Okay, another question please

[Siggyhk]

So, on this forum, it appears that most people don't like the whole "tactical folder" thing. Some are even dead against it, and freely insult those who have a perticular interest in them. I can understand that opinion. -And I also realize some people don't hesitate to say they like a good tactical knife, but to most, I think, they are not in favor, to say the least.
I guess my issue /question about this is that aren't tactical knives, such as the cqc-7 and the original delicas/enduras what really got the knife industries revolution to the point where it is today? And aren't most new knives still tactically based?
Now, I am only 24, and have only been into "good" knives since I was about 17, so my prior knife history isn't up to par. But today, it seems that most, or a great %, of knives are based as weapons. Tactical folders, even if people choose to use them for other things, are still designed as weapons, right?. I have to believe that a knife that flicks/opens with one hand, locks up "super" tight, and has a quick acsess clip generally tends to be tactical.
I feel some knives are based on utility, but only a minority. So if these knives are infact made as weapons, what's wrong with thinking about them as just that.
Please correct me where I am wrong here, and also understand that I personally have knives that I carry as pure tools- but they are mostly designed as weapons first. I also collect other knives purely due to the fact that they are greatly designed offensive weapons. But that's just me.

I'm not looking for a fight here, just some civilized opinions. I feel we need to appreciate what "tactical folders" have done for all of us knife users.

-What say you?

 

[J85909266]

I think most people love tactical knives, and what you are mistaking for tactical knife haters are people that don't like knives marketed and designed for attacking people. The general idea is that most of us never want a knife for that and dont care for flashy, tiger striped, teflon coated, tanto death folders. It's just not why I like knives. It's just cheesy to me. Tactical onehanded opening and solid lock up is awesome, it's the whole "covert deanimation" thing that bugs people.

 

[gutsy]

can anyone say mall ninja appeal:barf: ? i dont like any knives marketed towards deanimating fellow man but i can see how some may place alot of enfasis on such things. for instance , in ca its ilegal to carry a firearm but blade legnth s are more lenient . i dunno.

 

[beefangusbeef]

You might want to search for opinions on this matter. I like tough knives that are good at what they do, but that has nothing to do with the word tactical or the implementation of anything tactically. I don't mind a knife being marketed as a backup, self defense tool, or last ditch combat implement, but the marketing hype has killed my taste for the market. It would be nice if the whole genre went away, you could say fighting knife, combat knife, survival knife, instead of the word tactical.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I think most people love tactical knives, and what you are mistaking for tactical knife haters are people that don't like knives marketed and designed for attacking people. The general idea is that most of us never want a knife for that and dont care for flashy, tiger striped, teflon coated, tanto death folders. It's just not why I like knives. It's just cheesy to me. Tactical onehanded opening and solid lock up is awesome, it's the whole "covert deanimation" thing that bugs people.

+ 1 to that!

:thumbup:

 

[buckg]

Saying you hate "tactical" folders is like saying you hate "assault" rifles. I remember people moaning about "plastic poodle shooters". Well, the AR-15 is as popular as ever and the tactical folder ain't going away either. The style has become so ubiquitous that a slip joint almost seems like an anachronism when you go into most knife stores.

 

[beefangusbeef]

I concur an AR-15 makes for the perfect yuppy weekend shootout. I think half of my last class bought Rock River Arms M4 model.

 

[Buzzbait]

Tactical folders, even if people choose to use them for other things, are still designed as weapons, right?. I have to believe that a knife that flicks/opens with one hand, locks up "super" tight, and has a quick acsess clip generally tends to be tactical.

You'd have to ask the designers and manufacturers as to their intent, but I believe that a large portion of the tactical folders on the market are not purposely designed to be used as weapons. The one-hand opening, pocket clips, and blade locks are often implemented for their overall utility high value. Some of these knives are marketed toward military and law enforcement, but not necessarily as a means of self defense.

 

[glennbad]

I'm not really 'into' tactical knives, so I won't respond to that. But I wanted to comment on you first question. You say that tactical knives are probably what got the industry to where it is. I would say look back, say about the last 100 years (heck, even farther back than that). This period of time, IMO, is what got the industry to where it is today. There has to be an evolution of knives to get them where they are today. Do some research, you will see the knife companies that multiplied like rabbits in the early to mid 1900's.

Over time, people's tastes change. Knife designs evolve. The need for someone to re-invent the wheel. Soldiers used to carry Marbles and Randalls into combat, now it's uber-tactical black-coated blades with chisel grinds and synthetic handles. Why this change? Who knows, maybe marketing.

Tactical knives don't really appeal to me as users. Do I like them? Absolutely!

To me, it is just like buying an SUV instead of a sportscar. Different needs, different tastes....

As far as the whole weapon thing, knives are knives.

I can stab someone with a pencil, now a pencil is a weapon. It's all intent and perception. I guess marketing plays into it too.

Not really an answer to your question, but I wanted to respond...

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[cerulean]

When I think about knives that are purposely designed to be used as weapons, something like a rondel dagger is what comes to mind… not the relatively small pocket knives that we call “tactical folders”.

 

[Bors]

The whole process begins and ends with thought. You have to hold a weapon in your mind before you can hold in your hand.

Franklin Dictionary:
Tactical:
The science of maneuvering forces in combat.
The skill of using available means to reach an end.

The word “Tactical” is vague which is why it works so well as a marketing tool. The instant you tag something as “Tactical” it conjures up images of violence. Society as a hole has been somewhat brainwashed in to believing that if a knife has a certain “appearance or look” then it has to be a weapon and can’t possibly be used for anything else period. You can thank Hollywood and the media for that. So a lot of people tend to shy away from “Tactical” knifes because of the image. Most people don’t even realize that the chef’s knife in their kitchen is very close in design too early Bowie knifes.
When you look at it, the fact is all knives can fall into the category of “Tactical”.
You need to open a box so you use a box cutter, you need to spread butter on your toast so you use a butter knife, and you need to cut a piece of rope so you use a cqc-7. In all of these examples, you use a type of knife to reach an end.
In the end, any knife can be a weapon if that is the persons desire regardless of design.

 

[Death's Head]

Haven't met any tactical knife haters. Me being a knife lover, I love all knives. I do have my preferences though. Being on BF, I haven't met a person who hates a whole criteria of knives.

 

[Halfneck]

I like all categories of knives as they all have their uses.

That being said I hate some companies Marketing in regards to their knives. The most obvious is Dark Ops. Dark Ops advertising rants about blood grooves to channel Al Qaieda body fluids away from the handle even though the material in the handle is resistant to it - or some such stupid thing. All kind of gimicky features on them to make better "fighting" knives and the use of bullet words & phrases like "Covert Deanimation." Basically pandering to the "Mall Ninjas" and "Armchair Commandos" types who think of buying knives to kill sentries behind enemy lines or some other Rambo fantasy. Companies that promote that kind of over the top image harm the knife industry.

 

[Bors]

I like all categories of knives as they all have their uses.

That being said I hate some companies Marketing in regards to their knives. The most obvious is Dark Ops. Dark Ops advertising rants about blood grooves to channel Al Qaieda body fluids away from the handle even though the material in the handle is resistant to it - or some such stupid thing. All kind of gimicky features on them to make better "fighting" knives and the use of bullet words & phrases like "Covert Deanimation." Basically pandering to the "Mall Ninjas" and "Armchair Commandos" types who think of buying knives to kill sentries behind enemy lines or some other Rambo fantasy. Companies that promote that kind of over the top image harm the knife industry.

Yep. Marketing

Generaly speaking knifes marketed that way are overpriced poorley made junk anyway.

 

[puukkoman]

I get the opposite impression about this forum. It seems to me that, compared to the *other* forum, there's more interest in blacktical blades here than elsewhere.

 

[Siggyhk]

I agree with most of what's been said. Especially the marketing points. I also agree with buckg. To me it seems that these "tactical" knives have brought pocket knives sooo far, and yet, like the "assult" rifle they give off a negitive vibe, perticularly to the undereducated public.