What is meant by a "tactical" knife?

Well, to me it means that the knife has one blade (no multi-tools or multi-blades) that is usually at least 3 in , it can be opened with one hand (or a Wave), has a strong lock that won't fail under hard use, and has a pocket clip to carry it where it can be easily accessible and drawn quickly. That's what I think of when I hear "tactical knife".

But others will add things I'm sure...Fixed blades for example, which can be tactical, but I carry folders.
 
In almost every case 'tactical' just means that a knife looks badass or some magazine wants to sell it to armchair warriors.
 
It's such a subjective term, but I think people usually mean knives that aren't "utility" minded. For example, unless you "need" a knife (Other than for SD), a tanto blade is more "tactical." Its strength is stabbing/puncturing. You can argue that an auto &/or A/Os are "tactical" in nature.

I also think the "style/look" of the knife has alot to do with it, too. For example, look at the ZT line of knives. I think you'd be hard pressed to say they're "utilitarian" in their looks. Same with Striders. However, look at a Sebenza. While you can argue that it can be a good SD knife, its blade shape, looks, etc., make it more or a "utilitarian" knife (Or at least look like one).

If there's a strict definition of one, I'd sure like to know it.
 
You might think that tactical means that it is designed for self-defense, but depending solely on defense is a weak tactic. The implication is that it is a knife that can be used for attacking people as well as for defense against attack. It can be used for a preemptive strike. When you look at features like a tanto point they are not designed to ward off an attack more effectively, they are intended to be more lethal. A tactical knife is one designed to get you charged with murder or attempted murder should you use it in a physical altercation.

Personally I want my "tactical folder" to look as much as possible like a large Swiss Army Knife. That is why I carry an Adventurer model SAK. It is the reason I never carry a tanto blade and almost never carry a bayonet tip. I always want to be able to point to the utilitarian design of my blades.
 
Tactical? Oy vey, what a concept. Originally, it was meant to be a knife built for hard, rough use by elite forces who may need some kind of backup self defense ability - in a less than 4 inch blade that folds. That's not an optimum configuration for that job.

The Emerson CQC7 was one of the first popular knives, and got reproduced by Benchmade. It has a lot of features that are considered "de riguer" for the type - chisel ground tanto with serrations, G10 grip, liner lock, overbuilt, and expensive. Also, black, very black, as in blade coating and handle. No shiny reflections, no colored pakkawood, no polished brass, nada, and uncompromising design to get a specific task done.

It's not really the best knife for EDC - it's a limited cutting shape, the blade is wedgy and thick, serrations hang up in some cuts, handle slabs are a little thin for long work, all the bumps and corners can dig in and be uncomfortable. The maker thought so too, and did a "melt job" on the design for more casual users.

Other tactical knives came along, and the most pronounced characteristic has been the use of non-utility blade shapes in unergonomic handles and extreme macho military styling, with the worst case using extreme fantasy descriptions of how they can be used.

The better ones are still designed for rough use in the military, so they are still subdued in aesthetics, and use blade shapes and handles to complement the task list of the user and his environment. You will still see handles designed for use with gloves, not barehanded, droppoints, flatgrinds, framelocks or very heavy liner locks, G10 handles, and top end steels, along with prices to match.

What real soldiers in elite forces use is a dead reliable knife of premium materials, which leaves out 420 stainless, FRN, and fantasy designs. How some people include them in the definition of tactical is a real stretch - no professional would touch them, and those who point them out as typical in complaining about them miss the whole point. Really shows what their agenda is, whether sheeple or others.
 
To me it brings to mind use for military application. In truth I guess it can mean about anything you want it to mean. I agree that MARKETING has a lot to do with it.
 
For me "tactical" really has less to do with the intended use of the knife, but more to do with the features and attributes of the knife. Excellent edge holding/rust resistance, constructed of materials which will hold up well in adverse condtions (for example micarta, titanium, G10, etc.), solid locking mechanism, easy to open (for example thumbdisc, Spyderhole), pocket clip for easy acess, grooved thumbramp, etc.
 
I think its a general term for knives with certain features like Chadilac said...I consider a knife "tactical" if it has a few of these features...

-pocket clip
-one hand opening mechainism via hole or thumbstud, etc...
-single blade, doesn't have to be big though...
-defintaly has to be locking, what kind of lock doesn't matter much, but for the term "tactical" I consider one hand locks to be more fitting, framelock, linerlock, axis lock...but on the other hand even a spyderco lockback can be easily closed one handed so this is subject to opinion...


Thats about it for me, if a knife fits that description than I consider it "tactical" but that does not mean it is best used for combat or otherwise...just my idea of the term...thats all...

example...buck110...great folder, but not tactical...a knife like say a microtech socom...definatly what I would consider tactical...

I think the term originaly came because of the one hand openign features...So this made it a better knife for say LEO's (law enforcement officers) and other people like soldiers, simply because of the convienience of only having to use one hand to operate your knife...
 
Well, here is a definition (several actually)

Can you work towards a comprehenisve meaning with this as a starting point?

Main Entry: tac·ti·cal
Pronunciation: \ˈtak-ti-kəl\
Function: adjective
Date: 1570
1: of or relating to combat tactics: as a (1): of or occurring at the battlefront <a tactical defense> <a tactical first strike> (2): using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront <tactical missiles> bof an air force : of, relating to, or designed for air attack in close support of friendly ground forces
2 a: of or relating to tactics: as (1): of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose (2): made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in view b: adroit in planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose
 
For me tactical knife means a knife designed as a weapon.
The function as a tool comes on the second place (if in some cases any).
Many times they have a lot of "cool loocking" features that serve no actual purpose.

You might notice I'm not really a fan of the tactical knives / weapons ;)
 
While I do like to jump on the "let's make fun of the tactical stuff" wagon because it can be so much fun, some tactial knives IMHO are practical. For instance, the Surefire Delta, while seemingly overpriced, looks like an effective piece of equipment for an officer, SWAT member or military person. I would also categorize knives that aren't necessarily designed for "tactical" uses, like the Spyderco Natives, Enduras or maybe some Busses, etc, but are "out in the field" being used in tactical operations worldwide- I'd consider them tactical.

Now, most knives deemed tactical are a joke, I'm definitely not denying that. But some do have there place and they are an asset to responsible knife users and the industry.
 
Knives that can be called tactical fairly do exist such as the good old fashioned trench knife, which really can't be described as anything except a tactical weapon. Too bad those aren't legal in most (or all) states.
 
Tactical just means the knife is quick to draw and operate, easy to use, and efficient for its task.

Basically any knife with a pocket clip and a way to quickly open and close it one handed is tactical. Spyderco is mostly responsible for this evolution from pocket knives to tactical folders.

Many use it as some sort of slang for a knife with a weapon-like appearance, but, that is not what tactical means.
 
cutlerylover said:
I think its a general term for knives with certain features like Chadilac said...I consider a knife "tactical" if it has a few of these features...

-pocket clip
-one hand opening mechainism via hole or thumbstud, etc...
-single blade, doesn't have to be big though...
-defintaly has to be locking, what kind of lock doesn't matter much....
Click to expand...

You described my Chive. :cool:
 
id say it means its a fighting knife

a knife desinged for combat

and it can be like anything, there are no rules for a tactical, but usually u know one when u see it
 
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