desiderata for "tactical" folder.

a well designed tip up with proper detent is no more likely to open up in your pocket than a tip down, i carry tip ups (emersons and a spyderco ti ATR) almost exclusively and have never ever had a problem.

FWIW the only 2 i have had do that were tip down.
 
A coated blade is usually there because it costs the manufacturer more to put a satin finish on a blade.

I don't think it has any benefits to the average user, unless rust is a real problem. If you're in the military, where going 'tactical' is a very real necessity, then I imagine it would be a tangible benefit.

Tip up or down is personal preference methinks. I find tip up to be more natural, but there are others much more knowledgeable than me who say tip down is better when using the knife in self defence.

Flippers are unnecessary IMO. A properly made knife with a spyder hole or thumb stud will open plenty fast enough.

Ultimately though, a folder is not the best choice for SD. A fixed blade is the way to go. Stronger, simpler, can be presented faster.
 
Many if not most folders carry at least the pretense of being useful for SD, both for buyer and seller. While it is not an everyday occurance, it is'nt unheard ofl for someone to use a knife to ward off criminal attack. If nothing else it is interesting. If we really thought of knives as strictly tools there woud be no bladeforums. I doubt that there are 'hammer forums' or 'screwdriver forums.'

Regarding black blades, it appears popular to dis them, but there is a reason that most weapons used by LE, whether pistols or batons, are made black. Black does not draw the eye, which is always an advantage with regard to element of surprise. And having a black blade does not hurt in any way, at least in terms of function. If you don't like how a black blade looks, don't buy a black blade.

Regarding flippers, I still haven't had anyone explain to me why so many people think that a finger guard is needed on a fixed blade but not a folder. I don't use flippers for opening. I look at it like a seat belt. Sure, you can drive your whole life thru and never need a belt, but you still wear one just in case. Likewise for a guard.
 
on a SD knife flippers arent a must if the knife handle is designed like it should be with a deep finger choil like emerson and some others, pat crawford kaspers too, if they are made like that the chances of slipping are very small, now if the handle is straight with no finger grooves or anything i suppose the flippers would help, but a good handle is gonna work a lot better in that regard than anything but really big flippers which are gonna be funky anyway.

i suppose they help with opening, but again, if ya have a disc or hole which is easy to get to they arent a must have item imho, ya can open the things just as fdast with practice which ya need to do anyway on a SD folder.

as far as folders vs fixed sure a fixed is better for SD but a folder is a lot easier to live with and with the locks today the chance of lock failure is so low i dont worry about it, of course i mostly pack a knife for utility but its also for SD should the need arise and i dont feel handicapped by a folder in any way shape or form vs a FB.
 
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