EdgeMasters - Buying a Tactical Knife
Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Buying a Tactical Knife
When buying a tactical knife, one has many options. Tactical knifes come in both fixed-blade and folding models. Tactical knives are considered to be those utilized in stealth, police, military, and similar environments demanding an exceptional quality knife. A tactical knife should be one that can be utilized as if your life depended on it. These knives are often utilized by special units of the US and abroad military and police forces. The manufacturers of these tactical knives must create knives that can be used in extreme situations. In order to be selected as a knife vendor by the government requires that the tactical knife be exceptional in terms of quality, design, and performance under the most rigorous conditions.
Ka-Bar and Cold Steel are well-known knife companies that manufacture tactical knives. They put their knives through extensive testing to make sure they will hold up in all types of conditions. If you purchase a tactical knife made by one of these manufacturers that have been selected for use by our military or police, you can be assured that the knife has undergone extensive testing.
The tactical knife market is growing by the day. There are plenty of dealers selling them and lots of manufacturers making them. You should ask yourself a few questions before you purchase your first tactical knife. What will I be using the knife for? Am I buying it to use or keep it as a collector piece? Will this be a survival or hunting knife, or will I also be using it for self defense? Will weight be an issue? Will I need to sharpen the knife in the field? How much do I want to spend on a knife? If you are a first time buyer, you might want to seek experienced and knowledgeable assistance before you purchase.
Tactical knives are made from many different materials. The best materials depend on your use of the knife. Tool Steels, such as 1095 HC and D2, are excellent knife steels, but they are prone to corrosion. Stainless Steel resists corrosion, but certain alloys can be brittle and harder to sharpen. Handle materials can range from stacked leather to resin based materials, like Micarta or G10. Each of these materials offers certain advantages and disadvantages. A little research done before your purchase can make a difference in your level of satisfaction with the knife.
If you intend to cut lots of rope or line, then partial or full serrations might be your choice. Saw teeth on the spine of the blade may be useful in some situations. Lashing holes in the guard and in the pommel are very useful when making a spear. You will want to decide how heavy of a knife you will want to carry around. If you will be carrying your knife every day, a folding knife is a great choice. They are handy, convenient, and usually lightweight. If you are a soldier, pilot, police officer, or think you might find yourself in a survival situation, you might want to stick with a really good quality fixed-blade knife. If you are a collector, most of this will not be important to you.
The prices of a tactical knife will vary from under $10.00 to over $500.00. Most low end tactical knives under $25.00 will not hold up to any kind of serious work or abuse. A good grade US made Tactical Knife will run somewhere between $60.00 to $200.00. A top of the line knife will cost $150.00 and up. Folding knives are more expensive than fixed-blades due to manufacturing costs. Good luck in your search for the ultimate tactical knife that will suit your needs!
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