What is a Tactical Folder?

EZ Bake

EZ Bake

Joined
Mar 5, 2009
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Let me first say that I searched this site with the Advanced search function and used google search and couldn't find anything relevant (and I'm not being a "hater" here or trying to start anything).

Granted, I'm more familiar with the gun world and I know that the word "Tactical" is the most over-used hyped up marketing tool ever invented with the tacti-cool crowd (and I'm guilty of buying into some of that just for the cool-factor), but I'm relatively new to the world of high-quality folders (or even medium quality folders for that matter).

I've been into fixed-blades for about 5 years, but never considered the need for a folder before just about a year ago or so. I've owned a few Busse Combat fixed-blades, but not because of the word "Combat" or any of the tactical hype - but because the knife fit my needs (the SAR4 and Warden are two of my favorite small self-defense knives).

Don't get me wrong, I've built several ARs, a few bolt-guns, and I own a few quite-honestly tacti-cool handguns just because they looked cool and I've had my share of funny looks at the range, so I get that some stuff looks "tactical" to the untrained eye.

Assuming that this word as over-used in the folding-knife world as it is in the gun world, there has to be an actual definition for "tactical folder" somewhere in the mix since I see it used so often by folks who actually sound like they know what they're talking about.

What is it and what folding-knives fit into that category?

What folders don't fit into that category?
 
You'll likely get many answers in some sarcastic tone simply because many people here see it similarly to its use in the gun world. It might be easier to provide some things that it's not. Tactical folders are not traditional folders, like slipjoints (with the exception of multitools) or friction folders. They generally are capable of being opened with one hand (the faster, the "better" it seems for most folks who do like "tactical" knives), they have a lock that should be strong and secure enough for stabbing things. They are generally easily accessible by use of a pocket clip.

There also are two different kinds of tactical knives (I've found):
1) The folder designed for combat or knife fighting
2) The folder designed for rescue or general versatility

Based on reading posts from people in the military or law enforcement, multitools like Swiss Army Knives (SAKs) or Leatherman-type multitools are a very realistic (in the sense that they actually come in handy on the job) for "tactical" folders.

There seems to be a great deal of controversy regarding the use of knives in general and folders in particular, for combat. Many folks here seem to think that if you're down to your folder for real combat, you've already lost. That issue aside, there are knives that I think would be more efficient at various types of combat situations and/or styles/systems. For example, if one's combat style emphasizes slashing (as opposed to stabbing), wharnecliffe and hawkbill blades are objectively more effective at that task, given an equal overall blade length and similar grind (flat, hollow, saber, etc). You'd also want a knife that has a lock that's reliable in many angles and situations as the nature of combat can be very chaotic and unpredictable. Not that you would want your lock to fail in any other situation, but you'll obviously want your knife to stay open during combat as long as you need it to stay open.

A big difference between these two types of tactical knives is the blade thickness. Some folks like the idea of a really thick blade for the possibility of prying or some heavy lateral forces being applied to the blade. Thicker blades however work against someone that would use the knife for combat. Thicker blades increase the amount of force needed to penetrate and slice people up, plain and simply. Try cutting cardboard with a thinner knife and a thicker one with the same overall type of grind. The thinner one will be easier to use on cardboard and similarly on people. I'm not speaking from experience, but its simple physics (and common sense).

Just some thoughts. Hope this helps:thumbup:
 
Tactical is like "magnum" and "deluxe"....

It means +$25


Hows that for sarcastic kaizen?

On a more serious not I read somewhere that the accepted definition is a folder that can be opened one handed and has a pocket clip
 
I forgot to add, there's one more "type" of tactical folder, and that's the kind designed to look deadly or badass or whatever. Sometimes they're actually quality made and many times they're not. This type of knife is generally focused solely on looks because the people who are attempting to buy it are only looking for aesthetics. Many think they're buying quality, but they're buying hyped folding crap that will likely fall apart or be completely useless when they need it most.
 
To me a "tactical folder" is one that can give you the most options for use in a situation where due to environment a fixed blade is not practical or possible or to back up a fixed blade.

A Tactical folder might be the only tool/ knife you have on you so it has to be a knife you can use in any situation.

A tactical knife in my experience needs to be:

* Sturdy enough to take some abuse
* Easy to open right or left handed even with gloves.
* The blade needs to be able to stab/ puncture/ cut and pry
* Good ergonomics for your hand
* Easy to conceal, and comfortable to carry.
* A knife you are willing to break/ lose/ or walk away from.

Tactical situations usually involve a specific objective or task that happens over a span of time, and the equipment can vary in each unique situation. In these situation equipment is secondary to the objective and often has a short lifespan.

As far as what knifes fit the bill. I have been pretty happy with the performance of ZT's and Striders. There are probably dozens of others that people would recommend, but those are the ones that I have beat up and keep gravitating back to.

Remember any knife is tactically better than no knife :)
 
Of the 3 types I described above, you'll find many knives that are some combination of them all with versatility and combat effectiveness likely on opposite side of a spectrum. Gains in one likely takes away from the other
 
A knife intended to be used on other people. Or knife marketing targeting those who intend to use knives against other people, or fantasize about doing so;).
 
IMO, a tactical knife is anyone you pull because of need when the situation arises, and by situation I don't mean to cut open a box. It's a knife you draw when you're cornered, outnumbered, can't run away, and feel in danger of losing your own knife. Hopefully you're trained to use it.

Note: I purposefully left out firearms in my response since you asked about guns. On that same token, a gun isn't always the most convenient thing to draw if you're in confined spaces...like on the ground in a grapple.

Of course, most people probably call tactical any knife that has a certain look.
 
"Tactical Knife" is a marketing term that is used to draw in a certain crowd. There is no such thing as a tactical knife. There are fixed blade knives and there are folding knives. There are many types of fixed blades and there are many types of folders, but it breaks down to knives that don't fold and knives that do fold.
 
Tony8179 said:
"Tactical Knife" is a marketing term that is used to draw in a certain crowd. There is no such thing as a tactical knife. There are fixed blade knives and there are folding knives. There are many types of fixed blades and there are many types of folders, but it breaks down to knives that don't fold and knives that do fold.
Click to expand...

What he said! ;)
 
I just look at it as a generic way to describe a certain style of knife. (the kind that fits Kaizen1's description)

To me it's no different than saying a knife is a "classic western" style, or a "gentlemans folder" or "bushcraft", or "fighting knife", etc.

All those terms tend to call up a certain look, funtion, or overall style, with just a word. It's just easier to say "tactical folder" than it is to say "locking, one handed opening, serated, black coated, titanium, pocket clipped, fighting utillity knife".
 
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Its like the term "Assault Weapon" or "Assault Rifle" to describe an AR-15. Its marketing and/or a media creation.
 
Take any decent quick opening knife, add blade coating and some grooves to the handle, maybe a skull graphic, give it a badass name and add $100 to the price tag - voila', you have a tactical knife.
 
My honest definition of a "tactical" knife: a knife designed for use in a specific/narrow situation involving encounter with potentially hostile entities, usually of an intelligent nature.
"Tactical" should always be followed by some term specifying the specific "tactical" situations for which it was designed. For example:
Tactical fighting knife - designed to efficiently neutralize a hostile target
Tactical concealment or back-up knife - designed to go unnoticed
Tactical entry knife - designed to endure heavy impact and bending stress

Also perhaps the most common in civilian use, tactical scary knife - designed to intimidate.

A "tactical" knife may combine features for myriad situations or be specific to only one as a dedicated tool for the job. A "tactical" knife may also perform poorly in the situation for which it was designed, evincing a flaw in that very design, even if it performs well at other tasks. A non-"tactical" knife may be used in tactical situations, it just wasn't specifically designed for it by the manufacturer. A "tactical" tool of any kind not designed for any specific situation involving encounter with hostile entities of an intelligent nature is not "tactical" at all.
 
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