Justin Mastine-Frost 05.19.21
Looking for the “best tactical knife”? Like a lot of these categories we have covered lately, there’s a lot to unpack when it comes down to answering what makes the best tactical knife, not to mention what is or isn’t a tactical knife in the first place. For starters, the intent of the word is purely being “for military use” or of military-grade specification. Per Merriam-Webster, something tactical is ‘being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront’. Blade Magazine touched on the topic earlier this year, going through a range of specifications that suits their definition of the topic, however aside from a black/matte blade finish and the use of grippy synthetic handles, it all really smells like a lot of smoke and mirrors. If it weren’t for the fact that the term goes back to the ’90s, we’d be more eager to write it off as a made up category cooked up by guys who like the mil-spec vibe and wanted a term for it that would be easy to search via Google.
There’s some debate over who coined the term, same way there’s debate over who made the “first tactical knife” if there ever is or was such a thing. I think the more important focus here is really about what properties make up the use case for a tactical knife rather than getting hung up on the nomenclature. The specs should be relatively straightforward. We’re looking at a mixture of combat, emergency, and heavy duty use cases rather than “easy in the pocket” EDC carrying properties. We’re looking at overengineered knives that can take a beating. And yes, because for some people aesthetics play part of the buying equation, we’re looking for things that are a little more stealth-mode-meets-tacticool for the sake of ticking all of the right boxes for the title of best tactical knife. There are a lot of options out there in both folding and fixed blade configurations, so our results will be a smattering of both in no particular order.
To put it simply, we expect a tactical knife to live up to the standards laid out below.
Tactical Knife Build Spec
- Grippy ergonomic handle/scales
- Typically G10, Micarta, or synthetic/polymer based materials
- Durable construction meant to handle adverse conditions, including:
- A pivot on washers rather than bearings in folding blades (to avoid dirt/sand/grit wreaking havoc in the bearings)
- Beefier blade thickness and shape
- Full tang construction for fixed blades
- Blade steel thats tough and corrosion resistant, without being a pain to sharpen
- Quick/easy deployment system for folding blades
- PVD, DLC, media blasted, or other darker finishes on blades
- Easy to clean
- Open or ‘flow-through’ design for folders
- Generally simpler handle designs for fixed blades, where there isn’t frilly detail for the sake of trying to make the knife “look cool”.
As always, we recommend checking your local/state laws before deciding on what knife is best suited to your needs.
Table of Contents
1. Hogue Knives EX-F01 Tactical Fixed Blade Knife
Being known for their gun grips, Hogue expanded into knives a good while back now and manufactures the bulk of their components in the USA. The EX-F01 is a solid tactical-focused option with a large 5.5-inch blade featuring their “Gun-Kote” black finish. The thick fixed blade has full-tang construction and is fitted with nicely contoured handles that deliver great ergonomics—to be expected from a brand thats in the grip business.
Pros/Tough as nails
Cons/A bit pricey
Bottom Line/Good “big knife” option where it’s legal to carry
2. Spyderco Para Military 2
Sure, we could have gone with the big bad Military model and its 4-inch blade, but due to the fact that the Para 2 is a bit of a folding knife benchmark in the industry, this seemed like the better choice. Aside from a slightly smaller size (3.4-inch blade), the knife is designed with the same ethos in mind; the Military was built to answer the question “what folding knife would you send your child to war with”. Its blade is made of black DLC finished CPM-S30V stainless steel, with a flat grind and a plain cutting edge. The handle scales are textured G-10 with black hardware.
Pros/Easy to carry, fast to open
Cons/Will intermittently be out of stock
Bottom Line/A true “go anywhere do anything” knife
3. Boker Kalashnikov Dagger Automatic Knife
Back to the budget end of the spectrum, the many variants of the Boker Kalashnikov—including several blade shapes and finishes—tick all the right tactical boxes. This variant is an auto-opener, so you’ll have to check on those pesky local knife laws, but there’s also a manual version out there that fits the bill. Once again, grippy handles and a dark blade are present, and its deep-carry pocket clip is an added bonus for those wanting a more discreet carry option.
Pros/Lightweight, and snaps open in a hurry
Cons/D2 steel, so keep it clean to avoid corrosion
Bottom Line/Good value so long as you maintain it well.
4. ESEE Knives ESEE-3P-MB Knife
Back to the fixed blade American Made side of things, ESEE is a go to for camping, hunting, and other outdoor activities, but its build spec is perfectly aligned with the tactical knife scene. It comes in a fair crack cheaper than the Hogue listed above, and with a 3.88-inch blade length its big enough to get you our of any troubling scenario without being an oversized bulky mess. Its 1095 steel blade can take a beating without chipping, and is easy to sharpen, but it’s another one you can’t leave out in the elements for extended periods.
Pros/USA made and can take a beating
Cons/corrosion risks of 1095 steel
Bottom Line/Great in dry climates, or expect a need for maintenance
5. Benchmade Adamas AXIS Lock Knife
Benchmade’s knife lineup is primarily focused around EDC/daily use folding knives, but the Adamas is the one real outlier that’s best suited to this category. Its CPM-Cruwear blade has a Cerakote finish for improved overall durability, and its open scales are especially helpful in reducing weight and allowing for easy maintenance. Don’t let the photos fool you, with a 3.8-inch blade, this is one of the bigger, tougher folders of the pack.
Pros/High spec folder from a great American brand
Cons/Not everyone enjoys an Axis lock
Bottom Line/A rare large lightweight folder
6. Emerson Commander
Another American made behemoth of a folding knife, the Emerson Commander has one key trick up its sleeve for tactical use. As we noted above, rapid deployment is an important factor in the folding tactical knife category, and some states don’t like automatic knives. Note the little hook on the top of the Commander’s blade. The intent is to catch that on the inside of your pocket as you pull the knife out, which will deploy the knife on its own without the use of a spring or other assist mechanism. It’s a clever and effective trick, and one that avoids adding extra wear items to its construction. It was a Blade Show winner some years back, and a staple of the Emerson line. Opening aside, you’re looking at a 3.75-inch blade that has seen military/special forces duty around the world, including use by Navy SEALs, European Military strike teams, NATO Counter-Terrorism units, and more.
Pros/Field proven, military approved
Cons/Only available directly from Emerson
Bottom Line/Proper “lifetime knife” if you’re into the snag deployment setup
7. Ontario XM Strike Fighter Automatic Knife
Now discontinued and soon to be a bit tricky to find, the Ontario Knife Company XM Strike Fighter was actually approved for use by the US Army, which is something that can’t be said for a lot of so-called tactical knives out there. Once again coming in at 3.75 inches long, this half serrated tanto blade blasts out through automatic deployment. At full retail price the $275 is a tough pill to swallow, but for a hair under $90 we’ll happily recommend this one.
Pros/Army approved auto, with a tactical-friendly tanto blade
Cons/Pricey when not on sale
Bottom Line/Stalk it for bargain pricing while these are still available
What makes a knife tactical?
When applied to the knife world, the word tactical has a slightly different meaning than just being a tool or item that provides military advantage. Simply put, a tactical knife is built with tactical applications in mind. These items are tactical when they contain features, functions or parts that serve a variety of purposes for a variety of needs. They are built with durability, military-inspired utility, combat readiness and versatility in mind above all else.
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