Article by Rod Strange
In a world of many innovations, the knife has entered the realm of many cool-looking designs as well as numerous functions. However, how does one classify a knife to be a tactical knife versus being ordinary? What makes a knife ordinary and what is necessary before it is considered tactical? The usual definition given for tactical knives is that they are primarily used for combat, but in the simplest term, we could say they are simply high performance knives.
What does it mean to have a knife that meets high performance standards? First off, it means the knife is able to handle the given task, from the most mundane to the absolutely critical, with reliability and an almost effortless feel to it. This is especially crucial since a tactical knife is supposed to offer you confidence in life-threatening situations, such as surviving in a jungle against wild animals, in a possible hand-to-hand combat with somebody out to kill your guts. Nevertheless, even if we do not exactly deal with the possibility of using it in self-defense, what are the general factors behind this effectiveness that you need?
1. First, this good performance is achieved partly by the high quality of the blade material. They are usually those that outlast several lifetimes, and made of very hard material. Of course, the harder the steel means it is much more difficult to sharpen, so a sharpening tool becomes necessary. In addition, modern knives come with stainless steel blades, making rush a thing of the past.
2. Next, knives come with different blade shapes in order to offer superior performance for you given need. Interestingly, as long as the knife is sharp, the shape does not really matter all that much. Then again, do consider that double-edged knives, which make them of a pointed shape, tend to have a weak tip. For example, if you intend to use the knife for prying things open, as is usually done to most knives, a short, stocky blade will be able to take the abuse of prying compared to long ones. After all, a long, thin blade might get warped from all that prying.
3. The handle also plays a role in ensuring top quality performance for a knife. For less impact needs, any handle would probably do, but if you need it for very hard situations, such as bashing it around on a daily basis, exposing it to salt water, not being able to maintain it, a good choice would be a metal handle or one made with plastic or man-made materials. Handles made from wood, bone, or ivory are usually nice aesthetically but will probably not survive the wear and tear to which you subject it.
4. The pocket clip is a recent innovation for tactical knives, allowing them to be carried in a much more efficient way than in the old days. Long ago, knives had to be dug out of tight jeans, but now they can be clipped in whatever side and whatever position you desire.
Once you understand these basic components of a tactical knife, you can very well be on your way to picking the best one that will suit your needs.
Bear in mind that it will be your ultimate self-defense weapon in the event of an emergency, so make sure you do not scrimp on cost by sacrificing quality. Pick the tactical knife made by trusted brands and tested by experienced fighters, and you can rest assured you will at least have a fighting chance.