Probably only beaten by the stick, the knife is a tool older than human civilization and originates from the earliest tools humans created. Some of the earliest knifes were probably made out of naturally formed sharp stones such as obsidian or flint and then wrapped in either animal skin or plant fibres.

Modern knives have of course evolved since and consist of several parts that it is important to know what they are.

The knife consist of:		The blade consist of:
	1. The blade 2. The guard 3. The handle 4. The butt/hilt 5. The lanyard		1. The point 2. The spine 3. The edge 4. The grind 5. The ricasso

Modern knives come in various shapes and sizes depending on their intended use, among them the Survival knife is the tool designed to fit in the best with bushcraft and outdoor activities. Originally a military knife designed for combat, the knife was redesigned for the use of the crew of shot down aircraft’s and helicopters to survive in the wild and make it back from behind enemy lines.

One of the most important parts for a survival knife is to ensure it is durable enough. Material and crafting techniques play an important role here and it is important to know them to avoid buying a knife you then immediately break.

A good survival knife got a fixed single edged blade with a full range tang for durability. The blade should be between 8 to 20 cm in length. A full tang means the metal goes from the tip all the way to the butt of the knife. A partial tang end just below the guard and is usually fixated only with glue or a pin in the handle.

Another important factor is that the spine of the blade is flat and thick enough to handle being hit with a wooden club without breaking. A knife with a poor spine or partial tang will break when used to baton firewood for example.

When it comes to the material of the blade there is a large range of alloys and metals that can be used in knives, all with their own pros and cons. Generally a good survival knife will be made using a good stainless steel, ensuring a very high durability of the knife. The knife will then be very resistant to corrosion as well as durable enough to be used roughly without breaking.

There is also several optional functions that can be added to the knife as well, adding or changing the function of the knife.

• A serrated edge is easier to cut with but harder to sharpen. It can serve as a make shift saw but usually shines more when cutting into thick scaled fishes or other hard materials.

• A fuller can make the blade lighter without sacrificing durability of the knife.

• A rounded point gives the ability to much easier flay animals as well as cut meat into separate pieces without damaging the muscles.

• A gut hock can be added to the top of the spine of the knife, making the field dressing of downed animals easier.