Article updated: April 26, 2023
A high quality knife is a valuable tool to have. Folding knives offer functionality and convenience since they are easy to carry and conceal. But what if you want something a bit more rugged than your everyday carry knife?
Tactical knives offer durable, heavy-duty construction that’s meant for hard use day in and day out. Routinely carried by firefighters, law enforcement and active military personnel, tactical knives serve a myriad of uses.
Below is a compiled list of 22 top rated tactical folding knives that are sure to meet your needs & expectations.
CRKT Ruger 2-Stage EDC Folding Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 4″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | 8Cr13MoV |
| Blade Finish | Stonewash |
| Blade Thickness | 0.2″ |
| Closed Length | 5.47″ |
| Weight | 8.1 oz |
| Handle | Aluminum & Stainless Steel |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 9.44″ |
Built in collaboration with Ruger Firearms and designed by master knife-smith Robert Carter, the CRKT 2-stage features a black stonewash tanto blade, blade flipper mechanism, and a 4 position clip.
Part of the Ruger knife line, the CRKT 2-stage was built to be durable and highly functional. With specs permitting easy concealment, and positive reviews from knife enthusiasts; you might consider making the 2-stage part of your daily carry.
Cold Steel American Lawman Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.5″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | Carpenter CTS XHP Alloy |
| Blade Finish | Black with DLC Coating |
| Blade Thickness | 3.5mm |
| Closed Length | 4.625″ |
| Weight | 4.5 oz |
| Handle | G10 Steel |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 8.125″ |
Gerber Decree Folding Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.7″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | S30V |
| Blade Finish | Black W/Ceramic Coating |
| Closed Length | 5.1″ |
| Weight | 4.8 oz |
| Handle | Rubber Coated Nylon |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 8.7″ |
Gerber Propel Downrange AO Folding Knife
| Color | Desert Tan |
| Blade Length | 3.5″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | AO-S30V |
| Blade Finish | Black Oxide Coating |
| Closed Length | 5″ |
| Weight | 4.28 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding AO |
| Overall Length | 8.52″ |
SOG Pent Arc Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 4″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain – Spearpoint Tip |
| Blade Steel | VG-10 |
| Blade Finish | Bead Blasted |
| Blade Thickness | 0.14″ |
| Closed Length | 4.8″ |
| Weight | 4.4 oz |
| Handle | Glass-Filled Nylon |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 8.8″ |
Smith & Wesson Border Guard Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 4.4″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | 7Cr17MoV |
| Blade Finish | Black Oxide |
| Closed Length | 5.6″ |
| Weight | 8.8 oz |
| Handle | Aluminum |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 10″ |
Spyderco AO Combo Edge Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.7″ |
| Blade Edge | Combo Edge |
| Blade Steel | VG-10 |
| Blade Finish | Black |
| Blade Thickness | 0.125″ |
| Closed Length | 4.875″ |
| Weight | 4 oz |
| Handle | Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon |
| Style | Folding AO |
| Overall Length | 8.375″ |
Gerber Applegate Covert Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.78″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | 154CM |
| Blade Finish | Titanium Nitride Coating |
| Blade Thickness | 0.125″ |
| Closed Length | 4.92″ |
| Weight | 4.2 oz |
| Handle | Glass-Filled Nylon |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 8.7″ |
Spyderco Pacific Salt Black Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3 3/4″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | H1 |
| Blade Finish | Black Carbon Coating |
| Blade Thickness | 0.125 |
| Closed Length | 4 7/8″ |
| Weight | 3 oz |
| Handle | Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 8 3/4″ |
SOG SL Pro Folding Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially serrated |
| Blade Steel | 420J2 |
| Blade Finish | Black Titanium Coated |
| Closed Length | 3.75″ |
| Weight | 2.4 oz |
| Handle | Glass-Reinforced Nylon |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 6.75″ |
Zero Tolerance Hinderer Folder Pocket Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.25″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | S35VN |
| Blade Finish | Stonewashed |
| Closed Length | 4.45″ |
| Weight | 5.4 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding AO |
| Overall Length | 7.7″ |
Schrade SCHA4BG M.A.G.I.C. Assisted Folding Knife
| Color | Black/White |
| Blade Length | 3.3″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | 4034 |
| Blade Finish | Black Textured |
| Closed Length | 4.4″ |
| Weight | 4.96 oz |
| Handle | Aluminum |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 7.7″ |
Al Mar MS2KB Mini Sere 2000
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | VG-10 |
| Blade Finish | Black |
| Blade Thickness | 0.12″ |
| Closed Length | 4″ |
| Weight | 3.5 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 7″ |
Tangram ACUTO440 Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.35″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | HRC58 |
| Blade Finish | Stonewashed |
| Closed Length | 4.07″ |
| Weight | 3.5 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 7.42″ |
Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.4″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | Sandvik 14C28N |
| Blade Finish | DLC Coating |
| Closed Length | 4.5″ |
| Weight | 3.9 oz |
| Handle | Aluminum W/Trac Tec |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 7.9″ |
Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 2.91″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | 154CM |
| Blade Finish | Satin |
| Blade Thickness | 0.100″ |
| Closed Length | 3.87″ |
| Weight | 2.81 oz |
| Handle | Glass Filled Nylon |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 6.78″ |
Gerber Contrast AO Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | 7Cr17Mov |
| Blade Finish | Matte Black |
| Blade Thickness | 0.125 |
| Closed Length | 4.25″ |
| Weight | 3.3 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 7.13″ |
Benchmade Bedlam 860 Tactical Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 4″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | 154CM |
| Blade Finish | Satin |
| Blade Thickness | 0.121″ |
| Closed Length | 5.76″ |
| Weight | 7.20 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 9.76″ |
Based on appearances, I’d say the Benchmade Bedlam 860 is easily the most badass looking knife on this list. The curved blade of the Bedlam was inspired by scimtar swords which were commonly used during ancient warfare. In terms of functionality the Benchmade’s AXIS lock is ambidextrous and can be easily opened and closed singlehandedly. With an open length of 9.76″ this isn’t a small knife by any means; but the ergonomic shape of the G-10 handle make the Bedlam incredibly easy and comfortable to handle.
Cold Steel Recon EDC Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 4″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | S35VN |
| Blade Finish | Black DLC Coating |
| Closed Length | 5.38″ |
| Weight | 5.28 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 9.38″ |
Gerber 06 FAST Tactical Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.75″ |
| Blade Edge | Partially Serrated |
| Blade Steel | 7Cr17MoV |
| Blade Finish | Black |
| Blade Thickness | 0.125″ |
| Closed Length | 4.8″ |
| Weight | 5.7 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding AO |
| Overall Length | 8.75″ |
Solid and robust the Gerber 06 FAST is a highly capable folding tactical knife. With a closed length of 4.8″, it’s easy to conceal and the 5.7oz weight won’t weigh you down. Equipped with Gerber’s proprietary forward action spring technology (F.A.S.T) the blade is easily opened single handedly very, well, FAST.
SOG Tomcat 3.0 Tactical Folding Knife
| Color | Black |
| Blade Length | 3.75″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | VG-10 |
| Blade Finish | Satin |
| Blade Thickness | 0.16″ |
| Closed Length | 4.9″ |
| Weight | 6.5 oz |
| Handle | Kraton |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 8.7″ |
Kizer EDC Tactical Folding Knife
| Color | Green |
| Blade Length | 3.58″ |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Steel | VG-10 |
| Blade Finish | Gray Titanium Coating |
| Closed Length | 4.59″ |
| Weight | 3.69 oz |
| Handle | G-10 |
| Style | Folding |
| Overall Length | 8.17″ |