Best Tactical Knives of 2025

Paul Tilton Avatar
Paul Tilton
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2025

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Tactical knives are specially designed tools that are ideal for a range of outdoor activities, including hunting, camping, and hiking. These knives are crafted from high-quality materials such as stainless steel and feature a range of features designed to make them versatile and durable. With their razor-sharp edges and sturdy construction, tactical knives are perfect for cutting through a range of materials, from rope and cord to wood and bone. Whether you're an avid outdoorsman or simply looking for a reliable tool for everyday use, a tactical knife is a must-have addition to your collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Smith & Wesson SWA24S 7.1in Folding Knife Cover #TOP 1
Smith & Wesson SWA24S 7.1in Folding Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Tactical Folding Knife Cover #TOP 2
Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Tactical Folding Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife Cover #TOP 3
Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Tactical Knives

#TOP 1 Best Knives

Smith & Wesson SWA24S 7.1in Folding Knife

SWA24S
Black
3.1"
Smith & Wesson SWA24S 7.1in Folding Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson Accessories Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife with 3.1in Serrated Clip Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC

The Smith & Wesson SWA24S 7.1in Folding Knife is a reliable and dependable EDC knife. It features a 7Cr17Mov Black Oxide High Carbon Stainless Steel blade and an aluminum handle, making it lightweight and durable. It has a convenient pocket clip, finger flipper, and ambidextrous thumb knobs for easy access. The knife also features jimping and serrations for added security. Customers have praised its sharp blade, sturdy build, and great value for the price.

What We Like
Great value for price
Razor sharp edges
Good weight and balance
Durable construction
Versatile for everyday tasks
What We Don't Like
Lock mechanism may feel unconventional
Requires occasional sharpening

Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Tactical Folding Knife

SWMP4LS
Black
3.6"
Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Tactical Folding Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS 8.6in S.S. Assisted Folding Knife with 3.6in Serrated Clip Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor Tactical Survival and EDC , Black

The Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS tactical folding knife is a reliable and dependable tool for outdoor tactical survival and EDC. It features a durable 4034 black oxide high carbon stainless steel blade, a black aluminum handle with rubber inlay, and a convenient pocket clip. It also has a liner lock and safety lock for added security, and a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter for emergency situations. Customers praise its toughness, safety, and usefulness, making it an ideal choice for everyday carry.

What We Like
Excellent value for price
Sharp blade out of the box
Sturdy construction and design
Effective glass breaker
Comfortable grip and deployment
What We Don't Like
Somewhat bulky and heavy
Limited pocket clip options

Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife

Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife Cover
Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Spring Assist Style Folding Pocket Knife EDC (Black)

The Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife is a 9-inch overall length knife with a 3.85-inch stainless steel haw bill sharp blade and an aluminum handle. It features a foldable, locking blade, and includes a belt clip for easy concealment. It is suitable for hunting, bushcrafting, skinning, fishing, camping, and hiking. Customers have praised its sharpness, comfort, and design.

What We Like
Sharp blade
Good weight
Versatile for many jobs
Responsive spring release
Affordable price
What We Don't Like
Bulky in pocket
Potential safety issues

Smith & Wesson SWFR2S Folding Knife

SWFR2S
Multi
3.3"
Smith & Wesson SWFR2S Folding Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson SWFR2S 8in High Carbon S.S. Folding Knife with 3.3in Tanto Point Serrated Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC

The Smith & Wesson SWFR2S Folding Knife is a reliable and durable option for outdoor, tactical, survival, and everyday carry use. With an overall length of 8 inches and a blade length of 3.3 inches, this knife is made of 7Cr17MoV High Carbon Black Oxide Stainless Steel and features a black, textured and grooved aluminum handle. The knife also includes a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter, making it a great tool to have in emergency situations. The convenient pocket clip and ambidextrous thumb knobs provide quick and easy access, while the liner lock ensures the blade stays secure. This product is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty from Smith & Wesson.

What We Like
Handy multi-tool features
Durable and well-built
Sharp blade with serrated edge
Compact and pocket-sized
Good grip and ergonomic design
What We Don't Like
Blade paint chips easily
Opening can be tight initially

Smith & Wesson M&P Folding Knife

SWMP13BS
Multi
3.5"
Smith & Wesson M&P Folding Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson M&P SWMP13BS 8.2in High Carbon S.S. Folding Knife with 3.5in Serrated Clip Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Tactical, Survival and EDC

The Smith & Wesson M&P SWMP13BS Folding Knife is a reliable tool for tactical, survival, and everyday carry use. Its 3.5-inch serrated clip point blade is made of black oxide high carbon stainless steel, while the handle is made of durable aluminum. The knife also features a liner lock, finger guard, and lanyard hole for added security and convenience. With its ambidextrous thumb knobs and finger flipper, this folding knife is easy to access and use. It weighs 4.9 ounces and has an overall length of 8.2 inches.

What We Like
Well-constructed design
Easy one-handed opening
Comfortable grip
Good value for price
Durable and holds edge
What We Don't Like
Paint wears off slightly
Blade could be sharper
#TOP 6

Kershaw Appa Folding Tactical Pocket Knife

1402BLK
Straight Blade
2.8"
Kershaw Appa Folding Tactical Pocket Knife Cover
Kershaw Appa Folding Tactical Pocket Knife, SpeedSafe Opening, 2.75 inch Black Blade and Handle, Small, Lightweight Every Day Carry

The Kershaw Appa is a lightweight and nimble folding tactical pocket knife that won't disappoint from a performance standpoint, but also won't break the bank. It features a black 2.75 inch reverse tanto blade with a razor sharp cutting edge, several cut outs in the handle to keep it light but strong, and SpeedSafe Assisted Opening for easy, quick, one handed opening with the flipper. The blade is held in place when opened with a liner lock. The knife measures 6.5 inches when opened and 3.6 inches closed, and weighs just under 2 ounces.

What We Like
Lightweight and portable
Sharp blade right out of the box
Easy opening mechanism
Good value for the price
Sleek and modern design
What We Don't Like
Smaller than expected
Narrow grip for larger hands
#TOP 7

SOG Escape Tactical Folding Knife

SOG
FF25-CP
Black
3.4"
SOG Escape Tactical Folding Knife Cover
SOG Escape Tactical Folding Knife- 3.4 Inch Serrated Edge Blade Emergency Pocket Knife with Glass Breaker, Wire Stripper and Line Cutter Blades-Black (FF25-CP)

The SOG Escape is a quick open tactical knife that serves well as a rescue knife for SWAT team, paramedics, and firefighters. It features a cord-cutting groove for cutting cords, lines and seatbelts, a glass breaker, wire stripper, and extra line cutter blade under the pocket knife handle. The 3.4 inches long black stainless steel knife features a partially serrated clip point blade and a lockback mechanism secures the blade while deployed. The handle is made of hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum, which is strong and durable to withstand any conditions.

What We Like
Durable and high-quality materials
Effective glass breaker
Versatile utility knife
Good for tactical scenarios
Comfortable grip, even wet
What We Don't Like
Stiff opening mechanism
Seatbelt cutter not very effective

SOG Terminus XR G10 Folding Knife

SOG
SOG-TM1022-BX
Olive Drab
2.9"
SOG Terminus XR G10 Folding Knife Cover
SOG Hunting High Carbon Steel Ambidextrous Carry EDC 2.95' Sharp Blade Terminus XR OD Green Folding Knife

The SOG Terminus XR G10 Folding Knife is a daily carry knife with a rugged design and versatile high-carbon tool steel blade. The knife comes with different opening methods, including a thumb stud and flipper tab, making it easier to open and close. The knife's G10 handle is both rugged and easy to hold, making it a trusted companion on any hike or workday. The XR locking mechanism is snappy and adjusts over the lifespan of the knife.

What We Like
Great value for the price
Durable and sharp out of the box
Smooth deployment and locking mechanism
Comfortable for everyday carry
Lifetime warranty and free sharpening
What We Don't Like
Customer service response delays
Break-in period for locking mechanism
#TOP 9

Ka-Bar 1220 US Army Fighting Knife

1220
Beige
Ka-Bar 1220 US Army Fighting Knife Cover
Ka-Bar 1220 US Army Straight Edge Fighting/Utility Knife with Leather Sheath , Beige, 7" Blade

The Ka-Bar 1220 US Army Fighting Knife is a traditional straight edge knife that is marked for army personnel. It features a leather sheath, powdered metal butt cap, and a leather handle with grooves for a secure grip. This full-size knife is made in the USA with high carbon steel and has a flat grind for extreme sharpness. It has a blade length of 7" and a weight of 11.2 ounces.

What We Like
Razor sharp from factory
Durable handle material
Great for self-defense
Classic military design
Easy to sharpen
What We Don't Like
Leather handle may require care
Thin bolster might loosen over time
#TOP 10

Cold Steel Recon 1 Tactical Folding Knife

CS-27BTH
Tanto Half Serrated
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tactical Folding Knife Cover
Cold Steel Recon 1 Series Tactical Folding Knife with Tri-Ad Lock and Pocket Clip - Made with Premium CPM-S35VN Steel, Tanto Half Serrated

The Cold Steel Recon 1 Tactical Folding Knife is a popular choice for Military and Law Enforcement Personnel, Fire and Rescue crews and civilians, trusted to perform in even the toughest jobs and conditions. It features exceptional CPM-S35VN steel, is highly corrosion resistant, and has a durable G-10 handle material that provides a secure and comfortable grip. The knife also comes with custom knife-maker Andrew Demko's famous TriAd lock that is proven over time to be unsurpassed in strength, shock resistance and durability.

What We Like
Excellent build quality
Comfortable G10 scales
Sharp S35VN steel blade
Reliable Tri-Ad Lock mechanism
Great value for price
What We Don't Like
Odd balance with light handle
Deployment may require effort
Buying Guide Image

Decide Which Tactical Knives Are Best for You

In broad strokes, we can differentiate two types: the fixed blade and the folding ones. The first is the classics, those who received the denomination of “tacticians” before. But over the years, manufacturers have focused on other features such as portability and concealment, which are reflected in the folding models.

To correctly choose a tactical knife, we need to look at something more than an affiliated blade. Depending on how we plan to use the knife, we must look for specific characteristics, such as material, the alloy used, resistance to external agents, etc.

Below we detail the aspects that, an expert opinion, should be valued when choosing the tactical knife that best suits your needs:

Colors

The choice of color is not just an aesthetic issue. Black finishes will always have a market, whether professional or casual. Either because of the absence of reflections necessary for certain operations or because it reminds us of the classic models of the movies and that attracts other types of buyers.

On the other hand, more striking colors such as yellow or red stand out more against certain surfaces such as snow, or water, so they are used by other types of units, such as firefighters, lifeguards, rescue teams, etc.

Weight

One of the basic requirements for tactical knives is portability, so weight plays a very important factor in this. In the end, everything will depend on the use that you are going to give it, but in general, if you need to cut vegetation, for example, it may be better to look for another type of additional knife, always valuing weight, discretion, and portability of the set.

Sheet Type

When choosing the ideal knife, you must take into account the use that will be given. It is not the same to cut rope than fatigue wire, for different purposes we have different sheets. Basically, we differentiate between smooth and sawn edge, although it is common to find models that incorporate a mixed edge.

Handle

Many people only look at the blade when the end (handle) is equally important. It must be ergonomic, non-slip and durable. Always check the opinions of other buyers, as some models suffer breaks with falls at low altitude, and of course, that is not something we want in a tactical knife.

A tactical knife will normally have a smooth and sawn mixed blade, a clip mechanism that allows it to be carried without a cover and a quick opening system that allows it to be opened with one hand. As is evident, the locking mechanism must be safe and facilitate one-handed operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it OK to use a knife in self-defense?

Using a knife in self-defense is considered a serious matter. Knives are considered deadly force weapons, so there must be a legal justification to use one. The general rule is that deadly force is only justified when there is an immediate threat to your life or someone else's life. It's important to understand and comply with the laws and regulations regarding self-defense in your jurisdiction.

Editor's Notes

During our tactical knives research, we found 24 tactical knives products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 310,189 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tactical knives list. We found that most customers choose tactical knives with an average price of $25.23.

The tactical knives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of tactical knives, including Smith & Wesson, Snake Eye Tactical, Kershaw, SOG, KA-BAR. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 116 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Paul Tilton Avatar

Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.

Tactical Knives Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand Smith & Wesson Smith & Wesson Snake Eye Tactical Smith & Wesson Smith & Wesson Kershaw SOG SOG KA-BAR Cold Steel
Recommended Uses For Product everyday carry Fighting Hunting, Outdoor, Skinning, Bushcrafting, Fishing, Camping, Hiking Outdoor Survival, Outdoor, Tactical, Everyday Carry Hiking Hunting Hunting Fighting Fighting
Model Name SWA24S SWMP4LS 1127 SWFR2S SWMP13BS Appa 9000967 Terminus XR G10 Daily Carry Rugged EDC Ambidextrous Pocket Folding Knives Full-size US ARMY KA-BAR Recon 1 4"
Special Feature Lightweight Folding Knife,Pocket Clip Foldable Stainless Steel Foldable Lightweight,Reversible,Folding Manual Locking Blades Long-lasting Folding Knife
Age Range (Description) Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult
Handle Material Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Plastic Aluminum Fiberglass Metal Fiberglass
Color Black Black Black Multi Multi Straight Blade Black Olive Drab Beige Tanto Half Serrated
Style Extreme Ops - Box Partially Serrated Edge BK-1 Box Modern Tactical Knife Escape - Hardcased Black Box American Tanto Point; 50/50 Plain Serrated Edge
Blade Material High Carbon Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Stainless Steel High Carbon Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Stainless Steel High Carbon Steel High Carbon Steel -
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.4
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 8.9
ftb score rating icon 8.7
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