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To stand still and stagnate is to die. In war, you must continually advance and take ground to win. This principle of advancing to win applies not just to war as a whole but also to the technology, tools, and weapons we use in war, a.k.a. folding knives.

That’s not to say, for example, that the weapons of yesteryear are obsolete; simply, we need to build on them to continue to improve them. As we improve our weapons of warfare, we become better.

I scoured hundreds of knives from many of the top knife companies and put together this awesome little list.

There are many great knives not on this list, and I tried very hard to stick to the company’s list of “New” knives on its website. Believe me when I say it was a hard task to complete.

As an extreme knife nerd, there are many I wanted to put on this list but did not meet the criteria I had of being new.

That being said, each of these knives is an excellent tactical knife and can bring a lot to any field it is used in. Our EDC items are vital to our everyday lives, and a tactical knife should be a priority for everyone to carry!

FOR MORE GREAT KNIFE CONTENT, CHECK OUT THESE OTHER ARTICLES:
The 10 Best Knives for CQC and Self-Defence
The ULTIMATE Guide To Blade Steel: Everything You Need To Know
SOG SEAL XR: The Dark Has A New Enemy

THE BEST NEW TACTICAL FOLDING KNIVES

CRKT – Dextro

Press down on the flipper, and the aggressively angular drop-point blade swings into action smoothly on IKBS bearings, ready to pierce, cut, or slice its way through whatever the day throws at it.

The Dextros blade is made from tough and rugged D2 steel, and the handle is made from aluminum, making it lightweight and very strong.

The knife has a textured handle and a pronounced flipper, providing a solid grip so your hand won’t slip off during hard use.

A strong liner lock prevents this little beast from closing without your direct say-so. The full black blade and handle make the Dextro a slick EDC.

Kershaw – Livewire

After significant research, careful development, and rigorous testing, in-house designers and custom knife maker Matt Diskin delivered Kershaw’s first OTF auto: the Livewire.

The premium CPM 20CV blade opens and retracts with authority. The black-anodized aluminum handle is textured for a secure grip. And its curved, staircase-like button feels comfortable on the thumb for reliable deployment.

In addition, this knife is a joy to carry due to its lightweight and reversible deep-carry clip. Fans have been asking for it, and the Livewire is every bit worth the wait.

Boker Plus – Strike Damast

Boker Plus presents a noble variant with a blade made of 110-layer Damascus.

The slim, ergonomically shaped handle is built on solid steel plates trimmed with easy grip and lightweight scales made of black aluminum.

Deep jimping in the pronounced thumb recess also supports the secure handling of the automatic knife.

The drop-point blade with decorative ricasso is opened by a push button and held in place by the robust button lock, giving the slider additional security.

SOG – Pentagon XR LTE

Carbon fibre liners reduce the weight of the Pentagon XR LTE by 35% when compared to the standard Pentagon XR.

A folding knife designed for defence, the easy-to-carry SOG Pentagon XR features a 3.66” cryogenically heat-treated CTS XHP stainless steel, wide spear point blade and ultra-grip G10 handle.

SOG’s XR Lock enables smooth ambidextrous single-handed opening in three different ways with distinguishably solid blade-lock once open with a fixed-blade-like feel and confidence.

The Pentagon’s proven pedigree backs the next level of enhanced pocket knife capability. 

SIG – K320 AXG Pro

Hogue knife deployment is based around a strong, custom-designed, oversized coil spring that has been extensively tested and integrated to provide force along the pivot’s entire range of motion.

The K320 AXG Pro is designed to complement the P320 AXG Pro firearm. It has a black aluminum handle and a choice of G10 or wooden inlays.

Hogue delivers some of the best push-button action on the market, and the K320 is no different. It fires with authority, so make sure you have a solid hold on the knife before actuating, as the knife may go flying.

An excellent thumb ramp, finger choil, and lanyard hole round out the features of this near-perfect folding knife, which we think is poised to become one of the premier duty knives that money can buy.

Benchmade – 9070BK-1 Claymore

The 9070SBK-1 Claymore is a slender push-button powerhouse inspired by one of the most notorious directional mines.

The Claymore is built with ultra-tough and laser-sharp CPM-D2 blades, robust ultralight construction, and namesake-appropriate detailing.

This nonserrated auto fires with authority and is sure to energize the casual-carrier and hardcore users alike.

Manufactured in the USA and Berry compliant, the Claymore has set the standard for closed break strength, making it Benchmade’s toughest folder to date.

Fox Knives – Pro Hunter

The Fox Pro Hunter is a true tactical/survival knife. Its 3.74″ Bohler N690Co stainless steel blade has a strong tip, large belly, and plenty of cutting surface to make any slicing and dicing an absolute breeze.

With a blade thickness of 0.20, the Pro Hunter can take one heck of a beating without showing any signs of wear and tear. Its shallow tip and large drop-point blade make it an absolute beast.

The aggressively textured green and black micarta handle scales provide a first-class grip, even when wet. The Fox Pro Hunter is a manual open using a classic thumb stud.

Included with the Pro Hunter is a black leather sheath that can store the knife closed or open.

Kershaw – Monitor

The Monitor blends tactical cutting ability with everyday carry convenience. Manual KVT ball bearings create a smooth opening, and the ultra-reliable DuraLock secures the blade.

Complete cutting tasks using the piercing spear point and slicey D2 tool steel edge with a flat grind.

Grip the textured handle for greater control and pull back on the ambidextrous DuraLock to safely close the blade. Finally, it includes a reversible extra-deep-carry pocket clip for easy carry.

Despite its smaller size, the Monitor packs a punch.

Boker Plus – RBB 2.0

The RBB 2.0 tactical knife has a clip-point blade, ergonomic finger jimping with a non-slip structure on the handle made of Zytel, non-structured jimping for easier finding and lifting of the detachable thumb stud, and a convertible tip-up clip.

Furthermore, the all-black knife convinces with the hand guard and the lanyard hole for securing the knife when in use.

The D2 blade guarantees the required edge retention and corrosion resistance and is backed by a solid backlock.

SOG – TAC XR

The go-to folding knife for uniformed professionals, SOG-TAC XR features a 3.4-inch cryogenically heat-treated D2 tool steel blade and ultra-grip G10 handle.

SOG’s XR Lock enables smooth ambidextrous single-handed opening in three different ways, with an extremely secure blade-lock once open.

The next generation of designed and engineered performance in a tactical pocket knife. 

Kershaw – Lateral

The Lateral snaps into action with Kershaw’s assisted opening. Its wide drop point blade features a slight recurve and is great for difficult cutting tasks.

The swooping handle texture is plenty ergonomic, too. And the reversible extra-deep-carry pocket clip rides subtly in the pocket during travel.

The Lateral won’t break the bank, either. It’s the ideal work knife for your tool kit.

TOOR Knives – XT1 Bravo G10

The XT1 Bravo includes a stainless steel liner to reinforce the frame’s strength, a stone wash, and a polished locking side to reduce surface scratching.

The XT1’s hardened steel lock bar insert with overtravel stop reduces wear and tear on the blade lock interface, which maintains lock longevity and creates a much larger surface area engagement, mitigating all open and closed blade movement.

The additional mass of the handle allows a titanium billet milled clip to sit in a machined recess, completely improving the pocket clip’s overall durability.

Additionally, the full G10 backspacer greatly improves the rigidity of all the frame body screws, relieves the stress from traditional threaded standoffs and is finished with a large loop that features jimping for safety cords and lanyards.

CRKT – Ritual Black

Like an old-world Persian fixed blade, the Ritual Black folding knife is an all-black version of the Ritual.

It features the same long, drastic blade curve and a new black resin-infused fibre handle. This ancient-looking blade is fit for modern carry thanks to the powerful assisted-opening innovation that snaps open at lightning-fast speeds.

It’s perfect for doing battle in ancient Persia and making quick work of a package on your doorstep.

Cold Steel – Engage 3.5

Built to be an everyday carry workhorse, the Engage 3.5 is an easy-carrying folder with an ample 3.5-inch S35VN stainless steel blade for superior toughness and edge retention.

Featuring Cold Steel’s patent-pending slide-action Atlas lock, which guarantees consistent, durable, and reliable lockup, it’s completely ambidextrous and fully capable of meeting any task.

The easy-gripping G-10 handle is overbuilt to be resilient, and the satin clip-point blade allows for detailed and precise cutting.

Boker Plus – AK101 2.0

The Boker Plus AK-101 2.0 from the Kalashnikov series is a full-blown heavy-duty knife suitable for tactical and outdoor use.

The high-strength aluminum handle lies securely in the hand thanks to its structured surface, typical crossbars, and finger jimping. The jimping in the area of the thumb rest also guarantees controlled cutting.

In the 2.0 version, the pocket knife comes with a black-coated drop-point blade made of D2, which can be opened easily even with gloves using the flipper or the thumb lifter that can be reached from both sides.

The steel liners mounted under the handle scales give the entire construction the necessary stability. A reliable liner lock locks the pocket knife. It is supplied with a lanyard hole and a clip.

Spyderco – Military 2

The Military 2’s full-flat ground CPM S30V blade is supported by Spyderco’s signature Compression Lock mechanism, which offers greater strength and even safer one-handed operation.

The larger stainless steel liners that form the lock’s foundation give the knife increased structural strength and anchor its four-position pocket clip, which is configurable for left- or right-side, tip-up, or tip-down carry.

The skeletonized liners are nested within peel-ply-textured G-10 scales to maintain a slim profile and complement its open-backed construction to reduce the knife’s overall weight.

GiantMouse – Ace Corta

The new ACE “Corta” is a small stout flipper with a pointy but strong blade that fires open like a rocket.

The flat sabre grind, combined with the blade’s sleek lines with a straight back and classic edge line, gives the blade an almost fang-like look. 

Once you get the Corta in hand and flip it open a few times, you’ll feel the function designed into this knife.

The simple but beautiful lines of the Corta are a nod to the designers’ Nordic heritage, resulting in a functional tool for use in everyday life. 

Hogue – Deka

The Hogue Deka folder features polymer handles with a variety of attractive patterns.

The knife comes with modified Wharncliffe and clip-point variations to fit your needs and tastes. The ambidextrous blade is easy to deploy thanks to the included thumb studs.

The knife comes with the ABLE-Lock system that secures the knife while open or closed. This version has the clip point blade with a stonewashed finished MagnaCut steel and a blue colouring on the polymer handles.

SOG – VISION XR LTE

Carbon fibre liners reduce the weight of the Vision XR LTE by 30% when compared to the standard Vision XR.

SOG Vision XR LTE features a 3.18-inch cryogenically heat-treated CTS XHP stainless steel tanto blade for increased strength, general-purpose use, and an ultra-grip G10 handle.

SOG’s XR Lock enables smooth ambidextrous single-handed opening in three different ways with an innovative solid blade-lock once open delivering a fixed-blade-like feel and confidence.

The essential folding knife for professionals, the SOG Vision XR pocket knife is at the peak of performance and capability.

Buck – 843 Sprint Ops

Even the best-laid plans require quick reactions and adjustments to changing environments. This 843 Sprint Ops knife is ready when you are.

A high-speed ball-bearing flipper makes for fast deployment. The reverse tanto blade shape gives the knife piercing strength while also giving you the smooth cutting surface of a drop point.

The blade is S45VN steel tempered with Buck’s famous BOS heat treat; the blade offers improved corrosion and wear resistance while maintaining a sharp edge through challenging tasks.

The blade is Cerakote coated to provide further corrosion resistance and durability. The handle is a lightweight yet extremely strong, marbled carbon fibre. The knife includes a Cerakote-coated, removable, deep carry pocket clip.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR KNIFE

CONSIDER EXPECTED TASKS AND ENVIRONMENT

The most important thing when picking your knife is knowing the task, you’ll be using it for and the environment you’ll be using it in.

In life, it is always important, whether in construction or war, to have the right tool for the job. So, before your purchase, go over the intended tasks and jobs you’ll be using the knife for.

The second most important thing as I said, is the environment you’ll be using the knife in.

If you’re working around salt water, for example, on a boat, you’ll want a knife with a higher chromium content, which will make it more resistant to rust.

Similarly, if you’re working in extreme cold or heat, you want a knife that can handle the extreme temperatures.

These MUST be your first considerations when purchasing any knife!

BLADE STYLE

Blade style is the most preference-based factor on the list.

Clip point, drop point, recurve, tanto, and others all make for great tactical blades, but one isn’t necessarily better than another.

Although your expected tasks may have some say in the style of blade you choose, as you may want more cutting edge or less of a tip, a tanto blade probably wouldn’t be your first choice.

At the same time, if you want the most stabby blade you can get, perhaps a tanto blade would be your first choice. Even after considering your tasks, though, you may still have a blade style you prefer.

BLADE STEEL

Going back to your initial consideration of your expected tasks and the environment you’ll be operating in will help you determine the type of blade steel you’ll want.

If you’re expecting to be very abusive to your blade, then having cheaper, more common steel that can take a beating, like 1095 steel, is more what you’ll want.

If you’re operating around seawater, working on the coast, or out in the ocean, you’ll want steel that handles salt well and has high rust resistance, like CPM MagnaCut.

If you like cutting, slicing, and stabbing in any climate, you’ll want great overall steel, such as CPM S35VN, S45VN, or M390.

If you are unsure of what steel is ideal for you, look at my article “The ULTIMATE Guide to Blade Steel.” It’s a very useful tool that will enable you to learn anything and everything you need to know about blade steel.

HANDLE DESIGN

Handle design is very important when it comes to tactical knives. A tactical knife, by nature, is meant to be used in high-stress combat situations but is just as handy in outdoor survival situations.

Your knife handle design matters so much because you’re using these knives in situations where your adrenaline might be pumping, your fine motor skills might be slightly inhibited, or you might be more focused on your overall task than simply holding onto your knife.

That knife needs to stay in your hand!

Therefore, a tactical knife can’t have a smooth, un-contoured handle. This would be ineffective in the situations mentioned above.

The handle of a tactical knife must have solid, pronounced finger groves to provide the best grip. A handle with three to four finger choils is ideal; one good example is the Boker Plus knives.

More commonly, however, is the handle design with a singular groove for the index finger with a solid and pronounced flipper acting as a finger stop. Most other knives on this list are good examples of this style of handle.

HANDLE MATERIAL

For some people, knives are just a fun, possibly decorative item, so the handle material itself doesn’t matter much, at least not how functional it is.

But for those of us who view our knives as essential tools, possibly life-defending and life-saving tools, the handle material matters greatly.

Why does it matter so much, you ask? The last thing you want while in a possible tactical or life-saving situation is to lose control of your knife due to a poor handle.

Some materials are very slippery when wet, and some are very slippery even when they’re not wet. You want a material that will offer you the maximum amount of grippyness in every situation.

For this reason, materials such as bone, ivory, pearl, wood, and smooth metals do not make good handles for tactical knives.

Polymer, micarta, G10, and lighter metals like aluminum are the absolute best materials for tactical knives AS LONG AS THEY’RE TEXTURED!

That being said, the best out of these materials is, hands down, your more rubbery polymers, followed by Micarta and G10.

For a more in-depth look at handle materials, check out my article “The Best Knife Handle Materials: A Complete Guide.”

LOCKING MECHANISM

Outside of personal preference, the main aspect to consider when choosing the type of locking mechanism is, again, the environment and intended task.

Will you be wearing thick gloves, light gloves, or no gloves? Some locking mechanisms, like a back lock or liner lock, will be easier to operate with gloves on.

My SOG EDC has an XR, and I find it hard to operate when I’m outside in the winter.

If you are operating in potentially extremely dusting or sandy locations, perhaps bush button locks aren’t the best choice, and a more mechanical lock like a liner lock would suit the environment better.

If you operate mainly in first-world urban environments, a push-button lock that can be easily operated with one hand might be more advantageous.

Know your task, know your environment and you’ll be able to pick the knife with the vest locking mechanism for you.

OPENER STYLE

Thumb stud, thumb hole, flipper, and push button are the main opening styles you’ll see on tactical knives.

I can’t stress enough, as I’ve been saying throughout, that you should consider your task and environment when choosing the opener style you want.

Thumb studs, thumb holes, and push buttons are great almost everywhere unless you have gloves on. Even some heavy-duty tactical gloves might be too thick to operate these styles.

However, a flipper style won’t be affected by gloves.

Thumb studs and thumb hole openers can be opened more inconspicuously, giving you a greater element of surprise in a possible high-threat situation.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The folding knife is one of the most important tools you can carry as part of your EDC.

I encourage everyone to have one on your person at all times. You never know when it’ll come in handy, and when the time arises, you don’t want to be left wishing you’d put one in your pocket.

No matter what you do or where you are, there is a perfect folder for you. As long as you always remember to consider your task and environment, you’ll get a knife that does everything you want it to do.

Regardless of your budget, there is a quality, functional knife out there for everyone.

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