Best Assisted Opening Tactical Knives of 2026

Paul Tilton Avatar
Paul Tilton
Last Updated: Jan 16, 2026

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Assisted opening tactical knives are a popular choice for those who need a reliable and efficient tool for everyday carry or outdoor activities. These knives feature a spring-assisted mechanism that allows for quick and easy deployment with just one hand, making them ideal for emergency situations or self-defense. Many models also come with additional features such as serrated edges, durable handles, and pocket clips for easy access. Whether you're a law enforcement officer, hiker, or simply looking for a reliable knife, an assisted opening tactical knife is a great choice for those who need a dependable and versatile tool.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Kershaw Appa Folding Tactical Pocket Knife Cover #TOP 1
Kershaw Appa Folding Tactical Pocket Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife Cover #TOP 2
Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Tactical Folding Knife Cover #TOP 3
Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Tactical Folding Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 7 Assisted Opening Tactical Knives

Kershaw Appa Folding Tactical Pocket Knife

1402BLK
Black
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
Extremely sharp blade
Lightweight and compact
Pocket clip convenience
Great value for price
Easy one-handed operation

Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife

1136216
Black
Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops 9.3in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife with 4in Tanto Blade and G10 Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC,Black

The Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife is a reliable and durable tool for outdoor, tactical, survival, and everyday carry use. With a 4-inch Tanto blade made of 9Cr18MoV Stainless Steel and a black G10 handle with spine jimping and lanyard hole, this knife is both functional and secure. It also features a liner lock for added safety and a convenient tip-up pocket clip, finger flipper, and spring assisted opening for quick and easy access. Additionally, this knife is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

What We Like
Durable 9Cr18MoV Stainless Steel blade with Titanium Nitride coating
Secure liner lock for added safety
Convenient tip-up pocket clip, finger flipper, and spring assisted opening
Spine jimping and lanyard hole for additional functionality
Covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty

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
Sturdy build quality
Comfortable grip
Sharp out of box
Reliable assisted opening
Effective glass breaker

Kershaw Outlier Tactical Karambit Folding Pocket Knife

2064
Black
2.5"
Kershaw Outlier Tactical Karambit Folding Pocket Knife Cover
Kershaw Outlier, Tactical Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife with Assisted Opening, Reverse Grip, Blackwash Finish on Black Handle, Liner Lock, 2.6 inch Blade with Deep Carry Pocketclip

The Kershaw Outlier is a tactical karambit-style folding pocket knife with a 2.6 inch 8Cr13MoV blade featuring a BlackWash finish. The knife opens quickly and easily with assisted opening and includes a built-in flipper and thumb stud. The black glass filled nylon handle with black blade is both tactical and utilitarian, and the deep-carry pocketclip is easily reversible for left/right carry. The steel ring on the backspacer allows for different grips, including a reverse grip. Weighing only 3.6 ounces, this knife is perfect for adult outdoor enthusiasts or those in need of a reliable tactical knife.

What We Like
Assisted opening for quick and easy access
Steel ring allows for different grips, including reverse grip
Deep-carry pocketclip is easily reversible for left/right carry
BlackWash finish helps hide use scratches
Weighs only 3.6 ounces for easy portability
#TOP 5

Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife

1127
Black
Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry Karambit Style Folding Pocket Knife Cover
Snake Eye Tactical Everyday Carry 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
#TOP 6

Grand Way Tactical Knife

140106
1. Black
Grand Way Tactical Knife Cover
Grand Way Pocket Knife for Men - 3.5" Sharp Folding Black Blade - Tactical Knives with Liner Lock Aluminum Handle and Clip - Cool for Camping Work Survival - Birthday Gifts for Dad 140106 B

Grand Way Knife is the best pocket knife for men, featuring a sharp 440C stainless steel blade and an ergonomic aluminum handle. With a liner lock, spring-assisted opening, and pocket clip, it's versatile for everyday carry or outdoor adventures. The handle is designed for a comfortable grip, making it suitable for various tasks. This tactical knife is durable, powerful, and a great gift idea for both men and women.

What We Like
Sharp 440C stainless steel blade
Ergonomic aluminum handle
Spring-assisted opening

Smith & Wesson Folding Knife for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC

1136969
Black/Wood
One Size
Smith & Wesson Folding Knife for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC Cover
Smith & Wesson 8.5in S.S. Folding Knife with 3.7in Drop Point Blade and S.S. and Real Wood Insert Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC

The Smith & Wesson folding knife features a 2.75-inch sheepsfoot blade made of high carbon 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel for durability and edge retention. The knife has a liner lock for security and quick access with the convenient tip-down pocket clip, spring-assisted opening, and finger flipper, making it ideal for everyday carry. The compact size of the knife allows for easy storage and transport.

What We Like
Durable 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel blade for edge retention and an African Rosewood handle
Quick and easy access with the convenient tip-down pocket clip, spring assisted opening and finger flipper
Compact size allows for easy storage and transport
Buying Guide Image

Tips for Finding the Best Assisted Opening Tactical Knives

Introduction

When it comes to choosing a tactical knife, there are a ton of options to choose from. However, if you're looking for a knife that's quick and easy to open, an assisted opening tactical knife might be just what you need. In this article, we'll go over what to look for when choosing an assisted opening tactical knife.

Blade Material

The first thing to consider when choosing a tactical knife is the blade material. You want to make sure that the blade is made of a high-quality material that will hold its edge, resist corrosion, and be easy to sharpen. Some popular materials for tactical knives include stainless steel, high carbon steel, and Damascus steel.

Blade Style

The blade style is another important factor to consider when choosing a tactical knife. Different blade styles are better suited for different tasks. For example, a tanto blade is great for piercing, while a drop point blade is better for slicing.

Blade Length

The blade length is also an important consideration. A longer blade will give you more cutting power, but it may also be less maneuverable. A shorter blade, on the other hand, will be easier to control but may not be as effective for heavier tasks.

Handle Material

The handle material is another important consideration. You want to choose a material that's comfortable to hold and provides a good grip. Some popular materials for tactical knife handles include G-10, carbon fiber, and aluminum.

Assisted Opening Mechanism

The assisted opening mechanism is what sets a tactical knife apart from other types of knives. There are a few different types of assisted opening mechanisms, including thumb studs, flipper tabs, and thumb holes. You want to choose a mechanism that's easy to use and reliable.

Locking Mechanism

The locking mechanism is another important consideration. You want to choose a mechanism that's secure and reliable. Some popular locking mechanisms for tactical knives include liner locks, frame locks, and back locks.

Brand Reputation

Finally, you want to consider the reputation of the brand when choosing a tactical knife. You want to choose a brand that's known for producing high-quality knives that are reliable and durable. Some popular brands for tactical knives include Benchmade, Spyderco, and Kershaw.

Conclusion

Choosing the right assisted opening tactical knife can be a daunting task. However, by considering factors such as blade material, blade style, blade length, handle material, assisted opening mechanism, locking mechanism, and brand reputation, you can ensure that you choose a knife that's right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where are assisted opening knives illegal?

They are therefore legal in all 50 states (depending on blade length). In order to engage the blade on an assisted opening knife, you have to start opening that blade; you can't just push a trigger. Automatic—Switchblades are illegal to own in all 50 states, unless you are military or law enforcement.

2. How do assisted opening knives work?

An assisted-opening knife is a type of folding knife which uses an internal mechanism to finish the opening of the blade once the user has partially opened it using a flipper or thumbstud attached to the blade.

3. Are assisted opening knives good?

Assisted-opening knives are a very convenient middle ground. They're easier and speedier to deploy than manual folders, but without the legal limbo of automatic knives. Their downside is similar to automatic knives, in that the deployment mechanism means there are more parts to break and/or get jammed or dirty.

4. Are Benchmade knives Assisted opening?

Benchmade offers some of the finest assisted opening knives in the world with models including some Benchmade Axis Lock Assisted Openers as well as others.

Editor's Notes

During our assisted opening tactical knives research, we found 24 assisted opening tactical knives products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 129,662 customer reviews through our big data system to write the assisted opening tactical knives list. We found that most customers choose assisted opening tactical knives with an average price of $19.80.

The assisted opening tactical knives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of assisted opening tactical knives, including Kershaw, Smith & Wesson, Snake Eye Tactical, Grand Way. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

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.