Top 10 Best Tactical Knives (Reviews & Buyers’ Guide 2022)

Best Tactical Knife/EDC Knife

The first entry on our list comes from a knife brand that is well known for its build quality and effective designs. The Kershaw Clash is our best pocket knife pick with great overall features and an attractive price tag. Not to mention, it uses the patented SpeedSafe deployment system that was designed by award-winning knife maker Ken Onion.

If you’re a knife nut then you already know of the brand Kershaw. Even if you’re not a fan of knives or blades, chances are, you may have already heard about or seen their knives in action. Kershaw is a fan favorite when it comes to cutlery—from EDC (everyday carry) knives to tactical knives and everything in between.

Often imitated but never duplicated, the SpeedSafe assisted opening system of the Clash is probably one of its best features. It’s a quick and efficient opening system that uses a flipper tab on the back of the blade to propel it outward with the help of a spring mechanism. This design revolutionized the way knives are opened and inspired a whole lot of knife designs and even other knife manufacturers.

It’s a welcome feature if you need to use your knife with just one hand. You just flip the tab and the blade springs into action. One-hand deployment anytime, every time. This makes the Kershaw clash an easy recommendation for us. Easy deployment is one of the first things we consider when it comes to tactical or EDC knives.

On to the blade. The Clash uses a 3.1” 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade that is a great size for most everyday tasks. It’s not too short to lack utility for other chores and it’s not too big that it’s intimidating. It’s just the right size. The blade material is also a good choice for daily chores. 8Cr13MoV is a popular choice among knife enthusiasts for its robust quality and edge retention. This is a tough blade that is capable of taking hits every time for a long time.

One thing we like about the number one pick on our list is its drop-point blade shape. This is a particularly useful blade shape that makes sharpening easy and can be used for tasks that require stabbing and slicing action. The partially-serrated blade is also especially useful if you need to cut rope and paracord when you’re outdoors.

On to the grip. This blade uses a textured black grip made of glass-filled nylon. While this is not the most premium material for knife scales or grips, it’s one of the most durable. This resin composite material can take a beating from everyday use including bumps and falls. It’s a tough material and a simple pattern that gets the job done.

The shape of the grip is also ergonomic, making daily chores more manageable and comfortable. We especially like the finger choil and thumb rest on the backside of the blade that lets users “choke” the blade when doing push cuts. The added grip will give your hand more pushing power as you make kindling and do pressure cuts on tougher materials.

With over 6,000 ratings on Amazon, it’s easy to say that the Kershaw Clash is a fan favorite. Considering all the points we stated above, we can say that this is the best tactical knife for sale in 2022 in our opinion. With a $39.87 price tag, this is a blade only increases its value proposition and cements its top spot on this list. It’s a do-it-all option for everyone, knife enthusiast or not.

Other nifty features: wide reversible pocket clip for tip-up and tip-down carry, liner lock safety mechanism, 4.25” closed length for easy storage, and black-oxide blade finish.

Best EDC Men’s Pocket Knife

If you are looking for one tool that does it all, then look no further. The KINGMAX Multitool and Tactical Knife has all the tools you need and nothing that you don’t.

In our opinion, this tactical knife and multitool will be your best EDC knife if you’re a handyman or an outdoor enthusiast. With its assortment of tools and sharp 3.1” half-serrated blade, you’re pretty much good to go. Need to bend some wire or strip cables? The needle nose pliers and wirecutters have your back. There’s a loose screw or nut on your bike that needs tightening? This multitool has you covered.

This pick from KINGMAX offers versatility in every turn, making it a great companion at home or in the outdoors. Simple repairs and cutting tasks will be a cinch with this compact multitool and tactical knife. All the tools in the KINGMAX tactical knife and multitool include the main blade, half-serrated knife, needle nose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, bottle and can opener, screwdriver tip, screwdriver attachment, and 9-in-1 screwdriver bits.

Other features that make this a great tactical knife option are its black aluminum coating for adding wear and rust protection, liner lock system that keeps the blade in place when in use, contoured grip for easy handing, thumb studs for one-handed opening, and the included nylon sheath for carrying and storage options.

This pick is currently available on Amazon for only $21.99.

Best Large Tactical Knife for Sale in 2022

Cuts like a knife, built like a pistol. The SWMP4LS from Smith & Wesson is a great addition to any knife collection. Its set of useful features and solid construction earn it the number three spot on our list. It’s also budget-friendly at $28.45.

If you’re looking for an assisted opening tactical knife then this might be the one for you. One of the highlights of the SWMP4LS is its quick deployment mechanism. Powered by a spring, the blade goes into action with a flick of the switch. The deployment is responsive and is perfect for instances when you need a blade at the ready. This feature is especially helpful if you’re a first responder in a situation where every second counts.

Aside from the switch on the top of the blade, you can also do a one-hand opening with the help of the thumb plates. The plates have grooves that help you open and engage the spring and open the blade in a quick motion.

The SWMP4LS also comes with a safety switch that adds another layer of security to the knife. It’s a simple slide switch with color indicators that help you identify if the blade is live or not. This is an extremely helpful tool to prevent accidental deployment and injuries, especially when inside a pocket or bag compartment. Smith & Wesson brings its gun-making expertise into the design of the knife as it does with its range of popular pistols like the M&P series.

The 3.6” half-serrated blade is black-oxide coated to give it that tactical look. The coating also protects it from wear and tear from daily use. The partially-serrated blade is particularly useful in cutting cordage or seatbelts in car crashes. Speaking of car crashes, the SWMP4LS also comes with a glass breaker spike, making it a great emergency tool.

Simple, useful, and affordable, the SWMP4LS is a great choice for a tactical knife. Other nifty features include the ergonomic aluminum handle and pocket clip.

Best Tactical Knife with Belt Cutter

One of our top picks is the Steinbrucke Tactical Folding Knife with Belt Cutter. It secures the number four spot on our list with a collection of useful features and good build quality. It’s a perfect tool to have in your car or on your person in case of emergencies, thanks to its glass breaker and seatbelt cutter features.

One trait of a good tactical knife is versatility. It should be capable of performing different tasks when needed and it needs to do them well. This is the case with the Steinbrucke folding knife design. It has a sharp 3.4” half-serrated blade that is capable of making easy work of cutting tasks including cutting rope and other cordage. It also has a built-in glass breaker and seatbelt cutter that are essential tools in case of car crashes.

The seatbelt cutter is particularly useful since it doesn’t have any exposed blades that can nick or cut the passenger as you cut the belt. All you need to do is slide the belt material into the slot where the blade rests and pull to cut the person loose. In an accident, it’s best to keep damage to a minimum by being precise with your actions and decisions.

Another important feature of the knife is the glass breaker. Like the seatbelt cutter, the glass breaker is also an important tool to have in case of car crashes. You can use the hardened tip to shatter automotive glass when it’s the only option you have to get a person out of a car wreck. These two features make this Steinbrucke model a great choice for first responders or for people who like to be ready for any scenario.

Other features that also make this a versatile EDC blade are the durable 8CR13MoV steel, textured handles for added grip, flipper tab and thumb studs for one-handed opening, and reversible pocket clip for more carry options. In our opinion, this is one of those budget knife options that offer a lot of value. Priced at $19.99, this is a great first knife option or an everyday carry piece that’s always ready to spring into action.

Best Tactical Fixed Blade Knife

While folding knives dominate our list, there are also fixed blades that made the cut. Coming in at the number five spot is the S-Tec 9” Full Tang Tactical Knife.

The advantage of folding knives is portability. Due to their compact build, they can fold into the handle to keep a smaller print when being concealed. Fixed blades on the other hand are usually longer and harder to conceal. They also need a sheath for daily carry, unlike folding knives.

However, fixed blades offer different and common carrying and drawing options like the cross draw or boy scout carry. Fixed blades can be easier to deploy since all you need to do is draw it from the sheath, no flipping or flicking thumb studs needed. The S-Tec benefits from this. Being a fixed blade, its deployment is quick and simple. The additional swivel sheath also helps as it lets you use different drawing directions when lashed on a belt, boot, or backpack strap.

The S-Tec also has an ergonomic handle for proper grip. The herringbone texture on the knife scales provides additional style and grip along with the contoured handle. The finger loop on the other end of the blade makes for a great retention system that prevents accidental slipping.

The blade length of the S-Tec is also a noteworthy feature. The 4.5” ample length makes it ideal for the outdoors especially cutting, chopping, batoning, and other bushcraft tasks. Being a fixed blade, this pick is durable and isn’t prone to breaking since it doesn’t have any moving parts that can loosen with heavy use.

So if you’re looking for an affordable fixed blade that has nice features and doesn’t break the bank, the S-Tec 9 might be the one for you. In our opinion, it’s a great bang-for-your-buck option that mixes function with form very well, making it the best tactical fixed blade knife on our list. It’s currently available on Amazon for $19.99.

Best Tactical Belt Knife

SOG used a Vietnam War-era design to make yet another successful knife. Enter the SEAL Strike Fixed Blade from SOG—the best tactical belt knife on our list.

The bowie knife is a widely-known design all over the world and it was made even more popular by the studies and observations group (SOG) of the US Military back in the Vietnam War. The iconic knife design and the legendary military group proved to be enough inspiration for SOG to create a useful tactical and multi-purpose knife.

The Seal Strike is a functional tactical knife steeped in military history. The design is said to be the number choice of the infamous SOG. Now adapted to modern and more peaceful times, the classic design is a great tactical knife choice for everyday use.

The 4.9” half-serrated blade is black coated to give it that tactical look. It’s also a fully functional rope cutting tool thanks to its partial serrations on the blade. The blade length is sufficient for bushcraft work. The full tang construction also gives the knife a more rigid and durable feel, a feature that you would want to have in survival situations where failure is not an option.

This is a fixed blade knife that is capable of doing many things. Partner that with a variety of carrying options and you have a versatile blade. The SOG Seal Strike can be lashed onto a backpack, used as a boot knife, or fitted to a tactical belt for concealed everyday carry. The sheath is where most fixed blades fail, but that is not the case with the Seal Strike.

Other features that make this a great tactical belt knife include the glass-reinforced nylon handle that is thicker and more grippy compared to other SOG Seal knives, aggressive jimping on the backside of the blade for added grip and control when doing precise cuts, curved guard for pulling free when stuck in target, and contoured handle that fits well in the hand.

Currently priced at $96.64 on Amazon, the Seal Strike from SOG offers great value with its great build quality and well-thought-out features. In our opinion, the extra cash you shell out for this blade is well worth the investment. You get a quality piece from a reputable knife maker that is purpose-built and mission-ready.

Best Tactical Neck Knife

At number seven, we have the Stretta Tactical Neck Knife from Kilimanjaro. This small but capable knife is mainly used for self-defense but it can also double as a lightweight fixed blade for light-duty tasks.

One of the main reasons to buy a neck knife is for tactical purposes. Considered by many as a “last ditch” weapon, the neck knife has become increasingly popular among knife enthusiasts in recent years.

One defining trait of a neck knife is its small size and the Kilimanjaro Stretta has that in the bag. The Stretta features a 3.2” blade length and an overall length of just 6.4”, making it an ideal choice for neck carry. The small footprint lets you conceal it under a shirt or even in a boot for deployment.

The Stretta uses the widely-known 8CR13MoV steel for its toughness and durability. It also features a fixed blade design and a finger hole for easy use and safe deployment when needed. The contoured grip and rubberized handle make it comfortable for light cutting tasks when used as an EDC blade.

Being a neck knife, the Stretta has a push-button sheath and chain as the main deployment option. Users have praised the Kilimanjaro Stretta for its sharpness right out of the box, jimping on the spine of the blade, and overall usable size for everyday carry.

In our opinion, the Stretta makes for a compelling choice when it comes to choosing a tactical neck knife for everyday carry. It’s slick and simple to use and is relatively inexpensive. Get one now at Amazon for only $19.97.

Best Tactical Survival Knife

Coming in at number eight, we have the Snake Eye Heavy Duty Tactical Knife. This one is a chunky fixed blade that will feel at home in any outdoor or survivalist setting. It’s a simple fixed blade knife that will do the job done, no questions asked.

Sporting a large 5.5” blade, this pick from Snake Eye Tactical offers a lot of steel for any outdoor use. Its heavy-duty full tang construction will make sure that it can handle any cutting, chopping, or slashing task you throw at it. The black finish helps in giving this knife the tactical look while adding protection against wear and rust. If you’re always out in the elements, you’d especially like the added protection to keep your blade always ready for action.

This survival knife has a tanto point, making it ideal for cutting through tough materials including tin cans when a can opener just won’t do. The straight edge of the blade also makes sharpening and honing easy even when out in the bush. The 3CR13 is a great steel choice since it’s hard-wearing and can be sharpened easily even in the field.

Other features that make this knife a good tactical survival knife are its wide contoured handle, lashing holes on the blade guard for adaptability on the field, lanyard hole for paracord attachments, and included nylon sheath for carrying. Currently priced at $49.95 on Amazon, this makes for a great backup tactical knife in our opinion. Just throw it in your go-bag or main pack and you’re all set for most cutting tasks that may come your way.

Best Large Tactical Knife

An absolute beast of a knife, the Proponent from Artisan Cutlery is still an exciting choice at number nine. This overbuilt tactical knife is a heavy-duty tool that is meant to be used and abused all day, every day.

Artisan Cutlery has garnered a lot of praise for its knife designs through the years and they did it again with the Proponent. This blacked-out tactical knife hits the right balance between function and form as it performs well and looks good at the same time. While most people—even some knife enthusiasts—may be discouraged by its heft and size, it has found a perfect niche in the knife community as an oversized EDC and tactical option.

The crowning jewel of this fun and functional knife is its massive 4” long blade. It dwarfs other big tactical folders and is geared towards heavy use. It’s made with D2 steel so you are guaranteed prolonged heavy use and with the included hardened steel pin that screws into the blade and the body of the handle, you can beat this knife up even further without worrying about breaking it in the process. The screw pin is a simple but effective addition to the overall design of the Proponent. Batoning and chopping will be easy tasks with a blade of this size, weight, and durability.

One-handed opening is also not a problem with the Proponent. The large ambidextrous thumb studs are easy to use and the addition of a flipper tab makes opening a lot more convenient. Closing it is no different—just flick down the liner lock and the blade closes on its own due to the weight of the blade. Of course, Artisan Cutlery added their ceramic ball bearing to make sure that deployment and closing are as smooth as they can get.

Ergonomics is also a noteworthy characteristic of the Proponent. Its large G10 handles are milled and fit the hand nicely thanks to its patterns and the grippy texture of the material. The finger choil is also enough to control the weight of the blade and the additional jimping on the backside of the knife gives the user ample support for push cuts.

Artisan Cutlery brought life to the design of renowned knife maker Dan Pinkerton and made a budget-friendly but well-built knife. Whether you’re looking for a serious daily carry knife or just want something fun to have in your collection, the Artisan Cutlery is a good knife to consider. The blacked-out Proponent with G10 scales is currently priced at $69.99. In our opinion, this is a great oversized knife with a tactical look for heavy-duty use.

Best Tactical Cleaver

A whole lot of blade for not a whole lot of money. The Tigris from CJRB is a fairly new cleaver-style knife. It was introduced just in February of 2021 and it has been getting good reviews from users and knife enthusiasts from all over the world.

This is a big knife and there’s no other way to go around that. While others love using tactical knives that have a slimmer profile and a smaller footprint, the CJRB Tigris is for knife nuts who want something substantial and robust. The hefty and almost 1.5” wide black coated blade is perfect for cutting tasks and it’s also nice to look at. It’s hard to imagine putting a big blade like this in your pocket but it works due to the contours of the blade handle and custom pocket clip.

In our opinion, this is one of the best-looking knives on this list due to its unique styling and character. We’re loving the wide and hefty blade that doesn’t look threatening. This makes it especially useful for daily chores around people who may not be too exposed to knives. A chunky cleaver may not be the first thing that comes to mind when tactical knives are the topic but the Tigris makes a compelling point if you’re looking for a fun and functional folding knife.

One feature of the Tigris that makes it a runner-up on this list is its blade material. CJRB wanted to use steel that is a little bit better than G2 steel so instead of trying out different steels on the market, they decided to make one on their own. That’s when the AR-RPM9 steel was developed. The new steel that CJRB used in the Tigris is proving to be reliable and functional without bumping up the manufacturing costs.

The overall silhouette of the Tigris is also a noteworthy feature. The designers did a good job making the knife appear less bulky with its curves and unexpectedly slim profile. The double-layered G10 handle (which is a first for CJRB) also helped in making the blade appear thinner than it is.

We’re loving the combination of blue and black G10 scales since they give the knife another interesting visual element. The shape of the handle along with the grippy G10 material makes handling this knife both secure and reassuring.

Other features that make this knife still a great choice for everyday carry are its smooth ceramic ball bearing that helps make deployment a pleasurable experience, its responsive flipper tab, colorful backspacer that also houses the lanyard hole, liner locking mechanism, and its custom-designed pocket clip that helps with deep pocket carry.

One thing to note: the pocket clip is right-hand side only. Sorry about that lefties and people who want different tip carry options. Priced currently at $59.95, this is a great choice for a folding tactical knife with a big and bold presence.