All About Pocket Knives

I'm not sure how to define what a tactical knife is or isn't, but the best definition I have heard of a tactical knife is:

"The knife I have in my hand when the situation turns tactical."

That makes as much or more sense than any other defination I have heard. The military knives issued early in WW II were hunting knives. They seemed adequate for the tasks at hand then....

I guess this would be my definition of the quintessential "tactical knife". It's very obvious it's designed from the get-go for maiming or killing.

I agree, definitely tactical, just not a folder.

You're gonna make me work for it ain'tcha?

I am not sure that I would like to carry any of those folders into combat.

The ones below are a different story: If you don't recognize the bottom Benchmade, it is an early Brend design. One of the first collaborations Benchmade did with a custom maker.
The large Camillus heat, a Zero Tolerance 0801and a Kershaw Blur BDZ-1 tanto
A couple by Columbia River Knife and Tool.
The top one is the M1, designed as a tactical knife by Greg Lightfoot and made in Taiwan.
The large one on the bottom is called the Desert Cruiser designed by Hammond. It was made in Taiwan.
Top – Ontario Knife RAT
Middle – Kershaw Blur BDZ-1 tanto
Bottom - Kershaw Blur S30V


The only one of these knives that I would be really reticent to carry in combat would be the Ontario. I have used the smaller version quite a bit, but not the larger version.
The Kershaw Blur may not be marketed as a tactical knife though I believe it would be every bit as effective as many that are made for combat.

Oops, I will have to be back in the day or two, I just remembered some more tactical folders I have.

So any large modern knife would be considered a 'tactical' knife. Hmmm

orvet wrote:Top – Ontario Knife RAT
...
The only one of these knives that I would be really reticent to carry in combat would be the Ontario. I have used the smaller version quite a bit, but not the larger version.

The RAT-1s I have acquired over the last year are all silky-smooth openers with stout, sharp blades and excellent F&F. I don't think I'd have any problem taking it into combat or survival situations over (preferably next to) my PM2 or any other modern folder I own. The RAT-2 is definitely on the smallish end, but the RAT-1 is perfect in my meatpaws for a hard-duty "tactical" folder and I have all the confidence in the world that it would serve well in such scenarios. Plus I don't have many knives with skinner blades (or combo serrated/skinner, for that matter) and none as large as the RAT's.

A possible reason for any difference of opinion may be that the orange RAT-1 you pictured is a Pacific Rim (but not Taiwan) "interpretation" of an Ontario-licensed knife, Dale. You can see the differences in the hardware, jimping, and (if next to each other) the OAL and thickness of the frame. Since almost all of my RATs were under $30 I have only sought out the genuine article and none have disappointed. I would trust any of them to do anything any large folder would have to accomplish. Ontario seems to have a handle on managing QC for their products coming out of Asia.

Here's my EDC pic from today with my OD green RAT-1 and the traditionals I carried all week.

jmh58: Nice collection of speidies. Third photo from the top: I was always intrigued by this design. Having it in hand what are your impressions of it please.

Quick Steel wrote:jmh58: Nice collection of speidies. Third photo from the top: I was always intrigued by this design. Having it in hand what are your impressions of it please.

Thank you!!! Small, lite and a great blister pack opener.. It came with a pocket clip but I removed it.. NICE watch pocket carry!! John

A recent pickup from fellow AAPKer Oldredbone67, my first Benchmade. Arrived and claimed the spot in my RFP for the day.

Tony,
how do you like the Benchmade?

A gathering of tacticals.

Nice yellow David Boye Boat knife.

Thanks TMH. The Boye is my Sunday "tactical." Just in case I have to defend myself against a rogue canoe.

orvet wrote:Tony,
how do you like the Benchmade?

Feels great in hand, flicks open with a satisfying "thunk", F&F excellent, blade came nice and sharp, and the "modified" sheepsfoot shape is pretty handy for a lot of uses. I think it's going to see a lot of carry as my OHO.

As I conceal carry daily this is my"dress carry" companion knife, my daily carry is the Buck 883 Code 3 flipper.

Kershaw automatic 7000BB

No Gerbers? Except for the random A/F Combat Folder or Covert auto, none.
Zero, zip, nada.

Here's a few that'll cure that. Gerber International blue anodized Harsey Air Ranger (marked Legendary Blades) Gerber International Fred Carter designed Utility II ATS-34 first production run Gerber International Harsey Air Ranger (marked INTERNATIONAL) first production run

I've got a few more (or 10) but these were the first ones I ran across.
Ounce for ounce I'd put em up against anything.

Spyderco Manix.. John