OK. To me. "Tactical." Locks and opens with one hand.
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What constitutes a "tactical folder" in your opinion?
- Thread starter Nyfeguy
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OK. To me. "Tactical." Locks and opens with one hand.
I was listing my personal requirements yes and there were a few who were reluctant to use my terminology and who were confused about the definition so I am trying to clarify my question for those who seemed unsure about what I was asking, just as I clarified my question for you.
So, If you define an Opinel as tactical then that's what it is.
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1. minimm 3.5 inch blade length (Karambits can be a little smaller but those are designated fighting knives to me which I still need more practice with)
2. Easily and quickly opened and closed one hand. (I have become a big fan of flippers for this, but I have experience with holes (Strider, Spyderco) and thumb studs)
3. Premium/higher end steel (Does not need to be a super steel cpm 154 will do just fine)
4. Needs to have a decent amount of Traction and ergonomic/grip enhancing features.
Many others I am thinking about, but looking at the knives I consider tactical right now I am not sure of any more definite points.
2. Easily and quickly opened and closed one hand. (I have become a big fan of flippers for this, but I have experience with holes (Strider, Spyderco) and thumb studs)
3. Premium/higher end steel (Does not need to be a super steel cpm 154 will do just fine)
4. Needs to have a decent amount of Traction and ergonomic/grip enhancing features.
Many others I am thinking about, but looking at the knives I consider tactical right now I am not sure of any more definite points.
But I thought you "...do not subscribe to the "paint it black and double the price" definition..."
I'm lost.
There is a big difference between a functional non glare finish and the industry practice taking any old production blade, painting it black, and calling tactical.
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I am particularly reluctant to call a knife "tactical" because I would never, ever carry a knife with the intention of using it to hurt another person.
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Why premium steel? Most important three things are fast opening, long enough blade to be deadly, and solid lock. The three reasons I carry a Rajah II. That can end a fight without having to use it because of it's sheer size.
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No, There actually isn't.
No it isn't by anyone's definition other than yours. That is where all the confusion is coming from. This place is full of sophisticated knife users and if you play fast and loose with terms, things go wacky.
I think, and I've been wrong several times already in this thread, is that you have listed what you demand in a knife that "assists in the achievement of a goal in a combat, policing, or personal defense scenario, including but certainly not limited to killing or injuring a human being" and are asking for people to do the same?
If so....why is high end steel needed? Because you can stab someone with a grocery store steak knife, Buck 110, or Schrade Sharpfinger and its going to work just fine. Probably more people have been successfully punctured with those three than with all super steel folders combined.
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THIS!!!! :thumbup:
Every folding and fixed blade I own fits that description along with a whole bunch of my other tools. I must be a very tactical kinda guy. Bottom line is that the label "tactical" is a hype to make people believe that they need to buy it. If you are savvy in the ways of self preservation anything within your reach is "tactical". What is or is not tactical is in the preference of the beholder, not the false definitions to help entice you to buy things.
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Tactical knives are made SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of self-defense. Kitchen knives are not tactical. Slip-joint folders are not tactical. Shovels are not tactical. Pencils are not tactical. Even though an item can be used for self-defense, doesn't make it truly tactical.
Cute....
I really do have a ZT0301 in my back pocket every single day, a real actual honest to god every day carry knife. Not a "EDC" knife by usual forum standards.
I don't think it is a 'tactical' knife. It is my 'does what I need a knife to do' knife. I guess this thread is a case of 'to each his own'.
Disagree. All knives that open with one hand and lock are not made specifically for the purpose of self defense by any means. Spyderco Delica, for instance.
Because a tactical knife may be required to do more than just successfully puncture a person. There are a lot if hard use tasks not related to hurting someone that come up in a real tactical scenario.
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I actually pulled that definition out of the dictionary in order to use a more universally accepted term so as not to 'play fast and loose" but rather pick something at least most folks can agree on.
You are correct in that is what I am asking, but you need to remember that in such a scenario, you may have to perform hard use tasks not related to simply successfully puncturing someone more often than actually damaging a human, so a stronger steel would be desired in these situations, which in turn would also make puncturing people an easily achievable goal.
If black paint makes a tactical knife, then fire engine red paint makes sports cars.
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Yup, and there's enough jimping to make it tactical. 