When you’re out in the wild – regardless of whether you’re camping, hunting or hiking – a survival machete is a crucial piece of equipment. Machetes have been the favored tools of bushcrafters since the very beginning. They’re a super versatile wilderness tool that are most commonly thought of as a tool to cut paths through thick brush and bush, but they can do so much more than that. From heavy duty work like splitting or cutting logs, to fine detailed work like carving wood, a good survival machete can do it all. It’s truly the jack-of-all-trades of the wilderness survival toolkit. In a pinch, they can also be used as weapons (there’s a reason why kukri machetes and their wielders, the Gurkhas, have become so widely known across the world).
A survival machete is essentially a medium length bladed tool that has some heft to it. In terms of weight and utility, a machete falls somewhere in between a survival hatchet and a bushcraft knife. Obviously a machete isn’t going to be ideal for chopping wood, nor will it be as good as a survival knife for cutting or slicing, but a good machete will cover most of the tasks of both an axe and a knife adequately.
In other words, the reason why we love survival machetes is because they’re among the most adaptable and flexible survival tools you’ll find. As we all know, to survive in the wilderness, you’ve got to be able to adapt and problem solve, which is why we think that a good survival machete is an absolutely essential piece of survival gear to have in your wilderness kit.
There are a few different styles of machete as well as some different options for what kind of steel they use. The aforementioned kukri machetes are famous round the world because they’re wielded by the highly respected Gurkhas. There’s the parang, which has an angled blade. There’s the Bolo machete, which comes from the jungle regions of Asia and features a blade that curves and widens. On top of those, there are a few other kinds of knife shapes and styles that you’ll encounter in this list and beyond. The truth is, unless you’re planning to do extremely specialized work, all these styles of survival machete will serve you more or less equally well – it’s really up to you to choose the shape that you think looks and feels the best in your hand.
As for the material of the blade, there’s basically stainless steel and carbon steel. Stainless steel doesn’t rust or corrode, whereas carbon steel can. Carbon steel is also more brittle, and overall needs more care and attention than stainless steel. On the other hand, carbon steel tends retain a sharp edge for longer, and is easier to sharpen. You’ll need to balance the advantages and disadvantages of a stainless steel machete versus a carbon steel machete and come to your own conclusion about which you prefer.
The 7 Best Survival Machetes for Wilderness Bushcraft
Features:
- Made from materials of the highest quality
- Crafted for durability and cutting performance
- 15-Inch blade, made from 5mm-1075 high carbon steel
- Has the classic finish of Condor Tool & Knife blades
- Features a hardwood handle
- Includes a brown leather sheath
The Engineer Bolo from Condor, which is made in El Salvador, is a true competitor in the race for best survival machete. The excellent design and features of this Condor combined with its more expensive price make this our Premium Choice for survival machete.
This Bolo is made out of 1075 high carbon steel and possesses a long 15-inch blade that has been tempered. The 5 mm thickness of the blade makes it a heavily built machete which can easily smash through wood and limbs. It is a truly wonderful machete to have in your pack and can accompany you when you are digging, camping, and cutting or chopping your way through the brush.
The gorgeous hardwood handle has a fairly smooth feel, and it forms an angle with the knife blade which enhances its slicing effect. This perfect workmanship of the handle and the blade makes it of exceptionally high quality and ease of use. Its excellent quality, durable leather sheath resists scratches and is long-lasting.
This machete is solid and forward weighted, meaning that you will need to use only the minimum amount of effort to strike a blow. The weight and shape of the knife generates the right momentum for blows.
This is a serious, heavy duty machete that has some heft to it and is not for amateurs. The exceptional quality of this knife more than justifies it as our Premium Choice.
Check price of the Condor Tool & Knife Engineer Bolo Machete
- Retains a sharp edge and is exceedingly durable
- Great for chopping
- Makes extremely deep cuts
- Excellent control
- A bit on the heavy side
- Expensive
Features:
- 12 inch blade length
- Corrosion resistant black blade finish
- Textured hand grip ensures
- Reinforced nylon sheath
- Limited Lifetime Warranty which covers any defects in materials or workmanship
Designed in Kaneohe, Hawaii by Ken Onion, the award-winning custom knife maker, the 18 inch CRKT Chanceinhell Fixed Blade Machete is the real deal. It offers you a comfortable handle, a generously sized blade, and a reinforced nylon sheath to give you a chance in hell. Its premium design and features make it our pick for best overall survival machete.
The blade is engineered to be strong, to be tough, and to work like an ox. The carbon steel blade is coated with a black powder and is thick enough to keep it durable and reliable even under extreme conditions. Plus, it can be easily sharpened whenever you need to do so, since it has been built for hard use.
When you are in survival mode, your degree of physical exhaustion can literally mean the difference between life and death. So to reduce fatigue and exhaustion as much as possible, the Chanceinhell has an ergonomically designed handle which reduces hand fatigue and which is double injection molded, featuring several lanyard holes so you can vary your grip options. This results in a more efficient cutting action, allowing you to work longer with less physical exhaustion.
The reinforced nylon sheath which houses the machete features a special Velcro belt loop system which can switch between two different positions, either snug against your belt or dangling. It also includes an additional paracord fob for any emergencies or so you can lash the machete onto a truck, a pack, or a mule.
This 18 inch Chancinhell machete with its workhorse 12 inch blade really will give you your best chance of survival.
Check price of the CRKT Chanceinhell 18 Inch Fixed Blade Machete
- Designed by award-winning knife maker Ken Onion
- Extremely durable, workhorse 12 inch corrosion resistant blade
- Comes with an ergonomically designed, comfortable grip which reduces hand fatigue
- Blade can be easily sharpened
- Comes with a wonderful, thoughtfully designed nylon reinforced sheath
- Not ideal for chopping hardwood
Features:
- Overall length of 19.7 inch (50 cm), a weight of 1 pound 6.6 ounces, and a blade length of 13.3 inches (33.8 cm)
- Knife is made with a safety grip handle (black and blade is made out of reliable 3Cr13 Powder Coated stainless steel to provide maximum durability
- Polyester sheath with removable shoulder pouch, leg strap, shoulder strap, and belt loop
- Front quillion ensures additional safety for handler
- Machete features a sharpening stone, a ferro rod, and a lanyard hole
This SCHKM1 19.7in Kukri Machete from Schrade, a manufacturer of tools built on quality, dependability, and fine craftsmanship, is a fantastic entry in the Kukri machete genre. Schrade prides itself in manufacturing a number of the best survival machetes in the world. The great features of this knife, paired with its incredible price, make this our pick for Best Value survival machete.
The 13.3 inch blade of this machete is manufactured from reliable 3Cr13 stainless steel that has been powder coated. The overall length of the machete comes in at 19.7 inches, giving this knife a snake-like appearance.
The weight and the shape of the knife offer a nice balance between facilitating chopping blows and powerful cutting. The black powder coated blade has a sharpness that can even cut paper; the blade is extremely well suited to impact cutting.
The blade holds its edge quite well and is also easy to sharpen and give it an exceedingly sharp cutting edge. The knife comes with a diamond sharpener and a Ferro rod with a striker plate, which is an amazing deal when you consider the price of this knife.
The blade thickness provides it with decent penetration whenever you strike a blow. The well built handle holds the full tang blade up until the lanyard hole, and the safety grip handle offers you a decent grip that provides you with multiple grip positions.
The polyester sheath comes with a shoulder pouch that is removable, leg straps, a shoulder strap, and even a belt loop; this means that you will have a lot of choices for carrying it around as you are busy exploring the outdoors.
You will not have to worry about the knife slipping out of its sheath, thanks to the front quillon. The sheath is not of the best quality, but for the price, everything else about this knife is positively fantastic. You can always replace the sheath with a different one or make your own, if you are not satisfied with the quality. But the durability, design, and construction of this knife coupled with the amazing price help it to earn its Best Value pick.
Check price of the Schrade SCHKM1 19.7in Kukri Machete
- Stainless steel blade made out of 3Cr13
- Excellent, comfortable polyester handle
- Includes a Ferro rod as well as a sharpening stone
- Removable shoulder pouch, leg strap and shoulder strap
- Super affordable
- Great machete for combat
- Sheath is of a medium quality
Features:
- Black Kukri-style machete with carbon-steel blade
- Handle is ergonomic and made from Kragon G thermoplastic elastomer
- Great for clearing campsite, cutting weeds, and much more
- Comes with Cordura black leather combination sheath
- 11 ½ inch blade length; 1.7 pound machete weight
This machete from Ka-Bar, which is modeled after the traditional kukri knife of Nepalese origin, is made in Taiwan and is one of the best survival tools available on the market. It is of an extremely high quality and is quite handy for camping, hiking, clearing brush, and, most crucially, for the purposes of survival. With a blade measuring in at 11 ½ inches, it is relatively short, but its carbon steel blade retains its edge impressively sharp.
This blade can be slightly tricky to sharpen, unfortunately. But the lightness and relatively short length of the blade, in addition to the fact that it is forward-weighted, serves to generate a great deal of striking power.
The machete comes with an agile full tang blade that is thick enough to aid in your chopping endeavors. The Kraton G thermoplastic elastomer handle also features a lanyard hole. This kukri machete possesses surprisingly excellent balance which will provide you with an exceedingly comfortable grip feel.
The Cordura and black leather sheath features a D-ring loop with which you can attach it to your belt in order to make carrying the machete easy and comfortable; the loop swivels when you sit. The smaller blade may create difficulty when you need a longer reach, but the affordable price and overall quality makes this knife an excellent purchase.
Check price of the Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri
- Good balance, flexibility, and comfort
- Lightweight
- Short blade and shape offers powerful forward strike
- Perfect for survival in the wilderness
- Medium price
- A little tricky to sharpen
- Sheath is of medium quality
- Too short for reaching out
Features:
- The angled blade is ideal for clearing limbs or brush
- The high carbon steel blade is robust and easy to sharpen and features corrosion resistance and enhanced strength
- The durability of the knife is boosted by its full tang construction
- The rubber grip is ergonomic textured, which reduces slippage and maximizes comfort
- The lanyard cord that comes with the nylon sheath acts as a guard and enhances grip security
This Bear Grylls Parang Machete from Gerber offers a high quality blade at a very reasonable price. This Parang is a modernized version of the jungle tribesman’s traditional machete.
The heavy blade is specifically shaped and angled to be able to cut through vines, branches, and limbs, which makes it an invaluable tool when you are in the jungle.
The Gerber Parang has a high carbon steel blade; the quality of the steel enhances the strength of the blade, makes it resistant to corrosion, and also makes the blade easy to sharpen. The knife is built with a full tang construction, which makes the knife more durable. The textured rubber grip, which is ergonomically designed, maximizes comfort and control in any condition and also reduces slippage. The Gerber comes with a military grade nylon sheath which is mildew resistant and lightweight.
Also, the knife comes with Priorities of Survival – a pocket guide containing Bear’s survival essentials, as well as land to air rescue instructions.
Check price of the Gerber Bear Grylls Parang
- The angled blade offers a better swing
- Great for chopping through limbs, vines, and branches in the jungle
- The ergonomic textured grip reduces slippage
- Includes Bear Grylls survival guide
- Quite a reasonable price
- Sheath may be slightly difficult to handle for some users
Features:
- This knife features a comfortable Kraton handle with an epoxy textured powder coated 1095 carbon steel blade, a full tang construction, as well as a tactical sheath
- Overall length: 15.20″; hardness: 57-59 HRc; blade grind: flat bevel with secondary flat bevel; blade thickness: 0.250″; blade length: 10″
- Sheath material: leather cordura; sheath type: belt loop
This Ontario SP8 is designed for rescue military, and sporting purposes. The blade itself is made out of 1095 carbon steel, a very good quality steel. The blade with its 10-inch length has a nose which is like a chisel and which is hardened to 57-59 on the Rockwell scale. The machete comes with a Kraton-made handle which will resist the elements very well. The full tang blade offers durability and stability, and the blade also features a saw-like backside which can prove useful in some situations.
The factory edge of the blade is a compounded bevel which is designed to be easy to maintain and durable. The interesting thing about this blade edge is that while it cuts, it splits. The edge is fairly large and will help to split logs and hardwood as you are camping. It is one of the durable machetes we have ever encountered.
The sheath is fairly durable and functional. It is pretty comfortable to hold and to use and also holds the blade nicely.
Check price of the Ontario Knife Company 8683 SP8 Machete Survival 10″ Sawback Blade
- Comfortable Kraton handle
- Epoxy textured powder coated 1095 carbon steel blade
- Amazing durability
- Good grip
- Medium quality sheath
- Slightly more expensive
Features:
- Overall length of 20.2 inch (51.2 cm) with a weight of 1 lb 10.8 ounces and a blade length of 14 inches (35.5 cm)
- Knife is made with a black safety Safe-T grip handle and blade is made out of reliable 3Cr13 Powder Coated stainless steel to provide maximum durability
- Quick and easy access through its convenient polyester sheath that has a removable shoulder pouch, leg strap, shoulder strap, and belt loop makes it dependable and the perfect cutting tool
- You can be secure and confident in the fact that the blade will never slip thanks to the security offered by the curved handle, the finger guard, and the solid grip
- Machete features a sharpening stone, a ferro rod, and a lanyard hole, making you prepared for any situation
This Bolo knife from Schrade is inspired by the Asian parang or jungle machete. Its shape renders it perfect for bushcraft, trailblazing, and paring vegetation.
The 14 inch blade of this machete is manufactured from reliable 3Cr13 stainless steel that has been powder coated. The overall length of the machete comes in at 20.2 inches.
The weight and the shape of the knife offer a nice balance between facilitating chopping blows and powerful cutting. The black powder coated blade has a sharpness that can even cut paper; the blade is extremely well suited to impact cutting.
The blade holds its edge quite well and is also easy to sharpen and give it an exceedingly sharp cutting edge. The knife comes with a diamond sharpener and a Ferro rod with a striker plate, which is an amazing deal when you consider the price of this knife.
The blade thickness provides it with decent penetration whenever you strike a blow. The well built handle holds the full tang blade up until the lanyard hole, and the safety grip handle offers you a decent grip that provides you with multiple grip positions.
The polyester sheath comes with a shoulder pouch that is removable, leg straps, a shoulder strap, and even a belt loop; this means that you will have a lot of choices for carrying it around as you are busy exploring the outdoors.
You will not have to worry about the knife slipping out of its sheath, thanks to the curved handle, the finger guard, and the solid grip. The sheath is not of the best quality, but for the price, everything else about this knife is positively excellent. You can always replace the sheath with a different one or make your own, if you are not satisfied with the quality.
Check price of the Schrade SCHBOLO Bolo Machete Full Tang Fixed Blade Safe-T-Grip Handle
- Stainless steel blade made out of 3Cr13 with great titanium coating
- Excellent, comfortable polyester handle
- Includes a Ferro rod as well as a sharpening stone
- Removable shoulder pouch, leg strap and shoulder strap
- Super affordable
- Great machete for combat
- Sheath is of a medium quality
- Some issues with edge bending
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Survival Machete For Your Excursions
When you’re looking to buying a survival machete, consider all your needs and what you will be using it for. You should also consider the terrain in which you will be using it the most and what kind of vegetation you will need to clear. Also think about what style you look best – while there are minor advantages and disadvantages to both the type of steel and the shape/style of the machete itself, the differences are ultimately relatively minor, so those factors are really down to personal preference.
Any of the machetes on this list will serve you well, but some will be better suited for you than others. We hope these reviews have helped to clarify which of these machetes will best meet your needs.
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