22 Best Rated Tactical Folding Knives

22 Best Rated Tactical Folding Knives

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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 folding tactical knife

CRKT Ruger 2-Stage EDC Folding Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length4″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade Steel8Cr13MoV
Blade FinishStonewash
Blade Thickness0.2″
Closed Length5.47″
Weight8.1 oz
HandleAluminum & Stainless Steel
StyleFolding
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 tactical folding knife

Cold Steel American Lawman Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.5″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelCarpenter CTS XHP Alloy

Blade FinishBlack with DLC Coating
Blade Thickness3.5mm
Closed Length4.625″
Weight4.5 oz
HandleG10 Steel
StyleFolding
Overall Length8.125″

gerber decree folding tactical knife black

Gerber Decree Folding Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.7″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade SteelS30V
Blade FinishBlack W/Ceramic Coating
Closed Length5.1″
Weight4.8 oz
HandleRubber Coated Nylon
StyleFolding
Overall Length8.7″

gerber propel downrange folding knige beige

Gerber Propel Downrange AO Folding Knife

ColorDesert Tan
Blade Length3.5″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade SteelAO-S30V
Blade FinishBlack Oxide Coating
Closed Length5″
Weight4.28 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding AO
Overall Length8.52″

sog pent arc folding tactical knife black

SOG Pent Arc Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length4″
Blade EdgePlain – Spearpoint Tip
Blade SteelVG-10
Blade FinishBead Blasted
Blade Thickness0.14″
Closed Length4.8″
Weight4.4 oz
HandleGlass-Filled Nylon
StyleFolding
Overall Length8.8″

smith & wesson border guard tactical folding knife black

Smith & Wesson Border Guard Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length4.4″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade Steel7Cr17MoV
Blade FinishBlack Oxide
Closed Length5.6″
Weight8.8 oz
HandleAluminum
StyleFolding
Overall Length10″

spyderco AO combo edge folding knife black

Spyderco AO Combo Edge Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.7″
Blade EdgeCombo Edge
Blade SteelVG-10
Blade FinishBlack
Blade Thickness0.125″
Closed Length4.875″
Weight4 oz
HandleFiberglass-Reinforced Nylon
StyleFolding AO
Overall Length8.375″

gerber applegate covert folding knife

Gerber Applegate Covert Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.78″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade Steel154CM
Blade FinishTitanium Nitride Coating
Blade Thickness0.125″
Closed Length4.92″
Weight4.2 oz
HandleGlass-Filled Nylon
StyleFolding
Overall Length8.7″

spyderco pacific salt black folding knife

Spyderco Pacific Salt Black Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3 3/4″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelH1
Blade FinishBlack Carbon Coating
Blade Thickness0.125
Closed Length4 7/8″
Weight3 oz
HandleFiberglass-Reinforced Nylon
StyleFolding
Overall Length8 3/4″

sog sl pro folding tactical knife

SOG SL Pro Folding Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3″
Blade EdgePartially serrated
Blade Steel420J2
Blade FinishBlack Titanium Coated
Closed Length3.75″
Weight2.4 oz
HandleGlass-Reinforced Nylon
StyleFolding
Overall Length6.75″

zero tolerance hinderer folder knife

Zero Tolerance Hinderer Folder Pocket Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.25″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelS35VN
Blade FinishStonewashed
Closed Length4.45″
Weight5.4 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding AO
Overall Length7.7″

schrade scha4bg magic assisted knife

Schrade SCHA4BG M.A.G.I.C. Assisted Folding Knife

ColorBlack/White
Blade Length3.3″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade Steel4034
Blade FinishBlack Textured
Closed Length4.4″
Weight4.96 oz
HandleAluminum
StyleFolding
Overall Length7.7″

al mar ms2kb mini sere 2000 tactical knife

Al Mar MS2KB Mini Sere 2000

ColorBlack
Blade Length3″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelVG-10
Blade FinishBlack
Blade Thickness0.12″
Closed Length4″
Weight3.5 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding
Overall Length7″

tangram acuto440 folding knife

Tangram ACUTO440 Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.35″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelHRC58
Blade FinishStonewashed
Closed Length4.07″
Weight3.5 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding
Overall Length7.42″

kershaw blur glassbreaker knife

Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.4″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade SteelSandvik 14C28N
Blade FinishDLC Coating
Closed Length4.5″
Weight3.9 oz
HandleAluminum W/Trac Tec
StyleFolding
Overall Length7.9″

benchmade mini griptilian tactical knife

Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length2.91″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade Steel154CM
Blade FinishSatin
Blade Thickness0.100″
Closed Length3.87″
Weight2.81 oz
HandleGlass Filled Nylon
StyleFolding
Overall Length6.78″

gerber contrast AO tactical knife

Gerber Contrast AO Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade Steel7Cr17Mov
Blade FinishMatte Black
Blade Thickness0.125
Closed Length4.25″
Weight3.3 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding
Overall Length7.13″

benchmade bedlam 860

Benchmade Bedlam 860 Tactical Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length4″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade Steel154CM
Blade FinishSatin
Blade Thickness0.121″
Closed Length5.76″
Weight7.20 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding
Overall Length9.76″

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

Cold Steel Recon EDC Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length4″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelS35VN
Blade FinishBlack DLC Coating
Closed Length5.38″
Weight5.28 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding
Overall Length9.38″

gerber 06 FAST

Gerber 06 FAST Tactical Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.75″
Blade EdgePartially Serrated
Blade Steel7Cr17MoV 
Blade FinishBlack
Blade Thickness0.125″
Closed Length4.8″
Weight5.7 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding AO
Overall Length8.75″

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

SOG Tomcat 3.0 Tactical Folding Knife

ColorBlack
Blade Length3.75″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelVG-10
Blade FinishSatin
Blade Thickness0.16″
Closed Length4.9″
Weight6.5 oz
HandleKraton
StyleFolding
Overall Length8.7″

kizer EDC Tactical

Kizer EDC Tactical Folding Knife

ColorGreen
Blade Length3.58″
Blade EdgePlain
Blade SteelVG-10
Blade FinishGray Titanium Coating
Closed Length4.59″
Weight3.69 oz
HandleG-10
StyleFolding
Overall Length8.17″