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Is promoting "Tactical" knives a good strategy?
- Thread starter not2sharp
- Start date
Names create strong images in peoples' minds. A word that is positive and sells to a group might feel horrible to others, and the use of knives as BG/monster weapons in horror films doesn't help our side. I am not saying words should be banned as "politically incorrect", but it is unvice to call every possible knife combat, tactical etc.
Sporting-utility sounds nice, and how about camping? If you are asked why you carry one how about telling you just thought to buy some food from a shop and go for a picnic in a park, and need the knife for bread and butter. And people who work in office need a paper knife...
Better safe than sorry.
Ossi
Sporting-utility sounds nice, and how about camping? If you are asked why you carry one how about telling you just thought to buy some food from a shop and go for a picnic in a park, and need the knife for bread and butter. And people who work in office need a paper knife...
Better safe than sorry.
Ossi
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
- Joined
- Oct 9, 1998
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- 75,501
This is a perennial flame war on rec.knives ... you could search dejanews and find all the arguments above and more.
What can we do about it? If we all agreed to stop talking about knives for defense or combat or tactical purposes or anything like that, including all the manufacturers and dealers who hang out here -- what would that accomplish? There are plenty of advertisers who won't change their advertising whatever we decide.
And if we somehow argue, coerce, or beg all the advertisers into going along, what would happen then? The fascists claim decent people don't have guns for fighting, only for hunting and target shooting, and if that's all decent people want guns for, well ... there isn't any fundamental human right to hunt and target shoot. Why shouldn't they take away everybody's rights to hunt and target shoot -- a small sacrifice if it would prevent murders, surely.
The situation with knives is parallel. If decent people carried knives to defend themselves -- and said so, loudly enough so we couldn't be drowned out -- how could the fascists ever have banned autos and butterflies and daggers in so many jurisdictions? They can do that because they've convinced the sheep decent people only carry knives to cut string and open packages, and knives designed for self-defense are really knives designed for crime -- of course they should be banned! Why would any decent person want to carry a switchblade? Surely not to defend herself with, everybody knows a knife is no good for that and you're in more danger if you carry a knife than if you don't because the attacker will take it away from you and use it against you -- everybody knows that!
I've even seen that fascist lie repeated in posts on this forum, by members who apparently believe it. If people with access to Bladeforums are fooled.... Try giving a magic marker to your wife or girlfriend or 10-year-old daughter and see if you can take it away from her without getting marked. Don't use an indelible marker or your clothes will be ruined -- everything you're wearing.
I was not yet five years old the first time I picked up a knife and fought off an adult attacker -- four years old and no martial arts training, but I knew which end of the knife was sharp and I was willing to hurt the attacker and that was all I needed.
We might accomplish something by using the words "defense" and "defensive" instead of words like "fighting" or "combat." I've even seen posts saying certain knives are designed for fighting and others for assassination! Come on, no knive is better suited to assassination than to defense ... unless it's slow to draw and unfold, but that slowness doesn't give it any advantage for assassination, just no disadvantage....
The worst thing we can do is try to portray knives as tools decent people carry for cutting string and opening boxes but never to defend themselves with. Then the fascists can start banning the "evil" knives, the ones that are designed for self-defense, and the "evil" category can grow and grow until there's nothing left that isn't illegal and the only slaves who are allowed to carry knives are those who are required to use them in their work -- and then they can only carry them while they're at work and going to and from work. It's already happened in some parts of the world and it's spreading.
Our only hope is to stand up on our hind legs like self-respecting free men and women and children and proclaim the truth: we carry knives to defend ourselves and we're not going to let anybody take away our right to self-defense and make us into victims.
-Cougar Allen :{)
What can we do about it? If we all agreed to stop talking about knives for defense or combat or tactical purposes or anything like that, including all the manufacturers and dealers who hang out here -- what would that accomplish? There are plenty of advertisers who won't change their advertising whatever we decide.
And if we somehow argue, coerce, or beg all the advertisers into going along, what would happen then? The fascists claim decent people don't have guns for fighting, only for hunting and target shooting, and if that's all decent people want guns for, well ... there isn't any fundamental human right to hunt and target shoot. Why shouldn't they take away everybody's rights to hunt and target shoot -- a small sacrifice if it would prevent murders, surely.
The situation with knives is parallel. If decent people carried knives to defend themselves -- and said so, loudly enough so we couldn't be drowned out -- how could the fascists ever have banned autos and butterflies and daggers in so many jurisdictions? They can do that because they've convinced the sheep decent people only carry knives to cut string and open packages, and knives designed for self-defense are really knives designed for crime -- of course they should be banned! Why would any decent person want to carry a switchblade? Surely not to defend herself with, everybody knows a knife is no good for that and you're in more danger if you carry a knife than if you don't because the attacker will take it away from you and use it against you -- everybody knows that!
I've even seen that fascist lie repeated in posts on this forum, by members who apparently believe it. If people with access to Bladeforums are fooled.... Try giving a magic marker to your wife or girlfriend or 10-year-old daughter and see if you can take it away from her without getting marked. Don't use an indelible marker or your clothes will be ruined -- everything you're wearing.
I was not yet five years old the first time I picked up a knife and fought off an adult attacker -- four years old and no martial arts training, but I knew which end of the knife was sharp and I was willing to hurt the attacker and that was all I needed.
We might accomplish something by using the words "defense" and "defensive" instead of words like "fighting" or "combat." I've even seen posts saying certain knives are designed for fighting and others for assassination! Come on, no knive is better suited to assassination than to defense ... unless it's slow to draw and unfold, but that slowness doesn't give it any advantage for assassination, just no disadvantage....
The worst thing we can do is try to portray knives as tools decent people carry for cutting string and opening boxes but never to defend themselves with. Then the fascists can start banning the "evil" knives, the ones that are designed for self-defense, and the "evil" category can grow and grow until there's nothing left that isn't illegal and the only slaves who are allowed to carry knives are those who are required to use them in their work -- and then they can only carry them while they're at work and going to and from work. It's already happened in some parts of the world and it's spreading.
Our only hope is to stand up on our hind legs like self-respecting free men and women and children and proclaim the truth: we carry knives to defend ourselves and we're not going to let anybody take away our right to self-defense and make us into victims.
-Cougar Allen :{)
Professor
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 1999
- Messages
- 3,423
Why don't we replace the term "tactical" with "practical?" Makes sense to me. Knives that we consider tactical open and close with one hand, have the absolute (in most cases) strongest vs. lightest construction possible, and employ locking mechanisms that these days seem to strive towards being as rock solid and wear-resistant as possible. Of course we could always replace the term "tactical" with the term "poopy," but it just doesn't do it for me.
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Professor
Ever notice no other candy tastes quite like Pez? Oh yeah, and the BM Axis rules.
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Professor
Ever notice no other candy tastes quite like Pez? Oh yeah, and the BM Axis rules.
- Joined
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- 3,264
When we fight the perception of knives as Evil Weapons, we are not just fighting some modern authoritarian trend. We are fighting attitudes that are cross-cultural and as old as written history. This will not be easy.
When I introduce, for instance, my Spyderco Merlin to a "non-knife person" (typically a non-knife person who is backing up a little), I introduce it as a package-opening, fiber-cutting, rosebush-trimming knife, that would also work to make somebody let go of you, God forbid.
I present a knife as a tool that can do work or damage, the tool that makes human life (as opposed to ape life) possible, and tell folks that self-defense in the gravest extreme is a life-sustaining purpose.
But I'd rather not shout about self-defense.
Those of us who are not absolute pacifists know that using deadly force in self-defense in the gravest extreme is not a sin. Likewise, even a very very conservative preacher will tell you that sex between husband and wife is no sin. But married couples still close the curtains, and knife people should likewise be discrete.
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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
When I introduce, for instance, my Spyderco Merlin to a "non-knife person" (typically a non-knife person who is backing up a little), I introduce it as a package-opening, fiber-cutting, rosebush-trimming knife, that would also work to make somebody let go of you, God forbid.
I present a knife as a tool that can do work or damage, the tool that makes human life (as opposed to ape life) possible, and tell folks that self-defense in the gravest extreme is a life-sustaining purpose.
But I'd rather not shout about self-defense.
Those of us who are not absolute pacifists know that using deadly force in self-defense in the gravest extreme is not a sin. Likewise, even a very very conservative preacher will tell you that sex between husband and wife is no sin. But married couples still close the curtains, and knife people should likewise be discrete.
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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
What people defending knives and guns are both up against is the "no good reason" argument. Those who would take these things away cite repeatedly and vociferously that there is "no good reason" to own such items. This is the worst possible reason to take away a right, because it means effectively that any right that cannot be strongly justified is taken away by default. Rights are among the most precious things, more precious at times than lives, as the Revolutionaries showed. Rights should never be taken away because there is "no good reason" to have them, only when there is a VERY strong reason not to.
Our problem with both knives and guns is that defense is not seen as a "good reason." I won't go into how idiotic that is, but it is true - arguments that have attempted to use "defense" as the reason for allowing gun ownership have been steam-rolled by anti-gun groups, while those that focus on "legitimate" uses have managed to defend our rights. What is the first rule of knife carry? Never tell an officer it's for "defense."
I say again that this is senseless, but that's the way it is. Look at New York City - they respond to public outcry over boxcutter attacks with a ban on locking folders. What??? The public cried "do something!" and career-minded politicians picked a "no good reason" right to take away as a placebo, making the public feel something had been done and guaranteeing another term in office for all involved. we are not dealing with rationality here, so rational solutions like claiming our very real and important right to defense simply WILL NOT WORK.
We are preparing to screw ourselves here, people. Most knife trends in the past two decades have had one thing in common - a shift towards real or imagined "defensive" potential. The knife industry is booming largely because of the fall of the gun industry and widespread carry restrictions. Sooner or later some clever lobbyist is going to figure this out and our knife rights will be the stepping stone that gets the next Clinton into office when all the juicy gun rights are gone.
We have a much better line of defense against the "no good reason" argument than the gun folks do. No EMT has ever shot someone's seatbelt to free them from a burning car. No one opens their mail with a shotgun. Nobody has a set of "Kitchen Guns." These are the things we must focus on if we are to keep our knife rights, NOT DEFENSE. I agree that defense is the fundamental issue, but the gun debates have shown us that in the public eye, defense is not a "good reason."
In short, listen to Mr. Mattis
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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
Our problem with both knives and guns is that defense is not seen as a "good reason." I won't go into how idiotic that is, but it is true - arguments that have attempted to use "defense" as the reason for allowing gun ownership have been steam-rolled by anti-gun groups, while those that focus on "legitimate" uses have managed to defend our rights. What is the first rule of knife carry? Never tell an officer it's for "defense."
I say again that this is senseless, but that's the way it is. Look at New York City - they respond to public outcry over boxcutter attacks with a ban on locking folders. What??? The public cried "do something!" and career-minded politicians picked a "no good reason" right to take away as a placebo, making the public feel something had been done and guaranteeing another term in office for all involved. we are not dealing with rationality here, so rational solutions like claiming our very real and important right to defense simply WILL NOT WORK.
We are preparing to screw ourselves here, people. Most knife trends in the past two decades have had one thing in common - a shift towards real or imagined "defensive" potential. The knife industry is booming largely because of the fall of the gun industry and widespread carry restrictions. Sooner or later some clever lobbyist is going to figure this out and our knife rights will be the stepping stone that gets the next Clinton into office when all the juicy gun rights are gone.
We have a much better line of defense against the "no good reason" argument than the gun folks do. No EMT has ever shot someone's seatbelt to free them from a burning car. No one opens their mail with a shotgun. Nobody has a set of "Kitchen Guns." These are the things we must focus on if we are to keep our knife rights, NOT DEFENSE. I agree that defense is the fundamental issue, but the gun debates have shown us that in the public eye, defense is not a "good reason."
In short, listen to Mr. Mattis
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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
- Joined
- May 4, 1999
- Messages
- 534
If you reject "tactical knives" and insist that knives are only for utility, don't be surprised when the government tells you that you don't need a blade over 2" to open mail and cut boxes. Then someone will prove that you can open mail and cut boxes with a 1" blade, so that will become the legal limit.
Then someone will "prove" that the only purpose of high performance steel is to allow a murderer to cut more victims; no steel better than 420 J2 should be allowed. And carbon fiber is too tactical. So is G-10; a survey showed that this is the preferred handle material of murderers because the handle won't be slippery when the knife's bloody, allowing them to stab longer. Besides, you can open mail perfectly well with a knife that has a slippery handle.
I've seen the same thing happen to my guns...
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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Then someone will "prove" that the only purpose of high performance steel is to allow a murderer to cut more victims; no steel better than 420 J2 should be allowed. And carbon fiber is too tactical. So is G-10; a survey showed that this is the preferred handle material of murderers because the handle won't be slippery when the knife's bloody, allowing them to stab longer. Besides, you can open mail perfectly well with a knife that has a slippery handle.
I've seen the same thing happen to my guns...
------------------
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
- Joined
- Mar 19, 1999
- Messages
- 2,277
I think there is one point here everyone will most likely agree with. The people who don't want you to have a knife or gun will always be there. It won't matter what you call the knife or the gun. Then there is the general populace. The people who only get their perceptions of guns and knives from the media. We alraedy know where the media generally stands on this issue. That means we need to work to educate as many people as we can concerning knives and their uses. I have been very successful working on this with my girlfirnd and her sister. They were very much opposed to "weapons" of any type. Through a slow process of educating them, theynow both carry a knife for general utility. They will also use it as an absolute last resort weapon.
As far as the name game goes, names are marketing tools. How many real knife peopl are there? Is there enough of us to support this industry? If it were just serious knife people buying knives, all a maker would need to do is name his/her knife "model 1 or 2" We will know what the knife was designed for and buy it. The label of "Tactical" or "Fighter" or any other is designed to get the buyers atention. When you put a wild name on something, you are making it easier for the anti's to label it. Without the name, they will still label it, just with something they thought up. A wicked name will probably get a juries attention in a trial, but contrary to what many believe, it won't be the sole factor in determining your guilt.
Personally, I would like to see names given to knives be a little less extreme. Not that I am against naming a knife "Death Bringer" or a type of knife "tactical". It just makes the knives sound rather hoaky. I have grown up, a little. And the things that attracted me when I was younger aren't the same. I understand the purpose behind the designs of most knives. I don't need to be drawn to a knife because it is a "Sentry Removal Tool". I am drawn to a knife by it's quality of construction, ergonomics and blade design for the task I wish to use it.
Bottom line, WE need to educate those around us. If WE don't want to lose OUR rights, it is up to US to do it. It's individual responsibility.
As far as the name game goes, names are marketing tools. How many real knife peopl are there? Is there enough of us to support this industry? If it were just serious knife people buying knives, all a maker would need to do is name his/her knife "model 1 or 2" We will know what the knife was designed for and buy it. The label of "Tactical" or "Fighter" or any other is designed to get the buyers atention. When you put a wild name on something, you are making it easier for the anti's to label it. Without the name, they will still label it, just with something they thought up. A wicked name will probably get a juries attention in a trial, but contrary to what many believe, it won't be the sole factor in determining your guilt.
Personally, I would like to see names given to knives be a little less extreme. Not that I am against naming a knife "Death Bringer" or a type of knife "tactical". It just makes the knives sound rather hoaky. I have grown up, a little. And the things that attracted me when I was younger aren't the same. I understand the purpose behind the designs of most knives. I don't need to be drawn to a knife because it is a "Sentry Removal Tool". I am drawn to a knife by it's quality of construction, ergonomics and blade design for the task I wish to use it.
Bottom line, WE need to educate those around us. If WE don't want to lose OUR rights, it is up to US to do it. It's individual responsibility.
That's It! I have had enough. I am going out tonite and buying a hammer for self defens and God help anyone who attacks me after I have installed my grip tape made from black trainer's tape.
This way I can maul the next mugger I defend against with the hammer and steer the hype away from guns and knives.
Yes we too have had Chicago ban box cutters (called stanley knives or utility knives in the burbs) and I have also had a prosecutor from the AG's office tell me that any knife can get you arrested and prosecuted, it is all about the intent behind the knife and you (read: cop is having good orr bad day, same for prosecutor.) While I fully believe that a jury of MY peers would acquit me of anything, i do not trust that the standard Cook County jruy made of morons too stupid to avoid Jury Duty are capable of deciding my fate in a reasonable fashion. This is why I carry the spyderco endura as opposed to a gerber MK II or my Fisk designed BKT Camp Knife, but a spyderco endura. This is chilling to me when I see in recent training going to fine movement from gross movement I am incapable of opening the folder quickly or surely and I have carried and used it daily for eight years. I am moveing to fixed blades now, discrete quiet fixed blades but will need to rehearse scenarios and role play to account for the fixed blade and why it came to be on my person and why it was there.
Nasty subject, nastier overtones.
This way I can maul the next mugger I defend against with the hammer and steer the hype away from guns and knives.
Yes we too have had Chicago ban box cutters (called stanley knives or utility knives in the burbs) and I have also had a prosecutor from the AG's office tell me that any knife can get you arrested and prosecuted, it is all about the intent behind the knife and you (read: cop is having good orr bad day, same for prosecutor.) While I fully believe that a jury of MY peers would acquit me of anything, i do not trust that the standard Cook County jruy made of morons too stupid to avoid Jury Duty are capable of deciding my fate in a reasonable fashion. This is why I carry the spyderco endura as opposed to a gerber MK II or my Fisk designed BKT Camp Knife, but a spyderco endura. This is chilling to me when I see in recent training going to fine movement from gross movement I am incapable of opening the folder quickly or surely and I have carried and used it daily for eight years. I am moveing to fixed blades now, discrete quiet fixed blades but will need to rehearse scenarios and role play to account for the fixed blade and why it came to be on my person and why it was there.
Nasty subject, nastier overtones.
I'll take a Busse Bunny Hugger in Talonite too! OK, I'll settle for the proprietary INFI steel.
IMO, how can you get stopped by one o' 'em boys in blue (and white stains-don't ask, don't tell) and have them get uupset by your knife? Don't they have a since of style, and cooool? Like, kickin' knife, man! We'll shoot a few rounds of pool sometime, catcha later.
*knife nirvana*
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"All of our knives open with one hand, in case you're busy with the other"
<OVAL OFFICE JOKE>
IMO, how can you get stopped by one o' 'em boys in blue (and white stains-don't ask, don't tell) and have them get uupset by your knife? Don't they have a since of style, and cooool? Like, kickin' knife, man! We'll shoot a few rounds of pool sometime, catcha later.
*knife nirvana*
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"All of our knives open with one hand, in case you're busy with the other"
<OVAL OFFICE JOKE>
- Joined
- Feb 22, 1999
- Messages
- 465
IMO it is unfortunate that "Tactical" is the #1 label or buzzword to describe almost all knives that open with one hand, have a clip for easy access and carry, are made using quality materials and craftsmanship, offer innovative design and eye appeal and have sharp cutting edges. All of these features combined cry out utility to me. In the most remote of situations knives are used for defense however this can also be considered a form of utility (Using a tool to ward off an attack and avoid injury).
I think an interesting topic would be to ask Forumites the percentage they have used knives for utility compared to actually pulling out a knife and cutting some one in defense. My experience is 100% utility, 0% defense. I have been in a couple sticky situations in major cities where I had the knife palmed and ready, but never opened it or made it visible. Why call knives "Tactical" or "Combat" when we really just use them to cut stuff. I'm sorry, "It sounds cool!" or "It sells more knives!"is not good enough for me.
Yes, "Tactical" is the label for the vast majority of popular folding knives, and this label is here to stay. Is is a good strategy to promote this label? I for one don't think so. Unfortunately it's way too late to change it now.
------------------
Sincerely,
Outdoor Edge Cutlery Corp.
David Bloch,
President
Visit our new web site at <A HREF="http://www.outdooredge.com
" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdooredge.com
</A>
I think an interesting topic would be to ask Forumites the percentage they have used knives for utility compared to actually pulling out a knife and cutting some one in defense. My experience is 100% utility, 0% defense. I have been in a couple sticky situations in major cities where I had the knife palmed and ready, but never opened it or made it visible. Why call knives "Tactical" or "Combat" when we really just use them to cut stuff. I'm sorry, "It sounds cool!" or "It sells more knives!"is not good enough for me.
Yes, "Tactical" is the label for the vast majority of popular folding knives, and this label is here to stay. Is is a good strategy to promote this label? I for one don't think so. Unfortunately it's way too late to change it now.
------------------
Sincerely,
Outdoor Edge Cutlery Corp.
David Bloch,
President
Visit our new web site at <A HREF="http://www.outdooredge.com
" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdooredge.com
</A>
I honestly feel the industry needs to loose the Tactical name and call them Utility knives before the media attacks us as they have with the gun owners. By calling a knife a Tactical knife I honestly believe we are looking for trouble. So how about it makers and manufactorers?
Regards,
Tom Carey
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Now selling legal ivory, jade, amber, opal, sandstone, dino bone etc...
Email me for info. The new items will be added to cga online in the near future.
www.anova.org/cga
Regards,
Tom Carey
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Now selling legal ivory, jade, amber, opal, sandstone, dino bone etc...
Email me for info. The new items will be added to cga online in the near future.
www.anova.org/cga
- Joined
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- 2,277
David, no arguement about using cool or catchy names to name a knife for marketing reasons. It isn't a good reason. Unfortunetly, that's the way it is. The Jeanie is out of the bottle, so to speak.
It sounds like most of those posting agree, we are just getting there from different ways.
It sounds like most of those posting agree, we are just getting there from different ways.
not2sharp
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 20,413
Dirk,
The jeanie may be out of the bag; but that's workable. Folks tend to have short term memories, especially if it is a subject they are not interested in. Keep the "tactical" label but redefine the image so that tactical = utility. In this way anyone trying to use the label against knife enthusiats will run into a confused product definition.
Politics works by defining constituencies, and issues, if "tactical" knives are blended with common utility tools, the issue becomes harder to define as does the contituency.
The jeanie may be out of the bag; but that's workable. Folks tend to have short term memories, especially if it is a subject they are not interested in. Keep the "tactical" label but redefine the image so that tactical = utility. In this way anyone trying to use the label against knife enthusiats will run into a confused product definition.
Politics works by defining constituencies, and issues, if "tactical" knives are blended with common utility tools, the issue becomes harder to define as does the contituency.
- Joined
- Feb 22, 1999
- Messages
- 465
To Tom C:
For the record you won't find the word "Tactical" or "Combat" in any Outdoor Edge catalog or our web site. Regardless, we make several very sharp cutting tools that clearly fit the "Tactical" category with a capital "T" (Impulse, Magna, Field-Lite). Why don't we label these models as "Tacticals". Because I believe most consumers are wise enough to know what they will use and carry the knife for without waving a flag that says this is a deadly knife for self defense.
I myself fully advocate carrying a knife for self defense so I am not trying to sugar coat the issue. The problem is the anti-gun/knife people can't grasp the concept of self defense. The more we promote knives as agressive tactical weapons, the less ground we have to stand on when the antis try to take our beloved knives away.
Will the name "Tactical" fade away. I don't think so. This label has become so generic and almost every major manufacturer now produces tacticals and slaps this label on their knives to sell more of them. Look at the older traditional companies such as Camillus and Boker who have jumped on the tactical bandwagon.
All sharp knives are deadly and can be used to kill or injure. We all know this so why promote this fact. If a knife is a good self defense design, this fact is obvious simply by looking at or picking it up. Instead we are better off promoting knives as tools. This is the course Outdoor Edge has taken.
------------------
Sincerely,
Outdoor Edge Cutlery Corp.
David Bloch,
President
Visit our new web site at <A HREF="http://www.outdooredge.com
" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdooredge.com
</A>
For the record you won't find the word "Tactical" or "Combat" in any Outdoor Edge catalog or our web site. Regardless, we make several very sharp cutting tools that clearly fit the "Tactical" category with a capital "T" (Impulse, Magna, Field-Lite). Why don't we label these models as "Tacticals". Because I believe most consumers are wise enough to know what they will use and carry the knife for without waving a flag that says this is a deadly knife for self defense.
I myself fully advocate carrying a knife for self defense so I am not trying to sugar coat the issue. The problem is the anti-gun/knife people can't grasp the concept of self defense. The more we promote knives as agressive tactical weapons, the less ground we have to stand on when the antis try to take our beloved knives away.
Will the name "Tactical" fade away. I don't think so. This label has become so generic and almost every major manufacturer now produces tacticals and slaps this label on their knives to sell more of them. Look at the older traditional companies such as Camillus and Boker who have jumped on the tactical bandwagon.
All sharp knives are deadly and can be used to kill or injure. We all know this so why promote this fact. If a knife is a good self defense design, this fact is obvious simply by looking at or picking it up. Instead we are better off promoting knives as tools. This is the course Outdoor Edge has taken.
------------------
Sincerely,
Outdoor Edge Cutlery Corp.
David Bloch,
President
Visit our new web site at <A HREF="http://www.outdooredge.com
" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdooredge.com
</A>
- Joined
- Feb 22, 1999
- Messages
- 465
To Tom C:
For the record you won't find the word "Tactical" or "Combat" in any Outdoor Edge catalog or our web site. Regardless, we make several very sharp cutting tools that clearly fit the "Tactical" category with a capital "T" (Impulse, Magna, Field-Lite). Why don't we label these models as "Tacticals". Because I believe most consumers are wise enough to know what they will use and carry the knife for without waving a flag that says this is a deadly knife for self defense.
I myself fully advocate carrying a knife for self defense so I am not trying to sugar coat the issue. The problem is the anti-gun/knife people can't grasp the concept of self defense. The more we promote knives as agressive tactical weapons, the less ground we have to stand on when the antis try to take our beloved knives away.
Will the name "Tactical" fade away. I don't think so. This label has become so generic and almost every major manufacturer now produces tacticals and slaps this label on their knives to sell more of them. Look at the older traditional companies such as Camillus and Boker who have jumped on the tactical bandwagon.
All sharp knives are deadly and can be used to kill or injure. We all know this so why promote this fact. If a knife is a good self defense design, this fact is obvious simply by looking at or picking it up. Instead we are better off promoting knives as tools. This is the course Outdoor Edge has taken.
------------------
Sincerely,
Outdoor Edge Cutlery Corp.
David Bloch,
President
Visit our new web site at <A HREF="http://www.outdooredge.com
" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdooredge.com
</A>
For the record you won't find the word "Tactical" or "Combat" in any Outdoor Edge catalog or our web site. Regardless, we make several very sharp cutting tools that clearly fit the "Tactical" category with a capital "T" (Impulse, Magna, Field-Lite). Why don't we label these models as "Tacticals". Because I believe most consumers are wise enough to know what they will use and carry the knife for without waving a flag that says this is a deadly knife for self defense.
I myself fully advocate carrying a knife for self defense so I am not trying to sugar coat the issue. The problem is the anti-gun/knife people can't grasp the concept of self defense. The more we promote knives as agressive tactical weapons, the less ground we have to stand on when the antis try to take our beloved knives away.
Will the name "Tactical" fade away. I don't think so. This label has become so generic and almost every major manufacturer now produces tacticals and slaps this label on their knives to sell more of them. Look at the older traditional companies such as Camillus and Boker who have jumped on the tactical bandwagon.
All sharp knives are deadly and can be used to kill or injure. We all know this so why promote this fact. If a knife is a good self defense design, this fact is obvious simply by looking at or picking it up. Instead we are better off promoting knives as tools. This is the course Outdoor Edge has taken.
------------------
Sincerely,
Outdoor Edge Cutlery Corp.
David Bloch,
President
Visit our new web site at <A HREF="http://www.outdooredge.com
" TARGET=_blank>http://www.outdooredge.com
</A>
- Joined
- Mar 19, 1999
- Messages
- 2,277
I agree the problem is not too far gone. That is part of what I was trying to say. We need to educate everyone on this topic. We need to let the makers know that it would be wise to tone down the "tactical" or "fighter" monickers for their knives. One way to show some of the makers this, is by showing them the money they could lose if laws start getting past about "tactical" knives. It is obvious the "tactical" knife will be equated to the "assault" rifle in those laws. Look where that issue went. At they same time, we need to educate those people around us who may not be the knife knuts most of us are.
As I said before, I would like to see the use of "tactical" and other similar names stopped. For a different reason, yes. None the less I would like to see it.
As I said before, I would like to see the use of "tactical" and other similar names stopped. For a different reason, yes. None the less I would like to see it.