Fit To Fight V2: More Knives Built By Special Operators

Last issue we looked at knives designed by Special Operators, and this time out we’re going to see knives made by Special Operators. Each one comes from a SEAL, Green Beret, or Marine Corps Scout Sniper. Most are custom knives, but a few were made by retired SF soldiers who own their own knife companies.

When we think of a tactical knife, do we think of a plumber, engineer, mechanic or even a judo master as having a say on what goes into that design? No, most of us think of the battle-hardened Special Operations warriors who rely on them daily.

These designs are the culmination of different elements that these men deemed necessary in a knife, whether for use on the battlefield or use in civilian life as an EDC or working blade. In some instances, they took sound, proven designs and used them in different applications. 

You can see this in nearly every aspect of each knife from the raw material used to the contours of the handle, the profile of the blade and even the sheath systems of a few of the fixed blades.

This article was long in the making and a few of these blades have been tested and used for well over a year. 

(MORE) BEST KNIVES BUILT BY SPECIAL OPERATORS

Corvus Knife and Tool Carrion

Jerry Saunders served as a Scout Sniper and was chief survival instructor at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California. He is a veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Haiti. His experience with further survival and instruction would take up an article of its own.

The Carrion represents the important and robust elements that Saunders needed in a daily working knife. Built from 80CRV2 steel, the blade performs and deploys quickly when you need it most. The handle conforms to the hand, and the sheath is another engineering marvel from a design perspective. 

Tracker Dan Bloodshark Edge and Half

Tracker Dan’s designs have become the hottest tactical fixed blades on the custom knife scene. Dan is a SEAL, Kali instructor, and survival instructor who once trained with the legendary Tom Brown. The Bloodshark is his design for an ideal tactical EDC fixed blade that can be carried in the front pocket for quick access. The Bloodshark Edge and Half is a slight variation on this idea with a partially sharpened top edge.

The handle is gutted 550 paracord wrapped in a Japanese style over hemp and then resin-coated for a non-slip grip and durability. It has a real Japanese look to it.

The Kydex sheath is designed to ride in the pocket and features a deep carry clip designed by Dan.

SH9 Knives Stinger

Shane Hiatt is a Navy SEAL veteran and founder of SH9 Knives. After serving on both coasts and as an instructor for the Naval Special Warfare Center, Hiatt started making knives a decade ago as a hobby but turned it into a full-time business.

The Stinger is a classic everyday carry piece for the street or for the field. Slightly smaller than his standard forged drop point, the Stinger is easier to carry concealed either on the belt or around the neck. Despite its compact size, this blade is a performer.

Hand-forged of 1095 carbon steel, the Stinger boasts a sharp edge and has excellent edge retention.

Weimy Cutlery FS1

Brendan “Weimy” Weimholt is a custom bladesmith based in Texas who proudly served as a U.S. Navy SEAL. His knives are hand-forged using Hitachi White carbon steel core laminated with SUS410 stainless for a very artistic and decorative look while still being fully functional.

Although he’s famous for his outstanding kitchen knives, Weimy carried this same technique over to his outdoor and tactical models such as the FS1.

While it may have the look of an artistic bespoke blade, this is a full-on worker for EDC tasks.

Spartan Blades Phrike

This model was designed by two retired Green Berets and made by their company: Spartan Blades. The Phrike is named for the Greek goddess of fear and horror. The end result is a slender fixed blade knife capable of daily tasks and a formidable defensive blade.

This is a solid and graceful fighting knife intended for covert carry inside the waistband. The G10 scales are not fitted all the way to the tang, making it very easy to handle but probably a bit less grippy for most folks.

Half Face Blades Crow Scout

Half Face Blades is a custom knife-making company founded by former Navy SEAL and Hollywood actor, Andy Arrabito. He makes handcrafted blades with strong visual appeal intended for hard use.

Although they are handmade knives with artistic flair (buffalo horn, Koa wood, and other exotic materials are commonly found on these pieces as well as the G10 found on this model), many of Arrabito’s knives have found their way downrange on various war fronts.

The Crow Scout is one of his more well-known designs and is a tough everyday working knife. It’s equally capable skinning a deer, opening boxes, making kindling, or as a self-defense piece.

FOBOS Alaris

Eric Hansen is a retired Green Beret Medic and CIF (Commander’s In-Extremis Force) veteran who deployed to Afghanistan numerous times. As a civilian, he founded FOBOS Knives. FOBOS, For Operators By Operators, is a veteran owned, service-related disabled business — and all the knives are designed with Hansen’s unique special operations approach, particularly regarding his sheaths. 

Most sheaths seem like an afterthought, but a common theme through FOBOS (and to be fair, the other fixed blades in this guide) is how robust and practical they are. The Alaris is a deep belly fixed blade knife made from high-quality CPM-3V steel and features a utilitarian drop point that makes it an amazing choice if you’re venturing off the grid for a while. 

You can tell that a lot of thought went into this design. It chops, slices, and dices with all the authority of a camp knife and is still portable enough to carry as an EDC blade.