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The stiletto is a classic defensive blade design that was first popularized in the Middle Ages and persists today. Although most people now associate stilettos with switchblades, it’s important to note that stiletto refers to blade shape and not knife type. Technically, one could be a fixed blade, but more are made with an automatic knife design today than any other.
In modern times, this knife style has primarily been used for self-defense or as a gimmick. Stilettos are incredibly popular at fairs and flea markets. As such, they sometimes have a bad reputation for being junk. However, this is not always the case. Subsequently, we worked to find the best stiletto knives being produced by modern knife companies today.
Key Considerations
The term “stiletto” refers to a long and pointed blade. Most people think of an Italian-style fully automatic switchblade these days. That style of knife was taken home by American soldiers in droves following World War II. Unfortunately, roughly a decade later, a successful scare campaign by politicians and the media subsequently led to a glut of knife laws across the United States. Squarely in the crosshairs of lawmakers at the time was the stiletto.
Because of those laws, we were highly conscious of the knives that we chose for this list. Not every option here will be legal in all states. The legal definition of a stiletto is somewhat muddled; therefore, there were certain things that we looked for in each knife.
- Blade Edge: Stilettos can have a double- or single-edge blade. Many states restrict or outlaw the carrying of double-edged stilettos, so some users will have no option but to choose a more practical single-edge design. Thanks to the long, thin nature of the blade, either of these designs is usually good at penetrating.
- Automatic Knives: For this article, a true automatic knife has a blade under constant tension. The blade releases only when the user hits a switch, side, or cross lock to release the tension. At no point does the user’s hand contact the blade. Knives must fall under this definition to be a switchblade.
- Mechanism: We considered only automatic knives with a slide, lock, or button mechanism to deploy the blade. Thus, we also looked for knives with a safety system to prevent accidental deployment.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Benchmade Auto Fact
- Best Budget: AKC Swinguard
- Best OTF: Benchmade Mini Claymore
- Best EDC: AGA Campolin
- Best Modernized Stiletto: Kershaw Launch
Best Overall: Benchmade Auto Fact
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The Auto Fact is unique in that its Axis lock system also doubles as its deployment method. Pulling down the lock produces a meaty, fast snap-open action. This is currently the fastest knife in my collection. It has smoother scaling, but there is enough jimping on top to give fine control to the blade. I love how this knife handled during my testing. The S90V steel will be hard to resharpen, but the factory edge is fantastic. The slim profile and light weight make it a true joy to slip into my pocket. I’ve used it extensively as an EDC knife. Additionally, the single edge makes it legal to carry in more areas than a double edge.
At over $300, this is not a cheap knife. However, this is the top-of-the-line as far as a modern stiletto-style knife goes. The carbon fiber and aluminum construction have a great look. This is a knife that’s going to last through years of use and abuse.
Best Budget: AKC Swinguard
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Unfortunately, the market is saturated with cheap stiletto switchblades that resemble classic Italian knives. Finding a budget option that won’t fall apart is quite challenging. The AKC Swinguard is one of the better options, coming in at around $85 at the low end. Unlike many cheaper competitors, this knife is actually made in Italy. It has those desired old-school aesthetics with a wooden handle. AKC also offers a stag horn option for that classic Greaser look. These blades snap open reliably and are incredibly lightweight. This knife has the famous pivoting bolster that these knives became famous for having.
This knife is designed to be a classic Italian switchblade, which means that it is more of a display piece than a serious tool. Although it is functional for light EDC tasks, such as opening packages, it’s not meant to be used and abused constantly.
Best OTF: Benchmade Mini Claymore
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The Benchmade Mini Claymore has an off-the-charts cool factor. Because of the double-action slide, I found this one incredibly handy during testing. This is quite literally a one-handed knife when opening and closing. Combine that with a good utility steel like D2, and this is a solid EDC knife. The flat profile of the knife slips perfectly into a pants pocket. At under 3 ounces, it’s an easy all-day carry. It also has an intimidation factor that could make the appearance a deterrent in a self-defense scenario. I like the feel of the Grivory handle – it has a nice texture that makes it easy to grip in any condition.
Some users might not like that the slide is a little mushy. Specifically, the slide hits a wall of tension that needs to be pushed through to deploy the blade. It takes some getting used to when first using it. There is also a tiny amount of play in the deployed blade, although I don’t think that it’s a deal-breaker. It’s no worse than other OTF knives. Overall, this is an impressive and fun automatic for EDC purposes.
Best EDC: AGA Campolin
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Finding an Italian-style stiletto built ruggedly enough for EDC tasks is tough. The Campolin is one of the best options out there. That’s partially because of the practical N690 steel. It’s a utilitarian steel that’s rugged enough for most EDC tasks. I also like the overall size of this knife for those tasks. AGA makes several variants of this knife, changing the blade size and handle material. The carbon fiber variant gives an old-school design a sharp, modernized look. The company offers their G-10 variants in a bevy of color patterns. There is something there for everyone.
As expected with any quality stiletto, this knife isn’t cheap – around $200 on the low end. Much of that cost comes from the rugged construction. The lever lock style is also unique. Some users may not like how it departs from a traditional stiletto design. Those minor complaints aside, this is a rugged stiletto made to handle the rigors of EDC.
Best Modernized Stiletto: Kershaw Launch
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Kershaw took the classic Italian stiletto and brought the design into the 21st century with the Launch. This knife makes switchblades instantly more practical through CPM 154 powdered steel. It’s a tough steel with an excellent factory edge and is helpful for many EDC tasks. The rugged design will handle tons of abuse that will break cheaper knives. The ergonomics are excellent – it has a meaty handle that’s comfortable for users with large hands. The knife snaps into place quickly through a simple push button. We’re unsure how Kershaw made a knife over 8 inches weigh in at less than 3 ounces, but we’ll take it.
There are some reported issues with pocket clips bending on this knife, but that’s the only real complaint. At nearly $200, the knife is expensive, but the price point mainly reflects the CPM 154 steel and overall build quality. In our minds, it’s a knife worth the admission price.
How To Choose The Best Stiletto Knives
As we mentioned earlier, the name stiletto refers more to blade shape than knife type. The shape of these blades was initially intended for defense. However, most modern stilettos fall into the automatic knife category. That is simply what’s most popular these days. These knives were initially intended mainly as gimmick pieces rather than practical tools. Subsequently, finding a high-quality one can be challenging. In our experience, it’s usually best to stick with American- or Italian-made knives.
Legality
Don’t purchase a stiletto without first checking your state’s knife laws. Federal restrictions on owning or purchasing auto knives don’t exist. However, state-level restrictions are common. Although an automatic knife is not necessarily illegal to own, carrying one is often another matter. It’s also worth checking to see whether your state restricts double-edge blades. It seems silly, but it’s easier to carry a gun concealed than a stiletto in some states!
Steel Type
Since many stilettos aren’t made for utility, finding a knife made of high-end steel is rare. Some manufacturers don’t even bother to list the steel type. Others will use common steel like 440C or 8CR13MoV. The price is often indicative of the quality of the steel. Be wary of cheap knives that seem too good to be true, because that’s often the case.
Folding vs OTF
The classic Italian stiletto is an automatic blade that flips out from the side like a regular folding knife. In recent years, OTF (out-the-front) knives have become extremely popular in tactical circles. The benefit of an OTF is that these knives often feature double action. This allows the user to open and close the knife simply by working the slide back and forth. That makes it easy to operate them with one hand. Conversely, a regular folding switchblade must be manually closed. The downside to OTF is that there is often more play in the extended blade than in a folder.
Deployment System
Automatic knives held at tension need a way to deploy the blade. This is usually a button or a slide. In my experience, the button is the easiest to use. However, the one-handed simplicity of a double-action OTF is hard to beat, especially for anyone with only one functioning hand. Slightly less common are Axis lock systems like that on the Benchmade Auto Fact. Although that deployment system is a little harder to use, it makes for a solid lockup with no play in the blade. Preference for these systems will vary depending on the user. However, it’s worthy of consideration, especially if dropping a few hundred dollars on a knife.
Why Trust Us
Over a decade of professionally writing about knives, I have tested hundreds of knives, including some of the best automatic knives being manufactured today. I’ve also extensively talked to knife companies to get their views on modern knives. This has given me much insight into what makes a good stiletto.
Final Thoughts
Stilettos may not be as popular as they once were, but there is still enough interest in them for knifemakers to keep making them. The Benchmade Auto Fact checks every box for what we could want in a stiletto knife design. Its crisp action and practicality for EDC make it an incredibly effective tool. Our runner-up is the Kershaw Launch for the way it brings the classic Italian design into a practical tool for modern knife enthusiasts.
FAQs
Q: What are stiletto knives good for?
A: A stiletto’s long, slender blade is best for penetrating. Thus, it’s no surprise that most people consider them for defensive purposes. Admittedly, the practicality of the stiletto is limited compared to other knives. They aren’t great for EDC but can easily handle light tasks like package opening.
Q: Are stiletto knives supposed to be sharp?
A: The quality of stiletto factory edges varies considerably. In truth, these knives aren’t known for exceptional edge quality. It’s not uncommon for owners to need to retouch the edge, even on new blades straight from the factory. Given the right steel quality, they can still be extremely sharp.
Q: What is the most expensive stiletto knife brand?
A: Protech and Microtech arguably make some of the most expensive stilettos in the United States today. Their automatic stilettos regularly go in the $224–$400 range. AKC and AGA produce some of the more expensive Italian stilettos in the $200 range.
