Best Combat Knife: 10 Military Pure Fighting Knives

What’s A Combat Knife

Knives have been used and counted on in battle for thousands of years and one of the toughest knives that you can get your hands on is a combat knife. These knives come in a variety of designs but the one factor that unites them is that they were specifically designed to back-up a soldier in the heat of battle or in the day-to-day of living in a combat zone.

Benefits of a Combat Knife

Built to stand-up to the harshest environments, combat knives can be counted on to last a lifetime. Features like grips that are truly slip-free, allowing you to use the knife in wet conditions or with sweaty hands, and blades that are forged from carbon steel, allowing you to put them to hard use on a daily basis, are what make them a great asset.

Best of the Best

With all the combat knives out there, choosing the right one that fits your needs can be a chore, so we’ve made it easy for you. Below, you’ll find our recommendations for the top ten combat knives.

1918 WWI Trench Knife

At the top of this list is, without question, the 1918 WWI Trench Knife, which is an exact copy of the trusty blade issued to troops during the First World War. Since trench warfare consisted of such gruesome, close-quarter battles, the trench knife allowed soldiers to not only stab but also bludgeon enemies with the knuckle-guard handle. The AUS-6 stainless steel blade has a double-edge, and the rough-textured heavy duty steel handle also has a pointed, skull crusher pommel. The 1918 WWI Trench Knife is, as they say, “an oldie but goodie”, backing up soldiers through two world wars.
Key Features:

• It has a knuckle-guard handle that is rough-textured, giving you a rock-solid grip and complete control when using the knife.
• The premium stainless steel blade is double-edged so that it will cut in both directions and the blade has a penetrating point.
• The pointed, skull-crusher pommel can be used as a glass-breaker or puncturing tool.

KA-BAR USMC Tactical Bowie Knife

Of course, the next on the list is the iconic KA-BAR USMC Tactical Bowie Knife. Made by KA-BAR, in Olean, N.Y., for the United States Marine Corps and first introduced in W.W.II., this combat knife is a tried and true classic. What is most recognizable and associated specifically with this knife is the stacked, polished leather handle. The genuine leather ages and wears well and the deep grooves make the handle grippy, especially, in wet environments. The 1095 carbon steel clip point blade has been gun-blued for rust and corrosion-resistance and it has a deep blood groove. The steel butt cap is hefty enough to do duty as a hammering tool and the steel guard keeps your fingers from slipping to the blade. A leather belt sheath with extra heavy stitching and metal pin side reinforcements lets you carry it easily by your side and it features the official USMC logo. The KA-BAR USMC Tactical Bowie Knife is still in action today at home and on foreign shores.
Key Features:

• The instantly recognizable, genuine stacked leather handle can’t be beat when it comes to a secure, slip-free grip.
• The clip point blade with its gun-blued treatment is built to stand-up to the harshest weather conditions and not rust easily.
• The overall length of the knife, at just under 12”, is a comfortable size to carry at your side without getting in the way.

Honshu Boshin Toothpick Knife

Honshu, which blends tradition and innovation with style and function to put out an exceptional line of tactical weapons, offers the Boshin Toothpick to the combat knife division. The blade has a rock-solid, full-tang 7Cr13 stainless steel construction with a unique, flat-taper grind and it has weight-reducing thru-holes. Folks, at a full foot long, this is one beefy blade up to the most difficult cutting tasks. When you combine that with a textured, contoured TPR handle that won’t slip your grip, you get a knife that sets a new standard for modern combat knives.
Key Features:

• The impressive blade is a rock-solid, full foot in length, but the weight-reducing design elements makes it light-weight for its size.
• The contoured TPR handle, which is secured to the tang with heavy-duty screws, is built tough so that it can take an impact.
• The combat knife comes in a premium leather belt sheath that has a paracord lanyard attached for lashing to gear.

M48 Sabotage Tanto Fighter Knife

Using a triple-beveled blade that was once unique to hand-made knives, M48 has designed a sleek, almost futuristic combat knife that’s light-years beyond the rest. The Sabotage Tanto Fighter Knife’s modified, tanto point blade is cast of stainless steel and has a tough black, oxide coating to make it impervious to corrosion. As with all M48 knives, it has an impact-resistant handle that feels comfortable in the hand and gives you maximum leverage. A custom nylon belt sheath with a specially fitted Vortec blade cover lets you carry it conveniently by your side. If you’re all about modern, tactical gear, then this is the combat knife for you!
Key Features:

• You’re getting a triple-beveled blade that gives you the sharpest edge you can get and will retain its sharpness longer
• The modified, tanto point blade is cast of stainless steel with a black oxide coating, making it impervious to corrosion
• It has an injection-molded TPR handle, secured with screws, that’s impact-resistant and feels comfortable in your hand

Combat Commander Mini Boot Knife

A combat knife doesn’t have to be large to be effective and sometimes, it’s more effective if it can be easily hidden. The Combat Commander Mini Boot Knife is the ultimate in concealed self-defense because it can be hidden discreetly within reach at all times. The razor-sharp, AUS-6 stainless steel blade is partially serrated and double-edged. The sturdy, TPR handle extends into a guard to keep your fingers from the blade, and it’s ridged for a slip-free grip. At only 5” overall, the boot knife, in its injection-molded sheath with a nylon lanyard cord, can be attached anywhere or can be worn around your neck under your clothes.

The ultimate in concealed, compact self-defense, the Sub Commander Mini Boot Knife hides discreetly within reach at all times. An injection molded sheath with a nylon lanyard ensures it's close at hand in case of attack. An impact resistant TPR handle is strong and textured for a slip-proof grip, complete with a brass lanyard hole. The razor sharp AUS-6 stainless steel blade is double edged with a complete blood groove for an extreme cut when stabbed or slashed. The extended TPR guard protects against accidental injuries to your hands while in use. Measures: 5" overall; 2 1/2" blade.

Key Features:

• You’re getting an extremely sharp and capable blade that is double-edged and partially serrated for maximum cutting and slashing
• The handle is tough and ridged to give you a secure grip and it features a brass lanyard hole for another discreet carry option
• It comes in an injection-molded sheath that has a long lanyard cord, giving you the option to lash it to your boot or gear

Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife

Designed by a former soldier, the Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife was built for life or death scenarios like being down behind enemy lines. It was field-tested with the troops and is as adaptable as the personnel who carry it. The black, non-reflective stainless steel blade is partially serrated, making it capable of severing a seatbelt, egressing through the Plexiglas of a chopper and building a shelter. The textured, over-molded handle limits blistering and is non-conductive to prevent electrical shock if cutting wires. The butt-cap can be used as a hammering tool and specifically placed grooves and lashing holes let you convert the knife into a spear. The low-profile belt sheath facilitates movement, limits noise and has an integrated sharpener. The Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife is packed with survival features.
Key Features:

• It was designed by a former soldier and built for life or death scenarios, and it was field-tested with the troops
• The black, non-reflective stainless steel blade is partially serrated, making it capable of severing a seatbelt
• The textured, over-molded handle limits blistering and is non-conductive to prevent electrical shock if cutting wires

M7 Bayonet Knife

With a long history of being a competent combat knife, the bayonet knife has seen service in battle since 1884. Another classic and functional replica, the M7 Bayonet Knife definitely belongs on this list. This historically accurate combat knife is a replica of the bayonet knives issued to U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War to fit the M-16 rifle. It has a lengthy, full-tang stainless steel blade with a weight-reducing, deep blood groove. The muzzle-ring guard and butt are also of solid, stainless steel. The checkered handle is heavy-duty TPU, secured to the tang with heavy-duty screws. A versatile knife, the M7 Bayonet Knife was designed to be used effectively both on and off the rifle.
Key Features:

• This combat knife was specifically designed to be mounted on an M-16 rifle
• The full-tang, stainless steel blade is a lengthy 9” overall, giving you plenty of reach
• It has a checkered TPU handle that gives you a slip-free grip in adverse weather

M48 Combat Machete

This is actually a machete, but I have included it because it does meet all the requirements of a combat knife. The M48 Combat Machete gives you a powerful, full-tang stainless steel blade that has a titanium, electro-plated finish. The tang extends past the handle and features a lanyard hole for attaching a wrist lanyard, giving you more control when using it for tasks like clearing foliage and brush. Built to rigorous specifications, the reinforced TPU handle scales are both deeply grooved and textured for the secure grip that you need for this massive combat knife. The just under 18” overall machete can be carried in its military-style, reinforced MOLLE sheath.
Key Features:

• The massive, full-tang stainless steel blade has a titanium, electro-plated finish giving it strength and power
• The exposed tang, which extend past the handle scales has a lanyard hole for attaching a wrist lanyard
• The reinforced TPU handle scales are built to rigorous specifications and are deeply grooved and textured

V42 Military Stiletto Dagger

The V42 Military Stiletto Dagger has quite a pedigree, designed in party by the commanding officer of the Devil’s Brigade, the First Special Service Force. It became the trademark weapon of the famous brigade and its member were trained extensively in the combat knife’s use. The exact replica has the banded leather handle like the original and the double-edged stainless steel stiletto blade. The combat knife also has a skull-crusher pommel. With a piercing point on each end, the V42 Military Stiletto Dagger means business!
Key Features:

• It has an unquestionable pedigree as a combat knife used by the famous Devil’s Brigade
• The genuine banded leather handle gives you a secure grip even in cold weather
• The piercing stiletto blade and the piercing skull crusher pommel are formidable features

SOA Military Knife

To round out this list of combat knives, the SOA Military Knife is a workhorse up to daily cutting and slicing tasks. The non-reflective, clip-point blade is made of 3Cr13 stainless steel, which extends from a TPU guard. The ridged and textured handle is crafted of olive drab, twice-injected TPU with a TPU pommel capping the end. The 12” overall combat knife is surprisingly lightweight and is hardly noticeable when carried at your side in its hard plastic belt sheath, which has lashing holes.
Key Features:

• This is an extremely lightweight combat knife that is a workhorse up to daily cutting and slicing tasks
• The tough, clip-point blade is made of premium 3Cr13 stainless steel and it has a black, non-reflective finish
• The ridged and textured handle is crafted of olive drab, twice-injected TPU with a TPU pommel capping the end