Tactical Knives: What Are They and What Makes a Knife “Tactical"?

Tactical knives are knives that are developed for use by the military and law enforcement. Tactical knives differ greatly from their contemporaries, the keyword being "tactical." Serrated edges cut through materials like seatbelts and clothing; blades that can be used in a variety of ways, such as a straight edge, hook, or saw-tooth blade; and heavy-duty handles that don't break easily are all aspects of tactical knives. Tactical knives can be either heavy or light, depending on the task at hand. Some people prefer heavier blades because they have more force behind them, while others prefer lighter blades because they are easier to carry.

 

What Is A Tactical Knife?

A tactical knife is designed to be used as a multi-purpose instrument. Tactical knives are also commonly employed in military and tactical situations. This knife is preferred by the military since it may be used for a variety of duties during training or during a rescue mission. Furthermore, they are more effective than normal knives, which, due to their design and strength, can easily fail. The majority of them are designed for greater performance, cutting power, and outdoor use. Fine materials are used to create the best tactical knives, which are sturdy enough to survive hard conditions.

The type of knives that you choose is determined by the function that has to be done. A tactical one is great if you need one for versatility. A tactical knife is a versatile weapon that may be used for a variety of cutting activities as well as self-defense. The tactical knives are built of high-quality metal alloys, making them suitable for any application. You should assess your daily routines, use, specialties, and requirements before purchasing a tactical knife. We are here to help you choose the best tactical knife from our site at evatac.co.

 

Essential Elements of a Good Tactical Knife

A tactical knife or knives are generally those that have a military look to them and are designed for intensive and hard use. And it is by no means a hard and fast rule, as there are plenty of knives out there that bear little resemblance to a military knife and would break under pressure, but are still categorized as tactical knives.

Before you choose a tactical knife, you should think about whether you want the blade to be fixed or a folding blade, the length of the blade, and the blade design. However, there are additional aspects to consider, like the handle design, size of the knife, blade coating and finish, and the type of steel or blade used in the knife's design.

 

Fixed Blade or Folding

Having both fixed-blade and folding-blade tactical knives is ideal. The first thing you should think about when choosing between these two is which type you prefer. Both types have their own set of pros and cons. 

Fixed Blade

The blade of a tactical fixed blade extends outward, making it more powerful than a folded blade knife. It is, however, frequently difficult to transport. Fixed blade tactical knives have a reputation for being more "serious," although they can be effective in certain situations.

The fixed blade has numerous advantages:

• They are large and powerful. A fixed blade can be any size you need it to be, from a little, convenient blade to a gigantic, "Croc Dundee"-sized monster.
• The blade's strength is a feature that cuts across all sizes.
• They aren't prone to breaking. A fixed knife has no moving parts.
• The length of the blade. Fixed blades are usually twice as long as folding knife blades.
• Excellent tactical application. Fixed blade knives, on average, can be brought into play faster than folding knives.

As a survival tool, the fixed blade knife can be used for a variety of tasks, including:

• Cutting \Digging \Splitting
• First-aid kit
• Preparing food
• Weapon for hunting
• Hammering
• Prying

 

Folding Blade

Fixed-blade knives are the exact opposite of these knives' folding blades. They allow the user to fold it in half, however, the opening process requires assistance. Except for self-defense, these are useful for everything. This is due to the blade folding in half and being less durable than a fixed blade knife. On the other hand, this tactical knife usually comes in compact sizes, making them easy to carry and keep in your pockets.

The following are some of the pros of using a folding knife.

• It's usually smaller and lighter than a fixed blade knife, making it easier to carry and store.
• It's safer to move or carry because it's folded, so as long as the lock stays in place, you'll be good.
• A folding knife may be more "regulatory friendly" depending on where you live.

 

Handle Design and Ergonomics

The handle of a tactical knife is a really important aspect of the tactical knife because of its ergonomics. Tactical knives, as a whole, avoid strong finger grooves and indents so that you can use the knife in practically any stance and hold. The liner lock is also simple to close with one hand, and the entire handle is textured for a secure grip.

A smooth-handled tactical knife with just enough texture to allow you to gain a comfortable grip and successfully operate the knife would be ideal. This would allow you to use whichever handgrip you desire, and there would be no sharp edges or large hotspots to cause discomfort. The integrated glass breaker in the back spacer and recessed screws on the deep carry pocket clip are also great features. In addition, these tactical combat knives spring open with a pleasing "clack" and the deployment button has a reassuring pressure — they feel excellent to use and last a long time.

 

Size of the Knife

This is related to the design, but it is significant enough to mention separately. Although the best tactical knife technically has a 12-inch blade, it isn't ideal for you if you need to carry it every day as an officer. You probably wouldn't carry it at all. As a result, it may be the worst of the lot. Take some time to think about how you'll use this knife. Remember that you must be able to use it as well. Its size should be comfortable to hold in your hand. Not every knife will be good for everyone. You must choose one that is a good fit for your body. Our best tactical knife's size specifications may be found at evatac.co, our online store.

 

Blade Material

Though blade style is a fair indicator of what a tactical knife is made for, the blade material itself is even more relevant. The material of blade steel, like other automatic knife attributes, should be chosen based on the blade's intended usage. These are some of the most important characteristics of a tactical knife blade that are influenced by the material.

• Strength of the blade: The ability of a blade to resist breaking or fracturing.
• Edge retention: Refers to a blade's ability to stay sharp without needing to be sharpened frequently.
• Corrosion resistance: Refers to a blade's capacity to withstand humidity, moisture, salt, and other chemical reactions without deteriorating.
• Sharpening ease: A blade's ability to be sharpened quickly and easily.

 

Handle Material

When it comes to choosing a tactical knife, the blade material is one of the most crucial factors to consider. The material of the handle is also crucial, because how you hold a knife has a direct impact on how it operates. Because of its shape and substance, the ideal knife should feel comfortable in your hand and be simple to use.

The following are some of the most important handle materials and their distinctive features.

• Steel - Knife blades aren't usually the only feature of a knife made of steel; knife handles can also be made of steel. While a steel handle may not provide the same level of comfort in the hand as a leather or rubber grip, steel's great blade attributes, such as hardness, corrosion resistance, and the ability to survive long-term wear and tear, apply in a handle.
• Composite - Tactical knife handles made of composite materials feel great in the hand and are long-lasting. Composite handles are extremely adaptable due to the variety of chemicals and materials that may be used to produce them. Popular composite materials utilized in knife handles include Zytel, Ultramid, and Kraton G.
• Aluminum- Without the added weight of the heavier metal, aluminum offers a knife with a sturdy, well-built feel. This results in a lightweight knife that can be carried all day. A tactical knife has an aluminum handle with a solid lock and a set of radial grooves that run the length of the handle and taper off—a great touch.
• Leather- While leather is most commonly associated with footwear, it is also used in some knife handles for the same reasons that it is in boots and shoes. It is durable, tough, and long-lasting. Military-style fixed blade knives usually have leather handles.
• Nylon- It is one of the most used materials for tactical knife handles. Nylon is a great, cost-effective handle material since it is tough, resistant to many chemicals, and stable at extreme temperatures.
• Rubber-The gripping texture of rubber is well-known. Rubber knife handles are incredibly robust and simple to grip for precision cutting, which is why they are utilized in knife handles.
• G10- It is a durable, lightweight, and strong fiberglass laminate material that has gained favor in recent years. It maintains its shape and is corrosion-resistant because of the lack of metal in its composition.

 

Blade Coating and Finish

There is a lot that goes into creating an excellent and long-lasting tactical knife blade. Heat treatment, finish and coating, and a variety of other variables and processes can all be used to create actual materials. Tactical knives frequently have a matte finish coating on their blades, which may sound cliché. While it is not necessary to classify a knife as a tactical knife, it is rather common and gives the blade an extra level of coolness and durability. A black or gray matte coating and finish are sometimes used on tactical knives, this is not always the case, but it is common. Anti-friction coatings are one of the greatest types of coatings. This will prevent your knife blade from catching on anything.

 

Summary

Tactical knives, as you may have discovered, are quite useful devices. Finding the proper knife can be a challenging task, with so many blade types, blade materials, handle materials, and other aspects to consider. The best thing to do is think about how you'll use your knife and then look for features that match. It won't be nearly as difficult once you've narrowed it down. Make the most of the abundance of knives available to you. It may take some time to comb through, but the extensive list of essential features ensures that finding your ideal tactical knife is only a matter of time.

Hopefully, this has given you a better understanding of what a tactical knife is and what to look for when owning one. We recommend purchasing the best tactical knife from us, evatac.co.