When things get tough outdoors, a solid survival knife will usually be everything you have and need to survive. While it’s preferable to get the best in class and choose a high-quality knife, we know that they are not in everyone’s budget, which is why the best survival knife for the money is a great option.
After all, a single trip in the woods might not require a significant investment in a survival knife. However, it’s better to have a solid knife than a bad one or not have a knife at all. For those on a budget looking for the best survival knife for the money, we’ve compiled this list to help out.
Comparison Chart
Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops High Carbon S.S. Full Tang Fixed Blade Survival Knife with Clip Point, Rubberized Handle, Sawback and Pommel for Outdoor and Tactical , Black
ALBATROSS Best 6-in-1 Survival Tactical Military Folding Pocket Knives with LED Light,Seatbelt Cutter,Glass Breaker,Magnesium Fire Starter,Bottle Opener;Multi-Function Emergency Tool(red)
Ontario Knife Company 499 Air Force Survival Knife 5″ Sawback Blade with False Top Edge and Blood Grooves, Natural Leather Handle and Sheath – 6150
Best Survival Knife for the Money Reviews
ESEE Knives 6P
ESEE knives are among the most popular on the market and for a good reason. They’re versatile, powerful, and durable, and the ESEE 6 is no different. This 11.75-inch knife can fell into a small tree without a problem.
Review
The ESEE 6 is a medium-to-large knife. It has a 6.5-inch blade with a drop-pointed plain cutting edge. The drop point is about 3 inches long, allowing you some flexibility when you need a straight edge to work with.
The blade is made from 1095 steel, a carbonized steel that is exceptionally durable and one of the most widely used materials in the industry. However, it’s not impervious to rust and requires frequent cleaning, oiling, and maintenance to keep deterioration at bay.
The spine has about an inch of jimping, which might pose problems when pressing down on the blade for added pressure. However, it’s usually nothing to be concerned about, and gloves will do nicely to avoid any injuries.
The handle is made from gray micarta and is molded to be comfortable to handle. There’s an additional finger choil on the blade’s base when you need some added grip strength. The handle is excellent for prolonged usage, and your fingers and hand won’t tire out quickly when using the knife in any weather.
As a full-tang fixed blade knife, you can feel its weight decently, but it’s well balanced to provide a smoother experience. The tang extends beyond the handle into a lanyard hole and a pommel, perfect for crushing nuts.
ESEE blades are typically on the expensive side, but when looking for the best survival knife for the money, they are undoubtedly one of the top contenders, and the ESEE 6 doesn’t disappoint.
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Full-tang fixed blade for strength
- Comfortable handle
- Designed for prolonged use
Cons
- Expensive
- Might be too large and bulky
Smith & Wesson M&P 7”
Designed to be used by the police and military forces (hence the M&P in the name), this versatile knife is at the top of its class. If you’re looking for a sawback blade that can take a hit, look no further.
Review
The Smith & Wesson 7-inch knife is 12 inches long (yes, we know it sounds weird). The 12-ounce weight is working against you since this is one of the heaviest budget knives on the market and might not suit all outdoor situations and apparel. The blade has a plain edge with a clip point, making it excellent for cutting, slicing, and piercing, although it requires a good technique.
The material used for the blade is 8Cr13MoV steel, one of the more popular stainless-steel alloys for budget knives and survival gear. Although it’s rated as stainless, it’s not immune to rust and deterioration and is softer than premium steel.
The spine is serrated, allowing you to saw more efficiently. However, the serrations make it nearly impossible to put more pressure on the knife with bare hands.
The knife also has a heavy-hitting textured hammer-like pommel for when you need that extra bit of crushing force. The hammer is not unlike a meat tenderizer, and that alone should tell you about the best-use case.
The knife comes with a synthetic polymer sheath, but you’re much better off replacing it with a more reliable model. The knife fits quite loosely inside the sheath and is always at risk of falling out and causing trouble, especially if you intend to use the knife alongside a MOLLE setup.
Pros
- Excellent plain edge
- Good performance-to-cost ratio
- Decent materials for the blade
- Great size and weight
Cons
- Might be considered too large
Albatross 6-in-1 Pocket Knife
The Albatross might not look flashy, even though it literally has a flashlight attached, but it will get the job done for camping trips and as an all-around car tool. Is it the best survival knife for the money? As a gift for a camper and car owner, maybe.
Review
The Albatross boasts six utility pieces in one compact package. The stainless steel (no name, which is a minor red flag) blade is 3.5-inches long, which should be enough for users that don’t traverse hostile terrain or need it for combat.
The pocket knife has special locking for the blade, allowing it to stay in place while open, but it doesn’t have the same mechanism when closed. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but don’t expect a button for opening and closing the knife since there isn’t one.
The other five features of the knife are a bottle opener, small flashlight, cord-cutter, fire starter, and a hammering pommel. The bottle opener is located on the blade’s spine, usable while the pocket knife is closed. It’s nothing special but works on the bottles we tried.
The flashlight comes with a set of extra batteries and a magnet holding it to the knife. You can take the flashlight out and stick it to a metal surface. The flashlight is not as powerful as a dedicated light but is helpful in a pinch. The manufacturer claims it’s also waterproof.
The cord-cutter will cut through ropes and cables with minor pushback. It’s not razor-sharp, so don’t expect clean cuts.
The fire starter is made from magnesium but requires you to peel the coating off the rod to use it. This can damage the blade and can take some time in itself. However, you should be able to start a fire without a problem.
The sheath is a nylon case that is too big for the knife. It has a belt loop, though, which is nice.
Pros
- Six-in-one tool
- All pieces’ work
- Compact and easy to carry
Cons
- Flimsy sheath
SE 8” Survival Knife
If you’re on an extremely tight budget for a fixed-blade knife, this might be the product for you. It also comes with a small pouch of goodies inside the handle.
Review
The blade length is about 4.5 inches, which isn’t a lot, and definitely makes the knife difficult to use in true survival scenarios.
The unnamed stainless steel (red flags popping) doesn’t really hold an edge for long, especially since the product isn’t razor-sharp when it first arrives. However, it’s a decent blade when you’re in a pinch and will stick to the target when thrown with proper form. The serrations on the blade spine look to be more for show than anything else.
The blade might look like full-tang at first, but this knife is full of surprises. The knife handle screws open to reveal a plastic capsule with “survival gear.” We use that term loosely because the gear in the capsule is not the best quality.
The hook, line, and sinker in the capsule don’t scream “high-quality” to us, and the matches are hit-or-miss. You might get better mileage by replacing them with items you have at home. The compass in the handle base doesn’t work, so don’t get your hopes up.
The nylon pouch with a belt loop allows you to carry the knife easily, especially considering its relatively small size for a survival knife.
Pros
- Comes with replaceable survival gear
- Works in a pinch
- Extremely cheap
Cons
- Isn’t particularly sharp
Ontario Knife Company 499 Air Force Survival Knife 5”
The iconic Ontario Air Force Survival Knife is built for high-octane situations. But is it the best survival knife for the money when you don’t have much of it? Our answer is probably yes.
Review
The Ontario 499 is made from high-quality 1095 carbonized steel, giving it the durability to cut through wood and airplane fuselage in cold weather. The 5-inch blade has a plain edge that is perfect for slicing, cutting, and peeling.
The serrated edges won’t work when sawing wood, but they’re designed to cut through cords and sheets anyway. However, they might impede the knife’s use when you need to apply more pressure or carve.
The knife retains an edge quite well and comes with a sharpening stone for regular maintenance. The zinc finish protects the knife from rust but needs to be oiled regularly.
The leather handle covers the rat-tail full tang and is very comfortable to use for prolonged periods. Soaking the handle in protective oil will maintain it better and prevent moisture and cold damage. The pommel will do just fine when you need to crack something open or break a piece of glass.
The knife also comes with a leather pouch for storage and carrying, which can be strapped to a belt.
Pros
- High-quality carbon steel
- Holds edge well
- Contains sharpening stone
- Compact fixed edge knife
Cons
- More on the expensive side
- Needs maintenance for leather and steel
Final Verdict
If you don’t have a lot of money to purchase a dedicated survival knife for hardcore use, a budget knife is better than nothing. However, there’s a fine line between an unusable gift or gag item and a knife you can bring to a camping trip and not worry about it breaking.
With that in mind, we recommend the Ontario Knife Company 499 survival knife as the best survival knife for the money when you need a budget alternative. It’s compact, durable, and made from 1095 steel that holds an edge well. It can be picked up and easily carried around.
If you need a knife that is larger and can withstand more stress, pick up the ESEE 6P. It’s not budget-friendly but is one of the most popular and prominent survival knives on the market.
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