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

Microtech UTX-70 Automatic Tactical Knife | Partial Serrated Black Pocketknife

The UTX-70 from Microtech tones down the size of this automatic tactical design without skimping on quality. Made to the same...
JT Hats
1 min read

Best Tactical Knife: Heckler & Koch Folder | 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...
Ken
55 sec read

Benchmade Tanto Folding Knife | Search & Rescue Blade | Heckler & Koch, Mike Snody

Heckler and Koch, manufacturers of top quality sidearms for military and police forces, put their brand on this collaboration from knife...
JT Hats
53 sec read

Gerber Torch II Tactical Folding Knife | Stainless Steel Combo Edge Tanto Blade

In some ways the Gerber Torch II (4.6″ closed length) rivals much more expensive military folders, offering many of the same...
Ken
55 sec read

Smith & Wesson Spec Ops Folding Clip Knife & Analog Watch Tactical Set

In this gift set from Smith & Wesson, the well established manufacturer of police and military equipment, you get a good...
Ken
56 sec read

Kershaw Blur Ken Onion Tactical Tanto Knife | Folding Speed Safe Blade

The tactical version of the well known Blur by Ken Kershaw, this black anodized and non reflective combo edged tanto is...
Ken
53 sec read

Boker Tacticos Corto Military Tactical Knife | Full Tang Fixed Blade

With the Tacticos Corto, Boker of Solingen, Germany, brings a tactical design into the world where the rest of us live....
Ken
57 sec read

Piranha Amazon OTF Automatic Knife | Police, Military Tactical Stiletto

The Amazon, a side opening automatic knife from Piranha Knives, shows a little of the company namesake’s influence in the shape...
Ken
42 sec read

Lone Wolf U.S. 45 Folding Knife | Stainless Steel Tactical Blade

At first it seems a little like a souvenir, reminding me a bit of the fake pistols that turn out to...
Ken
47 sec read

Microtech SOCOM Elite Urban Camo Knife | Tanto Folding Clip Blade

One of the best military quality folding knives available, the Microtech SOCOM Elite offers details others ignore. The 4″ tanto style...
Ken
54 sec read

Microtech Currahee Special Forces Knife | Tool Steel Full Tang Blade | Tactical Green Beret

Nice to see that someone out there hasn’t completely shifted over to stainless steel, and it doesn’t surprise me to find...
Ken
52 sec read

Meyerco 18-XRAY Military Black Tanto Switchblade Knife | SAS Lockback Tactical Folder

Darrel Ralph designed this tactical switchblade for law enforcement and military use, so if you’re a civilian don’t expect to own...
Ken
54 sec read

Harsey T2 Ranger Folding Clip Tactical Knife | Lone Wolf Lockback Skinner Blade

Designed by William Harsey, Jr., for the semi-custom makers at Lone Knives, the tactical folding clip T2 Ranger is a perfect...
Ken
47 sec read

Gerber Lara Croft Guardian Back-Up Knife | Splinter Cell Tactical Boot Dagger

Twenty years ago Bob Loveless designed the first of these classic tactical knives, never suspecting their popularity would extend even to...
Ken
51 sec read

Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Double Bevel Combat Knife | Tactical Folding Clip Blade

Designed by Colonel Rex Applegate and greatly influenced by the scientific fighting style of William Fairbairn, this sturdy dagger type folding...
Ken
50 sec read

Ka-Bar Black Serrated Tactical Combat Knife | Full-Size Military Fixed Blade

This classic Ka-Bar military design has been only slightly modified from the original version, the mainstay fixed blade instrument of American...
Ken
1 min read

Ka-Bar TDI Ankle Knife | Law Enforcement Self Defense Boot Blade

Designed for law enforcement use and with obvious features of interest to military personnel as well, civilians may do well to...
Ken
50 sec read

Spyderco C36GPSBK Folding Military Knife | High Carbon Stainless Steel

Special alloy CPM-S30V knife steel promises to give the 4″ blade of Spyderco’s tactical knife the edge holding capability of traditional...
Ken
50 sec read

Cold Steel 27LTH Recon 1 Folding Tactical Knife | Stainless Steel Tanto Blade

A top quality and reliable folding clip knife, the Recon 1 with 4″ tanto blade forged from high carbon stainless steel...
Ken
51 sec read

Gerber Torch I Tactical Folding Knife | Stainless Steel Utility Blade | Black or Silver

Tactical style but handyman quality makes the Gerber Torch 1 an interesting choice as a general purpose utility knife. The dropped...
Ken
1 min read

Ka-Bar TDI 1480 Law Enforcement Knife | Stainless Steel Tactical Combat Blade

Yikes. An easily concealed belt knife created by John Benner of the Tactical Defense Institute, this small pistol-grip weapon is intended...
Ken
52 sec read

Ka-Bar US Army Fighting Knife | Tactical High Carbon Steel Blade

This classic fighting knife from Ka-Bar, first manufactured at the onset of WWII, has survived more than fifty years of industry...
Ken
1 min read

Ka Bar Black Tanto Knife | 2-1245-1 Tactical Full Tang Blade

Tanto blades look just plain dangerous, all angles and points and edges. They remind me a little bit of shark’s teeth....
Ken
1 min read

Gerber Mark II Tactical Fixed Blade Knife, Double Serrated Edges

If you’re a serious collector of fixed blade knives, certainly you’ve heard of the Gerber Mark II. First produced in 1966,...
Ken
55 sec read

Columbia River Knife and Tool First Strike Stainless Steel Full Tang Tanto Knife

Inspired by ancient chokuto swords and classic mohora-zukuri double edged tantos, with modern practicality in mind, this CRKT First Strike is...
Ken
45 sec read

Cold Steel Ti-Lite Stainless Steel Folder Knife, Zytel Handle

Cold Steel’s Ti-Lite series of tactical folders will only lead to more important choices, like which 1950’s gang you are going...
Ken
53 sec read

Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops Bullseye Stainless Steel Knife, Liner Lock, Tanto Point

Take a look at this Smith and Wesson Bullseye Extreme Ops knife. At only 3.22″ long, the 440C Teflon coated stainless...
Ken
1 min read

CRKT Special Forces Tactical Folding Knife | CRM1614SF Stainless Steel Blade

Everything you’d want from a tactical folder, plus a hilt! Columbia River has been around for fifteen years, manufacturing knives from...
Ken
1 min read

Kershaw Black Vapor Stainless Steel Folding Knife | Partially Serrated or Plain Blade

What I really love about Kershaw knives is their commitment to make great knives that look great too. Where so many...
Ken
52 sec read

Cold Steel 27LSH Recon 1 Tactical Combat Knife | Spear Point Folding Clip Military Blade

Competing in the military markets with a folding design is a tough challenge but Cold Steel intends to make its mark...
Ken
1 min read