If you are looking for a fixed-blade survival knife but don’t want to spend much money, you have come to the right place. This article reviews the best fixed-blade survival knife under $50 that the market has to offer. We have some really nice options, as well as a short buyer’s guide to provide the information you need to make an informed decision.
Comparison Chart
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife with 4.7in Dual Edge Blade and TPE Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade, 4.1-Inch, Military Green
CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife: Compact Fixed Blade Knife, Folts Utility Knife with Bead Blast Blade, Resin Infused Fiber Handle, and Sheath 2387
Cold Steel SRK Survival Rescue Fixed Blade Knife with Secure-Ex Sheath – Standard Issue Knife of the Navy Seals, Great for Tactical, Outdoors, Hunting and Survival Applications, SK-5 Steel, Compact
Fixed-Blade Survival Knife Under $50 Reviews
Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B Fixed-Blade Knife
If you want an excellent survival knife with a dual-edged blade made by one of the most famous knife- and gun-making brands of all time, this is an excellent choice.
Product Highlights
Smith and Wesson are famous for making high-quality products, and they have not failed to deliver with this fantastic survival knife.
First, this knife is made of special high-carbon stainless steel, which is extremely hard and durable; this allows for excellent edge retention and overall toughness. This blade will not chip, crack, or break anytime soon, and it doesn’t need to be sharpened often.
Although it is not the most rust-proof blade, it is made with stainless steel that means it is relatively rust-resistant.
This knife has a dual-edged blade. Although this can be dangerous for some, it can also come in handy in many situations. The overall length is 9,” and it has a blade length of 4.7”. The knife weighs 7.7 oz.
Based on the length and weight of this knife, we would say that it is the perfect size for survival purposes. It’s not so large that it is not portable, yet also not so small that it cannot take care of decent-sized jobs.
You may also appreciate that this knife has a very ergonomic handle that is comfortable to hold and highly secure. This is due to the pattern on the handle. In addition, the handle is made of black rubber, which makes it quite durable. Also, this is a full-tang knife.
The Good
The good part about this knife is that it is a good size for survival purposes. In addition, the dual-edged blade can be handy in various situations.
The Bad
Although the dual-edged blade can be extremely useful, it can be dangerous if you’re not paying attention.
Pros
- Very durable
- Rust resistant
- Sharp edge
- Dual edge
- Does not require sharpening often
- High-quality design with full tang
- Secure grip
Cons
- Dual edge can be dangerous
- Somewhat difficult to sharpen
Companion Fixed-blade Outdoor Knife
This model should be considered if you’re shopping for a relatively basic and affordable yet high-quality outdoor camping knife for various outdoor purposes.
Product Highlights
One standout feature of this knife is the blade which is made of hardened Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. You may never have heard of this s type of stainless steel, but it is 100% rust-proof, essential for knives.
The blade itself is pretty hard and durable, so it shouldn’t chip or crack on. But keep in mind that this kind of stainless steel is not as durable as various types of high-carbon stainless steel.
However, this knife is well-known for being quite hard and featuring excellent edge retention, so you shouldn’t need to sharpen it too often.
This knife weighs 4.1 oz. with the sheath, has an overall length of 8.6” and a blade length of 4.1”. It is highly portable for being on the go, based on both the size and weight. It is large enough for most outdoor and survival-related jobs. There is a manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty should anything does go wrong with it.
The other thing worth mentioning is that the knife has a molded rubber handle with high-friction slits to ensure that your hand never slips. The accompanying sheath has a belt clip for added portability and ease of storage.
The Good
The best part is that this knife is small and lightweight yet large enough to take care of most tasks, not to mention that it is made out of high-quality stainless steel, so it will never rust no matter how much moisture it’s exposed to.
The Bad
Although the knife features excellent edge retention for a stainless steel blade, it’s not as rugged, durable, or good at retaining its edge like a knife made of high-carbon steel.
Pros
- Durable for stainless steel
- Good edge retention for stainless steel
- Rust-proof
- Lightweight and portable
- Good length for survival purposes
- Really nice grip
Cons
- Not quite full tang
- Edge retention isn’t as good as high-carbon blades
CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife
If you are looking for an extremely small, compact, and lightweight survival knife that you can easily carry with you, this is a great option.
Product Highlights
Perhaps this knife’s best feature is its total length of 5.13 inches, with the blade being about half that length. When it comes to survival and self-defense, we would say that this is probably a bit too short. However, keep in mind that being so small and lightweight will help in terms of portability. And, in a pinch, a short blade is better than no blade at all.
Although this blade might be too small for the most extensive survival tasks, it can be used to cut kindling, start fires, build small shelters, gut fish, basic self-defense, and other such purposes. Some may think that it is a bit too small, but we think it’s convenient.
This blade is made of stainless steel, so it won’t rust. For a stainless steel blade, it is durable and has decent edge retention. However, remember that it will not be as strong or good at retaining its edge as a high-carbon blade.
Although it might not make a massive difference to you, is the fact that it has been treated with a bead-blasted finish to make it less reflective. The handle has a resin-infused fiber handle that is both strong and good-looking.
The ergonomic design has special finger pockets for a grip with maximum security. This knife will not slip out of your hand anytime soon. With your purchase, you get a durable thermoplastic sheath with various mounting options.
The Good
Without a shadow of a doubt, the best aspect of this knife is its size and portability. You will always have a lot of gear with you outdoors, so you don’t need a big knife weighing you down.
The Bad
The bad part about this knife is also that it is so small. So when it comes down to it, you won’t be able to take on large jobs. In addition, it’s not a full-tang knife.
Pros
- Quite durable
- Rust-proof
- Very lightweight
- Compact
- Portable
- Great grip
- Fairly sharp edge
Cons
- Not the number one most durable knife out there
- Too small for big jobs
Cold Steel SRK Survival Fixed-blade Knife
If you are looking for a highly durable, hard, and sharp blade that should last for years but won’t cost an arm and a leg, this knife from Cold Steel is definitely worth checking out.
Review
The standout feature of this survival knife is that it is made of Japanese high-carbon SK5 steel. When it comes to high-carbon steel, this is one of the best. You get an extremely durable and rugged knife that is not prone to chipping, cracking, or breaking. This could very well just be the toughest knife on our list.
This knife features an extremely sharp edge and excellent edge retention because of its incredible hardness. As a result, it’s not going to dull quickly even if you use it for purposes that you probably shouldn’t be using it for.
However, it can be a bit difficult to sharpen due to its extreme hardness, and this type of steel is not known for being the most rust- or corrosion-resistant.
In addition, this knife measures 9.5 inches, including the 5” blade. We think this is the perfect size for a survival knife because it’s not so large that it’s not portable, but also not so small that it cannot take on bigger jobs. In addition, the knife weighs 5.1 oz., so it’s not very heavy. There’s also a sheath which makes it very portable.
Another thing you might like about this survival knife is that it comes with a very comfortable and secure grip designed with a unique pattern so that your fingers can easily hold onto it even when it is wet. Also, this is a full-tang knife.
The Good
There is really nothing that we do not like about this knife. In terms of its size, shape, and blade material, it’s the perfect survival knife in all aspects. In addition, the fact that it is so sharp and hard, along with its excellent blade retention, makes it a great all-around choice.
The Bad
The only drawback is that the high-carbon steel used in its construction is not overly corrosion- or rust-resistant.
Pros
- Very hard and durable
- Sharp edge
- Excellent edge retention
- Comfortable and secure handle
- Full tang
- Lightweight
- Perfect size for a survival knife
Cons
Not very rust resistant
MOSSY OAK 2-piece Bowie Knife
If you want a pair of fixed-blade Bowie knives that won’t cost a fortune yet will perform just like best, these two knives from MOSSY OAK deserve a closer look.
Product Highlights
The first knife of this set measures 10.5” with a blade length of 6”. The second has an overall length of 8” with a 4” blade. Both knives are lightweight, and they come with sheaths included to make them very portable.
Both knives feature very sharp stainless steel blades, with the stainless steel being quite basic in nature. In addition, this type of stainless steel is highly corrosion- and rust-resistant, not to mention relatively durable overall. Although it might not be as good as high-carbon stainless steel, these blades have a sharp edge combined with excellent edge retention.
The full-tang design makes them more durable and balanced. Moreover, the handle provides an excellent grip due to the stacked leather wrapped around the stainless steel. This stacked leather is very comfortable to hold and quite durable; it’s also good-looking.
The Good
The fact that you get two knives for this price is really cool, not to mention that they are overall very nice knives.
The Bad
These two knives will get dull pretty quickly as they just don’t have the best edge retention.
Pros
- Fairly durable for stainless steel
- Two knife set
- Nice handles
- Lightweight and portable
- Beautiful design
Cons
Poor edge retention
Buyer’s Guide
As promised, here are some of the most essential features and factors to keep in mind when shopping for the best fixed-blade survival knife under $50.
Blade
The first thing to look at is the type of blade. Here, we’re not really talking about the exact shape of the blade but rather the material it is made of. Generally speaking, there are two main choices: stainless steel and high-carbon steel.
Stainless steel is great for survival knives because it won’t rust and is relatively durable. On the other hand, high-carbon steel is more durable and has better edge retention but will deteriorate over time. So there’s a choice you need to make.
Size
Next, consider how large the knife is. We would not recommend going for a longer than 10” or 11” for a survival knife. For the most part, a blade between 4”-6” should do just fine. Remember, you don’t want the knife so small that you can’t take care of basic jobs, yet you do not want it so large that it is no longer portable or maneuverable.
The Tang
One of the most important things to pay attention to is the tang on a fixed-blade knife. You want a knife to have a full tang, which means that the blade material extends all the way down through the handle. This provides excellent durability and balance.
The Edge
When it comes to the edge of your blade, a knife with good edge retention is preferable. However, another choice is whether you want a plain or a serrated edge. Generally speaking, for survival purposes, a straight edge will serve you better than a serrated edge.
FAQ
What are Fixed-Blade Knives Good For?
Fixed-blade knives are designed to do more or less anything because they are very durable. You can use them for everything from hunting and self-defense to starting fires and building shelters.
Is a Fixed-Blade Knife Legal to Carry?
We cannot answer this because it depends on where you live or intend to carry. However, in most places carrying a concealed fixed-blade knife is not legal.
How Do You Carry a Fixed-Blade Knife?
The best way to carry a fixed-blade knife is in its sheath and using the included belt clip to attach it to your belt loops.
How Do You Sharpen Your Fixed-Blade Knife?
We have linked to a video tutorial that will provide you with visual step-by-step instructions on sharpening your fixed-blade knife.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, we think the best fixed-blade survival knife under $50 is the Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B Fixed-Blade Knife. Sometimes there’s simply no beating the high-quality you get with a great brand name like Smith and Wesson.