Fighting Knife vs. Survival Knife

These days, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on survival knives that are absolutely gargantuan.  At the same time, there are several lines of fighting knives out there from well-known manufacturers that are no more than three inches in length.  But, does the design and makeup of the knife really matter for each application?  I must argue that when it comes to fighting and survival, design and makeup are everything.

Attributes of a Fighting Knife

With a good fighting knife, there can be some leniency in terms of the metal used.  A good fighting knife isn’t required to hold a pristine edge for an extended length of time, for the simple fact that a fight will most likely not last more than a couple seconds, and it will not be subject to very much abuse during the engagement (respectively).  It is for this reason that a lot of fighting knives can be made of cheaper metals, such as inexpensive stainless steel. 

In addition, a good fighting knife needs to be designed to inflict the most damage for the least amount of precision and work.  For instance, though a “tanto” point is pretty much useless as a hunting/survival blade, it is excellent for a fighting knife because it can make quick work of body armor, and it can be used for lighting-fast peripheral strikes.  Also, clip-point blades are great for this application as well, for the simple fact that the tip of the blade has much less material, thereby much less resistance, when stabbing the opponent.  While most survivalists don’t usually fancy a clip-point blade because of their traditional lack of durability in the field, it becomes a great feature for a fighting knife.  For instance, one of Ka-Bar’s most iconic blades, their USMC fighting knife that was first manufactured in the First World War, features a clip-point, allowing for quick penetration of the enemy target.

Also, the USMC Ka-Bar features a metal cross guard.  Again, great for fighting, but for those of us who want to choke up on the blade for leverage for whittling and other camp tasks, it can become quite the hindrance. 

Length is a big factor for fighting knives.  The most prevalent school of thought on fighting knives is that there is no ‘too-long’.  The more reach that knife has, the less of a chance that your opponent can reach back in your direction.  The longer the knife, the more killing distance you have between you and your opponent.  This is why a good fighting knife will boast a blade that is around 5-12 inches.

…Which brings us to ‘survival knives’

The Survival Knife Difference

A survival knife can be both a fighter and a wilderness knife, but it needs to have a very different philosophy of use and different aspects.  For instance, while you might benefit from a ‘tanto’ point in a fight, it makes field dressing a deer or even whittling a difficult and unpredictable chore. 

As I mentioned before, having a long blade is advantageous for combat, but it becomes incredibly cumbersome while performing camp chores.  For instance, if one were to field dress even large game, a long blade would be difficult to handle.  Clipping organs and contaminating the meat becomes almost a certainty.  It is for this reason that most useful wilderness knives stay below the 5-inch range. 

In addition, utilizing a clip-point blade is not easy for the task of gutting game, as nicking organs becomes problematic due to the sharpness and shape of the tip.  (However, keep in mind that clip points are excellent for filleting and skinning).  Also, survival blades will see tremendous amounts of use and abuse, as they will be used on a daily basis; so, ease of sharpening and durability become a very important factor.  This is one reason why the best bushcraft and wilderness survival blades come with either a spear-point or a drop-point.  Also, the quality of steel that makes up the knife becomes crucial in a wilderness survival scenario.  The user will need that knife to hold an edge and to take a beating.  Usually high-carbon steel is the best, though some stainless steels are excellent for use in the field, such as 440C or 154CM, due to their resistance to oxidization.

Tactivival Knife

The Kukri design is unique in that it is a fantastic fighting blade, and an even better survival knife.  It boasts an emphasized weight-forward 'drop-point'.  The Gurkas used these knives for rigorous jungle tasks, but at the same time, their fighting capabilities are legendary.

Overall, the key to any survival/tactical knife will be simplicity.  Added features can be advantageous for specific tasks, but you will be able to perform more tasks more efficiently with a very simple edge and ergonomic handle.  If it feels comfortable in your hand, then you can easily manipulate the blade.  Nothing is more deadly and useful than an edged extension of your own hand.

-K. H. Danielsen