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Best Tactical Folder?

NFL-Blade

NFL-Blade

Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
259
I am in the market for a new tactical knife. What are your opinions on the best tactical folder for around $200? Feel free to post pictures!
 
The knife in your hand is the best one.

$200, you are limited to production knives, which are good enough. Get a Benchmade AFCK, you won't be disappointed.
 
To actually answer the question instead of being snarky, I would say some variety of knife with an Emerson wave feature and a long blade, strong tip, and ability to make effective stabbing and slashing motions.

So, obviously, Emersons, and also the Endura Wave, Cold Steel Rajah / Spartan / AK47 / Espada LG, and the Southern Grind Bad Monkey.

ZT and Kershaw have Emerson collaborations coming out later this year as well.

TBH, though, to explain my first response, a knife is a godawful self defense tool unless you have training. In the heat of the moment (stomp stomp clap) your adrenaline will turn any kind of complicated self defense tool into a waster of precious reaction time. A gun is point and click. A knife needs to be opened fully into a locked position and then you have to know how to effectively wield it. Really, a good tactical knife is going to be a fixed blade at least 5" or so long. You want reach more than anything else.

I know you didn't ask for our opinions on "tactical" knives, but too bad.
 
Spyderco P'Kal. It has the advantage of having a trainer version so you can keep yourself proficient.

Another option is the ZT 750 but it's not waved so you'll need to mod it yourself (or send it to Charlie_Mike)
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I know a gun is by far the fastest and most efficient way of getting yourself out of a dangerous situation but I am just interested in knives. Also Cereal_killer, I am considering getting P'Kal.
 
Whatever you get make sure you get some real training with it, otherwise your going to do more harm than good (to yourself) in a real defensive situation.

And remember situational awareness trumps all gear/training in a real L&D situation.
 
I have my Benchmade 710 wave'd to work as a decent SD tool. Functions perfect, opens 100% reliably when drawing it from the LRP into an underhand grip.



 
  1. What's your minimum and maximum blade length?
  2. Plain edge?
  3. Black or satin or stonewashed or blackwashed?
  4. Steel preferences?
  5. Need a thick blade?
 
1)Blade length preferably between 3" to 4.5"
2) Plain edge only
3) I like black or blackwashed blades in a tactical knife
4) 154cm, s30v, or maybe D2
5) A thick blade isn't necessary
 
NBTpro said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I know a gun is by far the fastest and most efficient way of getting yourself out of a dangerous situation but I am just interested in knives. Also Cereal_killer, I am considering getting P'Kal.
Click to expand...

As for a SD folder, any sharp and/or pointy one hand opener will do. A dedicated SD folder like the Pkal is pretty much worthless for anything else than SD, so that means you will need to tote around another knife for the 999999/1000000 knife things you do that dont involve sticking somebody.

So, I suggest a Spyderco Delica. You can actually cut things with it and, in the incredibly unlikely event that you need to (and have a chance to) use it for SD, it will work fine.
 
NBTpro said:
It has nothing to do with the performance of the knife, it is just preference
Click to expand...

Liking the way your knife looks certainly is important during a gory, blood soaked battle for your life! :D

Seriously, the mre you tell us about what you are looking for, the more we can help. Are you looking for a dedicated, purpose built SD knife, or an EDC that could be used in an SD situatiion?

Things like blade finish and blade steel really dont matter when you are using a knife to defend yourself.
 
marcinek said:
Seriously, the mre you tell us about what you are looking for, the more we can help. Are you looking for a dedicated, purpose built SD knife, or an EDC that could be used in an SD situatiion?
Click to expand...

Usage, preferences and even local laws are key. For instance, some don't like wide folders, some cannot carry with blade lengths longer than 3 inches or automatics. For some the locking mechanism is a deal-breaker as is handle material.
 
I am probably leaning toward an EDC/Tactical knife. I doubt I will find myself in very many "crucial" situations, but I always want to be prepared. I had a delica once and it was a GREAT EDC, but I am just looking for something a little faster and tougher. Please give me any opinions on what your definition of tactical is. Thanks
 
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