What makes a knife "tactical?"

[Firestrike]

Lol. Yup! I have a tactical butter knife too! Very useful.

Tops makes a very practical Tactical Steak Knife, you know for those times when other steak knives fail to get chunks of meat to your mouth fast enough,

for those of you who need to cut steak in the heat of battle, this knife is garenteed to keep OPSEC. LOL!!!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...g4CIAw&usg=AFQjCNF-UE3KgzTtX96jgE5w0RjmfqmKFA

 

[RamZar]

Beyond coatings to reduce shine and protect against the elements it's marketing hype. Even then any type of knife could be considered a "tactical" knife.

Even the big manufacturers perpetuate such terms even though they may not use the term "tactical" expressly or overtly.

Benchmade's Black Class:

"Used by professionals when quality tools can mean the difference between life and death. From law enforcement and public safety to elite military troops, our obligation is still the same: The best equipment for the job. Imagine what they can do for you."
​

Spyderco's OpFocus Catalog:

"OpFocus, short for “Operational Focus” is a term that we coined to accurately describe a view of our products from the perspective of the duty-bound armed professional, first responder, martial artist, or defense-minded civilian. The Spyderco products featured in this catalog were selected from our comprehensive product line as those best suited for mission-oriented tactical applications. They include most of our CLIPIT™ models—the original one-hand-opening, clip-carried folder that literally defined the form of the modern tactical folding knife more than 30 years ago. The OpFocus catalog presents all these products in a context and format that enables you to quickly and easily compare them so you can choose the knives that best meet your needs."
​

Zero Tolerance:

"Designed and manufactured to stand up to hard use, ZTs are built of technologically advanced materials including S30V, ELMAX, or 154CM blade steel and 3-D machined G-10 and titanium handles. These proudly overbuilt knives have earned a reputation among their devoted fans for being “built like a tank” or “a real beast.” Zero Tolerance made its first appearance in 2006. Initially, these ZT are made-in-the-USA, hard-use knives were designed to meet the needs of professionals, such as the military, law enforcement, as well as other first responders, including fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. Today the line has expanded to include a variety of general-use and premium knives. And while many ZTs are larger, heavier knives, some customers won’t have anything else as an every day carrying knife. In addition to their “built like a tank” construction, ZTs have also been recognized for use of the most advanced materials and technologies. Call it dedication. Call it obsession. Whatever it is, it’s something we intend to keep on doing so we can keep on building the kind of premium-quality, professional knives that ZT customers can depend on every single day."​

 

[Windwhistler]

And yes, the whole Zombie nonsense has me stumped as well. I'll leave fighting zombies to the younger folks. It is incredible to me that arms and equipment companies as well as ammo manufacturers have found a market there!

 

[Quiet]

One element of tactical knives is how many special forces operations groups are used in the marketing copy.

 

[stabman]

And yes, the whole Zombie nonsense has me stumped as well. I'll leave fighting zombies to the younger folks. It is incredible to me that arms and equipment companies as well as ammo manufacturers have found a market there!

Zombies are more fun that "sittin in my bunker waiting for the inevitable collapse of civilization" or any of the other sad reasons people sometimes give.

 

[grownstar]

If nutnfancy approves of it

 

[Firestrike]

This is a pretty ridiculous knife, watch the video,

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...loLYAQ&usg=AFQjCNHNZbWtplZvNl17JVZ0M-FqII0tbA

 

[WRGreen]

I've carefully chosen the locations for my Strategic knives so I can extract the greatest benefit during their tactical deployment.

 

[Windwhistler]

Quoting Charlie Brown here: "Good Grief!

 

[Kai Winters]

Based on purchases from the local military supply near Fort Drum most "tactical" knives are folders that are reasonably priced that will see relatively hard use in the field where sand, dirt, etc. will be the most wearing opponents. It will also be light enough and easily carried not to make a bit impact on an already heavy load the average sojer carries.
It will not be an 18" shiny chopper with wild serrations that looks more like a short sword flapping on ones' belt or bag...they don't really even have any of those.

Few buy auto's...those that do buy them more as "toys" rather than hard use tools.
Most come back worn, scraped, scuffed and in need of a sharpening, but they do come back.

I agree with those that call the term "tactical" more of an advertising mode though I believe many makers are trying to provide "tools" and "weapons" that will stand up to the task and not be too much of a pain to carry or distraction.

 

[Windwhistler]

Sorry, Cool response WR Green, I was Good Griefing the oddball knife-gun-judo poker thingy. By the way, me too on knife placement, different rooms and different drawers. Like all knife afficionados, too many knives so several to a room and several to a drawer.

 

[Rolex John]

In my mind (right or wrong) I associate a "tactical" blade as being one that's designed with defensive purposes in mind vs. a knife that's designed for, for example, EDC/utility purposes.

Clearly the distinction is subtle - you could defend yourself with a butter knife if need be, and apply butter to your toast using a tactical/defensive blade. But each has subtle design features which make them the better choice for a specific purpose.

 

[rajincagin]

I know some would love to describe these terms as merely "marketing", but that's just not true. For instance, do a google search for a bushcraft knife, then search for a tactical knife, you'll get very different results. As far as I know, tactical is geared towards military or police use, coated blades don't reflect sunlight, kinda useless to wear camo when you're a shiny beacon for all to see. The sheaths will also usually be made to carry in a variety of ways to attach to a variety gear via alice clips or molle.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Any knife with a handle that looks like the stock of an AK-47, or any knife with skulls and crossed bones on it, any knife with camo printed blades or scales, and any knife with lots of jimping.

 

[k1ssthecook]

It is apparent that you guys don't know anything...

Tactical blades are sought after because you don't need any martial arts training to use it, and you can never go to jail for stabbing someone with it (automatic self defence right?). They are so badass that they can open and close themselves, as well as cut for you. Need to do complex math? Tactical knife!

They are colored black because that is what the navy seals, delta operators, green berets, and recon marines use...right? They still use knives right?

Fyi, sarcasm. Marketing all the way. May I remind you of the Kabar zombie line.

 

[Windwhistler]

Thanks for the input on this,

I have just been out of the knife-name loop for 20 years or so. All the comments make some sense depending on your age, background and occupation. It does seem that between you, you are telling me that the name "tactical" has largely been applied (too liberally) to anything which looks like it was designed for military or police use that is non-reflective, primarily designed for fighting, evasion and escape and is durable enough to withstand a tour of duty somewhere. And most of you seem to believe, like I do, that makers have jumped on the marketing wagon with something that either does or does not fit the definition but is non-reflective.

Based on this definition, "tactical" knives have been out there in some form since at least the 1840's and the "Mexican War." Huge numbers of "tactical" knives were made for private purchase during the Civil War as well and some were issued. Even the Hospital Corps had its own knife and I always wondered what in hospital use made it so big! Same is true in 1898 and to a greater degree in WWI if you consider the various trench knife/spike models issued by all sides. The development of the Marine Raider Bowies and Camillus fighters Mk2 carried first in WWII and downed pilot "small bowie" all through Korea and into Viet Nam, (still issued today??) along with the early Randalls or clones and other private purchase fighters used in Viet Nam. All made to last, fairly non-reflective (if not they were blued, parked or intentionally browned) built for fighting and bushcraft in a hostile jungle environment. I just didn't see that term "tactical" used in that way till the last ten years or so. Thanks all, for helping me clarify that in my mind. My son has shown me references used in video games, magazines etc. that reflect your answers.

By the way, A Justice, Thanks for the links to earlier threads. I am still reading them. Interesting and I obviously spend too much time in one area of Knife Forums!

Rob

 

[uofaengr]

What makes a knife "tactical"?

If it's black and got a sheath and MOLLE and will attach to my tac vest on Tac Vest Tuesday when I'm out at the range operatin'.

 

[Inazone]

"Tactical" describes a knife about as well as "alternative" describes music.

 

[Myal]

Tactical to me means it has camo color scheme maybe "tanto" grind , seriously thick blade .. gotto go the THICK blade .

Tacticool tho is different , mallninjaesque ( is that even a word or did I make a new one ? ) teenage appeal is a big deal there ...

 

[A Justice]

The development of the Marine Raider Bowies and Camillus fighters Mk2 carried first in WWII and downed pilot "small bowie" all through Korea and into Viet Nam, (still issued today??)

The new knives developed for pilots are called ASEK models (which stands for Aircrew Survival Egress Knife). It has features that start with a saw back to cut through the thin sheet metal of the hull of a helicopter, and shares many features with bushcraft knives (it's still capable of being a fighting knife, but the most important thing is to allow pilots to have advantages during wilderness survival and to hide themselves). It also has a hollow handle (I think) so a compass, cloth map and possibly a snare can be hidden in the handle. Ontario knife company made the first ASEK model if I recall correctly, but now there are a couple manufacturers that make similar models.

By the way, A Justice, Thanks for the links to earlier threads. I am still reading them. Interesting and I obviously spend too much time in one area of Knife Forums!

Rob

You're welcome Rob, anything to help.

I think that a lot of potential BF members (and knife enthusiasts in general) follow a similar path in their education. Many people are gun fanatics and see 'tactical' knives as a weaponized accessory to their kit that is dominated by a rifle and sidearm, but eventually expand their horizons once they decide to purchase one. Once they realize there is more out there than a Ka Bar and the new bayonet, and that there is no issued knife for Navy Seals - that's why so many threads get started about tactical knives (none I have seen were as well versed in the history of military knives as your post however). One thing is certain is that the more you learn about the knife market, the more diverse your interests and favorite models will become.