Read All About These 10 Best Folding Knives: Reviews & Other Details

By | December 26, 2021

The tactical knives aren’t primarily fighting or self-defense knives, instead they’re utility knives that are ideal for fighting in extreme situations. The fact is doubly correct for folding knives, which are basically too compact to serve best in a fight.

Hence, the best folding knives will ideally possess different features such as a clip point for easily trimming fishing lines, or a lanyard pipe for easy carrying. To ease your search, we’ve picked the most popular tactical folding knives. The ones listed below are durable, versatile, and offer a quality grip. So read on and pick the most suitable knife from our list of reviews.

Best Tactical Folding Knives Available Online

1. The Elk Ridge Ballistic Quality Pocket Knife

The Elk Ridge Ballistic Quality Pocket Knife
Oh, this pocket folding knife is a masterpiece. Its handle is gorgeous, deep red grain and comes with free engraving up to 30 different characters. The knife is spring-loaded and demands the least effort to open. Its blade is made from carbon steel which is both easy to sharp and is already very sharp.

In addition to that, the knife has a safety locking mechanism, in order to close it you are required to press the small tab that is situated in the handle.

All in all, this is a great knife for everyday use but is not fit for camping or hunting. It ain’t waterproof and is only three inches long, which limits its potential in the field.

Why it’s suggested: This knife is ideal for gifts. It’s nice enough to give to groomsmen, or for anniversaries or birthdays.

Pros
  • Includes free engraving
  • Ergonomic wood handle
  • Easy to open
  • Sharp, carbon steel blade
  • Inexpensive
Cons
  • Only 3 inches long
  • Not waterproof

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2. Off-Grid Knives OG-220S

Off-Grid Knives OG-220S
The OG-220S ain’t that good looking but it offers the best functions. One of the best features is its the blade which is engineered from cryogenically treated AUS8 steel. It’s high-alloy, low-carbon steel is more rust-resistant than even normal stainless ones.

Yes, we agree that it’s more challenging to sharpen than carbon steel, but also confirms longer durability. 3 3/4th in inch, the spring-loaded blade opens easily with the flicker of a finger, and the carbon fiber handle is textured for improved grip.

It does fall out of budget but its high quality makes up for it.

Why it’s suggested: This is a great knife for outdoorsmen, especially people who spend a lot of time in wet environments. It’s also a good choice if you need a diving knife since the AUS8 steel is rust-resistant.

Pros
  • Cryogenically treated AUS8 steel blade
  • Ambidextrous assisted opening
  • 75” drop-point blade
  • Textured, ergonomic grip
Cons
  • Expensive for the size

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3. Smith & Wesson Border Guard 10in Folding Knife

Smith & Wesson Border Guard 10in Folding Knife
The Smith & Wesson Border Guard was crafted specifically for first responders. Its handle has an in-built glass break and a seatbelt cutter, the blade is serrated on the bottom half for sawing. At 4.4 inches in length, it’s long enough for personal protection, but the blade is screwed in very tightly so it’s a task to open even through thumb studs.

Other than that, its handle is rust-proof and textured with aluminum which is ergonomically crafted. All in all, this is one of the best folding knives that comes at less price and still offers the most features.

Why it’s suggested: The glass break and strap cutter make this knife ideal for first responders, tow truck drivers, and anyone who wants to have an emergency escape knife in their vehicle.

Pros
  • Features a glass break and a strap cutter
  • High carbon drop-point blade
  • Very affordable for the quality
  • Textured aluminum handle
  • Ambidextrous thumb studs
Cons
  • Blade is very tight

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4. Spyderco Pacific Salt Knife

Spyderco Pacific Salt Knife
The Spyderco Pacific Salt Serrated Knife is basically crafted for divers. With its rust-resistant steel, the blade has a large hole so that you can open them easily while wearing gloves. The checkerboard, fiber-reinforced nylon handle is also glove-friendly. Apart from that, the internal parts are all treated with corrosion-protectant, so you don’t need to bother about taking this into the water.

No wonder this is one of the best folding knives, it does have a drawback. The serrated blade isn’t fine enough for making delicate and precise cute. It’s made for cutting rope or line as swiftly as possible.

Why it’s suggested: This is designed as a diving knife, but it’s also useful for anyone who does a lot of cutting. It cuts baling twine like butter.

Pros
  • Serrated, rust-resistant H1 steel blade
  • All internal components are corrosion-resistant
  • Large blade hole
  • Checkerboard FRN handle
Cons
  • Not useful for delicate cuts

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5. TAC-FORCE Pocket Knife

TAC-FORCE Pocket Knife
This knife is large enough to serve its purpose in the field. It has a sharp carbon steel blade with a drop point that’s appropriate for skinning. We won’t keep the fact that it’s a little short for field dressing. Other than that, it comes with up to two lines of engraving and has steel nuns on both sides of the blade. You can operate it easily with any hand.

Only drawback is that it’s not waterproof. So if it gets wet, you need to wait for it to dry before concealing it.
Why it’s suggested: This TAC-FORCE pocket knife is a classic piece and highly functional. As with all engraved items, it makes a great gift, but it also works well enough to take with you on a camping trip.

Pros
  • Beautiful burl wood handle
  • Free engraving
  • Ambidextrous spring-assisted opening
  • Carbon steel blade
  • Stable drop-point tip
Cons
  • Only 3.25 inches long
  • Not waterproof

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6. Gerber Gator Folding Knife

 Gerber Gator Folding Knife
The Gerber Gator was inspired by an alligator that is able to perform well when in water. Keeping that in mind this best folding knife is corrosion-resistant and possesses nylon handles. The handles offer a rubber effect that promises a good grip even when it’s wet. Made in the USA, its quality speaks for itself and for the price it’s a good pick.

Though it takes a few seconds to open as there is no spring assistance added but this 3 ¾ inch clip point blade is definite to cut the fishing line. Having said that, it’s easy to close and the locking release is on the back of the handle.

Why it’s suggested: This knife is a good choice if you want a durable, waterproof pocket knife for everyday use. It’s also good for hunting and fishing.

Pros
  • Stainless steel clip point blade
  • Rugged nylon handle
  • Easy to use locking release
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • Opens slowly
  • No pocket clip

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7. Off-Grid Knives Folding Knife

Off-Grid Knives Folding Knife
This is another great knife for wet conditions. It’s manufactured from corrosion-resistant AUS8 steel and has a G10 fiberglass handle that’s textured enough that it won’t slip in the rain. The locking mechanism is also unique. Instead of being a tab, it’s a switch on the side of the blade that’s much easier to operate.

The Folding EDC Knife has a blade length of 3 ¼ inches, so it’s not ideal for all purposes. The drop-point tip is great for precision cuts, though, and the steel stays sharp for a long time.

Why it’s suggested: Although this knife is fairly short, it’s well designed for fishing or skinning, and won’t rust or slip in wet conditions.

Pros
  • Drop-point AUS8 steel blade
  • Ambidextrous assisted opening
  • Easy to use locking mechanism
  • Textured fiberglass handle
Cons
  • The blade is only 3.25” long
  • Expensive for its size

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8. Unlimited Wares Opening Folding Knife

Unlimited Wares Opening Folding Knife
This best folding knife possesses a plastic handle with a green skull motif. Its range is as much as a large cup of coffee, so don’t expect much durability from this. The finish on the blade is somewhat rough, so it won’t shine even after undergoing extensive sharpening. Coming to the handle, well it has a smooth finish and hence liable to slip in the rain. Yet it is well-crafted and possesses an ergonomic grip. The strip-assisted opening is rather smooth, but then the whole knife is loosely packed.

All things said this is one of the best folding knives that are very reasonable and fulfills most of your expectations.

Why it’s suggested: This knife makes a good-looking box cutter. For any other practical use, it’s not going to last long. But for the price, you can’t beat it.

Pros
  • It looks cool
  • Serrated back
  • Ergonomic grip
  • Very inexpensive
Cons
  • The handle is made from hard plastic
  • Metal finish is rough
  • Quality is what you would expect from a cheap knife

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9. Kershaw Onion Folding Knife

Kershaw Onion Folding Knife
The Onion’s blade is made from low-carbon tungsten steel, which makes it both corrosion-resistant and highly durable. It will take some time to sharpen, though, due to the toughness of the steel. The assisted opening can be operated with both an ambidextrous flap, or with a right-handed thumb stud. The belt clip is also adjustable and can be reversed.

But it’s the blade is quite short, 3 ⅜ inches so it won’t be useful for all your purposes. Despite that, it is still one of the best folding knives for cutting fishing line, or for cutting food on your camping trip

Why it’s suggested: The Onion is a well-designed, solidly built knife that will work well for most hunting and fishing purposes.

Pros
  • Durable tungsten steel blade
  • Ambidextrous assisted opening
  • Anodized aluminum handle
  • Reversible belt clip
Cons
  • Relatively short, 3.4” blade

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10. Eafegrow CH3002-G10 Folding Knife

Eafegrow CH3002-G10 Folding Knife
The CH3002-G10 folding knife is an exceptionally slight knife crafted for the smallest possible targets. Its blade is 3.7 inches in length, which is no doubt very thin. Thus, it’s ideal for quick cuts like cutting twine or opening boxes as compared to delicate operations like skinning. Not just its blade but its handle too is very slim for people with larger hands. Coming to the locking mechanism, well that can vibrate loose if the knife is dropped.

All in all, this is no doubt one of the best folding knives which are affordable and can open easily through just a flick of the wrist.

Why it’s suggested: This is a good knife for people with small hands. It’s strong enough for everyday use, but too small to be a useful survival knife

Pros
  • Very slim profile
  • Easy to open
  • Durable D2 steel blade
  • Textured fiberglass handle
Cons
  • Slim handle is difficult to hold
  • Flimsy locking mechanism

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 What is a tactical folding knife?

These are those knives that have a tough design and built, and are useful in a tactical situation.

Q.2 What to look for in a tactical folding knife?

While looking for a tactical folding knife there at certain things that you must keep in mind such as:

  • Quality
  • Type of blade
  • Design
  • The grip of the handle
  • Overall size
  • Blade
  • Price

Q.3 Where can you use a tactical folding knife?

You can use a tactical folding knife for many purposes such as:

  • For opening ammo boxes
  • Doing simple tasks
  • Self-defense

But in the end, it’s up to you, where you want to use it.

Conclusion

As you read, tactical folding knives vary significantly. From tough survival knives to small pocket knives, this is a wide category of tools. But in the end, it is your choice, preference and needs that demand satisfaction from the features of a knife. So go through all the reviews, and list down what all you require from the best folding knife and then pick the most preferred one.

We hope this guide was helpful, and the details we provided were useful for you. Get back to us if you wish to have any further details regarding the same or simply wish to share your experience.