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Kershaw knives are renowned for punching above their weight when it comes to getting the most for your money. The brand’s reputation doesn’t seem to be on the same level as, say, Gerber or Benchmade, and that’s not entirely fair. The best Kershaw knives are quality items, and plenty of knife enthusiasts reach past much more expensive knives to put a Kershaw in their pocket on the way out the door.
In addition to pocket knives built for your EDC, rescue, hunting, fishing, or just a bit of style, Kershaw makes a nice selection of tactical knives that were built with military use in mind from square one. A while back, we reviewed the best rescue knives on the market and did an in-depth review on the Kershaw Clash; now we’re aiming that same magnifying glass at the tactical segment. The result is a list of the best Kershaw knives that thrive in the military.
- Best Overall: Kershaw Launch 6
- Best Budget: Kershaw Fatback
- Best Assisted: Kershaw Clash
- Best Pocket: Kershaw Federalist
- Best EDC: Kershaw Cryo II BlackWash
- Best Fixed Blade: Kershaw Secret Agent
Best Overall
Kershaw Launch 6
Pros
- Lightning-fast automatic opening mechanism
- Solid corrosion and wear resistance from the CPM 154 blade
- All-metal construction is extremely strong
Cons
- Automatic knives are restricted in some places
- Slightly small for some military tasks
Product Specs
Blade length:
3.75 inches
Blade profile:
Drop point
Steel:
CPM 154 with Cerakote coating
Handle:
Anodized aluminum
Opening mechanism:
Automatic
Why It Made The Cut
The Launch 6 is one of the most versatile and desirable knives in Kershaw’s tactical collection. It’s a solid automatic with quality steel and an easy-to-carry shape.
Best Budget
Kershaw Fatback
Pros
- Black oxide coating adds corrosion resistance
- Fast, easy-to-use SpeedSafe opening mechanism
- Four-position pocket clip for customizable carry
Cons
- Definitely on the smaller size
- On the budget-minded side of steel types
Product Specs
Blade length:
3.5 inches
Blade profile:
Drop point
Steel:
8Cr13MoV with black oxide coating
Handle:
Glass-filled nylon
Opening mechanism:
SpeedSafe assisted with a flipper tab
Why It Made The Cut
The Kershaw Fatback is priced like a bargain-basement pocket knife, but offers vastly superior materials, build quality, and support to become one of the best buys out there.
Best Assisted
Kershaw Clash
Pros
- Excellent opening mechanism and accessible flipper tab
- Partially serrated blade is up for anything
- Represents a solid value
Cons
- Uses more affordable, entry-level steel than some Kershaw tactical knives
- Thick handle is bulky in the pocket
Product Specs
Blade length:
3.1 inches
Blade profile:
Drop point
Steel:
8Cr13MoV
Handle:
Glass-filled nylon
Opening mechanism:
SpeedSafe assisted with a flipper tab
Why It Made The Cut
During hands-on testing, the Kershaw Clash proved to punch above its weight. Its forceful assisted opening mechanism and versatile, partially serrated blade are an asset in the field.
Best Pocket
Kershaw Federalist
Pros
- High-end steel and handle material
- Understated appearance; real-world usability
- Slim shape takes up minimal pocket space
Cons
- Nail nick is slow and somewhat tedious to use
- No pocket clip
Product Specs
Blade length:
3.25 inches
Blade profile:
Clip point
Steel:
CPM 154
Handle:
Micarta
Opening mechanism:
Manual with a nail nick
Why It Made The Cut
The Kershaw Federalist is a modern take on the classic American pocket knife. Step up your game with CPM154 steel and Micarta handle scales without going fully tactical.
Best EDC
Kershaw Cryo II BlackWash
Pros
- BlackWash finish hides wear marks
- Fast and easy one-handed opening
- All-metal construction is extremely tough
Cons
- Blade steel is relatively entry-level
- Some handle texture would be nice
Product Specs
Blade length:
3.25 inches
Blade profile:
Drop point
Steel:
8Cr13MoV with BlackWash finish
Handle:
Stainless steel
Opening mechanism:
SpeedSafe assisted with flipper tab
Why It Made The Cut
What’s more metal than an all-metal, blacked-out knife? The Kershaw Cryo II BlackWash’s stainless steel handle scales bump up durability while a BlackWash finish protects the budget-friendly blade.
Best Fixed Blade
Kershaw Secret Agent
Pros
- Slim profile takes up very little space
- Fixed blade is always ready
- Rubber handle provides loads of grip
Cons
- Too large to carry in your pocket
- Not sturdy enough for bushcraft-style activities
Product Specs
Blade length:
4.4 inches
Blade profile:
Spear point
Steel:
8Cr13MoV
Handle:
Rubber
Opening mechanism:
It’s a fixed blade, buddy
Things to consider before buying a Kershaw knife
We’ve all bought plenty of knives on our own, but sometimes it’s helpful to go straight to the source. I got in touch with Dominic Aiello, marketing manager for Kershaw and Zero Tolerance Knives, to get his take on knife shopping.
“When buying a knife, you want to consider how, where and when you’ll be carrying and using your knife,” Aiello said. “Are you wearing bulky gloves or are your hands frequently wet or greasy? If so, a textured grip might be the best option, such as the Blur. Will you have both hands free to open the knife? If not, then a manual opening nail nick wouldn’t be a good choice. How much pocket real estate are you willing to dedicate to your knife? Do you have large hands? If so, you’ll want a longer-handled knife. Answering these questions can help narrow down your choices.”
Take a trip over to the Kershaw website, and you’ll be met with 30 pages of products to sort through. The company also offers a helpful buying guide, but these are three main considerations that should factor into your purchasing decision.
Opening mechanism
First and foremost, do you want a fixed-blade knife or a folding knife? Kershaw offers both. If you want a compact and portable folder, do you want help opening it? Assisted mechanisms like Kershaw’s SpeedSafe help you deploy the blade rapidly with minimal effort. Automatic knives take it a step further by opening the blade with the touch of a button. That’s a serious asset in the field, but it can limit where you’re allowed to take your knife.
In my exchange with Aiello, he pointed out that the design principles behind Kershaw’s tactical knives go beyond the opening mechanism. They’re also built for superior piercing ability, which is why you’ll notice a lot of spear points in the tactical collection.
Blade steel
Kershaw has a lot of options when it comes to choosing steel for its blades. Kershaw’s high-end tactical knives tend to get high-quality CPM 154 steel, which is favored for its toughness and ability to hold an edge after extensive use. Others get D2 steel, which offers limited corrosion resistance but improved edge retention. Both require some effort to sharpen, but that’s a worthwhile tradeoff considering how infrequently you’ll have to break out the whetstone.
On the budget-friendly end of the spectrum is 8Cr13MoV, an alloy chosen for entry-level knives that need to hit an affordable price point but still provide reliable functionality in a wide range of environments.
Kershaw also offers a range of treatments and coatings to protect its blades, regardless of composition. Aiello recommends thinking about where you’re going to bring your knife when choosing a specific blade coating.
“Personal preference seems to be a significant factor when choosing the finish,” he said. “However, some finishes will be more durable in certain environments and heavy use. For example, a Cerakote finish can help prevent rust in wet, damp, or salty environments, but BlackWash or StoneWash will help hide heavy-use wear better.”
Budget
Of course, none of these details matter if you can’t afford a knife in the first place. Setting a budget for yourself will help you narrow down your search. Fortunately, Kershaw has always made value a priority, so you can get more than you pay for. You should also remember that Kershaw backs its knives with a limited lifetime warranty and offers complementary sharpening — you just pay for shipping and processing.
FAQs about Kershaw knives
Q: Are Kershaw knives high-quality?
A: Yes, Kershaw makes very good knives and they’re generally a great value.
Q: Is Kershaw as good as Benchmade?
A: The best knives from Kershaw and Benchmade are comparable, but Kershaw also makes a healthy selection of more affordable knives.
Q: Are Kershaw knives made in China?
A: Many Kershaw knives are made in China; others are made in the company’s Oregon facility. Kershaw specifies where each knife is made.
Q: What steel does Kershaw use?
A: Kershaw uses a dozen types of steel to make its blades. The result is a product lineup that has something for every budget.
Q: Does Kershaw have a lifetime warranty?
A: Yes, Kershaw knives are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Final thoughts
These Kershaw knives are all great options for people in the military, but the best has to be the Kershaw Launch 6. It checks all the boxes for an outstanding combat knife. It’s portable, opens with the press of a button, withstands the elements, retains a razor-sharp edge, and easily fits into your pocket. What’s not to love?
Methodology
Kershaw makes more knives than I can keep track of and, frankly, most of them would be more than adequate around town or in garrison. For this Kershaw knife review, I focused on the ones that would excel during a combat deployment or long weeks in the field. That meant focusing on Kershaw’s tactical models, although I was open to a few others. I also went straight to the source for an insider’s perspective on what works in the military — and why. For that, I turned to Dominic Aiello, marketing manager for Kershaw and Zero Tactical. Not only does he have extensive expertise, but he also carries a Launch 1 and knows first-hand what Kershaw’s tactical knives are capable of.