Step into a realm of unparalleled precision and durability! This thorough guide immerses you in the realm of superior tactical knives engineered to meet the tough requirements of military, tactical, and survival missions. As we introduce the cream of the crop, brace yourself to discover a lineup meticulously honed for reliability, adaptability, and unmatched performance in the toughest scenarios.
From the trenches to the wilderness, a reliable tactical knife stands as an indispensable ally for those navigating the rigors of military operations and survival scenarios. In this compelling lineup, we showcase the best-of-the-best, each blade embodying precision engineering and cutting-edge technology, ensuring they are primed to handle any challenge that comes your way. Join us on this exploration of cutting-edge excellence as we reveal the top 10 tactical knives, meticulously curated to elevate your tactical gear to unparalleled levels of readiness and efficiency.
If you click on any link we may get a commission from Amazon.com which helps keep gas in the truck and the lights turned on. So if you want to help a disabled veteran – click the link and buy your toilet paper in bulk.
#10 Spyderco Dragonfly2 Knife
This is an interesting knife with a great design. The Spyderco Dragonfly2 Lightweight Black FRN PlainEdge Knife is a versatile and lightweight folding knife that is perfect for everyday carry. It features a 2.25 inch blade made of VG-10 stainless steel, which is known for its sharpness and edge retention. The blade is full-flat ground and has a plain edge, making it ideal for precision cutting tasks.
The Spyderco Dragonfly 2 knife has a lightweight and durable fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) handle with bi-directional texturing for a secure grip. The knife has a back lock mechanism, which ensures safe and easy operation. The knife also features a reversible pocket clip, which allows for both left and right-handed carry. The overall length of the knife is 5.563 inches when open and 3.313 inches when closed, with a weight of just 1.2 ounces.
Check price at Amazon.com
#9 SEAL PUP
The SEAL Pup knife is a robust and versatile tool crafted for military and tactical use, boasting a 4.75-inch partially serrated blade made from AUS-8 steel. Balanced for combat, hunting, and as a boot knife, it measures 9 inches in overall length, providing a reliable and sturdy companion for various tasks. Weighing just 4 ounces with a black glass-reinforced nylon handle, this fixed blade military knife offers a secure grip without the need for maintenance, ensuring durability and resilience in demanding situations.
Designed for convenience and adaptability, the SEAL Pup comes with a MOLLE-compatible sheath attachment, facilitating easy carrying whether it’s on a backpack, belt, or as a camping knife. Its full tang construction, along with a powder-coated and hardened blade, makes it significantly stronger than typical belt buckle knives.
The blade undergoes SOG’s cryogenic heat treatment, enhancing its strength and durability at the atomic level. Backed by SOG’s commitment to longevity, this tactical knife is built to withstand the rigors of military use and is accompanied by a promise of comprehensive repair and replacement services, ensuring a lasting and dependable tool for tactical endeavors.
Check price at Amazon.com
#8 REMETTE FOLDER
The REMETTE GD22K tactical knife is a foldable and sharp cutting tool designed for a range of purposes, from everyday tasks to military and survival situations. Crafted from PVD-coated D2 steel, the blade offers exceptional corrosion resistance, edge retention, and easy sharpening. Its black tanto blade style ensures durability and reliability in various environments, making it suitable for camping, survival, hunting, and tactical uses.
I like that the G10 material handle provides a comfortable and non-slip grip, ideal for wet environments or high-intensity work. Equipped with ball bearings, the knife offers smooth, one-handed deployment even in sweaty conditions. The lining lock secures the blade when closed, ensuring safe and easy carry.
Weighing a mere 4.1 ounces, it’s a lightweight yet durable option with a convenient pocket clip, suitable for everyday carry (EDC). From cutting paper to opening packages or camping ropes, this practical knife offers timely assistance and a sense of security wherever you go, catering to the needs of ordinary people, travelers, backpackers, hikers, bikers, and adventurers alike.
Check price at Amazon.com
#7 5.11 Gerber Gear Strongarm
The Gerber Gear StrongArm is a reliable fixed blade knife designed for military and survival purposes, featuring a coyote brown handle and a durable full-tang 420HC steel blade with a plain edge. Built for tough situations, this survival knife comes with a ceramic blade coating that enhances its strength, while the rubberized diamond texture grip ensures a secure and comfortable hold even in challenging conditions. In emergency situations, the striking pommel of this knife proves invaluable, capable of breaking through hard surfaces when needed most.
With versatility in mind, the StrongArm offers multiple mounting options, including 4 mounting pieces and a MOLLE-compatible sheath, enabling users to carry it on belts or in a drop-leg fashion.
I like that Gerber stands behind the quality of their products and demonstrates their unwavering commitment to users by offering a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring durability and serviceability for the StrongArm and all their tools. This rugged and dependable knife is a reliable companion for military missions and survival situations, embodying Gerber’s dedication to providing trustworthy gear for challenging environments.
Check price at Amazon.com
#6 KERSHAW BRAWLER
The Kershaw Brawler Pocketknife is a versatile and practical tool suitable for various tasks, serving as an excellent utility knife and multi-purpose tool. Featuring a modified tanto blade design, it excels in slicing through tough materials effortlessly, while a top swedge enhances its piercing power – all at an affordable price. Crafted from 8Cr13MoV blade steel, this pocketknife offers excellent edge-holding capability, strength, and easy sharpening. Its black-oxide coating not only provides blade protection but also helps conceal scratches, ensuring long-lasting durability.
Designed for comfort and functionality, the knife boasts a lightweight black glass-filled nylon handle with angled curves, ergonomically contoured to fit snugly in the palm of your hand. Equipped with a 4-position pocket clip, it offers versatile carrying options for right or left-handed users, allowing tip-up or tip-down carry. Prioritizing safety, the Kershaw Brawler incorporates an assisted opening feature, facilitating one-handed release with the built-in flipper.
I like that it has a liner lock that secures the blade firmly in place, ensuring safe usage. With specifications including a 3-inch blade length, 4.1-inch closed length, and weighing just 3.9 ounces, this pocketknife is backed by Kershaw’s Limited Lifetime Warranty, making it a reliable companion for everyday use and tactical situations.
Check price at Amazon.com
#5 SOG ESCAPE
I actually waited months for this knife to come out.
For the price, I really like the SOG Escape Knife as it has all the features I want in a high quality package at an affordable price.
The extra cutter blades in the handle are a nice touch. not the best steel in the world but it holds up well. My second SOG. Have the trident too, but realized its technically too long for legal pocket carry (3.5″<).
The SOG Escape knife is a little heavy especially compared to my Trident knife, but I find that to be advantageous… could almost use it as a hammer!
And if you have to use the spike on the end its kinda sharp and intimidating in a good way:) it would laugh at any glass and with the weight, woah, this is a serious knife. And I’m not going to cry if I lose it, I’ll just buy another one.
Check price at Amazon.com
#3 KERSHAW EMERSON
I think this is a great knife for the dollars. You can pick one up for less than forty five bucks online. I also like my every day carry knife from Kershaw – I loved the pocket catch on the blade so much that I don’t want to wear any other knife for my EDC. Once you get it down (it takes some practice) and have the knife oriented the way you like (since you can put the clip on either side) you can deploy the knife in a half second, and it’s completely legal compared to a switchblade or spring assist. I just lost a bolt on my old knife and ordered this one as a replacement (although Kershaw does offer hardware replacements).
I love the shape and size of this knife. It’s a perfect EDC knife for protection and as a tool. The build quality is fantastic. The knife is really solid and when the blade is locked there is no play in any direction. The handle on the tan side is pretty grippy in the hand and satin finish on the black side is not as grippy but I like it.
The blade is so sharp that I wanted to do a paper test and it slices paper like a dream. I think this is one heck of a knife for the price. I ditched my spydercos and benchmades and sogs for this one. I think every carry knife should have this pocket catch design and that is one big reason it ranks top three over the other knives.
Handle Material G10 front, 410 stainless steel back
Blade Material 8Cr14MoV
Check price at Amazon.com
#2 Cold Steel Recon Tanto
The Cold Steel Recon Tanto is a rugged and durable tactical knife designed for heavy-duty use. It features a 7-inch blade made of Japanese AUS-8A stainless steel, which is known for its durability, sharpness, and resistance to corrosion. The blade has a tanto-style point and a flat grind, making it ideal for piercing and slicing tasks.
The handle is made of textured Kraton material, which provides a secure and comfortable grip even in wet conditions. The Cold Steel Recon Tanto knife also features a sturdy and reliable back lock mechanism for safe and easy operation. The overall length of the knife is 11.75 inches, with a weight of 9.6 ounces. The knife comes with a durable Secure-Ex sheath for convenient and safe storage and transport.
Check price at Amazon.com
#1 KERSHAW BLUR
I think this knife looks great right out of the box. It has a SpeedSafe Assisted Opening which makes for easy and quick one-handed opening. It has a safe blade engagement with built-in thumbstud that works every time. The reversible pocketclip allows for a versatile carrying capacity for left or right, tip-up or tip-down carry.
This tactical knife has a secure liner lock secures blade in place during use and gives the knife a slim, sleek and stylish design while keeping the user safe.
I like the Trac-Tec inserts on the handle which give it a quality grip. You dont want the blade to slip when you are cutting a fishing line. I feel like the blade is very stable in my hand when doing work with it.
I think the Kershaw Blur is a great everyday carry knife for hunters, fishers, outdoorsmen, or anyone who needs a reliable knife is needed to cut through fibrous material like wood, rope, or cord.
Check price at Amazon.com
RUNNER UPS
511 Heron – discontinued
Smith & Wesson Repo
Why would you need a tactical knife?
A tactical knife serves many essential purposes, especially in challenging situations where quick and precise cutting is crucial. It’s a versatile tool that can assist in various tasks like cutting ropes, opening boxes, or slicing through materials in emergency situations. For military personnel, a tactical knife becomes a fundamental part of their gear, aiding in self-defense, survival scenarios, and performing necessary tasks in the field. Its sharp and durable blade is designed for reliability, enabling users to tackle different challenges efficiently.
A tactical knife’s sturdy construction and multi-functional design make it a valuable asset for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and hikers. It serves as a dependable tool for cutting through obstacles encountered in the wild, preparing food, or setting up shelters. Its compact size and portability also make it a practical choice for everyday carry, proving helpful in unexpected situations or as a utility tool for various tasks at home or work. Overall, the tactical knife’s durability, sharpness, and versatility make it a vital tool for individuals requiring a reliable cutting instrument in both planned and unforeseen circumstances.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Top 10 Tactical Backpacks
Top 10 Hydration Bladders
Top 10 Tactical Wallets
Top 10 Tactical Helmets
Top 10 Tactical Knives 2023