Best Knife For a Battle Belt: Top 5 Battle Belt Knives

Knives are a very important tool for anyone in the military, law enforcement, or first responder communities. They can be used for a variety of tasks including cutting through webbing or seatbelts, opening ammunition crates, self-defense, and many other things. Having a good knife on your battle belt can mean the difference between life and death in some situations.

There are a lot of different options on the market. You can go with a small knife for everyday carry, or you can go with a larger knife that is specifically designed for tactical use.

Now when it comes to knives for your battle belt, there are a few things you need to consider. You want a knife that is going to be large enough to handle any task, but small enough so it won’t get in the way. You also want a knife that is easy to deploy and has a sheath that can be easily attached to your battle belt.

In this article, we are going to take a look at 5 of the best battle belt knives on the market. We will go over all the different features each knife has to offer and help you choose the best knife for your battle belt.

What To Look for When Buying a Knife for a Battle Belt?

Buying a knife is a personal decision. You need to find one that feels good in your hand and can withstand the abuse you plan on putting it through.

When you are looking for a knife to put on your battle belt, there are a few things you want to consider.

So let’s go over a few of the key features you want to look at when purchasing a knife for your battle belt.

• Tang – It’s the part of the blade that goes into the handle. For a good tactical knife, you should look for a full tang blade because it will be more durable and resistant to chopping and slashing. 
• Blade edge type – There are two different blade edge types: the plain and the combo edge. The plain-edge knife has a straight sharp edge that doesn’t have any serrations to it. The pros for this type of edge are that it’s more resistant to corrosion and that it cuts more precisely. The combo edge type features a combination of a plain edge and serrations. It’s great for chopping and slashing. 
• Blade shape/ style – There are a lot of different-shaped tactical knives out there. It’s almost impossible to tell you exactly which one is best for your battle belt. Each style has a unique set of pros and cons. 
• The size of the blade – Tactical knives come in a huge variety of different sizes from just a few inches to over 9 inches. The best bet for a battle belt knife would be somewhere between 4 and 8 inches. You don’t wanna go to large because it will be a hassle to fit it on the belt also if you choose a smaller one, you will start to lose cutting power.
• The handle – The handle can affect your knife and knife-wielding a lot! A good knife handle offers you a good grip and balance. Also, the material of the handle is important! Some plastic handles can be rather weak and when wet get slippery. 
• The material of the blade – The actual material the blade is made of is quite important. The strength, durability, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and corrosion resistance all depend on it!
• Weight and balance – A knife’s weight and balance greatly affect how the knife feels in your hand and how easy it is to control. A knife that is too heavy or too light can be difficult to control, and a knife that is not balanced properly can feel awkward in your hand.
• Sheath – When looking for a knife to put on a battle belt, you also want to make sure that it comes with a good sheath. The sheath should be made of durable material, and it should be able to be easily attached to your belt. It should also have a good retention system to keep the knife securely in place.

You can read more about how to choose the best knife for your battle belt by navigating to the bottom of this article.

Top 5 Best Knives for a Battle Belt

#	Image	Product	Score	Browse
1		GERBER StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife	9.5
2		The ESSE 3P Fixed Blade Knife	9.3
3		KA-BAR Becker BK18 Harpoon Fixed Blade Knife	9.1
4		SOG Seal FX Tanto Knife	8.75
5		Spyderco Moran Upswept Fixed Blade Knife	8.5

Now that we know what to look for when choosing a knife for a battle belt, let’s take a look at some of the best knives on the market. We have compiled a list of the 5 best knives for a battle belt, taking into consideration all of the features we discussed earlier. So without further ado, here they are:

1. GERBER StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife

The StrongArm fixed Blade knife is an excellent choice for a battle belt. It’s made in the USA by Gerber, a company known for making high-quality knives.

It’s made of high-quality materials that make it durable and able to withstand the toughest tasks. The blade is made of 420HC steel, which is known for its toughness and strength.

The blade is also coated with ceramic, which helps to protect it from wear and tear. This knife can handle any task you throw at it, whether it’s cutting through tough materials or defending yourself in a dangerous situation.

The blade length on the GERBER StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife is 4.8 inches, and the overall length of the knife is about 9.8 inches.

The knife has a drop-point style blade, making it ideal for piercing and slicing tasks. You can get it with a plain edge or a serrated edge, and it has a full tang.

The knife has a rubberized diamond-texture grip that ensures a firm grip, even when your hands are wet or oily. The handle is also curved for a comfortable grip. The pommel at the end of the handle can be used for striking or as a hammer. The handle is available in both coyote and black colors.

The sheath on the GERBER StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife is also high quality and features a thumb push-off so you can easily draw the knife. It also has an extra retention strap for added security. The sheath is made of durable materials and is MOLLE-compatible, making it easy to attach to your battle belt.

It also has detachable belt hoops for horizontal belt carry, and the nylon webbing makes it easy to drop-leg carry.

Overall, GERBER StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife is one of the best knives for a battle belt out there! This knife can handle any task you throw at it, whether it’s cutting through tough materials or defending yourself in a dangerous situation.

The blade of the knife is tough, also the size of the blade and the overall length of the knife aren’t too large nor too small making it a perfect size for a battle belt. And the MOLLE-compatible sheath ensures that you can easily mount it to your belt.

Product specs:

• Blade Length: 4.8 inches
• Overall Length: 9.8 inches
• Blade Material: 420HC steel with ceramic coating
• Tang: Full
• Blade Style: Drop Point

OUR RATING

We review our products on a 1 to 10 scale. The higher the score the better the product quality in the performance category.

2. The ESSE 3P Fixed Blade Knife

The ESSE 3p Fixed Blade Knife is an all-around good tactical knife and definitely one of the best knives for a battle belt on the market. It’s a great size for everyday carry, but also big enough to be used as a self-defense or utility knife.

The blade on the ESSE 3P Fixed Blade Knife is 3.38 inches long and it’s made of 1095 high-carbon steel. This means that the blade is tough and durable, and capable of holding an edge well. The finish on the blade is a textured powder coat, which helps to protect it from corrosion and scratches. The knife also features a full tang, which makes it more durable and stable. The drop point blade provides plenty of versatility and is perfect for a wide range of tasks.

The handle is made of micarta or G10 with a finger choil for added grip security. The overall length of the handle is around 5 inches. The handles are ergonomic and provide a comfortable grip even when wet. The pommel of the knife is pointed and can be used as a glass-breaker which adds to the tactical use of the knife.

The sheath is made of molded Kydex and it comes with a boot clip. An optional MOLLE adapter is made of Cordura and allows mounting the sheath with a MOLLE system. The sheath is well-made, durable, and does a good job of protecting the blade.

It’s also really easy to attach to your battle belt which is a really important feature when looking for the best knife for a battle belt. You can either use the clip, get the molle adapters or just lace it onto the MOLLE of your battle belt with paracord.

In conclusion, the ESSE 3P Fixed Blade Knife is a great all-around tactical knife that would make an excellent addition to any battle belt. It’s lightweight, it has a good ergonomic handle, it’s well balanced and the full tang 1095 high carbon steel construction and powder coated blade ensures that this knife will last for many years with proper care.

Product specs:

• Blade Length: 3.38 inches
• Overall Length: 8.31 inches
• Blade Material: 1095 high-carbon steel
• Tang: Full, Extended
• Blade Style: Drop Point

OUR RATING

We review our products on a 1 to 10 scale. The higher the score the better the product quality in the performance category.

3. KA-BAR Becker BK18 Harpoon Fixed Blade Knife

The BK18 Harpoon was designed by Ethan Becker and made by KA-BAR in the USA. It is a great all-purpose knife that can be used for many different tasks and outdoor activities. And well also a superb knife for your battle belt kit!

The BK18 is about 9.375 inches in overall length and it weighs roughly 6.8 ounces.

The blade of the knife is 4.562 inches long, has a width of 1.625 inches, and has a max thickness of 4.4 mm. It’s made out of 1095 Cro Van carbon steel. The blade has a harpoon shape with a sharp point and a wide cutting edge.

It also has a long thumb support area on the spine of the blade which provides extra grip and control when using the knife.

The BK-18 has an extended tang that runs the entire length of the handle. The tang is exposed at the end of the handle and can be used as a glass breaker or for striking.

The handle is about 5 inches long and is made out of Zytel and it has great ergonomics. The shape of the handle fits comfortably in the hand and provides a good grip.

The handle is a bit on the smooth side, but it does have some texture to it which helps to prevent slippage.

The knife comes with a Celcon sheath. It’s a sturdy sheath that can take a beating. It also has a nylon belt attachment that makes it easy to carry on your belt. Also, the sheath has lacing holes so that you can attach it to your battle belt with paracord with ease.

The sheath offers great retention but it’s still really easy to draw the knife from the sheath.

All in all, the BK18 Harpoon is a great knife for many different purposes. It’s built to last and can take a beating. The blade is razor sharp and the handle is comfortable to hold. The sheath is also top-notch.

The BK18 is one of the best battle belt knives out there and it’s also a great all-purpose knife for the outdoors or any tactical situation.

Product specs:

• Blade Length: 4.56 inches
• Overall Length: 9.37 inches
• Blade Material: 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel
• Tang: Full, Extended
• Blade Style: Harpoon

OUR RATING

We review our products on a 1 to 10 scale. The higher the score the better the product quality in the performance category.

4. SOG Seal FX Tanto Knife

The SOG Seal FX Tanto knife is designed for military and law enforcement personnel. But it’s a well-rounded fixed-blade knife that is great for both everyday and tactical use.

The Seal FX Tanto Knife from SOG is a fixed-blade knife with a 4.3-inch tanto blade. The blade is made of CPM S35VN stainless steel. This steel is known for its excellent toughness and edge retention.

The blade is also straight, making it ideal for stabbing or thrusting motions. The black cerakote finish not only looks great, but it also helps to protect the steel from corrosion. The blade is 0.19 inches thick, making it tough enough to handle any task you might need it for.

The knife is about 9 inches long, weighs 7.2 ounces and it’s super well-balanced. Using it feels natural and easy.

The handle is made of GRN (30% glass-filled nylon). It has a raised diamond pattern which provides a good grip. The ergonomic design of the handle provides a comfortable and secure grip, even when wet.

The sheath of Seal FX Tanto is made of Kydex and it has excellent retention. It takes a bit of time to get used to, but once you do, it’s pretty decent. Why only decent? Well because it can scratch the blade if you’re not careful. But other than that, it’s a good sheath.

It has vertical and horizontal mounting options and the knife can be worn on your belt or MOLLE gear.

In conclusion, the SOG Seal FX Tanto is a great knife for military, law enforcement, and everyday use. And it’s most certainly a great knife for a battle belt! It’s well-made and well-designed and it feels great in the hand. The only downside is the sheath, but other than that, this is an excellent knife.

Product specs:

• Blade Length: 4.30 inches
• Overall Length: 9.20 inches
• Blade Material: CPM S35VN
• Tang: Full, Extended
• Blade Style: Tanto

OUR RATING

We review our products on a 1 to 10 scale. The higher the score the better the product quality in the performance category.

5. Spyderco Moran Upswept Fixed Blade Knife

The Spyderco Moran Upswept Fixed Blade Knife is a great choice for those looking for a versatile and well-balanced knife and it makes for a great addition to any battle belt.

The knife measures 8” overall and weighs about 3oz. It has an excellent balance to it thanks to the blade and the handle being comparable in weight.

The blade of the knife is made from VG-10 steel. The blade is 3.87 inches long and it features a 3.5″ edge length with a 3mm blade thickness. The Moran Upswept has a very thin blade which makes it great for slicing and piercing. The blade also features a nice upswept bowe-style grind which gives the knife good cutting ability while still maintaining a strong tip.

The handle on the Moran is made from FRN (fiberglass-reinforced nylon) and it features non-sliding Kraton inlays. The FRN handle three-dimensionally fills out the palm and it’s very comfortable to hold. The knife also comes with a molded Boltaron sheath with a multi-position G-Clip.

Overall, the Spyderco Moran Upswept Fixed Blade Knife is an excellent choice for those looking for a well-balanced and versatile knife for their battle belt. The only potential downsides are that the blade is on the shorter side, and because it’s quite thin, it may not be suitable for heavy-duty tasks.

Product specs:

• Blade Length: 3.87 inches
• Overall Length: 8 inches
• Blade Material: VG-10 steel
• Tang: Full
• Blade Style: Upswept Bowe-style

OUR RATING

We review our products on a 1 to 10 scale. The higher the score the better the product quality in the performance category.

How to Choose the Best Tactical Knife for Your Battle Belt?

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are quite a few different aspects you need to consider when choosing a knife for your battle belt.

Also, we quickly listed and went over the best key features to look for in a knife for a battle belt. But let’s go over them in more detail so you know exactly what to look for when choosing the best knife for your battle belt.

Blade Shape

There are many different blade shapes to choose from when you are looking for a knife for your battle belt setup such as:

• Drop point – The drop point blade shape is a very versatile blade shape that can be used for just about any task. It’s usually seen as the workhorse of most knife blades and is preferred by many hunters, fishermen, survivalists, and military personnel.
• Clip point – The clip point blade has an asymmetrical spine that curves gently downward from the handle towards to tip in order to provide a more secure grip while holding the knife.
• Hawkbill – The hock bill blade has an asymmetrical spine that curves sharply downward from the handle towards to tip in order to provide a more secure grip. It is typically used for skinning, gutting, and other similar tasks.
• Sheepsfoot – A sheepsfoot blade features straight edges curving from the spine towards to tip in order to provide a more secure grip. It is often used for prying and other similar tasks.
• Spearpoint – The spearpoint blade features narrow straight edges curving from the spine that meet at an acute angle near the tip of the knife.
• Wharncliffe – A wharncliffe blade features wide edges curving from the spine that meet at an acute edge near the tip of the knife.
• Tanto – The tanto blade features a thick spine that curves sharply downward towards the tip in order to provide an ergonomic grip.
• Trailing Point – The trailing point blade features wide edges curving from the spine that meet at an acute edge near the tip of the knife. It also has a strong central ridge running along its length.
• Kukri – The kukri blade features a heavy forward curve and an acute point that curves back towards the spine.
• Reverse tanto – The reverse tanto blade features a thick spine that curves sharply downward towards the tip in order to provide an ergonomic grip.

Blade Size and Cutting Power

The size and cutting power of the blade you choose will be determined by what type of tasks are expected to be completed while carrying it.

Tactical knives with blades that are between four and six inches in length will be best suited for basic tasks such as cutting open packages, breaking down boxes, or preparing food. They can also serve a more tactical purpose by being capable of puncturing through light materials like clothing, seat belts, or canvas when necessary.

Blades eight to ten inches in length may cut larger items but they lose some maneuverability while slicing smaller objects due to their size. Keep this trade-off in mind when selecting the blade’s length.

Tang of the Blade

The tang of the knife is the metal portion of the blade that extends into (and is often visible on) the handle. The tang provides both strength and stability to the knife.

The main types of knife tangs are:

• Full tang – A full-tang knife has a blade that extends from the tip to the base of the handle where it is then riveted or welded in place. This type of knife is the strongest and most durable but is also the heaviest and most expensive.
• Partial tang – A partial-tang knife has a blade that only extends partially into the handle (usually about halfway). This type of knife is not as strong or durable as a full-tang knife but is lighter and less expensive.
• Push tang – A push-tang knife has a blade that is inserted into the handle and held in place by a pin or rivet. This type of knife is not as strong or durable as a full-tang knife but is lighter and less expensive.
• Hidden tang – A hidden-tang knife has a blade that is inserted into the handle and held in place by a pin or rivet. The tang is not visible on the outside of the knife.
• Skeletonized Tang – A skeletonized tang has parts of the insides of knife’s handle cut away so that the knife weighs less. This type of knife is not as strong or durable as a full-tang knife but is lighter.
• Rat-tail tang – A rat-tail knife has a blade that extends from the tip of the handle and tapers down to a thin metal rod (the “rat tail”). This type of knife is the weakest and most prone to breaking but is also the lightest and least expensive.
• Extended tang – An extended tang is basically a full tang with an extended part of the metal at the base of the knife’s handle. This can provide extra strength, durability, and weight to the knife. Also, it can be used to break glass or as a striking tool.

Blade Material

Another key point to pay attention to is the material of the blade. Blades can be made from stainless steel, carbon steel, or titanium.

Stainless blades are corrosion-resistant and non-magnetic but they lose some flexibility which may result in breakage if the blade is bent too much while performing heavy tasks like chopping through thick materials.

Carbon steels have a high hardness rating so they’re less likely to bend when subjected to pressure however these knives develop rust more easily than other types of metal due to their acidic composition.

Titanium blades offer an excellent balance between corrosion resistance and durability since its low density gives it a lighter weight yet it’s hard enough not to get damaged if dropped on concrete.

Blade Weight and Balance

The weight and balance of the knife will also affect how it feels in your hand and how easy it is to control. A knife that is too light may feel flimsy while one that is too heavy can be difficult to maneuver.

A knife that is well-balanced will feel more comfortable and natural to use. The best way to test the balance of a knife is to hold it in your hand and see how it feels.

The Handle of the Blade

The handle is another important aspect to look at when selecting a knife. The material of the handle will determine how comfortable it is to hold and how much grip you have on the knife while using it.

The most common materials used for knife handles are:

• Wood – Wooden knife handles have a classic look and feel but they’re not as durable as other materials.
• Plastic – Plastic knife handles are inexpensive and lightweight but they’re not as durable or comfortable as other materials.
• Rubber – Rubber knife handles provide a good grip and are comfortable to hold but they’re not as durable as other materials.
• Metal – Metal knife handles are strong and durable but they’re not as comfortable to hold as other materials.
• Composite – Composite knife handles are made from two or more different materials that are bonded together. These handles are usually strong and durable but they can be more expensive than other types of handles.

The Knife Sheath

The knifes sheat will actually play a big role in choosing the right knife for your battle belt. Because the sheet will determine how you can attach it to your battle belt.

Some knives with a sheath that clips onto the battle belt whereas others have to be stuck through loops. It’s somewhat of a minor thing but you should still consider your options here.

Additional Features of the Knife

Some knives come with additional features that can be useful in certain situations. These features include:

• Serrated edge – A serrated knife has a toothed blade that can be used for sawing through tough materials.
• Glass breaker – A glass breaker is a pointed tip at the end of the knife that can be used to break glass.
• Striking pommel – A striking pommel is a blunt end at the base of the knife that can be used as a hammer or to break through tough materials.

How to Attach a Knife to a Battle Belt?

There are a few important factors that you’ll need to keep in mind when attaching a knife to your battle belt setup. The first is where you should place the knife. You basically have four good options here:

1. You can place the knife on your left side next to your holster
2. In the front next to your belt buckle
3. Or in the back next to your right side where you can easily access it with just a simple rotation of one arm
4. Or in the middle of your back.

The choice of what’s best for you really comes down to personal preference and whether it’ll allow the knife to be easily drawn with either hand. If you’re left-handed then putting a knife on your right may not make much sense while if you have an injury that prevents drawing from one side then mounting it in front might work better for you.

Next, you should think about how to attach the knife to your battle belt setup the three best options here are:

1. Using paracord to lace it on the molle webbing of your battle belt is the most popular and easiest way to attach a knife to your battle belt. It’s quick, easy, and secure but can be a pain to undo if you need to take the knife off.
2. Using a sheath that attaches with one of those plastic clips – This is the second-best option and is a quick-release solution.
3. And for the third option, you can use either specific molle connectors that are designed for knives, or you can use your imagination and come up with a way to attach the knife to the molle straps.

In Conclusion

So, what is the best knife for a battle belt? Well, that really depends on what you need it for and what knife features are most important to you.

But, if we had to choose just one knife that would be the best all-around knife for a battle belt it would be the GERBER StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife. It’s a knife that is designed and built for heavy use and abuse and will serve you well in a wide variety of situations.

But, at the end of the day, the best knife is the knife that works best for you so make sure to choose wisely.

We hope that this article has helped you find the best knife for your battle belt. If not, we’ve provided a ton of information to help guide your decision-making process to ensure you purchase the best knife for your needs.