7 Best Bushcraft Folding Knife 2023 – Reviews and Buying Guide

You might need to have the best bushcraft pocket folding knives for your outdoor environment, whether you are cleaning a game in the field or cutting wood to build a shelter.

The folding Knife has all the required elements that serve as both a go-to everyday carry (EDC) knife and a survival blade is necessary to have. These should be at the top of your list. Here, we explained in detail the best folding survival knifes out there.

The best bushcraft folder knife is the most useful tool. Whether you use it for cutting a piece of paper, opening a packed box, trimming wear, cutting sheets, setting up a tent, cutting fish, or slicing up food, make shelter and build a fire without burning your hand.

Our Top Picks

EDITOR’S CHOICE

9.6

Kershaw Blur Black (1670BLK)

• Speed Safe opening system
• Safe and most effective folding knife
• Handy tactical knife extremely useful in combat

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PREMIUM PICK

8.8

Gerber Swagger Knife

• Very compact and tightly designed
• Perfect for day-to-day use
• Serration at the bottom for cutting and tearing

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BUDGET PICK

9.4

Ontario knife Rat 1

• Pretty attractive satin finish
• Economical and easy to sharpen
• Provides resistance to rust

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Below is the list of the best Bushcraft folding knife in 2023

1. Ontario Rat-1 Knife – Best Allround bushcraft folding knife

Ontario Rat-1 is one of the Knife’s sturdiest types, mainly used for hunting and camping activities. The Ontario RAT 1 features tank-like construction with a big blade possessing remarkable properties. It becomes difficult for you to ignore this larger folder.

Its intended use may determine a knife’s choice. The RAT 1 is designed to be tough and durable; so many guys use it to carry in their outdoor pursuits.

Compared with hundreds of other pocket knives, it stands first on the list because of its high carbon steel blade, MOLLE sheaths, and micarta handle.

Blade

Rat 1 is a solid folding bushcraft knife with an overall length of about 8.6’’ and a drop point 3.5″ blade, which looks sharper and more attractive. Although, the blade has a simple drop point style that can serve various tasks, from tactical applications to heavy EDC use.

Moreover, the blade comes with a satin finish or a black coating, but many people go with the pretty attractive satin finish. The blade of the Knife is made up of AUS8 steel or Japanese stainless steel. AUS 8 is an excellent fit because it is hard, easy to sharpen, and provides resistance to rust.

Handle

The handle of RAT 1 features textured nylon 6 scales over stainless steel liners. The clip keeps the Knife in the handle bulky due to its thick rounded edges, but it is still comfortable in forward and reverses grips. As the handle offers plenty of room, so it is suitable for larger hands.

Clip

The Ontario RAT Model 1 is a superb design, and high-quality Knife at an unbelievable price! The pocket clip is also reasonable, though, and adjustable for left/right-handers so that you’ll be able to place the clip to be tip-up or tip-down for lefties or righties.

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Final Verdict:

Lastly, this Knife is the cheapest among other budget-friendly knives in the market. This is undoubtedly a classic and is a must-have if you have a geeky side for legendary knives.

2. Gerber Swagger Knife – Best lightweight bushcraft folding knife

The Gerber Swagger ao review starts with its properties of being a slim knife, compact, and stylish folding knife that even serves as an everyday carry folder. This Knife works when you need it to cut through a rope or respond to a critical situation.

The Gerber Swagger has a slim body and stylish design that’s inexpensive but gets the job done where you use it.

The Blade

The Knife is 7.5″ long when fully extended and approximately 3.25″ in the closed position. With a stainless-steel blade, the Knife tackles all types of tasks; you’ll be ready to cut through rigid material just by engaging the thumb stud. The Knife’s thumb stud activation allows for easy one-handed operation.

The Swagger’s partially serrated drop point blade can do all including, carving, slicing, and sawing with an easy-to-maintain edge as well.

The Handle

The handle is coated with textured G-10 scales that help keep a grip in any environment. There are two different textures of Swagger’s handle. While the left side handles (for a right-handed person) have an aggressive surface with some drilled friction grooves.

This texture will enable it to hold up during wet weather or moist hand conditions. The right-side handle comes with polished steel with only three tracks. A stainless steel frame hook on the rear side of the handle stops the blade from releasing. A few grooves in the stainless-steel frame also add to the overall trippiness of the Knife.

The Clip

You can bring it in your pocket with a single-position tip-down clip when there is no use for a knife.

Final Verdict

The Gerber Swagger knife is perfect for day-to-day use; hence it is worth it. The Knife is very compact and tightly designed, so you might certainly add this to your tools.

3. Kershaw Blur Black (1670BLK) – Best Bushcraft folder

Designed with its tactical style and discreet pocket clip, the Kershaw Blur Black (1670BLK) comes with a Speed Safe opening system and a torsion bar that keeps the Knife locked. It springs open with a liner lock system integrated into its handle.

A quick and easy opening mechanism in its design is essential to a safe and effective folding knife. This model has a speed-safe assisted opening mechanism, making it quick and easy to open without your fingers getting damaged.

When the Knife is closed, it’s about 4 and ½ inches long whenever you open it; it’s just less than 8 inches long. The blade is right at about 3 and ½ inches, and the Knife weighs about 4 ounces.

The Blade

Even though this Kershaw weapon is primarily intended for use day-to-day in the kitchen, it is also a handy tactical knife extremely useful in combat. The blade measures 3.75 inches to make it comfortable for fans of medium-sized knives.

Also Read: Best Fixed Blade Knife under $50

Made of mild stainless steel, this Knife has an S-shaped pattern that looks good and is made with a slight curve, which gives the blade a more extended length and sharper edge. The single blade comes in either partially serrated or straight edge designed to match the user’s preferences. This perspective dramatically broadens the angular dimension.

Even when abused a little over time, this Knife still keeps its edge razor-sharp. It’s a drop point-shaped blade with a hollow grind and a small re-curve. There are drop points built into each Knife to provide precise piecing and cutting ability.

The Handle

It comes with a textured grip for extra gripping power. The handle’s triple-layered construction will provide additional safety, durability, and strength.

The Clip

You can carry it with the removable pocket clip; you can wear it in tip-up or tip-down position as you prefer, or remove the pocket clip altogether if you do not want to. When you obtain this particular model, it’s available in a matte black finish.

Final Verdict

This Knife is ideal for you if you like liner-lock and the speed-safe mechanism that comes quite handy. It saves your time so you might want it in your toolset.

4. Benchmade- Adamas – lightweight folding bushcraft knife

If you are looking for the highest quality folding knife on the market, this one is for you. The Benchmade 272BK Adamas is top-of-the-line. Designed by one of the world’s most respected knife makers, Benchmade, the Adamas 275 BKSN is a great knife that is tough and long-lasting.

With its sleek design and its key features, this Benchmade knife represents its name well, offering a product that never compromises, one that will stand the test of time.

Shane Sibert designed the Adamas. It features an Axis lock mechanism; a black finished serrated blade, a G10 handle with an angled lanyard, and a stainless liner with a reversible pocket clip.

The Blade

Despite its overall length of 8.7 inches, the Benchmade 275 blade opens to a length of 3.82 inches.

The blade of the Benchmade Adamas 275 is made up of D2 tool steel which is known as a high-carbon, high-chromium steel, which offers both excellent edge retention and superior resistance to wear and abrasion.

In addition, the blade shape provides a good amount of stability for cutting tasks and helps penetrate faster. Benchmade provided the knobs with an exceptionally tough black coating which minimized the chance of corrosion.

The Handle

A large, sturdy handle of the 275 is made out of G10 over stainless steel liners. This offers enough flexible space to grip with any style of grip, with jumping everywhere.

An ambidextrous locking system lets you carry it either way. Adamas has a lanyard hole in its handle, making it ideal for both left- and right-handers.

It feels just as comfortable in a reverse grip with an excellent position for the thumb and tons of texture. The thumb ramp is perfect for control, and another surface in the choil region prevents fingers from slipping forward on the blade.

The Clip

There are an optional nylon pouch and a pocket clip that go with the 275 Adamas. It is available in both left- and right-hand tip-up carry. A reversible pocket clip enables blade tip-up carrying in either the left or right pocket.

The clip is pretty great; it rides on your hood with a low-riding profile. To attach Malleus clips, weave them in the sheath’s back and then wrap them, putting them on your gear.

Final Verdict:

Benchmade is one of the best manufacturers of tactical pocket knives. The Adamas 275 is widely popular, especially for tactical works.

 5. GVDV Pocket Folding Knife – Best Bushcraft Pocket Knife

GVDV knives are big multi-purpose knives made from high-quality & sturdy materials for Camping, Hiking, Hunting & Fishing. Made of 7Cr17 stainless steel, this folding Knife has an exceptionally long lifespan. It is designed for cutting fabrics, carpets, paper, plastic, leather, string, carton boxes, and in fact, practically everything else.

By adding the liner locking system, the blade will be kept open and prevent the blade from closing on its own. It can move it manually by applying manual force to the lock bar to be brought to the side and can fold the blade back into the handle.

The Blade

This multi-functional Knife has a High-quality blade made up of reliable 7cr17 stainless steel and features an Olivewood handle with a belt clip, so you always have quick, handy access to your Knife.

The titanium coating on the blade ensures its strength and durability. The blade is resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for outdoor camping. Its razor-sharp edges make it suitable for activities requiring the use of sharp objects.

The Handle

The GVDV features include an ergonomic wooden handle design, comfortable operation, beautiful appearance, and overall quality well worth the price. The locking mechanism is very well designed, with zero risks of the lock being accidentally closed.

The Knife will make you wonder why you didn’t buy it earlier. It has a nice wooden handle with a great feel in your hand. Its wooden handle is easy to hold and offers a firm grip. It has a super cool appearance and quickly catches the eye.

The Clip

When folded, this Knife measures 4.5 inches in length and weighs 7.36 oz, making it very convenient to carry. It came with a portable and convenient clip design that is easy to attach to your belt or backpack. In addition to a belt clip and safety, the liner lock system ensures safety; the Knife comes with a protective carrying case.

Final Verdict

Owing to its elegant design and quickness, this Knife provides fine cuts whether you are camping or opening any carton. So, it is undoubtedly worth your money.

6. Spring Assisted Knife – Best Pocket Folding Knife

The most popular and best-selling knives are spring-assisted knives because of their instant and safe opening and closing. Therefore, if you are looking for such convenience, then the FL 140106 by Grand Way spring-assisted Knife is just what you want.

Luckily, this 220G weighing steel pocket folding spring assisted. The Knife includes a liner lock. It is made to use in everyday life like cutting ropes, and wires, opening packages, camping, etc.  The height, weight, and length are 8.27 x 1.38 x 0.48 inches, respectively.

The Blade:

The blade is made of durable stainless steel, which has a clip point that makes it excessively pointy and leaves a big puncture when inserted into the material you are piercing. This razor-sharp blade’s length is 90 meters, making it accessible and remote and giving a grey finish.

The Handle:

This fantastic tactical Knife comes with a full metal handle with an ergonomic power grip designed to be used with the hand’s full capacity.

The size of the Knife is relatively convenient compared to other spring-assisted knives. Lastly, the handle has a delicate design pattern that does not leave any marks or bruises on the hand.

The Clip

The Grand Way FL 140106 knife comes with a clip available only on one side, quickly put on a belt and straps.

Final Verdict:

Overall, the long-lasting FL 140106 comes at a reasonable price. This EDC knife does more than the user wants due to its modern manufacturing and accessibility, so it is unquestionably worth trying.  

7. Victorinox Swiss Army – Best Swiss Army Bushcraft knife

If you are looking for an all-in-one bushcraft pocket knife that is not only EDC but can also be helpful in multiple ways, then you’ve hit the jackpot! Because this legendary Swiss Army Rescue Tool by Victorinox is specifically designed to include 13 functions that come in handy in emergency and survival situations.

Victorinox is one of the oldest manufacturers that are still relevant and prevailing owing to their impactful rescue tools, primarily the multi-functional Swiss army rescue tool.

The main blade:

It contains a large sharp blade that is about 3 and a ½ inches long. Two-thirds of the blade is serrated, and the rest is flat with a large hole at the bottom.

A fully-serrate blade:

After the main blade, it has a saw-like blade that is fully serrated which can cut through clothing and fiber material, especially the seatbelts, in case of an accident.

Shatterproof Glass-cutter:

The rescue tool also contains a replaceable blade that acts as a shatterproof glass cutter. The blade is not pointy from the front.

Additional Tools:

– There’s a reamer/hole punch with a sharp edge.

Additional tools include a toothpick that is replaceable, an addition of tweezers, and a key ring.

Features:

• The indispensable Knife to cut seatbelts in the hour of need
• Swiss-made durable blade pocket knife
• The package includes a seatbelt cutter

Related: Best Bushcraft Knife Under 200

Final Verdict:

The bottom line is that this rescue tool is easy to carry and use in your daily life and critical situations. It saves you a lot of space and can even save your life. Therefore, this rescue tool is greatly recommended and is confidently worth your cash.

? Buying Guide to select the best bushcraft folding knife

A vast number of bushcraft folding knives are available in the market. Each variety has exclusive features that distinguish it from others. Some bushcraft folding knives have attractive styles but are super-expensive.

Others have ergonomic designs, but their appearance is a bit smudgy. Therefore, it becomes pretty challenging to choose the best bushcraft folding knife that fulfills your requirements.

Here is a quick and easy buying guide that enables you to hunt the best bushcraft folding knife and prevent headaches and confusion.

It would be best if you had abidance of your requirement for the best pick before you get drowned in a flood of infinite options. An ideal bushcraft knife must have the following features that are essential for any purpose.

1. Secure Blade:

Security is the most critical feature of sharp-edge equipment. Hence, bushcraft knives have super-sharp edges purposely; therefore, locking blades are essential to prevent unexpected mishaps.

2. Ergonomic Style:

Ergonomic and comfortable handling is necessary to avoid accidental cuts. Otherwise, the uncomfortable handling can cause bad scratches. The holdings part must have a gripping cover that prevents slips. Some people have sweaty palms that make it difficult for them to grip the Knife. A pair of gloves can work well in such situations.

3. Blade size:

The best folding bushcraft knife has smaller blades instead of long blades. Although it’s convenient to cut down bushes with a long cutter carrying the long Knife is difficult and damaging.

Therefore, evaluate the purpose of carrying the bushcraft knife as long one will compromise the mobility, and mini blade can’t help cut wood.

4. Blade material:

The choice of blade material also depends upon the destined task. Usually, high-carbon knife blades remain sharp but rust faster. You have to oil the knife blade in humid and wet climates.

On the contrary, steel blades seldom corrode, but dulling is often the issue you face. So, choose the one that matches your destination targets.

? How to choose the best bushcraft folding knife? An Expert Tip

Choosing the best bushcraft folding knife is quite easy. To choose the best folding knife you need a knife that fits in your pocket and has a fixed and sharp edge which helps in cutting, opening packets, cutting papers, and slicing food items. And easy to handle.

? Conclusion

After reviewing the top 7 best bushcraft pocket folding knives, we found that the user needs to look at different elements while buying folding pocket knives. Blade material, secure blade, and handle are some of these considerable elements.

It’s hard to find and buy the best lightweight folding Knife. So, if you have finalized 1 knife for you, then go buy it. But if you are still confused between them, then consider any of them:

1. Ontario Rat-1 Knife
2. Gerber Swagger Knife

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