With all the talk of earthquakes, and floods, it’s easy to hop online or get on the phone to buy some insurance to cover your assets, should any sort of disaster strike. What most people are neglecting, is relatively basic and could do far more for you on a practical level than the comforting feeling of paying off your monthly premiums could do. The ultimate goal is self preservation, and this often requires more practical measures, knowledge, and tools to ensure. Survival knives, though mostly misunderstood are one of the key components of a true survivor’s gear.

Knives and bladed instruments have long played a crucial role in the history of human civilization. From their beginnings as simple cutting and hunting tools, to the more savage milestones in hand to hand combat, it’s hard to ignore the influence that cutting implements have had in forging the world we live in today. Though most common folk keep knives for using in the kitchen, and believe carrying a blade as deviant behavior, one must not sorely underestimate the value of survival knives. Something as simple and unassuming as a 3″ bladed knife can serve most of your survival needs.

Simplicity and functionality are of the essence, so avoid gimmicks. A full tanged, fixed blade knives are a good consideration in terms of durability. It’s not necessary to buy an unwieldy hunting knife, though the features of a good hunting knife are a good reference for choosing your preferred tool. Only mere decades before, men carried knives for a varying array of reasons but what was never lost on them was how handy having one around, was. Conduct thorough research, take the time to understand survival knives, and speak with a reputable retailer regarding your needs.

Your very life may depend on the small but concerted effort you apply in your search for the right survival knives. Whether it’s a hunting knife or not, make it a tool that’s truly yours.