Survive! Knives

Overview

Survive! Knives was a small custom knife maker based in Idaho, producing fixed-blade knives that gained early popularity through positive reviews in the survival and outdoor markets. The company struggled with production capacity, leading to extended order backlogs and customer complaints. It became notable for operational troubles rather than product innovation, with recent indications of winding down operations.¹²⁶

History

Founded in 2012 by Guy Seiferd, Survive! Knives initially saw strong demand for its fixed-blade knives, outpacing production capabilities and causing long wait times. The company partnered with Millit as an OEM manufacturer to address capacity issues. By 2024, it faced numerous customer complaints over undelivered orders, and in recent updates, announced winding up operations while seeking buyers for its product line and intellectual property.¹²⁶

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products were manufactured in the United States, with Survive! Knives outsourcing to OEM partners like Millit to handle production. Blades used steels such as Magnacut, with heat treating done by specialists like Peters' Heat Treating. Operations were based in Kellogg, ID.¹²

Notable Products

• S1 - Small fixed-blade neck knife known for lightweight survival use.
• S5 - Compact fixed blade popular for everyday carry and utility.
• SHTF - Large fixed blade designed for heavy survival tasks.
• Kephart - Fixed blade modeled after classic bushcraft design.
• Woodsman - Robust fixed blade for camping and wood processing.

Reputation

Enthusiasts initially praised Survive! Knives for quality fixed blades and innovative designs, with positive early reviews driving demand. Professionals and customers later criticized severe delays, non-delivery of paid orders, and poor communication, leading to numerous BBB complaints and scam allegations. The brand's reputation declined sharply due to operational failures despite product potential.²⁴⁵⁷