Survival Cutting Tools

Survival Cutting Tool FAQs

What survival cutting tools do you offer?

Self Reliance Outfitters offers an extensive selection of heavy-duty saws and outdoor cutting tools for you to choose from. Here's a quick breakdown of some of the different types of cutting tools we have and how they can be useful as part of your survival kit:

Fixed-Blade Knives

Fixed-blade knives are made with a full tang, which means the blade extends from the blade’s tip to the bottom of the handle. This gives the knife a more durable and solid construction compared to folding knives. They're often stronger, sturdier, and used for a variety of purposes. These include cooking, carving, hunting, chopping, and more. A well-made, fixed-blade knife crafted from forged or carbon steel will last for years with proper care and maintenance.

Folding Knives

Light, compact, and easy to carry in your pocket or pack, folding knives are another great option for a cutting tool, especially if you’re into deep wood backpacking and other lengthy outdoor adventures. However, remember that folding knives don't have the full-tang construction of a fixed blade. They're less suitable for general use, but great for tasks such as carving, slicing, and other low-intensity camp activities.

Bow, Pocket, & Folding Saws

Self Reliance Outfitters also offers a variety of saws, excellent for wood cutting and shelter construction. They come in many different sizes and materials, from lightweight aluminum bow saws and pocket saws to durable steel folding saws. Each type is made for efficient packing into your survival bags or hiking kit. Bow saws have strong cutting power for slicing through dense, hardwood logs, while pocket and folding saws do enough to help you cut through smaller branches and twigs.

What features should I look for in a good cutting tool?

A good cutting tool is designed to help you face the challenge of an outdoor emergency while also enhancing your bushcraft skills, even if they are very basic to start. Here are some of the key features you can look for to find one that's right for you:

• High-quality steel: A good piece of steel is durable, retaining its sharp edge and sturdy construction for an extended period, even after considerable use. For the best bushcraft experience, consider high-carbon steel, which you can easily sharpen even while in the wilderness. Stainless steel is also great because it doesn't corrode, which means it can get the job done in humid, wet environments.
• Ergonomic grip: You'll be handling your blade frequently while out in the field. Ensure that your cutting tool has a comfortable grip. The handle should also be made from a non-slip material, with a secure yet easy-to-hold shape. The right handle means you won't have to deal with as much fatigue or pain while cutting or carving other tools, shelter, or firewood for your campsite.
• Versatility: A solid cutting tool does more than just one job at a time. You should be able to use it to carve, cut, slice, split, and finely shave all kinds of objects while you're out in the woods. It might be cliché to say, but it's true that your blade is an extension of you, and should help make survival easier.
• Reliable carry: Your cutting tool should have a fine leather sheath or carry system that precisely fits around it. This protects your knife from moisture and other elements that may cause damage
• Tested & proven: Your blade should also have a proven track record of durable performance and ease of use. Fortunately, Self Reliance Outfitters only carries saws, knives, and other bushcraft tools that have been tested by our expert instructors, who thoroughly review the full capabilities of each item. That way, we can assure you that they'll work to help you survive out in the wild.

What size knife is best for bushcraft & camping?

There is no "best size," but rather the right size that fits your particular environment and skill level. We recommend a general-purpose fixed-blade knife with a full tang, which is ideal for camping and other outdoor activities. You can use this to carve stakes for your tent and (with a small log) use it to split small pieces of wood for your campfire.

Larger knives, measuring approximately six to eight inches, can be effective for tasks such as chopping large pieces of wood and building heavy-duty shelters. However, when it comes to cutting tools, consider having a mid-sized knife for small, fine-cutting tasks, along with a larger knife or saw for processing larger pieces of wood.

How should I maintain my survival cutting tools?

The lifespan of your cutting tools depends on how consistently you perform knife care and maintenance. Make these steps routine with your folding knives, fixed blades, and saws, and you'll have bright, durable survival gear that lasts:

• Keep your blades clean by wiping away moisture, sap, and dirt after each use.
• Dry thoroughly, as this is especially important for stainless steel and carbon steel blades. This practice prevents rust formation and keeps your knife's edge sharp longer.
• Use small amounts of mineral oil after cleaning and drying to provide your blade with a protective coating against moisture and rust.
• Sharpen the blade edge often, using small sharpening stones or pocket sharpeners. You'll maintain your blade's performance and avoid the hassle of a major sharpening job later on.

Which camping cutting tools are the safest for beginners?

The best tools for beginners are easy to learn and use effectively. This includes survival cutting tools that have secure grips, moderate blade lengths, and strong sheaths. Saws and multi-tools are great choices.

Saws use a more familiar and controlled motion, with no dangerous swings that could result in severe accidents. And multi-tools give you a variety of different cutting, screwing, carving, and other valuable tools to use, so you can learn various aspects of bushcraft all at once.

If you'd like to take a step further in becoming a bushcraft expert, we also provide knife-making kits, so you can work toward learning how to make or repair knives under severe conditions.

Which outdoor cutting tools should I use for fire prep?

Fire prepping involves gathering fuel, splitting it down to kindling, shaving tinder, and creating sizable logs. Each of these tasks may require at least one or two of these tools:

• A knife: Ideal for shaving bark and making tinder
• A saw: For safely processing thick branches into manageable lengths

Having at least two of each will make fire prep much more efficient while you’re camping. To ensure your survival gear packing remains efficient, Self Reliance Outfitters offers a wide range of high-quality, lightweight cutting tools.

Should I consider a stainless steel or carbon steel blade?

Both types of steel blades have their own advantages and disadvantages. High-carbon steel blades are easy to sharpen and maintain a fine edge, making carving, cutting, and other precision tasks easier. However, the tradeoff is that they require more maintenance to maintain their edge and prevent rust buildup.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, resists rust and corrosion, but requires slightly more effort to maintain a fine edge compared to high-carbon steel. Blades made of stainless steel are excellent for general, long-term use or as a backup to your other knives in more extreme conditions.

Why get bushcraft cutting tools from Self Reliance Outfitters?

Big-box retailers offer general-purpose gear that may be of questionable quality. Additionally, they rarely train you in survival skills or bushcraft. They also rarely test each item in their inventory to guarantee that the tools you purchase actually work in real outdoor survival conditions.

What makes Self Reliance Outfitters stand out is that:

• Our Pathfinder range of tools is designed and used by experts in the field.
• Every tool in our inventory has been tested for its reliability in extreme conditions.
• Our outdoor cutting tools are crafted from high-quality materials, guaranteeing value and longevity.
• Self Reliance Outfitters’ collection is vast, allowing you to find the right tool for a balanced and comprehensive survival kit.

At Self Reliance Outfitters, every tool we offer is meant to last as part of your reliable survival pack. We rigorously test every single piece in the collection to make sure it adequately helps you prepare, build, and thrive while out in the wild. Explore our cutting tools, along with the rest of our extensive range of outdoor survival gear, today.