While it can be argued that there are fewer than 20 basic knife designs, the craft and skill of putting it all together is what makes the difference. Blade length and material, handle size/shape/construction, and balance of the finished knife are often things many users take for granted.
Knife design is both an art and a science, and we’ve seen this across all demographics. Custom knifemakers, structural engineers, martial artists, graphic designers, and others have all lent their abilities and knowledge to the craft of custom knives.
Yet, when most of us think of a tactical knife, do we think of a plumber, engineer, mechanic, or even a judo master as having a say on what goes into that design? No, most of us think of the battle-hardened Special Operations warriors who use them on a daily basis.
This time, we’ve assembled a selection of knives designed by (and in a few cases actually made by) Special Operations Veterans from the ranks of Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and USMC Spec Ops.
These designs are the culmination of different design elements that these men deemed necessary in a knife, whether for use on the battlefield or riding in the pocket of your everyday attire.
KNIVES DESIGNED BY SPECIAL OPERATORS
SH9 Knives Dutch
Shane Hiatt is a Navy SEAL veteran and founder of SH9 Knives. His custom knives are in such high demand that he had to get a little help and reach out to TOPS Knives to produce the Dutch to satisfy the demand.
The Dutch is a classic everyday carry piece for the street or for the field. Slightly smaller than his standard forged drop point, the Dutch is easy to carry concealed either on the belt or around the neck. Despite its compact size, this blade is a performer. A tan Cerakote coating further protects it from the elements.
PROS:
- The ergonomics are great. TOPS nailed Hiatt’s custom version from this aspect.
- Its 154CM blade is tough, razor sharp, rust resistant, and has an easily maintainable edge.
- The sheath provides plenty of options for mounting and carry.
CONS:
- The handle, although ergonomic, can feel a bit too skinny at times.
- The sheath can be a little too tight at times.
AMTAC Blades Northman (Serrated)
Bill Rapier is a living legend among the SEAL Teams and has made quite a name for himself as a tactical shooting instructor. The Northman is his design for a perfect tactical EDC fixed blade.
The handle is textured appropriately for a nonslip grip, and the ambidextrous Kydex sheath is designed to ride in the pocket. It even has a ferro rod and a soft Velcro side for other attachments. Paired with a dull blue trainer, the Northman gives you a complete system instead of just another pocketknife.
PROS:
- Classic design reminiscent of a Scottish Sgian-dubh or Viking-style dirk
- From the textured handle to the M390 blade, this one is ready for just about anything you can throw at it.
- The sheath setup is ingenious — from mounting options to being able to add accessories and even includes a ferro rod.
- The included training knife is a huge bonus. AMTAC also offers a discount to their students.
CONS:
- There may be a few jurisdictions that frown on carrying a concealed fixed blade. Know your laws.
- At first it felt a little small for XXL-sized mitts, but you can quickly get used to it. There’s a larger version available.
Dynamis Alliance Razorback
Dom Raso is a DEVGRU veteran and founder of Crush Everything. Whether you seek blades, training, or motivation, he does it all. The Razorback was named for and inspired by the late Navy SEAL and Arkansas native Adam Brown and his dedication and passion for the Razorback football team.
Made from 80CRV2 steel, the blade performs and deploys quickly when you need it most. The Micarta handle conforms to the hand, and the ambidextrous pocket sheath is another engineering marvel from a design perspective. Designed for close-quarter combat, it excels at cutting, slicing, and stabbing. Perfect for carry from the battlefield to the board room.
PROS:
- The ergonomics are nothing short of amazing, leave it to a SEAL to design something that will not slip out of a wet hand.
- 80CrV2 is a tough-as-nails workhorse steel that seems to hold an edge forever.
- The ambidextrous sheath is a superb design if you commonly change your mode of carry from rightto left-hand side.
CONS:
- The handle, although ergonomic, can feel a bit too skinny at times.
Spartan Blades Ronin Shoto Karambit
This model is a double feature designed by a former Green Beret and made by a company owned and mostly staffed by Green Berets. Spartan Blades teamed up with TU Lam of Ronin Tactics, former Special Forces and inspiration for Call of Duty’s Ronin character. The end result is a perfectly executed folding knife with regard to rock solid construction. From the liners to the scales to the backspacer reinforcing the ring, this knife is built like a tank. CTS-XHP steel is an extremely capable alloy from Carpenter.
One thing I found interesting about this build was Spartan’s use of an Oil Infused Bronze Bushing System or OIBBS. They impregnated their sintered bronze bushings with oil, reducing the friction on the blade and giving you a tight but smooth blade opening.
PROS:
- A reversible pocket clip makes this knife perfect for rightor left-handed carry, particularly if carried on the offside as a backup knife to prevent a gun grab.
- Equipped with the Emerson Wave-shaped opening device means this knife is instantly deployable when drawn under stress.
- This is a textbook overbuilt folding knife that’s not unnecessarily heavy or bulky.
CONS:
- The Emerson wave-shaped opening device works well here, but a hole or slot of some sort as a backup or discrete opening method would be helpful.
- A small driver included with the knife would be nice.
Spyderco Canis
Kelly McCann is one of the world’s leading experts in counterterrorism, antiterrorism, close combat, and security. He served as a Marine Officer from 1980 to 1990 and was one of the developers of FAST (Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team).
A Black Belt Hall of Fame Member, he designed a no-nonsense folding knife intended for personal protection called the Canis. Its CPM S30V stainless steel blade combines a straight, Wharncliffe-style edge with narrow bevels, a reinforced tip, and a weight-saving mid-blade swedge to maximize strength and cutting power.
This unique grind lowers the top of the bevel where it meets the full thickness of the blade, so it is closer to the cutting edge. The handle features textured carbon fiber/G-10 laminate scales, nested stainless steel liners,
a high-strength compression lock, and a versatile four-position clip that supports all possible carry options.
PROS:
- The pocket clip is reversible and allows for rightor left-handed carry, tip up or tip down.
- Its blade is made from CPM S30V; this has been the standard for tactical folders for the past 15 years.
- The large Spyderco hole allows for quick and easy opening.
CONS:
- Although the compression lock works well, McCann’s original design was a liner lock or frame lock.
CRKT Xolotl
The Xolotl (pronounced: show-low-tl) is a compact folder from CRKT that’s dimensionally like a fountain pen with a skeletal-like handle. Not skeletonized, but skeletal, the pattern on the G10 handle resembles a stylized ribcage with each bone representing one year of retired U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Michael Rodriguez’s active-duty service.
Built as a part of the Forged by War series, this knife is comfortable to carry in everyday gear as it is on a MOLLE vest. It deploys with a lightning-fast flipper. The spear-point blade has a razor-sharp edge and a false edge so it can excel in slicing as well as penetrating.
PROS:
- The aesthetics are tops on this model, the cross guard acts as a flipper.
- This can act as a capable non-lethal impact tool when closed; it’s almost perfect in this role.
- The clip is reversible for rightor left-handed use.
CONS:
- The knife is only set up for tip-down carry.
- No lanyard hole, if you’re into that kind of thing.
FOBOS Cacula
Eric Hansen is a retired Green Beret Medic and CIF (Commander’s In-Extremis Force) veteran who deployed to Afghanistan numerous times. As a civilian, he founded FOBOS Knives.
FOBOS, For Operators By Operators, is a veteran-owned service-disabled business, and all the knives are designed with Hansen’s unique special operations approach — especially regarding his sheaths. Most sheaths seem like an afterthought, but a common theme through FOBOS (and to be fair, the other fixed blades in this guide) is how robust and practical they are. The Cacula is a midsized fixed blade knife made from high-quality CPM-S35VN steel and features a utilitarian drop point that makes it perfect for an EDC choice.
Ergonomic to the max, you can tell that a lot of thought went into this one.
PROS:
- While it may not scream “tactical,” this knife is one of the most tactical designs there is. Big enough for most tasks without looking particularly threatening.
- S35VN steel is corrosion resistant, tough, and offers great edge retention.
- Ergonomically, it’s nothing short of perfect.
CONS:
- There’s a cutout in the blade that doesn’t seem to serve any purpose.
- Hansen’s knives are in high demand, and it can be a bit of a struggle to find one of the Caculas to your exact specs.
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