What Defines a Tactical Knife?

Mark J

Mark J

Joined
Mar 15, 2001
Messages
2,450
Excuse me if this has been previously covered (I usually use the Search function first, but it's disabled at the moment), but I was wondering what exactly makes a knife "tactical"? Is it the intended purpose, how it looks, the materials, some combination of these factors? :confused: Thanks for your help!

- Mark
 
If the advertisement is ridiculous, gaudy, or insulting to your intelligence, it's probably a tactical knife...
 
lmao!....I must agree with the statement above, also watch for names like "Death Stalker" or "Soul Splitter"
 
Well according to Webster's dictionary "tactical" is defined as:the technique of securing strategic objectives,esp in the deployment of military forces. So by that definition I guess any military knife is tactical, but then again a c141 is tactical. I guess most knives that are "tactical" are basic knives with a defensive design. (Only a guess). Definitly would agree that names play an advertising hog wash when it comes to knives.....so make sure you have your blood drinker XI before you leave home. Also would have to agree that the tactical "look" of a black blade is cool looking but only wears off with use so why bother.
 
I gotta remember this the next time anybody asks :D

Originally posted by Shmackey
If the advertisement is ridiculous, gaudy, or insulting to your intelligence, it's probably a tactical knife...
Click to expand...
 
HEY! Emerson resembles most if not all of those above statements! By the way, I heard a rumor they were changing their motto to "The #1 Hard use PAPER WEIGHTS in the world!"
 
Despite the overuse of the term "tactical" -- and the predictable backlash that has resulted -- I would think a "tactical" knife, as originally intended, is any knife designed and intended for use as both a utility and self-defense blade.
 
Actually, a bone handles old carbon steel slip joint could be a tactical knife if called upon, but I know that's not what you meant.

If the knife looks like it should be a prop in one of those "beat 'em up, shoot 'em up, blow 'em up" movies, is black, has a blade shape that is generally useless for most general cutting tasks, is black, has emblems, names, symbols and other manner of regalia tattoed all over it, is black and has a name akin to "Blood Drainer, Combat Hero, Covert SpecWar Ninja, Rambo Tac, Tic Tac, Tac Flak, Black Tac, Tac Black, Tactical Cuticle, Tactical Testicle" or anything similar and ... is black, it could be called a tactical knife.

In other words, if I took my stag handled Marbles Campcraft (which only field dresses deer, skins deer and cuts pepperoni at the deer camp card game), spray painted it black, put some military looking symbols and names on it, I could call it "tactical." Put it into a cheap, upside down, inside out, quick draw, deep cover carry contraption and someone will likely buy it.
 
I would say a tactical knife would be any knife constructed to be used as a weapon. It's really a grey area! I mean, the Spyderco Wegner isn't really considered a "tactical" knife per se. (I think most people would consider it a folding hunter's knife) That being said, I would still hate to be on the wrong end of one!:D
 
The term 'tactical' is just one word used by the sales dept. of a knife company to sell knives. That is all that it is.

The knife/ves in question may have some of the characteristics noted by the astute posters above, but the term 'tactical' is used to sell knives, not accurately describe their intended use.

Remember that the actual knives used most often in homicides are cheap kitchen butcher or steak knives. If advertising were based more on truth, these knives could be termed 'tactical.' Of course, they are NOT intended for 'tactical' use, but they are used for just that.

Walt
 
Contrary to what is apparently the majority opinion here these days, I do think the notion of a tactical knife is useful.

A tactical knife is a knife that is designed properly to function under a wide variety of extreme conditions. This generally includes a strong blade with a strong point, and a handle that provides a secure grip in a variety of positions, and in poor conditions. The color and materials used are of no matter as long as they are durable and extremely functional.
 
If you go over to www.spyderco.com/forum you will find a discussion of this subject (you can find it with their search engine) in which Sal Glesser describes some of the qualities of a "tactical" knife.

BTW, Sal felt that the original Worker (Spyderco's first knife) was perhaps the first "tactical" knife. This knife has stainless steel scales and a uniquely utiliarian design.
 
I agree with Steve. This disdain for "tactical knives" strikes me as unthinking backlash. There are a lot of quality knives out there that happen to have this moniker hung on them.
 
The term "tactical" is very over used. But so is the word "combat" or "fighting". These words are purely for marketing in most knives.

But "tactical" does have its place. As an LEO you have your street uniform (nice, purty, shiny, and polished) which is more for show than for function. But then you have your tacticals. These are ruff and tumble. Designed to take a beating and protect the wearer. You have your normal body armour,(I-IIIA) which fits below your uniform and is meant to not be seen (ya right). The you have your tactical body armour (IIIA and up). This is made to go over your "tactical" uniform and is normally outfitted to hold tons of gear (flashlights, radios, sidearm, FB grenades, TG canisters, spare mags, water, food and so on). Its not pretty, and is there just to get a job do. They can also be modified by the wearer to fit his special needs.

This is true for a tactical knife as well. Its not meant to look good. Its just to get the job done, and take all the abuse you can throw at it. The sheath is normally designed to be modified by the user to fit his needs. Its not meant to be concealed. You can wear it on a drop leg, your lower leg, or mounted on your body armour.

In this usage, I think you might be able to use "technical" as a discription as well.

While many of these knives are pure junk, some are not. In "91 my best friend bought a knife made by SOG for his fathers birthday. His father was a lead door gunner in 'nam for MacVSog flying out of CCC. His job was to provide dust off for spec ops from areas such as Laos. My friend chose this knife because it was a commerative of the missions flown by the Gladiators (54th I think), which was the unit his father flew for. His father said it was exactly the same knife (minus the MacV symbol on the blade) that he carried during his three tours. Although his was made by Randall (he thinks) and not SOG. Even the sheath was the same. And it was a very high quality blade. SOG later released it without the MacV marking, I think. That was a true "tactical". And no the blade was not black.

Bill Herndon makes a great "tactical" which is being used by some Russian commandoes.

I myself will be releasing a "tactical" sometime before the end of the year. I am shooting for a real one, not a normal hunter painted black. It will be co-designed by the man mentioned above, an ex Navy SEAL, and current military personel.

<A HREF="http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292475489"><IMG SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/images/album/link/this_album_button.gif" BORDER="0"></A>
 
Hi Mark,

What Defines a Tactical Knife?
Click to expand...

I think a more accurate question would be: "Who defines a tactical knife?" The answer, of course, would be the maker/manufacturer and/or their respective marketing departments.

My simple definition of a "tactical knife" is any knife designed primarily to be offensive/defensive in nature. This would be in opposition to a utility-oriented knife (for whittling, skinning, box opening, etc.).

The word "tactical" is only overused or misused if it does not apply to the knife in question. Is it accurately labeled? I suppose you could call a speed bump "tactical" if it were big enough! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top