Ive trusted my KA-BAR Mule for more than a decade. At this size, your best bet is to keep this knife in garrison for everyday tasks. You dont need us to tell you about Benchmade knives, and this is another one that speaks for itself with a history of quality and performance. No doubt. Blades tend to be on the small side and require two hands to open. Regardless of your branch of service or MOS, odds are good that a humble folding knife will end up being your most-used piece of gear. No, these are not switchblades. The Leeks clip point blade makes it well-suited for precision cuts; its more of a scalpel than a machete (more on that later). This knife comes from a mighty fine pedigree, and its easy to see that Gerber intended for this thing to thrive in harms way. The blade itself is sharp out of the box, and the steel Spyderco uses is easy for the at-home sharpener to maintain. Very firm, strong, and great bottle opener! Copyright 2022 Knife Depot. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. When US Navy SEAL teams are deployed to secret locations on missions with wide ranges of objectives, tactical knives are right by their sides. Tactical, subdued colors? Turned both into a very handsome dark brown. Zero Tolerance isnt a household name like the other knife makers on this list, but Im guessing thats a function of the price tag. The titanium handle isnt going to fail anytime soon, either. Did not care for the "blond" handle and sheath. Tactical knives are sleek, simple and effective which is something you'd want to rely on when the going gets tough. Most tactical knives feature a clip, drop, or tanto point. Contact the author here. Armed with only my RAT boots and a motivated folding KA-BAR, I defied staggering odds and emerged victorious from another perilous head call. Still, if you wanted to get your moneys worth by making this your EDC, that would be understandable. Some prioritize portability with small blades like the ones youd see on traditional pocket knives. Whether you're parachuting into the dark jungle or need a reliable and good-looking tool around the house, a tactical knife is the only way to go. Even if all this doesnt make it a candidate for your only knife or your favorite knife, it deserves a spot somewhere in your collection. What constitutes a good blade depends on how you use it. This is one of the most popular knives in the U.S. military. Check. If youve spent more than a heartbeat in a military environment, Id be surprised if you havent laid eyes on a CRKT M16 of some sort. Replicas, Kershaw Outlier, 2.6" BlackWash Karambit Assisted Blade, GRN Handle - 2064, Smith & Wesson Bullseye Extreme OPS, 3.2" Combo Blade, Black Aluminum Handle - CK5TBS, Master Cutlery PK-383 Tactical Rescue Knife, 3.5" Assisted Blade, Glass Breaker and Seatbelt Cutter, Smith & Wesson Military & Police Tactical Knife, MAGIC Assisted Opening - SWMP1B, Alpha Tactical Glass Breaking Folding Knife 3CR13 Steel Blade & Belt Cutter, Smith & Wesson Assisted Opening OTF, 3.6" Spear Point Blade, Aluminum Handle - SWOTF9BS, KA-BAR, USMC 7" Tactical Knife with Brown Leather Sheath - 1217, Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Tanto Pocket Knife with Partially Serrated Blade SWFR2S, Kershaw Emerson CQC-7K, 3.25" Tanto Blade, G10/Stainless Steel Handle - 6034T, KA-BAR US Army 7" Tactical Knife with Brown Leather Sheath, Ka-bar Knives Black Tactical Knife, Kydex Sheath, 7 in., Serrated, Smith & Wesson Spec Ops M-9 Bayonet Knife, 7.8" Blade, Black Rubber Handle, Sheath - SW3B, Gerber Covert, 3.79" 154CM Double Bevel Blade, GFN Handle - 05785, CRKT Du Hoc, 5.1" SK5 Karambit Blade, G10 Handle, GRN Sheath - 2630, KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife, 2.31" Plain Blade, Zytel Handle - 1480, Kershaw RJ Tactical 3.0, 3" Assisted Open Blade, Black GFN Handle - 1987, Cold Steel Recon 1, 4" Black S35VN Tanto Blade, Black G10 Handle - 27BT, Ontario 499 Air Force Survival Knife, 5" Carbon Steel Blade, Leather Handle, CRKT Special Forces M16 4" Pocket Knife (Combo Edge, Black Aluminum Handle), CRKT Clever Girl Folder, 4.08" D2 Blade, Deadbolt, Black G10 Handle - 2640, CRKT Hissatsu, 3.88" Assisted Blade, Black GRN Handle - 2903, Smith & Wesson SW608BLS Folder, 3.44" Blade, Black/Blue Aluminum Handle, 10 Everyday Objects You Can Use to Sharpen a Knife. Using this overbuilt piece of gear reminds me of driving a diesel Toyota Hilux around Camp Leatherneck (think Tacoma, but somehow tougher): They both feel like theyre physically incapable of quitting. Set them in the sun for over an hour to cure. When we recommend something to you, our brothers and sisters in arms, its not because weve been swayed by clever sales pitches and advertisements. Others are aimed at more aggressive tactical use, and come with heavy-duty blades and handles that may combine for total lengths in excess of nine inches. Some spring-assisted knives can be opened with the touch of a button rather than the typical wrist-flick youre probably used to. The exaggerated thumb hole makes it easy to get that satisfying opening flick right every time. These blends have (not terribly intuitive) alphanumeric names, and Knife Informer has a fantastic breakdown of what all this information means. I wouldnt make it my survival situation go-to by any stretch; its more at home being your EDC or an accomplice to your fixed-blade primary knife. This knife is that and then some. The list of blade shapes is almost endless. Thats the same parent company that owns Kershaw, but they also manufacture razor blades and medical scalpels. Shop our selection of tactical combat knives below or see our hand pickedBest Tactical Knives. No knife will win in the forum debates about which one is the best. The knife-wielding hooligans here at Task & Purpose know a thing or two about what makes a blade battle-worthy. What stands out about this knife are the oversized thumb tabs. Speed safe function is awesome! Tactical knives are great "insurance" for those unexpected moments in life. Toss it in your tackle box. I like how it has that sprayed-on truck bed liner look. They're perfect for tackling mundane chores around the house like opening packages or cutting thick cord in a rainstorm at night. Learn more about our product review process. Steel is usually combined with carbon or chromium to make a blade harder or more corrosion-resistant. If a quality blade is what youre after, this might be just what the doctor ordered. At just over three ounces, its also light enough to carry all day, every day. The girthy handle and thick blade are a noticeable departure from the compact knives on this list. Our cutting-edge customer service squad can be reached at 1-800-248-1987 or, We carry a huge selection of knives from some of the world's top brands, like, Smith & Wesson Bullseye Extreme OPS, Black Aluminum, Combo Edge Pocket Knife, KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife, Zytel Handle, Plain, Smith & Wesson M&P Assisted Opening Pocket Knife, 2nd Generation, Fallkniven A1L Swedish Pilot Survival Knife, Leather Sheath, ESEE Knives Izula, Black 2.63" 1095 Carbon Steel Blade, Molded Sheath (Knife & Sheath Only), Kershaw Ken Onion Blur Pocket Knife (Combo Edge), Other Knife I love a truly viable stainless steel option. Forget about slick marketing briefs and absurd product names; we judge knives by their actual performance in situations that matter. The blades metal composition is commendable, but the factory edge leaves room for improvement if youre comfortable doing your own sharpening. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. With a triumphant flush, I cleaned my blade and departed from the battlefield. You never need an excuse to add a knife to your collection. If you can afford the leap to something of this caliber, the 0223 might be one of the best knives you ever take outside the wire. Hes done a few repairs in three years of ownership (heads up: dont expect too much of the pocket clip), but the knife has held up well enough to remain his EDC of choice. You can still get excellent examples from brands like Case, but they probably arent what youre looking for in a military knife. Holds a good edge and easy to sharpen when needed. KNIFE PERFORMS AS EXPECTED.VERY SHARP AND FITS THE HAND WELL. Thats nice to know when youre putting this knife through its paces. Tactical folding knives are sharp enough to make quick work of everything from 550 cord to MRE wrappers, strong enough to hack through thick underbrush, and sturdy enough to take a beating no matter where Uncle Sam sends you. This slim knife would be a great addition to your collection if you want something that can slice accurately and cleanly. These assist the blades opening movement and form a functional hilt when locked in the open position. Another piece of equipment Id love to get my grubby little hands on is the Kershaw Leekweird name, cool little knife. Once the blade is flicked open, its there until you unlock it. Semper Fi. Its too small for heavy field or combat use, but theres nothing wrong with owning tools for different jobs. Look for blades in the five-inch range with or without serration. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Benchmades Mini Presidio II is something of a goldilocks in the folding knife world. Short blade, but very efficient and tough. Whether on the job or enjoying a long weekend in the backcountry, a reliable, quality blade is something everyone should own. The steel itself is durable, corrosion-resistant, and capable of holding an edge through plenty of use. The blade deploys quickly with one hand and locks in place with a reassuring safety mechanism. Folding knives are a diverse bunch, so pay attention when youre comparing the options. There I was, alone and unafraid. This knifes distinctive features do more than look cool; they make it one of the most reliable and useful folding knives on the market. This is a rock-solid EDC thats comfortable in the office or the backwoods. As long as you can accept that more weight does not equate to higher quality, thats a good thing. Add this to the list of knives the Task & Purpose team is itching to test ourselves. Dont let the name fool you; the 3.2-inch blade is more than adequate for most daily tasks. Its worth pointing out that Zero Tolerance is owned by KAI Group. Maybe youre looking for your first knife, or maybe youve acquired a healthy collection already. Excellent ergonomics result in a small handle that fits well in hands of all sizes. We havent had a chance to write an in-depth review of the Gerber 06 FAST quite yet, but how could we write a folding knife gear guide without it? This is an outstanding product at an excellent price. Very happy to have it in the field with me at any time. Consider me intrigued. At Knife Depot, we offer a 60-day no-questions-asked, We don't just sell knives, we eat, sleep and breathe them. Its not super smooth or refined, and the beefy locking mechanism requires serious effort to open the blade one-handed. The Spyderco Para Military 2 is more proof that a good military knife doesnt have to look like something out of an 80s action movie. You can never have too many and the knives on this list are so good, I wouldnt blame you if you picked up one of each. Add one to your collection, and youll see why. Most offer some form of corrosion protection, whether in the materials themselves or with some kind of coating. Our own Dennis White used his to hack up tree branches to extract his vehicle from half-frozen mud, so you might be surprised by how capable this little knife can be in a pinch. When we say something is battle-tested, you can trust that its been put through the wringer and earned its place as a piece of gear we personally trust. Sure, theres value in longer blades and an array of tactical features, but a knifes primary job is to cut stuff, right? Clip it in the pocket of your board shorts. Task & Purpose and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Weight savings come as a result of the knifes composite handle, which replaces previous generations metal grip. Strap one to your plate carrier. Some of you may balk at the size or lack of serrations, but there are other knives for that kind of work. Wish I had a clip-on leather sheath for it. Holds it's edge very well, sharpens back up very nicely. Its not the sharpest or prettiest, but I can be damn sure itll be ready when I need it. Scott Murdock is a Task & Purpose commerce writer and Marine Corps veteran. That bespoke spring-assisted opening mechanism is a thing of beauty, even if it isnt quite as crisp as some of the older, military-only knives we know and love. While the opening mechanism isnt assisted, its thumb-activated switch and buttery-smooth ball bearings are about as easy to use as you can hope for. Todays folding knives offer a huge selection of tactical options. In addition to run-of-the-mill tactical features, many of the knives designed for military use incorporate a mechanism designed to make one-handed opening easier. The sub-three-inch blade is compact compared to the older variations that were designed for combat use, but it still incorporates the popular tanto point and serrated section. Older folding knives require us to jam a thumbnail into a notch on the blade to pry it open. Tactical knives are designed with more than defense in mind; tactical knives are built for use in any situation. The first option isnt what Id recommend for military use. You can bet that every knife you see on one of our gear guides earned its place with hard time and heavy use by our writers or other real-life, actual people. The CPM 20CV steel used to make this blade is considered a premium materialit tends to be difficult to sharpen but toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance are all excellent. This gear guide is built on years of real-world experience. Classic design cues like bone handles and polished blades make these popular heirloom items. This folding knife is affordable, versatile, and more rugged than the 2.7-ounce weight suggests. My circumstances will be wet, a lot. All rights reserved, If you're not happy with your new knife, then neither are we. Loved it so much going to order a few more! Back in the day, pocket knives were used for everything from doctoring calves in the field to slicing up an apple at lunch. If you dont already own one of these yourself, you almost definitely know someone who has. Accessories, Medieval Armor At less than $60, it also hits the sweet spot of high-value knives that are built well without costing an arm and a leg. Cerakote blade resists rust and corrosion, The thumb-activated blade opens in a snap, The compact size may be limiting for some, Benchmade is proud of that butterfly logo, so get ready to pay up, Oversized thumb levers are easy to use, even with gloves, and create a sizable hilt, The tanto blade offers three cutting edges, including a serrated section, If you prefer a knife with some heft, this may be a little too light for your taste at a mere 2.7 ounces, Once you try this spring-activated blade, you wont want to go back, The extra-grippy handle overperforms in wet environments, Backed by a lifetime manufacturer warranty, Gone is the button-activated opening mechanism on this knife, Youll have to open it the old-fashioned way, albeit with a spring assist. I lugged mine all over deserts ranging from southwest Afghanistan to northern Nevada. Excellent knife for the price. The best is to be determined by the user's circimstances. If you know, you knowand we know knives here at Task & Purpose. With the huge selection of 10,000 survival knives and combat boot knives at Knife Depot, you'll be sure to find atactical knifethat you love. My own opinion on the Mule and KA-BARs brand in general are well-known, so Ill cut to the chase: I dig it. Spring-assisted blades make one-handed operation even easier. More modern designs use thumb tabs to flick the blade open with authority. Im happy with my purchase. From my position seated atop a toilet at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, I prepared to defend myself from the nearby cucarachas that inhabited the building. Build quality worthy of a career in the military? Task & Purpose contributor Matt Sampson used his Mini Presidio II to cut everything from fishing line to camo netting, and he shaved kindling into tinder to start a campfire. On top of the blade and handle is olive drab paint that ought to satisfy your tactical itch without going overboard on hyper-aggressive styling. So, what does a triplet of $100 bills get you at the knife counter? During 18 months of hard use, Task & Purpose contributor Joe Plenzler has gotten his moneys worth out of this (not inexpensive) knife. Rapid one-handed opening? This knife can pretty much do it all. Covered them liberally on a hot day with an excellent leather oil. Three inches is a pretty common blade length. Damascus Steel: Is My Knife Real or Fake. Assisted or not, you need something you can deploy in a hurry without using both hands. I did a whole lot of research before plunking down this much for a knife and I'm very happy with what I got. Theyre precise enough for detailed work, but strong enough for survival situations and the uglier realities of combat. With its 3.75-inch blade, this knife provides many of the advantages of owning a fixed-blade knife with the portability and EDC-friendliness of a folding knife. Its been my EDC in garrison, deployment, on several camping trips, and around my garage. Joe Plenzler carried another for 18 months on the Appalachian Trail. When it comes down to it, the Para Military 2 is aptly named. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A BELT sheath AT THE SAME TIMEWILL BUY ONE NOW. Obviously. If you need weather-resistant materials, smooth operation, and a no-nonsense blade, this is where you need to be shopping. Most every summer, I oil all my leather belts, sheaths, field boots and work shoes. If you want to really nerd out on what goes into making a quality knife, thats a great place to start. They had to be sharp, durable, and slim enough to fit in the front pocket of the owners jeans. All shapes have their advantages and disadvantages, but these three tend to be best-suited for military use. This is no slouch and you can expect to get what you pay for. Instead of joining the crowd with an aggressive handle, serrated blade, and matte black paint that looks like it was built for duty on a SWAT team, the Leek is slim, streamlined, and almost pretty. Since 2020, hes selflessly committed himself to experiencing the best gear, gadgets, stories, and alcoholic beverages in the service of you, the reader. A blade thats more show than go wont cut the mustard here. As a tradeoff, youll get a utilitarian device thats unfazed by splitting wood, digging through frozen dirt, or spending days on end inside a muddy sheath on your plate carrier. It held up to life on the Appalachian Trail and sliced through tough climbing rope with ease. You'll probably never be faced with an attacker and forced to defend yourself with asurvival knife. The nicely contoured handle is super grippy and manages to fit bare or gloved hands comfortably without being too bulky for pocket carryalthough, at 5.7 ounces, you might want something smaller and lighter for certain situations. Id venture to guess they have the whole sharpness thing figured out. Compared to the alternatives from companies like Benchmade, Gerber, and Spyderco, theres a noticeable drop in fit and finish with this knife. Its never a bad idea to research knife regulations in your area, but odds are you wont run into problems with this kind of blade. I have had this knife for several years and, along with my K-Bar, it is my favorite. Anti-reflective surfaces all around make this a tactically sound purchase. However, you probably will need to use one while camping or hunting. Dennis White used one to split enough wood to free his SUV from a half-frozen bog. One thing that doesnt need attention is the outstanding Axis Lock.