Best Tactical Knife for EDC or Kit (2023)
Finding the best tactical knife for your EDC can be difficult. What things should you consider? Weight, size, serration, fixed-blade, grip. With so many options what do you choose? A lot of things come down to personal preference and expected use. A first responder might have a different EDC knife than an office worker. As always, it never hurts to have more than one for different situations.
What to look for when choosing a tactical knife.
When choosing a new knife it is important to think first what the intended use is. Although there may be some knives that can be used in multiple situations, it is important that you find the right tool for your primary use. A tactical knife does not have to be used only in combat. Tactical means being prepared for any situation, and a EDC knife is essential.
The right tactical knife could help you in an emergency situation, self defense, or help you assist someone else in an emergency.
As far as self defense goes, you don’t want to bring a knife to a gunfight. However, in close combat or as a last line of defense, it could make all the difference.
So what kind of knife should you carry? Some factors that you should take into account are
Weight
This is an important factor for me. I would rather spend a little more on a knife that is going to be lightweight, because I know I am more likely to carry the knife daily if it is lightweight. If I am externally attaching a knife to a kit, I may not worry as much about weight.
The key with weight is to find a knife that is lightweight but does not sacrifice quality for weight. You do not want to buy a knife just because it is light, but the blade has a lot of movement when deployed. Quality over weight. But with the right budget, you can find both.
Size
This is 100% dependent on your intended use.
If you are looking for something primarily for self defense, you may want something with a shorter blade. However, if you are looking for something tactical to add to your exterior kit for utility, a longer blade may be more applicable.
Bigger is not always better. It depends entirely on your situation and where you are planning on carrying the knife.
Serration
This comes down to two things, preference and sharpness. If you are trying to decide what the “best” solution is, this might be some bad news. There is no universal solution when it comes serration.
A straight edge blade provides much more accurate and smooth cuts. A sharp blade should be able to cut through almost any object you need; however, it is important that your blade is sharp, because it’s ability to cut is limited by sharpness. The nice thing about a straight edge is that sharpening is a fairly easy process.
Having a serrated blade can be useful if your knife is not very sharp. The “sawing” motion that can be applied with a serrated knife can help cut even difficult objects with a dull knife. One negative is that when it comes time to sharpen a serrated blade, it can be difficult and require special tools.
Fixed Blade
When it comes to EDC, the most common knife is a folding knife. This is because it fits in a small pocket. When it comes to folding knives there are manual and automatic options. Automatic or open assisting knives can be useful for quick deployment, but also run the risk of unintended deployment. If you get an automatic knife, I would recommend practicing with the safety and deploying the knife. The auto assist will not speed up deployment without practice.
For much more difficult or rugged tasks, a fixed blade knife provides more stability and utility. These knives are typically not going to be EDC knives, but can be attached to kits or used hunting or camping.
Grip
This is the most important factor when choosing a knife.
When thinking about a high stress situation, it is important that your knife is easy to grip. This means having easy grip even with sweaty or wet hands.
If you are carrying a tactical knife for self defense, it is important that your knife does not slip with any stabbing or slashing motions. A good self defense knife will have deep finger grooves so so your hand does not slide forward.
What is the best tactical knife?
Here are my top picks for the best tactical knife.
- Spyderco Yojimbo 2 (Editors Choice)
- Benchmade Bailout (Best Overall)
- Boker Mini Strike Automatic Knife (Best Budget)
- Gerber StrongArm (Best Fixed Blade)
- Benchmade Claymore (Best Automatic)
- Kershaw Emerson CQC-7 (Best Budget Self Defense)
- KA-BAR (Best Classic)
- Benchmade Shootout (Best Budget OTF)
- Cutco Drop Point (Best Hunting)
- Fox G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave (Best Curved Blade)
Spyderco Yojimbo 2 (Editors Choice)
Specs
Blade Length : 3.123″
Blade Material : CPM S30V
Open Mechanism : Manual
Weight : 4.00 oz
Blade Style : Wharncliffe
Made in : USA
Overview
The Spyderco Yojimbo 2 was designed by Michael Janich, a distinguished self-defense trainer. This blade has the Wharncliffe blade design that was made specifically for extreme cutting performance.
Although this blade was made specifically with self defense in mind, the flat straight blade make it versatile for every day use.
The grip is G-10 scales that provide a grippy surface in all situations. And the blade is CPM S30V steel which is considered a premium grade knife steel.
My Take
If you are looking for a self defense knife primarily with EDC use, this knife is for you. This is a knife that you can be confident in when life is on the line. The premium steel comes at a cost, but it is worth it for a sharp knife.
Benchmade Bailout (Best Overall)
Specs
Blade Length : 3.38″
Blade Material : CPM M4
Open Mechanism : Manual
Weight : 2.70 oz
Blade Style : Tanto
Made in : USA
Overview
Benchmade has made a name for themselves when it comes to high end knives, and the Bailout is no exception. The Bailout comes with a CPM-M4 steel blade that is holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen.
This knife weighs only 2.7 oz, making it the lightest knife on our list.
This knife also has a carbide glass breaking tip for emergency situations.
My Take
This is my go-to EDC knife. It is so lightweight and stiff that I can carry it everywhere without feeling like I have a brick in my pocket. It also is lightweight enough for elastic waistbands. The blade holds an edge well and it comes in a full flat or partial serrated option.
Boker Mini Strike Automatic Knife (Best Budget)
Specs
Blade Length : 2.625″
Blade Material : D2
Open Mechanism : Automatic Push Button
Weight : 3.12 oz
Blade Style : Drop Point
Made in : Taiwan
Overview
This knife is a near perfect balance of utility, tactical, and price.
It has a D2 steel blade, which for the price can not be beat. This knife also has an automatic deployment and safety. Which can be a great tactical advantage.
There are a few things that have to be compromised for a budget knife, in this case it is the weight. This knife is a bit bulky for EDC use, but if you are ok with the extra weight, this is a great knife.
My Take
This knife is meaty enough to be used with or without work gloves. This knife is a great utility knife that you can trust but not worry about the price. Sometimes with expensive knives you don’t want to use them for every day cuts. But this knife has the ability to handle an everyday workload without breaking the bank.
Gerber StrongArm (Best Fixed Blade)
Specs
Blade Length : 9.75″
Blade Material : 420
Open Mechanism : Fixed Blade
Weight : 7.10 oz
Blade Style : Drop Point
Made in : USA
Overview
The Gerber StrongArm has 4.8 inch fixed blade and is made from 420 HC steel. This knife is a full tang blade and has a rubberized diamond coated grip. This makes using this knife easy. When thinking about what kind of exterior tactical knife you should purchase, ease of use should be primary.
The sheath is very user friendly. It is MOLLE compatible, has a drop leg system, and a belt loop option. This is not a knife that you could easily wear for an EDC option, but for tactical situations, the sheath makes it easy to carry.
Like many companies, Gerber transition production overseas a few years ago. However, after some pushback they have been producing some of their knives in America still. The StrongArm is one of these US Made knives and is an excellent budget utility and tactical knife.
My Take
If you are looking for an exterior utility knife for camping, hiking, emergency preparedness, or for your kit, this is the knife for you. It comes in a straight or partial serrated option, and is an easy choice for an exterior tactical knife.
Benchmade Claymore (Best Automatic)
Specs
Blade Length : 3.60″
Blade Material : CPM D2
Open Mechanism : Automatic Push Button
Weight : 3.87 oz
Blade Style : Drop Point
Made in : USA
Overview
The Claymore is Benchmade’s signature tactical push button automatic knife. The handle is made of Grivory which feels like plastic, but is much more durable. If the plastic feel is a turn-off for you, it is just something you will have to get used to. The strength/weight ratio for this material is well worth the plastic feel.
This knife blade is made from CPM-D2 steel in the USA. This is an extremely hard and durable steel. It holds an edge very well.
My Take
If you want an automatic opening EDC knife, this is a great option. The rugged design of the knife makes it easy to use and hold onto even with wet hands. The external safety is well placed, if you do get this knife, make sure to practice actuating the safety, so you can have quick deployment.
Kershaw Emerson CQC-7K (Best Budget Self Defense)
Specs
Blade Length : 3.25″
Blade Material : Stainless Steel
Open Mechanism : Manual
Weight : 5.09 oz
Blade Style : Tanto
Made in : China
Overview
Winner of the Blade Show’s 2014 Best Buy award, this knife is a steal at this price. Similar to the Spyderco Yojimbo this knife has a G-10 scale handle for maximum grip. This knife is a manual action knife, with an easy to open action due to the Wave design.
The wave on the back of the blade, known as the Emerson Wave, was designed specifically for Navy Seals in self-defense situations.
My Take
If you are looking for a tactical knife on a budget, this is a very good option. The design of this knife makes it easy to deploy even without an automatic action. The blade is full length flat blade making it a great self defense option.
KA-BAR (Best Classic)
Specs
Blade Length : 11.875″
Blade Material : 1095 Cro-Van
Open Mechanism : Fixed Blade
Weight : 11.20 oz
Blade Style : Clip Point
Made in : USA
Overview
Carrying this knife kind of makes you feel like Rambo. What do you need this tactical knife for? Digging trenches, cutting through jungle, saving lives, or self defense? This knife has done, and can do anything.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The KA-BAR has been a staple since World War II and for good reason. It is a beast of a knife and can handle almost any situation.
My Take
A little heavier than some of the other fixed blade knives out there. However, the long blade makes it very versatile. If you are not worried about weight this is a great option for an exterior tactical knife.
Benchmade Shootout (Best Budget OTF)
Specs
Blade Length : 3.51″
Blade Material : CPM CRU-WEAR
Open Mechanism : Automatic Thumb Slide – Out The Front
Weight : 2.80 oz
Blade Style : Tanto
Made in : USA
Overview
Out the front (OTF) knives are not cheap. The price tag on a knife like this can run anywhere from $500-$700 for most knives. However, this one is a little more budget friendly at $300. Not only is it budget friendly but it is also weight friendly. It comes in at 2.8oz making it lighter than a lot of other options on this list.
The handle is made up of CF-Elite which is a hard plastic material. It does have a little give to it if you push down hard, but feels very durable. This plastic material is one trade off for price and weight.
My Take
OTF knives can be fun additions to your EDC and tactical equipment. However, make sure that you spend the time to get comfortable this knife. You do not want a misfire, because the action on this knife is very strong.
Cutco Drop Point (Best Hunting)
Specs
Blade Length : 4.50″
Blade Material : 440A High-Carbon
Open Mechanism : Fixed Blade
Weight : 7.52 oz
Blade Style : Drop Point
Made in : USA
Overview
I’ve been a big fan of Cutco knives for a long time. I will say this didn’t go higher on my list because I have heard from some people that the newer Cutco knives do not hold an edge as long. However, I have not personally seen that yet, so I am still recommending them.
This knife, along with the fisherman’s knife hold an edge longer than any of my other filet or skinning knives.
My Take
The best outdoor meat knife. If you hunt or fish, this is a must have. Nothing is more frustrating than a dull knife when trying to cut up a moose or filet 30 fish. I have had so much confidence in my Cutco knives to and stay sharp when I need it most.
Fox G10 Karambit with Emerson Wave (Best Karambit Blade)
Specs
Blade Length : 3.10″
Blade Material : Bohler N690Co
Open Mechanism : Manual
Weight : 4.20 oz
Blade Style : Hawkbill
Made in : Italy
Overview
The karambit is a very specific knife designed for user safety, precision and efficiency. It has a curved or hooked blade, an ergonomic handle and usually includes at least one safety ring. The karambit was designed to mimic a tiger claw.
This knife features the Emerson Wave deployment mechanism for easy single handed action. This knife was designed for self defense first and utility second.
Karambit knives have their own style of self defense, so if this is the knife you are looking for, make sure that you get the proper training to use it effectively.
My Take
This tactical knife is not for everyone. It utilizes a very specific shape and grip, but if you are looking for a karambit (curved) knife this is a great option.
What is the best tactical knife?
Well, there is no one-size-fits-all tactical knife. It is completely dependent on your intended use. For EDC my go-to is the Benchmade Bailout. For self defense the Spyderco Yojimbo 2. And when I am hunting or fishing I will not go anywhere without my Cutco Dropoint or Fisherman’s Solution.
The best tactical knife is dependent on the situation. Which means you can never have too many knives.
