Mad Dog Knives makes tactical fixed-blade knives, using Starrett 496-O1 high carbon tool steel which is given a proprietary heat treatment. This process includes hardening, stress relieving, and selectively tempering the blade. As a result, the blades have an edge hardness of 62-63 on the Rockwell C scale whereas the tip, spine, and tang have a Rockwell hardness of 50-54. This heat treatment was devised to develop phenomenal edge retention while preventing tip breakage and maintaining a degree of flexibility on the softer spine to improve the toughness of the knife. The blades are coated with a layer of hard chrome as a method of abrasion and corrosion resistance.

Mad Dog Knives utilizes a proprietary glass/epoxy composite fiberglass for the handle material of its knives. This material can withstand long term heat in excess of 149 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit), a tractive force of 79,000 psi, current of 1,000 volts per mil (0.001") of thickness and is impervious to salt water, diesel oil, benzine and other caustic/corrosive fluids. Mad Dog Knives utilizes kydex as a sheath material, specifications for the ATAK knife included "nonmagnetic metal rivets were to be used in the manufacture of the sheath".

Mad Dog Knives has also made ceramic MIRAGE X blades and blades from other non-metallic materials for EOD and other military usage. These knives are not available for sale to the general public.

Mad Dog Knives' was the company which won the 1992 "SEAL Trials" to supply Naval Special Warfare Groups 1 and 2 with a fixed blade knife. This knife is named the ATAK (Advanced Tactical Assault Knife) and Mad Dog Knives received a U.S. Navy Sole Source Justification for its manufacture. The ATAK is the only knife in US Military history to be honored with a sole source justification.

Mad Dog Knives have been utilized as weapons in Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior novels and Stephen Seagal's movie Under Siege 2. One of the knives used in the movie was later sold at a Safari Club International fund raiser for $10,000.