Navy SEAL Knives – The Real Ones

In my years at Blade HQ, I’ve heard a lot of knife pitches—and built up some pet peeves in gear marketing. Scantily-clad models "explaining" steel alloys and heavy metal over wood carving videos are annoying, but nothing gets my goat like the "Navy SEAL Knife." I’ve seen more knives claim to be used by the SEALs than there are SEALs to use them. 

So, what knives do Navy SEALs actually carry? After digging through research and talking to people who supply them, I’ve put together a list of knives that are really used by the SEALs. And if I may be so bold, Navy SEALs have great taste in blades!

In This Article: 

1. A Few Things to Know
2. Ontario Mk3 Dive Knife
3. Cold Steel SRK
4. SOG Seal Pup
5. Pro-Tech TR-3 X1M
6. Emerson CQC-7
7. Benchmade Adamas Fixed Blade
8. Reiff Knives Vicon
9. Why Buy a Navy SEAL Knife?

A few things to know before we get started: 

1. This list isn’t exhaustive—some knives were once standard issue but are no longer. 
2. The Navy keeps a lot of SEAL specifics under wraps, so current info is scarce (which is probably a good thing). 
3. Many SEALs will just buy whatever knife they like best and pass on whatever the standard issue is. 
4. For ethical reasons, I didn’t speak with any SEALs directly. It’s best not to grill combat veterans for details.
5. A knife not used by SEALs isn’t necessarily a bad knife—other knife users have different needs. 
6. A Navy SEAL’s primary weapon is his rifle. While he may use his knife a fair bit, it’s not nearly as big a deal as it’s cracked up to be. 

But every knife in this article has actually been used by US Navy SEALs at some point, and every one of them is worthy of a warzone! Let’s get into it! 

Ontario Mk3 Dive Knife 

This is an easy place to start. While there are civilian versions of this blade available, the true Ontario Mk3 is a standard-issue knife made specially for the United States Navy, which includes the SEALs. It’s a solid tactical fixed blade, if you can find one! The factory that used to make them is now closed, and Ontario is in a transitional phase after being acquired, so the used market is your best bet! 

Cold Steel SRK 

Numerous sources, including Cold Steel’s brand manager, cite the Cold Steel SRK as a frequent flier with the SEALs, especially during training. And it’s easy to see why! It’s got a rubberized handle, so it’s easy to use around water, and it’s big and tough enough for all the survival and combat training SEALs go through. And best of all, it doesn’t cost the taxpayers all that much! 

SOG Seal Pup 

The SOG SEAL Pup is another commonly cited SEAL knife, and I confirmed with SOG’s brand manager that they have been issued to SEALs before. It’s a great pick for them, too. Because of it’s slightly thicker blade and shorter overall length, it’s tough enough for anything and easy to keep out of the way when not in use. 

Pro-Tech TR-3 X1M 

The Pro-Tech TR-3 is a go-to auto for military and police around the world, but when SEAL Team 3 got a hold of it, they fell in love. So much so that they went straight to Pro-Tech and requested the TR-3 X1M be made specifically for them, with the added safety and fish-scale texture. Dave Wattenberg, Pro-Tech’s owner and founder, and SEAL Team 3 still have a great friendship, and many SEALs have an X1M in their pocket right now! 

Emerson CQC-7 

In 2013, a former member of DEVGRU (aka SEAL Team 6) under the pseudonym Mark Owen donated his Emerson CQC-7 which he carried during the Osama Bin Laden raid, and many other combat missions, to a charity auction. It sold for $35,400! The whole Emerson CQC series is renowned for its tactical cutting power and bomb-proof construction, so the CQC-7 was a solid pick by Owen.

Benchmade Adamas Fixed Blade

Although photos of SEALs are rare, former SEAL John Allen, better known as MrBallen, posted a picture from his time in service where a Benchmade Adamas Fixed Blade can be seen strapped to his vest. And it’s a perfect Navy SEAL Knife. It’s thin and low-profile when not in use, but a force to be reckoned with in the hand. And its sheath has more mounting options than you can shake a stick at!

Reiff Knives Vicon

Reiff Knives teamed up with a group of active duty SEALs who were after a new fixed blade. In 2025, after a multi-year project of collaboration and field tests, the Vicon was born. "Vicon" is a combination of "Victory" and "Distinction," two goals for which the SEALs always strive. The knife they cooked up is pretty amazing, complete with a modular sheath that can be attached to a kit however a SEAL requires. It also uses a MagnaCut blade, which offers enough toughness to pry open a door, enough corrosion resistance for amphibious operations, and enough edge retention to remain sharp for even the longest missions.

Why Buy a Navy SEAL Knife? 

SEALs have a reputation for being relentless. No amount of difficulty or danger will stop them from getting the job done, and they need gear that can keep up. If you choose to buy an actual Navy SEAL knife, it will not let you down. It might not be perfect for everything, but it can manage just about anything.  

But keep two things in mind: First, no piece of gear, not even the knives on this list, will magically turn you into a SEAL. That takes more training and grit than most people can muster. Second, there is a world of amazing knives that aren’t carried by SEALs, and I’d bet that if you broaden your horizons, you’ll find something even better for your needs. And when you’re ready to find your perfect knife, you’ll find it at BladeHQ.com!