Eafengrow EF137 Review | Built Tough for Camping and the Backcountry

The EF137 is one of those knives that immediately makes an impression the second you pull it out of the sheath. This thing is a beast, not a dainty folder or a cool to look at safe queen, but a full on survival knife built for hard use. If you are into camping, bushcraft, or just want a blade that feels like it could chew through anything you throw at it, this one deserves a serious look.

Specs and First Impressions

The EF137 is not pretending to be a featherweight. With a 6.2 inch blade, nearly 12 inches overall, and a full 6 millimeter thick spine, it feels more like a tank than a knife. At just over 18 ounces, it is hefty in hand but not clumsy. The balance sits well enough that it does not feel like you are swinging a crowbar.

Eafengrow used N690 steel here, which I like seeing. Think of it as Europe’s answer to VG10, a solid blend of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It is not a “super steel” with a flashy name, but it is proven, reliable, and easy enough to sharpen in the field. The two-tone Micarta handle is large and comfortable, with enough room for gloved hands and no hot spots when you are bearing down.

The sheath is solid in terms of retention with no rattle, but my one real complaint is the belt attachment. It is set high, which makes the knife ride awkwardly high on a belt. A dangler-style sheath would have been a much better choice for a knife of this size.

In Use: Chopping, Carving, and Abuse

On paper the EF137 looks like overkill, but once you put it to work, it makes sense. The extra thickness gives it serious bite when chopping through branches or splitting kindling, and the wide belly provides plenty of slicing power. If you have ever wanted a knife that could fill the role of both camp chopper and backup hatchet, this one is in the running.

Carving is fine, though the finger choil is a little cramped if you have big hands. It will work in a pinch, but I found it more natural to back up on the grip and let the edge do the work. For feather sticks, notches, and basic camp chores, it holds its edge well and keeps shaving curls even after hard chopping.

The spine is sharp enough to throw sparks off a ferro rod, which is a detail I appreciate. No rounded decorative spine here, it actually functions.

Durability and Practical Notes

What stood out most in my testing and research is how well the EF137 shrugs off abuse. A lot of knives in the hundred dollar range claim survival ready, but this one actually delivers. Baton wood, smash it through knots, drop it in the dirt, the edge resists rolling, and the finish does not scratch up nearly as easily as you would expect.

The tip is stout enough to pierce through layers of denim and into wood without complaint, yet it still slices cleanly thanks to the blade geometry. That balance between brute strength and real cutting performance is where this knife earns its keep.

Final Verdict: A Survival Tank You Can Actually Afford

The Eafengrow EF137 is not subtle. It is not light, it is not compact, and it is not the knife you carry every day unless your every day looks like a survival course. But if you want one blade that can chop, split, carve, pierce, and defend if it ever came to that, this is it.

At around a hundred dollars, it competes with and outperforms plenty of big name survival knives in the same price bracket. You are not paying for a logo, you are paying for steel, heft, and capability.

Bottom line: The EF137 is a brute dressed up with just enough refinement to make it feel special. For survival, camping, or heavy duty outdoor tasks, it is easily one of the best hard use knives I have handled in this price range.