Thats the same parent company that owns Kershaw, but they also manufacture razor blades and medical scalpels. Some spring-assisted knives can be opened with the touch of a button rather than the typical wrist-flick youre probably used to. Spring-assisted blades make one-handed operation even easier. Strap one to your plate carrier. It held up to life on the Appalachian Trail and sliced through tough climbing rope with ease. 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. 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. At this size, your best bet is to keep this knife in garrison for everyday tasks. My circumstances will be wet, a lot. Its been my EDC in garrison, deployment, on several camping trips, and around my garage. Excellent knife for the price. 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. Im happy with my purchase. At just over three ounces, its also light enough to carry all day, every day. As long as you can accept that more weight does not equate to higher quality, thats a good thing. Holds a good edge and easy to sharpen when needed. Whether on the job or enjoying a long weekend in the backcountry, a reliable, quality blade is something everyone should own. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Very happy to have it in the field with me at any time. Todays folding knives offer a huge selection of tactical options. You never need an excuse to add a knife to your collection. Contact the author here. This is no slouch and you can expect to get what you pay for. Semper Fi. If you know, you knowand we know knives here at Task & Purpose. Older folding knives require us to jam a thumbnail into a notch on the blade to pry it open. Obviously. The girthy handle and thick blade are a noticeable departure from the compact knives on this list. This gear guide is built on years of real-world experience. 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. This knife is that and then some. 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. Weight savings come as a result of the knifes composite handle, which replaces previous generations metal grip. This knife comes from a mighty fine pedigree, and its easy to see that Gerber intended for this thing to thrive in harms way. Learn more about our product review process. When it comes down to it, the Para Military 2 is aptly named. Dont let the name fool you; the 3.2-inch blade is more than adequate for most daily tasks. Zero Tolerance isnt a household name like the other knife makers on this list, but Im guessing thats a function of the price tag. 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. Most tactical knives feature a clip, drop, or tanto point. This is a rock-solid EDC thats comfortable in the office or the backwoods. Steel is usually combined with carbon or chromium to make a blade harder or more corrosion-resistant. This is an outstanding product at an excellent price. 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. Accessories, Medieval Armor With a triumphant flush, I cleaned my blade and departed from the battlefield. A blade thats more show than go wont cut the mustard here. Assisted or not, you need something you can deploy in a hurry without using both hands. 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. Loved it so much going to order a few more! The steel itself is durable, corrosion-resistant, and capable of holding an edge through plenty of use. Copyright 2022 Knife Depot. More modern designs use thumb tabs to flick the blade open with authority. The blade itself is sharp out of the box, and the steel Spyderco uses is easy for the at-home sharpener to maintain. These assist the blades opening movement and form a functional hilt when locked in the open position. You can still get excellent examples from brands like Case, but they probably arent what youre looking for in a military knife. Add one to your collection, and youll see why. Holds it's edge very well, sharpens back up very nicely. Add this to the list of knives the Task & Purpose team is itching to test ourselves. Benchmades Mini Presidio II is something of a goldilocks in the folding knife world. My own opinion on the Mule and KA-BARs brand in general are well-known, so Ill cut to the chase: I dig it. When we recommend something to you, our brothers and sisters in arms, its not because weve been swayed by clever sales pitches and advertisements. Toss it in your tackle box. 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. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. This knife can pretty much do it all. They're perfect for tackling mundane chores around the house like opening packages or cutting thick cord in a rainstorm at night. What stands out about this knife are the oversized thumb tabs. 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. These blends have (not terribly intuitive) alphanumeric names, and Knife Informer has a fantastic breakdown of what all this information means. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A BELT sheath AT THE SAME TIMEWILL BUY ONE NOW. One thing that doesnt need attention is the outstanding Axis Lock. Classic design cues like bone handles and polished blades make these popular heirloom items. Its not the sharpest or prettiest, but I can be damn sure itll be ready when I need it. Check. 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. Once the blade is flicked open, its there until you unlock it. Back in the day, pocket knives were used for everything from doctoring calves in the field to slicing up an apple at lunch. 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. 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. 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. If a quality blade is what youre after, this might be just what the doctor ordered. When US Navy SEAL teams are deployed to secret locations on missions with wide ranges of objectives, tactical knives are right by their sides. 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. I like how it has that sprayed-on truck bed liner look. Another piece of equipment Id love to get my grubby little hands on is the Kershaw Leekweird name, cool little knife. 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? The Leeks clip point blade makes it well-suited for precision cuts; its more of a scalpel than a machete (more on that later). Tactical knives are sleek, simple and effective which is something you'd want to rely on when the going gets tough. Task & Purpose and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Speed safe function is awesome! 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. 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. This knifes distinctive features do more than look cool; they make it one of the most reliable and useful folding knives on the market. Thats nice to know when youre putting this knife through its paces. The list of blade shapes is almost endless. KNIFE PERFORMS AS EXPECTED.VERY SHARP AND FITS THE HAND WELL. Excellent ergonomics result in a small handle that fits well in hands of all sizes. 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. Consider me intrigued. 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. Still, if you wanted to get your moneys worth by making this your EDC, that would be understandable. Tactical knives are great "insurance" for those unexpected moments in life. This slim knife would be a great addition to your collection if you want something that can slice accurately and cleanly. Maybe youre looking for your first knife, or maybe youve acquired a healthy collection already. Build quality worthy of a career in the military? There I was, alone and unafraid. If you need weather-resistant materials, smooth operation, and a no-nonsense blade, this is where you need to be shopping. Covered them liberally on a hot day with an excellent leather oil. Shop our selection of tactical combat knives below or see our hand pickedBest Tactical Knives. During 18 months of hard use, Task & Purpose contributor Joe Plenzler has gotten his moneys worth out of this (not inexpensive) knife. Ive trusted my KA-BAR Mule for more than a decade. 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. Compared to the alternatives from companies like Benchmade, Gerber, and Spyderco, theres a noticeable drop in fit and finish with this knife. I have had this knife for several years and, along with my K-Bar, it is my favorite. Since 2020, hes selflessly committed himself to experiencing the best gear, gadgets, stories, and alcoholic beverages in the service of you, the reader. The best is to be determined by the user's circimstances. Rapid one-handed opening? Some prioritize portability with small blades like the ones youd see on traditional pocket knives. Short blade, but very efficient and tough. Very firm, strong, and great bottle opener! However, you probably will need to use one while camping or hunting. 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. 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. Armed with only my RAT boots and a motivated folding KA-BAR, I defied staggering odds and emerged victorious from another perilous head call. 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 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. Its worth pointing out that Zero Tolerance is owned by KAI Group. So, what does a triplet of $100 bills get you at the knife counter? Clip it in the pocket of your board shorts. Dennis White used one to split enough wood to free his SUV from a half-frozen bog. 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. The knife-wielding hooligans here at Task & Purpose know a thing or two about what makes a blade battle-worthy. Id venture to guess they have the whole sharpness thing figured out. Tactical, subdued colors? Its not super smooth or refined, and the beefy locking mechanism requires serious effort to open the blade one-handed. The exaggerated thumb hole makes it easy to get that satisfying opening flick right every time. If you dont already own one of these yourself, you almost definitely know someone who has. No, these are not switchblades. Anti-reflective surfaces all around make this a tactically sound purchase. 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. The first option isnt what Id recommend for military use. 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. What constitutes a good blade depends on how you use it. 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. This folding knife is affordable, versatile, and more rugged than the 2.7-ounce weight suggests. Forget about slick marketing briefs and absurd product names; we judge knives by their actual performance in situations that matter. All shapes have their advantages and disadvantages, but these three tend to be best-suited for military use. The blade deploys quickly with one hand and locks in place with a reassuring safety mechanism. All rights reserved, If you're not happy with your new knife, then neither are we. Turned both into a very handsome dark brown. 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. No knife will win in the forum debates about which one is the best.