Survival knives appeared during World War II. Pilots and soldiers needed a reliable blade for emergency situations - from chopping branches to piercing the skin of an airplane. Therefore, the first models were very massive and had a saw on the spine, designed for cutting metal. Later, in the 1980s, survival knives began to be equipped with a portable emergency supply (PES) hidden in the handle or sheath. In fact, they became multifunctional tools with firesteels, a compass and other tools necessary for survival in the forest and extreme situations.
A high-quality survival knife usually has a full tang design with a thick spine. It must withstand chopping branches, impact loads and maintain good cutting properties. The most popular models of survival knives are produced by TOPS, Ka-Bar, Aitor, ESEE, Cold Steel, Extrema Ratio. Most often, D2, 1095, N690 steels are used for manufacturing. Micarta, G10, thermoplastic or leather handles provide a secure grip in any weather.
Some knives come with MOLLE sheaths, survival kits, and sharpeners. A good survival knife will come in handy on a hike, hunting, and in extreme situations.