Bushcraft Knife Under $50
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Did you ever think bushcrafting knives could be this fun? We bet not.
Let me tell you…
It is fun – especially when you find affordable ones that can compete against the biggies. In this article, we’ll give you:
- Bushcraft knives that you can buy for less than $50;
- The pros and cons of each product;
- What makes them the best ones on the market;
- The metrics we used to score each knife and why we chose them;
- Other tips and information about choosing knives for bushcraft; and
- So much more!
Are you ready to find the lightweight knife or the heavy-duty knife that you’ve been looking for? Such a knife is right here on this list.
So let’s slice through…
Introduction
Bushcraft knives don’t just differ in handle or blade length or the type of grind, bevel, and shape.
A bushcraft knife is either durable or not, sharp or dull, easy to carry and grip or not, imbalance or balanced, etc.
There’s more to knives that meet the eye.
That’s why we’re here.
We rummaged through the stores – online and actual – to find bushcraft knives priced at most $50.
We found them. And not only that – but we found the best ones too.
Table Of Contents
Table of Contents
From paper tests to actual use during camping, hiking, and backpacking… My friends and I gathered what we observed from the products we bought.
After doing the hard work, so you don’t have to…
We came up with this top list. Hopefully, after reading this article, you find what you’ve been searching for!
Best Bushcraft Knife Under $50
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1 - Best Camping Bushcraft Knife Under $50 - Editor’s Choice Award
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Basic Camping Knife
- Manufacturer: Condor
- Handle Material: Hardwood
- Blade Material: 1075 High-carbon steel blade
- Dimension: 9.63 x 0.13 inches
- Weight: 0.44 lbs
- Type: Scandinavian grind
Bottom Line: This Condor knife is a steal with its durable and perpetually sharp blade for less than $50!
Pros
- Durable and sturdy blade
- Good edge retention
- Great to use with firestarter
- Compact size
- Comes with a durable leather sheath
- Excellent balance
Cons
- Unsafe grip
- Poor finish
SUMMARY:
Considering the prices of other products on this list, Condor knives fall in the middle of the range. But it towers over the others in terms of its overall quality.
The first thing we noticed:
This knife’s build and make look very durable. And when we tried it on different camping chores, we weren’t disappointed.
The blade passed the paper test with flying colors. And when used on wood, the knife just glided through like an ice skater.
Okay, we were exaggerating at that last part. But the point is that, right from the box, this knife is so sharp and well-balanced. And the blade retains the edge so long we’ve only honed it once or twice since we bought it.
Plus, you can use it with a firestarter!
There’s a bit of fall out from the blade’s finish, but it was nothing that an epoxy repair couldn’t fix. Besides, it performs well enough in its main purpose.
Another problem we encountered was the wooden handle. It’s durable and sturdy, but you need to be extra careful with it. Make sure your finger doesn’t slip too far forward because there’s nothing to guard it.
But overall…
Condor is our Editor’s Choice because its advantages far outweigh our complaints about it.
Not to mention its perfect compact size. You can fit it inside your pocket even with its high-quality leather sheath.
Related: Best Survival Knife Under $50
2 - Best Budget Bushcraft Knife Under $50 - Best Value Award
Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
- Manufacturer: Industrial Revolution
- Handle Material: Thermoplastic elastomers
- Blade Material: Stainless steel blade
- Dimension: 8.25 x 0.75 x 1.25 inches
- Weight: 0.18 lbs
- Type: Scandinavian grind
Bottom Line: You can’t go wrong with an affordable yet high-quality knife like the Morakniv Pro S.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Reliable brand
- Excellent grip
- Great sharpness and edge retention
- Durable handle and blade
Cons
- The plastic sheath is not as durable
- Has slight balance issues
SUMMARY:
As soon as we took this knife out of the box, we were impressed by how lightweight it was. It’s almost like carrying nothing.
But it cut through paper, wood, and ropes like no one’s business. There’s no question about the blade’s durability and sharpness (except for the sheath, but that’s all.) It even retained its excellent edge even after several tasks.
Although…
It might be too light for some who prefer a heavier knife. And we think that it’s the feature that affects the balance of this knife.
It’s still easy to use. But the blade length is not perfectly proportional to the handle length, especially since the handle is made of very light plastic.
But we have no complaints about Morakniv.
Ask any outdoor enthusiast about knives, and they’re most likely going to mention this brand. It’s been in the industry for quite some time and has proven its worth.
Its Scandi grind is perfect for bushcraft chores too.
And it’s one of the most affordable knives we’ve seen so far. There’s no doubt it’s our Best Value winner.
Related: Best Bushcraft Books
3 - Best Survival Bushcraft Knife Under $50 - Top Pick Award
Elk Ridge ER-555 Series Fixed Blade Knife
- Manufacturer: Sportsman Supply Inc
- Handle Material: Wood
- Blade Material: Stainless steel blade
- Dimension: 6 x 1 x 1 inches
- Weight: 0.5 lbs
- Type: Drop point
Bottom Line: Combine bushcraft and survival with this durable and portable Elk Ridge knife.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant
- Comes with a lot of surprises inside a hidden compartment
- Sturdy and durable blade and handle
- The sheath was designed for portability
- Affordable
Cons
- The nylon sheath is less durable than the rest of the product
- Slight safety issues on both the knife and sheath
SUMMARY:
At first, we thought that it was a little too heavy for the length. But surprisingly, the knife is well-balanced.
And we found a surprise!
Well, it wasn’t entirely a surprise because we read it in the description. Still, we were delighted to discover the hidden compartment in the handle. And it’s not an empty compartment, mind you.
Inside the handle, you’ll find a firestarter, a sharpening stone, and a survival kit. Guess that’s why this one’s marketed as a survival-slash-bushcraft knife.
And it’s also why it’s our Top Pick – because of its versatility.
Aside from that…
We love this knife because it’s not too far from the bottom of the price range, but there are many qualities to it. That includes its sturdy build and corrosion-resistant blade.
And speaking of the blade…
Its drop-point grind makes it the perfect knife not just for bushcraft chores but also for survival. It can be for self-defense, for slaughtering your camping dinner, even batoning and chopping wood. It’s sharp enough and retains the edge for a long time.
Plus, it’s compact, and the sheath’s belt loop makes it easy to carry.
There are slight issues about the sheath too. It’s not that durable, and the knife’s cutting edge might easily damage it if you’re not careful.
Not to mention that the grip is a little careless because there’s nothing to guard your finger.
But experienced outdoor enthusiasts won’t have a problem with it. And for beginners, at least now you’re warned.
Overall…
This knife is quite the steal!
Related: Best Bushcraft Pants
4 - Best Durable Bushcraft Knife Under $50
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in Stainless Steel Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
- Manufacturer: Schrade
- Handle Material: Thermoplastic elastomers
- Blade Material: High-carbon steel blade
- Dimension: 14 x 4 x 3 inches
- Weight: 1 lb
- Type: Compound bevel; Drop point grind
Bottom Line: Here’s a heavy knife for heavy-duty tasks - and for such an affordable price.
Pros
- Safe and ergonomic handle
- Comes with a Ferro rod and a sharpening stone
- Durable and sharp blade
- Great edge retention
- Great for heavy-duty bushcraft jobs
Cons
- Less durable nylon sheath
- Poor finish and blade coating
SUMMARY:
If you’re looking for something that can do more than skinning, slicing, and cutting – add this Schrade knife to your collection!
We tried it for cutting tree limbs, and it did the job well. To be honest, that’s not something we’d expect from a knife marketed for bushcraft. But heavy-duty jobs are this knife’s expertise.
But not only that…
It has a lot of additional features. It doesn’t have a secret compartment, but the sheath accommodates a firestarter rod and a sharpening stone.
We had some durability problems with the sheath. We didn’t want to ruin it, but it was pretty easy for the stitches to come off. So you need to be extra careful with it, which was a bit disappointing because the sheath made the knife easy to carry.
Another thing we noticed…
The anti-corrosive black coating came off when we tried starting a fire. We thought it wasn’t that much inconvenience because high-carbon steel is known not to rust easily.
But the knife looked a little old and worn when the coating was breached.
Still…
Nothing beats a durable and sharp blade that gets the job done, right? This knife’s grind makes it the best for various camping chores, so you won’t have to carry too much on your back.
Add to that…
This knife’s textured thermoplastic elastomer handle gives you that safe and comfortable grip everybody’s looking for in a knife.
5 - Best Stainless Steel Bushcraft Knife Under $50
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
- Manufacturer: Industrial Revolution
- Handle Material: TPE rubber
- Blade Material: Stainless steel blade
- Dimension: 9.25 x 1.77 x 1.38 inches
- Weight: 0.24 lbs
- Type: Scandinavian grind
Bottom Line: You can’t go wrong with a sharp and durable knife made of high-quality steel.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant blade
- Durable and sturdy blade
- High-quality stainless steel
- Good quality TPE rubber sheath
- Sharp edge
Cons
- Slight imbalance
- Unsafe grip
SUMMARY:
This knife is made of Swedish stainless steel. That’s the kind of steel that’s known to resist rusting better than carbon steel.
That, in itself, gives this Morakniv knife an advantage.
But that’s just the start of it.
This knife still has a lot to offer. Namely…
The sharpness and edge retention of its blade. We used it for light to heavy tasks, and it endured every bit of it.
There’s a slight imbalance, so you need to be careful when using it. Also, safety isn’t one of the handle’s best qualities. Another reason to watch out for your fingers.
But there are more pros than cons with this knife.
Its Scandinavian grind makes it slice and skin with swiftness. And it doesn’t fall behind the others, too, when it comes to the heavier camping chores.
And its stylish rubber sheath is durable enough to protect you from the knife’s sharp edge.
All of that for one of the best prices you’ll find.
6 - Best Grip Bushcraft Knife Under $50
SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
- Manufacturer: SOG Specialty Knives and Tools
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Blade Material: Stainless steel blade
- Dimension: 8.5 x 1.35 x 0.68 inches
- Weight: 0.24 lbs
- Type: Compound bevel; Clip point grind
Bottom Line: For the SOG knife’s grip, your safety and comfort are the priority.
Pros
- Safe and firm grip
- Durable and reliable build
- Good blade sharpness
- Good edge retention
- High-quality and durable sheath
Cons
- Slight imbalance
- Relatively less durable steel
SUMMARY:
One of the most important things about a knife is how you can easily cut stuff with it – without cutting your own fingers.
Sorry for the imagery, but knives are not for the faint-hearted.
That’s the best thing about this knife from SOG.
The whole handle is perfectly attached to the full-tang blade that however hard we struck with it, and there’s no damage. But that’s not the end of it.
It has a textured finger guard that’s deep enough to protect the forefinger from slipping toward the blade. And mind you, it has a razor-sharp edge.
With all those combined, you can have a worry-free and firm grip on your knife.
Our only issue with it, though…
The knife’s blade length isn’t perfectly proportional to the overall length. That made it a little less balanced than other knives.
But it’s only a slight inconvenience. You won’t even notice it if you’re not measuring.
Besides…
SOG is well-known for its durable and reliable products. They’re a bit more expensive than others on this list, but still under $50.
Overall, this knife is more than worth it!
7 - Best Bushcraft Knife Under $50 For Adventures
BPS Knives Adventurer - Full Tang Bushcraft Knife
- Manufacturer: BPS Knives
- Handle Material: Walnut wood handle
- Blade Material: Carbon steel blade
- Dimension: 10.71 x 2.44 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: 0.68 lbs
- Type: V-grind; Straight back
Bottom Line: BPS gives you a bushcraft knife that you can use as a hunting knife to complete your adventures.
Pros
- Comes with a fire starter
- The knife blade is great to use for starting a fire
- Comes with a stylish and high-quality leather sheath
- Good quality steel
- Durable and sturdy build
Cons
- Slight edge retention issues
- Slightly imbalanced
SUMMARY:
This is one of the best-looking knives we’ve seen on the market.
The leather sheath is not just sturdy. It’s also very stylish. Having this looped on your belt makes you look like a classy adventurer.
But of course, we don’t judge a knife by the sheath.
When we took out what was inside, we were quite impressed. Considering the price, this knife is surprisingly durable – both the blade and the handle.
Only, the wooden handle is too light for the blade. That might be the cause of the slight imbalance. But if you grip the knife firmly and carefully, there’s not much of a problem at all.
Besides…
It comes with a firestarter, but most knives have that nowadays. This knife is special because it’s durable enough to use the spine with the rod to make fire.
You can carve wood with this knife, but batoning and other heavier tasks might not be the best for it. The knife blade is sharp, but you’ll have to hone it every so often to keep it useful.
But it doesn’t easily break, which is the more important quality.
And the best thing…
V-grind coupled with a straight-back blade design – and the blade thickness of a hunting knife – makes this the best bushcraft knife for survival adventures.
Why Trust Us
Our outdoor adventures have been of great help to each of us. My friends and I have this as our stress reliever.
So we take our outdoor adventures seriously.
It means that our tools, gear, and bug-out bag are also very important to us. We’ve been doing this for years, and we can say that our experiences are only as good as the stuff we bring with us.
They’re not all expensive, mind you, which is why we wrote this article about low-priced knives that can be your next addition to your bug-out gear.
In fact…
We believe that you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to have the best adventures out there.
To help you with that, we collected our first-hand observations, stuff we read online, and our own opinions. And all of the hard and expensive work – so you won’t have to!
We hope this article is of great help to you…
Buyer Guide: How To Choose The Best Bushcraft Knives Under $50
1. What are the different types of bushcraft knives?
- Scandinavian – short and flat grind, makes it easy to hone; AKA V-grind
- Drop point blade – the point is concave at the spine for a more controlled use
- Clip point – the point is convex at the spine for a sharper edge
2. Features to look out for:
- Knife manufacturers compete against each other based on additional features. But durability and sharpness are still the most important ones.
- An ergonomic grip is of great advantage.
- A knife with great edge retention generally lasts longer.
- Knife blades that can be used with fire starters will save you a lot of money.
3. Bushcraft knife and specifications explained:
A bushcraft knife is a small and sharp tool designed for performing delicate chores in camping, hiking, and survival. Different knives usually differ in the following:
- Handle material – the handle is either wood, rubber, or plastic; they differ in durability, lightness, and grip.
- Blade material – the most common are stainless steel or carbon steel blade; stainless steel is more resistant to rusting, but carbon steel is usually more durable.
- Dimensions – this will give you an idea if the blade thickness and length are what you’re looking for.
- Weight – this will tell you if the knife would be easy to carry on the field.
- Type – you can see where different bushcraft knives are best at depending on the type and style.
4. These are things to consider:
- The sheath may damage your knife’s edge, so it’s important to have one of good quality.
- Firestarters get thinner as you use them more.
- Aside from fixed knives, there’s folding and sliding.
- As opposed to a full-tang knife, there’s the half-tang knife type. But it’s generally less sturdy.
5. Jargon buster:
- Grind – the cross-sectional shape of the blade; different grind means different purposes.
- Ferro rod – a small rod made for starting a fire by striking it with a sharp material that’s harder than the rod.
- Bevel – shape, and grind of the knife’s edge.
6. Bushcraft Knife Top Tips:
- Look for knives that come with sheaths of the same material as the handle. That way, you’ll be sure about its durability against the blade.
- A textured handle provides a better grip. It’s not the most comfortable, but it’s safer.
- It’s better if the lanyard hole is on the knife instead of the sheath. It’s much safer, and there’s less chance of losing the knife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Are bushcraft knives legal?
A - For most countries, knives of a certain length are illegal to carry. Most bushcraft knives don’t come close to the illegal length.
Question 2: What is the difference between a bushcraft knife and a survival knife?
A - Bushcraft knives are generally shorter than survival knives, and they’re made for bushcraft tasks like carving wood, skinning animals, making ropes, etc.
Question 3: What is a bushcraft knife?
A - A small, sharp tool designed for performing many tasks and chores - usually for camping, hiking, and survival.
Round-Up
Now, it’s time to tear apart the metrics that we used to judge these knives under $50. So far, you’ve seen their rankings based on the overall score.
But it’s also important…
That you know what knife towered over the others in terms of each metric. That way, you’ll find the one that most fits your needs.
Our Analysis. Comparisons & Test Results
Value for Money
For this article, we looked, particularly for affordable knives. But still, every penny we let go counts, right? So we chose this metric to consider the satisfaction and the overall value we got for the money we spent.
We considered how relatively expensive or cheap the product is compared to others. And then we look at the qualities, if they’re as expected, or even more.
Value for Money Rating
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Basic Camping Knife
Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
Elk Ridge ER-555 Series Fixed Blade Knife
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in Stainless Steel Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
BPS Knives Adventurer - Full Tang Bushcraft Knife
Balance
This metric is based on the weight to length ratio of the knife. It’s important to note because knives are dangerous tools, and a balanced knife is easier and safer to use.
Aside from the ratio, we scored the products based on our experience upon using them.
Balance Rating
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Basic Camping Knife
Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
Elk Ridge ER-555 Series Fixed Blade Knife
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in Stainless Steel Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
BPS Knives Adventurer - Full Tang Bushcraft Knife
Steel Quality
We considered the material used for the blade. It has to be a reliable one or anything that’s been tested and proven. And then, we note our experience with the actual use of the knives.
High scores in this metric mean that the blade doesn’t break easily. We figured that durability is directly connected to quality.
Steel Quality Rating
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Basic Camping Knife
Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
Elk Ridge ER-555 Series Fixed Blade Knife
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in Stainless Steel Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
BPS Knives Adventurer - Full Tang Bushcraft Knife
SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
Blade Sharpness
If a product scores high in this metric, it has excellent edge retention and performs tasks well. It’s not merely about having a razor-sharp cutting edge.
Knives shouldn’t just be durable. It should be able to fulfill its purpose. That includes skinning, slicing, cutting, etc. That’s why we deemed this metric one of the most important qualities of a knife.
Blade Sharpness Rating
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Basic Camping Knife
Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
Elk Ridge ER-555 Series Fixed Blade Knife
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in Stainless Steel Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
BPS Knives Adventurer - Full Tang Bushcraft Knife
Versatility
A bushcraft knife is designed to perform a variety of tasks. The blades have unique shapes, serration, and grind that sets them apart from other outdoor knives.
It’s also made compact so you won’t have to carry too much when you go outdoors. This metric is about the number of tasks a knife can do and how well it performs them.
Versatility Rating
Elk Ridge ER-555 Series Fixed Blade Knife
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in Stainless Steel Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Basic Camping Knife
Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
BPS Knives Adventurer - Full Tang Bushcraft Knife
Our Final Verdict: Best Bushcraft Knife Under $50
Did you find the camp knife that you want?
Is it our Editor’s Choice Condor? Its durability and sharpness will last you years of outdoor adventures.
Or is it our Top Pick Elk Ridge? Surely, with the variety of tasks and chores you can use it for, it’s quite the steal!
And don’t forget our Best Budget Morakniv Craftline Pro S. A cheap knife of such great quality is a rare find.
Go ahead and pick a full-tang knife to add to your collection!
Best Bushcraft Knives Under $50
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Basic Camping Knife
Morakniv Craftline Pro S Allround Fixed Blade Utility Knife
Elk Ridge ER-555 Series Fixed Blade Knife
Schrade SCHF36 Frontier 10.4in Stainless Steel Full Tang Fixed Blade Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
SOG Survival Knife with Sheath
BPS Knives Adventurer - Full Tang Bushcraft Knife
Conclusion: Best Bushcraft Knife Under $50
The award winners are promising, aren’t they? You won’t get disappointed with any of them.
And the others have great qualities too.
Like the lightweight Morakniv knives. But if a heavy-duty knife is what you’re looking for, go for a Schrade knife.
And if you shell out a few bucks, your fingers will get the utmost safety with SOG.
But of course, the final verdict is yours.
So take your pick, fellow adventurer.
And we’ll see you in the wild!
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