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In an increasingly dangerous world, the need to be able to defend yourself and your loved ones is more important than ever. With input from one of Canada’s own JTF2 members, I bring you the 10 best knives for self-defence and close-quarter combat.

It is vitally important to prepare ahead of time before the need arises and you find yourself staring the enemy in the face. Prepare by training in the gym, training in BJJ, and training in weapons handling. Weapons, such as a knife, can give you an advantage over your average home intruder or the numpty that thinks he’s tough out on the street.

BLADE LENGTH

Blade length is the #1 consideration for the knives on this list. The ideal blade length for any close quarter combat is no less than 3.5″ and no more than 5″. The perfect blade length falls in right around the 4″ mark.

When fighting in close quarters bigger is not always better. If I’m out hunting and I run into a bear, sure then I’m looking for my 7″ long tank killing beast of a knife, but not in tight quarters fighting with another dude.

Anything smaller than 3.5″ also really starts to become less effective in close quarters as you still want to damage your opponent. All though there are still some styles of knives that operate in that 2″ to 3.5″ length such push blades.

Again, around 4″ is that perfect sweet spot where the most elite CQC and self-defense knives hang out.

10 BEST SELF-DEFENCE KNIVES

SOG – SEAL FX Tanto

The SEAL FX Tanto is latest advancement in the SOG line of SEAL fixed blade knives. The SEAL FX is built with extensive feedback from professional users across the US. American-made, with the out standing S35VN steel used for the blade and a tough glass reinforced nylon handle, the SEAL FX is able to with stand any environment it’s in and any task it’s given.

The handle is very aggressively designed for maximum grip, with a pronounced finger stop making sure this beast will never leave your hand. It includes a customizable kydex sheath with a vertical belt clip, but allows for a universal Tek-Lok belt clip as well. SOG’s SEAL FX is the professional’s go-to solution for fixed blades.

AMTAC Blades – The Minuteman

Amtac Blades was created by Bill Rapier, a combat vet with 20 years in the navy, 3 years at SEAL team 3, and 14 years at the SEAL’s renowned Seal team 6 or DEVGRU (Special Warfare Development Group).The Amtac Blades Minuteman features a 4 inch flat ground blade with a swedge starting 1.5 inches from the handle. This killer blade is made from the legendary M390 steel. The blade geometry on the Inhuman allows for great thrusting ability and strength.

The 1.5 inches of spine directly forward of the handle has a semi sharp 90° angle to facilitate better striking of a Ferro rod and other backcountry tasks. The handle of the Minuteman is 3 3/4 inches long and is made of grippy G10. The blade is designed primarily for belt carry. But there are pocket fire sheaths available as well. 

TOPS – C.U.T. 4.0

The C.U.T. 4.0 (Combat Utility Tool) it is a combative, ring-knife with a utility style blade for field use. The curved handle and ring of a karambit provide superior comfort during combative use, and a traditional drop point blade profile is ideal in the field. The aggressive tip provides for maximum penetration during combat, allowing the C.U.T. 4.0 to penetrate body armor and heavy clothing much easier, while also being useful for drilling chores during field craft tasks.

The C.U.T. 4.0 was designed with professional personnel in mind, but will also make a great EDC for civilians and martial artists who like the diversity of a dual purpose knife. Made from TOPS strong 1095 steel with a Micarta handle, makes the C.U.T. 4.0 an extremely tough and durable knife ready for any task in any environment.

Spartan Blades – Alala

Alala – Ancient Greek, meaning “battle-cry” or “war-cry”.

Alala was the personification of the war cry in Greek mythology. Greek soldiers attacked the enemy with this cry in order to cause panic in their lines. The Alala by Spartan Blades is born and bread to be a combat knife. Created using 1095 Cro-Van steel and boasting a concelable 3.75″ blade, its sturdy and comfortable design makes it a perfect everyday carry fixed blade with great ergonomics.

Spartan Blades Alala is perfectly suited for daily cutting tasks, and is always ready to assist the user with its full tang design. It has a grippy and completely environment resistant Micarta handle, that will make holding the Alala a breeze as you work. The molded polymer sheath comes with an active retention lever and securing strap for convenient carry options.

Extrema Ratio – COL MOSCHIN Compact

The COL MOSCHIN original is the quintessential combat knife. It was made to order for the renowned 9th Parachute Assault Regiment “Col Moschin” of the Italian special forces, which officially adopted it in 2002.  It represents a contemporary reworking of daggers issued to the Arditi – the historical force in whose footsteps the 9th walks – which sported asymmetrical blades and straight but direction-sensitive hilts. 

The compact version came shortly after, maintaining the high standard set by the original COL MOSCHIN, but 2 inches shorter. The user now had the highest quality tactical knife in a concealable package. Extrema Ratio build the 4.30″ long blade of the COL MOSCHIN compact using tough and durable BÖHLER N690. With a forprene handle and large finger and hand guards, you’ll never worry about this blade slipping from your hands. The Tanto design offers incredible peircing and puncturing capabilities.

Toor Knives – Mullet

The Toor Knives Mullet is designed to have as much mass as possible in a shorter footprint so it can be carried horizontally or “scout carry” mid-back. Made from CMP 154 steel, this blade features a short swerve grind, which reinforces the tip and minimizes resistance when penetrating tough surfaces. With an overall length of 8.5”, a weight of 7.5 oz. and blade thickness of 0.1875”, the Mullet successfully fills the gap in our assortment. The Mullet is fitted with Black G10 handles and a Toor Knives signature texture, providing an extremely comfortable in-hand grip.

If you didn’t get an invite to the party, no worries! Modern problems, require modern solutions, so let yourself in by using the Breacher Ball! The 0.1875” tungsten carbide ball allows maximum glass-breaking ability and is press-fit into the hardened tang of the Mullet. It is effective on standard, tempered and safety glass and is by far the most comfortable and effective breacher on the market.

SOG – Pentagon FX Covert (Blackout)

The SOG Pentagon FX Covert is in a league of its own. Representing an evolutionary step in hard-use fixed blade knives, the Pentagon FX is a full-sized knife made for the modern-day war fighter.

It features a double-edge CYRO S35VN full-tang steel blade, removable G10 handles and a GRN sheath compatible with SOG’s next-generation Universal Mounting System. It’s fully customizable to meet the demands of various missions, and purposefully designed to exceed expectations.

Toor Knives – Anaconda

Named in honor of a 2002 operation that took place in the War in Afghanistan, the Anaconda is considered a Toor heritage blade, by some. Although strategically updated for 2021, we still designate this knife as both Tactical and Concealable, as its streamlined outline continues to take up minimal space on your gear. 

The Anaconda’s iconic ring measures 1.125”, which allows for an easy draw, with or without gloves, and its blade features a rounded convex edge that allows for smooth slices. Toor’s signature snake scales handle minimizes the risk of the knife sliding out of your hand when working in wet conditions, while still maintaining smooth and comfortable contours if concealed against the body. Constructed of CPM3V Steel, with a Black Oxide finish, the Anaconda is made to operate in nature’s toughest environments with little-to-no corrosion on the blade.

Extrema Ratio – Shrapnel OG

The Extrema Ratio SHRAPNEL OG is a truly versatile “back up” knife with marked combat qualities. Its leaf-shaped blade is flat ground at a characteristically low angle to a wide, extraordinarily sharp edge. With a total length of 8.31″ and a blade made out of BÖHLER N690 that measures 3.62″ this is truly an awesome combat knife. Built specifically for the SOF community, but available to all the SHRAPNEL OG exudes deadly covert action.

With a strong front hand guard and forprene handle, this knife will stay in your hand through thick and thin, wet and dry. The included hard polymer sheath can be worn vertically, horizontally or obliquely (at a 45° angle), meeting any need you might have.

Spyderco – Enuff 2

The Enuff 2 proudly features injection-molded FRN scales, a skeletonized full-tang construction, and at 3.93″, its leaf-shaped blade is 44 percent longer. Its blade is crafted from VG-10 stainless steel; however, it is machined from 0.118″ thick (3mm) stock, making it 25 percent thinner.

Available in both plain edge and fully serrated SpyderEdge formats, the longer, leaner blade offers outstanding edge geometry and point utility for even the most demanding uses. The Enuff 2’s injection-molded scales are completely faithful to the original design, featuring Spyderco’s signature Bi-Directional Texturing for a secure, non-slip grip and a generously sized lanyard hole for the easy attachment of fobs and lanyards.

When not in use, the Enuff 2 rides in an injection-molded polymer sheath. The mouth of the sheath has integral “ears” that grip the leading edges of the handle scales for a secure snap fit. However, as an extra measure of security, the sheath also features a leather retaining strap secured by a stainless steel stud. To provide a broad spectrum of carry options, it comes complete with a G-Clip mount that can be configured for angle-adjustable belt wear on either side of the body and also functions as a spring clip for inside-the-waistband carry.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR KNIFE

CONSIDER EXPECTED TASKS AND ENVIRONMENT

The most important thing when picking your knife is knowing the tasks 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 in war, to have the right tool for the job. So before your purchase, go over in your head your intended tasks and the jobs you’ll be using the knife for.

Second most important thing, as I said before, is the environment you’ll be using the knife in. If you’re working around salt water, for example on a boat you’re going to want a knife with a higher chromium content, so the knife has greater rust resistance. If you’re working in extreme cold or heat and with less moisture you’ll want a knife that can handle the extreme temperatures and you’ll be less worried about the chromium content.

These MUST be your first considerations when purchasing any knife!

BLADE STYLE

Blade style is inherently the most preference-based factor on the list. Clip point, drop point, recurve, tanto, and others all make for great tactical blades and one isn’t necessarily better than another. All though your expected tasks may have some say on the style of blade you choose, as you say want more cutting edge or less of a tip, if so a tanto blade probably wouldn’t be your first choice.

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

BLADE STEEL

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

If you’re expecting to be very abusive to your blade, then having a slightly cheaper more common steel that can really take a beating like 1095 steel is more along the lines of what you’ll want. If you’re operating around sea water, working on the coast, or out in the ocean you’re definitely going to want a steel that handles salt well and has a high rust resistance like CPM MagnaCut.

If cutting, slicing, and stabbing in any climate is your thing then a great over all steel such as CPM S35VN, S45VN, or M390 will be more a long the lines of what you’re looking for.

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

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, are just as handy in outdoor survival situations. It’s because you’re using these knives in situations where your adrenaline might be pumping, maybe your fine motor skills are slightly inhibited, or perhaps you’re more focused on your overall task more than simply holding onto your knife, that your knife handle design matters so much. That knife needs to stay in your hand!

For these reasons 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 have the absolute best grip. A handle with three to four finger grooves is ideal, some good examples are the Boker Plus knives.

More commonly however is the handle design that has a singular groove for the index finger with a solid and pronounced finger stop. The majority 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 all that much, at least not how functional it is. But for those of us who view our knives as essential tools, possibly life defending and lifesaving tools the handle material matters greatly.

Why does it matter so much you ask?

Well, because 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 they get wet, some are very slippery even when they’re not wet. Basically you want a material that will offer you the maximum amount of grippyness in every possible situation you might find yourself in.

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

The Absolute best materials for tactical knives are polymer, Micarta, G10, and lighter metals like aluminum 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“

CARRYING OPTIONS

You need to think about how you will want to carrying your knife. Although some blades have very versatile sheaths, some do not.

Do you want to carry your knife vertical on your hip or horizontal in the small of your back? If so, then perhaps an adjustable sheath that has the ability to spin and hold different positions is for you.

Perhaps you want to carry it in your pocket still to draw less attention to your knife. Then you’re going to want to look for a blade with a deep carry sheath, for example AMTACS Minuteman. Or maybe you just want to strap it onto your bag, so it doesn’t truly matter the exact style of the sheath.

Make sure you consider your tasks, and your environment as you think about your desired carrying option.

FINAL THOUGHTS

A persons EDC is vitally important. We carry EDC items for specific purposes, some of those purposes being saving our lives or the lives of others. These items need to be carefully scrutinized and picked wisely.

EDC items such as a pistol or a tactical knife are truly meant for one thing, to put down or end the aggression of another individual. This is not to be taken lightly. So, pick your knife carefully! Pick the best one for you, your life style, and your environment.

But, make sure you pick one.

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