If you could design the perfect tactical knife...

T

theducksings

Joined
Apr 25, 2007
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What would it look like? What kind of materials would you use? How big would it be? What shape of blade? What would you use it for? Military people and law enforcement people- would your knives be different?
 
Mine would be a titanium framelock, preferably with some kind of secondary safety lock. Some sort of recurve blade made out of something like Busse's INFI steel. Handle slabs would be some sort of textured G10 most likely.
 
7 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 1/4 bowie style blade of forged, clay hardened W2 with unsharpened curved clip point, flat grind with convex edge, slightly assymetrical guard and buttcap of blued 1018 or satin stainless, African blackwood handle, Sullivan/Randall type C sheath. Basic ABS 101 fighter. I recently made a smaller 6 inch version with nickel silver fittings.
 
Start with a fixed blade, 4" to 6" maximum blade length. Full convex grind. Any good carbon steel will do. G-10 handle slabs over a full tang. At least 1/4" of tang beyond the slabs.
 
.. then you would already be a rich and famous knife designer. =P The perfect tactical knife imo is a multi tool. Ask any soldier if he used his multitool or his "combat" knife more while in the sand box. If you did happen to need a SD knife then I think Bob Lovless about perfected them in his Bowie design.
 
What about you theducksings? You started this thread, but didn't answer it yourself.

I have my ideal tactical knife! It IS a Rick Hinderer XM-18, with a 3 inch S30V blade, titanium frame lock, with the G-10 scales.
 
The Emerson HD-7 and the Benchmade 610 Rukus are the knives which I consider most perfect for tactical use.
 
My dream knife would be a CRK Sebenza (large) with 3/16"-1/4" G10 scales over the titanium frame to fill my hand more than a regular Seb does. Maybe sculpted finger reliefs in the G10 for a good grip... :thumbup:
 
well mine would be easy to manufacture and relatively cheap, but not so much that quality suffers. It would have a blade 4-5" long and made from 440c, or any carbon steel really. it wold have a hammer- type pommel and a number of holes in the full- tang handle. scales could be anything.
 
for me, the handle would be g-10, scaled, and egonomically designed. i prefer a 5", straight edge, classic drop point blade (perhaps in s30v or zdp 189) with a huge hinge, that is kept in place with an arc lock. and of course, stainless steel fastners and rivets.

not that i'm picky...
 
Mine would look like a improved version of the Ontario/Camilius Pilot's Knife. Handle would be Micarta with a integral single guard instead of leather washers and a double guard. Steel would likely remain 1095. I f stainless was needed then I would have it be 154CM.
 
I'd start with a G10 Cara Cara.

I'd change the scales to Spyderco's blue G10, which is slightly grippier and looks nice.

I'd make the steel liners about 20% thinner and skeletonize them. The blade stock would be 20% thinner too and would be flat saber ground with a slightly larger main bevel and absolutely no secondary bevel whatsoever, increasing cutting performance.

I'd remove the choil and make the blade edge closer to where the hand lies on the handle. Upgrade the steel to VG10.

That should do it. The knife is pretty close to perfect for this type of folder in my eyes already.
 
WhitleyStu said:
My dream knife would be a CRK Sebenza (large) with 3/16"-1/4" G10 scales over the titanium frame to fill my hand more than a regular Seb does. Maybe sculpted finger reliefs in the G10 for a good grip... :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I bet that would be an easy mod? You should have it done, it would look sweet for sure. What color G-10? How about a twill? :thumbup:
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
What about you theducksings? You started this thread, but didn't answer it yourself.

I have my ideal tactical knife! It IS a Rick Hinderer XM-18, with a 3 inch S30V blade, titanium frame lock, with the G-10 scales.
Click to expand...
I agree I have mine. I don't have my 3 inch one yet, but my full size XM-18 is my ideal tactical knife. Steven
 
For me, it would be about the size of a Small Sebenza with Ti slabs that were grooved. The blade would be something along the sheepsfoot design with a bit of belly and it would likely be a frame lock. I'd want a steel that didn't chip easily as well. For opening, I'd want a Spydero Round Hole.
 
By tactical I assume you mean fullsized utilitarian knife with primary tool use and secondary defensive considerations, while having reasonable cost? Keep in mind that I'm looking at something with an open-carry, wilderness focus, not in town, but I would consider it small enough to carry on a belt under my jacket or blazer, or in deep pockets.

I'll be called cheap and old fashioned, but a modified Ka-bar mini-MkII with the leather grip (does crack or freeze to your hand at 30 below, doesn't get too hot in the sun). The changes would be pretty minor- sharpen and serrate the clip (on a clip blade, I would argue that is the best place for them so you have full utility of the plain blade without having them in the way), the tear-drop pommel that was developed for the Next Gen (lanyard hole), cut the top of the guard off and add jimping along the spine. I would stay with the 1095 carbon, but I would also refinish it with one of the teflon-based hard coatings.

Add a good cordura sheath with a kydex liner, and an altoids tin-sized pouch, secured with both velcro and a fastex buckle. (For what ever kit you want, but I'd go with a multitool or SAK and an Altoids gum tin with a ferro rod, diamond rod, some tinder, and some tiny odds and ends.) I wouldn't bother with a fixed belt loop on the back, but rather modified MOLLE webbing (no "blank" spots between the webbing spots) and a pair of MALICE clips to place your belt where you want it (high on the belt, low on the belt, rigged horizontally, etc).

Total package gives you a 5" straight blade, a 1.5" or so serrated blade, a light duty impact tool (the pommel), pliers, file, saw, backup blade (from the mutlitool), sharpener, fire starting capability.

In town, I would go with a varient of the Vic One-handed Trekker, with a plain, non-locking blade replacing the saw, a partially serrated tanto-type blade for the one with the opening hole that locks, fitted with slim G-10 or carbon fiber scales, and a pocket clip so it doesn't get lost at the bottom of the pocket.

EDIT: based on Websters, then definition 2(1). The historical use of the knife (not sword, but KNIFE) by soldiers and others in harms way has been utility. Most cutting chores are small scale actions serving a larger purpose.
 
The definition of tactical from Merriam-Webster:

tactical
One entry found for tactical.
Main Entry: tac·ti·cal
Pronunciation: 'tak-ti-k&l
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to combat tactics : as a (1) : of or occurring at the battlefront <a tactical defense> <a tactical first strike> (2) : using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront <tactical missiles> b of an air force : of, relating to, or designed for air attack in close support of friendly ground forces
2 a : of or relating to tactics : as (1) : of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose (2) : made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in view b : adroit in planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose
- tac·ti·cal·ly /-k(&-)lE/ adverb
 
cool thread.

i badly want a victorinox copper alox one handed centurion with a pocket clip.

the mere thought breaks my heart.
 
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