The best stiletto knife for today is the Cold Steel Ti-Lite. The blade is 6” long, and it is also very lightweight.
The stiletto knife was first developed in Italy in the 15th century and is a very long blade that is also very thin. It is primarily used for thrusting and not cutting. If you are someone that wants a stiletto knife for self-defense, a plaything or you want your own version of “needle,” then you need to look at what I have got for you.
Below this section, you will find beginners guide on why the blade length is essential and what you should aim for. I will also go over some of the features related to the type of steel that was used to make the blade.
Last but not least, I will also reveal 4 of my favorite stiletto knives that I could find online.
Best Stiletto Knife Summary
- Cold Steel Ti-Lite (Top Pick)
- Snake Eye (Budget Friendly)
- Boker V-42
- KA-BAR EK44
What Makes A Great Stiletto Knife?
Many factors make an excellent stiletto knife. Please make sure you read the section below before you consider buying a stiletto knife. You will learn which blade length and shape makes a good stiletto knife. You will also learn more about folding knives, fixed blades and even why you what a belt clip attached to your knife. Last but not least, I will also cover the types of metal used to make stiletto knives.
Read this section first!!
Before buying a stiletto knife, make sure that it is legal in your state or country. OnlineBarracks.com can not be held responsible for the purchase of this product. If you plan to use it, only use it for self-defense and nothing more. Now that I have that out of the way let’s get started.
The blade length
Stiletto knives are most famous for their long and narrow tapered blades. These types of knives are not meant for cutting but deep penetration. The shape of the blade makes for the least resistance possible for when entering flesh. Let me explain. The narrow tapered tip makes for effortless penetration while the narrow blades make for the least resistance.
The tapered tip also allows for the blade to be double-edged in some cases which makes it even more effective. For the best stiletto knives, I would recommend a blade that has a length of at least 6-inches. I have made sure that all of the knives in this article are 6 inches or more.
Is it a folding knife or a fixed blade?
When mentioning the type of knife, I am referring to fixed blades or folding knives. We already know that I am only covering stiletto knives in this section. What is a folding knife?
A folding knife is a knife where the blade can be stored inside the handle. To reveal the blade, it must be flipped open. The blade of the knife must be kept inside the handle so that you do not cut yourself while carrying it. It should only be opened when used. I have listed only two folding knives which are the Cold Steel Ti-Lite and the Snake Eye.
A fixed blade knife is where the blade and handle of the knife are fixed together. These types of knives need to be carried with a sheath of some sort to protect yourself against knife cuts. I have also listed two fixed blade knives which are the Boker V-42 and the KA-BAR EK44.
Some knives use belt clips
If you love to wear a belt with your trousers, then you will benefit from these features. Some knives have a belt clip attached to one side of the handle which makes it possible to carry the knife without putting it inside your pocket. There are only two knives which have belt clips, and they are the Cold Steel Ti-Lite and the Snake Eye.
Type of steel used
For stiletto knives, the type of steel used is not that important because it does not need to maintain an edge. A stiletto knife is used for puncturing and not for cutting which makes a cutting edge somewhat useless. This type of knife only needs two qualities which include the following. It must not be so soft that it bends and it must not be so hard that it becomes brittle.
- AUS 8A Stainless steel. This type of steel is very resistant to rust and will be sharpened easily. It has less carbon but added vanadium to make it a little bit stronger. Knives made with this steal is not best used for heavy duty work. Stiletto knives do not need a tough edge because it is not meant to do a lot of cutting work. If you want a knife with this steal, then I would recommend the Cold Steel Ti-Lite.
- SK-5 carbon steel. This version of the steel has a higher carbon content and also contains manganese. It is much harder steel which means the edge of the knife will last longer, but it will also take longer to sharpen. The only knife in this selection with this steel is the Boker V-42.
- 1095 steel. This steel is very tough because of the higher carbon content. It will keep its edge for much longer and is resistant to wearing out. The only problem is that the higher carbon content makes it more prone for rust to appear. To counter this problem, knife manufacturers will coat their knives to prevent them from rusting. The KA-BAR EK44 is an excellent example of a knife that uses such steel.
#1 Cold Steel Ti-Lite (Top Pick)
Best for: This beast of a knife is of excellent quality and has a long blade which is also lightweight. The price is also not that bad.
- Editors Rating: 10/10
- Blade Length: 6″
- Type: Folding Knife
This stiletto knife from Ti-Lite has a blade that is 6” long, and the full length of the blade+handle is 13”. It is also lightweight and weighs 6.8 oz. This knife is also foldable and comes with a belt clip attached to the handle which will make it effortless to carry attached to your belt. The knife is made from AUS 8A Stainless steel which is of outstanding quality. The handle is made from zy-ex material which offers excellent grip. The blade can be easily opened or closed using the thumb stud which is located on both sides of the blade.
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#2 Snake Eye (Budget Friendly)
Best for: If you are short on a budget and would like to get your hands on a high-quality stiletto knife, then this knife from Snake Eye is for you.
- Editors Rating: 9/10
- Blade Length: 6″
- Type: Folding Knife
The total length of the knife (handle+blade) is around 13”. The blade itself is around 6” in length. The knife is also foldable which means the blade can fold in and out of the handle of the knife. The blade is made from stainless steel and has a narrow tapered point. The blade has two thumb studs at the base of each side which makes it easier to open or close the blade. The handle itself is also made from stainless steel and is covered with a thin wooden slab on both sides. The plates are attached with screws. The total weight of the knife is also 8 oz which is not much considering the size.
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#3 Boker V-42
Best for: If you are looking for a classical stiletto knife that is also a fixed blade, then this one is for you.
- Editors Rating: 8/10
- Blade Length: 7″
- Type: Fixed Blade
The blade of this knife is made from Black coated SK-5 carbon steel and is also 7” in length. The metal is it made from are very tough and will maintain a sharp edge. The blade is also double-edged which means that both sides of the blade will be sharp. It is also important to note that this is not a folding knife but a fixed blade. The handle is also covered with leather and has a corrugated thumb rest which assists in a superior grip. There is also a sharp pommel at the end of the handle that can do significant damage to a person. Your hand will also be protected by the cross guard between the blade and the handle. Along with the knife, you will get a leather sheath to carry the knife in and a red spearhead cloth which has the words “The worst is yet to come!” in German.
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#4 KA-BAR EK44
Best for: This knife is the best commando style stiletto knife.
- Editors Rating: 9/10
- Blade Length: 6.625″
- Type: Fixed Blade
The blade of this knife has a length of around 6.625” while the overall length is 12.625” which makes the knife a handful. The weight of the knife is just over 11 oz which is reasonably light. The material used to forge the blade is 1095 steel which is a high carbon type of steel. Vanadium and Chromium were also added to improve its resistance to rust and durability. The blade is also sharp on both sides. The handles are made from nylon and also has a small crossguard which will protect your hands. The sheath is made from a celcon type plastic in which to carry the knife.
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Stiletto Knife Comparison Table
Product Name | Blade Length | Type | Editors Rating |
1. Cold Steel Ti-Lite (Top Pick) | 6″ | Folding Knife | 10/10 |
2. Snake Eye (Budget Friendly) | 6″ | Folding Knife | 9/10 |
3. Boker V-42 | 7″ | Fixed Blade | 8/10 |
4. KA-BAR EK44 | 6.6″ | Fixed Blade | 9/10 |
Learn More About Knives
Every knife owner has felt the struggle to keep their knives sharp. This issue should not be a problem if you have the right tools and equipment. If you do not know how to sharpen knives, I have written a guide that will teach you. You can also learn more about sharpening stones and knife sharpeners for hunters.
If you also like to carve wood as a hobby, then you can learn more about the best knives for whittling.
Final Word
Now you are more familiar with stiletto knives. I have given you 4 of the best that you can find out there and also went into some of their features. If you could not make up your mind, you can have a look at the comparison table above or go to the beginners guide in the beginning.
What was your favorite knife? Please leave a comment below and share with us your choice. And remember, stick em with the pointy end. For more information on all of our knife reviews, please visit this page.
James Giffen says
I am interested in the Snake Eye knife but can not find it anywhere. Lots of Snake eye knives but not this particular one.