An appeal for more balance

U

Uncle Bill

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
434
As I look through the topics here I'm amazed by how much the forum seems dominated by an interest in one-hand opening "tactical" knives and the underlying implication that being prepared for self-defense is the primary reason for knife ownership. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but not much.

Anybody else agree? Anybody else think we need more talk here about other kinds of knives?

 
You have my vote. While I insist on one-hand opening, it's for utility, not defense. I don't buy knives as weapons.

Dave

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Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of More Knives
 
Considering that 99% of my cutting tasks are utility oriented (and I've yet to be attacked by a box), you won't get any arguments from me.

That being said, I'd rather have 1 knife that does both well, than 2+ that excell at their individual purpose.... remember, the best knife in the world is the one you actually have with you, not left at home.

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Uncle Bill, I love them all! It does seem that the trend right now is toward tactical type folders,but I for one will be glad to learn and talk about anything with a sharp edge (other than a mean woman's tongue)!<I can hear the flamethrowers firing up!>

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AKTI Member #A000934
"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional"


 
I agree,but those of us that aren't that turned on by tacticals don't post enough about other type knives. Maybe we should.
 
Personally, I would do everything possible, and then some, not to get in a knife fight.

They say "The winner dies the next day at the hospital".

I have some 7" subhilt fighters.

Think about it ...get invited to a knife fight, so take your fighter?...just happen to be carrying the fighter when the BG attacks?..."hold on a sec, let me get my fighter"...keep it by your bed for the burglar (the stooge undoubtedly has a pistol).

Tactical is just a genre, sturdier blades more useful, one hand opening a welcome innovation (remember practicing for weeks to get the Al Mar open with one hand?)

If there were even a remote possibility of my knives getting me into a knife fight I would give them up tomorrow.

-Michael

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Chefget's Knife Page
 
I think we should take the example of Patches Watson to heart. When he designed his folder for the MOD Masters of Defense series, he designed a utility knife saying that he considered blades to be primarily for work vs. defense. Any serious person carries a sidearm, or pocket gun for defensive purposes, and a knife for utility, and as a last resort back up. I realize that there are areas of the country that don't allow CCW, and that for those of you unfortunate enough to live in these areas a knife may be your only option, having said that 3" "tactical" folders might not be your best choice.
 
The good news is a knife can't "get you into a fight". It can sure as hell get you out of one, and if it's frightening enough odds are no parties will be so much as scratched. Been there, done that, skipped the shirt.

I have to admit, I'm probably one of the major offenders so far as having a "combat bias" goes. Guilty as charged. So far it seems like I'm real glad of that about once a decade or a bit over, so by that objective standard it doesn't seem like any sort of "lifestyle problem".

I guess part of it is that I have few problems pressing "fighters" into a utility role, including food prep. I did a lot of fishing as a kid but we never ever used fillet knives, we'd take any decent sturdy blade and hack Mr. Fishy's head off, gut it and then steak it or cook it whole. Growing up around small boats in too much ocean Pop always impressed on us the need to get to cutlery quickly in case a line got caught in a prop or some other weirdness happened. So add it up: the utility knives I grew up with were sturdy and needed fast access. Add in a later interest in the self-defense aspect and it was a natural transition.

So to me, using something like a subhilt fighter in the kitchen seems completely normal. The only piece I have that's just too "out there" for most utility is The Outsider and even *that* isn't unthinkable.

The border between peaceful use blade and fighter is, to me, non-existent. And I'll admit straight up, I *do* carry fighters.

Always.

Jim March
 
I was once told by someone with many long, hard road miles on him: "If it gets down to where you're fighting with a knife, somebody, somewhere has screwed up real bad".
But he was talking about military applications. I carry a knife, period. If any endeavour requires the wearing of pants, I will have a knife in the pocket or on the belt. Primarily for utility (99.9%)- and because I just have that wrinkle in my brain that makes me have a knife with me. But I am also aware of the "other" applications and am trying to educate myself thusly. It does burn my butt that non-knife folks ALWAYS think of the weapon potential of a knife first- to which I answer: "Well, to me it's a tool- perhaps I should be afraid of YOU".

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107
 
Most of the threads with defence overtones
usually end up going into the practical aspects of the knife in question . I enjoy reading it all even though I could not care less about knife fighting .I also don't care
for knives that can not be opened with one
hand because I always have something in the
other hand when I want to cut something.I
don't want to mention the words I have said
while putting something down to free a hand
to open a knife.
 
I too am guilty as charged. I love my "defensive" folders. However, I also love my growing collection of fixed hunting blades. The beauty of that is any knife worth it's salt at cutting up animals will work just great for defensive applications. Do I anticipate finding myself in a situation where my Dozier Pro Skinner will save my life? Nope. But IF such a situation ever does arise, I'd be confident that the Dozier could help. However, I'm up for any discussion about knives, whether tactical, hunting, folding, kitchen, pocket, neck, boot, throwing, whatever. It's a sickness, and I'm terminal!

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"I'm tired of going over this. They're INVESTMENTS!"
 
My interest lies mostly in one-handed-opening folding knives, but not because they're "tactical," or because they will get me out of trouble in a defensive situation. My reason is because it seems that 99% of the time that I need to cut something, I already have that something in hand. So, if I'm not carrying a one-handed-opening folding knife, I have to put down the object, pull out my knife, open it, pick up the object, cut it, put it back down, close the knife, put it back up, pick up the object, and carry on with my business.

I guess it's just easier to say "folding tactical knife" than "one-handed-opening folding knife." Tactical certainly is easier to type!!
smile.gif


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It's just a ****ing staple!
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
Uncle Bill,

I think your assessment of the situation is right on. Since I've started monitoring BF, I find myself buying more and more "tactical" style folders. Finally got hold of myself (well--almost), gave myself a shake, and simmered down a bit. Just bought a nice Marble Sport99 Loveless. Everytime I look at my growing Marble collection, my eyes kinda glaze over and images of old timey woodsmen roaming the vast northern wilderness dance in the brain. I'm gettin' kinda warm and fuzzy right now just thinking about those Marbles. I think the Woodcraft has a kind of tactical feel to it, doesn't it?
smile.gif




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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
The only way to counter one compulsive fad is to try and start another compulsive fad. The general tactical knife collecting and carrying fad is pretty innactive (outside of serious sparring circles). Why not heavily promote knife throwing in a manner akin to modern archery? Better yet, why not promote throwing knife hunting? Sure, it's not real practical, but it's a lot of fun and very challenging.

I remember many happy hours spent stalking rabbits with a malaysian throwing dagger. When you get one you never forget it.

 
I accept the tactical discussions as a part of the dialogue about knives.

Sometimes it grates on my nerves, but I recover, because in the end we are talking about funtion and form, how this tool will work.

Personally I believe it is possible to combine fighters and utility knives, look at the Moran.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.

My site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770 Including my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.


 
Most of my daily carry knives are of the one hand opening/tactical variety. I am a paramedic (definition of paramedic: individual that goes out in weather that would make a dog hide to take an earache to the ER. Love my job though.), and usually when I need to cut something, the other hand is holding a dressing on something that is leaking the Red Nasty. The "tactical" knives also have more sturdy construction, which comes into play in prying open cabinets,jamming doors open, and all the little challenges that we in the street run into. I like knowing that a knife is going to take some hard using and not fail by closing on my delicate lil cookie snatchers.

The tacticals are also a comfort when rolling on the "unknown medical" type of calls in the red light district. I have convinced most of my friends that carrying a decent knife isn't all that psychotic.

Later,Jeff


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Anybody seen the bactine, please?!?!?!?

 
We all love knives. We may have different types we favor. Different reason's for loving knives. Different funds for buying knives. Fact is though, we all love knives. I don't have a problem with anyone favoring shiny knives, or 3 blade stock man, or 5 feet swords. In fact, I like all them too. Why should you, or anyone else, have a problem my preferences toward "tactical knives"? And yes, I am convinced that you ( Uncle Bill) have a well documented problem with anyone liking tactical knives.

I don't condemn you for your preferences, don't condemn me for mine. Or in other words "live and let live"

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Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
If it's not a "tactical" folder clipped on my pocket, it's a Case XX Copperlock. A lot of times it is the copperlock. For general use, I think it does a fine job. As far as the popularity of "tacticals" go, I think it's pretty clear what the advantages are and I think that is why they are such a popular trend. From a utilitarian standpoint, I think the word "convenience" sums it up. From a 'combat' standpoint, I think the same applies. Also, there is an added intimidation factor. In reality, my copperlock would would go into a person as good as most any of my "tacticals" would. I've never bought a knife, that I remember, with defense in mind. Infact looks and feel takes priority in most cases.
 
I think a lot of us have to admit that there are some macho overtones to carrying one-handers. Any non-knife person would have a hard time taking us seriously when we say our knives are tools when we spend so much time talking about knife combat. That is why I always think we should stress confrontation avoidance as the first and best line of self defense. We should also stress from time to time the legal consequences of using a knife in a fight. I know people always say better judged by twelve than carried by six, but we should always stress that a knife is deadly force and we better be sure that any use of a knife is legally (and truly) justifiable.

 
And yes, I am convinced that you (Uncle Bill) have a well documented problem with anyone liking tactical knives.
Click to expand...

Blow on that a little and I think you'd have a flame.

Relax, Lynn.
 
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