Tactical VS. Traditional

onojoe

onojoe

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
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Hey Guys,

I have been acquiring a few more traditional knives lately. Curious to know how members feel about traditional knives and tactical knives. Do you use one or the other exclusively? It brings up another thought, what is a tactical knife. For me it is a single bladed knife, with a lock, and a pocket clip of some kind.

I'll start off with my thoughts.

My collection is probably 75% tactical 25% traditional. I just find tactical knives to be easier to use on a day to day basis.

And for purely an intellectual exercise I am going to post the exact thread on the Traditional Knife Forum and the General Knife Forum

Edit: You guys have brought up a good point, tactical has certain connotations, maybe "Modern VS. Traditionals" would have been a better descriptor. It just didn't sound as good.
 
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Hey Guys,

I have been acquiring a few more traditional knives lately. Curious to know how members feel about traditional knives and tactical knives. Do you use one or the other exclusively? It brings up another thought, what is a tactical knife. For me it is a single bladed knife, with a lock, and a pocket clip of some kind.

I'll start off with my thoughts.

My collection is probably 75% tactical 25% traditional. I just find tactical knives to be easier to use on a day to day basis.

And for purely an intellectual exercise I am going to post the exact thread on the Traditional Knife Forum and the General Knife Forum

Edit: You guys have brought up a good point, tactical has certain connotations, maybe "Modern VS. Traditionals" would have been a better descriptor. It just didn't sound as good.
 
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Started out with moderns. My first "real" knife, which I still have to this day, was a Kershaw Cryo II. The fixed blades I bought at the time were also trending towards "tactical". It was only when I discovered the wonders of the porch, and all the different and neat variations of traditionals with all their history and anecdotes, that I really went whole-hog on slippies and other traditionals.

Overall, in terms of quantity, I'd say I have way more traditional folders than moderns, and the fixed blades that can be considered "traditional" outnumber the mallninja "tacticool" ones now, too. But I almost always have a modern folder on me in addition to the traditionals I slip into my pockets (today being a rare exception, though I did intend to bring my PM2 along and just forgot).

I imagine you're going to find strong leans in both forums (moderns being more "popular" overall among folding knife users), but I also imagine you'll see more passion about the choice here on the porch. :D
 
I prefer tactical semi-customs. Those in my opinion combine excellent innovative mechanics with an effective form and functional capability, as well as (for some) beautiful aesthetics. I use tactical for this reason.

I can appreciate traditional knives, there is something special about a knife that is just pure steel combined with other parts of nature (wood, bone, etc.). It just looks too old fashioned to me, and I haven't seen any that do more than change the type of wood/stone/bone in the handle with different finish.
 
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Been lots of threads on "tactical knives." Lots of folks don't like the name, feel it's a marketing device, etc. Your definition is pretty good, although I'd add modern materials (micarta vs bone for example) and one handed opening capability. I personally prefer the tactical/modern style for those two reasons plus the lock.
 
"Tactical" knives are generally equipped with one hand opening, pocket clips, and serrated blades seem to be popular.
To a non-knife person, (and LEO's) a "tactical" knife is more likely to be considered a "weapon" (thanks to Cold Steel, who seems to market all their goods as a "weapon", and have those videos out where they slice clothes filled with meat and stabbing car hoods and/or doors, etc.)
A "traditional" knife is more likely to be seen by the non-knife person (and LEO's) as something they remember their parents and grandparents using as a tool, and are therefore not "threatening" like the all black "tactical" knife. Just like a blued metal and wood stocked Winchester 94 or Marlin 1895 is not "threatening" like an all black M-16.
Personally, in the 60 odd years I've been on this rock, I've never had cause or the desire to stab a car (or person). I loathe serrated blades (including a bread knife), and have no need of one hand opening.
I also prefer multiple blades on my knives, since one blade profile is not ideal for every use. Traditional knives handle all my cutting needs.
 
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I keep a 'tactical' fixed knife on my sailboat, but would never carry a tactical around town. Too brutal looking. I need to cut my apple, not shank it to death. Traditional all the way for me.
 
I find myself more and more drawn to knives that blend the concepts together. Traditionals have, IMO, vastly superior aesthetics and tend to have better cutting geometry, but I prefer the convenience of one handed opening, pocket clips, screw construction and the broad variety of lock mechanisms that tactical folders offer.

Companies seem to be creeping closer to getting the combo right, so I'm hoping that knives like the Boker Plus Tech Tools, Cold Steel Lucky and Benchmade Crooked River continue to push the evolution of knife design in that direction.
 
I'd say that I lean mostly towards modern "tacticals". But nothing beats the walk and talk of a stout-sprung slippy! :D
 
My collection (about 130 of 150 total) is traditionals. But I daily carry both, and use each for different purposes.
 
YES!

or

BOTH!

I mostly carry moderns, but have been easing over into traditionals as well. Currently I enjoy carrying one of each. Modern main blade, traditional (small/med size) as a secondary/food knife. Most of my cutting needs involve simple packaging and food, so the "secondary" traditional gets the majority of the use nowadays. But I'm not selling of my moderns any time soon. Just diversifying.
 
afishhunter said:
"Tactical" knives are generally equipped with one hand opening, pocket clips, and serrated blades seem to be popular.
To a non-knife person,(and LEO's) a "tactical" knife is more likely to be considered a "weapon" (thanks to Cold Steel, who seems to market all their goods as a "weapon", and have those videos out where they slice clothes filled with meat and stabbing car hoods and/or doors, etc.)
A "traditional" knife is more likely to be seen by the non-knife person (and LEO's) as something they remember their parents and grandparents using as a tool, and are therefore not "threatening" like the all black "tactical" knife. Just like a blued metal and wood stocked Winchester 94 or Marlin 1895 is not "threatening" like an all black M-16.
Personally, in the 60 odd years I've been on this rock, I've never had cause or the desire to stab a car (or person). I loathe serrated blades (excluding the fine serrations on a bread knife), and have no need of one hand opening.
I also prefer multiple blades on my knives, since one blade profile is not ideal for every use. Traditional knives handle all my cutting needs.
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Logistically this is why I have trended to traditionals, but also I like the individual character brought out by the natural materials. I loved ZT knives, but at the end of the day every ZT0808 is identical. You can take 2 of the same model and same material traditionals, and each is going to be unique.
 
I have to confess that I reject the term "tactical" for what are really modern knives with modern design features such as pocket clips, alternate deployment methods, and so on. Traditionals are called that because they are what our fathers and grandfathers carried. Modern knives (along with Traditionals) will be what our children and grandchildren carry.

Tactical, to me, suggests a military or self-defense use.
 
Quiet said:
I have to confess that I reject the term "tactical" for what are really modern knives with modern design features such as pocket clips, alternate deployment methods, and so on. Traditionals are called that because they are what our fathers and grandfathers carried. Modern knives (along with Traditionals) will be what our children and grandchildren carry.

Tactical, to me, suggests a military or self-defense use.
Click to expand...

I'll echo this. To me, it's a silly notion. SO many knives would not fit either.
What is a Kershaw Leek? Somehow, i don't see FBI-HRT carrying a Leek. It's not "Tactical" but it sure as heck isn't traditional either.
Lets get even more traditional. Buck Vantage... well, with uncoated blade and wood scales, it is kind of sort of traditional looking, but still uses a liner lock. Then again, same knife with bad coated blade and blue/black G10 is more "tactical" but is really the same knife... so you tell me. What is it?

I suppose it depends on the definition of "tactical."

I guess to answer your question, for general all around usage, I tend to lean more toward bushcraft oriented knives. Things like my Izula2, BK16, Condor Bushlore, etc... They are a bit closer to traditional in profile. Then again, the black blade and micarta scales on my Izula and BK16, might make them "tactical?" Oh dear... I'm lost.
 
I was just thinking similarly about my own knife collection, though, I'm strictly a fixed blade guy & I know you're referring to folders in your case. But, from a FB perspective, I prefer a mix of old & new. I like a simple drop point blade design, the beauty & craftsmanship of a well executed tapered tang, but most of my knives have a modern flare as well; be it a pinecone/resin scaled handle or TS Kevlar or fill in the blank. I REALLY do not like some of the traditional looks & materials like curly-Qs at a knife's butt, or stag scales, or guards, but the older I get, the more I find myself preferring the amazing stabilized woods that are out there...though half of those are dyed & I wouldn't call that aspect traditional. So, for me, a mix is best, resulting in something with elegance, soul, & performance.
Apache Hunter - 3.jpgJosh B&T1.jpgLong Bird & Trout - 1.jpgEDC 2.jpgPinecone Hunter - 1.jpg
 
Sometime within the next 12 months I'm going to buy a traditional. I have some old Sheffield ones and my issue Camilius and of course some SAKs. For day to day they get bumped by modern knifes. Pocket clip and one hand opening trump the old school.

I've done my homework and read the threads. I've looked at the pictures and checked out the stores. I've decided on a Beer Scout. I've even picked a few versions and ranked them so if the one I want isn't available then I have a backup.

And now all I can do is wait. And possibly when they come into stock then miss out on buying one. I could dive into the flipper markets on here or eBay but then we're looking at spending double MSRP or more. Since this is merely to satisfy my curiosity I'm going to wait.

Will I get it? Who knows; when I do have it in hand I"ll come back and post in this thread to stop the clock.
 
Danke42 said:
Sometime within the next 12 months I'm going to buy a traditional. I have some old Sheffield ones and my issue Camilius and of course some SAKs. For day to day they get bumped by modern knifes. Pocket clip and one hand opening trump the old school.

I've done my homework and read the threads. I've looked at the pictures and checked out the stores. I've decided on a Beer Scout. I've even picked a few versions and ranked them so if the one I want isn't available then I have a backup.

And now all I can do is wait. And possibly when they come into stock then miss out on buying one. I could dive into the flipper markets on here or eBay but then we're looking at spending double MSRP or more. Since this is merely to satisfy my curiosity I'm going to wait.

Will I get it? Who knows; when I do have it in hand I"ll come back and post in this thread to stop the clock.
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:D I've been looking for a beer scout too, and like you am having to wait.
 
I like the look of natural handle material and i dislike the look of pocket clips on a knife as i age. These days i rarely even look at "modern" knives. And i only enter A GAW if it is a traditional style knife...and thats my 2 cents worth:cool:
 
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