I am not CRITICIZING, merely ASKING...!

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I don't understand this fascination people have with "tactical" knives. Surely, the typical gun/knife show denizen I have met who pulls a knife in a "fight" is going to either

1. be shot
2. be stabbed with his own knife
3. experience either #1 or #2 above
AND have his $500 custom knife (along with his ballcap and chewin' tobaccy) stolen from him!

(Please understand, my observation is NOT meant to denigrate the high quality of craftsmanship I have seen in these knives. I have seen some excellent knives in this category.)

I just want to know why people buy these. I cannot believe the user intends to carry them for self-defense. Moreover, if they truly are interested in "self-defense blades," why aren't we selling them broadswords?



[This message has been edited by samwereb (edited 28 December 1999).]
 
Ball Caps and Chewing Tabacco.... not criticizing but stereotyping a bit maybe.

The key word is defense. I know some will say it is better for the novice to leave the knife at home and I agree... only when we are talking offense.
In my mind the tactical market is really an offense market and with that in mind I think these knives are natural defense tools. Thus they are attractive to us ball cap wearin', tabbacy chewin', Old Corps hilly billies.

Your broad sword statement is pitiful. Why not carry a shotgun in public instead of a compact 45. On your best defensive day carrying a large weapon would be considered an offensive move. You would probably be arrested with in a week.

The answer to why carry a knife is answered only by the event that dictates it's use ... and you don't have one with you.

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>)-RadarMan-(<
age:38
When you argue with a fool, that makes two -- Vermont Proverb
Click to expand...




[This message has been edited by RadarMan (edited 28 December 1999).]
 
Matt Shade

Matt Shade

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I know that some knives are considered more tactical than others. Like the spyderco civilian and the BM AFCK. While the AFCK is still a tactical knife, it also serves as a very user friendly utility knife for people. Alot of people look for similar things in a utility knife that they would in a combat knife. Ease of carry, solid lockup, sharp perfomance blade, etc. Even knives with hawkbills are good for utility. I think they cut rope more aggresively on a pull cut than anything else I've ever used.On top of all that I think most of us knife nuts like the look of a tactical knife. You don't see very many peopl asking for a custom blade that is as plain and boring as possible.There are art knives and high end gentlemens knives that might look nice too, but in a different way. I seriously doubt that everysingle person with a one handed, somewhat tactical or verytactical knife is planing on using it for self defense. And if they do, and it works and saves their ass. I don't see a problem. There is a risk to pulling a knife in a fight.But if I thought it My life was in danger and my knife would change the odds to my favor, it'd be out in no time.Even I only bought it with utility in mind.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I wasn't going to say anything about the ballcap and tobbaco statement, but since its been brought up.The only time I'm not wearing a ballcap is when I'm wearing my cowboy hat. And while I don't chew tobbaco, I have friends who do, and some of my favorite songs are about it. Everheard anything by Chris Ledoux ? Yes I'm a redneck so maybe this doesn't count. But I don't see where ballcaps and chewing tobbaco have anything to do with who carries tactical knives and how they are going to use them.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Guys:0

Well, I was avoiding the concealment issue, which is, unfortunately, illegal in most states. It is just that I wanted to know if people bought them mainly to carry or to collect/display.

Surely, you would agree that no folding knife could ever be serioiusly considered a fighting weapon. I was referring to fixed blade knives of the "neck knife" type, and so on.

Regarding the ideal carrying weapon, I would personally prefer the TEN TON BOULDER but it too has its drawbacks. (It is hard to conceal, it is usually only single-shot, and it is very stigmatized by the media, etc.)

I am no badass street fightin' man, but I nearly always carry a pocketknife. I have naturally had far more occasions to clean up my fingernails than any other use for it. I can tell you without any hesitation that I would sooner run from a confrontation, than pull out a knife!

Radarman, sir, I just threw in the hillbilly reference for comic relief; I certainly wasn't referring to makers. What do your customers say they are going to do with their knives?
 
Radarman:

I don't want you to violate your Yankee proverb because I may well be a fool. But if you would indulge me for a minute I would appreciate it.

You are a Marine. You were taught to fight. You wouldn't fear a guy with a knife, even if you were unarmed. Who would?

They surely taught you how to camp, in the Marine Corps. Have you seen some of these "Greco" tactical knives? I think they make FANTASTIC camp knives! But, for fighting?

(Before I am banished from this forum, I want to state that I think the Greco knives illustrate truly EXCELLENT CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DESIGN, which is why I refer to them, here. They are, among several makes, far too good to leave on the shelf. You would just HAVE to use one!)
 
My observation is that the knife you carry tends to make a statement about who you are. Sort of like the car you drive. There are many different statements that can be made and many different reasons for it.
 
If your talking about neck knives, then I would say my answer is about the same as before. While they would be considered a little more tactical than any folding knife. They are really the best way to carry a fixed blade for utility without getting stares. Ideally I'd have a 9 inch bladed bowie on my belt at all times along with a smaller knife for more detailed work. That way I could still get the big jobs done without going and looking for what I need and I'd still have my other knife for small jobs. Since thats illegal, and I don't want my nickname to be crocodile dun dee I have to go without the fixed blade.
frown.gif

And for self defense, my favorite would be the sawed off 10 gauge loaded with buckshot.Sure it weighs 30 lbs and is hard to conceal. But who's going to mug the guy carrying a shot gun. A close second would be the ten ton boulder with a matching sling shot
smile.gif


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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
samwereb,

I think you miss Radarman’s well-said point: DEFENSE. By your rationale, it’s gun or run. Potential victims don’t always have these options. The fact is: would be attackers generally pray on the weak, elderly, or female and they try to attack when the victim is most vulnerable and cornered.

It has been my experience that the outcome of any confrontation is determined by a combination of three things:

1. Ability: personal preparedness; strength, skill, speed, training ect
2. Capability: equipment; knife, gun, ten-ton bolder
3. Determination: is just that, one’s resolve or will to prevail

I’ve witnessed well trained and equipped troops in a simulated combat environment, fail miserably...they lacked determination. I’ve also read a report in which a mother drove off a burglar with nothing but her tiny fists (she had no weapons, no self-defense training, and no choice).

I’ve had to leave my wife and children in some less-than-perfect situations, I always hand her my AFCK. She’s had no formal training and she’s not a large or powerful person. But defense wouldn’t begin to describe what would happen to some poor SOB that tried to get her kids.

A criminal wants something from a victim and is willing to risk jail-time to get it. When a potential victim displays the ability, capability, and determination to defend themselves, that criminal risks more than jail-time and has to reconsider what he really wants.

TJ
 
May I suggest you move this question to the training/tactics forum? You will likely get more appropriate responses. This topic really does not involve the craft of making the knife itself.

Regards,
Glenn
 
if you guys are worried, take a self defense karate class, then you won't have to worry.

[This message has been edited by magnum .44 (edited 28 December 1999).]
 
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