What Makes a Knife Tactical?

“What makes a knife tactical?” is a common question among knife users everywhere. Some insist that there is no difference between a regular knife and a tactical knife – that the current use dictates how tactical it is. Others point out that there are some common threads among knives that are intended to be “tactical.” If ever there was a subject matter expert on what makes a knife “tactical” it would be Ernest Emerson who practically invented the tactical folding knife.

Mr. Emerson recently wrote an article entitled “10 Things That Make a Tactical Knife” that can be read at the DailyCaller.com. When Ernest Emerson writes, I read it.

EmersonKnives.com

Hat tip to Dann at God, Gals, Guns, Grub.

 

4 Responses to What Makes a Knife Tactical?

  1. 2hotel9 October 8, 2012 at 08:54 #

    Nice read, can’t find a thing to disagree with.

    In a slightly related vein, I am still mourning the loss of my Emerson CQC9 11 years after it disappeared from my belt in surf at Cape Cod.

    I carry 3 blades at all times. Buck 110 in belt sheath, a Browning clip folder in front right pocket and a Kershaw light weight clip folder under my belt, sob.

  2. Roadkill October 11, 2012 at 14:01 #

    Emerson is the H&K of the knife world. It sure feels like they don’t think much of us civilians and would rather focus on Mil and LE contracts.

    For me ‘tactical’ means carry and deployment rather than use. The pocket clip or thumbstud has more to do with tactical than the black finish or shape of the blade. Any shape of fixed blade is tactical so long as it has a sheath and a meaningful way to be mounted and drawn from.

    • Matt October 11, 2012 at 18:36 #

      Roadkill, I’ll have to strongly disagree with that first statement. Emerson cultivates a very strong “civilian” following through their forum on the USN and other ventures. In fact, I would say that care more about the average knife consumer than most companies. On top of that, Ernest Emerson is one of the legendary nice guys in the industry. You are 180 degrees from the truth on this one.

  3. Roadkill October 15, 2012 at 03:59 #

    It is just the way Emerson comes across to me. Perhaps my views are unfounded, but maybe they aren’t. I do admit they have a strong following among ‘civilians’ and generally make a good a high grade product, but I can’t shake my feeling.

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