10 Reasons Why Is a Knife Important For Survival?

Knives are among the oldest tools that man has invented and it has been in use for years. It’s considered the number one piece of tool in survival gear.

But most importantly the piece tool can help you create a number of tools. Tools that can provide you with the basic necessities when you are in the wild.

A survival knife is multi-functional and can perform all kinds of tasks. That is why it’s very important to have a survival knife with you.

In most of the scenarios when you are in the wild you can take only a single item with you. Now what you need is a good survival knife.

Today I’m going to share 10 reasons why is a knife important for survival and why you must carry a knife when you are getting into the wild.

I have shared the 10  reasons why survival knives are important and how can it help you. This article is going to be very helpful and informative so don’t skip any point.

Let’s start!

What is A Survival Knife? 

Survival knives are mostly used in the wilderness environment and the main intention of the knife is survival.

They are typically used in case of emergencies in a variety of situations. When you are in the woods or preparing for the worst, then a good survival knife can serve you in the worst situations.

A knife is essential for survival purposes, and you must always have a survival knife when you are on outdoor adventures.

A survival knife can act as a weapon depending on the situation that you are in.

You must be knowing that most of the military and aviation units issue survival knives to their pilots in case the airplane is shot down, and they need a tool for their survival.

A knife is always a versatile tool, and you must always know the different ways in which a knife can help you.

Why Is a Knife Important For Survival?

As you know, a knife is always a versatile tool, and you can use the tool can help you in many ways.

Like when you are in a critical situation, a good survival knife is indispensable. A knife is among the first piece of tools that comes to mind when you think of people like bushcraft.

The versatility of the tools makes the tools one of the top tools or items in your backpack.

There are many high-quality survival knives available in the market today. But only through practice and time, you can master the tool.

A survival knife will never work for as many tasks, but it can act and manage all your jobs.

Now let’s look at the 8 ways you can use a survival knife:

#1. Processing Food:

From slicing vegetables, meat, and skinning animals, a survival knife is one of the most effective tools for processing your food ingredients in the wild.

You will find that there is no other substitute for a good quality survival knife, as it can help you in many ways while preparing your food.

#2. Self Defense: 

Your survival knife plays a very important role in self-defense. The survival knife can act as a weapon in the worst case like a human attack.

Well, it might seem adventure and fun when you are going into the wild, but it’s not. You should always be ready and alert for potential threats in the wild.

Therefore, a survival knife is the best tool that you need for survival. A knife will never let you down in the wild.

#3. First Aid: 

Outing in the wild is not a game, and you might get cuts and injuries. You can use a survival knife in case of emergencies as the tool is versatile.

The tool can be used for improvising bandages, cutting sterilized tips, or splints to apply on the wound.

#4. Starting a Fire: 

It’s always a great idea to carry a survival knife when you are outdoors. As you might not always carry a matchbox or other fire-starting devices.

You can use the survival knife to produce sparks with the help of the bow drill. You just have to make sure that you have the right type of wood.

#5. Building Shelter:

When you are in the wild you have to build shelters and with the help of a survival knife, you can easily cut wood and other things that you might need.

You can also use a survival knife to notch the limbs of the wood before lashing them together.

#6. Cutting & Splitting Wood: 

Cutting and splitting wood is very common when you are in the wild. A sharp survival knife can easily split wood into two pieces.

For this, you must make sure that you are choosing a high-quality rigid survival knife. If you are using a plain knife, then it would easily break.

#7. Hunting: 

With the help of a survival knife, you can hunt animals when you are in the wild. You just have to attach the survival knife to a wood or a pole and use it like a spear.

You can use the same knife for skinning the animal and cutting the bones and meat while preparing the meat for cooking.

Furthermore, you can also use a survival knife for catching and preparing fish in the wild.

#8. Making Tools: 

A survival tool can be used for making more specialized survival gear in the wilderness in case of emergencies. You can easily make a fire bow or even a drill out of it.

#9. Removing Tree Saps: 

Tree saps are really helpful as it has anti-inflammatory properties, that can heal wounds and cuts. With the help of a survival knife, you easily remove saps from the tree. You will just be a sharp survival knife.

#10. Digging 

I’m sure you must not be having a shovel if you are in the forest. However, you don’t have to worry because you can use the knife for the same purpose.

A knife can help you dig out for making shelters. It can also help you to dig out the roots of the plants or dispose of waste. If you own a sharp survival/hunting knife, it can easily do your job.

Some of the most common survival knives are:

• Black straight knife by KA-BAR
• Full Tang Fixed Blade survival knife
• Smith & Wesson survival knife

Why is a knife the most important survival tool? 

A survival knife is often considered one of the most important tools in the outdoors.

Because a survival knife is small and light in weight, it can easily be carried everywhere and you don’t have to worry about it.

A survival tool can help you in multiple situations when you are in the wild.

The Survival knife and fire are the most important thing you must have in the forest as they can act as self-defense. Because you don’t know when you might get attacked.

Early preparation is always a good idea when you are in the wild.

Survival knives are made in such as way that they can perform all kinds of tasks like self-defense, splitting wood, first aid, building shelter, and preparing food.

That is why a survival knife is considered one of the most important tools when you are outdoors.

How many knives do you need for survival?

One of the best pieces of survival advice might be from Dick Marcinko what is said is “Knives are like a credit card, and you don’t have to leave them at your home”.

When you are going into the wilderness environment, it’s significant to carry a survival knife.

But the question is how many knives do you need for survival?

This has been the question for most people, and most of them are confused about it. However, you don’t have to worry because today I’m going to answer this question.

1. Survival Knife/Hunting knife 

When I’m referring to a survival knife then  I’m not referring to a specific kind of knife. What it means is that a knife that can perform all kinds of survival tasks.

Most survival knife or hunting knife has a fixed blade with a serrated edge on the top. A survival knife must be thick enough so that it can stand out and perform all kinds of survival tasks.

• Full tang knife
• Blade length is between 9 to 11 inches
• Having a pointed tip
• It should have a Firestarter

2. Multi-Tool 

A multi-tool is a hand tool that combines or has many individual functions fitted in a single unit. They are a very practical tool for everyday use. A multi-tool is a very practical tool that can be used every day.

A multi-tool can help a lot when you the outdoors as it has multiple tools fitted to a single unit.

• Knife
• Scissor
• Saw
• pliers
• Can opener
• Screwdriver

1. Reber Multi tool by leatherman
2. Gerber Gear Truss Multitool 

Wrap Up On Why Is a Knife Important For Survival

So, there are 10 different ways in which you can use your survival knife when you are in the wild.

When you are having a survival knife you can use it in many different ways which is why it’s considered to be one of the most important tools.

When you are getting a survival knife you must make sure that you are getting a good quality survival knife that is thick enough.

A survival knife must have a length of between 9 to 12 inches and it should be thick enough so that it would now get damaged when you are hammering with the knife.

There are many different manufacturers in the market that make many different kinds of survival knives. Just you must make sure you are getting from genuine manufacturers.

However, if you looking for a survival knife then I have listed three types of knives from different manufacturers and you can choose any of them.

I hope this is article would have helped you out in figuring out the importance of having a survival knife when you are in the wild.

I will love to know what is your thought. Let me know in the comment section below.

• Black straight knife by KA-BAR
• Full Tang Fixed Blade survival knife
• Smith & Wesson survival knife

FAQ: Importance of Survival Knife 

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that people mostly ask about and are confused about. That is why they ask a lot of questions. I’m sure this question will help you clarify your idea.