The Best Self Defense Knife — Top Picks for Civilians

Owning a self-defense weapon is one of the most important decisions that you can make. This is especially when you consider that when the time comes and you have to make a life or death decision, you’ll use it while knowing that it could cause a life-changing injury to your opponent.

A big decision like this one requires one to be thoroughly informed and aware of the outcomes to expect from the knife you choose.

To help you with that, we’ve lined up the top choices that we’ve gathered from our market research and experience to give you a detailed review of the best self defense knife.

The Best Self Defense Knives Are:

Product	Details
1. Al Mar Sere 2000	Top Pick	Blade: VG-10 Stainless Steel/ length 3.6 inches Overall Length: 8.5 inches Blade Thickness: 0.12 inch Blade Coating: Satin Finish Handle: G-10 Weight: 3.5 oz	Check Current Price
2. Kershaw Blur		Blade: 154CM Stainless Steel/ length 3.75-inch Overall Length: 9 inches Blade Coating: Black Cerakote Handle: G-10 Scales with HK Texture Weight: 7.2 oz Weight: 4.1 oz	Check Current Price
3. Heckler and Koch HK54200-BRK Karma Knife		Blade: 154CM Stainless Steel/ length 3.75-inch Overall Length: 9 inches Blade Coating: Black Cerakote Handle: G-10 Scales with HK Texture Weight: 7.2 oz	Check Current Price
4. Emerson ECBF CQC-13 BT		Blade: 154CM Stainless Steel/ length 3.85-inch Overall Length: 9 inches Blade Thickness: 0.125 inch Blade Coating: Black Handle: G-10 Weight: 5.0 oz	Check Current Price
5. Kershaw Brawler		Blade: 8Cr13Mov Stainless Steel/ length 3.25 inches Overall Length: 7.1 inches Blade Coating: Black Oxide Handle: Textured Glass Reinforced Nylon Weight: 3.8 oz	Check Current Price
6. Fox Karambit 479		Blade: N690Co Stainless Steel/ length 2.95 inches Overall Length: 7.48 inches Blade Thickness: 3mm/0.12 inch Blade Coating: Black Idroglider Handle: G10 Black Weight: 130g/ 4.59 oz	Check Current Price
7. KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife		Blade: AUS-8 Stainless Steel/ length 2.31 inches Overall Length: 5.625 inches Blade Thickness: 0.13 inch Blade Coating: Black Handle: Zytel Weight: 5.60 oz	Check Current Price
8. Gerber Paraframe I Tanto		Blade: 7Cr17Mov Steel/ length 3.375 inches Overall Length: 7.01 inches Blade Coating: Titanium Nitride Handle: 3CR13 steel Weight: 2.8 oz	Check Current Price
9. Schrade SCHA4BG MAGIC Liner Lock		Blade: 4034 Stainless Steel/ length 3.375 inches Overall Length: 7.75 inches Blade Thickness: 0.12 inch Blade Coating: Black Handle: Aluminum Weight: 4.0 oz	Check Current Price
10. Spyderco Tenacious Value		Blade: 8Cr13Mov Stainless Steel/ length 3.39 inches Overall Length: 7.76 inches Blade Thickness: 0.118 Blade Coating: Black Handle: G-10 Weight: 4.1 oz	Check Current Price
11. Smith and Wesson Tactical Folding Knife		Blade: 3.6-inch clip point blade Length: 8.6 inches total length, 5.2 inches when folded Weight: 7.6 oz Limited lifetime warranty For concelaed carry tactical self-defense use	Check Current Price
12. Ka-Bar 1214-BRK USA Fighting Knife		Blade: 7-inch, 20-degree edge angle, partially serrated Length: 11.9 inches total Weight: 11.2 oz Used as a tactical knife by the military and service members Limited lifetime warranty	Check Current Price

1. Al Mar Sere 2000 — Best Knife for Self Defense

The Sere 2000 knife was designed for military training for survival, evasion, resistance, and escape. The main designer of this knife, Al Mar, had some military experience and was also the chief designer at Gerber Legendary Blades before he set up his own company.

This is one of the best folding tactical knives in the market, designed to be light, easy to carry, and very effective for self-defense and survival. Though Al Mar is an American brand, all its knives are manufactured in Japan.

This Japanese touch is reflected in its standard edge 3.6-inch blade made in VG-10 stainless steel which is a cutlery grade stainless steel produced in Japan. It also features a spear point shape and unlike other blades with Emerson Openers, this blade comes with dual thumb studs for easy opening.

It has a liner lock with a side spring that enables one-handed open and closing and comes with a G-10 handle and a reversible deep-pocket clip, which also makes it one of the best concealed carry knives.

The shape of the blade allows this knife to be multi-usable for every day carry as well as wilderness survival and self-defense.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

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2. Kershaw Blur Black Serrated Folding Knife — Concealed Carry Best Fighting Knife

I like Kershaw Blur Black Serrated Folding Knife because it’s lightweight. It has a high-performance Sandvik stainless steel blade with Diamond-Like Carbon coating. The half-serrated blur performs as a multitasking blade for cutting fibrous materials. I also like that I get free lifelong sharpening and a limited lifetime warranty for it.

This is a great EDC and one of the best knives for concealed carry.

You can try Kershaw Blur Black Serrated Folding Knife if you’re searching for a lightweight, durable, and sturdy blade. It has a SpeedSafe system that makes it easy to open with one hand. You may also like its reversible clip that you can use for a tip-up or tip-down carry.

Overall Rating: 4.8

3. Heckler and Koch HK54200-BRK Karma Knife — Best for First Responders

This HK Karma knife is a partially serrated knife developed for first responders in the line of duty. It also makes a great choice for self-defense because it is made to military standards with high-quality features for response effectiveness.

This knife is produced by HK in collaboration with Hogue, an American company founded in 1968. Heckler and Koch is a German firearms manufacturer best known for producing high-performance machine guns. Together, they have collaborated on producing a collection of knives for the military, law enforcement, and first responders that are high quality and effective.

With this in mind, the Karma knife features a 3.75-inch tanto blade made from 154CM stainless steel featuring a flat grind with a hand-honed edge. This kind of steel is used in the better quality type of knives and is tough, corrosion-resistant, and has good edge retention. It is finished in black Cerakote which is a durable and corrosion-resistant finish.

Other features we like include a solid black G-10 scales frame and HK texture as well as thumb stud deployment and a stainless steel ambidextrous pocket clip. It also features a strap cutter on the spine for cutting through fibrous materials such as seat belts with ease.

The Karma also features a carbide tip glass breaker for quick entry into cars and homes and oxygen tank wrench which is a specialized tool for opening oxygen tank valves. It is the perfect emergency knife and its stabbing effectiveness makes it great for self-defense.

Overall Rating – 4.8/5

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4. Emerson ECBF CQC-13 BT — Best Carry Knife for Self Defense

This Knife is the first Bowie style folding knife from Emerson. The Emerson brand is well known for manufacturing military-grade knives for self-defense. They are also the patent holder of the Emerson Wave, a technique that allows the knife to quickly deploy as you pull it out of your pocket.

Bowie knives were originally designed to be everyday carry self-defense knives. The Emerson Bowie is a versatile self-defense knife with a double-edged tip blade. It’s made in 154CM stainless steel with a textured black finish and has a v-grind that makes sharpening easier.

The blade also features the Emerson Opener, a small tongue protruding from the base of the blade that gets hooked in the pocket when you’re removing it, to flip the blade open.

It features a G-10 handle which lightweight and durable and allows for a firm and comfortable grip.

The CQC-13 is well designed and comfortable to use and it is from a top brand which is reflected in the cost. However, it is well worth the price.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

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5. Kershaw Brawler Folding Pocket Knife — Best Value for Money

The Kershaw Brawler is a budget-friendly EDC knife and also one of the best selling pocket knives on Amazon. It is made by Kershaw, an American brand owned by KAI Group that has a division in the US. Formed in the seventies, Kershaw produces a wide range of knives for a variety of customers and are known for their innovation and passion for high quality.

This blade features the SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism that is exclusive to Kershaw blades and was invented by their Premier Knife Designer, Ken Onion. This feature is innovative because it allows for a quick deploy that is not considered an automatic opening, thus allowing it to be legal in states that have banned auto-open knives or switchblades.

This knife features a 3-inch tanto style blade made of 8Cr13Mov stainless steel. This type of steel originates from China and is mostly used in producing quality budget folding knives. It has good edge retention and corrosion resistance, and for this Kershaw, it has a black oxide finish. The handle features black glass-filled nylon scales, a flipper and thumb studs for opening the blade along with SpeedSafe, and a 4-position pocket clip.

The Brawler offers a discreet carry with well-positioned pocket clips but it also comes with some factory defects like uneven bevels. However, it makes a great budget-friendly knife.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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6. Fox Karambit 479 Folding Knife

The karambit is a small curved knife that resembles a claw traditionally used in Asia as a weapon and as a farming tool. In modern times, this style of knife is used as an effective self-defense and survival weapon because it’s claw design provides the user with a combative advantage.

Several brands produce the karambit style of knives but the Fox Karambit is one of the best self defense knives in the market. It is manufactured by Fox Cutlery which has an international reputation for producing military-grade knives.

This knife features a tiger claw-shaped blade manufactured in stainless steel with a fine edge and a sharp tip that is quite effective for slashing. The blade utilizes the Emerson Wave for quick deployment and the handle features a chapter ring that allows you to hold the knife securely in a reverse grip.

This knife fits nicely and securely in the pocket which makes it a good everyday carry knife and for self-defense. It is also reliable and has a good quality finish although you may find it hard to open and close it with one hand.

Overall Rating – 4.3/5

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7. KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife Fixed Blade

The TDI is a small but very effective knife designed to be used by law enforcement people but it has also found use in civilian self-defense. It is not versatile in use because it was designed specifically as a backup weapon when the officer is unable to use or access their gun.

This knife doesn’t require a trained hand for civilian use. It features a 2.3-inch drop-point blade made in AUS-8 stainless steel. The Zytel handle has a finger notch that provides a firm grip and control. It fits well in the hand and is concealable under regular clothes.

Although it’s a great carry, it’s not fit as a utility knife. It comes with an adjustable clip that allows you to position it on your most comfortable side. The sheath is a bit snug for some people to have quick deployment.

The KA-BAR makes a great self -defense blade and this blade is quite popular because of its size and weight. However, if you want the knife to last, don’t use it for anything else but self-defense.

Overall Rating – 4.7/5

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8. Gerber Paraframe I Tanto Knife

The Paraframe I is a lightweight EDC knife with an open, stylish frame. It is easy to carry and is available in different blade variations to suit every user. Gerber is a company with over 70-years of experience in designing knives and tools for a wide range of customers.

The Paramframe I minimalist frame design is a reflection of this company’s decades-long experience in producing knives for different activities. The blade features thumb studs for easy deployment with a safety lock for securing the blade inside the frame.

It is a partially serrated tanto style blade that features a sharp-angled tip that resembles a chisel tip. The tanto point is very strong and easy to sharpen but it is not very useful for slicing because it has a straight edge.

The blade is made in 7Cr17Mov steel which is a versatile type of steel used for making survival knives. It is also a type of low-end steel from China that makes budget-priced but durable knives. The features of this type of steel include hard-wearing, toughness, and good edge retention which makes it excellent for hard use as well as self-defense.

Other features we like about this knife include the black titanium nitride coating on the blade to protect against corrosion, the 3CR13 steel minimalist designed handle, and a secure pocket clip.

This knife is a general use everyday carry knife with a tough blade for hard use as well as self-defense.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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9. Schrade SCHA4BG MAGIC Liner Lock Folding Knife

The SCHA4BG is an assisted opening folding knife that can be deployed with one hand by using either the ambidextrous thumb studs or the flipper to open the blade. The blade is secured by a safety liner lock that prevents accidental opening.

The Schrade brand was established in 1904 and it became a successful company until 2004 when it was bought by Taylor Brands and production was moved to China. In 2016, Taylor Brands was then bought by the Battenfield Technologies division of Smith & Wesson.

This folding knife features a 3.3-inch blade in black 4034 Stainless Steel. It is a clip point blade with a plain edge and blade texturing. The 4034 steel is a type of low-quality steel used for low-end knives and has low edge retention and wear resistance.

But on the upside, the blade is easy to sharpen and it has excellent corrosion resistance because it contains Chromium. This property is particularly useful when the blade coating begins to wear off in time.

Other features include a black textured aluminum handle with spine jimping to prevent your grip from slipping when using this knife. The handle also comes with a lanyard hole and a pocket clip.

This knife is affordable and has a lot of applications beyond survival and self-defense. But it has little durability especially for the safety lock which can cause a serious injury.

Overall Rating – 4.4/5

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10. Spyderco Tenacious Value Folding Knife

The Tenacious folding knife is a tough and tireless blade, as its name suggests, for hard use. It is a value-priced utility knife from Spyderco, an internationally known knife manufacturer founded in the late seventies.

They introduced the first Spyderco folding knife that defined the concept of a round hole on the blade for one-handed opening, the pocket clip, and the option for a partially serrated knife.

This knife features a leaf-shaped blade that is ground flat from spine to edge for high cutting performance and easy slicing. It’s made of 8Cr13Mov stainless steel that provides edge retention and resistance to corrosion as well as value for money for inexpensive blades.

The blade also features the Spyderco round hole for one-handed opening and textured spine jimping that allows you to position your thumb on the spine without slipping.

Other features include a black G-10 laminate handle featuring pillar construction and milled to reduce weight as well as provide a comfortable hold. It is lightly textured not to be abrasive but to offer a non-slip grip. The pocket clip features the Spyderco hourglass shape and is designed for ambidextrous use.

The Tenacious is a mid-sized knife but can opt for the small version, the Persistence, or the larger version, Ambitious. It is good value for money with adequate materials and size.

Overall Rating – 4.7/5

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11. Smith and Wesson Tactical and Survival Folding Knife

I prefer Smith and Wesson Tactical Survival Folding Knife for everyday self-defense use. It’s a multi-functional gear in a concealable design. It’s affordable and has safety locks, combo edge blade, glass breaker, ergonomic handle grips, and thumb knobs. I especially like the single-handed opening that uses the M.A.G.I.C. assisted mechanism. I notice that the belt clip is too flimsy and loose, and it’s too chunky to put in my pocket.

You may like this folding knife from Smith and Wesson because you can easily cut things with it, plus its profile and features make it a contender for the best concealed carry knife. It offers comfort and a stable grip with its aluminum alloy hand with rubber inlay. You will be happy that you get a limited lifetime warranty with your purchase. It uses the Multipurpose Assisted Generational Innovative Cutlery system for super-fast blade deployment. Lastly, it has a unique security switch to prevent accidental flips. Overall Rating: 4.5

12. Ka-Bar 1214-BRK USA Fighting Knife

I was looking for a fighting knife with similar features that the Marines use. I discovered Ka-Bar 1124-BRK USA Fighting Knife, and I liked it. It totals 11.88 inches in length with a full tang stainless steel blade. It has an ergonomic and durable design for a multipurpose partially serrated tool. It has a 7-inch clip-point blade that ensures death to any living thing. It also has a non-reflective black coating to protect the razor from rusting and scratches.

I notice that it doesn’t come with a sharp blade upon unboxing. I have to sharpen it first before using it.

If you’re searching for the concealed carry best fighting knife, you may want to try Ka-Bar 1214-BRK. It’s the tactical knife used by the servicemen and military. You may like its handmade Kraton G handle that offers excellent control and a better grip. It’s even more durable than wood that won’t crack or break if you use it as a hammer. You can use the knife in cooking, cutting, chopping in any outdoor adventure.

Overall Rating: 4.8

Features To Consider When Buying A Self Defense Knife

When you’ve finally decided to get a knife for self-defense, the next logical step would be to understand what features to look out for when you go to pick one.

An experienced knife user would understand how important things like the quality of the blade but a newbie would probably just go for the deadliest looking one.

However, all of us need to know how all of the features work to make the knife efficient. We’re going to explain all of these things simply so that you can know which feature will be your top priority when choosing the knife.

Blade Shapes or Tips

There are many different types of blades but we’ll just mention some of the ones we’ve reviewed here.

Karambit

We’ll start with the karambit blade which is one of the most effective self-defense blades you can get. It’s claw shape with a fine edge and sharp tip gives it an advantage for stabbing and slashing.

Drop Point

A drop point has a flat blade spine and a thick belly that tapers to a tip. It’s common for general-use knives because of its precision cutting and maneuverability.

Clip Point

A clip point has a concave slope and is more precise in piercing tasks. It has a thinner point, so it’s prone to breaking. Hunters often prefer this type of blade edge.

The drop point and spear point blades are almost similar to each other in that the blades converge at a sharp tip. These types of blades are very effective in stabbing and ripping.

Tanto Point

A tanto has a flat and high tip. It’s the most suitable edge for a tactical knife, but you may experience trouble in controlling the point. The tanto style is also narrow but it has the advantage of having a chisel style edge that is very tough for repeated stabbing action.

Blade Edge

If you’re choosing the blade edge, you again have to consider the knife’s purpose.

Plain Edge

A plain edge is the most prevalent type because of its precision cutting and ease of sharpening. It requires more sharpening and isn’t suitable for cutting through thicker material. It’s ineffective if you’re cutting robust or flexible materials.

Serrated Edge

You can cut through more intricate material with a serrated blade if you apply a sawing motion. Its sharpness lasts longer and can cause additional damage to your target. A specific flaw of this edge knife is that it can stick and catch on your opponent’s clothes or skin, causing you to lose control of the blade. It’s also cumbersome to sharpen a serrated edge.

Partially Serrated Edge

This type of edge is a blend of plain and serrated blades. This knife may be your dependable choice because you can use it in several tasks. You can opt for both types on the same edge, so you don’t compromise the spine of the blade.

Blade Materials

Your choice of blade is significant because you need it to be durable and robust. Stainless steel is a suitable material, but carbon steel is the most appropriate element for tactical knives. A higher carbon count means that the blade is mightier, harder, and easier to sharpen. It’s also more prone to corrosion, so it requires more maintenance.

Carbon or Alloy Steels

D2, 1095, 154CM, 13C26 Sandvik, O1, 42oHC, and S3oV are examples of prevailing alloy or carbon steels used in knife blades. They vary in moldability, hardness, and suitable environments.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is one of the best materials for knives because it’s easy to sharpen and has good corrosion resistance. It gets dull often but it’s the best for combat, self-defense, and general utility use.

There are different grades of stainless steel which affects the overall price of the blade. The cheaper variations are still good quality blades but with less edge retention and straightness. They make decent options for the budget-conscious buyer or if the knife has no other use than self-defense.

440A, 440B, 440C, S60V, ATS-34/154CM, Kin-2, ATS-55, Co-special, BNG10, CPM-2oCV, and M390 are the most common types used in blades. They’re cumbersome to sharpen, don’t become dull quicker, and less prone to corrosion.

Blade Spine Structure

You can find the blade spine on the opposite side of the edge. For tactical knives, it’s a single-bladed and flat spine. A double-sided blade may have a better stabbing potential, but it doesn’t have the utility that you need. A flat spine is a durable and better option.

Handles

The size and shape of the handle will affect how well your knife will be effective. A comfortable grip on your handle will give you control when using the knife and also make it harder for your attacker to overpower you.

A large handle on a small hand will be easy to lose in a fight. Likewise, a small handle may cause injuries when your fingers run into the blade.

Also, there are various handle materials to consider but the G-10 scales are the most common. G-10 is a highly-pressurized epoxy resin laminate that provides a durable and lightweight material.

Fixed Blades

When picking a knife for self-defense and survival, the popular conception is that fixed blade knives are more reliable than folders. That may be true but think about how unpractical it would be to go jogging with a fixed blade knife tucked in your gym shorts.

Not the most comforting thought, is it? But, let’s look at the advantage that the fixed blade knives have over folders to see why the experts would recommend it.

Top on the list is that you don’t have to depend on the reliability of the opening mechanism of folding knives when you come across a mugger. Realistically speaking, it takes quite a bit of practice to get any of the one-handed deploy tricks working effortlessly for you. So you see, having a ready knife should be a priority.

Folding Knives Opening Mechanisms

Folders on the other hand are more compact and easier to carry, and thus they make the best concealed knives. That alone makes them preferable by ordinary users because you can carry a folded knife in the pocket with you at all times, if necessary.

Ultimately, you’ll need a good quality knife that maintains the locking mechanism in position so that it doesn’t deploy unexpectedly in your pocket and cause an injury.

Blade Lock

A blade lock is a tiny device that slides into place to lock the blade. It prevents the user from accidentally stabbing or cutting oneself. Tactical folding knives can have a frame-lock, liner lock, piston lock, or compression lock. You can also opt for an axis lock or tri-ad locking mechanism.

Assisted Open

An assistant open has an extended spring or rod to help you open the blade. You have to apply pressure on it with your thumb to open the knife with one swift motion. It also ensures that your fingers are at a safe distance from the blade. M.A.G.I.C., automatic, spring, and SpeedSafe are some of the assisted opening types.

Still some folding knives use other mechanisms for opening the blade. These include the Emerson Wave which utilizes a hook at the spine of the blade to open it. Others have a flipper feature that you push with your index finger and others have a thumbhole on the blade which uses the thumb to open.

All of these mechanisms require some practice for you to be able to utilize effectively.

Conclusion

Ultimately, your personal preference will decide which kind of blade to go for. From experience, just having the knife will not be enough unless you know how to use it effectively.

So if this is your first knife, we recommend getting some training to use it for your safety and protection.

We hope you’ll be able to get the best knife for self-defense from our list. And just to remind you, our favorite is the Al Mar Sere 2000 which has been touted by most users as one of the best tactical knives in the market.