Blades

Strider SMF

Strider Knives

Built for Marine Corps Det One, the Corps' first special-operations unit, and issued with a military stock number.

• The buildThick blade stock and a heavy titanium frame lock.
• MadeIn the USA, sold through Strider and its dealers.

Not sold on Amazon. Buy direct from the maker or an authorized dealer.

Emerson CQC-7

Emerson Knives

A long history with the Navy SEAL teams and with police and military units around the world.

• The buildChisel-ground blade and a titanium liner lock. Made in the USA.
• Heads upThe "CQC-7K" on Amazon is Kershaw's licensed budget version, not the Emerson-made knife.

Not sold on Amazon. Buy direct from the maker or an authorized dealer.

Extrema Ratio RAO II

Extrema Ratio

Issued to Italy's 185th paratrooper reconnaissance regiment.

• The buildA 6 mm (about 1/4 inch) thick Böhler N690 blade.
• MadeIn Italy.

Sold on Amazon by a third-party seller (Extrema Ratio Official). Check the seller before you buy.

Spartan Harsey Folder

Spartan Blades

Designed by Bill Harsey, who designed the Yarborough knife presented to U.S. Army Special Forces graduates.

• The buildTitanium frame lock and a CPM MagnaCut blade.
• MadeIn the USA.

Sold on Amazon by a third-party seller (Deadwood Knives). Check the seller before you buy.

Hinderer XM-18

Rick Hinderer Knives

Designed by Rick Hinderer, a former firefighter and EMT, for hard use.

• The buildThick titanium frame lock with a lockbar stabilizer that stops the lock from bending too far.
• MadeIn the USA.

Not sold on Amazon. Buy direct from the maker or an authorized dealer.

Medford Praetorian T

Medford Knife & Tool

Thick titanium handle slabs and oversized hardware. About as overbuilt as a folding knife gets.

• The buildHeavy titanium frame lock and a thick blade.
• MadeIn the USA.

Not sold on Amazon. Buy direct from the maker or an authorized dealer.

Chris Reeve Umnumzaan

Chris Reeve Knives

Precision-machined titanium frame lock with a ceramic ball where the lock meets the blade, so lockup stays solid for years.

• The buildThick titanium handle and a premium steel blade.
• Heads upOften sold out. Check back if it isn't in stock.

Not sold on Amazon. Buy direct from the maker or an authorized dealer.

Benchmade Adamas

Benchmade

CPM-CruWear tool steel, tough and hard to chip, with Benchmade's AXIS lock.

• The buildA big, thick-bladed folder made for rough work.
• Heads upSeveral versions are discontinued and supply is thin.

Not sold on Amazon. Buy direct from the maker or an authorized dealer.

Zero Tolerance 0350

Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance's long-running hard-use folder.

• The buildThick S30V blade, steel liner lock and G-10 handle, with assisted opening.
• MadeIn the USA.

Cold Steel 4-Max Scout

Cold Steel

A 5 mm (about 3/16 inch) thick blade with Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock.

• The build4 inch AUS-10 blade and a tough Griv-Ex handle.
• SizeA big knife: about 10 inches open.

Sold on Amazon by a third-party seller (MidwayUSA, Inc.). Check the seller before you buy.

Cold Steel Recon 1

Cold Steel

A 4 inch S35VN blade, G-10 handle and the Tri-Ad lock.

• The buildThick blade stock and one of the strongest locks in a production folder.
• StyleTanto blade shown; spear point versions exist.

Demko AD20.5

Demko Knives

Andrew Demko's Shark-Lock: a solid steel block that wedges the blade open.

• The buildS35VN blade and a lock with no thin springs to fail.
• MadeDesigned in the USA.

Sold on Amazon by a third-party seller (BladeHQ). Check the seller before you buy.

Cold Steel SR1 Lite

Cold Steel Trusty's pick too ›

A 4 inch blade, Griv-Ex handle and the Tri-Ad lock. Real value in a knife built to be used hard.

• The buildBig, simple and tough, with the same Tri-Ad lock as Cold Steel's pricier knives.
• SizeAbout 9 inches open. Photo shows the tanto version.