Dumb Question: What is a "Tactical Knife"?

F

FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
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It isn't so dumb, really, more sarcastic, I think. I have, as my long-time favorite folder, a Terzuola/Spyderco StarMate, and before that, it was a Terzuola/Spyderco Clipit C-15 and its baby brother, the C-19. I suppose that all three of these knives could easily be classed as "Tactical Knives", since they are all designed by Bob Terzuola, famed for his semi-military and military designs as well as being "Hell for Strong" knives that can easily be used in military or paramilitary conditions. The same thing could also be said for my Keating/Spyderco Chinook, any of my REKAT knives, my CUDA MAXX 5.5, my Randall No. 1, and any of my various Bowie Knives that I have collected over the years, as well as the out-and-out military surplus knives from my younger days, up to and including a FallschirmJaegerMesser (WWII German Paratroop Knife). But, except for the military knives, the FallschirmJaegerMesser, and the Randall No. 1, none of my knives were ever acquired for their military capabilities, I am actually uncertain why I bought that FallschirmJaegerMesser, but I bought them all for good and valid reasons that had nothing to do with their military or paramilitary capabilities. I happen to truely like the aesthetics of Bob Terzuola's designs, they all have a graceful appeal to me that other knives frequently lack. Warren Osborne's BenchMade 940 and 770 knives have that same graceful appeal, and I have one of each. Heck, I even have a Gunting that I use as an EDC although not as much as I used to since the Li'l Temperance and the SALSA came out. You see, I work in Washington, DC, in a federal agency, and they are pretty strict about the 3" blade limit here.

In any case, I do not carry knives for their tactical capabilities, although I once was forced to the point of relying upon a Spydie Police for its intimidation effect. It worked, thank God, even though I was prepared to follow through if I had to do so. NB: DO NOT EVER COUNT ON THE INTIMIDATION FACTOR WORKING, BECAUSE IT WILL FAIL WHEN YOU DO COUNT ON IT, SURE AS HELL! I have not chosen a knife for its capabilities to inflict wounds and pain, nor would I ever do so. The Bowies that I have collected over the years are, like my swords, acquired for their historical or, shall we say legendary, appeal, since the actual design of James Bowie's knife or knives is in some doubt by many. In any case, I certainly do NOT consider any of my non-military knives to have a tactical nature to them and I am becoming tired of this fad of calling everything with a blade on it "Tactical."

Thank you for your patience, Hugh.
 
I noticed a lot of knives called tactical have physical detailing that prevent them from being considered for use as a weapon. It seems just the materials used give them a tactical look, but might not have the features that assist you in protecting yourself.
 
all SUVs trucks when many of them are based on car chasis. It's the image that's being marketed and sold. It doesn't have to be tough to sell, it just has to look tough. And for most of the people who buy the image that's enough.

Frank
 
"There are no tactical knives, only tactical minds"
Fred Perrin
 
What is a "tactical knife"? It's a marketing ploy.

To use the SUV example, watch any SUV ad on TV. You will notice that they usually feature these vehicles climbing mountains, fording streams, and blasting accross the tundra. All of these are things that the average SUV driver will never do, but they would like to think that they will, or give others the impression that they do.

"Tactical" is the same thing. It is knife manufacturers' way of appealing to guys' military fantasies. This is the same reason people are willing to pay more for a Luminox that says "Navy Seals" even though it is in no way related to the actual Navy. Just read some of the quasi-military names and advertising that some knives have been given and it is actually funny.
 
It really depends on your perspective. If you are a knife dealer/collector/purveyor, it probably means a knife that is black and/or bead blasted, and that is all it means to you. I personally think this is a rather myopic and cynical point of view.

The term "tactical knife" has taken on a useful meaning for many people. To people who carry knives as weapons, it means a knife that was designed for that purpose. To someone in law enforcement or the military, it could mean a knife that is over built, with extreme hard use in mind.

It does not mean just a certain look to everyone in the knife enthusiast realm, as is proven by the very existence of knife makers who seriusly and earnestly call their knives tactical knives, regardless of blade finish and handle materials. There is even an enthusiast periodical you may have heard of titled Tactical Knives, which features articles on knives of a very broad spectrum of construction, but focuses mainly on defensive, extreme use, and military applications.
 
I agree that the term tactical is merely a term used for marketing purposes.
I use the term when I'm referring to folders with a pocket-clip and one-hand opening method.
So when I say I just bought a new tactical folder, folks here will instantly know that I'm not talking about a Schrade Old Timer stockman.
And if I say I just bought a new traditional folder, you know I'm not talking about a Spyderco Endura.

Allen.
 
I think its correct to say that 'Tactical' is used as a marketing tool. ~4" blade, G10 scales, liner lock or equivalent. You know what I mean.

But its also true that 'Tactical' has a real and significant meaning when applied to knives. The reason for so much confusion/debate is that what is tactical is in the eye/mind of the beholder.

To you, a tactical knife may be designed specifically for self defence, like a Gunting or Chinook. For me, a knife carried for self defence is illegal, no matter what the design, so while its is tactically good, is is a poor strategic choice. Therefore, my 'tactical' knife may end up being a Spyderco Pride. Emerson used to make some beautiful custom linerlocks, which were positioned as 'tactical'.

Alternatively, a 'tactical' knife may simply be designed to work reliably under 'tactical' conditions, be it recon, e&e, underwater, all out combat. Usually used as a tool, in an environment where you carry your life on your back and having the right tool for every job in a single package is the holy grail. Could well be a Leatherman Wave. Or a Ka Bar, or a Mad Dog ATAK, or a Sebenza...

I'm rambling now ...
 
Hmmm, I'd guess that anything 'tactical' would be any implement that is designed for survival or other heavy use. But, boy, that's a BIG generalization.

For example, I think a SERE is a tactical knife because of how it was invented, and by whom. I think anything that is stamped 'Terzuola' is probably a good tactical knife.

However, in the mix of junk I carry around every day is a small flashlight, a Strider, a cell phone, a credit card and a 4-wheeler with a 'granny low' set of reduction gears. Not survival in and of themselves, but if you were my passenger during a blizzard, I'll bet you would be comforted.

To the ridiculous side is another thing we carry--peanut butter sandwiches. They don't go stale in a frozen truck, and they get 'rotated' come spring. A blanket, some hot coffee and a peanut butter sandwich is darn nice if the truck breaks down in winter.

So I guess JIF is 'tactical.'
 
This knife is name the "tactical" Socom D/A. The term tactical to denote that it was done in all black to have no reflective signature. I think the term "tactical" has grown to mean just about anything to anyone.
 
Since you are throwing it out there that Jif is tactical...
Is chunky MORE tactical than smooth?
 
My idea of a tactical knife differs quite a bit from others, so here it is.

IMHO, "Tactical" refers to the ability to be used in combat.

I personally think there are two different types of tactical blades;
1) Military
2) Police/civilian.

Characteristics of a military "tactical" blade include:
1) Low light reflectivity
2) Large size
3) Designed for multiple encounters/fights
4) Grip intended to be used while wet/covered in blood/oil/etc
5) Very strong lock or fixed
6) Thick blade, strong handle

Characteristics of police/civilian blades include:
1) Quick deployment, usually including a pocket clip
2) Smaller size to fit legal regulations
3) Designed for a single or few encounters

A "tactical" blade could have characteristics of both categories, but will probably lean one way or the other.

-----------

What gets confusing is when these tactical folders also fall under "Hard use" or "Utility" definitions.

"Hard use":
Where the blade can be used for such things as prying open doors/ammo cans, cutting down a tree, etc.

"Utility":
where the blade can be used for such things as whittling, food preparation, box cutting, etc.

------------

Few knives fall under just one category, but lean towards one or the other.

Examples:

Spyderco Civilian:
This knife is pretty close to a pure police/civilian "tactical" knife. It's only intended use is self defense, and there are few other tasks it can successfully perform. It is not really for use in open warfare, as it will only work a few times, and has a shiny blade, which to my understanding is a big no-no for the military.

Opinel #6:
Fits almost exactly in the "utility" category. Too small for reliable self-defense, and not strong enough for "hard use".

Obviously, a Civilian could be probably be used to pry open an ammo can, and a Opinel #6 could be used in a fight, BUT, it is clearly not their intended purposes, and probably would damage/destroy the knife.

------------

A knife can be both "tactical" and "hard use", but that doesnt mean the definition of tactical should cover both.

Though it has been used as a marketing tool, much like the term "SUV", I don't think that the term is necessarily bad.

Anyways, that’s my $.02

-- Rob
 
Mongo, :D

In the real world, we buy what's on sale.

In a perfect world, 'real men' eat chunky. This is true; there is a Federal standard for the amount of rodent hair and feces that can found in peanut butter.

As a biker and bird owner, errant feces is about the last of my worries.
 
in the armed forces, tactical movement meant moving stealthily and hoping that the enemy didn't detect us
and tactical soon became a buzzword meaning "don't get caught" :)

the cold steel homepage has a very good article about tactical knives
the idea is the same : concealment
easily carried, unobtrusive, yet quickly deployable

my 2 cents
 
There are some criteria that should be met to call a knife "Tactical".
But we,the people, have agreed along with some pretty large manufacturers to call alot of knives tactical for marketing and "macho"purposes. Terzuola does serious tactical knives...tested by folks who are in harms way and need their knife to flat out not fail them. Crawford does tactical folders of a different kind, but the knife provides the fit and feel and finger protection and thrusting/slashing ability needed if needed. Elishewitz does a fine "refined" tactical...mighty good looking as well as tough and funtional....good finger protection as well as good thrusting and shashing ability based on among other things, blade and handle angle design. I understand that Alan is highly trained as a martial arts expert, was a Marine ( that is U.S. Marine!) His tactically oriented knives should reflect what a tactical user wants...

There are alot of others who make or manufacture good to great tactical knives. And there are a lot who use the word tactical to market what they want to sell.

I guess each buyer must decide to what extent the potential knife might meet his needs under the most extreme conditions that he might encounter.

99% of the time, the small slipjoints and tricked out liner locking folders more than meet the needs I have for a knife. and for that 1%, I carry a Bowie style straight knife with a 12" blade in my jeep.
or 4" bladed folders on the Harley....since we are talking about knives.....and am not talking tactical as meaning self defense against
people..it could be against the elements, it could be animals, it could be surviving in the wilderness.

I do have one question, for Little Claw, you said ,"For me, a knife carried for self defense is illegal". You have a right to your beliefs but, I gotta ask, "Why do you believe this? I am having trouble understanding this generalized statement". Please explain your position....are you working and/or living in an environment where this is legally true (incarcerated or something)?
Stay Safe,
 
I live in the UK, where you cannot carry an object for the purpose of being a weapon, self defence or otherwise. If you are asked 'why are you carrying that?' and your answer is 'self defence' then you are guilty of carrying an offensive weapon (under the law).

So its not a question of belief, and, like you, I have trouble getting my head around this state of affairs.

You have the right to defend yourself, with 'reasonable force', and if reasonble force extends to using a weapon (which, of course, will be decided in a well lit, secure courtroom) you may use one, but only if one happily materialises at just the right time, cause you're not allowed to carry one, and so on...until I'm blue in the face!
 
Originally posted by Ichabod Poser
Mongo, :D

In the real world, we buy what's on sale.

In a perfect world, 'real men' eat chunky. This is true; there is a Federal standard for the amount of rodent hair and feces that can found in peanut butter.

As a biker and bird owner, errant feces is about the last of my worries.
Click to expand...

Oh man, I just ate two PBJ's yesterday for lunch! Thanks for the rodent hair/feces thoughts.:barf:
 
Thanks, guys. I am feeling in a more charitable mood toward thos who wish to use the term now. Especially since my recent surgery is healing nicely and not chafing as badly as it was.
 
Mongo,

Just shop at the same food stores that I do. They sell you the same peanut butter, but the rodent hair and feces come in a separate container. You just mix it to taste.
 
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