Accepting New Terminology: The "Tactical Folder"

The Government

The Government

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This thread is being created for the discussion of the term "tactical folder" as it is being applied by a large number of modern knife enthusiasts. The term itself is distinct in its meaning to many of those who use it, yet there are still others who do not accept it as a useful written and oral tool for knife-nut terminology. It would be nice if we could all come together and finally agree that the term "tactical folder" has become worthy of meaning something and then agree to a distinct definition.

I dont believe there is anything inherently wrong with creating a solid definition for the term "tactical folder" since it is used so frequently with what I consider a commonly understood meaning.*** The definition will be useful for describing knives with similar attributes -knives that fall under the same philosophy of use, and therefore have similar design and construction features as well.

I understand that there are many people who are "insulted" or "disgusted" with this new evolving terminology, but seriously, there is no harm here. It is something new. It is something to go into the knife-nut dictionary, so don't expect to find it in Webster's and don't use webster's to disqualify it. There are plenty of "niche dictionaries" which have their own terminology and definitions, such as medical and scientific dictionaries -we should have our own.

***Understanding the common meaning is where we have to figure things out. This is where I would really like input from everyone.

At its root, I think that most people understand a "tactical folder" to be a knife with a pocket clip and a one hand opening capability (thumb stud, thumb hole, thumb disk, flipper, wave, bali-song, automatic, et cetera). The overall idea is to operate as efficiently as possible.

From there, I think we have two "branches of thought" where we see a split in the term "tactical folder." One branch emphasizes non-violent utility functions and the other emphasizes fighting and self defense functions. There are also many who would demand a "tactical folder" to be proficient at both self defense and utility functions.

Non-violent functions could range from letter opening, to seat belt cutting, to prying, and even batoning. This is where we could make the distinction between "light duty tactical folders" and "heavy duty tactical folders." Here you will see both delicate and overbuilt knives.

Self defense and fighting is where you will see tantos, karambits, and other conventional shapes as well. Here you will mostly see "overbuilt" knives.

Can we at least accept this term for its most "rooted" definition? -A knife having a pocket clip and a one hand opening capability with an emphasis on efficiency in carry and in use. :confused:


Thanks for reading, :)

what do you guys think?


PS- Even if you are disgusted by the modern knife designs which are referred to as "tactical folders," it doesn't mean there shouldn't be a commonly accepted name for them, right?
 
Some tactical folders...Imo the two on the left are the REAL tactical folders.

 
The Government said:
It would be nice if we could all come together and finally agree that the term "tactical folder" has become worthy of meaning something and then agree to a distinct definition.
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At this time its so broadly used I think it will be an uphill battle.
For one thing the "tactical" is added many times as a marketing tool.

Plus it would be fairly hard to reach a concensus on what TACTICAL by itself means. When you add the term to a folder it just gets harder.


Can we at least accept this term for its most "rooted" definition? -A[ knife having a pocket clip and a one hand opening capability with an emphasis on efficiency in carry and in use. :confused:
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Maybe I'm not understaning correctly, but I don't think either makes a folder tactical.
For example, my Mcusta's have pocket clips and one-hand capability and I would not tend to label them tactical.

I would agree that a tactical folder (whatever that is) would have one-hand opening capability.
 
I use tactical folder just to describe a folder that is heavily built and capable of some more serious tasks than cutting fruit or opening packages.etc. Something that can be used to pry,chop,stab and whatever else within reason that other more fragile folders would be broken doing. I guess it's not really "tactical" but I guess that word just kind of sticks.
 
I believe TACTICAL was introduced as slang not for tactics but more for tactile reasons. Tact-ical. Knives that only require one hand are very tactile oriented.
 
Tactile makes sense. Tactical is more a marketing thing, something to justify the design to the end user. Knives are versatile and really only need to be defined light duty or heavy duty for warranty issues, everything else is trivial, anything that can cut can be a utility knife, and anything can be a weapon. At least that is what I think.
 
Alann45 said:
Maybe I'm not understaning correctly, but I don't think either makes a folder tactical.
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I think this is why it is so confusing...

We are not calling a folder "tactical."

We are using a new term that is disconnected from the original meaning of one of the words in it. The word tactical is very disconnected from the term "tactical folder." It is an altered state of the word, "tactical," which has been used for years by knife-nuts to describe a particular type of folder. Because it has been used consistently to mean something specific, it does not matter that it is not perfect. It has been used and repeated enough to have its own specific knife-nut related meaning.

"Tactical" in this case echos the modern knife user's preferences in folders for particular uses. Their choices in this case are a reflection of their "life-tactics," if you will.

That is basically how I understand the evolution of the term "tactical folder," as it is used in modern knifedom. :D
 
These days I tend to prefer calling them simply "modern" knives. The "modern" knife was invented (or at least, was made mainstream) when Spyderco made a knife that was easy to open one-handed and put a pocket clip on it so it was quickly and easily accessible. "Modern" knives are made with modern technology, materials, and construction. The opposite of "modern" would be "traditional", referring to old style slipjoints and lockbacks like a stockman or Buck 110.

"Tactical" is a marketing term. Blame Cold Steel.
 
I guess I've always seen tactical folder to mean a folding knife that's designed for self defense. Their are aspects that are useful for this: quick deploying, firm grip, ability to stab forcefully without the hand sliding up onto the blade, decent reach, etc etc. Sure you could make the argument that any knife could be used for self defense but that's true of alot of things. Both a war hammer and a claw hammer could bash your brains in both are hammers but the war hammer is designed to do it, that's what makes it a weapon and not a tool. I feel the same way about tactile knives they are weapons not tools.

TLDR: intention of design is what makes a tactile folder, it's designed as a weapon.
 
reskar said:
I guess I've always seen tactical folder to mean a folding knife that's designed for self defense. Their are aspects that are useful for this: quick deploying, firm grip, ability to stab forcefully without the hand sliding up onto the blade, decent reach, etc etc. Sure you could make the argument that any knife could be used for self defense but that's true of alot of things. Both a war hammer and a claw hammer could bash your brains in both are hammers but the war hammer is designed to do it, that's what makes it a weapon and not a tool. I feel the same way about tactile knives they are weapons not tools.

TLDR: intention of design is what makes a tactile folder, it's designed as a weapon.
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Good post, It can be looked at that way.
 
reskar said:
I guess I've always seen tactical folder to mean a folding knife that's designed for self defense. Their are aspects that are useful for this: quick deploying, firm grip, ability to stab forcefully without the hand sliding up onto the blade, decent reach, etc etc. Sure you could make the argument that any knife could be used for self defense but that's true of alot of things. Both a war hammer and a claw hammer could bash your brains in both are hammers but the war hammer is designed to do it, that's what makes it a weapon and not a tool. I feel the same way about tactile knives they are weapons not tools.

TLDR: intention of design is what makes a tactile folder, it's designed as a weapon.
Click to expand...

+1

The way I think of it, there is a 4 circle Venn diagram. In those categories are: Heavy duty, Light duty, Tactical (primarily self defence) and Traditional. From here I just go over the stats of the knife and put it in the right category, hasnt failed me yet.
 
Planterz said:
These days I tend to prefer calling them simply "modern" knives. The "modern" knife was invented (or at least, was made mainstream) when Spyderco made a knife that was easy to open one-handed and put a pocket clip on it so it was quickly and easily accessible. "Modern" knives are made with modern technology, materials, and construction. The opposite of "modern" would be "traditional", referring to old style slipjoints and lockbacks like a stockman or Buck 110.

"Tactical" is a marketing term. Blame Cold Steel.
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I think the term "modern folder" is a much better description as well.:thumbup:

However, the term tactical folder is still used by many people.

The problem is that whenever the term "tactical folder" is used it seems to derail a thread when it doesn't have to. I am pretty sure everyone knows what it generally means, but many refuse to accept the term's meaning or legitimacy.

I would just like to see a little more understanding among knife enthusiasts.

Whenever I reply to a thread that uses the term tactical folder, I usually say "modern folder" because it does make more sense as a term.

Maybe we can accept the term "tactical folder" at least as a common slang. Maybe people will eventually learn to call them by a better name, but for now we can at least all be understanding of what it does in fact seem to mean.
 
I cant wait for this nonsense to run its course. Its marketing plain and simple.

The emphasis on a knife built for fast deployment and combat is even more silly; especially after serving in the military.

My most used and carried knife in Iraq was a small Swiss Army knife... I guess its a tactical folder now ;)
 
My definition would be something along the lines of: One handed opening, strong lock, usually made with artifical materials (ie micarta and carbon fiber, no wood/horn), and that it's overall tough.

A swiss army knife or a leatherman, while often used in the desert, isn't the same thing. Since I never really plan to use a knife in self defense I see it more as a 'ready for anything' knife, from whittling wood to opening a box to helping build a shelter if I'm lost in the woods with out my big knife. Yes, you can do most of those things with a swiss army knife, but the smaller size, thinner blade, lack of a lock would make it more difficult.

I agree with Planterz that 'modern folder' is probably a more correct term. But tactical folder is so much of the language that I think it's stuck.
 
The term tactical is definitely overused. I always get the idea that it signifies a strong knife that is designed in such a way as to be deemed effective in knife fighting with other human beings. Correct or not, this understanding causes me to wince when a folder I like for its utility is labeled as tactical. Unfortunately, the very characteristics that make some knives excellent tools also make them effective weapons. I just do not like the label.
 
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