Custom Tactical Folders?

Tactical or not, that's a stunning piece!

misterjuiceman said:
I found it, or something similar. It was one of commodorewheeler's.
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Les Robertson said:
Hi KBS,

Im going to guess you don't understand much about marketing and publishing. The reason that photo was chosen was for 2 reasons.

1) the publisher picked it.

2) They liked the way it took you through three iterations of the same knife. Starting with the basic knife and going to the Damascus version.

BTW, my reference to this book had nothing to do with the cover or page 13. It had to do with page 4. Where Bob Terzuola thanked myself and Bob Neal for "defining" what a tactical knife is.

Which page in Bob's book would I find reference to you or anything you have ever said or thought about tactical knives? Feel free to include any other book(s) or Magazine(s) articles you have authored or were interviewed for your opinion on what a tactical knife is. Perhaps we can discuss this during the judging of the tactical knife category at Blade next year. Oh that's right you won't be judging. Surely that is just an oversight...given your extensive knowledge of the subject.

BTW, I never claimed ownership to the marketing term...I just pointed out that the word tactical does have inherent parameters. As such the word has become part of the lexicon of custom knives.

Any particular reason that every other style of knife with a Damascus blade and/or natural handle materials are called Damascus knives or presentation knives. That when these materials are added to a base tactical folder....you and others do not call them Damascus or Presentation or Art knives?

I would think when you upgrade a base knife...you would also want to upgrade the category the knife would now be a part of. Especially when showing the knife to outside the custom knife community.

You guys keep trying to put a square peg into a round hole.

You might want to read my article on the cycles of custom knives in the upcoming Knives Illustrated Buying Guide.
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presentation knife?

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My three Cobras are Boguszewski tactical nirvana! Plain stag, Timascus Saber Grind #5 and Amber stag #7!

>>> To add to the controversy... I would categorize these as Tactical Art Knives! (Doubt any soldier would carry most of the knives in this thread into combat!)

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I hate to get involved in the drama of most threads, but something Les said earlier has vexed me. So much so that I can't keep my mouth shut, though I'm sure that I should and will in fact regret ever getting involved. But...

I do, in a sense, find "tactical" to be a marketing term, when employed by a reseller or someone involved in the marketing of a knife, but from a knife making standpoint I find it to be a term used by the maker to describe intended function. In fact, of all the other categories Les has mentioned, "tactical" is the only one that does not describe the appearance of something by definition. Any essentially "tactical" knife, a Strider SMF for example, can be taken by the maker and dressed up with various materials and finishes to produce a more visually appealing and perhaps higher performance version of the same exact initial design. I do not feel that that would change the originally intended intrinsic function of the knife. "A rose by any other name is still a rose" comes to mind. I really would not call the Sebenza a "tactical" folder, but according to your definition...

And secondly, why is it that an "art" folder, by previously stated definition, can not utilize synthetics or matte finishes in its construction and design? That's akin to comparing Salvator Dali to Jackson Pollock. Because there is no true subject matter, does that mean that Jackson Pollock's work is any less "art" than Dali's? Of course the answer to that is entirely subjective, much like the term "art" itself.

Alas, I digress. Back to the scheduled programming. And speaking of Strider...

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Hey, if I didn't know any better, I'd say those might be art folders!
 
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I do, in a sense, find "tactical" to be a marketing term, when employed by a reseller or someone involved in the marketing of a knife, but from a knife making standpoint I find it to be a term used by the maker to describe intended function.
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I agree, and while I'm a simple peon - I took Les's "catagories" only to apply if the knife is being judged in a competition that honors the rules as agreed to by the sanctioning body.

There isn't an over-arching knife "ruling" body that has any universally accepted authority. The one with the ultimate decision on what their knife "is", is the maker. If a maker chooses to call his knife tactical, Les Robertson (or anyone) isn't really in a position to tell them that they're wrong (unles it's in a competition that he/they are running). All that Les can say is that (in his opinion, and that of his org) it's not a tactical knife according to THEIR definition. If a maker chooses not to compete or participate in the judging body's standards, they do not apply - bottom line.
It's rather like a car manufacturer. When Dodge made the new 4-door charger, many people said "HEY, that's NOT a charger!". Many car clubs and shows won't allow it in competition. That doesn't mean anything though in the grand scheme of things, and that's because the title says Charger - and the manufacturer says it's a Charger (so it IS a Charger).

I suppose "tactical" is a marketing term. One CANNOT also disreguard that its also used as a DESCRIPTION of the USE of the knife. IE - Unless you also say that "hunting", "art", "presentation", "carving", "cooking" et. cet. are ALSO simply marketing terms, that's more then a bit of a misnomer. I get (and agree) that it is often USED as a marketing scheme - but that's not ALL it is.
 
Toxie,

Again not sure why people have such a problem with this. Tactical is a "Marketing Term" in order to become that parameters and definitions have to be established.

If the knife has a Damascus blade...it is a Damascus folder. If it has natural handle material and satin or mirror finished blade the knife is considered a Presentation folder. Lots of engraving or gold inlay, Ivory, etc. It can be considered an art knife. Note, with the exception of the Tactical knife. These categories were established back in the 70's.

As for the category of "Tactical"...it is a term that was coined to both use in marketing and as part of the lexicon of custom knives. Yes that is all it is. Initially when these knives came on the scene they all looked like a Sebenza and they were referred to a "Gray Turds". Probably not the greatest marketing term

Personally I think the biggest issue with my definition of a Tactical folder is that some people find it too limiting. Including makers, collectors and dealers. The reason is driven purely by the knives ability to be re-sold in the aftermarket. Whether it is the knife world, gear world or gun world everything is not tactical. Sellers understand if that word is not in the description many potential buyers will just skip that item and move to the next. Example a .45 with engraved slide and Ivory scales (If compared with many of the knives in this thread) would not be viewed by firearms buyers as a "Tactical" firearm. It would generally be made as a limited edition and few of the collectors would actually take it out and shoot it. Compared to .45 that had a satin finish frame, coated frame, bead blast frame and synthetic grips. Take gear for instance. Most if not all tactical vests (which hold several pistol magazines and AR-15 mags, maybe a holster or hydration source) are all made out of some type of ballistic nylon. Just as there are shooting vests made out of leather. Generally these are more associated with the hunter or the guy shooting trap with the over/under shotgun either at the gun club or walking the field with their dog(s) hunting pheasant or Quail. Both are vests but the are marketed too two different type of end user.

I didn't coin the marketing term Tactical. But I was around before there was this type of knife was ever built. So you may think that no one can tell someone else what and what is not a tactical knife. I would submit to you that to ignore all the different categories that are out and to try and force feed your folder with a Damascus blade, Moki-Ti bolster and Stag scales, is a more grievous offense. As you are trying to portray your knife as something it is not....then telling people they don't know what they are talking about....because you say so. A little hypocritical don't you think?
 
We should work on defining what constitutes a Tactical Knife. Here are my suggestions for some possible defining criteria...

Nothing overly reflective
Capable of some standard of hard use in the field. (piercing, prying, cutting)
Minimum size blade (3" or more?)
???
 
Hi Jakester,

The term "Tactical" with regards to knives was defined in 1995. The definition is a very general one. This was done to include as many styles of knives as possible. I think what may be most humorous (at least to me) it really wasn't till they hybrid models started to get popular over the last couple years that for about 15 years no one had an issue with the original definition of this marketing term. :D
 
I've got a question about the term "tactical" since I've been browsing through this thread. Wouldn't that be defined by the customer? And by customer I'm referring to an informed client. For example, if the U.S. Military went to company X to contract them for knife manufacturing, and the military said 'this is how we define tactical'. The definition could include a variety of descriptions: subdued finish, compactness, concealable, etc. But doesn't that mean that the term can be considered fluid and changing based on perspective? On the other hand, the customer could be just some uninformed noob with only a vague idea of what defines "tactical" and he/she is looking to purchase something "cool." Just curious.
 
Hi Bear,

As a former Infantry Officer in the 101st Airborne (and user of tactical knives...although they weren't called that then...because the term wasn't coined until 1995). BTW, for the most part the military is not real big on knives. Most enlisted people cannot have a knife till they make E-5.

The situation nor the definition is not fluid...as it is a MARKETING Term. The term is merely used to define a look and that is it. Non reflective metal and synthetic handle material (If used). Calling something tactical gives it no extra powers or implies such. The knife is the knife. You can take the same knife and finish it 3 different ways. Bead blasted with black G-10 (Tactical)....Satin finish with Stag scales (Presentation)....Mirror finish, engraved guard, Ivory scales (Art)....Damascus blade, bolster and Ivory (Damascus).

You could build the exact same knife...make the changes listed above and enter that knife in any custom knife judging (in the correct category) and the knife would be accepted.

Yes...it really is that simple.
 
I thought this was a picture thread, not a soapbox thread for someone to spout off his credentials. Start another thread about your amazing grasp of blade show rules and let us enjoy the pictures of knives, tactical and otherwise. This thread is best viewed with you on ignore.
 
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