Survival Knives to Catch Fish

Having the right tools in a survival situation can be the difference between life and death. Without access to modern fishing equipment, a makeshift harpoon becomes a necessary and, with practice, an effective fishing implement. There are specific design features to consider when choosing a survival fishing knife. As with all survival gear, quality, reliability and weather-resistance are of paramount importance.

  1. Features

    • Fishing-knife blades must be sturdy and around 5/32-inch to 8/32-inch thick. The sturdiest knives have a fixed, full-tang blade (the blade's metal extends along the entire length of the handle) and are offset or notched to hook the fish once speared. Their handles must be fixed and narrow, or skeleton-shaped, to be fitted onto a makeshift spear.

    Materials

    • Fishing knives must be corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel repels rust well, but can be difficult to sharpen. Carbon steel holds an edge better than stainless, but should be powder-coated to stand up to the elements. Handles may be plastic, rubber or glass-reinforced for additional strength.

    Types

    • The most versatile and reliable survival knives are designed for tactical military use. The S.O.G. Navy SEAL Pup and Becker BK7 Combat Utility knives were designed for maximum strength, portability and water resistance. However, general-purpose survival knives are not specifically engineered for spearing game. The Hoffman Harpoon and S.O.G. Spirit Spear knives feature slender profiles and offset, arrowhead blades perfect for catching slippery fish. While great for this specific purpose, their lack of a full-grip handle limits their effectiveness in other survival applications. A neck-sheath knife combines the versatility of a tactical survival knife with a fish-and-game harpoon. The Becker BK11 and Hoffman Lite Hunter are light-weight, full-tang knives with skeleton handles designed to be lashed to a spear.

    Considerations

    • Survival fishing knives must be easily sharpened. Serrated blades cut flesh quickly and easily, but are harder to sharpen than a regular, straight blade. Though hollow-handle knives offer convenient storage for essential survival gear, this feature significantly weakens the knife. Spear and fishing knives must withstand the thrashing of a caught fish and the jolts from a missed throw. Special restrictions may apply for recreational spear fishing. Check with your local Fish and Game office for specific rules and licensing information for your area.