Tired of Tacticals at Least Big Ones

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
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I cannot believe that I finally seem to have gotten over large tactical folders. Although I still like one handers, I find myself looking more and more at smaller knives, often under 3" or even under 2.5". They just seem to be more practical to me. A knife that I don't feel comfortable taking out to use is more of a toy or trinket than a tool. I admit that working in a sheeple heavy environment has had some influence but I also must say that small well made knife like a William Henry Lancet or a Spyderco Mouse, Benchmade 770 or 330 or a CRK Umfaan
just strikes me as little gem. I still like Zytel, G-10 etc. but these knives just don't excite me anymore. Anybody else feel this way?
 
Yep, I feel that way myself. I spent a majority of my last show looking at small gent's folder sized stuff. Arthur Washburn had one that sticks out in my mind.... little damascus blade with pinstriped scales. Stars and Stripes I think he called it. Those and hunters kept my eyes occupied.

I really do like a couple of tactical knives though. Tim Herman's Wall Street Tactical won't clear itself out of my head, and I spotted a Darrel Ralph Extreme Apogee with the Illusion release. Those two haunt me, but the rest of the tactical stuff is wearing off quickly.

It's probably okay though. Most likely anything labeled a "tactical knife" will be subject to licensing, registration, and confiscation before too long.
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I understand what you mean. The only tacticals that excite me are customs. I especially like the work of Darrel Ralph, Brian Tighe, Robert Terzoula, and Greg Lightfoot, however, I tend to like their smaller, prettier models. I really have no use for big plain knives anymore.
 
Heh heh heh. Anthony my friend, I fear that we should soon need a support group. Probably just be a 2 or 3 man show for awhile, but I think we'll manage.
 
I agree, I'm down to carrying a tiny SAK "Toolchest", and you know what? It's f------ handy! Doesn't scare sheeple and they don't need to see my serrated edge Calypso worn IWB. Hee Hee!
 
AC,

Living in the hotbed of liberalism and correctness that I do...I have never felt comfortable exposing anything more than a Case Butterbean to public view. I live in the suburbs of Mineapolis/St Paul.

I don't like large knives much (I don't have a blade over 3 inches, except for a fillet knife and kitchen knives) and my only 'tactical' knife is a CRKT M16...never bought into the tactical idea. Is a BM940 tactical...I don't think so, but it's the largest knife I own, other than the M16.

It's interesting to note the raised eyebrows and hear the thoughts, "No one needs a knife THAT big", as I pull out the 940 and cut open a box, "He's nuts".

To tell the truth, I agree with you AC, I prefer the small blades. Not because of what people think but..because I always have. It does rankle me that I can't carry what I wish though. Fixed blades are a definate no-no here, and in the last six months, I have seen a total of one person with a knife clipped to his pocket.

Steve-O
 
The 940 is good example of the kind of problem that knife lovers face. To knife nuts, the BM 940, BM 690, Spyderco Viele, and probably the new Spyderco Vesuvius are all gents knives. To regular folks (sheeple) they are big knives. To regular folks, anything over 6.5 or 7" OAL is big. That is part of the reason why I always carry a small knife even if I have a larger knife also. Although my DDR EDC is legal where I live, folks eyes would pop out if I used it. The easiest thing to do is take out my William Henry Lancet, Spyderco Mouse, BM 330 etc. or even my Spyderco Ladybug. Even then someone might make a comment but I think most reasonable people can handle these smaller knives.

Despite the obvious practical benefits of not having to worry about scaring folks, I still admire smaller knives on their own terms. What could be more sturdy than a CRK Umfaan? The Mouse is a heck of a handful. I have no doubt Tim Wegner skinned a Mule Deer with one. William Henrys are just plain pretty etc.
 
Never was into the big tacticals, myself, but I know what you mean. While it would be tough to find a better knife than my DDR small Apogee, I always carry something in the 2.5" or smaller range (e.g., WH Lancet or Spyderco Toad) as well, because the Apogee would get a negative response in most environments (especially work). Plus, for many everyday tasks, the small knives are actually more usefull.

Dave
 
I guess I prefer larger knives to smaller, as a general rule. Function and aesthetics are both more important to me than simple blade length, although I do try to carry a knife large enough for defensive use. My quest is to collect and carry knives that are something more than just huge black implements of death.
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(Not that there's anything wrong with that...)

Most of the time I carry around a Sifu in an outside-the-belt sheath. I've been pleasantly surprised at the lack of reaction it has received. It probably helps that I live in Texas, where knives are still fairly common, but I think it also helps that I have one of the green-scaled models with a stone washed blade instead of a black-on-black.

My second choice for a defensive blade is an Emerson Commander, also green-scaled and stone washed. My third is a Kershaw Ken Onion Boa in a cheerful mixture of blues and purples with a satin blade. Women seem to actually like it. Almost no one finds it threatening.

Here are some of my others:
Mictotech LCC: titanium and carbon fiber
Benchmade 730: rose and black
CRK Large Sebenza: "Trailing Moon" graphic
Benchmade 940: bright blue
Benchmade 690: carbon fiber and rosewood
Spyderco Lum Chinese: leaf green
Spyderco Native: black with inlaid shell
AG Russell One Hand Knife: polished stainless
Spyderco Delica: royal blue
Camillus EDC: stone washed stainless

All of these knives are at least mildly interesting to look at in one way or another, even for a person who isn't into knives the way we are. Just by carrying and using them for normal day-to-day tasks I've gotten my friends and co-workers used to blades as a normal, non-threatening, and useful part of their scenery. A few of them have even become interested enough to want a good knife of their own. The first step down the slippery slope...
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Sorry, I seem to have a bad case of topic drift tonight. I guess the point I was trying to make is that small knives are not the only way to avoid freaking out the sheeple. I'll stop babbling now.
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--Bob Q
 
I like the concept of tactical knives, but I have never been excited about big, plain, black, military looking knives. The Benchmade 940 is about as tactical as I like them, and I carry it quite a bit. In general I like more traditional patterns, especially in fixed blades. I'm not so conservative when it comes to folders.
 
An SOG Stingray is beautiful and will not scare people I guess. I am saving up to buy one while now my EDC is a 4" blade Taiwan rostfrei balisong. If I don't do the manipulation but simply flip it open, the reaction would be not that "WOW!! YOU GOT A KNIFE!"
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[This message has been edited by Chris Anagarika (edited 05-03-2001).]
 
Being "tactical" per se has never interested me, but size is another issue. For my 9-5 work day I travel from rural Sonoma Co. Calif. to San Francisco, and almost never carry a blade longer than 2.5". At home on weekends or while hiking, back packing, etc., I prefer my larger folders with 3+" blades, or fixed blades in the 3.5" - 5" (blade length) range.
 
The problem, of course, is that you're burned out on large tactical FOLDERS. Now you need to get some large tactiacl FIXED blades. Hmmm. Lile Deathwind for a start, then work up to a Hossom Millenium in the 10"-14" range...
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Tom
 
I still prefer a larger blade, but for work etc I have noticed a number of my more recent blades are around the 3" mark and even below. For example 2 EDC 154CM, 1 Delica Blue 1 Ka Bar D2 folder and a BM 812 Mini AFCK. Strange that?

------------------
Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
I agree, Anthony. I vastly prefer a large fixed blade over a folder - they never flunk my spine whack or back cut test. I don't like large folders, they always seem too much of a compromise. The folders that fit my hand the best are in the 4 in. range, but I carry 3 in. folders to stay within the bounds of our arbitrary laws.

William Henrys are looking better and better to me, also!
 
My general rule of thumb for firearms is "Carry the biggest round you can shoot accurately". I also apply this to knives. I have gotten some smaller than usual knives lately though. Like the 154CM EDC. But I sure would like to see a bigger version.

------------------
Dennis Bible

....Almost here, The Leading Edge....
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com
 
The BM 770 has made me appreciate small knives. It looks tiny next to my Point Guard, but the blade's only 1/2" shorter.

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Man, I hate smileys.
 
Here's the rub. By carrying the small knife in sheeple territory, you are being tactically minded and by definition you are now carrying a tactical knife.

Chris
 
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