For those who aren’t experts in the American cutlery field, Utica is like the grandfather of badass knives. Founded in 1910, Utica has been operating at the same address for the past 107 years, making them the oldest same-site cutlery company in the United States. Utica not only made bayonets for our WWII war effort, but also re-tooled part of their factory to make gun parts too. The Utica Tactical Series is a perfect opportunity to get a world class knives and a piece of American history, all in one.

The Utica Tactical series blades are durable 1095 high carbon steel, which is an excellent choice for any task that’s just too much for a pocket knife to handle. Its relatively easy to sharpen and is incredibly difficult to break, that’s why so many high-quality knife manufacturers use 1095 today. The blade features jimping on the spine and a finger choil to increase grip and control over your cuts. You can get the Tactical series in either a 9 ½”, 10 ½”, or 12 ½” length. With these size options, you can easily find one that will accomplish your tasks efficiently.

The blade isn’t the only thing that’s stout on the Tactical Series knives. The handles are made of well-contoured micarta with a CNC milled guard. My co-workers and I were very impressed with the amount of grip that the guard provided, and I’m sure anyone who picks up a Utica Tactical will be too. The micarta isn’t the only thing that’s durable on the handle. The tactical series features six stainless rivets that can keep the knife together in even the most extreme situation.

One thing that Tops and Esee excels at with their survival knives are the high quality Kydex sheaths that come ready to withstand the apocalypse itself. Utica also offers a hard-molded sheath with a removable clip and section of paracord, but they have chosen to take it a step further. The Utica sheaths also include a fire starter and a built-in sharpener that drastically increase your capabilities in a survival situation. Between the paracord and the removable clip, you can easily mount the Utica Tactical knives to any platform you choose.

The Details

  • 1095 carbon steel
  • Micarta handles
  • Molded nylon sheath
  • Firestarter and sharpener included
  • Made in the USA

Utica is back in the competition for the best survival knife. These Tactical Series knives are built to last and truly represent the quality that only Utica Cutlery can provide. You can find their small knife for $54.99, medium for $64.99, and large for $69.99. Check these bad boys out at Smoky Mountain Knife Works (smkw.com). Simply click the button below to see the whole lineup.