Hey everyone,

I know there are not many people who are into "Tactical Knives" but feel free to ask questions or post some comments! Thanks

Keelen

Just a few cool pics of some sweet tactical knives. I actually don't own the SOCOM in S90V, Mini SOCOM LE in S60V, fully serrated Endura 4, and the BM 970 anymore. Sad... isn't it?

OK. Hopefully, my joining won't keep folks from joining or run y'all off, BUT I have some questions for your group.

I won't pepper you with all of them at once and will pop in and ask at time goes on.

My first "dumb" question is this (now you know I lean heavily to vintage knife patterns, OK?) what it is about these "tactical" knives that appeals to you guys, esp. considering there are fancy customs and old traditional patterns out there? I am intrigued with the younger collectors going tactical, which is why I want to learn more.

Yea, I sort of went into that mode a little while back. But now I look to more of the useful style of knives.

I guess the main appeal for these 'tactical' (tacti-cool would be more of a correct term, ahahha) knives is simple the materials and design. Many of the tactical knives would serve little purpose for what I do (they'd work, but I wouldn't like it).

I guess for that comment would be more for fixed blades. As for folders, there is the use of carbon fiber, G-10, titanium scales, etc., etc., but also the design of the knives are just "too" cool. But mainly it IS the cool patterning designs. I.E. the SOCOMs sleek nearly symmetrical blade to handle or the Nimravus' textured aluminum handles (that totally tear up your hands when using them without gloves, :D )

Honestly if I owned some of the mainstream tactical knives, I can almost guarantee they'd come back in a few pieces (maybe not Strider, though I probably could with a few of their models, or Crusader Forge, but the vast majority, yes)... this would just be under my "normal use." :D

Great pict Tom! That Griptilian sure got some use and shows it! I agree with what Tom said about tactical knives being more "tacti-cool" than anything else. I actually don't like the term tactical but most people know the kind of knife that you are talking about when you say it and that is the only reason that I use it.

To answer Scotts question, I think I am more drawn to tactical knives because of their design and all around look. For most of my life I have grown up with newer age, more aggressive knife designs and they are what have stuck to me. I really like the more modern materials that are used like G-10, carbon fiber, etc that give a knife a completely different feel than jigged bone or wood. Also, I am attracted to newer blade shapes and unique opening mechanisms like the Kershaw External Toggle and the CRKT fulcrum to name a few.

While I am more drawn to newer knife designs I have a large appreciation for all the older and more traditional ones as well. Without the Buck 110, Case trapper and many others knives would not be where they are today.

I really like your questions Scott and please don't think they are dumb. I have many questions for you as well!

Keelen

My heart goes out to all the men and women serving in the armed services. This is a link to an article showing some of the knives that our military personal choose to carry while deployed in Afganistan. Enjoy.

Keelen

http://www.blademag.com/article/afghanistanknives

You'll be surprised to know that many of those serving know don't really use their knives but instead use multi-tools. First, "tactical" knives are made to kill people (sorry if this get's a little politically incorrect or offensive), and they already have something that's much more efficient: their gun(s) and other armaments. Second, they need a multi-tool to pretty much be able to do maintenance on their weapons, gear, etc. Plus wire cutters come in real handy when one of the Humvee tires blows-out and they need to cut the mesh wire frame of the wheel if it get's in the way of moving. In all reality with those in service, the knife is sort of a cool way of showing off, since everyone has the same standard issue equipment and really only the smaller items can be somewhat different. Though, no doubt, if one of them had a cool knife, it's to say they won't use it to pry open a door or cut their meals.

So, pretty much the tactical knives are pretty much siphoning to the general public and not really to those in service. Some of the companies won't even donate a few of their so-called "best" knives to those in service, not gonna name any names....

I sold most of my tactical knives and bought other stuff with them. :D

It would be nice to have a collection of really fancy customs (RJ Martins, Bright Tighe, Jens Anso, Striders, etc., etc.), but right now I don't see the merriment in paying thousands of dollars for a folder that won't ever serve me, let alone meet up to my expectations, as a knife. And... yea, I actually do try not to abuse the knives that I know will probably break (like my Grip, stopped using it after the incidents, and I will not use my Nimravus to the extent of, say, my RMD).

Tom,

Enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing.

Scott,

That is a great idea. I will create a new discussion for reviews so everyone can find them in a central location.

If anyone has a "Tactical" specific review that you want to post you are more than welcome to post it here and/or under the reviews discussion. Hopefully this will be ok for everyone.

Keelen

Hey, Im a huge CRKT M4 fan and a huge BM523 (520 but tanto), any you suggest?

Eric,
Have you checked out the BM Barrage or BM Presidio. I have both of them and absolutley love them. Also, CRKT has just came out with a whole bunch of new knives this past month.

Keelen

For another answer to Scott's question, what draws me to tactical folders is the ease of deployment.

For work, I am a Tugboat Mechanic and sometimes a deck hand out on the water. One of the things about my job is handling lines. You never know if one of those lines can catch you or something like that.

If that happens, I can reach into my pocket, and with one hand, the knife is pulled, blade is deployed, and I can do my work.

The above was just an example. I havent had to do that, but again, its the ease of getting the knife out to use. There's no fondling around in the pocket (because its usually clipped to it) and searching for the knife. Then once its out, in most cases, it takes two hands to open it.

Nick,

Thank you for sharing.

No problem. Just giving my perspective.

By the way, they also just look so cool!!!

I second that!! :)

What knives are in the clubs picture? A Benchmade, A RAT, and?

Rat RC-6, Benchmade Mini Presidio Ultra, Kershaw R.A.M

I would like to articulate the comment made by Tom Cai- I served 4 years as a US MARINE and never once carried a blade... There was some moderate knife training after boot camp, but aside from a bayonet (which I never carried either) there was no military issue blade- and KBAR was optional in the field and the only blade that was allowed to be fixed to our web gear in the field.

To me tactical means "emergency in extreme cases," as in this is a serious life or death situation that there is no way I could fight my way out of... Something drastic that my moral compass would direct me to authorize the use of deadly force.

I carry Benchmade's and Spyderco's every day all day long- I LOVE them, and use the holy heck out of them, and indeed, when I'm on my way walking to work midnights through the nasty parts of downtown Chicago very very late at night I do feel safer than if I were otherwise armed. But the use of the word "tactical" gets thrown around allot on the internet- and sometimes that worries me...

If I go my entire life and never have to protect myself using a blade that would be a very very good thing... Likewise not having a knife when I need one would be a bad thing:)

Keep your knives sharp!

Ian