Tactical knivesIn the military there’s general issue gear and then there’s the stuff you’d have if you didn’t get everything from the lowest bidder. Innovations and improvements usually happen in the civilian world first. Though there’s still good reason to stay with the proven designs like the Ka-Bar fixed blade knife, many companies now offer excellent high tech alternatives.

For law enforcement personnel and others in high risk professions, modern tactical knives offer greater concealment, lighter weight and sometimes even faster deployment than the conspicuous but dependable belt knife. These high tech knives often cross the line between civilian and professional gear. One handed opening is an essential feature of these folders, with some versions suitable for civilian use and others restricted to collectors and members of “privileged occupations.”

Modern tactical folders also lock blades into the open position nearly as solidly as heavier fixed blade knives. Blades themselves may snap before the lockback of a well made folder fails. Keeping such a knife clean and in top condition is as important as regular care of any firearm. Though there are many good high tech tactical knives, some experts recommend simpler builds over technically advanced designs. Two of the most famous OSS agents of World War II spent years refining the perfect tactical blade — their legacy, the Applegate-Fairbairn fighting knife, is a simple fixed blade dagger.

Some of Our Favorites

Few of us can argue against the practicality of a knife that opens with one hand. Our choice for the best tactical knife is the H&K Tactical Folder gives ordinary citizens a serviceable one-hand opening plain edge blade built to more professional standards — and it has a handy pocket clip.

The Meyerco 18-XRay can’t be confused with a penknife. This fully automatic switchblade with black anti-glare coating and combo edge tanto blade is very clearly a fighting machine.

A new style of fixed blade, the TDI Knife series by Ka-Bar, available in belt or ankle versions, conveys an efficient fighting style through the well designed pistol style grip.

See All of Our Tactical Knife Reviews Below


Tactical

Dark Ops Stiletto Tactical Stratofighter Knife | Pocket Clip Point Folder w/ Aluminum Handle

The Stratofighter might slip past your notice if you saw it on a display shelf. It’s angular and ungainly and not...
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

Spyderco Byrd Meadowlark Folding Knife, Right Handed | High Carbon Stainless Steel with G-10 Handle BY04GP

The Byrd Meadowlark with G-10 handle combines one of the best tactical knife handle materials with a popular pocket folder design....
JT Hats
54 sec 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

Boker Hyper Knife by Chad Los Banos Subcom | Tactical Black Plain Edge Blade, Pocket Clip

Designed by Chad Los Banos and manufactured by Boker, the Hyper streamlines one of Los Banos’s earlier knives — the Subcom....
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Liner Lock Knife, Combo Edge SWMP5LS | MAGIC Assisted Opening Automatic M & P

The biggest attraction of the Smith & Wesson SWMP5LS Liner lock knife isn’t the upgraded design. What makes this five-inch (folded...
JT Hats
1 min read

SOG Salute Folding Tactical Knife | Stainless Steel Black Blade FF-11, Pocket Clip

SOG’s FF-11 Salute — which the company refers to as their first Fusion tactical folder — puts all the technical expertise...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Tactical Ballpoint Pen, Black Ink | Blue Aluminum Pocket Clip

If you’re just not comfortable without some sort of self-defense device on hand and knives no longer fit your lifestyle, there...
JT Hats
1 min read

Timberline Combat Pen by Greg Lightfoot | Tactical Aluminum Gray 700 LCP

Only a few years ago, the idea of a lightweight combat pen would have seemed silly to most people. With today’s...
JT Hats
1 min read

Boker Double Action Plus Folding Knife | Automatic Locking Plain Edge Blade

The Boker Plus Double Action knife does have some good features which aren’t obvious on first glance. This knife looks like...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Karambit, Tactical Self Defense Knife | Fiberglass Grivory Blade Nightshade 92FK

Cold Steel’s Nightshade Karambit is just one of ten models of both classic knives and strictly Cold Steel inventions now available...
JT Hats
57 sec read

Columbia Operator Tactical Knife by Jim Hammond | Double Edged Tanto CRKT ABC 2605

Designed by Jim Hammond, the Operator’s Model A.B.C. (All Bases Covered) knife adapts Hammond’s popular fixed blade diver’s knife design to...
JT Hats
1 min read

Cold Steel Double Agent Knife by Zach Whitson | Tactical Clip Point Karambit Blade w/ Sheath

Cold Steel’s Double Agent knives, designed by Zach Whitson, are available in two blade styles. Either the karambit or the clip...
JT Hats
1 min read

Kershaw Military Boot Knife from Blade Magazine | Tactical Forged Full Tang Stainless Steel

Since I saw this boot knife from Kershaw discussed in a recent issue of Blade Magazine I had to take a...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Assisted Opening Knife, Black | Tactical Tanto Stiletto HRT OTF

Smith & Wesson’s H.R.T. O.T.F (Hostage Rescue Team; Out The Front) knives aren’t quite as dramatic as their names, but they...
JT Hats
1 min read

Spyderco Tactical Pocket Knife w/ G-10 Handle | Short Blade ParaMilitary C81GS

Scaled down to only two thirds the size of the popular Spyderco Military knife, the ParaMilitary meets the needs of those...
JT Hats
59 sec read

LaserLyte Ka-Bar Gun Knife Collectibles | Tactical Black Steel Pistol Bayonet

Collector’s items aren’t limited to the knives that survive the ages — unique knives that come and go quickly also find...
JT Hats
1 min read

Spyderco Fred Perrin Knife, Full Tang VG-10 | Fixed Clip Blade Street Beat FB15P

Designed for Spyderco by Fred Perrin, a world-ranked martial artist and ex-French commando now making knives in Paris, this small fixed...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Tactical Folder Tanto Knife | Scooped Black SWMP2BS

With one of Smith & Wesson’s easiest assisted opening systems, the S&W Military Police M.A.G.I.C. Scooped Tanto offers both tactical and...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Tanto Plain Edge Blade | Military Survival Knife, Black

Smith & Wesson’s Military Police Magic Assisted Tanto shows good quality in an American-sponsored imported design. The Taiwanese makers of the...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Steve Tarani CUB Master Folding Knife from 5.11 Tactical | Locking S30V Crucible Steel

Master knife designer Steve Tarani partnered with the experts at 5.11 Tactical to develop the C.U.B. knife series, and the 5.11...
JT Hats
1 min read

SOG TAC Mini Automatic Tactical Knife | Stainless Steel Clip Point Sawtooth Blade

Sadly, this small fully automatic tactical knife is only for law enforcement, military personnel, and a very few other special groups....
JT Hats
48 sec read

Boker Magnum Plain Edge Locking Tanto Knife w/ Aluminum Handle | Top Lock Model B-BO008

This plain edge version of the Boker Magnum has a solid feel even though it’s only 3.5 ounces in weight. The...
JT Hats
45 sec read

Cold Steel Pocket Folder Espada V Knife | Spanish Locking Stainless Steel Blade

I most appreciate the knives that take thought to comprehend, and the Cold Steel Espada V is a great example of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Ka-Bar TDI Rig Police LDK Knife | AUS8 Stainless Steel Combo Edge w/ Cordura Ankle Sheath

Designed as an LDK or Last Ditch Knife for police, the TDI knife Rig from Ka-Bar comes in two sizes with...
JT Hats
54 sec read

Cold Steel Spike Tanto Tactical Blade by Barry Dawson | Concealed Boot or Neck Knife

Finally, a serious boot/neck knife from Cold Steel — previous offerings from that renowned self-defense company were not always up to...
JT Hats
1 min read

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Military Pocket Clip Folder Knife | Titanium Camo Tanto Blade

This lightweight pocket clip folder is a little too military to be a great utility or camp knife, but the camouflage...
JT Hats
46 sec read

TOPS Border Crossing Tactical Knife | Black High Carbon Dagger w/ Micarta Handle

Tactical knives come and go, some great ideas and some wanna-bes. I admit I’m skeptical when I see that knives are...
JT Hats
1 min read

Heckler & Koch Tactical Folding Knife | Liner Lock One Handed Aluminum

With H&K’s liner lock system, this tactical folder opens and closes with just one hand, without the complications of a true...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Extrema Ratio Reventon Folder Knife | Survival Tactical Tanto | Lamborghini Limited Edition

The Reventon Folder by the Italian tactical knife company Extrema Ratio will be a limited production run of only 2000 knives....
JT Hats
54 sec read