Ten Good Things That Make a Tactical Knife

1. Ten Things Which Make a Tactical Knife

2. Every Company looks to make them. Everyone appears to take them. Or do they? • Well, first let me say this: I've heard some people (Knife makers/Knife Companies) say the following, that there's no difference between a "standard" knife and a "Tactical Knife." I ask them this question: Will there be a-difference between a "Combat Handgun" and a "regular" hand gun? Damn right there's. But if you don't know what those differences are, you probably can't tell the difference. However, there are differences and to the educated or experienced, these subtleties can literally mean the-difference between life and death. There is also a-difference between a "Tactical Knife" and a "standard" knife.

3. 1. Design • When NASA asked me to design a knife for the International Space Station they gave me a list of jobs the knife could be used for, including some that were very specific and unique. I designed the knife from the very beginning, to fit those needs. Me a list of jobs the knife would be needed to do. gave when the US Navy asked me to design a rescue knife for their special boat units (SBU), they. I designed the knife specifically to address those jobs. The request for this knife came because of a terrible accident in which a number of U.S. Marines drowned in a helo crash.

4. 2. Function of the knife • The purpose of the knife will order what knife you should have. A door kicker will want a knife when compared to a detective. Just what is a tactical knife? Let's ask. Is the knife an emergency rescue tool? Is the knife an entry tool? Depending on your job requirements you may need two or even three knives - not to take, but as part of the equipment you need for specific operations. These are just a few of the questions you ought to ask yourself before making your purchase and selection. Just take a short overview here http://www.ds-tactical.org/tactical-knives/ and find useful information about tactical knives. • An undercover officer going into a possibly hostile environment will have wholly different requirements when compared to a SWAT officer. In a couple of instances, the bad guys didn't even take the knives away after patting the cops down. Were these "tactical" knives? Request the agents.

5. 3. Ergonomics • Ergonomics is one of the very most important aspects of Tactical Knife design. Without getting overly technical, knife ergonomics are simply this: The knife must feel comfortable in your hand. Now, I'll get a little more technical. It has to manage it under tension and feel comfortable whenever you use it. There has to be no pinch points, sharp corners or abnormal feel to the handle. This is where we separate the knife designer from the graphics designer. There should be no convoluted contours or sculpturing of the handle. Watch out for over - noticeable finger grooves which will drive your hand into a pre-fixed position. There should become a location for your fingers to go that should not force them. • In addition, the knife should not be too large or too small for the hand, but should be perfect. A great designer can do this. Another alternative would be to make small, medium and large variations of a specific knife version. The most important thing is that your knife should feel like it suits you, in shape, size and weight. Among the finest compliments I get is when someone picks up one of my knives, smiles and says "It feels like it was created for me personally."

6. 4. Any design must certanly be purpose driven, size As I've already stated. • Therefore, the measurement of the knife should be reflective of the task it is designed to-do. All too often I've seen knife manufacturers make what they believe to be the "Ultimate Cop Knife." Then proceed to show me a 15 inch long Bowie knife with a leather sheath the size of Tennessee to take it in. The whole rig weighs in at least two pounds or more. Here at Tactical you will find what you are looking for. • "It's got a steel end to allow them to beat with it." Nice knife, but it's either going to sit-in a locker or in the officer's mantel. The size of the knife needs to be such that the officer will feel comfortable taking it. Then he'll take it. Giant folding knives or humongous fixed blades may indeed have their place, however a policeman's never likely to use it if every time he sets it on, it causes him to tip to one side. My recommendation for general use and take? A folding knife with a blade 3 to 4 inches long and an overall length of 8 - 9 inches.

7. 5. Materials • There are two classes, blade and handle. Starting with the blade, I would advise a good quality stainless steel. What is great quality? Quite honestly, the knife business is so competitive that any reputable knife company is now using great to high quality steel. Just avoid any knives that have Pakistan or China stamped into the blade and don't go for inexpensive. If the knife is just $3.98, it's made in Pakistan or China, irrespective of what it says. • One last word on steels. Forget the hoopla about Super Steels. It's just marketing spin to convince you one business is better than the other. The best knife steel ever used is plain old W1 tool steel and it's been in existence for a couple of hundred years. It's the material your files are made of and they cut other steels. Click here http://tacticalknive.bravesites.com/ and you will discover more information.

8. 6. Handle • Handles can be produced of a number of supplies from plastic to G-10 and from Titanium to Stainless Steel. Everything you want in a handle is something that's stable and won't consume moisture. What I mean by stable is: It won't shrink, check or split. Stabilized materials are usually waterproof. They shouldn't consume perspiration, water, gas, or oil. This eliminates most natural materials, such as wood, bone, or ivory. In Addition, avoid Kraton, the soft grippy rubber like material found on some "Tactical" knives. • With all of the technologies out there in polymers and composites, you can generally count on the companies having great handle substances. In regard to all metal handles, they will probably last forever. Sometimes they feel a *tiny large and sometimes are smoother than the non-metal handles. It's really up to you what feels best in your hand. I get an all titanium-handled knife in my pocket regular. Checkering or possibly a textured surface of course will always give you extra grip, especially if the environment is wet. Bare in mind though, materials don't make the knife. Design makes the knife. A bad knife with great materials is still a poor knife.

9. 7. Blade Design • The blade must have a cutting-edge and a point. It's really that fundamental. More specifically, I enjoy a great strong thick point. If I need to poke or dig into something, that could harm or break a *sensitive needlelike point as found on some knives. A couple of inches of cutting edge is lots. Curved cutting edges cut cloth and webbing really economically, I.e. seat belts. I recommend a hardness of 57-59C Rockwell, contrary to some who take their knives up to 61C Rockwell. From practical experience I understand that's way too difficult and fragile. I shall dull a knife, any knife, irrespective of what any producer claims, and I shall have to be able to sharpen it without some exotic diamond sharpener. If I'm in the field, I might even need to use a stone. After all, a dull knife is still a knife. well, pricey crap. One last word on blades.

10. 8. Locks • I don't get too spun up about locks. Once more, businesses are battling for every square inch of market they can grab. A folding knife folds. Get it? Never rely on the lock. IT ISN'T A FIXED BLADE! I've broken all of them. I repeat, I've broken all of them. There are lock backs, there are lining locks, there are axis locks. They're all great but none infallible. Once more, great companies have better locks; affordable foreign-made crap is, well, crap. Is your finger just worth $6? If you want a knife which will never fold, get a fixed blade.

11. 9. Fixed Blade or Folder • This might become a sub class of function of the knife. Some people like folders; some like blades. A blade is fundamentally stronger than a folder (no moving parts). So it comes down for this: Exactly what are you going to use the knife for? An air travel squad cop would probably select a large strong fixed blade to take with him in the Helo cockpit. This isn't to say that all fixed blades need to be huge chopping cleavers. • Some cops who prefer fixed blades take a considerably smaller variation. These knives which are the same size as an open folding knife are very usable, efficient and are compact enough to be taken on a daily basis. The decision between a folder and a fixed blade should be driven by taste second and use first. I wish to ask you this question. How often have you utilized your gun to thump a nail into a *article of wood? What can I say about folders who I haven't already covered? Perhaps just this.

12. 10. Carry Options • Select a location to hold your knife, Just like your primary weapon or your back-up and usually carry it there. There are tons of sheaths, leather, nylon or kydex out there. Any of these sheaths are fine so long as they're well made, should you take the knife on your belt. Most modern "Tactical" knives utilize a spring metal clip which is mounted straight onto the handle. I don't care which, just pick one and stick to it. This enables you to take the knife in your trousers pocket clipped there for easy accessibility. • Which side? Off hand or gun side? Again it's a matter of private taste. Some guys don't want to clutter up their gun side with a lot of options. Some officers take their knife clipped in their offhand pocket when their gun hand is protecting the holstered weapon as a backup weapon against a gun grab. I've even had a couple of guys tell me I've set the clip on the wrong end (the butt end) on my knives. Sorry, I have to have missed that in the "How to Design A Tactical Knife" rule book. There is absolutely no right or wrong about how you take your knife. It has to be clear and simple to access and it has to take the exact same spot all the time. That's it. The glove box or trunk of your automobile are poorer choices.

13. Get your knife from a company that takes pride in what they make and cares about its goods. They are out there - you just need to look. • Select a knife from a reputable producer and buy it from a reputable seller. Swap meets are not on that list. A knife, unlike a firearm, is used for several typical functions; nonetheless, someday you may want it to save the life of the loved one, your partner, yourself, or even a complete stranger. Is your knife up for the task? There is one business that has this slogan: "When Your Life Is dependent upon Your Equipment... Get the Equipment Your Life Can Depend On." Guess which one. Go over to this site http://tactical-knives.net and find useful information.