This is the definitive BugoutBill.com review of the Best Bushcraft Knives Under a Hundred Bucks on the market for 2023.
If you’re looking for your next camping trip companion, you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve rummaged the market for bushcraft and survival knives under 100 – and we found ten of them that would complete your gear!
But that’s not all…
In this article, we bring you:
- Our verdict for each bushcraft knife under 100;
- Their pros and cons;
- Their detailed features and how they affect the knife’s overall scores;
- Why we chose each metric; and
- Lots more!
When you get to the 10th knife, you’ll be surprised what accessories can go with your bushcraft knife.
Sharpen it up!
The wilderness awaits…
Most of us will agree that a bushcraft knife is a must in the field.
Introduction
In camping, you’re going to do a lot of chores. You’ll need to find shelter, food and survive the unexpected situations that may arise.
At the same time…
You wouldn’t want to be bogged down by too much weight on your shoulders, right? So what you need is a tool that can be used for whatever task awaiting you in the wild.
That’s what a bushcraft knife is for!
It can be used for skinning games, trimming ropes, cutting and carving wood, sharpening steaks, and a bunch of other fun stuff.
But wait…
These knives may look alike. But they vary in razor sharpness, edge retention, blade, grip, handle materials, etc. Some brands have additional features like a belt loop or lanyard hole, a corrosion resistance coat, a flint rod or firestarter, and whatnots.
You’ll have to try each one to know what works best for you.
Guess what…
We did just that! So you won’t have to.
You only need to read on, and we hope that we’ll be able to help you with your next purchase. So, go ahead…
Best bushcraft knife under 100
Best Bushcraft Knife for Camping Chores
KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 10.5 inches (5.25-inch blade) x 1 inch
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Handle: Thermoplastic; Cro-van steel
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.01 pound per inch
- Brand: KA-BAR
Overall Score:
96
The Bottom Line:
A heavy-duty knife for cutting, carving, skinning, and other camping chores.
What’s Good
- Durable
- Sharp
- Comes with a durable Kydex sheath
What’s Bad
- Heavy
- Coating is too thick
Summary
SUMMARY:
What can we say?
It’s one of the best fixed blade knives we’ve tried on the market.
The durability of this knife makes it perfect for all camping chores. In other words, it’s also a very versatile knife.
If you want to cut wood, skin your game, sharpen a steak, just unsheath this KB fixed blade knife, and it’ll do the hard work for you.
That is…
… if you don’t mind the weight. It’s twice as heavy as other knives, so you’d feel the difference.
And the coating is too thick – which makes it not the best to use in starting a fire.
But that’s about the only chore it’s slightly not good at.
And the best thing…
… is that this knife falls mid-range in terms of price. You’ll be satisfied by the value you get from your bucks.
Plus, the Kydex sheath that it comes with is just as durable as the knife itself. Others claimed that it blunts the knife over time, but we didn’t get the same experience.
Just handle it properly, and it’ll last you long enough.
Related: Best Survival Backpack
Best Bushcraft Knife for Carving Wood
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushlore Camp Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 9.25 inches (4-inch blade) x 1 inch
- Weight: 0.44 lbs
- Handle: Hardwood; High carbon steel blade
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.05 pound per inchl
- Brand: Fixed; Condor Tools & Knife
Overall Score:
94
The Bottom Line:
A lightweight bush knife best for carving wood
What’s Good
- Comes with a leather sheath
- Lightweight
- Sharp and durable blade
What’s Bad
- Thick grind
- Less durable handle
Summary
SUMMARY:
At first glance, you can easily tell that this is one of the finest fixed blade knives on the market.
How so?
It has just the right weight for a bushcraft knife, as well as the right blade length. Those features give it a really good balance.
And you’ll have to be extra careful with the blade!
It’s a sharp one. We tested it on performing different tasks. Then we found out that because of its sharpness, it’s the best one for wood carving.
That’s because wood is generally harder to cut than rope, branches, or even animal skin.
However…
The handle doesn’t seem to be as sturdy as the other knives’ handles. It’s made of wood, after all. You’ll have to do some maintenance measures to keep its quality.
And some camping chores would be a little harder to do with a thick grind. So that’s a point off of versatility.
But then again…
The durability and quality of the steel are exceptional. You won’t have to hone the blade every so often.
Plus, it comes with a lightweight, high-quality leather sheath. With this material, there’s no need to worry about causing bluntness to the blade.
And by the way – its price won’t require you to break the bank.
Related: Best Survival Books
Best Bushcraft Knife for Hunting and Fishing
Morakniv Garberg Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 9 inches (4.3-inch blade) x 2.2 inches
- Weight: 0.6 lbs
- Handle: Polyamide; carbon steel
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.07 pound per inch
- Brand: Morakniv
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
A reliable steel blade for hunting and fishing
What’s Good
- Balanced grip
- Durable blade
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- Less durable sheath
Summary
SUMMARY:
The Morakniv falls at the higher end of the price range in this list of the best bushcraft knives. Still under a hundred, but relatively expensive.
You’d expect that it would have an ultra-durable build because of how much you paid for it, but not really. Especially the poly sheath.
That said…
We still recommend this knife for a lot of reasons.
One of them is its razor-sharp blade and the quality with which it was made.
Both the steel and the grip are durable and sturdy. And it cuts exactly as a knife should and more.
But even better…
The spine is smooth and flat yet has sharp edges. Those features combined make a nice knife to pair with a fire starter.
Add that to a well-balanced grip, and you have a great camping companion.
We suggest, though, that you use this product for hunting and fishing.
That’s because, after testing it with different chores, it proved to be most effective in these two particular tasks.
Thanks to its high flat grind, it allows you to push the blade easily through to make sure that you get your game or catch home.
Related: Survival Garden Layout
Best Bushcraft Knife for Batoning
Morakniv Garberg Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 10.4 inches (5-inch blade) x 1.6 inches
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Handle: Thermoplastic; High carbon steel
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.1 pound per inch
- Brand: Schrade
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
A medium-sized knife durable enough for batoning.
What’s Good
- Cheap
- Durable
- Sharp
What’s Bad
- Tight sheath
- Heavy
Summary
SUMMARY:
If you’re on a budget, this one might fit you. It may be cheap, but it’s very useful in the field.
It’s not revolutionary when it comes to sharpness, but it does the job. We found it effective in doing a bunch of camping chores. Who doesn’t love a versatile knife?
Although…
We’re not sure about the coating. Some reviews we’ve read have warned us about chipping. And we did get a little bit of that. But other reviews say it didn’t happen to them.
So we think it’s in the handling.
But what really impressed us…
… is how durable it is. It’s not the best at cutting or carving, but feel free to hit it with a wooden stick to split some wood.
If you don’t mind the weight – which is the only significant disadvantage of this product – you’d be happy to carry this with you.
For such a small price, this one’s quite impressive.
Best Bushcraft Knife for Hunting and Processing Meat
Morakniv Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 9.1 inches (4.3-inch blade) x 1.4 inches
- Weight: 0.34 lbs
- Handle: Rubber; Carbon steel blade
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.04 pound per inch
- Brand: Morakniv
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
Knife with the best grind for skinning game.
What’s Good
- Comes with a fire starter
- Sharp blade
What’s Bad
- Too lightweight
Summary
SUMMARY:
You can get the benefits of this knife from the cheaper products. And it’s so lightweight that it damages the balance.
Still, we recommend this Morakniv knife.
Why?
Because it’s the best one for cutting meat. It might not be the most versatile product on this list. But if you’re camping out for the game, this one’s for you.
Thanks to its grind coupled with the sharpness of the blade, it cuts through flesh and skin easily. You’ll find processing the meat you’ve hunted for the camp like a walk in the park.
Plus…
The sheath has a built-in fire starter. That’s another tool to tick off your list!
Best Bushcraft Knife for Fisherman
Buck Knives 0863BRS Selkirk Fixed Blade Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 9.5 inches (4.6-inch blade); 1 inch
- Weight: 0.5 lbs
- Handle: Micarta; High carbon stainless steel
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.05 pound per inch
- Brand: Buck Knives
Overall Score:
86
The Bottom Line:
The one that’s least prone to corrosion.
What’s Good
- Corrosion-resistant blade
- Cheap
- Comes with a firestarter
What’s Bad
- Less durable
Summary
It’s a cheap knife, but don’t let it fool you.
It’s less durable compared to others on this list. But we found it the ideal bushcraft knife to bring when you want to go fishing.
It’s all about corrosion resistance.
You might doubt it when you don’t see a coating, but it doesn’t need one. Sure, you’ll have to take care of it. Store it dry, and make sure to avoid contact with corrosive materials. But the quality of the stainless steel is good on its own.
Plus…
The additional features are way beyond what you’ll pay for. It comes with a durable injection-molded nylon sheath with a firestarter – very useful for other activities in the camp.
And the balance of this knife deserves a special mention.
Just notice how both the blade length and the weight are ideal. It’s the usual dimensions you’ll find in the best bushcraft knives.
You’ll also love the stylish Micarta handle with a steel bolster. We sure did!
Best Bushcraft Knife for Rope Trimming
Ka-Bar BK-22 Becker Companion Fixed Blade Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 10.5 inches (5.25-inch blade) x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Handle: Plastic; stainless steel
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.1 pound per inch
- Brand: KA-BAR
Overall Score:
84
The Bottom Line:
Knife with just the right sharpness for rope trimming.
What’s Good
- Cheap
- Sharp
What’s Bad
- Heavy
- Handle is not very heavy-duty
Summary
The first thing we noticed…
is that it’s too heavy for such a cheap piece. Plus, the comfortable grip is made of plastic – a pretty lightweight material.
So it’s all on the blade.
It’s solid stainless steel that runs full-tang.
But we hope you don’t mind the weight.
Because…
We don’t want you to miss out on its pros – for a low price.
The blade isn’t razor-sharp, so we don’t recommend it for wood cutting. It’s fine with sharpening steaks to brushing wood. But its flat grind makes it the best one for rope trimming. It’s sharp enough and has great edge retention.
It might not be the most durable, but it sure can compete with the others.
Best Bushcraft Knife for Tree Limb Cutting
Ka-Bar 7503 KA bar, Jarosz “Turok”/Ultramid Handle with Celcon Sheath
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 11.5 inches (6.25-inch blade) x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 1.35 lbs
- Handle: Ultramid; Carbon steel blade
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.12 pounds per inch
- Brand: KA-BAR
Overall Score:
82
The Bottom Line:
Durable sharpened clip blade for cutting tree branches
What’s Good
- Durable
- Sharp
What’s Bad
- Too heavy
- Expensive
Summary
SUMMARY:
Based on the price, you’d expect it to have more features that go with its sheath, like in the other brands.
Sadly, this one doesn’t.
But that’s totally fine.
You’ll still want this knife for its durability. The steel doesn’t easily get rusted. And the sharpness of the carbon blade makes it the perfect knife for performing many camping tasks, especially cutting tree branches.
You don’t want your knife broken just as the branch is, right?
You wouldn’t have to worry about that with this product.
However…
The weight and blade length don’t make it that portable.
But if you don’t mind that, this is recommendable for you.
And it’s a quality blade with a comfortable grip. That’s more than what you’ll usually find on the market.
Best Bushcraft Knife for Soldiers and Cops
ESEE Knives 3P Fixed Blade Knife with Molded Polymer
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 8.25 inches (3.86-inch blade) x 1 inch
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Handle: Molded polymer; Carbon steel blade
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.12 pounds per inch
- Brand: Esee
Overall Score:
82
The Bottom Line:
This knife boasts of a durable and sturdy sheath and comfortable grip.
What’s Good
- Durable
- Sharp
- Compact
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- Too heavy
Summary
SUMMARY:
It’s a very durable full-tang knife — no question about that. And the blade’s sharpness makes it effective in any job that needs to be done in the camp.
And it might be heavy, but its short overall length makes it easy to carry.
Only…
It’s expensive compared to the others on this list. We hoped it had more features to justify the price.
It’s fine, though. Who needs more features anyway if you have a full tang knife as durable and sturdy as this one?
Not to mention…
Its sheath and grip are made of molded polymer. It’s generally a less sturdy material than stainless steel or high carbon – even a genuine leather sheath.
This knife has its own surprises.
We recommend this more for soldiers or cops rather than campers.
Thanks to its compact design and flat grind. Since it’s easy to carry – it even has a lanyard hole – the Esee knife will do better as a self-defense tool.
Best Bushcraft Knife for Adventure Lover
Survival Camping Knife | Fixed Blade Hunting Knife
- Type: Fixed blade; full-tang
- Dimensions: 10.5 inches (5.25-inch blade) x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Handle: Plastic; stainless steel
- Weight/Length Ratio: 0.1 pound per inch
- Brand: KA-BAR
Overall Score:
84
The Bottom Line:
Knife with just the right sharpness for rope trimming.
What’s Good
- Cheap
- Sharp
What’s Bad
- Heavy
- Handle is not very heavy-duty
Summary
The first thing we noticed…
is that it’s too heavy for such a cheap piece. Plus, the comfortable grip is made of plastic – a pretty lightweight material.
So it’s all on the blade.
It’s solid stainless steel that runs full-tang.
But we hope you don’t mind the weight.
Because…
We don’t want you to miss out on its pros – for a low price.
The blade isn’t razor-sharp, so we don’t recommend it for wood cutting. It’s fine with sharpening steaks to brushing wood. But its flat grind makes it the best one for rope trimming. It’s sharp enough and has great edge retention.
It might not be the most durable, but it sure can compete with the others.
Why Trust Us
Simply put…
We’re your fellow lovers of the outdoors. Camping trips, hikes, and fishing are our version of rest and recreation. They’re our way to release the stresses of life.
For sure, you can relate.
And because of that, we prefer the best quality for our gear. We take our adventures seriously, so we don’t settle for less. At the same time, we’re normal people – with kids, other responsibilities, and a budget.
That’s why…
We chose the metrics you’ve seen above – and we’ll explain them even further later on. These are the most important ones for us.
Although…
We’re not knife experts in the bookish sense that we studied how they’re made. Our experience is our education. And we love sharing it with you.
So we hope that this article will be of great help to you!
Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Bushcraft Knife under 100…
1 – Different types of a bushcraft knife
Fixed blade – the length of the knife is fixed.
Folding knife – made for compact storage and easy carrying; the blade and the handle connect at a pivot joint where the blade can be kept safely inside the handle.
Full tang – the blade runs through the overall length of the knife.
Half-tang – the blade runs only up to where the grip starts.
2 – Knife features to look out for
Blade length – or blade size; measured from the end of the handle/grip to the tip of the blade.
Blade sharpness – the primary purpose of a knife is cutting, so it should be sharp enough.
Grind – there are a lot of grind types, and each has pros and cons. The most popular ones are the following:
Chisel – best for woodcutting;
Hollow – best for skinning game;
Convex – most durable and best for chopping;
Etc.
Blade design – involves the grind and the cutting edges of the blade; affects the versatility of the knife.
3 – Product and specifications explained.
Material – there are a lot of materials that can be used for the handle and the blade. Each one differs in durability, weight, convenience, etc. Handles can be made of wood, rubber, or plastic. While blades may be high carbon or steel.
Weight – usually, a knife weighs from 5 to 6 ounces or 0.4 pounds.
Length – blade lengths range from 4 to 5 inches. Any shorter, and you wouldn’t maximize the use. And any longer and it would be less portable.
Overall length – this product spec speaks of its portability; in relation to the weight, this measures the balance.
4 – These are things to consider
A full-tang blade is usually a more durable choice than a half-tang blade. But it still boils down to the materials used.
The corrosion-resistant coating may look cool and sturdy, but nothing beats a blade that’s already rust-resistant in itself.
5 – Jargon buster
Batoning – splitting wood by striking the knife’s spine with a stick/baton to drive it into the wood that needs to be split.
Grind – the cross-sectional shape of a blade.
Bush knife – another term for a bushcraft knife.
6 – Bushcraft knife Top Tipsr
A comfortable grip is more important than a lightweight knife. An ergonomic micarta handle is one of the obvious choices.
The high carbon steel blade is the usual choice for durability and edge retention without breaking the bank.
A Kydex sheath is a cheap yet durable accessory for your knife. But a nylon sheath is a good alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bushcraft knife?
You can take your pick from the bushcraft knives on this list. We’ve detailed out why we recommend these brands, and we hope that this article helps.
Are bushcraft knives legal?
Certain knife types require a reasonable cause for carrying. But generally, bushcraft knives fall into the legal category. Just don’t carry any when you go to sports arenas, gas stations, and other unjustifiable places.
What Constitutes a Bushcraft knife?
A bushcraft knife has a grip/handle and a cutting blade. The blade should be flat, with a tip that’s not too narrow nor too round. It’s only about four inches, much shorter than a survival knife. Supposedly, its blade is versatile because it’s used for a variety of purposes.
Our Analysis. Comparisons & Test Results
Value for Money Rating
Value for Money
Bushcraft knives can be bought for a wide range of prices. But just because it’s expensive, it doesn’t mean that it’s the best.
At the same time…
A cheap knife doesn’t have to be the worst one. And this metric will measure the overall satisfaction we got from the knife concerning its price.
Value for Money Ratings
Balance
This metric is where the overall built quality of the knife is measured. Here, we considered if the blade length is in balance with the length of the grip. Plus, the weight of the product.
These are important specs because they affect the convenience and effectiveness of using the knife.
Balance Ratings
Steel Quality
Nobody wants a knife that easily snaps into two, right?
So we put this metric in to consider the durability of the blade. It’s not enough that it can cut. It has to be able to do so without breaking apart.
Steel Quality Ratings
Blade Sharpness
As opposed to steel quality…
Blade sharpness is the metric that measures how well the knife cuts. There are instances when the steel is durable, but it can’t do its job. So we separated these two criteria.
Blade Sharpness Ratings
Versatility
Bushcraft knives are designed so that when you’re outdoors, you won’t need to bring too many tools. That’s why versatility is one of its most important features.
This metric weighs in how effective the knife is in its many purposes. Namely, cutting, carving, batoning, etc.
Versatility Ratings
Our Final Verdict: Best Bushcraft Knife Under 100
The knife industry is a competitive world… And these brands towered over the others.
They got the top ten scores for good reason – especially the Ka-Bar BK2 Campanion. In versatility and blade sharpness, it won’t let you down. And it’s not even that expensive.
As for the others…
Each has its own expertise. When you’ve decided on the feature that’s most important to you, skim through the article again and get one of yours!
Best Overall Score
Conclusion: Best Bushcraft Knife Under 100
What’s it gonna be?
Holtzman’s Gorilla survival knife is an appealing one. But if you want a budget bushcraft knife that can complete heavy-duty tasks, the Ka-Bar knives are what you’re looking for. Especially our top one.
But all the others have their pros and cons, as you have noticed.
That wasn’t like any other bushcraft knife reviews you’ve seen, was it?
That’s because we really want you to have the best for your next camping trip – or survival adventure.
So, we’ll see you in the wild!
