When It Comes To Tactical Pocketknives, These Five Blades That Are Worth Your Money And Your Time

The term “tactical knife” was created roughly 30 years ago to describe a specific-looking knife. In general, tactical knife has meant a non-reflective blade and a synthetic handle. However, over time the genre has grown to feature numerous looks and types of blades.

Today, tactical pocketknives are incredibly popular. Whether it’s a traditional flipper, an assisted opener, or even an OTF knife, the market has exploded and knife lovers are the biggest beneficiaries. Our list features five folders to show just how diverse the world of tactical pocketknives is today.

5 Best Tactical Pocketknives

The traditional pocketknife folds and easily slides away into your pocket, and there are many tactical pocketknives that fit that description. These five stand out from a crowded field.

Cold Steel Recon 1 Spear Point

From one of the leaders in tactical knives comes the Recon 1 Spear Point. Cold Steel has made a knife popular with both first responders and civilians that is scalpel sharp and over-engineered to the point nearly everything has been thought of. The American S35VN blade has a DLC coating. The Tri-Ad lock is shock resistant and will keep you safe when deployed. The G-10 handle scales provide excellent grip.

Visually, the Recon 1 just looks cool. The all-black color scheme gives the knife a kinetic feel and encourages you to use it throughout your day.

Recon 1 Knife Specs
Overall Length: 9.38 inches
Blade Length: 4 inches
Blade Material: American S35VN with DLC Coating
Weight: 5.2 ounces
Handle Material: G-10
MSRP: $176.99

CRKT M-16

This Kit Carson-designed blade from CRKT is a versatile knife. The dual-grind tanto blade features a partial flat edge and partial Veff serrations. This gives you excellent cutting strength along with the ability to make different types of cuts in tight quarters.

The 1.4116 steel blade is Teflon-coated and connected to a G10 handle. The liner lock keeps the blade securely in place when open. Due to the knife’s open build, two Carson flippers can be incorporated into the piece to create a true hilt, a rarity in folding knives.

CRKT M-16 Knife Specs
Overall Length: 9.31 inches
Blade Length: 3.95 inches
Blade Steel: 1.4116 steel
Weight: 6.5 ounces
Handle Material: G-10
MSRP: $83

Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker

Light. Strong. Serrated. Those are just a few ways to describe this assisted folder from Kershaw. The all-black Blur is just under four ounces and is packed with features starting with the fast-moving assisted-opening mechanism.

The blade itself has a slight recurve, and in the recurve are a series of serrations to make the knife more multi-dimensional. The blade is finished in Cerakote to provide more durability and corrosion resistance. The carbide glassbreaker at the butt of the handle provides yet another way to use the Blur in your day-to-day.

This Ken Onion-designed knife is an excellent piece.

Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker Knife Specs
Overall Length: 7.9 inches
Blade Length: 3.4 inches
Blade Material: 14C28N
Weight: 3.9 ounces
Handle Material: Anodized 6061-T6 Aluminum with Trac-Tec Inserts
MSRP: $115.99

Gerber 06 Auto

From Gerber Gear, this fully automatic folder is a rugged beast. The push button fires the stonewashed blade out at a high rate of speed, making using the knife that much easier and faster. It feels great in the hand thanks to a slightly higher weight that will give you the confidence to use the 06 in more intense situations.

The aluminum handle can hold up to the use and abuse of everyday life, and the long plain-edged blade makes cutting a breeze. The striking pommel with lanyard hole provides more use for the knife and allows you to travel with it easily. 

Gerber 06 Auto Knife Specs
Overall Length: 8.7 inches
Blade Length: 3.7 inches
Blade Material: S30V
Weight: 6.3 ounces
Handle Material: Cerakote-coated 6061-T6 Aluminum

Hogue X5

Coming in either a modified Wharncliffe or spear point blade style, the Hogue X5 is a cool, sexy knife. The flipper deploys the blade so fast you would think it is assisted, but it is a manual knife. The Cerakote finish on the blade looks great, and the aluminum handle can stand up to pretty much anything. The push-button lock lets you easily, and safely, close the knife one-handed, and the tip-up pocket clip allows for a deep, discrete carry.  

Everything about this knife is cool and begging to be used. Hogue has made a tactical folder that is built well and is somehow even better than the sum of its parts.

Hogue X5 Knife Specs
Overall Length: 9.25 inches
Blade Length: 4 inches
Blade Material: CPM 154 Stainless
Weight: 5.7 ounces
Handle Material: 6061-T6 Hard Anodized Aluminum with G-Mascus Black G-10 Inserts
MSRP: $242.96

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