Advice for tactical knife

S

Sirethar

Joined
Sep 2, 2017
Messages
5
Hello!
I am looking for a very nice tactical knife.
My thoughts are about:
cold steel leatherneck Sf (D2 steel version)
Ontario freedom fighter

What i don't like in cold steel one is the handle with that huge "cold steel" logo.
Please consider that here in italy the price is very similar between the two knives....and steel wise isn't cold steel D2 better?

About the famous ka-bar USMC...here is very expensive (same price of the above...80-90 euro) and i have a ka-bar copy clone i have bought 15 years ago.
Of course if there are other fighting knives i didn't consider feel free to suggest! I just like plain edge and pommell buttcap.

About intended use for that fighting knife: i would keep it mainly at home or for light outdoor tasks. NO batoning etc....
For real outdoor camping tasks i already have a becker crewman bk-10.
Thanks
 
Mixed messages. You said a pure fighter then listed outdoor chores. If u want a multipurpose utility/tactical (my favorite style) I would look at 7 inch ish clip points or sharp drop points. You might want something slightly pokeyer than the bk10. For example the bk7, bark river bravo 1.5, tops Tex creek xl, Ontario pec plus, etc. you also have the option of a kukri style blade (been used for both utility and combat for years).

If you wanted a pure fighter it would be different, think double edged long thin blade or recurve serrated designs... stabby or slashy. But realistically those are useful about 0% of actual life, but cool tho.
 
Oh yeah and my only prob w/ traditional combat knives, ka-bar usmc, etc. is the circular handle. I do not believe that assists in either utility or combat related work. (Knife spins on you, weapon retention, gloved hands, etc.).
 
To begin with, lets forget the word tactical; it's a meaningless marketing term. The same could be said of Fighter knife, there are a lot of models but few real fights and the vast majority of knife assaults occur with standard kitchen knives; which makes sense since they are made for processing food (meats) rather than wood and most people are made of meat (with the possible exception of some "block heads" and "dead wood" :) ). It sounds like you are looking for a reliable, medium size, outdoor fixed blade. Something about the size of a kabar MKII, primarily for outdoor use.

There are a wide variety of knives available in that range. So consider weight and let us know if you want something that is lighter or heavier than your kabar. You said that you were not worried about batoning which would suggest a lighter knife.

Next we should ask how much you would like to spend. You could find a very good Mora for well under $50.

n2s
 
Haha. I love mora's too (own several) but I think you missed the mark on this one. They are awesome outdoors knives and best bang for your buck for sure. But they are not the answer for everything and I don't think it is what the op was asking for.

Yes "tactical" and "fighters" are overused terms and used mostly for marketing. But they do exist and do satisfy a need. Though it would not be my first, second, or third recommendation for home defense, tactical units (military and swat teams) have been using edged weapons for years and it will never stop. The U.S. Army Combatives manual still has a whole chapter on it (chapter 7, Angles of attack, bayonets, knife, etc.) and other countries emphasize it even more. Whether for stealth to contact, weapon retention, extreme cqb, last ditch out of ammo, or improvising a weapon you can't argue the history and use of edged weapons.

A mora could work but respectfully I believe there are better options for the op. We def need more info from him though. Tough to answer a question with so little to go on.
 
OP: as somebody else said, it would help us to give you ideas if you add some information about what you're looking for. Like the following:

1. What is your maximum budget in US dollars? (It'll save us yanks here having to do currency conversions to help you :) ).
2. What are the most common 3 to 5 tasks that you will use the knife for? Is it entirely defensive use?
3. Any other constraints, for example, you want a super tough blade, you do/don't want stainless steel, you don't want it to weigh more than X ounces, you want certain attributes in the handle?

Edited to add: from the 2 example knives you listed, I assume your requirements are a "tough" non-stainless steel (your 2 examples have D2 and 1095 carbon steel). And you want something in the 6" to 8" range. For that, I'd suggest you also look at the Schrade knives, they have many large fixed blades that have similar designs to what you want, are well made, cost less than the Kabar, and have better handles and better nylon sheaths than the Kabar you mentioned. Here's one example that I acquired fairly recently, a 7" blade and I'm linking you to the one with a micarta handle, you'd like this better than that Kabar you mentioned:

https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?usrsearch=schrade&a=fixed&s=1

And for a slightly more "combat" style knife with a clip point, another Schrade, also with a better micarta handle, better sheath, and in your price range. The thing to note on this one is it's a Chinese "mystery" steel, not carbon steel like the other Schrade I linked.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SC...lack-plain-blade-micarta-handles-nylon-sheath
 
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Thank you all for the answers.
I think i forgot to explain a few things...
When i said "tactical" i've meant the "nice combat knife looking".
For outdoor hard work, i use my bk-10 and together a small multitool with saw, little knife, etc...

Since i can't live with a knife "for display only", i would sometimes use it, but just for easy stuff like cutting a few branches, a rope, etc..
But of course i prefer a strong construction in any case, and here is what i like in cold steel leatherneck.

About steel, to be honest, i don't care much if stainless or not. But since it is a combat knife, i would like a razor sharp edge.
As price range, let's say 100-150$.
 
In that price range, living in Europe, I would take a serious look at Gollik knives. He is a custom maker over there. Worth taking to, makes great knives!
Another might be Cold steel SRK. The VG1 is a good steel for hard use, and stainless. Don't know if Lionsteel knives are cheaper there, but those are great knives. KA-Bar like you mentioned would be a good knife. Buck fixed blades are really nice too, great for the money.
 
That helps, your $150 budget opens up a lot more options. Also I get more what you're after: essentially a large-bladed combat knife that's DESIGNED as a combat knife and looks the part. So I will assume these specs: 6" to 8" blade (which is typical for combat knives), and either a bowie/clip point style, or a tanto style.

I still think the second Schrade I linked above is a great "budget" option, that is a high-value blade for the $$ and looks the part of a combat knife.

Others:
 
For a bit over $150. I would say SOG Super Bowie.

For something smaller and cheaper CS SMIII SRK.

I really like the early CS Oyabun for its great "feel" and especially its plastic-reinforced leather sheath (thin leather folded and stitched on both sides of each plastic face: Quite unique!), but it is discontinued. I generally would not recommend Tantos for fighters, but with a slim design they are attractive if the point is raked sharply enough.

CS Recon Scout on the bigger side: That would meet better wood cutting functions (as does the similar sized Super Bowie)... Ontario SP-10 is also a true fighter with utility, but despite the great acute point the edge geometry might need serious work.

G.
 
Nice! Ontario Sp10 has a very cool evil looking!
I wonder if the blade part isn't a bit oversize when compared with handle tang and size.
I think i prefer a cross hilt. Butt cap is not really necessary, but i like the concept idea.

Btw, i also have an ontario machete for my quick gardening jobs. I love it.
 
What about ka-bar big brother? Is it sturdy abd though as it looks?
Does it have a full tang or narrowing tang like the ka-bar 1211?
 
Maybe a Buck 124, 119, or 120 (in that order). Relatively inexpensive, and have all stood the test of time.
 
What is a "tactical knife"? Not a combat knife, but a tactical knife. I believe it is nothing more than a marketing gimmic.
 
Personally I’d go with a bravo 1.5 but if it was between the two knives listed I’d go with the cold steel leatherneck but you might also want to consider the cold steel srk in 3v
 
Maximus mentioned the Recon Tanto. That's a decent price for the VG-1 model going on now.

I had one, and was really skeptical as to how much outdoor usage a "small samurai sword" would get.

Turns out it was really useful... tough, sharp, good length, strong tip, good sheath... I beat the hell out of it and had a lot of fun with it.
 
Sirethar said:
i would like a razor sharp edge.
Click to expand...
What do you have for sharpening your knives?
It doesn't matter how sharp or dull it is when it arrives. As soon as you use it, it is going to be duller than before.

A "razor sharp edge" (mostly) comes down to your sharpening ability and heat treat. Very little has to do with the alloy.
 
Man, for light outdoor tasks, how can you beat a Mora, or perhaps a Puukko of some sort? That said, Maximus recommended the CS Recon, though I'd suggest the clip point. They make good stuff, and XHP is definitely tough according to my Ultimate Hunter. Yeah, their labeling is a bit garish...

That's what I do, a folder in my pocket for the light tasks, and a fixed 6" for heavier, but not axe-demanding, stuff. Lately I've been breaking down wood before I even go camping, so batoning is almost out of the question. So, even that 6" will probably go bye-bye soon.
 
I am not sure what a tactical knife or fighter blade is nor how to use either. But just go with my gut feeling, you will probably like Charlie Mike's Indoor Problem Solver.
 
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