The 10 Best Military Combat Knives for 2025

Why Military Combat Knives Still Matter in 2025

In 2025, modern combat gear is more advanced than ever—but when technology fails or the mission turns primal, one tool remains non-negotiable: the military combat knife. From forward operating bases to homeland emergency response, these blades serve as lifelines in hostile conditions.

This year’s lineup celebrates not just combat-ready performance, but American grit and craftsmanship. Each knife is made in the USA and several are proudly built by companies producing veteran-owned knives—brands led by those who understand exactly what it means to trust your blade with your life.

What Makes a Combat Knife Stand Out in 2025?

Before diving into the list, let’s define what separates a real combat knife from cheap steel:

Blade Material: High-carbon and tool steels like 1095, CPM-3V, and S35VN deliver edge retention and reliability under stress.
Design Functionality: Drop points, tanto tips, and clip points optimized for piercing, slashing, and utility tasks.
Grip & Ergonomics: Handles that stay secure wet, gloved, or bloody.
Sheath System: Secure retention, easy deployment, MOLLE compatibility.
Made in USA Quality: No shortcuts, no offshoring.
Mission Proven: Many of these veteran-owned knives have been tested in combat zones, survival scenarios, and training academies alike.

Top 10 Military Combat Knives for 2025 (Made in USA)

1. Stroup Knives TU2 Combat Utility

Blade: 1095 High Carbon | Length: 4.5” | Handle: Micarta
Veteran-Owned: Yes
Made by a combat veteran in North Carolina, the TU2 blends field toughness with sleek utility. The 1095 steel is differential heat treated and the full tang construction makes it ideal for field abuse. It’s a standout among veteran-owned knives for its balance of size, strength, and hand-feel.

2. Winkler Knives Belt Knife

Blade: 80CrV2 | Length: 4.5” | Handle: Sculpted Micarta or Tribal Maple
Veteran-Owned: No (but SOF-approved)
Used by special operations forces, Winkler’s belt knife is built with hand-forged steel and precision ergonomics. Daniel Winkler has supplied elite warfighters since the early 2000s. It’s not from a veteran-owned brand—but it’s absolutely battlefield approved.

3. Spartan Blades Horkos

Blade: CPM S45VN | Length: 5.25” | Handle: Micarta
Veteran-Owned: Yes
A masterpiece from a team of Green Berets, this knife is the definition of battle-tested. Designed for modern warriors, the Horkos is lightweight, sharp, and built for close-quarters combat. Among veteran-owned knives, it’s a shining example of tactical design done right.

4. TOPS Knives Steel Eagle 107E

Blade: 1095 HC | Length: 7.5” | Handle: Linen Micarta
Veteran-Owned: Yes
This behemoth is made for serious field work. With its sawback spine, this blade handles anything from bushcraft to breaching. TOPS Knives is known for producing rugged, no-nonsense tools for operators and survivalists alike—and it’s proudly on the roster of veteran-owned knives.

5. ESEE 6

Blade: 1095 HC | Length: 6.5” | Handle: Micarta
Veteran-Owned: Not technically, but military-focused
Trusted by survival instructors and special ops, the ESEE 6 delivers combat versatility in a mid-sized package. It shines in both field use and hand-to-hand training. While not officially from a veteran-owned brand, it meets the same battlefield criteria.

6. Medford Knife & Tool Praetorian Genesis T

Blade: S35VN | Length: 4.25” | Handle: Titanium
Veteran-Owned: Yes
Overbuilt. Heavy-duty. American muscle in knife form. Medford’s tools are controversial but undeniably robust. Designed by a Marine Corps veteran, this knife screams confidence. It’s one of the most distinctive veteran-owned knives in circulation.

7. Bradford Guardian 5.5

Blade: M390 or CPM-3V | Length: 5.5” | Handle: G-10
Veteran-Owned: No
A sleek, slicey alternative for combat-ready EDC. The Guardian 5.5 is precision crafted and perfect for those who want tactical performance with refined lines.

8. Gerber StrongArm (Made in USA model)

Blade: 420HC | Length: 4.8” | Handle: Rubber Overmold
Veteran-Owned: No, but U.S. made
Gerber’s flagship combat knife continues to prove itself in military and law enforcement settings. For a budget-friendly U.S. made option, the StrongArm is hard to beat.

9. ZT 0180 (Zero Tolerance)

Blade: CPM-3V | Length: 4.2” | Handle: G10
Veteran-Owned: No
ZT produces American-made tanks. The 0180 was designed with input from Les George and offers a thick, durable blade with exceptional balance.

10. Benchmade SOCP Fixed Blade

Blade: D2 or CPM-3V | Length: 3.2” | Handle: Skeletonized
Veteran-Owned: No, but combat-designed
Compact and made for rapid deployment. Benchmade’s SOCP fixed version is ideal for tier-one operators and tactical teams. Fast, sharp, and discreet.

Why Veteran-Owned Knives Outperform Imported Rivals

Knives designed by veterans bring more than just patriotism—they carry firsthand experience. Whether it’s how the sheath attaches to a MOLLE vest or how the steel resists jungle rot, every detail is tested in the real world.

Veteran-owned knives bring unmatched practicality, not theory. From grip ergonomics under duress to the angle of a drop point used in combat, these brands deliver blades made for warriors, by warriors.

Some highlights:

Stroup Knives: Built by a former 82nd Airborne soldier
Spartan Blades: Green Beret owned and operated
Medford: Marine veteran with a flair for steel

Supporting veteran-owned knives also reinvests into American families, small businesses, and the warrior economy.

Final Thoughts: Invest in Gear with Backbone

These aren’t just knives. They’re battle companions, survival tools, and heirlooms. When you carry a combat knife—especially one made in the USA—you’re choosing reliability forged through real-world adversity.

And when you buy veteran-owned knives, you’re backing brands that live by the warrior code. You’re not just buying steel; you’re buying stories, sacrifice, and American legacy.