Tactical knife: your definition and example

[MTHall720]

I know this has been asked many times but I would like to hear your definition and an example or two. I am reading the book "The Tactical Knife" by James Ayres and liked his thoughts on this. Speaking of a tactical situation being one "...you must act to save your life wherever you might be:wilderness, city, or any place in between."
My examples of blades I have used, not just read about, and feel comfortable with to use in a variety if ways whether tool, utilitarian, stick whittling or whatever include:
1) Folder not bulky is BM 710
Folder somewhat bulky is ZT 0200

2 Fixed blade -- Medium length is RD 7 or Becker BK 7
Fixed blade -- Shorter than 7 inches is RAT4

What are your thoughts and some of your favorites?

[bladeboss]

A tactical knife to me is a knife that is designed to work exclusively for fighting.
Like a Spyderco Civilian.
But, thats just me.
If you want to get technical, a spoon can be tactical if used for fighting....

[MTHall720]

Good comment. I used to think tactical was only fighting but I really like the expanded definition the author of the book I was reading used to include anything you feel is up to harder use for just about anything.

[singularity35]

A tactical knife to me is a knife that is designed to work exclusively for fighting.
Like a Spyderco Civilian.
But, thats just me.
If you want to get technical, a spoon can be tactical if used for fighting....

Hhhhhmm interesting....

[res1cue]

A tactical knife is one that has a 20% markup because it is tactical

Singularity, I actually have that on my desk right now!!! Never opened it though, it was a gag gift from a coworker.

They did a good job on my AR, I am sure they did a good job with bacon too.

[13aphomet]

My definition of a tactical folder is something that could be used for fighting.. and that you would want for fighting if you HAD to..
Like bladeboss said, anything could be used.. but would you want to?.. say SOG flash1.. NOPE, would rather have a butter knife.. lol. But yea, a tactical generally, for me, has some good reach and a decent traction system, also, feels fast in ur hand.. some examples:
-Spyderco Military
-Zero Tolerance 0300 series
-Zero Tolerance 0560
-Strider SMF
-Emerson anything.. lol

Though I don't own a Strider or Emerson yet, I'm sure they fit the bill.

[Shorttime]

Don't listen to me. Listen to the people who actually use their knives when it counts.

[Tsujigiri]

I know Michael Janich defines a tactical folder as one that has a lock, a pocket clip, and one-handed opening. That definition works for me, since it distinguishes the knife from traditionals. As for what knives are more "tactical" than others within the subset of modern folders, all that is mostly BS, so I don't really concern myself with quantifying the "tacticalness" of a knife.

[singularity35]

A tactical knife is one that has a 20% markup because it is tactical

Singularity, I actually have that on my desk right now!!! Never opened it though, it was a gag gift from a coworker.

They did a good job on my AR, I am sure they did a good job with bacon too.

Hehehe nice!

[viper89]

A tactical knife is one that has a 20% markup because it is tactical.

So very true...

[Fat Goat Forge]

I actually think a real tactical knife's primary purpose is every day tasks a soldier might need to do in the field. Breaking open ammo crates, digging, probing for IED's, and the many other hard use tasks that occur daily in the field. Its seconday role would be hand to hand combat in the unlikely event that ammo runs out. When I was in the army I carried a Randall Model 14 attack that I never used to defend myself with but burned up using it as a "Sharpened Pry Bar". I also had a Gerber Mark II that was a much better "fighting" knife but saw little use are it was too fragile in the field for daily tasks IMO.

I think those that are deployed to actual tactical environments choose very different blades than armchair commandos. Huge market selling knives to the mall ninja's so I don't blame anybody from making blades for that market. I just don't consider those products true tactical knives.

[RetiredGuns]

Tactical knife is whatever I carried my 20 years, 1 month and 8 days in the Corps whether it was a Leatherman, KBAR, TACII, slippie..

[Edwood7]

I carry knives as weapons first tools second at times, I don't know if that makes them tactical, just specific in its intended use. I usually don't use my main weapon knife for anything other that what it's meant for, My Emerson Persian fits this roll. That's why I carry a multitool.

And field knife to me is something that is a balance between tool and weapon. My Winkler belt knife fits this discription perfectly.

[Esav Benyamin]

I actually think a real tactical knife's primary purpose is every day tasks a soldier might need to do in the field. Breaking open ammo crates, digging, probing for IED's, and the many other hard use tasks that occur daily in the field. Its seconday role would be hand to hand combat in the unlikely event that ammo runs out. When I was in the army I carried a Randall Model 14 attack that I never used to defend myself with but burned up using it as a "Sharpened Pry Bar". I also had a Gerber Mark II that was a much better "fighting" knife but saw little use are it was too fragile in the field for daily tasks IMO.

I think those that are deployed to actual tactical environments choose very different blades than armchair commandos. Huge market selling knives to the mall ninja's so I don't blame anybody from making blades for that market. I just don't consider those products true tactical knives.

Tactical knife is whatever I carried my 20 years, 1 month and 8 days in the Corps whether it was a Leatherman, KBAR, TACII, slippie..

As the Romans said, Crede experto: believe the expert.

Would anyone here disagree that the Marine's Ka-Bar is a tactical knife? It was developed from a Marbles hunting knife, an outdoorsman's tool. That's what a soldier in the field needs. A tactical knife is a knife for a tactical environment.

[hardheart]

I know Michael Janich defines a tactical folder as one that has a lock, a pocket clip, and one-handed opening. That definition works for me, since it distinguishes the knife from traditionals. As for what knives are more "tactical" than others within the subset of modern folders, all that is mostly BS, so I don't really concern myself with quantifying the "tacticalness" of a knife.

I always followed this line as well. I think the term 'tactical knife' is strictly for folders, and is really just a marketing term. To me it is a folder that can be employed quickly. Sure, there are William Henrys and such that have the features but certainly wouldn't be confused with a fighting tool by reasonable thinkers, but the ease of access is the main factor. Instead of just saying that these are working tools that are useful with one hand occupied or from less than deal positions to reach into a pocket, the marketing went with TACTICAL.

A can of black Krylon could make just about any sheath knife a 'tactical' one. The military Moras, the aforementioned Marbles Ideal modded into the Kabar, the Bowie fighting knife modeled after butcher blades, etc. show that a strong fixed blade is a strong fixed blade - and that is all a fighting man needs. Chopping, fighting, prying, whatever, it is work that needs to be done, so working tools get it done.

[USAFSP]

I don’t think a knife can be tactical... A person can use tactics lol... But I hate the term. However I think if you want a definition of a “Tactical Knife” I would say it’s a knife with an overbuilt lock, is easy to open with gloved hands and is very simple to clean and maintain in the field. A knife that is built to be able to open fast one handed (if a folder) and can be closed equally as fast and safely under stress. The edge should be able to slice through heavy materials and not chip up so heat treat should be designed around impact resistance over hardness. As far as the fighting aspect? Troops fight with rifles and sometimes pistols. VERY RARELY does a guy find himself having to fight with a knife anymore. Due to this I think any strong, one handed folder or fixed blade of sufficient blade length can be used but I think there is a difference between a “Tactical” knife and a “Fighting” knife. I think of tactical as being heavy utility for a combat zone or for the rigours that a police officer may encounter on the job. I don’t think of it as a weapon at all.

[singularity35]

Hmmm maybe any tactical equipment can be defined as tools that you use to implement your tactics. Might be opening MRE's while on watch or slashing tires on a target's vehicle. But what do I know, I'm just a mall ninja after all.

[SidC]

I think the best way to define a "tactical knife" is to say: "you know it when you see it".

I couldn't have put it better myself.

[WindyCityKali]

A "tactical knife" is something made to a little bit better standards than your average knife. Now, that's just my opinion and probably a lot of people will disagree. But the reasoning behind it is because it's more important that it doesn't fail because it's being carried into possibly life-threatening situations.

It might be called upon to cut lots of stuff. Perhaps people, but perhaps it's really important to get thru this screen door. Or into this box. Or to cut a shoe lace that's hung up on something.

A guy in that situation isn't going to have three knives on him. He might have one, or maybe two. But it's really important that when he goes for that folder or fixed that it's going to do as advertised. So that tactical knife should be made of good materials. Sheath or pocket clip should be stout. Hold a good edge, but easy to resharpen. Good ergos for a couple of different hand positions. It should look and feel a little over-built. A little over-engineered. Because if that knife fails, it's a bigger deal than if the beater fails when trimming tomato stakes.

[miller bros blades]

to me tactical is less about looks, and more about function. something that is "tactical" should be made from the best possible materials available, and be worth it's weight strapped to my pack to serve any possible function that I put it to within reason. example my knife should not snap in half when i chop a stick, and my flashlight should not nut out if I drop it in a puddle. tactical means ready when I am. I know that you can't buy a 1/4 of the things marketed as tactical. I believe that someone looking for something truly tactical will know the difference.