How to Pick a Survival Knife

Choose a knife with a full tang. The tang is the part of the knife blade that extends into the knife handle. A full tang means that the blade extends far into the handle, providing extra strength, and less chance of blade breakage.

Consider the knife size. Larger knives, though impressive to look at, are often unwieldy in real survival situations. Choose a knife that can handle delicate work, and will be easy to hold in your hand. The blade length should be somewhere between 4 to 6 inches.

Select your blade type. Many companies offer double-blades. These are not ideal for survival situations -- often causing unnecessary hassle and accidents -- while giving no real benefit. Serrated blades are better at cutting clothing and flesh; smooth blades are easy to sharpen and better for cutting wood. Smooth blades are generally recommended for survival situations.

Consider blade thickness. Your blade thickness should be between 5/32 to 8/32-inch to provide maximum strength and precision for delicate work.

Choose a stainless steal or carbon-steel blade. Stainless steel blades do not rust as easily, but they can be more difficult to sharpen. Consider your skills and environment when choosing between these two materials.