What constitutes a "tactical folder" in your opinion?

My criteria for a tactical knife:

1. Capable of being opened with one hand using any method (i.e. flicking, slow opening, inertial opening)

2. Secure lock that will resist white knuckling, as well as jamming open under heavy force or dirt.

3. Blade with a minimum length of 3 inches, maximum of 4.5 inches.

4. Comfortable to use, either with gloves or without.

5. A blade grind that is suitable for rougher tasks, but can still cut well.

6. A blade made from a reasonably wear resistant, tough steel that can be resharpened easily. Like AUS-8A. :cool:
 
Easy to carry; lightweight, thin, no sheath.
Easy to deploy; out of the pocket and opens with one hand.
Purpose designed to be used as a secondary weapon: any knife can be a weapon but the tactical knife needs to have features that allow it to function this way - solid lock, enough grip, blade shape.
 
I am giving you one aspect of my own definition...by way of comparison of blade-shape.
I have an Umnumzaan and Sebenzas.
The Zaan has a "tactical" blade-shape IMO; the Sebenzas do NOT.
 
Lol. Who started using the word "tactical" to reference this nonsense anyway? I'm still struggling with the definition. Does it mean a knife that's good for stabbing people? Does "tactical" sound more civilized? Not sure I understand tactical at all. And to the guy who says that kitchen knives aren't "tactical". ?? Let's say you have two knuckleheads that decide to have a knife fight...ones got a 3.5" tactical tanto folder and the other has a 9" butcher knife...who's your money on? :-). I'm pretty sure the knucklehead with the kitchen knife would have the "tactical" advantage.

This whole silly tactical business is about selling knives that will give us magical ninja skills!!

Makes for good entertainment though. Pass the popcorn. ;)
 
bpeezer said:
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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Accepted. I don't know what your experience is previously or currently, But you can understand that many people in police, military, and private life are sometimes required to employ a knife in such a manner weather they want to or not, myself included(I am a former LEO and current corporate investigator).
Not to be condescending I hope, but tactical purposes expand far beyond simply hurting someone. Your tactic may require you to break a window with your knife, cut some wires, or any number of hard use tasks associated with protecting yourself or another individual. Tactical doesn't solely mean to kill or hurt somebody.
 
Nyfeguy said:
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.
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But we are not using universally accepted dictionary terms here. Its a knife forum. We have own own specific language.

"Tactical folder" holds a very specific meaning that is different that "tactical knife."

A one handed locking folder like the Spyderco Dragonfly is a tactical folder. It's certainly not a slipjoint.

And anyway, I thought you said you weren't defining "tactical folder" (even though your thread title says so), you were listing the attributes you demand in a tactical folder.
 
BePrepared said:
Speak for yourself. This shovel looks pretty awesomely tactical to me

crovel-xl-thumb.jpeg
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I'm talking typical garden shovels. That is a sweet shovel btw :thumbup:
 
Nyfeguy said:
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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My Rajah II uses AUS-8. I wouldn't call that a high-end or premium steel. I've used it for chopping and splitting. Seems to work just fine.
 
Surfingringo said:
And to the guy who says that kitchen knives aren't "tactical". ?? Let's say you have two knuckleheads that decide to have a knife fight...ones got a 3.5" tactical tanto folder and the other has a 9" butcher knife...who's your money on? :-). I'm pretty sure the knucklehead with the kitchen knife would have the "tactical" advantage.

This whole silly tactical business is about selling knives that will give us magical ninja skills!!

Makes for good entertainment though. Pass the popcorn. ;)
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That guy is me, and you have a point there, but they still aren't specifically designed for combat. Not to say they wouldn't work. I'm about to stop replying and watch the show myself. Popcorn popped and ready :D
 
marcinek said:
But we are not using universally accepted dictionary terms here. Its a knife forum. We have own own specific language.

"Tactical folder" holds a very specific meaning that is different that "tactical knife."

A one handed locking folder like the Spyderco Dragonfly is a tactical folder. It's certainly not a slipjoint.

And anyway, I thought you said you weren't defining "tactical folder" (even though your thread title says so), you were listing the attributes you demand in a tactical folder.
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But isn't that part of the problem Marcinek? If you have you own language and refuse to use universal definitions then we are not talking about the same thing at all are we? Maybe I am the confused one, so if tactical doesnt mean what I found in the dictionary, then what does tactical mean, to sophisticated knife users? To me, it still has more to do with how the knife is used than anything.

I didn't set out to define the word or force the term on anyone, I was trying to clear up any confusion when I pulled out that definition. I asked originally, and the question remains, what constitutes a tactical folder, which in my language means what desirable attributes and materials make up said folder with the, apparently incorrect, assumption that tactics went beyond killing or injuring someone.
 
Nyfeguy said:
I didn't set out to define the word or force the term on anyone, I was trying to clear up any confusion when I pulled out that definition. I asked originally, and the question remains, what constitutes a tactical folder, which in my language means what desirable attributes and materials make up said folder with the, apparently incorrect, assumption that tactics went beyond killing or injuring someone.
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There's the problem this thread has had from the very beginning..the one I have been saying. Your language is incorrect.

There is a big difference between what constitutes something like a tactical folder (that is, makes up, or defines what a tactical folder is), and what you find desirable in something (like a tactical folder). Different words. They mean different things.

You have yet to make it clear which one of those is the topic you are proposing.
 
BladesB4Firearms said:
My Rajah II uses AUS-8. I wouldn't call that a high-end or premium steel. I've used it for chopping and splitting. Seems to work just fine.
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I have a SOG trident in AUS 8 and I like it very much. Its a very capable steel. No disrespect but In my experiences and in any number of unforeseen potential situations however, I would want something that did better than "just fine." To me, there is no such thing as too strong when lives are on the line.
 
The real meaning of a tactical knife (as it is most commonly used around here) is one who's shape and style makes it seem like a good weapon whether it is or not. It's a knife that when held, some part of the "lizard brain" takes over and we think..."oof, I could do some damage with this if I had to". That's why a spyderco civilian seems tactical while a large cleaver does not. It's shape inspires fanciful thoughts of destruction. It hasn't much to do with reality. It doesn't matter that the cleaver could be used to as much if not more effect on another human. It's not a bad thing. It's just a part of male human nature. I just think sometimes we might fly a little too far into magical barbarian ninja land with our fancies. Sharp pointy things can cut and stab people. They don't need to have exotic steels and radical armor puncturing blade shapes. Sharp and pointy is sufficient. You don't believe me, do a little time in your local state facility.
 
Nyfeguy said:
I have a SOG trident in AUS 8 and I like it very much. Its a very capable steel. No disrespect but In my experiences and in any number of unforeseen potential situations however, I would want something that did better than "just fine." To me, there is no such thing as too strong when lives are on the line.
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By "just fine" I mean flawlessly with no problems, other than typical (and expected) dulling of the edge. I have no doubts my Rajah II wouldn't fail me in any situation, unless I need to defeat an evil army of 10,000 cardboard boxes :D
 
marcinek said:
There's the problem this thread has had from the very beginning..the one I have been saying. Your language is incorrect.

There is a big difference between what constitutes something like a tactical folder (that is, makes up, or defines what a tactical folder is), and what you find desirable in something (like a tactical folder). Different words. They mean different things.

You have yet to make it clear which one of those is the topic you are proposing.
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Go back to the beginning of the thread Marcinek. Miscommunication aside, I, after stating my personal requirements, restated no less than three times that I am soliciting opinions from others on what minimum requirement they seek in a tactical folder.
A lot of people here understood the question and they have all offered great input. It seems you just got wrapped up in additional comments that weren't even directed at you and thus created more confusion than necessary by engaging in the side debate about definitions.
 
BladesB4Firearms said:
By "just fine" I mean flawlessly with no problems, other than typical (and expected) dulling of the edge. I have no doubts my Rajah II wouldn't fail me in any situation, unless I need to defeat an evil army of 10,000 cardboard boxes :D
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I am glad it is working well for you:). Since the steel isn't as big a factor for you as it is for me, what desirable quality or material would you require instead?
 
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