Do you know what terrifies me more than any other violent encounter?
A knife fight.
I heard someone once say the loser of a knife fight leaves in a hearse, and the winner goes in an ambulance.
It seems, in general, a knife fight is over before it ever starts.
It’s a terrifying proposition to find yourself in any violent situation. But, as Americans, we carry firearms to bridge the gap and protect ourselves against violent attacks.
However, sometimes we can’t have a gun…or a gun might not be the best choice…or maybe the attack happened so fast you can’t access your firearm.
That is where a knife comes into play.
Is it likely you’ll ever use your knife in a self-defense situation?
No, not very likely.
It’s also not statistically likely you’ll use your firearm or tourniquet.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared to defend yourself with anything on hand.
With that in mind, I’ve gathered some of the best self-defense knives on the market priced under $300.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Best Civilian Fixed-Blade
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Best Neck Knife
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Best OTF Knife
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Best for Jabbing
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Most Affordable
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Easiest to Draw
Table of Contents
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Why Under $300
For many, a knife that costs $50 is too much. For most, anything over $300 seems crazy.
However, in the knife world, knife guys and gals pay way more than that for some knives.
In truth, the world of knives is massive.
Knives from companies like Microtech can go for as much as $1,000. So, $300 seems a bit more friendly.
This list compiles blades from $20 to $200, ensuring there’s something for just about everyone’s price range.
What to Consider
Before throwing down money on a knife, there are a few things to consider.
Access
How is the knife carried, and how fast can you access it?
Accessing the blade should be rapid and easy to do without much difficulty.
Drawing the knife and getting it into action should be second nature and without complication.
Deployment
Fixed blade knives do not have deployment issues, but folding knives and automatic knives need blades that easily deploy with a single hand. Ambidexterity is a bonus as well.
Concealability
How easily does the knife conceal in regular clothing?
It’s tough to carry a Ka-Bar with a t-shirt to cover it.
A normal person’s defensive blade will need to be concealed. Sadly, that eliminates bowie knives but still opens up some decent fixed blade options.
Get Training!
Like a firearm, you should get some serious training for defensive knives.
Companies like Shiv Works and Active Response Training will get you the skills you need to employ a knife in a defensive situation.
Best Self Defense Knives Under $300
1. Emerson Mini CQC 15
Emerson rose to prominence by making knives for special operations troops.
Ernest Emerson’s small shop became the favorite knifemaker for the Navy SEALs, and word about his fine knives quickly spread.
I carried an Emerson CQC 7 for years as a Marine and became a huge fan of these knives.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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While the CQC 7 is great, the Mini CQC 15 is better.
The Mini CQC 15 is a combination of the CQC 7 and Commander models.
It mixes the penetration capability of the CQC 7’s tanto tip with the deep and slash-friendly belly of the Commander.
It allows the user to slash and stab with equal effectiveness.
Emerson knives also sport the wave feature that allows you to open the blade as you draw it from your pocket.
It takes a little practice, but once you’ve mastered it, the Emerson jumps into action.
Your hand won’t slip off the roughly textured G-10 panels.
In fact, if you have a tight grip on the knife and something yanks it from you, some skin is coming with it.
It’s rough but provides a good grip, even when wearing gloves.
As a bonus, it’s also a great knife for EDC tasks and tough enough for camping and general outdoors use.
As far as folding fighting knives go, the Mini CQC 15 is quite versatile.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. Ka-Bar TDI Investigator
Ka-Bar’s Master series takes numerous knife users’ expertise and boils it into a few purpose-built designs.
Tactical Defense Institute owner and lead instructor John Brenner designed the TDI to be the ultimate police self-defense knife — with firearm retention being the knife’s primary goal.
John’s 33-year police career drove the design, and the end result was a simple but very effective fighting knife.
The Investigator is the compact model and makes concealed carry easier.
As a civilian concealed carrier, I like simplicity, and the TDI makes things very simple.
The somewhat curve to the handle provides you a simplistic design.
Slashing and stabbing with the Investigator is easy as well.
In a hand-to-hand fight, fancy techniques are unlikely. But, if you can punch, you can use the TDI Investigator.
The short blade is unlikely to reach vital organs in the torso, but the sight of your own blood and a large gaping wound would likely deter further violence.
If an attacker gets in knife range, I’d prefer to attack, take the fight out of them, and then beat feet.
Something simple like the Investigator allows that.
As a fixed blade, deployment isn’t an issue, and the sheath allows for a multitude of carry options.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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3. Cold Steel Hide Out
Neck knives are all the rage for those looking to carry a fixed blade in the most convenient way possible.
Hide Out turns out to be a rather appropriate name for this neck knife.
Cold Steel designed the Hide Out to be a deep conceal fixed blade dagger design with a 3-inch blade but weighing a mere 1.9-ounces.
A dagger design allows you to stick and stab easily and slash when necessary.
The tip is painfully sharp and will dig in without remorse when told to.
Fixed blades don’t break, or at least they don’t break as often as folding or automatic knives.
Our edge provides a slight belly for slashing, but this is more of a poker than a slasher: more Freddy and less Jason.
A weatherproof material called Kray-Ex adorns the handle and provides a rubberized-like grip with an aggressive texture.
Kray-Ex ensures the knife stays in your hand and provides some degree of comfort as well.
The sheath is polymer and complete with many lashing points to make a necklace or to attach the knife nearly anywhere.
You might say that guy is a little small to be a dagger.
Well, right now, he’s Luke, and you’re a jailed Princess Leia. So, you take what you can get.
It’s small but easy to use and carry.
It’s also relatively affordable and very well made.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Hogue OTF
Switchblades are clearly as dangerous as machine guns; at least the regulations regarding them would make it seem so.
Sadly, lots of state laws prohibit the sale and carry of automatic knives. So, before you run out and buy one, it’s worth investigating your local laws.
In short, research before you buy!
If you can carry an automatic knife, then the Hogue OTF might be the one for you.
OTF knives tend to be pricey.
John Wick’s Microtech costs more than a Glock on average.
The Hogue OTF comes in at less than $250. It’s not a budget blade that will fall apart after a few uses, either.
I’ve used mine for years now and carry it all the time.
As an OTF blade, the Hogue deploys with the press of a button, so one-handed deployment is quite simple.
Hearing that schwick as blade deploys is oh so satisfying.
The blade is a clip point with a might swedge for easy cutting and stabbing. It uses a premium grade 154 CM steel that is incredibly tough and quite durable for defensive tasks.
A big grip fills your hand for an effective hammer grip.
Getting slashy and stabbing with the Hogue OTF proves simple, and it will double as a very effective EDC blade.
One-handed deployment will never be easier than with an automatic knife.
Give one a spin, and it’s tough to go back to a standard folder.
But again, local laws supersede the love of a cool tool. Always research your local laws before buying an auto.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. Toor Knives Jank Shank
Shank is absolutely the best term to describe the Jank Shank.
Look at the simplicity of the little knife and tell me it doesn’t look like a refined prison shank.
The Jank Shank is a simple, lightweight, and ultra-thin fixed blade knife.
Toor Knives is a small company doing big things, and the Jank Shank is a small thing that does big things.
This minimalist design is made for shiving, slashing, and shankin’ with a needle-like blade.
It’s made from CPM 35 VN, a tough tool steel, falling in the premium category of knife blades.
The 3-inch blade is nothing to fuss at and will penetrate deep enough to change someone’s mind when it comes to attacking you.
While it lacks a belly, it will still slice when needed. Ultimately, it’s all about jabs with the Jank Shank.
The Jank Shank has a rear pinky hole to increase retention and make drawing from the sheath easy.
Toor Knives has a multitude of sheath and carry options.
So, you can go traditional IWB, horizontal, or whatever else you need to conceal your shank.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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6. Ka-Bar LDK
Another Ka-Bar in the TDI family in the LDK. Kind of. The LDK was designed by a friend of the website, Greg Ellifritz.
LDK stands for Last Ditch Knife, and this fella is teeny tiny.
It’s small enough to work as a neck knife, be laced into a boot, or even stash in a wallet.
Truly, it qualifies as a last-ditch weapon, offering you minimal blade.
That said, the blade is designed to replicate the design of a scalpel. So, even though it’s small, it’s quite effective at cutting flesh.
Like the TDI-style knives, it works well as a punch dagger and is superbly simple to use.
When held, it allows you to add an additional sting to every punch.
At super close quarters, the little blade will open a bad guy up with rapid slashes and punches.
It’s small but mighty and insanely easy to carry and conceal. It can be carried in nearly any style of dress.
It’s friendly to cargo pants and sundresses.
There is no reason ever to be unarmed when something like the LDK exists.
Plus, it’s super cheap and affordable. At less than $20, it’s the cheapest knife on this list by a large margin.
Sometimes simple and small is enough.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Have you tried the Ka-Bar LDK? If so, rate it below!
7. Benchmade SOCP
Finally, we reach the SOCP.
The SOCP is a compact and ultra-thin dagger that was initially designed for military use.
This knife is far from traditional but is inherently modern and easy to use.
While it’s rather long, it is thin, and the included sheath makes it easy to conceal and carry.
The ring at the end of the handle ensures a sure draw and excellent retention.
Users are inclined to use an ice pick grip that allows downward stabs and slashes.
The idea behind the SOCP is simple.
When someone gets on top of you and starts grappling and fighting with you, the SOCP allows you to slash and stab, creating distance between you and the bad guy.
Let the SOCP take the steam out of a violent attacker and retreat.
With how thin the knife is, you can draw your firearm and engage without ditching the knife — very Solid Snake in its design.
The SOCP blade is rather long and will provide some serious sting to the bad guy when needed.
Admittedly it’s not a very good utility knife for EDC purposes.
It’s a bit much to open a piece of mail or to cut through some cardboard.
For creating distance and escaping a threat, though, it’s perfect. Plus, as a fixed blade, there are no deployment worries.
Benchmade also makes a training blade for safe practice. A knife is like a gun, and training is required to be proficient with it.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Conclusion
While the prospect of using a knife defensively is terrifying, it’s still wise to consider a knife as a viable weapon. Not as an alternative to a firearm, but to compliment it, or as a force multiplier in a gun-free zone.
We’ll say it one last time: before you run off half-cocked and buy an automatic knife or a dagger, research your local laws.
If you think gun laws are confusing, wait until you read about knife laws. In some states, it’s easier to carry a gun than specific types of knives.
Do your due diligence, folks.
Agree with my picks? Have your own? Let us know below! Ready for more knife recommendations? We have the 10 Best Tactical Knives and the 4 Best Survival Knives ready for you to read.
16 Leave a Reply
For most of us, an EDC knife IS your defensive knife. You are familiar with it, use it daily, have the most experience with it, and it's much more deeply ingrained. Toting a special defensive knife hidden away is not as good - no familiarity, experience, more difficult access. There are very few gamechanging differences whether it's a $40 3.5" utility flipper or $240 custom - you have to get to it, hang on to it, and also know how to use it effectively. You are not likely going to stop someone with it, what you should be trying to do is force them to change their mind about aggression by reducing their ability to see, use their hands, and to regret reaching out to grab you.
You have to remain aware to even see an attack coming, or it's all over when they trap your arm(s) and literally hit your head hard enough to render you unconscious. If you can prevent it, expect to be as badly cut as you should intend to cut them - with the concept that stabbing is often ineffective, as is slashing. Like pocket guns, you go for the face, throat, and underarms. Penetrating large muscle mass is a waste of effort, and a really big mass of muscle is only more motivated. Once you get them moving backward creating distance you can then move to a firearm - or leave, immediately. Hanging around only creates more opportunity for recovery and vengeance on their part. Distance is your weapon - and if they hadn't gotten close in the first place, it wouldn't be happening. Therefore, somebody was not considering how the situation was the wrong place at the wrong time and that you were seen as risk free prey to be taken advantage of. Address that up front, and the EDC knife will remain a box opener you clean your fingernails with, as it should be.
For those who run TOWARD the sound of battle, it's a different set of priorities. LEO's are not combat military, you tune your response to the different tasks at hand, and keep in mind that the knife and pistol are often secondary to the main weapon, the rifle. Since before the Civil War these lessons keep being taught - the large Bowies seen in pictures 150 years ago were photo props, the real knife a soldier carried was a 4" clasp tucked in his possibles bag. That didn't change much by the time WWII rolled around, and to this day a large combat knife in a squad is a rare item. Most choose a clipped 4" EDC of decent steel and done. Keep in mind that for the few hundreds of qualified Navy SEALS there are a hundred knife companies clamoring to get just one contract - to sell 50,000 knives to the public. And off we go to the campgrounds to video another youtube of knife smashing tests to prove how good it is. Considering Lewis and Clark essentially took dozens of what we now see as kitchen knives to cross the American Wilderness, take it all with a grain of salt.
I use my knife EVERY DAY and this whole conversation makes me crazy! I have a box of knives that were supposed to be my EDC. I call it my box of disappointment! I tried the TDI and my instinct when grabbing a "pistol grip" and sticking my index finger out like it was my Glock resulted in a lot of my own blood, and there was no one else there. Rubber grip folders don't like to come out of denim pockets too well. Fixed blades have the most useless sheathes for one handed draw and resheathing (is that a word?). I have settled on a Boker AK-74 automatic with a tanto blade. Still looking for the perfect answer. Thanks for another great article!
When you are in a serious knife fight, you are going to have blood on your hands and the knife. These listed knives do not have tangs to prevent your hand slipping off the handle and onto the blade when you stab into the chest striking rib and possible sternum, which brings the knife to a very sudden stop, causing the above mentioned hand slippage. I know a man who drove a knife into a sternum, his hand slipped and severed the tip of his little finger, that he could not recover before fleeing the scene. He was arrested based on his finger tip left on scene. Knives with a ring are a better choice for retention when you are bloodied in the fight. Knife fights ALWAYS result in both parties being injured unless the attacker is ambushing the victim. Just my opinion based on my life's observations.
Just in case the zombie apocalypse *does* happen (hey, after 2020, anything's possible!), what's the best knife to quickly dispatch a walker, Rick Grimes-style? You need something that will easily penetrate the skull, long enough to reach the brain, and something that you can pull out easily and not get stuck (for multiple-walker attacks!). All in jest, of course!
The CRKT LCK is my favorite. Sadly, it was stolen and I've been unable to find a replacement.
LCK + will be out soon ...
They mentioned shiv works for training but didn’t mention any of their knives... the clinch pick and the push dagger (both by shiv works) are the two knives I carry; for edc and on my war belt.
K-Bar/TDI folder is my choice and I own lots of folders. It opens quickly and is well priced at around 50-60 dollars. I have known John Benner for 35 years and he knows his trade very very well.
CQRT is my favorite. You have some good choices here.
I would recommend spending your money on quality education to learn/perfect a few basic blade techniques. That will provide many times more confidence and protection than a $300.00 knife! Even a cheap paring knife can be quite effective when used correctly. I have found the Filipino Martial Arts (such as Eskrima) to be very relevant to bladed self defense in today's world.
One of your best articles I have read I have several buck knives for different applications but there’s gave me a whole new idea On defensive knives, thanks
Neck knives are a bad idea for many reasons. Having a lanyard around your neck when fighting can get you killed. If you're moving the knife is never where you expect it to be. If clothing gets tangled up your knife can be inaccesible. Retaining the knife in the sheath is a balance between security and ease of use. Keep your knife in your pocket or belt sheath.
They left out a couple of really excellent knives.
I'm partial to the Skallywag Tactical D2 dagger. It has a larger finger hole than the SOCP dagger and is very glove friendly where the SOCP limits you to having thin gloves on tiny hands, or not wearing gloves to use it.
Or...
The D2's big brother, the Guardian which, is 2 inches longer, heavier, has dual serrated edges and once again, is very glove friendly.
carrying knives over 4 inches is illegal in my state...
Just my opinion, my EDC for many years now is the 325S Tactical from TRS. It is made in Chicom, but on occasion hot list members are offered these for $9.99 plus shipping. I buy a few, sell some for $25/30 bucks at my club.
Consider the CRKT Provoke (original).