A detailed search for the best survival knife under $200
Are you a fan of higher quality blades but tired of searching for the best survival knife under 200 dollars? Well, I was also in your position once and I know how frustrating it can be to decide which knife to go for from the thousands of knives out there. That’s why I’ve created this handpicked list of the top 10 survival knives under $200!
Each of these knives is a worthy contender for the top spot and every single knife has been considered to be the best survival knife by various experts and critics. So I’ve done all the hard work for you and picked out 10 of the very best tactical/hunting/skinning/survival knives that cost less than 200 dollars. In fact some of them are available for even lesser and you’ll be glad of the amazing deals going on currently at Amazon on these knives.
However, if you don’t want to go through all the 10 knives, then simply go with my choice for the #1 survival knife in the $100-$200 price range. If you only had to pick a single knife, make sure it’s this one because its everything a survival knife should be!
#1 – Fallkniven A1 – Army Survival Knifem
So my pick for the best mid-sized survival knife under 200 dollars is the Fallkniven A1. With extremely tough laminated VG10 steel, this full tang knife is ergonomically designed and looks simply amazing. Since it features a patent pending water repelling feature, you’re good to use this under extreme weather conditions both hot and cold.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 6.3″ length, 0.24″ thickness, laminated VG10 steel, 59 HRC
- Handle: 4.7″ length, textured kraton material
- Weight: 12 ounces
Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings, and Reviews on Amazon.com
#2 – Spyderco Temperence 2 Canvas Micarta Plain Edge Knife
Coming in close at #2 is the Spyderco Temperence 2 with a 4mm thick VG10 stainless steel blade. It offers great slicing capability thanks to the dual distal taper which allows for a relatively thick tip while the balance is top notch. I liked the custom molded Boltaron Kydex sheath as well and did not feel any rattle at all.
All in all, a great survival knife for backpacking, hunting, food preparation and general camping work.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 4.875″ (124 mm) length, 0.156″ (4 mm) thickness, Full-flat-ground VG10 stainless steel, 59-60 HRC
- Handle: 4.875″ (124 mm) length, custom-molded Boltaron (Kydex) sheath
- Weight: 12 ounces
#3 – SOG SE37-K Seal Team Elite Knife
One of the first SOG knives that I ever bought and boy, the SOG SE37-K Seal Team Elite Knife does indeed deserve its place under these sub 200 dollar knives. The Titanium Nitride (TiNi) coating makes the stainless steel blade waterproof and the ribbed back is perfect for notching and jimping. It has a large cutting surface and has sharp serrations that help cut through objects with ease.
The bigger size might deter some people but for me, it works perfectly and I love the extra traction on the knife.
The value of this knife is incredible. Currently priced at $102 it is a shame that I cannot price it in the under $100 category.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 7″ length, 0.24″ thickness, black TiNi coated AUS8 stainless steel blade, 57-58 HRC
- Handle: 5″ length, Rugged and durable Zytel handle, hard molded Kydex nylon sheath, Glass-reinforced nylon (GRN)
- Weight: 10.3 ounces
Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings, and Reviews on Amazon.com
Click Here to See Pricing, Ratings, and Reviews on Amazon.com#4 – Fallkniven S1 Forest Knife
With looks that resemble a Rambo knife and VG-10 satin finish to go with it, the Fallkniven S1 Forest Knife might deceive you in first looks but once you’ve tested out the knife completely, you’ll realize you have an exceptional knife in your hands.
It’s a solid knife meant for bushcraft and survival and you’ll love the extremely sharp convex edge on this survival knife.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 5.12″ length, 0.20″ thickness, VG-10 satin finish stainless utility blade, 59 HRC
- Handle: 4.6″ length, Black checkered Thermorun elastomer handle with visible tang end and lanyard hole
- Weight: 6.7 ounces
#5 – Zero Tolerance Fixed-Blade Combat Knife
A monster of a knife with extremely sharp yet good balanced blade, the Zero Tolerance Fixed-Blade Combat Knife is a full tang survival knife with a solid G10 grip with jimping and pommel on the end. The Kydex sheath is good with a side lock as well and the blade itself is a high-performance 14C28N stainless steel with non-reflective Tungsten DLC coating.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 5.7″ length (14.4 cm), 0.125″ thickness, 14C28N with Tungsten DLC coating, 58-60 HRC
- Handle: 5.8″ length, 3-D machined G-10 handle with index finger guard
- Weight: 11 ounces
#6 – Gerber 06995 Silver Trident Sheath Knife
We’re mid-way through this list of the 10 best survival knives under $200 and the Gerber 06995 Silver Trident Sheath Knife makes its entry here. The feel on this knife is that of great balance and the guard that comes along with knife helps in protecting your hand from being accidentally cut.
The striker pommel is great and with a high quality 154C stainless steel, there’s not much that can go wrong with this knife. There are multiple serrations on the back of the blade and after using it for a considerable time; I found it to retain its edge very well.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 6.18″ length, 0.125″ thickness, double-edged clip-point blade with 154C stainless steel, 59-61 HRC
- Handle: 5.04″ length, durable ballistic nylon sheath
- Weight: 17.4 ounces
#7 – Cold Steel Recon Scout
I’ve been using the Cold steel Recon scout for perhaps about 3 years now and it remains one of my favourite knives for a variety of reasons (and one of them being the fact that this survival knife costs less than $200).
The high carbon SK-5 steel blade is easy to sharpen and holds its edge extremely well. The sheath has a leg tie down that gives you an extra spot to connect the knife to the pack while for those who prefer a lanyard attachment; this one comes equipped with that as well.
This knife is now priced at $99 – an amazing deal. I will add this to the under $100 category, but will leave it in this list as well in case the price drop is only temporary.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 7.5″ length, 0.3125″ thickness, SK-5 High Carbon Steel blade, 60 HRC
- Handle: 5″ length, with secure Ex-sheath
- Weight: 15 ounces
#8 – Tops Knives Anaconda 7B
I bought the Anaconda 7B mainly because I was impressed by the aggressive angle of the blade combined with the re-curve cutting surface. A good sturdy knife, it’s short enough for small tasks but long enough for tasks such as clearing brush.
Overall it has a strong tip thanks to the 1095 high carbon steel blade and edge retention is also top-notch. The coating is durable and the grips are very good and while chopping, it caused no hotspots.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 7.5″ length, 0.25″ thickness, 1095 high carbon steel bowie blade with black traction coating, 55 – 57 HRC
- Handle: 5.75″ length, Black Linen Micarta handle and Combat Ballistic Nylon sheath
- Weight: 11 ounces
#9 – Ontario 8604 RAT-7 Knife
Overall the ergonomics on the Ontario 8604 RAT-7 Knife is pretty good and personally, I love knives that have a Micarta handle. Like the knife above, this one too is made of 1095 carbon steel which is durable and effective for cutting and chopping tasks.
Compared to the Kabar’s BK7 & BK9 and the ESEE 6, this one will be better considering it costs less than $100 so that ways it’s a much better value for money survival knife.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 7″ length, 0.3125″ thickness, 1095 carbon steel partially serrated edge blade, 58-60 HRC
- Handle: 7.91″ length, Canvas Micarta scales with Lanyard hole in handle and nylon sheath
- Weight: 12.5 ounces
#10 – ESEE-5 Serrated Black Blade[/easyazon_link
And finally, rounding up my list of the 10 best survival knives fewer than 200 dollars is the ESEE-5 with a Serrated Black Blade.
Well designed and tough, this one, too, features a Micarta handle and comes with a sheath that is made from a formed Kydex that holds the knife in place very well. It also has a glass breaker on the butt to get you out of some tricky survival situations such as sinking car.
Key Specs & Features:
- Blade: 5.25″ length, 0.25″ thickness, 1095 carbon steel with textured Powder Coat finish, 57 HRC
- Handle: 5.63″ length, Rounded Pommel handle (Canvas Micarta) with lanyard hole and Kydex sheath
- Weight: 16 ounces
More Survival Knives Under $200?
I’m pretty sure you would have found a good survival knife that fits your budget from the list above but in case, you feel I’ve missed out a particularly good blade, then do let me know via the comments below.
I’ll try and keep this list updated from time to time so that it features the best survival knives below $200!
If this is a little bit over your budget for the next knife, you should check out my list of best survival knives under $100.
{ 3 comments }
I wholeheartedly agree with the ESEE 5. Unbelievable knife.
Hello,
I have a ontario pilot survival knife which has been very helpful since I bought it eight years ago.
Why don’t you include that one in your article?
As I know it is also a popular survival knife in military.
Thanks.
Thanks for pointing that out Eric. I will have to check that one out – always on the lookout for new knives and gear to look at.
Did you buy it online or at a sporting goods store?
Eight years of use is definitely a good marker of quality. I’ve gotten 7 out of my first KA-Bar (so far!).
At a first glance it looks good.
Also, the price is nice. I’ll be able to include it in the under $50 group. Always exciting to find a good knife at that price point.
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