Glock is famous for pistols, but since 1978 it has also made a field knife for the Austrian army. The original FM 78 has a plain spine; the FM 81 adds a saw on the back. Both use the same 6.5″ spring steel blade, a polymer handle and a locking polymer sheath, made from the same kind of material as Glock’s pistol frames. Only the FM 81 is easy to buy new today, so that’s the knife this review is about.
My verdict: it’s a good, tough, very affordable general field knife, and the price is the main reason to buy it. It chops, pries and digs without complaint, the sheath is excellent, and the long blade gives you reach. It isn’t a fine slicer or a carving tool, the edge is rough out of the box, and the carbon steel needs a wipe after wet days.
If you want a camp and car knife you won’t worry about, buy the Glock FM 81 Field Knife in black. Prefer a low-glare color? The same knife comes in flat dark earth, green and grey.
My Top 2 Glock Picks
The classic Glock knife: a 6.5″ spring steel clip point with a saw back, a grippy polymer handle and a sheath that locks it in. Tough, light for its size and easy to replace if you lose it.
The same knife in flat dark earth with a non-reflective coating. Pick it to match tan gear, or because a brown knife is easier to spot than a black one when you drop it in the dark.
What the Glock Knife Does Well
Tough enough to abuse
The blade is spring steel, which Glock hardens to about 55 HRC. That’s on the soft side, and on purpose: soft spring steel bends a little and springs back instead of snapping or chipping, which is what you want from a knife used for prying, digging and chopping.
A sheath that’s better than the knife needs
The polymer sheath clicks the knife in and holds it until you press the release, so it won’t fall out upside down. It fits belts and gear straps, has a drain hole and is close to indestructible. Many knives at this level come with a flimsy nylon sheath; this one is the best part of the package.
Reach and saw in one tool
The 6.5″ blade reaches into a cooler or a pile of brush that a 4″ knife can’t, and the saw on the spine can notch small branches. That makes the FM 81 a decent single knife for the car, the boat or a camp box.
A price you won’t cry over
It costs little enough that losing it or leaving it in a toolbox for years isn’t a disaster. That’s a big reason it’s so popular with hunters, campers and people building emergency kits.
Where the Glock Knife Falls Short
The factory edge is rough
Owners grumble about one thing more than any other: the knife arrives with a coarse, not very sharp edge. Plan to sharpen it before first use; the soft steel makes that quick on a stone or a guided sharpener.
Carbon steel can rust
The blade is phosphate coated, but the bare edge and any worn spots will rust if you put it away wet. Wipe it dry and give it a drop of oil. If you’d rather forget about that, buy a stainless knife.
Not a slicer or a carver
The long, straight blade has little belly until the tip, so it’s clumsy for skinning, food prep and fine carving. For field dressing game, a short, curved blade like the ones in my deer boning knife guide works far better. Bushcraft tasks like feather sticks are easier with a 4″ scandi-ground knife.
The saw is modest
The saw back works on small, dry branches, but it’s slow, and a small folding saw does the job much better. Think of it as a bonus, not a reason to buy.
Glock FM 78 vs FM 81 Compared
| Model | Blade | Spine | Handle and sheath | Easy to buy new? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock FM 78 | 6.5″ spring steel clip point | Plain | Polymer, locking polymer sheath | Rarely | Collectors, a cleaner spine for thumb pressure |
| Glock FM 81 | 6.5″ spring steel clip point | Saw back | Polymer, locking polymer sheath | Yes | Camp, car and field use |
1. Glock FM 81 Field Knife (Black): Best Overall
Who it’s for: campers, hunters and drivers who want one tough, long fixed blade they won’t baby.
This is the knife people mean when they say “Glock knife”: a 6.5″ carbon spring steel clip point blade with a saw back, a black polymer handle with a small cross guard, and the locking polymer sheath. It’s 11.4″ overall, so it’s a big knife, but the polymer keeps it lighter than it looks.
What I like is how honest it is. There’s no exotic steel or fancy finish to protect, just a blade that takes abuse and sharpens back in a few minutes. As a knife for a truck, a boat or a bug-out bag, I find it hard to beat for the money.
What I’d warn about: sharpen it before you rely on it, keep it oiled, and don’t expect it to slice tomatoes or carve spoons. On a long hike, its size and weight work against it.
Key specs
- Blade: 6.5″ clip point, carbon spring steel, saw back
- Overall length: 11.4″
- Handle: black polymer with cross guard
- Sheath: locking polymer, belt mount
Pros
- Tough, forgiving spring steel
- Excellent locking sheath
- Long reach for a field knife
- Easy and cheap to replace
Cons
- Rough factory edge needs sharpening
- Carbon steel rusts if stored wet
- Poor at slicing and fine carving
My verdict: a cheap, tough field knife that earns its reputation. If carving and camp cooking are your main jobs, a Mora suits you better.
2. Glock FM 81 Field Knife (Flat Dark Earth): Best Low-Glare Color
Who it’s for: hunters and anyone with tan or coyote gear who wants a knife that matches and doesn’t shine.
Under the color, this is the same FM 81: 6.5″ blade with a saw back, 11.4″ overall, a slip-resistant polymer handle and the locking polymer sheath. The listing points out the non-reflective coating, which matters more to a hunter in a tree stand than to a camper.
The color has a practical side I like too. A black knife dropped in leaves or mud at dusk can be surprisingly hard to find; flat dark earth stands out a little better against dark ground. If you prefer green or grey, Glock makes those as well, and they perform identically.
The same caveats apply: sharpen it first and keep it dry. Light-colored polymer also shows dirt and scuffs more than black.
Key specs
- Blade: 6.5″, spring steel, saw back, non-reflective coating
- Overall length: 11.4″
- Handle: slip-resistant polymer, flat dark earth
- Sheath: locking polymer
Pros
- Matches tan and coyote gear
- Low-glare finish for hunting
- Easier to spot when dropped than black
Cons
- Shows dirt and scuffs
- Same rough factory edge as the black one
My verdict: buy this one if the color matters to you. If not, the black version is the classic.
How to Sharpen and Care for a Glock Knife
Sharpen it before the first trip
Give it a proper edge right away. A medium stone or a guided system works well because the soft spring steel cuts fast; keep the original angle and finish on a fine grit. A guided kit with angle clamps makes holding the angle easy.
Keep the carbon steel dry
Wipe it after use, especially after salt water or blood, and put a thin coat of oil on the edge before storage. Don’t leave it in the sheath wet; the drain hole helps, but it isn’t a dryer. My carbon vs stainless steel guide explains why carbon blades need this.
Use the saw gently
Pull strokes on dry, thin branches work best. Forcing it through green or thick wood only clogs the teeth.
Glock Knife vs Other Field Knives
Glock vs Morakniv
A Mora like the Kansbol or Companion is shorter, with a scandi grind that carves and makes feather sticks far better. The Glock is longer, tougher for prying and has the better sheath. For bushcraft, Mora; for rough general use, Glock. My best bushcraft knife guide covers the Moras.
Glock vs KA-BAR
The classic KA-BAR fighting knife is heavier, with a leather-washer or synthetic handle and a broad 7″ blade that chops better. The Glock is lighter, cheaper and has a sheath I’d trust more.
Glock vs Cold Steel SRK
The Cold Steel SRK is a stouter survival knife in SK-5 carbon steel with a grippy Kray-Ex handle. It’s the better knife for heavy chopping and batoning; the Glock is the better value and has the longer blade.
FAQ
Is the Glock field knife good for survival?
Yes, as a tough, cheap all-round knife for a kit or vehicle. It handles chopping, prying and digging, and the sheath is excellent. For carving and fire prep, a smaller scandi-ground knife does better, and for small daily jobs a folder from my folding knives under $100 list is handier.
What is the Glock knife made of?
The blade is spring steel, hardened to about 55 HRC and phosphate coated. The handle and sheath are polymer, similar to the material in Glock pistols.
What is the difference between the Glock FM 78 and FM 81?
The FM 81 has a saw on the spine; the FM 78 doesn’t. Blade length, steel, handle and sheath are the same. The FM 81 is the one you’ll usually find new.
Does any military use Glock knives?
Yes. The Glock field knife was developed for the Austrian army, which adopted it as its field knife, and that’s where the FM (Feldmesser, field knife) name comes from.
Is the Glock knife sharp out of the box?
Usually not very. Most owners sharpen it before first use. The soft steel takes an edge quickly.
Is the Glock knife made in Austria?
Yes. Glock is an Austrian company, and the field knives are made in Austria.
Final Verdict
The Glock FM 81 is a simple, tough and inexpensive field knife with a sheath that’s better than it needs to be. The black version is my pick for most people, and the flat dark earth version is the one to choose for hunting or tan gear. Just sharpen it before you need it, and keep it dry.
Carrying a knife on long hikes instead? My best knives for backpacking guide argues for something much smaller and lighter.
Gary Portman founded knivesadvice.com in 2019. He learned to cook in his family’s kitchen as a kid and has used kitchen, pocket and outdoor knives ever since, from paring and fillet knives to survival blades he carries camping and hiking. He writes the site’s buying guides, brand reviews and sharpening how-tos to help readers find the right knife for the job. More about Gary.