TactiCool Yes or No

S

SpookStrickland

Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
282
I don't know about you but I'm getting burned out on all the "Tacticool" black scary looking knives and flashlights. I'm going back to the classics of yesteryear and loving them.
 
Same thing happened to me, it took about ten years for me to get tired of the modern "tacticals" (thumb studs, titanium, G-10, etc). So I dug out and gained a renewed appreciation for my 30 year old Buck 110. I've also developed an interest in stag handled knives.
 
Yeah, I was briefly looking at Emersons and then I thought "why?"; the wave feature is pretty much the only thing that sets them apart from other knives, and I'd almost be afraid to use it (way too flashy). I'd much rather have an SAK or a traditional such as something from Case.
 
Im not a big fan of black blades on tactical knives but I would consider that in order for a knife to be tactical it must have good grip and I think the grip is important for a tactical situation.
 
BIG NO. Unless your a LEO or military or some kind or first responder and need it for work.
 
I would very much like to find a knife that has one hand opening, the pivot is adjustable and has a pocket clip but has organic material scales and looks civilized and has about max 4 inch blade. I would buy it instantly if the materials are good and the price is reasonable, max 150 euros. Can of course be cheaper. I have been looking at Benchmade models of Lone wolf knives, Trask just might be it. Also the smaller one, Swale, is interesting. I have no experience about those so I dont know anything about their quality, I quess they have been reviewed here.

Edit. Also the Ridge Top looks nice, not sure about the quality. Quite cheap.
 
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I really don't associate myself with the term "tacticool". But I did serve four tours in Iraq, and a "tactical" folder and flashlight were very necessary tools.

Why did I put " " around "tactical"? Because I have spent 40 years associated with the Air Force and Army. To me "tactical" is being in a deployed or field environment.

A good folder is a tool you don't want to be without. We didn't use them for killing bad guys. We needed them handy in pocket or on belt for all the daily support needs you find in a "tactical" environment. Tie wraps, cardboard, 500 cord, setting up in your CHU (Containerized Housing Unit), etc. Nobody had a shiny blade. They were all bead blasted or black. Not to be "tacticool", in Iraq you just don't want to draw attention with a shiny blade. I you were lucky enough to be where they had a mes hall, you got steak and maybe lobstor. But try eating them with cheap plasctic knives.

You had to work at night, and walk acros sand and large rocks to use a latrine. A small but powerful flashlight kept you from breaking an ankle or leg. They had very narrow beams, and you further hooded them with your hand. The flash light was also black to prevent reflections if there were lights nearby.

These tools are just as necessary in a camping environment, even if the black colors aren't really needed.

The same tools purchased for a civilized urban environment could be called "tacticool". But the tools I have were purchased to fill a real "tactical" need.
 
My mood changes...frequently;)

I find that other people key on your USE of the knife more than the looks of the knife (to a point). If you use responsibly, your knife looks like a tool and you won't;)
 
I don't know about other people but for me the term "tacticool" applies to the ridiculous products created to be marketed to "armchair commandos" and "mall ninjas" that have no practical design or such poor materials that they would never be chosen by military/LEO/EMS. I also think the term "tactical" is overused and the definition has been... warped. If a blade is not a stainless steel it makes complete sense to me for it to be coated or have a mirror polish. Being coated black isn't enough for me to say something is tactical though I would appreciate more color options like the green offered for Esee Izulas. It's important not to let marketing terms compel for or against something. Consider the classic kabar fighting knife. "fighting" is in the name but it's really a utility blade that also has features that were desired in a blade for combat. They've certainly been used as combat tools but are mostly used as utility tools.

As far as all the flashlights go I don't think modeling them for military/LEO/etc is necessarily a bad choice as long as color options aren't lost because with that audience in mind you can expect a reasonably tough flashlight designed to be carried. I was initially not interested in the newer LED flashlights with button ends myself because they all seemed to lack "spot to flood" capability like my old mini mag and the button end didn't interest me, seemed flimsy. I'm now looking for a small LED flashlight (AAA powered) with spot to flood that's turned on with a twist rather than a button. That's all I want, don't need power settings or SOS function.

For the most part the tactical trend doesn't bother me and the tacticool products entertain me. The market is still plenty diverse in my opinion with modern technology being used in blades that would not be considered "tactical". My first and only Spyderco so far is the translucent blue manix 2 and that really can't be considered tactical. I think if it's colors that are bothering you (black blades and black G-10) there are options out there that allow for modern technology without labeling yourself.
 
mkjellgren said:
Tacticool, no. Modern, yes. There's a big difference.
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My feelings exactly.

Nearly every one of my folders is a 'modern' knife, but almost none of them are blacked-out partially-serrated tanto points or whatnot. I just like modern materials and the convenience of one-hand opening. :thumbup:
 
"tacticool"= shoot me first. i wear POLICE on my back 10 hours a day. when im out of uniform i prefer to be wolf in sheeps clothing.
 
It is worth noting also that when someone is 25 years old, they are a boiling cauldron of noodletosterone so maybe they carry a Strider folder,a 1911 on the hip and a spare mag. Fast forward 30 years, and that boiling cauldron has now become a much more manageable "hot and simmering". Like magic, the Strider has been replaced by a small Buck Vantage, and a 14 oz. .38 stubby has replaced the 1911. That urge to be loaded down with weaponry and tiger stripes and blood grooves has been supplanted with a more practical "less is more" philosophy. Part of this transition away from tacticool is just the growing up process as one's emphasis begins to change. Mr. Carl in the traditional forum exemplifies this. His "coolness" derives not from big, waved blades, but discovering how much utility he can squeeze out of a Vic Classic and Case Peanut.
 
I dont necessarily buy tacticool....but if I am looking for something and the price is good, has good reviews I get. So I end up with a mix of gear...civilian and military looking stuff.
 
powernoodle said:
It is worth noting also that when someone is 25 years old, they are a boiling cauldron of noodletosterone so maybe they carry a Strider folder,a 1911 on the hip and a spare mag. Fast forward 30 years, and that boiling cauldron has now become a much more manageable "hot and simmering". Like magic, the Strider has been replaced by a small Buck Vantage, and a 14 oz. .38 stubby has replaced the 1911. That urge to be loaded down with weaponry and tiger stripes and blood grooves has been supplanted with a more practical "less is more" philosophy. Part of this transition away from tacticool is just the growing up process as one's emphasis begins to change. Mr. Carl in the traditional forum exemplifies this. His "coolness" derives not from big, waved blades, but discovering how much utility he can squeeze out of a Vic Classic and Case Peanut.
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Never thought I would see someone use a 1911 as an example for cool, modern, tactical equipment. Does this count for the model I owned that was built in 1919? How does it compare to my polymer snubnose 357?
I think this whole anti tactical movement just doesn't make sense. My griptillian offering one handed opening and closing doesn't immediately make it tactical. Simply makes it convenient. There's no point whatsoever for me to own a knife that can't be manipulated with one hand knowing that some day it will be impossible to use when I need to use it. New, logical innovation doesn't immediately make everything tactical. In my opinion the whole anti tactical movement is even more played out than the tactical movement itself. If someone spends their money on something, and they enjoy it, it's money well spent, period.
 
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I personally don't care what category tools, movies, women, music, etc fall into. If I like the looks of it, I'll go with it. Might as well, life's too short to nitpick.

ETA: I also won't hate anyone for their choices, we're all big boys and girls, we can make our own decisions. ;)

ETA2: That about the 1911 being tacticool made me ponder: Ar emy bigass bowie knives and Randalls considered tacticool? They were in their day, so I reckon if I want to accurately pigeonhole them they are traditional tacticool, lol, this gets silly quick. :p
 
jnichols2 said:
I really don't associate myself with the term "tacticool". But I did serve four tours in Iraq, and a "tactical" folder and flashlight were very necessary tools.

Why did I put " " around "tactical"? Because I have spent 40 years associated with the Air Force and Army. To me "tactical" is being in a deployed or field environment.

A good folder is a tool you don't want to be without. We didn't use them for killing bad guys. We needed them handy in pocket or on belt for all the daily support needs you find in a "tactical" environment. Tie wraps, cardboard, 500 cord, setting up in your CHU (Containerized Housing Unit), etc. Nobody had a shiny blade. They were all bead blasted or black. Not to be "tacticool", in Iraq you just don't want to draw attention with a shiny blade. I you were lucky enough to be where they had a mes hall, you got steak and maybe lobstor. But try eating them with cheap plasctic knives.

You had to work at night, and walk acros sand and large rocks to use a latrine. A small but powerful flashlight kept you from breaking an ankle or leg. They had very narrow beams, and you further hooded them with your hand. The flash light was also black to prevent reflections if there were lights nearby.

These tools are just as necessary in a camping environment, even if the black colors aren't really needed.

The same tools purchased for a civilized urban environment could be called "tacticool". But the tools I have were purchased to fill a real "tactical" need.
Click to expand...

Well if I was in the Military or Law Enforcement, I would have something pretty damn "Tactical" myself because my life and others lives may depend upon it, but In the civilian world I think the Tacticool trend is just way over done. I find that when I look at my "Tactical" style knives they are just kind of ugly but when I get out my Classic Bone Handled knives I can stare at them for hours and do it in public with out anyone thinking I'm going postal.
 
I've been carrying a 1911 before they became 'tactical' or 'tacticool' or whatever term people want to use and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
 
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