraft knife should have a full tang, which means the blade extends the entire length of the handle. This provides the knife with strength and balance, making it suitable for heavy tasks like batoning.

I don’t trust partial or rat-tail tangs for bushcraft work; they’re more likely to break under stress. Full tang knives give you confidence when you’re putting your knife to hard use.

Blade Shape: Choosing the Right Grind

The grind of the blade affects how well the knife performs for different tasks. For bushcraft, I prefer a Scandinavian (Scandi) grind because it’s easy to sharpen and excels at wood carving.

The flat edge bites into the wood without digging too deep, giving you control over the cut. It’s not as good for slicing softer materials, but for bushcraft purposes, it’s hard to beat.

Other grinds, like the flat grind or convex grind, have their strengths. A flat grind is versatile and works well for general use, while a convex grind adds more durability to the edge, making it better for chopping.

Still, I find myself reaching for a Scandi grind knife more often because of how well it handles woodwork.

Sheath Considerations: Keeping It Accessible

The sheath might not seem like a big deal, but it makes a difference in how you carry your knife.

A good sheath keeps the knife secure but easily accessible. I prefer leather or Kydex sheaths for bushcraft knives. Leather sheaths look great and hold up well if you take care of them, though they can soak up water if they get wet.

Kydex, on the other hand, is waterproof and more resistant to wear but can be noisier to draw from.

I like having a sheath with multiple carry options—whether it’s on the belt, attached to a pack, or worn as a neck knife. The ability to adjust how I carry the knife depending on the situation adds to its versatility.

My Favorite Bushcraft Knives

After using different knives over the years, a few stand out as consistently good performers.

The Mora Companion is one of my favorites because it’s affordable, lightweight, and gets the job done without fuss. The high carbon steel blade is easy to sharpen, and the Scandi grind handles wood carving exceptionally well.

It’s not as heavy-duty as some other knives, but for its size and price, it’s hard to beat.

The ESEE-4 is another reliable choice, with a full tang and a thicker blade for tougher tasks. It’s more expensive than the Mora, but it’s built to handle heavy use. I’ve taken mine through countless trips, and it’s never let me down.

If you want something with a more traditional look, the Helle Temagami has a beautiful wooden handle and a laminated steel blade that holds an edge impressively well. It combines the aesthetic of a classic knife with modern performance.

Conclusion: Picking the Right Knife for Your Needs

A good bushcraft knife should be reliable, versatile, and comfortable to use.

Look for a knife with a full tang, a well-balanced blade length, and a grind suited to woodwork. Pay attention to handle comfort, as you’ll be using it for long stretches, and don’t skimp on the sheath.

A knife that meets these criteria becomes more than just a tool—it’s an essential part of your bushcraft gear that you’ll reach for time and time again.