What makes a "tactical knife" great?

tallwingedgoat

tallwingedgoat

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Jan 13, 1999
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Yeah I know what you're thinking, yet another "tactical knife" question. But I gotta ask.

There are quite a few tactical knife makers today. On top of my head we have Strider, Busse, TOPS, Mad Dog, Chris Reeve. They are considered at the top of their game. In addition, they seem to have came out of nowhere. Several are very recent companies who very quickly established a great deal of excitment and brand loyalty from their customers.

So what makes these knives such big hits? What qualities do you think great tactical knives should have?
 
There have been a few good threads on this lately. Be sure to check those out!

A good tactical knife needs there things:
1. It needs to be easy to hold/retain.
2. It needs to be easy to deploy.
3. It needs to lock up tight.
 
This can become a lengthy thread, as there's lots of opinions.

This can be broken down to fixed blades / folders and then close quarters and distant fighting.

But fast, sure blade access into your preferred grip style, safety for the weapon hand and retention are high on most anyone's list of requirements.

As mentioned in a different tactical thread, there are lots of tactical styled knives in the material and general appearance level, but some people would not consider them useful for such purposes. Some of those knives are just eye-candy; styled to expressly take advantage of the wave of tactical knife sales.
 
im2smrt4u, how do you "lock up tight" a fixed blade?

I'm going out on a limb here and say I don't think a folder can be a true "tactical tool", at least from a military perspective. If I'm carrying a folder, I'm also carrying a fixed blade -- maybe only my M9 bayonet but probably a Mad Dog, Randall, or something else. Then the fixed blade is the tactical knife. The folder is a supplemental blade for cutting lighter weight materials (paper, MRE bags, mail, rope, etc.). I am not aware of a tactical situation where I would only take a folder, even my beloved Sebenza, as my single tool.

My point is that on way too many threads on these forums, when a "tactical" knife is discussed, the intimation is that it's a folder. When I hear "tactical" I don't think of a folder at all. I'm not going to base my life on a knife that folds in the middle.

Bruce Woodbury
 
While a folder wouldn't be my first pick of knives to bring if I was anticipating serious trouble it is what always finds its way into my pockets. Here in "civilized" sunny southern Kalifornia a fixed blade isn't something that lends itself to discreet legal carry. I think many who live in major cities will find themselves in the same boat. So while many folders aren't true tactical knives they are what we can get away with without drawing undo attention to ourselves. The best knife to have in case of trouble is the one you have with you. For many of us that knife is a folder. Is my CRKT a true tactical knife? It's named after a U.S. military rifle, it must be right? Well, maybe not. But it's a heck of a tough utility/work knife that could very quickly be called upon to protect myself if there was no other option. Maybe calling them tactical sells. Maybe we still have a little kid inside us that want to be the hero of the movie. Most people that buy them probably aren't saving lives on a day to day basis. But that's okay. We buy most of our knives because they make us happy, not because we need them. I guess that's more than my two bits, huh?

Frank
 
I'm sure there will be some good points made as the thread goes on.., but I've totally lost my way in roaming the definitions of "Tactical Knives" these days...lol.

Although there are some truly wonderful designs in the broad domain currently referred to as "Tactical Folding Knives"..., I have never thought of a folder of any type as being truly "Tactical"..., and I would always choose a high quality fixed blade for situations I define as tactical. I'm also sure the term "covert" will be used at some point.., but I'd still take a fixed blade... :).., and find a way to make it covert if need be.

As Frank mentions.., the environment certainly plays a role in what is sane to carry, but even with the dangers inherent in everyday city living and travel, I suppose I just don't define most daily situations as "Tactical" for many of us.

I do know several Law Enforcement folks that carry various forms of tactical folders, usually in the back pocket or using the pocket clip on their boot..., but if I was in Law Enforcement (which I'm not).., I would still opt for a fixed blade and probably carry IWB, or some sort of boot-rig.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
A tactical knife is great because the owner likes using the knife. It is as simple as that. The best designed knife in the world is useless if the owner doesn't like to carry it. A tool that someone is comfortable with is a tool that a person will carry and use. Even if this tool appears awkward to others, the person who is fond of it will find a way to make it work or deploy it quickly. Look how many people figured out how to quickly whip out Buck style lockbacks.
 
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