Everyone who watched the American action movie "Rimbaud: First Blood" remembers how skillfully the main character wielded a knife, trying to survive in the jungle. A knife is an indispensable thing in the jungle. And not only in the jungle, but also in the taiga, tundra and other conditions that are very unusual for urban citizens. Today, a special survival knife is considered such an indispensable super-knife in extreme conditions.

Where did survival knives come from?

At first, survival knives were only army knives, which were developed in the 60s of the last century for American pilots who fought in Vietnam. The knives had a special heavy handle and a saw on its end. The saw helped US Air Force pilots survive in the jungle.

Widespread among the civilians of America, and not only America, these knives were received after the release of the film "Rimbaud" on world screens in the late 80-90s of the last century. The popularity of the protagonist and his knife did their job: the manufacturers began to produce a branded survival knife in the style of the great "rambo". A new direction in the development of survival knives was received a little later. It took more than one year to develop the perfect version of a universal survival knife that would meet all the requirements for a knife of this class.

Basic requirements for survival knives

Today, survival knives are developed by specialists from all over the world, first of all for arming armies, and then for ordinary citizens, and therefore the quality and purpose of such army knives is primarily aimed at extreme conditions during combat operations in the forests. However, even ordinary tourists were able to appreciate such developments, because a good survival knife is perfect for:

• obtaining food (hunting);
• cooking (wood and fire);
• construction of temporary housing (hut or house in the branches of trees);
• making the necessary tools for fishing and for making and mending clothes;
• protection from animals;
• orientation on the ground;
• providing medical care.

When you are alone with wildlife, you want to always have a reliable and multifunctional assistant at hand. The designers have developed a survival knife by selecting high-quality material for the blade, designing a convenient blade shape and inventing a special hollow handle, in which the so-called NAZ (emergency emergency stock) is placed.

What can be included in the NAZ?

Usually, survival knives with NAZ are large in size. The blade of their blade is wide, and the handle is massive and with a hollow handle, which contains a standard set of emergency supplies:

• A few matches smeared with wax and a grater for ignition - all this is stored in a special waterproof package;
• A lens that can be used in sunny weather;
• A compass is a necessary thing, but not always effective in the forest, and the design of the knife handle then should be made of an alloy that would not affect the compass, which is very inconvenient, because the handle is one of the lifesaver in a survival knife (there is always what to split with a heavy and reliable handle);
• Fishing line, 2-3 hooks and a sinker. Usually the length of such a fishing line is 3-5 m;
• Scalpel or half of a regular blade;
• Two needles: sewing with a simple cotton thread and surgical with a special nylon thread;
• Plain safety pin;
• Adhesive plaster and mini-tweezers, which will help in the provision of medical care, but only with a minor wound such as a small cut or splinter;
• Potassium permanganate will also help in an emergency, as well as water purification tablets, a miniature whistle and a heliograph mirror;
• A piece of sandpaper. If the knife is blunt, then it can be used to straighten the blade.

You can complete such sets yourself, because in fact there are many more things necessary for survival than could be placed in a hollow handle.

What are survival knives and how to choose the right one?

Survival knives must meet certain requirements, not only in terms of design and portability, but the entire knife as a whole must be of high quality. Since there are two types of survival knives (folding knives and fixed-blade knives), it's worth considering both options to determine which of these options best fit into the category of good survival knives. A folding knife is usually small and specific in terms of blade width. Such a knife, of course, is more convenient to carry in your pocket, but will it help in an emergency? Although some of the category of folding survival knives have many functions and can perform up to 30 kinds of different manipulations.

Fixed blade knives are not as easy to carry as folding knives, but are more reliable. There is no fear of breakage of the folding mechanism, and NAZ inspires confidence in the mission of survival.

When choosing such a small knife, the blade plays an important role, and therefore it is better if its size is up to 15 mm and its width is from 4 to 6.5 mm. The best steel for such knives is carbon, but its disadvantage (it rusts and dulls quickly) can make it much more difficult to use such a knife in a damp climate. It is worth picking up a knife, in the alloy of the blade of which there are vanadium or chromium.

It is also important, what form of sharpening of the blade, smooth or sawtooth? Of course, a serrated blade will help both sawing and cutting, but it quickly becomes dull, and it can be sharpened only with the help of a special tool. It is better to choose a regular smooth blade, which, at least, can be touched up with NAZ emery.

Best Domestic and Imported Survival Knives

Such knives, like any other type of knives, have their advantages and disadvantages, but among them there are leaders. Consider the Russian and world rankings of the best survival knives of 2017:

• Jungle King Survival Knife This is a knife from the Spanish company Aitor. The blade of the knife is made of chrome-molybdenum-vanadium alloy with a hardness of 59 units and has a blade length of 13.5 mm. NAZ is inserted into the hollow sealed handle. A compass is placed in the screw cap of the handle. The emergency stock in different kits may include: a set of needles, pins and hooks, a pencil, a compartment for pills, a band-aid, a blade, a steel, tweezers, a skinner knife, iodine, anti-mosquito liquid, a tourniquet for injured limbs. A string is wound on the scabbard, which can be used for various needs (from hunting to domestic use);
• The domestic model of survival knives NV-1-01, the analogue of which was the Basurmanin combat knife, is similar to the Jungle King II both in appearance and characteristics. The length of the blued blade is 16 cm, the steel grade is 8 HF. The handle is also made of steel, and NAZ is placed in its primer. The NAZ package includes: a fishing line on a reel with a sinker and hooks, a 3-meter thread, matches and a match grater, an awl, a pin with a needle, water sterilization tablets. The scabbard is notable: it is divided into two cavities, one of which is wound with a cord, and the second contains a saw and a small skinner knife. Like the King, the HB has a built-in compass;
• Ganzo g8012 Survival Knife named the best backpacking knife of 2017. The knife, according to the owners, is very comfortable in the hand, has a beautiful and bright handle, which reduces the risk of losing the knife. Ganzo g8012 is a survival knife with a fire starter that fits in the heel of the butt. A sling cutter is placed in the sheath, which is indispensable when cutting synthetic and natural fabrics, leather and thin branches. In general, this is a good (although not an army) knife for hiking in the taiga or mountains;
• Another notable specimen is the Alligator survival knife. Its kit and parameters are also slightly different from previous models, but it has several drawbacks that should be paid attention not only to buyers, but also to manufacturers. For example, a saw located in a sheath, which is not very suitable for sawing off anything.

If we talk in general about other models of survival knives, then each knife is not bad in its own way. Manufacturers are trying to keep the brand and produce high-quality and affordable knives for any wallet.

Knives have always been faithful assistants to a person in hunting, in battle and in everyday life. And today, in the age of high technology, a survival knife remains almost the only essential item for people who like to travel not on tour packages, but on their own to overcome the difficulties of survival in the wild.

A knife, despite its usefulness and importance for a person, is a very simple device that has a standard design and, it would seem, is of the same type. But in fact, now there is a very large number of various knives that differ in functionality, principle of use, appearance, and so on. There are a lot of varieties of knives now, each of them is used in a different sphere of human life, but one of the most necessary and versatile is considered a survival knife.

The survival knife is a clumsy knife that is versatile and has multiple functions. Very often, such knives have additional accessories, for example, sets of hand tools that are hidden in the knife handle or special pockets. Such knives are necessary for tourist trips, fishing, hunting and so on. The peculiarity of a survival knife is that, even if you have nothing but a knife at hand, you can use it to perform a lot of different tasks. Despite the complexity of the design, to make DIY survival knives it is quite possible that this will help save money on the purchase of fixtures and achieve a really good quality product.

To some extent, we can conclude that survival knives are a device that combines a combat knife and additional tools. In addition to a set of hand tools, a survival knife may contain a sharpening block, a small blade, a signal mirror, an impromptu fishing hook, an opener, and so on. As already mentioned, a survival knife is a multifunctional device and can be used for various purposes, in particular:

• for self-defense;
• for cooking and obtaining food;
• for the arrangement of the field camp;
• to provide medical care;
• for making a fire;
• for cutting clothes and so on.

Fortunately, in order to acquire such a device, you do not need to spend a lot of money on its purchase, since, as already indicated, to make DIY survival knife It's pretty simple and anyone can do it. The main thing is to make a knife correctly, taking into account all standards and requirements.

How to make a survival knife

Do DIY survival knife now every fan of extreme conditions, as well as a simple connoisseur of functional things, can. Moreover, such a knife can be made, both in adapted conditions, with all the necessary materials and tools, and in the field from improvised means. In order to make a survival knife in adapted conditions, you will need the following items:

• blank for the blade and knife handle;
• file or grinder with a grinding wheel;
• hacksaw for metal;
• metal for rivets, copper rods are suitable;
• sandpaper.

That is, the items necessary for making a knife are quite common and any person can easily find them. An automobile spring or a file is ideal for blanking the blade. Taking the workpiece, it is necessary to draw on it with a pencil the outlines of the future knife blade, and make several holes around the perimeter. As for the handle, before starting to give it a certain shape, it is necessary to drill holes for the rivets, as this will simplify the process of sawing the handle. After that, you can give both blanks the desired shape, for this you can use a file. Survival knives video will help you figure out how to properly cut blanks for a future knife.

On the finished workpiece, it is necessary to outline the cutting edge and start grinding the edges to sharpness with a flat file, in order to do this conveniently and safely, it is recommended to fix the workpiece in a vice. After completing the cutting part, the knife blade must be processed with sandpaper. Everyone knows that in order for the metal to be strong and reliable, it needs to be hardened, so the made knife blade must be put on the coals and wait 10-15 minutes until the metal heats up. It is necessary to check the sufficient level of hardening with a magnet, since the heated metal is not magnetized. After sufficient heating has been achieved, it is necessary to cool the knife with oil. But that's not all, in order to give the knife blade strength and stability, the workpiece must be placed in the oven for 40 minutes, setting the temperature to 300-400 0 C. After that, the workpiece should cool naturally, you can see how this procedure takes place on survival knife video. The procedure for baking the workpiece in the oven must be repeated twice. After double baking and complete cooling, the blade of the knife must be sanded clean, and then blued, this will protect the blade from corrosion. The last step in the manufacture of a survival knife is the undercutting of the handle, and the connection of two elements into one integral knife. With the right manufacturing technology, a survival knife will turn out to be reliable and durable.

Making a knife for survival in the field

Even making a knife for survival in the field from improvised means, you can achieve a very good result, the main thing is to perform this procedure correctly. The first thing to do in order to make a survival knife is to pick up a suitable piece of stone. A piece of stone for the future knife should be small and conveniently fixed to the hand. If a fragment of the desired size was not found, you can split a large stone on another stone. The stones with glossy fragments are considered the most ideal, since they are considered the hardest and most reliable. You can sharpen a stone with a bone, for this you need to turn the sharp edge of the bone in the direction of sharpening with pressure. For a more convenient sharpening procedure, it is recommended to place the stone on a soft and elastic surface, for example, tree bark is suitable. It is necessary to sharpen only one side of the stone, this will further contribute to the safe and convenient operation of the knife. But, even observing the technology for making a knife for survival in the field, you need to remember that it will last not so long, because over time the stone will become dull, and a new device will need to be made.

Considering all of the above, it can be concluded that DIY survival knives it is quite possible to do this and it can be done without special skills. By making such a device yourself, you can be sure that it is really of high quality and made in accordance with all the rules. Moreover, making a knife yourself will help save a lot of money, since quality survival knives are now quite a lot.

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DIY survival knife

As already mentioned, now buying a survival knife does not cause big problems, if not for one “but”: a good knife can hit your pocket hard, and a bad knife can fail at the most inopportune moment. As a rule, inexpensive knives are made in China, and we all know the quality of their metal. If you still want to have a good survival knife for almost nothing, then the only way out is to make a knife with your own hands from available materials. And we will help you with this. It is worth noting that professional knifemakers use special tools and tools for their masterpieces, but we will limit ourselves to the minimum set of tools that can be found in any garage. For work we need:

Electric grinder and / or angle grinder (Bulgarian);
Grinder and / or drill attachment;
A set of needle files;
Sandpaper of different grain sizes;

The most important thing in a knife, as everyone knows, is the blade. Blade steel for a survival knife should be hard enough to hold an edge well, but not brittle, and can be edited in the field. The best option would be an alloyed tool steel having a hardness after hardening of 57-60 units on the Rockwell scale (HRC). A suitable blank can be purchased at a tool store or at the construction market.
For this workshop on making a survival knife, we purchased a suitable tool made of steel, grade 95X18, 5 mm thick, on the construction market. Since the workpiece was partially hardened, it was released, heated by a gas burner on a brick to about 500 degrees and left to cool on it. After tempering, the metal becomes ductile and easier to process.
After buying the blank, you need to draw a sketch of the future knife. To do this, you can use a graphic editor, but you can simply circle the workpiece with a pencil or make markings directly on the blade. We will use a mounted mount and a combined type-setting handle, therefore, for reliability, we leave the shank about 3/4 of the handle long. The shape, thickness and size of the blade and bolster in our case are determined by the available sheath, so for your survival knife you can choose the shape based on your imagination, limiting it only to the strength characteristics of the selected workpiece and its dimensions.

After the workpiece is marked, we give the shape of the blade on the emery, form the slopes and cut out the shank. After turning, the blade must be sanded with sandpaper. To do this, we fix it to the shank with a clamp on a wooden block and process it with sandpaper, strictly in one direction, moving from coarse to fine, periodically moistening with water. To grind this blade, 3M sandpaper was used with a grain of 120, 240, 400, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000 and 2500 in succession. In principle, at this stage it is not necessary to grind the blade with an abrasive finer than 1200.

Now you can move on to hardening. The required heat treatment modes for each specific steel grade can be found in the table or in reference books. Steel, 9X18, used on our blade, according to the table, is hardened at a temperature of 1050 degrees, followed by cooling in oil. Accordingly, self-hardening of the blade requires oil and a source of high temperature. You can use any mineral oil, which is not a pity. In this case, it was the TNK transmission. A kind of forge was used for heating.
It should be noted important nuances that must be taken into account when heating the blade:
- It is necessary to ensure the uniformity of heating. To do this, it is best to put the blade on the butt and rake up the coals on both sides.
- Supply air from the side, and in no case on the blade.
- The heating temperature of the blade can be determined visually, according to this table, but for better hardening it is necessary to use a pyrometer.

After heating to the required temperature, we remove the blade from the forge with any suitable tool and quickly lower it into oil.

After the blade has completely cooled, we take it out, wipe it off and, after letting it rest for several hours, we proceed to the next important stage - vacation. After hardening, the blade acquires the necessary hardness, but becomes brittle, and if not tempered, the cutting edge may begin to crumble. The tempering mode, as well as the hardening mode, is determined from tables and reference books for each steel grade. For our 9X18, a vacation at a temperature of 150 degrees is necessary: ​​that is, it is enough to keep the blade in a preheated oven for the required time, and then let it cool slowly. The heating temperature can be determined by the color of the tint, in accordance with this table.
After heat treatment, we grind the blade clean and form the cutting edge. In addition, you can decorate the blade by etching, or apply a pattern galvanically. For information on how to do this, read on. Our blade has been etched in vinegar.

When the blade is completely ready, we wrap it with masking tape so as not to cut our hands or scratch it, and proceed to the installation of the handle.
Before making a survival knife handle, you need to decide on the shape and material. The knife that we collect is intended for a girl, so we make the handle not thick and as beautiful as possible, based on the available materials. We used:

Copper plates of different thicknesses for the manufacture of bolster, butt and spacers;
Roe deer horn;
Multi-colored fiber for gaskets (can be replaced with thick craft paper);
Wood for the handle. For the handles of our survival knives, we choose birch burl or burl. This material is very beautiful, durable, and has wonderful energy.

In addition, you will need:

So, the material is selected, the blade is ready - let's start manufacturing.
The first thing you need is a bolster. For it we use a thick copper plate. At the request of the future owner of this survival knife, the bolster and butt plate are finished under mokume (how to do this is described on), here we will tell you how to make a bolster from a simple copper plate. This is not difficult. We draw the alleged bolster on cardboard, cut it out, try it on, cut it, repeat until you like it. Then we translate the resulting shape onto a copper plate and cut it out with a grinder or cut it out with a chisel, grind it on emery. Now you need to make a landing hole. To do this, mark it according to the template and drill several holes:

After that, we cut down the partitions with a chisel and align the shape and size with needle files. We grind. We polish. Bolster is ready.

Now we will make a spacer from the horn. We saw off a piece of the horn of the desired size, mark and form the landing hole - drill and select the excess with a needle file:

We collect everything on the blade:

And we give an approximate shape on an emery or grinder, leaving about 0.5 mm for final processing.

In the same way as the bolster, we make a copper spacer, only we don’t grind the planes, but we coarsen them with a large sandpaper, or some other tool, so that the surface is rough and sticks together better. We cut all the necessary spacers from fiber or paper. We form a landing hole in the burl bar. There are many ways to do this, but the easiest is to drill several parallel holes and remove the jumpers with the same drill. The main thing at the same time is to constantly check the fit, so that in the end the shank enters it completely, but tight enough and without backlash. We seal with masking tape all surfaces ready for finishing, so as not to smear with glue and scratch.

Pour the glue into the mounting hole in the cap, put it on the shank, removing the leaking glue, remove it, grease the shank with more glue, add a little into the hole, and put it on completely, without squeezing it very much. Let the whole structure lie down for 10-15 minutes, so that the glue is absorbed into the wood and paper, and squeeze it with a clamp for a couple of days. Usually the glue is fully cured after 24 hours, but it is better to keep everything under pressure for some more time.

When the shape of the handle is displayed, we make the back. From the copper plate we cut it out according to the template. Solder the pins of thick copper wire. It is best to solder with refractory solder PSR or copper-phosphorus. Drill holes in the handle.

Cut out the required number of spacers and assemble everything together. Don't forget to wrap the handle with masking tape.

Now we glue everything with epoxy and clamp it in a clamp for a day. When the resin hardens, we grind the butt plate, without overheating, on a grinder, or better in the old fashioned way - without a machine - with a file, we derive the final shape.

We proceed to the final processing. Sandpaper P180 - P240 remove large scratches and bumps. Smaller - smooth the surface and reach the grit P600. After processing it, we cover the wooden part of the handle with the Mahogany water stain, using a brush or swab, and let it dry for several hours.

When it dries, we process it with P1000 sandpaper and again cover it with stain. So we repeat with sandpaper P1500 - P 2000 - P2500. After processing P2500, we do not cover it with stain. The surface becomes even and smooth. We polish the metal parts of the handle with GOI paste, trying not to stain the wood and the horn.

Now you need to soak the handle with linseed oil in order to show the texture of the wood and protect it from moisture. This can be done by immersing the handle in a container with oil for some, quite a long time, or with a brush, periodically lubricating it, impregnating it, putting it on polyethylene. It is necessary to impregnate until the oil is no longer absorbed. After impregnation, leave the knife for several days until the oil dries.

After the oil is completely dry, rub the handle thickly with beeswax...

Thus, we get a high-quality and beautiful survival knife with minimal material costs. In addition, you can always be sure of a survival knife made by yourself, since you set all its properties yourself - in the process of manufacturing and selecting materials.

The last step in the process of making a survival knife with your own hands is sharpening. We’ll make a reservation right away: you can sharpen a knife yourself without special tools, but it’s better not to rely on special quality. If you don’t have sharpening tools and a set of bars with different grits at hand, you can do this with the same sandpaper. Tear off a strip of about 40x150 mm, put it on a wooden block and sharpen it. For relatively high-quality sharpening, it is advisable to go through sandpaper P240 - P400 - P600 - P1200 - P200 - P2500.

Among the universal items that a person may need in extreme conditions is a survival knife. As a rule, it performs several important functions. Often such a knife comes in a set of emergency emergency stock or NAZ. It is difficult to use it in everyday life, since it is not designed to perform such tasks. But such a tool becomes a good helper if a person finds himself in a forest or other place far from civilization.

Initially, survival knives were called army knives. They were created back in the 60s specifically for military pilots who served in Vietnam. These tools were distinguished by a rather weighty handle and saw. The last element was located on the end part. The saw allowed pilots to do without other weapons while in the impenetrable jungle.

Survival knives gained the greatest popularity in America after the release of the legendary film Rambo. For a long time, a modern design of edged weapons has been developed that meets all the stated requirements. These models are in great demand today.

Advantages and features of such knives

Survival knives are very convenient for extreme tourists

Knives of this type have certain advantages over other edged weapons that may be at the disposal of a person. This is a universal tool that can greatly facilitate the life of its owner if he finds himself in difficult conditions.

The main feature of survival knives is that they can perform several important tasks at once.

Survival knives can be used in the process of carrying out the following actions:

1. Repair or complete construction of a temporary shelter. The knife is used during cutting branches, digging holes and processing turf, which is required for a hut.
2. Extraction and preparation of food. The tool allows you to increase the chances of a successful hunt and helps to properly butcher the carcass of an animal.
3. Self-defense. In this case, it is used as a military weapon.
4. Create weapons or tools out of wood, metal, or bone.
5. Breeding fire.
6. Creation and repair of clothes. In this case, the knife is used when cutting the skin or any fabric. Additionally, a needle is used, which is in the NAZ set.

A survival knife can also help you navigate the terrain, as it often has a built-in compass.

What is included in NAZ (emergency emergency stock)

The compass is indispensable for orientation in unfamiliar terrain

Standard knives that are used for survival and have NAZ are quite large in size. They can be recognized by their wide blade and massive handle. The handle is usually hollow. It is in it that the traditional set of emergency supplies is located. It consists of the following items:

• Several matches that are pre-lubricated with wax. The complex comes with a grater for ignition. These components must be packed in moisture-proof packaging.
• A lens designed for use in sunny weather.
• Compass. This is not the most convenient item that comes with NAZ. But from him there is always a sense at the moment a person is in the forest zone.
• Fishing line about 3-5 m in size, several hooks, as well as a sinker.
• Sewing needle with ordinary thread and surgical needle with kapron thread.
• Scalpel.
• Safety pin.
• Small tweezers and adhesive tape. These items will help to provide a person with first aid in case of injury.

The set should also contain a small mirror, a water purification tablet, a small whistle and potassium permanganate. It is supplemented with a piece of sandpaper, which helps to sharpen the knife in the field.

How to choose a knife

Every person who periodically goes hiking knows that you should definitely take a knife with you. It is the most important item in your travel gear. That is why its choice must be approached with special care.

When choosing a good survival knife, be sure to pay attention to its convenience, functionality, reliability and other factors of suitability for use in the field.

First of all, it is desirable to decide on the tool system. Folding knives are considered more convenient to carry, as they are small and take up minimal space. However, most often preference is given to non-folding weapons for survival, as it allows you to perform many times more tasks.

Blade shape

The shape of the blade of such knives can have a different modification.

Knives for squeezing differ from each other in the shape of the blade. According to this feature, a whole classification of weapons stands out. The most popular are the tools of the following forms:

• spear-shaped;
• straight form with a butt;
• with a concave blade;
• butt with a falling or rising line;
• American tanto.

More convenient are knives that have a spear shape. They are called universal. Most often, such weapons are chosen by people who are fond of hunting.

Shank

The best survival knives have a strong tang. It comes in different sizes and shapes.

The shank is an integral part of the blade that remains hidden in the handle of the weapon.

There are different types of shanks for knives. They are presented in the table.

Type of	general characteristics
"Mouse Tail"	This type of shank is made of a metal rod. It runs in a thin layer along the entire handle. In this case, the rod is a continuation of the blade. This shank has one significant drawback. Since it is too thin, it can easily break due to the high load. Therefore, knives with it are not intended for use in the field.
Not fully hidden shank	The shank does not go through the entire handle, as in the previous version. It is only in its separate part. The void zone is used for completely different purposes. It is in it that survival kits are hidden. Since the shank does not go through the entire part of the handle, it can also easily break under the pressure of an increased load. This point must be taken into account by the person who collects the basic equipment for the trip.
full shank	This shank runs through the entire handle. It is considered the largest in size. This feature provides high strength and resistance of the tool to increased loads. Knives with such shanks are considered the most practical and useful in the field.

It is imperative to pay attention to the type of shank of a survival knife, since its strength and effectiveness in performing the assigned tasks depend on it.

Material

The handle of a survival knife can be: wooden, plastic, rubber or other material and composition

The best knives are made from steel. It should not be too hard, but not soft either. In this regard, you need to maintain the golden mean. It is this material that is considered the most practical in use.

The most profitable option is a knife made of medium hardness steel 58-50 HCR. It meets the basic requirements for the choice of material from which survival tools must be made.

Blades of medium hardness can be easily sharpened properly. And it often becomes necessary if the owner has to regularly use his knife for its intended purpose.

Separately, it is worth considering the materials that are used in the manufacturing process of the knife handle. It can be made from plastic, horn, bone, wood, or high-tech raw materials. The latter are considered more durable and practical, as they are produced according to modern standards. When choosing a handle, you need to pay attention not only to the type of material, but also to its comfortable position in the hand.

Additional options

Most of the models that made it to the top of the best survival knives have additional options. For the convenience of the user, they are equipped with a flint and a sharpener. Might come with a lighter. As a rule, these and other items are part of the NAZ set. The Russian version of these tools also provides for a number of similar additions that survivalists need.

Rating of the best knives

A man may be interested in the top survival knives. It presents interesting models that have already earned the trust of hunters and lovers of extreme hiking.

Jungle King

For those who like to travel, the knife will be indispensable, as it has a built-in compass.

The Aitor brand is engaged in the release of this model. The blade of the tool is made of a practical alloy based on chromium and molybdenum. Its hardness is 59 units. The length of the blade is limited to 13.5 cm. There is a NAZ in the handle of the knife. It also contains a compass, which will help the traveler not to get lost along the way.

There is twine on the scabbard. Its owner can use the knife at their own discretion.

HB-1-01

A variant of a domestic knife that has certain similarities with the Jungle King II model. The length of the tool blade is 16 cm. Steel grade 8HF is used in the manufacture. The handle of the knife is also steel. Inside it are placed items that are included in the NAZ kit.

The knife is equipped with a built-in compass. Its scabbard is divided into equal cavities. The first holds a saw and a skinner knife, and the second is wound with a cord.

Ganzo g8012

The Ganzo knife is very sharp and has proven itself well on tourist trips.

This model completes the top of the best survival knives. She was recognized as the best in 2017. The tool lies well in the hand and does not cause any inconvenience. The handle of the product is painted in a bright color, making it difficult to lose it in the snow, grass or foliage.

This knife comes with a fire starter, which is located in the butt heel area. The sheath contains a sling cutter designed for quick cutting of leather, fabrics and branches.

Is it possible to make a survival knife with your own hands

If a person is familiar with sharpening a flint and working with metal, he can try to make a survival knife with his own hands. If desired, it can be equipped with a flint and a sharpener.

1. Preparation for the handle and blade of the product.
2. Rivet metal.
3. Sandpaper.
4. Hacksaw that works on metal.
5. Bulgarian or file.

Once all the tools and materials are prepared, you can proceed directly to work on the knife. To prepare the blade, it is permissible to use a file or car springs. On the workpiece it is required to draw the blade of the future product. A couple of holes need to be made around the perimeter. Before you start working on the handle, you should drill holes for rivets in a suitable area. Now you can start to give the blanks the correct shape.

After making a blade for a knife, it must be hardened

On the workpiece, it is imperative to outline the cutting edge. After it should be grinded to give the desired sharpness. For these purposes, it is desirable to use a file.

The workpiece at the time of working with the file must be fixed with a vice. This step will help you avoid injury. In addition, workpieces that are in a fixed position are much easier to work with.

Upon completion of this work, the cutting part should be treated with sandpaper. Also, the metal itself must be hardened. This procedure provides him with strength and reliability. To temper the metal, it is necessary to hold it on hot coals for 15 minutes.

After this stage is over, it is necessary to cool the knife with oil. Next, the future knife is placed in the oven for 40 minutes. At the same time, a temperature of about 300-400 degrees should be maintained in it. You need to bake the metal in the oven twice.

After the blade has fully baked and cooled, it must be carefully sanded. Next is the burnishing procedure. With its help, it is possible to protect the tool for survival from rust.

Now the master can start turning the handle for the knife. Next, the two main elements must be securely fastened to each other.

If during the course of all the work the master strictly adhered to the manufacturing technology, then at the end of his labors he will receive a high-quality knife. A homemade product will serve him for a long time and help him cope with problem situations.

The knife is the oldest tool with which a person protected himself from dangers and performed household chores. Even in our age of high technology, this tool is not forgotten, but is used both in everyday chores and in professional activities. But there are situations when, in order to defeat the elements and enemies, it is simply necessary to have a universal improved weapon with you - a survival knife.

Lots of features under the handle

With the appearance at the box office of Sylvester Stallone's film about the adventures of a Vietnam War hero named Rimbaud, the Russian audience learned not only about the tactics of the American army, but also about the features of their weapons. Rimbaud manages to defeat the enemy in the jungle not only thanks to ingenuity, but also thanks to the universal survival knife - the multitool.

Device and intended use

This name comes from the English "multitool" - a multifunctional tool with a wide range of applications. At first, it was part of the basic set of weapons for US pilots and was a combination of an impressive blade with a massive handle with an insert saw. Later, he was equipped with additional devices, and after the release of "Rimbaud" on the screens, all adventure lovers wanted to have such a weapon.

Now it is produced not only for the American army, but also for the military of most countries, because the unique ability to hold important diverse items and supplies inside the handle cavity makes it indispensable for a soldier, traveler, scientist, meteorologist, polar explorer who has fallen into harsh and dangerous conditions.

It will also come in handy for those who like to go to the forest for mushrooms and berries, because it is possible to get lost or stumble upon a wild beast. Thus, weapons for survival in extreme conditions will be useful not only in combat, but also in hiking and traveling to the edges of the wild, because with it you can:

• hunt and fish;
• light a fire and cook food;
• build a shelter from bad weather and predators;
• build a strong dwelling;
• make additional devices for hunting and fishing, sewing and repair;
• to defend against the attack of animals and intruders;
• sew and patch clothes and shoes;
• cut branches and chop wood chips for a fire;
• control your location by compass directions;
• provide first aid for injuries.

All components of such a device must be of exceptional quality in order to withstand the most difficult weather conditions. Leading engineers around the world have been working for decades on the development and analysis of the strength of elements in a structure.

Unique content

High-strength steel and a comfortable blade shape are always combined with a wide hollow handle, inside which there is a whole arsenal of necessary tools. This is the so-called untouchable emergency stock (NAZ).

Survival knives are usually large, although the size of some models is adjusted due to the folding design. Blades less than 9 cm and more than 15 cm are inconvenient to use, so it is better to choose a length in this range. The content also varies depending on the model and type of production, but if you take the classic NAZ set, it includes the following components:

The presence of a compass in the set greatly facilitates the task of the survivalist in determining the location, however, there is one difficulty - the blade and handle in this case must be made of non-magnetic metal, otherwise the arrow will not show the correct direction. But such materials are not very durable, so it is better to carry the compass as a separate item in a backpack.

Purpose determines form

According to experts, the best knife for survival in extreme conditions has a fixed, sharp blade, the butt of which is wide and massive enough to replace a hammer when driving nails and cracking nuts, and to deliver blunt blows to the enemy in order to neutralize.

The folding analog is more compact, but it is convenient for storage in a backpack and will suit a tourist, not a warrior. This does not make it useless, since the handle is quite roomy for many useful things, and the design itself is suitable for performing 20-30 basic actions. There are also disadvantages:

• a high probability of breakage of the layout mechanism in the event of a fall, accident, prolonged contact with water;
• inconvenience of use in situations requiring a quick reaction - in case of an attack or an accident, when you need to instantly strike or cut the fetters;
• relatively small size, narrow and thin blade;
• small butt width.

Thus, a folding tool will suit a military doctor, traveler and tourist more than a trained special forces soldier. A suitable blade length for such a model is from 10 to 15 mm, and a width of 5 mm. Particular attention should be paid to the material of the blade - chrome and vanadium are preferred over the more common carbon steel version, which is susceptible to corrosion in high humidity.

The type of blade edge is also important, which comes in two versions:

1. Straight and sharp;
2. Serrated as a saw (serrated).

The second type seems to be more useful, because with the help of such a hand saw you can cut down a tree, cut thick bone and dense material, even a metal chain, if you try. But a serrated blade will dull faster than a smooth one, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to sharpen it to the required sharpness away from civilization.

Therefore, it is chosen for short-term trips or accept the fact that with frequent use such a knife will become just a NAZ storage and a baton, at best. The smooth blade is easy to sharpen with a piece of sandpaper available at NAZ.

Weapons domestic and foreign

It is difficult to choose the perfect product that meets all the needs and wishes of users. Each model has advantages and disadvantages, so you need to carefully study the design visually and documented, because the quality certificate indicates many parameters that cannot be determined “by eye”.

Russian-made multitools and survival knives are in no way inferior to their American counterparts, although foreign models are still attractive to fans of adventure films. The main difference between a multitool and an army knife is that it relies on many additional tools, in addition to a compact blade. It's more of a portable crafting workshop than a weapon.

The leader is the Spanish utility knife "Jungle's king", the blade of which is presented in three different versions and the buyer can choose the model that suits his needs. The gun became legendary, having become famous in the hands of war heroes and famous travelers around the world. It is also the most functional, having as a compass, and an impressive set of NAZ:

On the handle of all models, high-strength twine is wound, which can withstand a weight of 50 kg. The blade has a length of 12 to 15 cm and is made of an alloy of steel with chromium, molybdenum and vanadium, which makes it invulnerable to corrosion and mechanical damage.

The second place can be safely awarded to the Russian product - the universal knife HB-101, codenamed "Basurmanin". It is slightly smaller than the rating winner, but no less functional, in his set are:

The handle is made of steel and is divided into two compartments: one contains a string and a compass, and the other contains a saw and a stiletto. The blade has a length of 16 cm and a thickness of 3.5 cm, made of high strength blued steel.

Among the tourist models, the first place was unanimously given to Ganzo g8012. This knife is not only comfortable, but also beautiful (and, from a practical point of view) - it is made in black with fluorescent color edging, which makes it easy to find it in a backpack even at night. The handle is wrapped in polymer material, which prevents slipping from the hands, and inside are:

• sling cutter and flint;
• fishing gear;
• medicines;
• threads and needles;
• saw and tweezers.

The "heel" for ignition is located on the butt, which is wide enough to be used as a hammer. All this makes the knife of this model an ideal choice for lovers of mountain hiking and forest camping.

Very popular among survivalists and the option called "Alligator". In terms of its components, it differs little from the above knives, it has everything you need. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the quality of the saw. There have been many complaints from buyers about the difficulty in sawing large items.

Even a thick branch of a tree had to be cut for a long time. Also, the scabbard rattled noticeably during movement. If for a tourist this is not a very significant drawback, then for a military man who needs to move silently, this is an important nuance. The manufacturer has improved the packaging of this model, but, nevertheless, it is better to check these two factors when buying.