Knife types

[meadeam]

Without using specific models as examples, list the Design features that make a knife especially well suited to:

1)EDC
2)Tactical
3)Survival
4)Fighting
5)Gentleman
6)Camping
7)Hunting

Of course there will be additional categories, and areas of overlap between and among all of them, but I am curious as to the most narrowly defined definition of each. I'd go first, but I only have vague ideas.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Those categories are far too broad to really have much meaning from a design standpoint. You really need to have a look at the prioritized range of tasks you're looking to perform with the tool and then balance the features of that tool to strike a weighted compromise between those tasks. You may find this helpful regarding that concept.

 

[meadeam]

Those categories are far too broad to really have much meaning from a design standpoint. You really need to have a look at the prioritized range of tasks you're looking to perform with the tool and then balance the features of that tool to strike a weighted compromise between those tasks. You may find this helpful regarding that concept.

Cool, thanks. I was really looking for off-the-cuff opinions from anyone who is familiar with the tasks generally associated with the categories, and not necessarily anything definitive. The link you posted is very interesting though. I'll try it out as an exercise and see what I come up with.

 

[Glenn056]

1) thin blade, pointy tip

2) Somewhat thick tip (think tantos) , grippy handles, deep finger choil,good reach, strong lock(if folder) , 50:50 weight distribution, handles supporting variety of grips.

3)thick stock, thin grind, grippy handles without excessive jimping, a corrosion resistant blade steel that is tough yet wear resistant steel (or skip the corrosion resistant part for a tough coating), strong lock(if folder)

4)same as 2 really

5)small,light ,compact, exotic materials like carbon fibre, relatively thin blade stock, elegant blade design without being aggressive. No need for aggressive jimping or texturing.

6) lightweight, strong lock( if folder) , others same as 3

7)upswept blade, thin grind, thin stock, ergonomic handle.

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Cool, thanks. I was really looking for off-the-cuff opinions from anyone who is familiar with the tasks generally associated with the categories, and not necessarily anything definitive. The link you posted is very interesting though. I'll try it out as an exercise and see what I come up with.

Gotcha'. For me the devil is in the details, so within each of those categories there are vastly different sorts of builds that might be appropriate depending on the circumstances. For some folks they might only do limited knife work within those contexts, and so have a more narrowly defined off-the-cuff response, but for me it really comes down to the specifics of the what/where/when/why of the tasks, and their comparative frequency, intensity, and time.

 

[22-rimfire]

The most important characteristic is SHARP for all of those categories.

There is a great deal of overlap between the various categories you listed. Are we talking about folders or fixed blades? Most of us have our preferences in terms of knife use. Tactical and Fighting are probably the same knives--sharp, pointy, and strong.

 

[marcinek]

Without using specific models as examples, list the Design features that make a knife especially well suited to:

1)EDC
2)Tactical
3)Survival
4)Fighting
5)Gentleman
6)Camping
7)Hunting

Of course there will be additional categories, and areas of overlap between and among all of them, but I am curious as to the most narrowly defined definition of each. I'd go first, but I only have vague ideas.

I think it would be very interesting and informative for everyone, including you, if you answered the question. :thumbup:

(Because the characteristics that define any of those categories, I think, and going to be entirely different from person to person.)

 

[marcinek]

You may find this helpful regarding that concept.

As usual, well put. The question can only really be answered by each individual after they have figured out for themselves what activities each of those categories actually means to them, and what characteristics they feel is most important in performing those activities.

One cannot say something like "A survival knife must be thick." Its just not true.

 

[meadeam]

I think it would be very interesting and informative for everyone, including you, if you answered the question. :thumbup:

(Because the characteristics that define any of those categories, I think, and going to be entirely different from person to person.)

I'll give it a try:

1) Light weight, <=3" blade, folder (to be legal in some of the places I carry)
2) I dunno. I see this term thrown around a lot, and don't know what it means to the average john or jane doe on the street. My current EDC sort of fits this category (CRKT M16 Tanto)
3) Fixed blade, >=4", thick, pointy, big grippy handle
4) I would guess the same as #2, tactical, but never having been in (nor planning to be in) a knife fight, I am not sure. Anything sharp and pokey.
5) elegant looking blade, high quality materials. Not large enough to be menacing, but still a "real" knife. No pocket clip, possibly a fine leather sheath.
6) similar to #3
7) wide, cuved blade, not too thick.

 

[22-rimfire]

Following the Rambo movies, survival meant tactical fixed blade to me intended for possible self defense. So, the 1/4" stock fighting knives were what I viewed to fit this use (7"+ blade, often sharpened false edge, strong with 1/4" blade stock, pointy, able to be sharpened in the field). But reality sets in and I think most of my surviving can be done with a medium sized SAK, although I prefer the 105 mm size for using. My fixed blade woods knives tend to be similar to "hunting knives". Since I have never really survived out in the woods, I would have to ponder which knife I would choose for the situation assuming I was choosing or forced into this scenario. Is defensive use of primary importance? Are woods craft duties critical? Or do I just use my regular knives that I always use and go on? You can do an awful lot with a folding saw if you are a little careful with it.

 

[Hickory n steel]

First of all I wanna say that I think that gentleman's and edc go together.

Anyways for edc I like a thin lightweight blade that's easy to sharpen when I need to.