5 Best Swiss Army Knives for Survival

50.00% of users selected Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife, 16.67% selected Swiss Army Champion Plus Pocket Knife, 0.00% selected One-Hand Trekker Multi-Tool Pocket Knife, 0.00% selected Swiss Army Camper Pocket Knife and 33.33% selected Swiss Army Pocket Knife - 93 mm - 9 Tools. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

A Swiss Army knife is a pocket knife or multi-tool that has many tools such as a corkscrew, scissors, nail clipper, etc. It’s important to note the difference between a pocket knife and a Swiss army knife – they are not necessarily interchangeable terms. Pocket Knives tend to have one primary blade with some additional features while the best Swiss army knives for survival will include several tools in addition to sharp blades. 

Do you want to be prepared for anything? One of the best ways of being prepared is by having a knife nearby. The Swiss Army Knife has been around since 1891, and it’s still going strong today! In this article, experts will take a look at 5 different knives that are perfect for any survival situation. The guide covers the knives’ pros and cons, what they’re good for, and more importantly – what they’re not good for.

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife – the Editor’s choice!

This nifty little tool takes care of all your sharpening, jabbing, and slicing needs with a few flicks of the wrist. Less than an inch in size for easy transport, it won’t weigh you down at all.

The compact, agile, and ready to face any adventure head-on Victorinox Swiss Army Knife has a stainless steel construction that’s resistant to anything life can throw your way. This multifunctional tool is portable enough for everyday carry and survival tasks. It is backed by the quality Victorinox promises with its lifetime guarantee of uncompromising dependability for you!

Be prepared for anything, anywhere with this Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife. Lightweight and compact enough to carry around everywhere you go, this quality-made knife is a resourceful solution for all of life’s happenings.

Victorinox Swiss Army Climber II Pocket Knife – the best for durability!

Everyday adventurers rejoice with 14 tools to equip you on every outing such as a bottle opener, toothpick, and nail file so nothing can stand in your way of fun!

Nylon handles ensure that the blade stays firmly planted in your pocket until called upon. So whether your next adventure takes just around town or ends up off-the-grid far away from urban amenities, this knife has something for everyone and will truly last a lifetime!

With 14 functions, the Climber II knife will be your go-to tool for everyday adventures. With a compact design and nylon handles, you can carry it with you anywhere without worrying about weighing yourself down or having to worry about where it is. What’s more, the action on this knife is very smooth and clean with a satisfying snap.

Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker Multi-Tool Pocket Knife – the best for easy access!

This tool is comfortable to hold with grip spacing that flows nicely through your fingers, features are strategically placed just where you need them which means work quicker up close or from mid-range distances.

The flathead snaps into position halfway and actually locks in the fully open position. This saves on space as it doesn’t come completely undone when opened wide to use other tools depending, but once it’s set up this way, it really locks into place tight.

The Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker Multi-Tool Pocket Knife is a two-and-a-half-inch all-around tool that can be opened with one hand. It includes those tools you need for those jumping out of airplanes or those enjoying camping, trail running, hunting, or fishing trips away from the site cabin.

Victorinox Swiss Army Camper Pocket Knife – the best for design!

Weighing less than 3 ounces, this sleek design packs a powerful punch with razor-sharp blades that are essential if you are ever caught out of doors unprepared for anything life may throw at you.

It also includes an extraordinary saw that can cut through splints or limbs quickly when needed as well as tweezers which will come in handy if there are any pesky splinters getting under your skin that have yet to break through. Its nylon handle makes gripping easy, even slick hands.

One of the great camping essentials, this Swiss Army knife will do all you need. The blades are sharp and durable, lightweight, and it’s got tools to cut splinters out of your fingers for those pesky ticks.

Victorinox Pioneer X Alox Swiss Army Pocket Knife – the best for the handle!

It has 9 functions that are strong enough to use for survival purposes during an adventure but also great for everyday life – large scissors, penknife blade, serrated blade, scalpel blade with bone saw on the backside. And since it is both budget-friendly and made from durable steel so you can rely on it without the worry of breaking or dulling over time.

Whether you’re looking for a quirky little toy or something to save your life, this knife is perfect. You should buy it because it has an affordable price, and is strong enough to handle heavy work one day and delicate work another day. Also, sharp scissors make cutting easier.

Bring the Victorinox Pioneer X Alox Swiss Army Knife along, since it will spare your hands from long hikes and save you in survival situations. The 9 tools are strong enough for any type of task, while the sleek Alox handles give it an old-fashioned feel that makes this knife ideal for both roleplay and everyday carry!

The Buyer’s Guide

Benefits of a Swiss Army Knife:

• Comfortably fits in one hand using single-handed opening mechanism;
• Blades made from high carbon stainless steel and other durable materials;
• Tools lock firmly into place within the handle to prevent accidental slippage;
• Lightweight and compact design;
• Many versions come with a lifetime warranty;

Types of Swiss Army Knives:

• Classic SDs. The Classic SD is the standard Swiss Army knife that everyone knows. It comes with just 5 implements: a small blade, nail file, tweezers, toothpick, and key ring. But if you know which other tools to add on it can be one of the best options for everyday carry (EDC) purposes;
• Tinkers. The Tinker is the Swiss Army knife for tinkerers, hobbyists, and collectors. It’s ideal if you want to turn your Classic SD into something super-customizable by adding tools like a magnifying glass, fish scaler, or mini-saw;
• Evos. The Evos is a modernized version of the Classic SD. It has been made slimmer so it can be used comfortably in one hand and comes with handy tools like scissors, LED light, magnifier, and screwdriver that fold into its handle rather than hanging out on the knife’s body when not needed;
• Rangergrips. Can be perfect for people who want more than the Classic SD but don’t need all of its features. It comes with 12 implements, including a wood saw and fine screwdriver instead of just two knives on the original version plus it’s made from lightweight fiberglass-reinforced nylon scales that are impact resistant up to 300 pounds;
• Swiss Champ. The Swiss Champ is the standard-bearer of all Swiss Army knives. It comes with 33 implements, more than any other type on this list and it even features a special blade for cutting electrical wires so you can stay safe around electricity. It’s a little too heavy and bulky to be used as an everyday carry knife, but excellent for camping trips or just your toolbox at home;

Main Features:

The purpose for the Swiss Army knife

The Swiss Army Knife is mainly used for survival. There are many different types of knives that can be used during emergencies, camping, or hiking trips and the purpose they serve depends on their features. 

It’s important to know what you need your knife for so it will work best when needed most. If you’re unsure about which type would suit your needs best, there are plenty of resources online where users review products based on real-life experiences with them. This way you can better understand which features are important to have in a knife.

Folding or non-folding? 

Folding models feature locking blades that can be opened with one hand, while most people who use a keychain model prefer it because they don’t have to worry about carrying an extra knife sheath around in their pockets all the time.

Grip and ease of use

Swiss Army knives come with many different grips depending on what sort of tasks it needs to do. One end will likely have pliers while another has a blade or scissors, etc. 

However, if your knife doesn’t naturally sit well in your hand then you won’t be able to use it properly when under stress from an emergency situation! Make sure that any tool designed for the outdoors easily fits into your hand so that it can be used quickly without fumbling around too much. 

Material and durability

Manufacturers often combine these materials for different purposes. Some metal combinations will hold their edge better than others or have increased strength making them less prone to breakage. 

There are 2 main types of metals used in knives:

• Stainless steels are great materials because they do not corrode easily, but won’t keep an edge as well as carbon steels nor be quite strong enough for heavy-duty tasks like splitting wood with your knife being swung through it – but that’s where HCS comes into play! The most common Swiss Army Knife made from this type of metal is the Swiss Champ;
• HCS is a combination of carbon and chromium, which makes it pretty much indestructible! The metal can withstand high temperatures without being affected or losing its strength like stainless steel might do in such conditions. You’ll find that most new Victorinox knives use HCS because this material has allowed them to make their blades even thinner than before (and some models are rumored to be as thin as paper!). Of course, there comes a price for cutting edge technology: these types of metals won’t keep an edge quite as well, but will still sharpen up with ease when you need to touch up your blade after lots of work done on relatively soft materials – which brings us nicely onto the next factor to look out for;

The Rockwell Hardness Rating is a term used in metallurgy that tells us how hard or strong the metal is—the higher it goes, the harder and stronger your knife will be. 

A good example of this is survival knives which are often made from carbon steels because they can hold an edge better than stainless steel but still have other qualities needed for surviving harsh conditions such as corrosion resistance. If you want something more durable, pick models with high HRC ratings (62+ if possible). 

Most Swiss Army Knives sit somewhere between 55-58 on average so aren’t quite up there with some cheaper alternatives available but should do just fine when using them mostly around home/camping etc. Otherwise, you’ll want to consider something more robust such as a CRKT M16-14ZSF or an Ontario RTAK II.

Another thing to look out for is the tang, which means how far the metal extends into and through the handle of your knife (the part that holds it together). The full length of this should mean that there won’t be any weak spots between where the blade attaches to the handle – a common problem with cheaper models. A partial tang will still hold up fine but might not last long if put under too much stress such as whittling wood regularly (it would also make sharpening harder), while a hidden/stamped steel one would almost certainly break in these types of conditions so you should avoid these types of knives.

Size and weight 

You want it big enough that you can use whatever tool you need for your task, but not so heavy or large that it becomes cumbersome in climbing gear or on-the-go situations like backpacking. Most experts recommend choosing knives with blades of 3 inches (about the length of an iPhone) or less; anything larger than this may be too bulky for convenient carrying. 

Here is what you should look for in the dimensions for Swiss Army knives: 

• The 2-inch blade is the minimum size for a pocket knife;
• 3- or 4-inch blade is recommended for an all-around use Swiss army knife;
• Anything larger than this may be too bulky for convenient carrying; 
• It should weigh less than 6 ounces;

Portability

Every good survival knife should be compact, lightweight, and portable. 

If you are a bug-out bag carrier, then the weight of the tools in your pack will definitely matter to you. You need something that won’t add too much weight to it and at the same time, has all the features required for survival purposes. On one end of extreme portability would be Swiss Army knives like Victorinox Spartan or Wenger Esquire that only have up to seven functions like a blade, saw, and screwdrivers (and sometimes scissors). 

These two knives come with their leather sheath so they don’t take extra space when carried around; these also weigh less than half a pound each! You still get to choose between two blades – one is straight and the other serrated. These are perfect for emergency purposes but it’s not very handy for serious camping or hunting trips as they lack features like saw, file, etc. that would come in really handy during those times. 

The next level of extreme portability starts with knives having up to 15 tools that have more functions than usual pocket knives so these can take care of all your needs while you are out there camping, fishing, or hiking. 

For instance, the Alert-All 110 survival knife has a blade, file/saw combo, wire cutter, bottle opener, and screwdrivers just enough for emergencies at home whenever something breaks down! It also comes with its own leather sheath so no space is wasted when carried around. It’s also small enough to fit inside your pocket without making too much of a bulge. The choice between two blades is still there, one serrated and the other plain edge. 

The next level up would include multi-tools like Leatherman Skeletool that has tools including straight/serrated blade combo, pliers with wire cutters & hardwire cutter, bit driver with four bits among many others all packed into its lightweight body weighing just five ounces!

Color and Design 

Some Swiss Army knives come in a variety of colors to choose from:

• Black;
• Blue;
• Red;
• Camouflage;
• Gold/shiny;

There are so many designs to choose from as well:

• Camouflage;
• Skulls;
• Stainless steel start-up logo on the blade;
• Engraved names or initials on the blade;
• Engraved names or initials on an emblem that’s attached to the knife handle; 

Price

There is a big range of different prices for the best Swiss Army knife. For example, you can get excellent quality and very popular Victorinox Huntsman Knife for $50.  On the other side, there are some Swiss Army knives with a price of more than $400. 

You can get a great Swiss Army knife for $20-30, and pay more than $100 if you want to get the best quality.

The price of such knives depends on different factors: durability, size, materials used in the manufacturing process, etc.

Don’t be fooled by looking like a pro – instead, think about what exactly do you need during emergency situations and choose your perfect Swiss Army knife according to that! 

Functions and Tools

A Swiss army knife is an essential tool on every camping trip especially when you are lost in the woods for days like Bear Grylls (the guy off Man vs Wild). A multi-tool with a sharp blade will make it easy to cut wood for fires, prepare food by skinning animals, or cutting fruits. 

The “Body” is the largest part of any Swiss Army knife, which contains tools such as a blade, can opener with a small screwdriver that doubles as an eyeglass screwdriver and wire stripper. Both ends are used to tighten or loosen objects but one end of it has a flathead so you can also use this on your own bolts if they’re too tight without using pliers first. It’s usually made extra sharp in case you ever need to cut through something tough like seatbelts. 

That is why you should use a Swiss Army knife with such tools and functions:

1. Pliers of a multi-tool come in handy if there’s any need to pull out nails from boards or grips stuck under seats. These features also help you put up tent poles if they get loose after some time outdoors without rain fly coverings. You can even use the pliers to tighten up knots or grab small objects with the hook;
2. A pocket sharpener will help you keep your blade razor-sharp for years of use without needing frequent visits to the local knife store where they’ll charge you more for repairs than buying new knives; 
3. A flat screwdriver or bottle opener, but is more often utilized for Phillips screws and other larger fasteners where the blade would prove clumsy to use;
4. A straight pin can also help with small tasks such as removing splinters.  When not in use it fits into the “body” of a handle on most models (the Swiss Champ doesn’t have a body). The knife’s keyring holder may also hold several keys which will make finding your car’s door key easier if you ever lose all three at once. In addition, there are reports that some people have attached fishing hooks to their Victorinox knives’ corkscrew for use as a makeshift fishing line;
5. A “nail file” is a roughly triangular shape that allows the user to manipulate and remove fingernails, splinters, or other objects from tight spaces. It can also be used for sharpening quills. Some people have attached fishing hooks to their Victorinox knives’ corkscrew for use as a makeshift fishing line. A nail cleaner may come in handy if you ever need to clean your nails without water & soap after spending days outdoors on an adventure trip with limited supplies;
6. A toothpick/tweezer combo tool has been built into some models since 1959. A toothpick is useful when eating snacks such as peanuts where they tend to are stuck between teeth or under your nails. You can also use a tweezer to remove small splinters from your skin or pull ticks off without squeezing the tick’s body. Be careful not to prick yourself with this tool while reaching into cracks because it has happened in some cases and resulted in infections. If you’re using these tools for their intended purposes, then there should be minimal risk of injury but accidents do happen so be mindful of your own safety.
7. A “keyring holder” is usually found on key chains, which can be attached to the main knife body through its small eyelet hole. This tool typically has a rounded edge so you can hook it onto another object and use various attachments such as carabineers or tape measures for unique tasks.[26][27]. The SwissChamp model contains an even larger screw that allows it to hold items with thicker rods like reels;
8. Scissors is a common tool found in most Swiss Army knives and it can be used for various purposes such as cutting plastic tape, paper, or food items like carrots; 

Additional Tools and Accessories:

• A fire starter. What could be worse than being stranded without any means of making a fire? This is where having an extra tool or two comes into play. Some knives have built-in flint that can create sparks when struck against steel while other blades include magnesium sticks intended specifically to start fires. Having one or both ensures you’ll never be left out in the cold if disaster strikes unexpectedly during camping trips or family vacations;
• Paracord. More commonly known as “parachute cord”, this is a must-have tool for any survivalist. Paracord comes in many different colors and can be used to build shelters or even snares to catch a small game during hunting trips. It has endless uses that are only limited by your imagination;
• A wire saw. If you find yourself without shelter but have access to trees, having the ability to cut branches down will definitely come in handy. While not nearly as effective as an actual saw would be, a Swiss Army knife with a built-in wire cutter makes short work of smaller logs when it matters most;
• Compass/GPS locator. Having these items along on outdoor adventures could make all the between life and death depending on the circumstances. It’s a good idea to have some sort of navigational tool on you at all times while camping, hiking, or exploring unfamiliar territory;

Tips for Using a Swiss Army Knife to Survive

There are a few things to keep in mind when using your Swiss Army knife as part of your survival kit: 

• For one thing, you’ll need to practice with it and make sure that you can actually use the functions efficiently before you even think about taking it into the wild! Ideally, if possible, take an outdoor class on how to survive without all of our modern conveniences like heaters and flashlights (it’s not impossible). You should also consider what kind of terrain or environment will be around where ever you end up stranded – for instance, does it have lots of trees? If so, then maybe bring along a saw instead;
• This is just one tool out of many different tools available to help you survive. Don’t go overboard and bring everything with you – choose the items that will be most useful to you in an emergency situation and leave the rest;
• Keep it sharp. You’ll need a good knife for cutting things like cords, vines, or branches. If your blade gets dull on your trip, don’t worry about having to replace it just yet – simply sharpen up those blades yourself by using another item such as a rock (like we’ve shown above) or even sandpaper if you come across some while walking through the woods. Simply run along one side of the blade at an angle until satisfied with how sharp it is again. If there’s too much friction between each step when traversing over rocks or other debris, then it’s time to sharpen your knife;
• Keep the keychain small. You’ll want to keep this tool as light and compact as possible so that you can attach it to your belt or backpack without discomfort or inconvenience during long hours of hiking. Don’t get too carried away with adding every little thing on there;

FAQ

Is a Swiss Army Knife good for survival?

 Yes. A Swiss Army knife is one of the most versatile tools in your outdoor survival kit. They are compact, lightweight, and durable.  They are also designed for specific outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and camping.

The best knives for survival should have at least the following features:

• Stainless steel construction to resist rust and corrosion from humid environments;
• Solid metal handle scales made of aluminum alloy or other durable material;
• A good weight ratio between the blade length and overall weight of the knife’s body – larger blades are heavier;
• Adequate warranty coverage is also important because it may take several weeks to get a replacement if there is a problem with the knife;

What is the most useful Swiss Army Knife?

There are many Swiss Army knives on the market, and it’s important to know what features you need for your purposes in order to make sure that you get one of the most useful ones. The Victorinox Swiss Army Hunter is probably the best choice if you’re looking for a knife with lots of tools but also want something lightweight which can be carried around easily. There’s almost nothing this little beauty cannot do! It comes very close to being the perfect survival tool.

As far as keychain models go, SOG has done an excellent job with their Twitch model – great tools at just over 2 ounces, plus solid construction and nice looks too. If there was anything missing, then perhaps they would have had a perfect product.

Are Swiss Army Knives good for EDC?

Swiss Army knives are much more than just tools for your EDC. They can be used as makeshift weapons in dire situations, and the best Swiss army knife has all of the everyday tools that you would need to win any survival situation you might face.

These types of knives typically include a main blade, serrated edge blade, scissors, nail file/cleaner tool, tweezers, and toothpick plus many other features like bottle openers or corkscrews depending on whether they’re foldable or not. You’ll want to make sure that whichever model you choose is durable enough for whatever tasks you need to complete.

Which is better – Victorinox or Wenger?

The Victorinox and Wenger Swiss Army knives were both originally produced by the same company, but in 2005 a corporate buyout caused a split. Now they are owned separately with completely different management teams. In 2013, Victorinox acquired all of the rights to use the “Swiss Army” – the styling knife from Wenger SA. So now it is safe to say that there is really only one original Swiss Army Knife brand – Victorinox! 

Why should you carry a Swiss Army Knife?

A Swiss Army Knife is an essential survival tool for bushcraft, camping, and hiking. It’s also a handy item to carry every day because it offers so many uses in one compact package! A knife can be used as a saw, tweezers or toothpick, nail file – the possibilities are endless with this versatile gadget. 

Every time you buy your favorite coffee at Starbucks just slip out your trusty pocket knife to open up that drink lid without having any stress of spilling all over yourself on your way back home! 

A large knife blade, nail file/screwdriver combo, bottle opener, and corkscrew are some of its most common features. Some knives even contain scissors (perfect for cutting hair!) and tweezers (the most practical way to remove ticks).

Is it legal to carry a Swiss Army knife?

Swiss Army knives are legal to carry and ship in the United States. However, there may be certain restrictions depending on where you live and what knife model is being carried. 

For example, the following states prohibit anyone from carrying a pocket knife of any kind: California, New York, and Texas. And in Virginia it is legal to carry a Swiss Army knife but only if the blade length doesn’t exceed three inches in length or width.

Why is there a corkscrew on a Swiss Army Knife?

The corkscrew is one of the oldest tools found on Swiss Army Knives, dating back to 1889. It has been used for opening wine bottles since then and was only recently discontinued in 2017 – now it’s included as part of a larger can opener tool.

When you are looking at survival knives with corkscrews, make sure they include an additional can opener tool or try using two separate tools instead (like two sporks) if possible! This will give you more utility out of your knife when it comes time to open cans or drink from glass bottles/flasks.

Can you start a fire with a Swiss Army Knife?

That depends on the knife. The best Swiss knives for survival are made of stainless steel, but not all have a serrated edge that can be used to start fires with wood shavings or other fibrous materials.

Can you use a Swiss Army Knife as an axe?

In general, no. The best Swiss knives for survival are not designed to be used as axes or hammers because they can break easily and the blades do not have a sharpened edge on the backside of the blade. 

What are the emergency uses of a Swiss Army Knife?

The most common use is to cut through things like rope, clothing, and even food. The can opener on some knives can be used as an emergency screwdriver for hardware or screws that need tightening. A toothpick also comes in handy when you least expect it! 

What are the limitations of a Swiss Army Knife?

Swiss knives for survival are only as good as their tools, so it’s important to have at least one with all-metal construction. The best knife will also come with several blades and other useful features like scissors or pliers.

At what age can a child use a sharp knife?

Children should never be allowed to use a Swiss army knife or any other sharp, pointy object without supervision. 

Can you carry a knife for self-defense?

You can carry a Swiss Army knife for self-defense, but not in all states. Check your state laws about legality and restrictions before you buy one with a lock blade or spring release mechanism that could be misused as an offensive weapon.

Useful Video: The Best Victorinox Swiss Army Knives: Top 10 in 2021

Final thoughts 

The guide has focused on 5 different knives that are perfect for any survival situation. The guide covers the pros and cons of each knife as well as what they’re good for and what they aren’t so great for. If you want to be prepared in every way possible, one of the best things you can do is have a knife close by. Hopefully, this list helps! Which would you choose?