Ganzo survival knives: features of selection and review of the best models

Sometimes it is difficult to determine exactly which knife falls under the category of "for survival". Most often, this type includes only models with an ungainly blade, since their design has increased strength, although you can also find folding products that differ in a thicker blade and a number of small modifications that increase the functionality of the tool. However, regardless of the type of design, a survival knife should have the main quality – to effectively withstand the difficult challenges that a person has to face in extreme conditions.

Choosing the best knife for survival, which will cope equally well with different types of work, is a difficult task, since the possibilities of the tool are not unlimited and depend on many nuances. It is optimal to have several tools with different characteristics in the collection in order to be ready for any situation.

We have compiled a list of the main factors that you need to pay attention to first of all when choosing a suitable assistant, as well as a brief tour of the most popular survival tools from Ganzo that can serve you well during your next outdoor trip. How to choose a knife for survival in the forest?

To choose a suitable knife, it is enough to imagine scenarios in which you will need a tool.

Points that require special attention: Terms of Use.

Climate, air temperature, vegetation type are factors that you should prepare for in advance. In a humid environment, you will need a handle with anti-slip textured pads that reduce slipping in a wet palm. Thick and long blades are effective for working with wood.
Experience. It makes no sense for beginners to choose models with a specific shape of the blade that requires special skills in sharpening and products made of fastidious steel. At the initial stage, the optimal choice will be a knife made of inexpensive stainless steel, which has balanced qualities: effective cut, corrosion resistance and durability.
The number of tools in the set. Most users prefer a classic knife – a sharp blade with a comfortable handle and nothing more. But in field conditions, one blade may not be enough. In extreme conditions, functional additions in the form of a sling cutter, flint, bottle openers and other modifications that many modern knives are equipped with can save.

Summarizing the characteristics of survival knives, it is important that the blade is strong and long enough for convenient cutting of small branches, but not bulky. The optimal blade material is wear–resistant stainless steel, which is shock-resistant and easy to sharpen with a portable sharpener. The handle must be made of heat-resistant material. Some manufacturers still produce survival models with a wooden handle, but these are exclusively collectible products that are impractical in field conditions. Choose tools with a rough handle that is comfortable to hold, and pay attention to its length – a reliable grip is guaranteed only when all fingers fit freely on the handle. Top Survival Knives from Ganzo

We hope you will never need a knife for survival for its intended purpose, but for travel lovers and those who need a reliable knife by the nature of their service, one of the following Ganzo models will be useful. Ganzo G8012

Ganzo G8012 is a classic survival knife that offers a variety of functions needed in the field.

The accessory is equipped with a sharp blade made of 7Cr17 steel, hardened to a hardness of 57 HRC. The material boasts durability, resistance to rust and fastidiousness in care. The Drop Point shape is easily sharpened with a simple abrasive, and the thickness of the butt, which is 5 millimeters, ensures that the tool will not break at the crucial moment and will cope with cutting hard materials.

For a comfortable grip, the G8012 has an ergonomic handle with several notches for the fingers, which reduce the fatigue of the brush during prolonged and hard work. The handle is made of smooth ABS plastic with small grooves that minimize slipping in a wet palm. The material is not afraid of low temperatures, does not crack when falling from a height and is resistant to acids. The shape is designed in such a way as to prevent the hand from slipping on the sharp blade while resting on the edge of the blade. Tool Type: Ungainly Blade Shape: Drop Point Sharpening Type: Straight Blade Material: 7SG17 Hardness: 57 HRC Blade length: 115 mm Butt thickness: 5 mm Handle Material: ABS plastic Total length: 245 mm Weight: 356 g

Ganzo G8012 is not just a knife, but a functional tool. In addition to the main blade, it includes a compact flint for making a fire far from civilization and a cullet on the back of the handle in case you need to break the glass of a car or a room window.

The product comes complete with a cast plastic sheath that can withstand mechanical damage, and a nylon loop provides fixation on the belt. In addition to convenient transportation and storage, the case offers another important function – with the help of a built-in metal plate, you can perform basic sharpening of the blade.

This Ganzo knife is suitable for most people who prefer models with a fixed blade and spend most of their time outdoors. However, after a long time of operation, some users may notice that the blade does not keep sharpness for as long as they would like. Therefore, the manufacturer prudently added a sharpener to the sheath. Ganzo G8012V2

The model is an improved version of the Ganzo G8012. In fact, it is the same tool with a similar design and construction, but with 8Cr13 steel.

Both brands 7Cr17 and 8Cr13 are used in budget versions of survival knives and have slight differences. Due to its high content, 7Cr17 has better corrosion resistance, but 8Cr13 is distinguished by a longer sharpening retention. In practice, this aspect will remain almost invisible to the average user, but in the long term, the G8012V2 is more convenient to use for those who do not like to mess with sharpening regularly.

The shape and thickness of the blade of the tool is the same as that of its predecessor, but the length is slightly longer (24.3 versus 24.5 centimeters). There are also differences in weight: the Ganzo G8012V2 knife weighs 356 grams, which is 7 grams heavier than the old version. Tool Type: Ungainly Blade Shape: Drop Point Sharpening Type: Straight Blade Material: 8SG13 Hardness: 58 HRC Blade length: 113 mm Butt thickness: 5 mm Handle Material: ABS plastic Total length: 243 mm Weight: 349 g

The handle is made of thermoplastic and provides protection against accidental slipping of the palm onto the blade. There is a small hole in the tail for the strap that comes with the tool. The paracord is made of synthetic threads and, in addition to aesthetics, has practical significance – it can be used as an alternative way to attach a knife to a bag or clothing.

The model is available for purchase in several color variants of the handle. It is also possible to choose a blade with a classic metallic color or with a special black coating. The scabbard matches the handle and is equipped with a miniature sharpener, a flint and a sharp slinger.

In general, the tool has no cardinal differences from the first model – it is also reliable in working with materials of different densities, but more demanding in care. Ganzo F803

A specialized tool copes with specific tasks better than an EDC-type accessory, and the Ganzo F803 survival knife is suitable for use in the field as well as a scalpel for surgery.

The minimalistic-style model is made of 8Cr13 stainless steel and demonstrates an aggressive cut that can facilitate survival in the wild. Thanks to the combination of a sharp blade, a wide handle that provides notches for fingers for a secure grip, and an affordable price, the product can claim to be a universal tool for use at home, at work, in the garage or on a trip.

Ungainly Ganzo knives cannot boast of compact dimensions, and the F803 is no exception, but massiveness is compensated by wear resistance. A blade 11.3 centimeters long and 5 millimeters thick in total with a weight of 349 grams is a real accessory for a survivalist who will appreciate the power and reliability of a tool capable of curbing wildlife. The product stands out with a striking design that resembles the popular survival tools of the American brand Gerber, and is designed for rough work that requires a lot of strength. Tool Type: Ungainly Blade Shape: Drop Point Sharpening Type: Straight Blade Material: 8SG13 Hardness: 58 HRC Blade length: 113 mm Butt thickness: 5 mm Handle Material: ABS plastic Total length: 243 mm Weight: 349 g

The ribbed surface of ABS plastic feels comfortable in the palm of your hand and does not rub the skin with prolonged use. In the tail part there is a wide hole where you can thread a lanyard for safety, and a small cullet.

The set with an ungainly knife includes a plastic sheath with a wide nylon loop for attaching to the belt and backpack straps. The tool is fixed inside the case with Velcro, which tightly holds the handle in place while the user is moving. On the back side, the scabbard has a small abrasive, screwed with four screws. The plate effectively copes with the fine–tuning of the blade, but requires care - due to the peculiarities of the location, the sharpener inevitably rubs against the pants and the bag material, collecting small threads and dirt particles. Ganzo G735

The knife is the only survival tool in the collection with a folding design. As a rule, such accessories are classified as tourist products, but in this case the definition is justified by the strength and the presence of many additional functions.

If you do not want to limit yourself to a classic blade and want to always have a reliable assistant at hand, then you should pay attention to this model. The G735 compactly folds up to 11.9 centimeters. With a weight of 139 grams, the knife has an advantage over ungainly options that are heavier by 100 grams or more.

The blade is based on 440C steel, which has been widely used in the production of knives for about 60 years and has not lost its relevance until now. The alloy has a high chromium content and is not susceptible to corrosion spots. However, metal is afraid of salt water, so it is better to avoid using the blade while relaxing on the seashore. The thickness in the butt is 3.5 millimeters. This is less than that of ungainly knives, but on the other hand it allows you to perform small work where a thick blade is not able to demonstrate an accurate cut. The length of the blade is 8.6 centimeters. Tool Type: Ungainly Blade Shape: Drop Point Sharpening Type: Straight Blade Material: 440 Hardness: 58 HRC Blade length: 86 mm Butt thickness: 3.5 mm Handle Material: Fiberglass G10 Total length: 205 mm Weight: 139 g

The handle is made of fiberglass G10, which is found in most Ganzo products due to a number of positive qualities and low cost. The composite easily withstands prolonged use at low and high temperatures, has good impact resistance and retains its original appearance even under constant exposure to aggressive environments. The material has a smooth surface that causes pleasant tactile sensations, but does not provide such a reliable grip that it is safe to use the tool in an extreme situation.

A tight clip is designed for transporting the folding, which provides a deep fit in the pocket without a protruding tail of the handle. The capabilities of the Ganzo G735 are complemented by a bottle and can opener, a wire cutter and a wire stripper.

The knife will be an ideal companion for those who prefer pocket-type tools that you can take with you not only on a hike, but also for a walk around the city. However, the user will have to sacrifice the functionality of the model in favor of portability: despite the reliability of the Axis Lock, which is responsible for fixing the blade, it is not designed for increased loads.

At the Enex online exhibition, you can buy Ganzo knives and multitools. Ganzo product catalog on Enex