Bushcraft Knife is one of the essential companions for bushcrafting needs. Your better knife choice can keep you alive. The best bushcraft knife under 200$ doesn’t only stick to starting fires and building shelters but it’s really useful for skinning, hunting, camping, and much more.
We’ve compiled a list of the best bushcraft knives under 200 in 2023 keeping into consideration various important factors including; blade length, thickness, material, shape, sheath as well as a handle material,size, and weight of the knife. All the reviewed knives are tested by field experts. If you’re in a rush check the top 3 picks below.
But if you want to find an all-around bushcraft knife for the longer run, you can navigate to our article on the Best Bushcraft Knives that provide greater value for your hard-earned money.
Benchmade continues to produce heavy-duty quality knives with top features. The Benchmade – Turret 980 is a little lighter, more ergonomic, and perfect for everyday carry. This folder knife contains exceptional qualities that are not found in previous models.
Blade: It features a CPM-S30V STEEL blade. The drop point blade can retain edge retention, is very versatile, and user friendly. The satin or coated finish helps to resist corrosion.
Handle: The G10handle is made of composite fiberglass submerged in resin. The handle material of this best bushcraft knife under 200$ is extremely durable, heat resistant, moisture resistant, and stands up to a range of harsh elements. The reversible pocket clip assists easy to carry.
Locking Mechanism: It is designed with one of the strongest locks in Benchmade’s history. The axis locking mechanism ensures safety, easy-open, and smooth close.
The BK-62 is produced by KA-BAR and is designed by well-known practical hunter Horace Kephart. This knife just works well. The blade feather sticks very well and slices off bark effortlessly. Another benefit is that you can grip the blade directly. It’s a useful tool for slicing and cutting. The handle isn’t thick, but it fits hands very well. This knife design allows performing every bush-crafting task from food preparation to wood carving to skinning and everything in between.
Blade: The full tang blade comprises 1095 Cro-van steel. The blade can slice the bark just like butter. The thick spine makes the blade more efficient by minimizing drag when cutting through fibrous material. It lacks the coating, but the stonewashed finish offers corrosion resistance.
Handle: It features a walnut wood handle. The handle slabs are fastened by removable screws, which also assist in easy cleaning. It has a great feel and comfortably fits in hands.
Triple laminated stainless steel is unique to Helle’s knives. Most of their knives come with a curly birch handle. The sturdy knives can withstand strains and stresses during heavy outdoor tasks.
Blade: It features a triple laminated stainless steel blade. Two layers of tough stainless steel protect the blade against corrosion and breakage, while the high carbon core provides an excellent cutting edge.
Handle: The structured wood of curly-grained birch is used to make the study handle. The handle is comfortable to hold for a long time. The full tang gives extra strength to the knife. The Aluminum finger guard is functional; it helps to protect fingers during aggressive use.
Sheath: The knife comes with a Genuine tanned leather sheath to ensure safe and is easy to carry and making it readily available during emergency needs.
The extremely serviceable Tops Brothers of Bushcraft Knife is an excellent product at a great price. This heavy-duty fieldcraft knife is field-proven.
Blade: It features a high-carbon steel blade with Scandi grind. The cutting edge is very efficient for skinning, carving, and other woodwork.
Handle: It features the most ergonomic canvas micarta handle. The “Thumb Scallops”, formed on the handle’s hilt, offer more comfort and control when using specialized carving and skinning grips. On the extended pommel, you will find a scraper designed explicitly by one of The Brothers of Bushcraft, for striking Ferro rods in a safe and efficient manner.
Sheath: It comes with a durable Kydex sheath, with a belt loop and a built-in Ferro-rod attachment point. This arrangement allows a secure, safe, and comfortable carry on the belt, pack strap, or even around the neck.
The heavy-duty bushcraft knife from Casström developed insight into survival and bushcraft expert Lars Fält. This knife is very versatile and ideal for outdoor activities. To make your big game exciting and short, Casstrom Bushcraft Knife under 200$ is the best choice. The knife edge is so fine and durable it does not crack or chip during heavy use i.e., wood splitting. The curly Birch handle gives a stylish look in addition to comfort and durability.
Blade: It comprises a thick Sleipner tool steel blade with high carbon content to add more durability and hardness; some added chrome helps to resist corrosion. The Scandi grind keeps the blade sharp and makes it easy to sharpen.
Handle: The full tang curly birch handle with black liner is versatile. Besides hardness, comfort, and excellence, the curly birch also gives a stylish look.
Sheath: This best bushcraft knife for under 200$ comes with a tanned leather sheath for easy access and convenient carry.
The Spyderco Enuff knives offer excellent performance over the years. A satisfied customer knows well about their strategy behind blade shape and size. So how much blade is enough? The Spyderco Enuff series addresses that question in triplicate, offering three utilitarian fixed blades that provide all the functionalities you need and nothing you don’t.
The knives are Proudly Crafted for Life with highly evolved ergonomics to minimize fatigue and increase cutting power.
Blade: The blade is ground from VG-10 stainless steel, a material that offers a superior balance of cutting performance, corrosion resistance, edge retention, and ease of sharpening. The leaf-shaped blade has a plain-edged and full-flat ground to yield exceptional edge geometry for precision cutting chores and point utility.
Handle: It features a fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle. The molded identical scale injection offers ultra-lightweight and durability properties. The scales are contoured to provide a hand-filling grip and boast Spyderco’s signature Bi-Directional Texturing pattern.
The Brothers of Bushcraft designed the fieldcraft knife; a coalition of men across North America continues to produce wilderness living skills of all categories. The Fieldcraft Knife is the completion of their knowledge, combining experiences from; the broad and humid rain forests, the arid and scorpion-littered deserts, and the frigid northern lands that span the Americas.
Blade: It features a high-carbon steel blade. The Scandi grind is useful for skinning, cutting, carving, and other field activities. It helps to keep the blade razor-sharp and makes it easy to resharpen. The extended part of the tang acts as a pommel, which allows initiating fire with the included Firestarter.
Handle: The canvas micarta handle is ergonomic. It feels comfortable in your hands. The grooves help in a tight hold. The finger choil protects hands during aggressive use.
Sheath: It comes with a black Kydex sheath, which assures safe carry and easy access in the hour of need.
Helle knives are made to withstand the stresses and strains that a knife is subjected to outdoors. The Helle Temagami knife is balanced nicely and appears to be highly durable and functional. It comes razor-sharp out of the box and is excellent for fieldcraft applications. This knife excels at all things.
Blade: The blade comprises a triple-laminated stainless steel blade. Two layers of tough stainless steel protect the blade against breakage and corrosion, while the high carbon core provides a superb cutting edge.
Handle: It features a curly birch handle with a full tang blade design. The handle is sturdy and stylish. Its shape works for multiple grips and prevents one’s hands from sliding up on the blade.
Sheath: It comes with a custom leather sheath that holds the knife securely, even when moving fast over rough terrain.
The Tops continue to produce quality knives over the years. This knife is designed by Tom Brown and featured in the movie “The Hunted”. If someone ever needs one knife to survive, then this best bushcraft knife under 200$ would be it. The inborn hardness makes it super heavy-duty and ready for nearly any outdoor task. The hand finish gives it a superb look.
Blade: It features a clip-point blade made from High Carbon Alloy. It retains an excellent edge, and the scabbard holds it tight.
Handle: The Micarta handle is sturdy and comfortable. The grooves assure a tight grip over time. The lanyard hole is functional during emergency needs.
Sheath: It comes with a Kydex sheath, which ensures safe carry and easy access.
The moderate-sized BK16 can perform outdoor and survival tasks with ease. The Grivory handles are ergonomically designed and keep the weight down. As it is lightweight and easy to handle, outdoor activities are smoothly carried out. The Thumb Serration provides better control during prolonged and rigid cutting activities.
Blade: The drop point blade comprises a Carbon Steel blade with a matt black coating.
Handle: It features black Zytel handle scales. The package also includes a bonus set of interchangeable brown handle scales.
Sheath: The package comes with a Nylon sheath having a plastic insert and is MOLLE-compatible, perfect for belt or pack carry. The extra space on the sheath front can be used to put fire steel.
How to choose the Best Bushcraft Knives under $200
The bushcraft knife is a basic and essential tool for survival. They are a must-have in your survival kit. There are many brands of bushcraft knives under 200$ available in the market, but how do you choose the best one within this budget?
You should consider several factors before buying a bushcraft knife for under $200.
Blade Length
The size of the blade is the first thing you should check. You can choose a knife with a blade length between 2.5 inches to 5.5 inches depending on the tasks you need to perform.
However, a bushcraft knife with a longer blade is more suitable and effective for outdoor activities and tasks like chopping, carving, and butchering.
Blade Thickness
Blade thickness is also one of the most important factors that make survival easier in the wilderness. A thick blade is harder to break, and it’s easy to sharpen.
It’s recommended to choose a bushcraft knife with having blade thickness between 3/16 inch to 1/4 inch to make chopping, prying, and batoning easier.
Blade Material
Choosing a bushcraft knife with a high-quality blade material will guarantee its sharpness over long periods of time.
It’s recommended to choose a knife where the blade is made of quality materials like high carbon steel, alloy steel, or stainless steel. Remember that not all steel types are good.
Blade Shape
The blade shape is also an important factor to consider. You can choose a bushcraft knife having a drop point, clip point, and straight blade shape.
A drop-point blade is the most popular choice among bushcraft knife users. It has a sharp edge at the tip and a thick edge at the spine. Moreover, it’s ideal for cutting, slicing, chopping, and other tasks in the wilderness.
Blade Sheath
The sheath is an essential part of the bushcraft knife. The sheath should be MOLLE compatible and have a long belt clip to carry it easily.
You can choose a sheath with nylon, leather, or synthetic material.
Handle Material
You should choose a knife with a comfortable handle. The handle material should be made of sturdy and durable materials like metal, aluminum, wood, or fiberglass-reinforced nylon.
Handle Size
The size of the handle should also be taken into consideration before getting the knife for bushcrafting, camping, or survival.
In order to get a strong grip on the handle, consider a bushcraft knife where the handle length is almost equal to the width of your hand.
Additionally, the width of the handle should be equal to the length of your hand starting from the wrist to the middle finger in the hand. This would ensure a comfortable grip on the knife handle.
Weight of the Knife
The weight of the bushcraft knife will depend upon the overall size of the knife as well as the handle and blade material used for the construction.
Bushcraft knives should be easy to carry and hold. A heavy knife is not recommended for bushcrafting or camping. So, you should select a knife with a lightweight handle.
In this way, you will be able to hold the knife with ease, and you won’t get tired easily while working with the knife.
✔️ Conclusion
In conclusion, Bushcraft knives are one of the most useful tools in the outdoors. They are not only used for hunting or camping but also for survival purposes. In addition to being good for cutting wood or building shelters, they’re also quite versatile.
Remember that not every knife can withstand harsh conditions. You must select the one with the durable blade steel, size, and sturdy handle material that can cut through any material you want in the wilderness but should also be lightweight and within the budget at the same time to carry easily.
So, get the best bushcraft knives under $200 we’ve reviewed for you in this article. Visit us for more outdoor product details.
Kinsley Lisa is the researcher, tester, and content writer at bestbushcraft.com. She completed multiple bushcraft courses from survival school and decided to share her experience...Read Full Bio
