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HEIGHTEN YOUR SECURITY LEVEL WITH THESE DEFENSIVE TACTICAL BLADES
Versatility in a knife is a good thing. So, why not add one more task to the list of things you want the knife you carry to perform: self-defense.
Some of the knives in this section can be used for everyday chores but are also at the ready to save your life whether as a close-quarters backup weapon or as a primary weapon in places you can’t carry a firearm. Personal protection calls for serious personal choices, so please make those choices wisely.
Let’ have a look at Tactical Knives Buyer’s Guide 2023:
THE VOODOO DAGGER PLAYS OFF A FORGOTTEN CLASSIC
Hidden blades and other clandestine weapons were all the rage, so to speak, during World War II. Operatives in the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) armed themselves with all manner of edged weaponry, such as the well-known lapel dagger.
One of the most interesting, though, was called the tine dagger. The tines were cut from pitchforks and cordage was wrapped on them to create handles. These were thrusting daggers, not true cutting tools, used as a last resort for defense.
Jason Knight from Knight Elements came up with the Voodoo Dagger to recreate that tine-dagger design for modern warriors. The blade is N690 stainless steel, and it has a hollow fuller on one side and twin bevels on the other.
Rather than wrapped cordage, the handle is made from black cherry G10 scales that are deeply textured. Grooves in the exposed tang, when combined with the scales, provide a rock-solid grip. The Voodoo Dagger is also available with black or green patterned scales.
The sheath is custom-molded Kydex and is equipped with a quick-release belt clip. The Dagger snaps into place securely, but can be quickly deployed with a solid tug. Should you wish, you can remove the belt clip from the sheath. Several attachment points on the Kydex can be used to strap the sheath in place where needed.
Because this is a weapon designed specifically for penetration, it isn’t as razor-sharp along the blade as most other knives. Don’t get me wrong; it isn’t dull by any stretch. The edge running along the inner curve is quite sharp.
But, this isn’t made for cutting open boxes or slicing fruit for lunch. It is for causing injury, pure and simple. The curve of the blade matches the arc of the arm as it moves. This translates into maximum power for penetration. The slim blade combined with the fuller and the twin bevels equates to a lot of damage capability.
The final product here is light-years ahead of the original tine dagger, in both design and execution.
The steel is superior, the handle is machined for traction as well as comfort, and the tines are given edges rather than just left rounded. OSS agents, as well as their British counterparts in the SOE (Special Operations Executive), would have been thrilled to have a Voodoo Dagger in their personal arsenals.
Specifications
KNIGHT ELEMENTS VOODOO DAGGER
Overall Length: 8.325 inches
Blade Length: 4.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.177 inch
Blade Steel: N690
Handle Material: G10
Weight: 3.1 ounces
Sheath Material: Kydex with quick release clip
MSRP: $220
Microtech Knives
MICROTECH SOCOM ELITE MANUAL
Overall Length: 9.2 inches
Closed Length: 5.2 inches
Blade Length: 4 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.19 inch
Blade Steel: M390
Handle Material: Aluminum
Locking Mechanism: Bar lock
Weight: 5.4 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $335
Emerson Knives
EMERSON KNIVES ELVIA
Overall Length: 7.2 inches
Closed Length: 4.5 inches
Blade Length: 2.7 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.125 inch
Blade Steel: 154CM
Handle Material: G10
Locking Mechanism: Titanium liner lock
Weight: 3.5 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $278.95
Cold Steel Knife & Tool Company
COLD STEEL KOBUN
Overall Length: 9.88 inches
Blade Length: 5.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.25 inch
Blade Steel: AUS-8A
Handle Material: OD green Kray-Ex
Sheath: Secure-Ex
Origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $69.95
Microtech Knives
MICROTECH DIRAC DELTA
Overall Length: 9.4 inches
Closed Length: 5.6 inches
Blade Length: 3.8 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.13 inch
Blade Steel: M390
Handle Material: Aluminum
Locking Mechanism: Dual-action OTF
Weight: 4.6 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $387
VZ Grips
VZ GRIPS PUNCH ARROW G10 DAGGER
Overall Length: 4.25 inches
Blade Length: 2 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.25 inch
Blade Material: G10 (non-metal)
Handle Material: G10
Sheath Material: Leather
Weight: 1 ounce
Origin: USA
MSRP: $80, $89.99 w/ sheath
Microtech Knives
MICROTECH HERA
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Closed Length: 4.4 inches
Blade Length: 3.1 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.09 inch
Blade Steel: M390
Handle Material: Aluminum
Locking Mechanism: Dual-action OTF
Weight: 3.2 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $462
Spyderco, Inc.
SPYDERCO YOJIMBO 2
Overall Length: 7.69 inches
Closed Length: 4.49 inches
Blade Length: 3.2 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.145 inch
Blade Steel: CPM S30V
Handle Material: G10
Lock Mechanism: Compression lock
Weight: 4.2 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $245
Spyderco, Inc.
SPYDERCO Lil’ Temperance 3 Lightweight
Overall Length: 7.17 inches
Closed Length: 4.37 inches
Blade Length: 2.92 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.157 inch
Blade Steel: VG-10
Handle Material: FRN
Lock Mechanism: Compression lock
Weight: 3.8 ounces
Origin: Japan
MSRP: $252
Tops Knives
TOPS SZABO EXPRESS
Overall Length: 10.38 inches
Blade Length: 5.63 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.160 inch
Blade Steel: 1095 w/black Cerakote finish
Handle Material: Black canvas Micarta
Sheath Material: Black Kydex
Weight: 7.5 ounces, 10.4 ounces w/sheath
Origin: USA
MSRP: $240
Kershaw/KAI USA
KERSHAW LIVEWIRE
Overall Length: 8.1 inches
Closed Length: 4.8 inches
Blade Length: 3.3 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.125 inch
Blade Steel: CPM 20CV
Handle Material: Aluminum
Locking Mechanism: OTF internal lock
Weight: 3 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: TBA
Spartan Blades USA
Spartan-Ronin Shōtō
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Blade Length: 2.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.130 inch
Blade Steel: CTS-XHP w/satin black Ti/nitride finish
Handle Material: Textured black/red G10
Lock Mechanism: Liner lock
Weight: 6.25 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $155
Spartan Blades USA
Spartan Moros
Overall Length: 10 inches
Blade Length: 5.25 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.188 inch
Blade Steel: CPM S45VN
Handle Material: 3D CE canvas Micarta
Sheath Material: Nylon or Kydex
Weight: 7.17 ounces
MSRP: $385
ONE SMOOTH OPERATOR
Here’s the thing: As much as we’d like to think otherwise, most of us aren’t in a position to carry a dozen or so knives on our person every day. So, we need to make some compromises and choose knives that can serve multiple roles or purposes. When it comes to a knife that can be used tactically or for defense, it is great if the knife can also be used for other routine chores.
Winkler Knives has a well-deserved reputation for producing exceptionally high-quality tactical knives and breaching tools. The WK Operator was a collaboration between Daniel Winkler and Kevin Holland, U.S. Navy SEAL (retired) and U.S. Army Special Operations (retired). In addition to his tactical expertise, Holland is a very skilled outdoorsman. With the Operator, they created a knife that excels in both capacities.
The WK Operator is 9 inches from end to end, with the blade taking up a bit more than 4 inches of that length. The handle is one of the most comfortable I’ve ever held. The scales are black Micarta that have been shaped and contoured to provide an excellent grip while avoiding any risk of hot spots. There’s a bit of jimping on the spine just ahead of the handle, too.
The blade has been treated with a black oxide finish to eliminate glare. It is razor-keen, right out of the box, and terminates in a needle-sharp point. The blade is long enough to penetrate through clothing, should that be an issue, while remaining short enough to not be awkward when doing food prep or bushcraft sorts of chores.
The sheath is just as well built as the knife. It is lined Boltaron with a leather cover equipped with a spring-steel belt clip. It is handsome as well as functional. The clip can be adjusted to accommodate right- or left-handed carry, as well as either vertical or horizontal. Winkler Knives even includes extra hardware in case you need to adjust the thickness of the Boltaron plate because of your belt’s thickness. The sheath holds the knife securely, even upside down, and when the knife is inserted, there’s enough leather on either side of the handle to work as something of a thumb break.
The WK Operator is simply a no-frills workhorse. It will handle anything you throw at it without batting an eye and come back looking for more. It is the sort of knife that you won’t think twice about abusing the heck out of, because you’re confident it can take it.
Specifications
WINKLER KNIVES WK OPERATOR
Overall Length: 9 inches
Blade Length: 4.125 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.15625 inch
Blade Steel: 80CrV2
Handle Material: Micarta
Weight: 4.1 ounces
Sheath Material: Leather over Boltaron
MSRP: $350
VZ Grips
VZ GRIPS DIAMANTE G10 DAGGER
Overall Length: 9.9 inches
Blade Length: 4.75 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.31 inch
Blade Material: G10 (non-metal)
Handle Material: G10
Sheath Material: Leather
Weight: 2.4 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $99 without sheath, $128.99 with sheath
Knives Of Alaska
KNIVES OF ALASKA EAGLE AUTO
Overall Length: 7.375 inches
Closed Length: 4.25 inches
Blade Length: 2.90 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.095 inch
Blade Steel: S30V
Handle Material: G10 black or layered OD/black G10
Locking Mechanism: Slide safety lock
Weight: 2.7 ounces
Origin: USA
Other: Coil spring
MSRP: $179.99
Knives Of Alaska
KNIVES OF ALASKA ONYX AUTO
Overall Length: 6.75 inches
Closed Length: 3.90 inches
Blade Length: 2.60 inches
Blade Thickness: .095 inch
Blade Steel: S30V
Handle Material: G10 black or layered OD/black G10
Locking Mechanism: Slide safety lock
Weight: 2.2 ounces
Origin: USA
Other: Coil spring
MSRP: $159.99
Bear and Son Cutlery
BEAR AND SON BEAR OPS BEAR TAC III
Overall Length: 10 inches
Blade Length: 4.88 inches
Blade Steel: D2 with black glare-free finish
Handle Material: G10
Sheath Material: Ballistic nylon with Kydex insert
Origin: USA
MSRP: $129.99
Randall Made Knives
RANDALL MADE COMBAT COMPANION
Overall Length: 9.375 inches
Blade Length: 5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.188 inch
Blade Steel: Stainless steel
Handle Material: Black Micarta
Sheath Material: Leather
Weight: 9 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $525
Half Face Blades
HALF FACE DISASTER JR
Overall Length: 8 inches
Blade Length: 3.75 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.15 inch
Blade Steel: CPM 3V
Handle Material: Exotic woods
Sheath Material: Veg tan leather
Weight: 5.1 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $750
Half Face Blades
HALF FACE EXTREMIS MK1
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.15 inch
Blade Steel: S35VN
Handle Material: Black burlap Micarta w/colored G10 accents
Sheath Material: Veg tan leather
Weight: 3.6 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $550
Fällkniven AB
FALLKNIVEN G1z
Overall Length: 7.52 inches
Blade Length: 3.58 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.18 inch
Blade Steel: CPM 20CV
Handle Material: Thermorun
Sheath Material: Zytel
Weight: 3.21 ounces
Origin: China
MSRP: $242
Half Face Blades
HALF FACE FAIRBAIRN SYKES
Overall Length: 9.75 inches
Blade Length: 5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.15 inch
Blade Steel: S35VN
Handle Material: Brown canvas Micarta w/colored G10 accents
Sheath Material: Kydex
Weight: 4.7 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $750
Half Face Blades
HALF FACE SHPOS FOLDER
Overall Length: 8 inches
Closed Length: 4.8 inches
Blade Length: 3.6 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.15 inch
Blade Steel: S45VN
Handle Material: Titanium
Locking Mechanism: Proprietary
Weight: 3.9 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $500
VZ Grips
VZ GRIPS EXECUTIVE G10 DAGGER
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.25 inch
Blade Material: G10 (non-metal)
Handle Material: G10
Sheath Material: Leather
Weight: 1.23 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $70, $79.99 w/sheath
Half Face Blades
HALF FACE BLEEDING HEART HAWK
Overall Length: 12 inches
Blade Length: 2.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.21 inch
Blade Steel: S35VN
Handle Material: Copper carbon and Hawaiian curly koa wood
Sheath Material: Kydex
Weight: 16.2 ounces
Origin: USA
MSRP: $1,500
WEAVING A SPELL WITH THE WARLOCK BY JOE HAUCK
Joe Hauck has been studying various martial arts since he was a young child. He was a big kid and would often end up sparring with other students who were older and more experienced. As a result, he learned quickly what worked and what didn’t. Over time, he progressed into studying weapons and learning how to use them. When he began making knives, he naturally began gravitating toward blades that could be used tactically.
Brutally effective, the Warlock is a great “get-off-me” tool option. Typically carried on the belt just to the side of the buckle, you can snatch it and put holes where they’re needed quickly and efficiently, even when grappling with an attacker. I spent a little time with Hauck at a knife event, and he demonstrated just how fast and easily this can be done with a little practice.
The Warlock is a hunk of steel and Micarta that tips the scales at 4.7 ounces. That’s not a lot, but because it is such a small package, it feels a bit weightier than it really is. That’s not a bad thing in this case, as it lends some power when you’re using it. The blade is convex-ground with a top swedge that helps with penetration. Just ahead of the handle, the spine swings upward to create the perfect thumb rest.
At the widest point of the handle, it is nearly an inch thick, tapering down to about 11/16-inch just behind the blade. The handle scales are black canvas Micarta that have been deeply textured, and they’re far more comfortable than their appearance might dictate. Aluminum pins secure them to the tang. In the hand, the end of the handle rests right in the middle of the palm.
The knife comes with a simple Kydex sheath equipped with a pull-the-dot button strap. It attaches easily to your belt and pretty much disappears under even a T-shirt. When needed, the Warlock can be pulled from the sheath with a sharp tug and deployed immediately. It is small enough that an attacker might not even notice it in your hand until it’s too late.
That said, the knife is also well suited for other duties, including opening packages, cutting cordage, and even slicing sausage or fruit for lunch. The blade is a little too thick to be a true food prep knife, but it’ll do the job. KIBG
Specifications
JOE HAUCK WARLOCK
Overall Length: 5.9 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Blade Thickness: 0.187 inch
Blade Steel: 1095
Handle Material: Micarta
Weight: 4.7 ounces
Sheath Material: Kydex
MSRP: $209
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A version of this article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2023 print issue of Knives Illustrated Buyer’s Guide.