Combat KnivesEdged weapons fell out of favor on the battlefields of the world as firearms — deadlier and with a much longer reach — came into common use. Few military forces train with blades today, except as a last resort skill and in ceremonial drills. Today’s combat knives, swords and other traditional weapons grace the walls of collectors’ homes and offices much more often than they see actual use.

The mystique of these weapons carries on, regardless of need. Modern edged weapons are as versatile as ever, ranging in quality from souvenirs to true combat sidearms. Today’s military knives rival anything made when a good blade meant survival on the battlefield or dueling park. Many people who will never use them in actual combat train as intently as ancient warriors did, carrying on the old traditions and keeping the knowledge of their ancestors intact.

Collectors may find new versions of the old weapons as interesting as the faithfully detailed reproductions of historical pieces. Many of the combat knives popular with the soldiers of the world became big sellers in the peacetime markets as hunting and fishing knives and trusted survival tools. Not all military knives made that transition — some of the most beautiful knives were also too specialized for deadly work.

Some of Our Favorites

The Cold Steel Pistol Grip Sword Cane is a proven old design rebuilt with new techniques and materials. The practical quality of this carbon fiber and carbon steel piece surpasses anything in my grandfather’s collection of antique blades and I’m sure he would have been fascinated.

Many unusual Asian weapons followed the same trail, from origins as farmer’s tools to defense weapons of monks and travelers, and then sometimes to the professional military. Typical of these interesting and complex combat weapons, the Shaolin Monk’s Spade has a history as intriguing as its shape.

Back-engineered to functional basics after WWII, the combat dagger lost much of its artistic quality along the way. Our pick for the “best combat knife” is the MK-4 Commando Knife by John Ek — with an extensive military history of its own — brings back the look.

See All of Our Combat Knife Reviews Below


Combat

CRKT Desert Big Dog Combat Knife, Tan Combo Edge | Special Forces Titanium by Kit Carson M21-14DSFG

Knife maker Kit Carson designed CRKT’s M21-14DSFG Desert Big Dog for Special Forces use in desert warfare. A blade coating of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Rajah II Knife by Andrew Demko | Kukri Nepal Replica w/ Grivory Handle

The six-inch blade of the Rajah II serves either as a camp knife or a brush chopping bush knife with enough...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Rajah III Gurkha Folding Clip Replica | Kukri Knife by Andrew Demko w/ Grivory Handle

The favorite field and military knife of Nepal’s Gurkha regiments inspired the Rajah III from Cold Steel. Recreating the broad and...
JT Hats
1 min read

Bear & Son Ninja Knife II Boot Dagger | Fixed Combat Double Edged Blade w/ Belt Clip

The Bear and Son Ninja II Boot Dagger may look like many other small combat knives, but the Ninja II carries...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Kershaw Black Storm Knife 1470BLK | Folding Recurve Blade, One Handed w/ Pocket Clip

Kershaw’s Black Storm’s recurved blade offers quick cutting action for severing rope and harness straps with a plain edge that’s easily...
JT Hats
1 min read

Bull Bob Dozier Knife by Ka-Bar | Clip Point Hunting & Survival Black Blade

Designed by Bob Dozier and produced in collaboration with Ka-Bar, the Ka-Bar Bull Dozier knife shows the forty years of knife-making...
JT Hats
1 min read

Hanwei Wakizashi Combat Sword, Functional | Practical Cutting Tempered Blade for Tamashigiri

A cut above the entry level practical cutters, the CAS Hanwei Practical Wakizashi features the edge tempering of more expensive blades...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Uzi Battlefield Commander Fixed Knife EK ZF52 | Combat Dagger Blade w/ Tactical G-10 Handle

The Uzi EK Battlefield Commander does have an interesting high-tech look but comes up slightly short in durability. Balance the trendy...
JT Hats
1 min read

Black Sentry Trench Knife by United Cutlery, Concealed | Knuckle Duster Spear Point WWI Fixed Blade w/ Shoulder Harness

Many cheaper versions of this knife are available, but the Black Sentry Spear Point Trench Knife is the least you should...
JT Hats
56 sec read

United Cutlery Pathfinder Emergency Knife, Combo Edge | Combat Tactical Tanto Blade w/ Compass

The Pathfinder Combat Tactical Knife from United Cutlery might be a better choice as a camp tool or an emergency knife...
JT Hats
1 min read

Kershaw Zero Tolerance Ranger Knife | Fixed Dagger Tungsten Black Blade, G-10 Green Handle 0121

The Ranger 0121 Fixed Blade from Kershaw U.S.A.’s Zero Tolerance line won’t win beauty contests, but you also don’t find many...
JT Hats
1 min read

Gerber LHR Urban Combat Knife | Custom Combo Edge Fixed Blade

Knife designers Chris Reeves and William W. Harsey Jr. collaborated on the technical details of the Gerber LHR Urban Combat Knife,...
JT Hats
1 min read

Becker Knife & Tool Combat Bowie, Black BK-9 | Ka-Bar Survival Full Tang High Carbon Steel Blade

Becker Knife & Tool once produced a wide variety of survival knives built to the specifications of founder Ethan Becker, who...
JT Hats
1 min read

Womens Competition Wushu Broadsword, HC Spring Steel | Professional Chinese Kung Fu Sword IWF

The nine different sizes of this Competition Wushu Broadsword from Dragon Well Forge in Lungchuan, China, provide any student of smaller...
JT Hats
1 min read

British Military Commando Knife, WWII Collectible | Forged Fairbairn Sykes Dagger Replica

Designed by William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes just prior to WWII, the Fairbairn-Sykes combat dagger was first produced for the British...
JT Hats
51 sec read

Ka-Bar Desert Fighting Combat Knife | Fixed Combo Edge High Carbon Steel 2-5014-9

First produced by Ka-Bar in 2005, the Desert Fighting Knife came about because many military personnel serving in the Gulf region...
JT Hats
1 min read

Ka-Bar Extreme Combat Fighting Knife w/ Kraton Handle | Modified Bowie Fixed Blade D2 2-1282-6

This Extreme Fighting Knife from Ka-Bar works some important improvements into the classic Ka-Bar Marine Corps fighting knife design. If you...
JT Hats
1 min read

Empire Wheel Samurai Sword, Battle Ready 239 | Japanese Masahiro Katana, Fully Handmade w/ Scabbard

The Masahiro Empire Wheel Samurai katana goes well past display quality, giving collectors and recreational users a beautiful weapon capable of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Ontario Rothco Survival Bowie Knife | Army & Air Force Military Vietnam Replica

This Ontario Knife Company design issued to pilots during the Vietnam War and now offered by Rothco would make a dependable...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Camping & Hunting Shovel | Russian Military Spetsnaz Combat Replica

Built to exceed Russian Spetsnaz specifications, this tactical combat shovel from Cold Steel makes a great camp tool for the hunter,...
JT Hats
1 min read

Tai Chi Competition Straight Sword, High Carbon Spring Steel | Chinese Kung Fu & Wushu Professional

The subdued look of this Tai Chi straight sword from Dragon Well Forge of Lung Chuan, China, gives the weapon an...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel AK-47 Tactical Folding Knife | High Carbon Stainless Steel Locking Blade w/ Pistol Grip Handle

Inspired by the assault rifle adopted by the Russian Army in 1949, the Cold Steel AK-47 Knife’s most obvious resemblance to...
JT Hats
1 min read

United Cutlery Kommando Knife, Tactical Black | Full Tang Bowie with Kraton Handle M48

Though it’s better known for its many styles of fantasy and replica weapons, United Cutlery also designs knives in a tactical...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Talwar Folding Knife by Lynn Thompson | San Mai Steel Pocket Sword VG1 60ST

Cold Steel jumped into the artistic pool with knives like the Talwar Folder, built in cooperation with designer Lynn Thompson. Called...
JT Hats
1 min read

Spyderco Military Folding Clip Knife | Digital Camouflage or Orange C36GPCMOBK

Although Spyderco’s Military Digital Camouflage Knife was designed for military users, it’s one of Spyderco’s best choices for civilians as well,...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Tanto Knife Master | San Mai VG-1 Steel, Glass Punch Breaker

The smallest knife in Cold Steel’s tanto series, the Master Tanto with a six-inch blade of VG-1 San Mai III high...
JT Hats
1 min read

Boker Fighting Knife Dagger, Full Tang w/ Micarta Handle | Schanz Integral Green

This heavy fighting knife — drop forged from one piece of high carbon 440C stainless steel — has good balance, although...
JT Hats
52 sec read

Ka-Bar US Army Vietnam Commemorative Military Knife | High Carbon Steel Bowie Blade

First produced by Ka-Bar in 2006, the U.S. Army version of the Vietnam Commemorative Knife is the real thing, with a...
JT Hats
54 sec read

Cold Steel Voyager Locking Knife | Medium Tanto Combo Edge Blade 29MT

The Cold Steel Voyager Medium Tanto covers a wide range of everyday needs — good for camping, fishing, hunting, and handyman...
JT Hats
56 sec read

Cold Steel Butterfly Sword Set | Kung Fu Battle Ready Sharpened Weapon

This pair of twenty-inch-long swords with single leather scabbard gives today’s kung fu adepts the modern combat version of an ancient...
JT Hats
54 sec read