Best Assisted Opening Tactical Knives of 2025

Paul Tilton Avatar
Paul Tilton
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2025

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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

Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife Cover #TOP 1
Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops 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 M&P Shield 6.8in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife Cover #TOP 3
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 6.8in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Assisted Opening Tactical Knives

Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife

1147103
Black
One Size
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 9.3 inch tactical knife made for outdoor, tactical, survival and everyday carry use. It features a 4 inch 9Cr18MoV Stainless Steel Tanto Blade with Titanium Nitride coating and a black, G10 Handle. The knife also has a convenient tip-up pocket clip, finger flipper, and spring assisted opening for quick and easy access. With the security of the liner lock, you can have confidence that the blade will not slip. The knife also features spine jimping and lanyard hole. This product is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

What We Like
Durable 9Cr18MoV Stainless Steel Blade with Titanium Nitride coating
Convenient tip-up pocket clip, finger flipper, and spring assisted opening
Secure liner lock
Spine jimping and lanyard hole for added functionality
Covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty
#TOP 2

Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Knife

1136216
Black
One Size
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
#TOP 3

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 6.8in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife

1147101
Black
One Size
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 6.8in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 6.8in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife with 2.8in Tanto Blade and Rubberized Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC

Smith & Wesson Tactical Knife is a reliable and durable everyday carry knife. The 2.8-inch blade is made of 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel and has a black, rubberized handle for enhanced grip. The knife features a convenient tip-down pocket clip, finger flipper, and spring-assisted opening, which allows for quick and easy access. The frame lock ensures the blade will not slip, giving you confidence in its security. Additionally, the knife features spine jimping and a lanyard hole, making it a versatile tool for outdoor, tactical, survival, and EDC situations. With a length of 6.8 inches and a weight of 3.2 ounces, it is lightweight and easy to carry with you wherever you go.

What We Like
Reliable and durable
Spring-assisted opening
Enhanced grip
Tip-down pocket clip
Frame lock

Kershaw Outlier Tactical Karambit Folding Pocket Knife

2064
Black
2.6"
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

MTech USA Spring Assisted Folding Knife

MT-A882CH
SILVER BLACK
2.8"
MTech USA Spring Assisted Folding Knife Cover
MTech Spring Assisted Folding Knife with Black Handle, Bottle Opener, Pocket Clip - Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Blade, Tactical EDC Self Defense

Looking for a reliable and efficient Tactical Knife? Look no further than the MTech USA Tactical Knife. With its spring-assisted folding design, this knife offers rapid one-handed deployment and locks securely into place with a liner lock. The silver stainless steel blade with straight edge is perfect for a variety of cutting tasks, while the black Nylon fiber handle provides a comfortable grip and includes a bottle opener and a lanyard hole on the end. The knife also comes complete with a pocket clip for easy and safe carry. With a 3-inch closed length and 2.75-inch blade length, this knife is the perfect size for everyday carry. Whether you need it for tactical purposes, self-defense, or everyday use, the MTech USA Tactical Knife has got you covered.

What We Like
Rapid one-handed deployment
Straight edge silver blade
Includes bottle opener

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 well balanced
Razor sharp and easy to sharpen steel
SpeedSafe Assisted Opening for easy one handed opening
Reversible pocketclip and lanyard hole for several carrying options
Black reverse tanto blade offers a tactical look at a value price point

Smith & Wesson Black Ops SWBLOP3S Knife

SWBLOP3S
Black
3.4"
Smith & Wesson Black Ops SWBLOP3S Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson Black Ops SWBLOP3S 7.7in S.S. Assisted Opening Knife with 3.4in Serrated Drop Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Tactical, Survival and EDC

The Smith & Wesson Black Ops SWBLOP3S is a reliable tactical knife with a partially serrated 3.4in drop point blade made of 4034 Black Oxide High Carbon Stainless Steel. The knife features an aluminum handle with jimping, ambidextrous thumb knobs, flipper/finger actuator, and M.A.G.I.C. assisted opening for quick and easy access. The liner lock and safety lock provide secure use, while the pocket clip makes it convenient for everyday carry. This knife is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

What We Like
Reliable 4034 Black Oxide High Carbon Stainless Steel blade
Quick and easy access with M.A.G.I.C. assisted opening and ambidextrous thumb knobs
Secure use with liner lock and safety lock
Convenient for everyday carry with pocket clip
Covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty
#TOP 8

MASTER USA Tactical Pocket Knife

MU-A006CF
black
MASTER USA Tactical Pocket Knife Cover
Master Carbon Fiber Drop Point Spring Assisted Opening Tactical Pocket Knife NEW

The MASTER USA Tactical Knife combines style and functionality for everyday use. Its sleek carbon fiber handle with a camouflage design not only looks modern but also offers a secure grip. The durable 3.25-inch stainless steel drop point blade is designed for long-lasting performance, making it ideal for various cutting tasks. With a convenient pocket clip, you can easily carry it for quick access whenever you need it. Plus, the liner lock mechanism ensures safe handling, giving you peace of mind while using the knife.

What We Like
Stylish carbon fiber handle
Durable stainless steel blade
Convenient pocket clip
Safe liner lock mechanism

TAC-FORCE Spring Assisted Opening EMT EMS ORANGE Rescue Folding Pocket Knife

TF-723EM
EMS1
Original version
TAC-FORCE Spring Assisted Opening EMT EMS ORANGE Rescue Folding Pocket Knife Cover
TAC-FORCE Spring Assisted Opening EMT EMS ORANGE Rescue Folding Pocket Knife

The TAC-FORCE Spring Assisted Opening EMT EMS ORANGE Rescue Folding Pocket Knife is an everyday carry item for EMS EMT or any rescue agency. It features a 3.25" 3MM THICK BLADE made of stainless steel with a black half serrated blade. The knife is 4.5" closed and includes a pocket clip, glass breaker, and seat belt cutter. Its handle is also made of stainless steel, making it durable and long-lasting.

What We Like
Spring assisted opening for quick access
Includes glass breaker and seat belt cutter for emergency situations
Stainless steel blade and handle for durability

Smith & Wesson SWATMB 7.5in Assisted Opening Knife

SWATMB
Black/gray/white
3.2"
Smith & Wesson SWATMB 7.5in Assisted Opening Knife Cover
Smith & Wesson SWATMB 7.5in High Carbon Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife with 3.2in Drop Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC, Black

The Smith & Wesson SWATMB 7.5in High Carbon S.S. Assisted Opening Knife is a reliable tool that offers quick and easy access with its ambidextrous thumb knobs, flipper/finger actuator, and M.A.G.I.C. assisted opening. The blade is made of 4034 Black Oxide High Carbon S.S. and the handle is made of black aluminum with Trac-Tec inserts. The liner lock and safety lock ensure that the blade will not slip, while the lanyard hole provides multiple carrying options. This foldable knife is ideal for outdoor, tactical, survival, and everyday carry use.

What We Like
Quick and easy access
Liner lock and safety lock for added security
Multiple carrying options with lanyard hole
Durable blade made of 4034 Black Oxide High Carbon S.S.
Assisted opening for everyday carry
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 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 110,047 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 $26.59.

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 Smith & Wesson, Kershaw, MTECH USA, MASTER USA, TAC FORCE. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 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.