In my time in the military, the only sort of knife that would have been issued to us would have been a bayonet, and that was only when I was doing drill or on parade.
Although combat knives aren’t typically issued pieces of kit today, they likely were during times of heavy conflict such as WWII. Often, military members will spend their own money and purchase combat/survival knives and carry it on them. Some are even encouraged to do so, like combat engineers.
When one thinks of a combat knife, they probably think it of having one purpose… to neutralize or take out enemies. That may have been the main reason a hundred years ago, but today the use of a “combat” knife is more used in ways of survival or showing off to your buddies.
With all that being said, there are some pretty awesome blades that have been used by military units around the world in the past and now in the present. As I mentioned before, typically knives would have been issued or used by units in heavy conflict, so naturally those units today would mostly be Special Forces.
Marine Corps (USA) – KA-BAR
Since WWII, the KA-BAR fighting utility knife has been the issued combat knife for the United States Marine Corps and is quite possibly the most famous fixed combat knife in the world. It has a 7 inch length blade made of alloy steel and a nice looking leather handle about 5 1/4 inches in length, weighing a total of only 454 grams.
Check Amazon for the latest pricing of the USMC KA-BAR, Straight Edge.
If it’s good enough for the United States Marine Corps, then it’s probably good enough for you! What’s nice is you can purchase the USMC KA-BAR knife directly from the manufacturer.
A nice addition to the knife itself is the protective sheath which provides long lasting protection for your KA-BAR’s blade, keeping it sharp.
MARSOC (USA) – Strider SMF
The United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) decided not to use the traditional KA-BAR fixed knife and instead chose a folding knife with a blade length of 4 inches. This knife was rigorously tested in the field including parachute jumps. There are very few differences between the one manufactured for MARSOC and the civilian equivalency.
Unfortunately this knife is currently discontinued, so finding one online would likely have to be second-hand.
JTF2 (Canada) – Karambit
Canada’s elite Tier 1 special forces unit, Joint Task Force 2, sports a unique looking knife. Where most military units have a more traditional looking knife that says “I can be used to split wood for fires” or “I can be used to cut cord to make a lean-to shelter” the look of the karambit knife just speaks for itself. It’s made to eliminate targets.
Gil Hibben Claw II Black Karambit
Of course it’s able to be used in a multitude of different ways, I’m sure… but when Canada’s most elite unit went looking for a knife to carry into conflict, they picked a mean looking blade.
CSOR (Canada) – Difensa
Dubbed JTF2’s “little brother”, Canada’s Tier 2 special forces unit, the Canadians Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), have a more traditional combat knife or what one would think of as a combat/survival knife.
Check out Spartan Blades USA the latest pricing on the Spartan Harsey Difensa.
The Difensa has a 6 1/4” long, 3/16” thick, spear point blade. On the Spartan Blade website you can choose both the blade colour and the handle colour.
What’s interesting about the Difensa is the name itself. Back in WWII the United States and Canada put together a unit named the First Special Service Force, more commonly known as the Devil’s Brigade, and was essential to the Allies’ victory in Italy.
In 1943, a battle was carried out between the Devil’s Brigade and German forces known as the Battle for Monte la Difensa, and that’s where this blade gets it’s name.
Navy SEALs (USA) – Survival Rescue Knife (SRK)
Since 2012, the US Navy SEALs have become arguably the most famous Special Forces unit in the world. These men go through an intense selection course called Basic Underwater Demolition training, or BUDS. After surviving the BUDS course, the remaining men receive the Cold Steel SK-5 SRK knife.
Check Amazon for the latest pricing!
This knife has a blade length of 6” and a solid 5mm thickness. Meant to be used in the most grueling conditions, the SRK is an essential tool used by one of the most elite units in the world.
Conclusion
Regardless of how advanced military forces will get, combat knives, survival knives, and utility knives will always be a requirement for a variety of situations.
Whatever knife you choose to use from this list, you can be sure that if it works for these elite military units, it will work for you!