STILL why tactical knives?

There are in fact live blade competitions held in the Philippines, and a goodly number of FMA practitioners in the U.S. routinely practice with live blades, since it quickly eliminates any complacency that might develop from using harmless training blades. There are indeed professional knife fighters, and a great many professional trainers of various knife fighting styles and techniques. I think what they do is mostly "tactical". More and more private citizens are studying these methods for personal defense. None are "professional".

I equip a number of undercover leo's, who carry knives as their sole defensive weapon. I'm told the bad guys have better metal detectors than airports, but that knives are considered part of the normal wardrobe and are allowed, while guns are not. While this falls into the "except for leo's" category, there are a great many more private citizens who carry these same or similar blades as their only means of personal defense in the often unfriendly environments of our inner cities, where guns are only legal if you're a criminal.

In the roles and for the uses that Rob described, I think everyone should consider the value of having and learning to effectively use at least one knife that is capable of far more than opening boxes or skinning the occassional deer. Whether you call it a survival knife, a tactical knife, or just a knife is irrelevant. The important thing is that it is a highly durable multi-role tool that can be employed in virtually every task for which ANY knife might ever be employed. There are few knives that fit that description that are not labelled "tactical". In the minds of many knifemakers, the term "tactical" first means tough and durable. Other attributes may vary, but those are certainly a common denominator. "Butt ugly" is certainly not among my priorities when I grind a blade. :)
 
Jim R.:

You have illustrated the conundrum superbly!

Of course there is always the possibility that we have all been mis-using the term tactical from the start, duped by marketing shiesters, and there is no such thing as tactical knives, only tactical looking knives.

In that case there would be no true categorical difference between the groups of knives you have posted, except that one group would be bigger-tougher than the other.

That would be fine with me actually. That would give makers like Jerry the opportunity to redefine the genre of their designs. Then we can say bye-bye to the "tactical" look...except for those who just like the look.
 
I don't know Jerry. 'Butt Ugly' has a certain sex appeal to me. Just look at some of my knives and you'll see what I mean. :D
 
This thread, and the previous one that spawned it, are pure useless crap.

When 10 people can't even agree that a 15" blade is a 'large knife' or a 'very large knife', any other attempt at definition is useless.

I know which blade I want when I go camping, I know which blade I want to clean my nails, I also know which blade I hope I have on me when some bad **** comes down...so do you.



Steve-O
 
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