Tactical Folder

[tjsulli790]

I really have no idea why these two knives even get compared. I don't view the Military as a "tactical" knife, it's a thin slicing large utility knife. The 710 is well the 710. Thin blade profile with a robust sabre grind, AXIS lock (which by the way can easily be manipulated with gloves one), and steel liners.

So which one is more "tactical", well that goes to the 710. It has the more robust blade and just feel stronger in general.

Which one would I actually use more? The Military. S30V take a nice edge, thin slicing blade, light weight, great ergos. But I don't think it would be too good of a zombie slayer if that is what you're going after...

 

[H0B0J0]

Both have flaws. The Benchmade is flawed because it doesn't have a Spyder hole and the Military is flawed because it is a liner lock.

The Answer is clear.

Take a Little bit of Military...mix it with a Little bit of 710. Spyderhole here...axis lock there...full liners...a bit of g10...and BAM!

You have yourself a winner!

The 806!


but...if I have to pick one or the other, I'd go with the 710 personally. I loved my 710-801

 

[bchan77]

710 or the Military? I would say neither. Both are very fine utility knives, but I don't think they are 'tactical' in the sense that they lend themselves to being efficiently used for stabbing/thrusting in a knife fight.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Better yet, why are these considered tactical?

Better yet, why wouldn't they be? I ask this knowing full well you will not be able to answer it.

They don't adhere to the format at all. Tactical knives were originally Emersons or Terzuolas - hand made, tanto blade, G10 slabbed, and thick bladed.

Please explain the "format" of a 'tactical knife,' oh father of all things 'tactical?' Emersons and Terzuolas only were tactical because they had pocket clips and were one hand openers, both of which were inovations Spyderco brought to market. By the way, if, in order to be 'tactical,' a knife has to be 'hand made,' there will be a lot of dissatisfied, production EKI knife owners out there. Have you ever handled a Terzuola? My guess would be that you haven't. He doesn't make too many tantos. Maybe you were thinking of Bob Lum?

What tactical uses would either knife be used for

Digital Data Tech duties would be my guess.

- and what do tactical forces who do those jobs choose?

What's affordable and available, usually a Spyderco or a Benchmade, which oddly enough, is what the OP was asking about.

 

[3Guardsmen]

I don't understand what makes an Emerson "tactical."

The fact that Emerson says so....Oh, also the fact that Tirod3 says so.

Regards,
3G

 

[tirod3]

Touche' - the comment was rhetorical. What is or isn't a tactical knife will probably never be satisfactorily decided. I don't help in other threads suggesting that a Case trapper used by an undercover drug agent is more tactical than either knife here.

Tactical in large part means what won't attract attention - kind of why M16's aren't pink. Add a certain amount of "can't be broken" and you reduce the tendency of young soldiers damaging it. Young guys can break bowling balls given the challenge. The best become Marines.

The Emerson/Terzuola comment was to establish a baseline historical reference. I imagine very few of us have handled a Terzuola - I have, and own a BM CQC7. On the other hand, I also have a SnG, which is a far better utility knife, despite some non-owners lack of appreciation because the styling is too tactical.

Having owned and sold a Military, I would still prefer it between the two, but my root question remains - what is it going to be used for? Like most comparison threads, the OP asks us to choose one without any clue what it's for. And like all the BM's and Spyderco's sold to soldiers, the biggest task in the field is opening the MRE pouch - which can be pulled open by hand.

Comes down to - what knife makes the OP look good to his friends and adds machismo to his image? If we're not making that decision, there would only be a few ugly but effective knives on the market at all.

In that regard, the BM wins hands down. Much more professional and tactical looking. Spyderco's are so "Cliffhanger - Stallone" who would want to carry one?

 

[knerd]

I can't take it anymore! "Tactical" is just an adjective slapped on knives so they'll sell more to the general public. Come on folks, we're better than the general public (I hope)! It's just a marketing ploy, nothing makes Emerson any more tactical than a Spyderco or Benchmade or Kershaw or a Case knife. Am I the only one here that thinks it's hilarious every time someone tries to defend a knifes status of being tactical because of a few innovative features? I really hope I'm not.

 

[3Guardsmen]

The following is the definition of the word "tactical" from an online dictionary:

"Main Entry: tac·ti·cal
Pronunciation: \ˈtak-ti-kəl\
Function: adjective
Date: 1570
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

&#8212; tac·ti·cal·ly \-k(&#601;-)l&#275;\ adverb"

How exactly does it relate to folding knives? It really doesn't. It was a term used by knifemakers to generate interest in their knives! It would be no different than if someone were to use a really cool, military sounding term like "field expedient" to describe a style of knife they were making that was not much different than other knives on the market. If the term caught on, it would fuel the marketing hype, and the person that first added that term to the word "knife" would be regarded as 'the father of the field expedient knife,' by virtue of the fact that they said so.

"Tactical" is overplayed!

Touche' - the comment was rhetorical. What is or isn't a tactical knife will probably never be satisfactorily decided. I don't help in other threads suggesting that a Case trapper used by an undercover drug agent is more tactical than either knife here.

Tactical in large part means what won't attract attention - kind of why M16's aren't pink. Add a certain amount of "can't be broken" and you reduce the tendency of young soldiers damaging it. Young guys can break bowling balls given the challenge. The best become Marines.

The Emerson/Terzuola comment was to establish a baseline historical reference. I imagine very few of us have handled a Terzuola - I have, and own a BM CQC7. On the other hand, I also have a SnG, which is a far better utility knife, despite some non-owners lack of appreciation because the styling is too tactical.

Having owned and sold a Military, I would still prefer it between the two, but my root question remains - what is it going to be used for? Like most comparison threads, the OP asks us to choose one without any clue what it's for. And like all the BM's and Spyderco's sold to soldiers, the biggest task in the field is opening the MRE pouch - which can be pulled open by hand.

Comes down to - what knife makes the OP look good to his friends and adds machismo to his image? If we're not making that decision, there would only be a few ugly but effective knives on the market at all.

In that regard, the BM wins hands down. Much more professional and tactical looking. Spyderco's are so "Cliffhanger - Stallone" who would want to carry one?

You make some very good points.

Regards,
3G

 

[antonio_luiz]

Both have flaws. The Benchmade is flawed because it doesn't have a Spyder hole and the Military is flawed because it is a liner lock.

I would choose neither, but if limited to just those two I would choose the Military. The Spyder hole is the defining feature of all my favorite knives save one. You'll never miss the opening on a Spyderco. The same might not be said of a tiny thumb stud.

Bugger the stud - my 710 opens with a wrist flick - but both knives are excellent. I think the Millie has better ergo's though

 

[IGotStabbed]

For me personally I wouldn't go with the finger hole. For tactical situations any extrusion is better than any concave surface. What if you had gloves, thick gloves? And I think everyone can at least get their thumb stuck in the hole- just thrust in until it can't go in anymore. You never know what happens your under stress, you might apply more down force than needed. Thumb disc or stud is fail safe.

 

[Josh K]

For me personally I wouldn't go with the finger hole. For tactical situations any extrusion is better than any concave surface. What if you had gloves, thick gloves? And I think everyone can at least get their thumb stuck in the hole- just thrust in until it can't go in anymore. You never know what happens your under stress, you might apply more down force than needed. Thumb disc or stud is fail safe.

And many times harder with thick or heavy gloves. Ever try to use an Axis lock with gloves on? I submit that you have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[bigkahunasix]

For me personally I wouldn't go with the finger hole. For tactical situations any extrusion is better than any concave surface. What if you had gloves, thick gloves? And I think everyone can at least get their thumb stuck in the hole- just thrust in until it can't go in anymore. You never know what happens your under stress, you might apply more down force than needed. Thumb disc or stud is fail safe.

I will be so glad when school starts up again.

 

[razorsdescent]

I will be so glad when school starts up again.

I concur:thumbup:

 

[Josh K]

I will be so glad when school starts up again.

I concur:thumbup:

Here here.

 

[razorsdescent]

For me personally I wouldn't go with the finger hole. For tactical situations any extrusion is better than any concave surface. What if you had gloves, thick gloves? And I think everyone can at least get their thumb stuck in the hole- just thrust in until it can't go in anymore. You never know what happens your under stress, you might apply more down force than needed. Thumb disc or stud is fail safe.

Are you serious? I cant imagine how much stress i would have to be in to get my thumb into a spyderhole but id imagine if it did somehow get lodged in there i would indeed be under stress :goes off to try and force thumb into enduras spyderhole:

 

[DennisStrickland]

nc527-your thread is hilarious love it.

 

[Ankerson]

How about just getting to a small EDC with thick heavy gloves on under stress in the 1st place, that would be the real problem. LOL

 

[Herr_Noobien]

I think what the OP means is combat/SD knife. How on earth is the Military not a combat knife? The finger choil and aggressive jimping on the thumb ramp are made to stop the blade from going forward on a thrust attack. Heck, just look at the tip on the blade. Im sure spyderco added a needlepoint tip on for a reason: sickeningly easy penetration. A better question to ask is how isnt the military a good combat knife?

Note: i am not defemding the 710 for a reason. This is because i don't have one so i cannot really talk about it.

 

[razorsdescent]

I think what the OP means is combat/SD knife. How on earth is the Military not a combat knife? The finger choil and aggressive jimping on the thumb ramp are made to stop the blade from going forward on a thrust attack. Heck, just look at the tip on the blade. Im sure spyderco added a needlepoint tip on for a reason: sickeningly easy penetration. A better question to ask is how isnt the military a good combat knife?

Note: i am not defemding the 710 for a reason. This is because i don't have one so i cannot really talk about it.

http://img.moonbuggy.org/sensors-indicate-noob/ If anyone can post this image for me id be quite grateful)

What hole are these people crawling out of?

The fine is for .....well fine tip work :jerkit: knives have pointy tips for things other than stabbing people. it seems to help alot of people out when working with wood.


A busse tank buster is a combat knife a gerber mark 2 is a fighting knife a spyderco military is not a combat knife or a fighting knife.

 

[babakanoosh45]

http://img.moonbuggy.org/sensors-indicate-noob/ If anyone can post this image for me id be quite grateful)

What hole are these people crawling out of?

The fine is for .....well fine tip work :jerkit: knives have pointy tips for things other than stabbing people. it seems to help alot of people out when working with wood.


A busse tank buster is a combat knife a gerber mark 2 is a fighting knife a spyderco military is not a combat knife or a fighting knife.

How's that?