Tactical Knives Getting Out of Control?

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J85909266 said:
This conversation is taking a dead horse turn. So be it, though. I got a lot of interesting posts and insight from the community. I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in noticing and being a bit concerned about this current trend.
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Well, I had been thinking about this topic for months now. I was not going to start a thread on it because, well it might not have been well received due to being a mod here. But, it's hard to argue with so many ugly bastid knives that look like the handles were designed for some war mongering aliens from deep space. I think the whole thing is just cheapening the hobby.

leghog said:
Carried for a couple of years in the late '90s. Used it hard. Tactical knives just don't age well at all. Now it sits in a tool box and is very rarely ever used anymore.

Even with a broken scale, traditions age with character.
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Some tactical/modern designs do not age well? That depends on what kind of life they have had and who you ask. I've always been a fan of traditional knives, but have seen some hacked up "characters". For those that care to look, some of the Emerson knives in black look really nice with use marks. Here is an example.
 
RevDevil said:
Some tactical/modern designs do not age well? That depends on what kind of life they have had and who you ask. I've always been a fan of traditional knives, but have seen some hacked up "characters". For those that care to look, some of the Emerson knives in black look really nice with use marks. Here is an example.
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Not sure I qualify that as "hard used".
 
leghog said:
Not sure I qualify that as "hard used".
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It qualifies as "worn" I'd say. The point was the visual "wear" on a tactical/modern knife. For the most part, I dislike a knife that has a ton of scratches and gouges all over it.
 
This should go on a Bladeforums t-shirt.

Which would be limited edition, obviously, so we can sell it at a higher price. ;)


marcinek said:
Pretty much. It makes the marketing a slam dunk. Look at the websites for the outfits that make these uber-slabs. They all go something like:

We don't want you buying our knives. We don't believe you are a 365 24/7 testosterone-soaked, troop-supporting, 110% American bad ass.
You are probably a mincing Frenchy with an Opinel: "Ooh la la, zis eez my Opinel! Eet eez wafer theen!"
Or an old fart with a slipjoint who only uses it to cut apples into tiny bits you can chew without teeth, and open up your Depends packages.

You can't handle our knives, pansy.


And people can't resist it. "I am too a bad ass! Here's my $500!"
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Screw tactical knives. We need a new evolution of SURVIVAL knives! Must contain strike-anywhere matches and at least 20 feet of fishing line to qualify. Bonus points if it features an imbedded compass that never stops whirling.
 
Mecha said:
Screw tactical knives. We need a new evolution of SURVIVAL knives! Must contain strike-anywhere matches and at least 20 feet of fishing line to qualify. Bonus points if it features an imbedded compass that never stops whirling.
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For the love of Scagel no! :eek: Tactical....survival....bushcraft....zombie...hard use...not again! I am praying the next, tiresome marketing gimmick is something new at least.
 
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/\ lol that said... i can see why people like some of the overbuilt fighting knives, but ill never understand the neon green and fake blood splatter "zombie" editions. im particularly surprised that some big reputable companies put some fantastic knives through that paint job which cheapens the look. i get the cashing in on the popular subject but they just look like flea market knives to me.
 
drrickso said:
/\ lol that said... i can see why people like some of the overbuilt fighting knives, but ill never understand the neon green and fake blood splatter "zombie" editions. im particularly surprised that some big reputable companies put some fantastic knives through that paint job which cheapens the look. i get the cashing in on the popular subject but they just look like flea market knives to me.
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I'll let you in on a little known secret. Real industry insider stuff. You know why companies made that zombie stuff?

Because people we're buying it.

Its a little-known fact that knife companies' REAL goal is to sell knives.
 
The knife industry has some horrible taste - awesome people, great to hang out with...but damn, some of these knives are just hideous. Style wise, I don't like the vast majority of higher end knives out there. Even a lot of well-made knives, from very obviously talented makers in many cases, look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Especially the blades with the obnoxious recurves and giant curved finger choils.

And don't get me started on Tops writing short stories, complete with illustrations, on their blades. I'd own half a dozen Tops knives if it weren't for that nonsense.
 
The new face of cutlery
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I disregard all things that come with the caveat of "custom"... I draw the definitive line in the sand when someone utilizes that as a pitch to sell a brand new blade to a broad market of consumers. Harley Davidson is world renown for this kind of "custom" consumer culture... If you buy it off of the shelf, or click "add to cart" it's bought by you, not built for you, therefore not "custom"...


Make a trend out of buying from those who make knives with their hands, hearts, and minds. Support the modificatory market that enlists the personal talent of those who can make something better... Put the money where the work is and 9 times out of 10 you've made a good investment.
 
The only knives I think are getting out of control are tanto folders. They seem silly and not useful at a length that can be folded. The only tanto I own is a Combative Edge/Fox Italy Salus. Which is a great combat blade should it ever be required. I don't know what kind of knives you're into, but I'm 21 years old and don't need a knife passed down from my grandfather because I want to spend time appreciating 800 year old wood scales. I need a tool that I can use to slice anything in front of me and I've found that tool in my "tactical" 275 Adamas.
 
A heavy duty knife (tool) which will handle rough jobs is a valid and proper market. Heck, any market which sells is valid. I do wonder how many people who buy tactical knives do so primarily for that reason (heavy tool). I wonder how many are thinking of "combat" or self-defense. Then I wonder how many are actually used for combat.

Now, for centuries people have carried a lighter duty "pocket knife" for everyday tasks, including opening their depends. This market has stood the test of time but it doesn't make sharpened prybar (a good and valid tool) or even playing soldier less valid. It just means that that is not all there is.

To get back to the original point. The instant and ubiquitous media which has grown around us, and which I love...really, has the potential to almost control public taste. We should always remember that these folks want as much of our money for as little outlay as possible.
 
davek14 said:
A heavy duty knife (tool) which will handle rough jobs is a valid and proper market. Heck, any market which sells is valid. I do wonder how many people who buy tactical knives do so primarily for that reason (heavy tool). I wonder how many are thinking of "combat" or self-defense. Then I wonder how many are actually used for combat.
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Nobody trains to fight, they train in case they have to fight and you always train with what you use.
So whether or not it gets used for combat is irrelevant, in fact it's probably better if they're not.
It's better to prepare and prevent than repair and repent. Assuming you live to repair and repent.
That being said it would be pretty silly for someone to buy a Karambit or a Tanto and then end up using it opening boxes or something. So I can kind of see your point. I just don't think there's anything wrong with keeping a tactical knife around. I don't really think they should be folders but Doug Marcaida swears by those Emerson Karambits so who am I to say what someone should carry or why.
 
I've read through this entire thread and I all I can think about is this: Sorta re-defines "tactical", eh?

[video=youtube;_vW54lAtldI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_vW54lAtldI[/video]
 
It's a fairly simple formula that we all buy into on some level. Create a narrative that stimulates an imaginary need or threat, convince people they are the prime recipients or targets of such statistically fictional scenarios, and then round off this finely crafted story by using characters (people like us) who prevail against the imaginary foes with shiny new product in hand. And for good measure, distribute these "solutions" to true-believing YouTubers who embellish the narratives in all sorts of fun ways. Or better yet, have Hollywood do the story telling for you.

TADA! You're got a profitable market.
 
I'm glad the industry has found a way to be so successful in marketing to the current generation of buyers.

It means the trickle-down tech makes the stuff I'm interested in just that little bit better.

I also like that now the steel industry seems to be taking a vested interest in the knife industry.

Thank you American knife buyer for being successfully advertised to, your spending habits help! :)
 
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