What makes a fighting knife

The exact definition of what qualifies as a true tactical knife and not just a cheap marketing trick is often debated, but there are some clear traits that most tactical knives have in common with each other. There is no official and widely accepted definition of what actually qualifies as a tactical knife. Generally, tactical knives are knives that have a sort of military-type look to them and are meant for intensive and hard use.

It seems like each knife company, as well as each knife owner and enthusiast, has their own definition of what a tactical knife is. This can make it really hard to lay out the different elements and features of a tactical knife because they are all different depending on who you talk to.

There are just so many variations that it might seem a little confusing, but here it goes anyways. As I briefly mentioned, tactical knives come in a super wide variety of different styles, looks, and designs.

This is no different when it comes to whether or not tactical knives are folding knives or fixed blades. While there is no definition of what a tactical knife is, many people agree that a tactical knife can be either a folding or a fixed blade knife.

However, folding tactical knives seem to be the most popular option and the most widely used. Whether you should get a fixed blade or a folding tactical knife if you are looking into purchasing a knife really comes down to what you intend to use your blade for. While most tactical knives are made to be able to withstand a lot of use and pressure, nothing really beats having a full tang knife if you are doing a hard and intense job.

But if you are just trying to have a cool and yet functional everyday carry knife, the ever-popular folding tactical knife will usually do you just fine. It really depends on what you want and need because tactical knives come in both folding and fixed blade styles you can probably find one in whatever form factor you could ever want. One of the great things, and often defining feature of a tactical knife, is the ability for the knife to be rather small but still be strong and durable.

This often goes back to the military-style design and construction of many tactical knives. It also is reliant on the quality and of the knife as a whole and how much care and thought was put into its making. The size of a tactical knife should also reflect the intended use and purpose of the knife. It is useless to have a super small or large knife if it is just the wrong size for the tasks that you are trying to complete.

If a tactical knife is not the appropriate size for whatever task you are trying to do, it will be a pain to use and carry and will end up just sitting in a drawer until you eventually get rid of it. If you are intending to use a tactical knife for everyday carry, smaller is usually the way to go. But if you are doing some sort of intensive tasks like bushcraft, or something similar that puts a lot of pressure on the knife, you should probably go for a slightly larger and therefore heavier duty tactical knife.

A very important aspect of tactical knives is the handle of the knife. Generally, tactical knives shy away from hard finger grooves and indents so that you can comfortably use the knife in almost any position and grip. The most ideal tactical knife would be a smooth handled one with still enough texture to allow you to get a good grip and effectively use the knife.

This would allow you to use any handgrip you want and it would not have any sharp corners or major hotspots that would become uncomfortable. The handle of a tactical knife is also often very minimalistic and simple.

This not only helps to eliminate finger grooves and hotspots, but it will also make the upkeep of the knife a little simpler. A lot of knives have intricate designs and patterns on their handles that allow dirt and other things to get stuck in them. A simple and clean handle design eliminates most of these problems. That is to say, they featured a big sturdy blade, but they were also generally adorned with elaborate designs, both on the knives themselves and their matching sheaths.

Originally intended as a simple and inexpensive utility blade for working men, this easily-concealed non-locking folding blade was repurposed into a weapon of dissent during the FLN-led Algerian revolt of the s and s, during which it was used as a tool of assassination. This may be the one blade on our list that rapidly became a fighting knife despite its creators original intent.

Mass Production Prevails. First, knives would take on a less ornate and more aggressive appearance, as they were easier to build en masse without intricate forms or designs. With modernization came the need for blades that were a bit more utilitarian. And second, they would take a seemingly large step backwards in their overall purpose. You see, in the pre-industrial era, fighting knives were often built strictly to serve as fighting tools, whereas those of the past were meant to complete a number of different tasks, as well.

This meant that their form was strictly for combat and nothing else. This could be seen most pronounced in things like the karambit and khukuri. With modernization, however, came the need for blades that were a bit more utilitarian. Fighting knives were no longer single-purpose tools of war, but were intended to be used in a variety of ways, as well as being combat blades.

Sure, they were still primarily for fighting, but they could also easily assist with other tasks soldiers might need outside of combat — like basic survival. One of the earliest appearances of this new fighting knife ethos in practice is the traditional trench knife.

Typically, these knives would feature a dagger-like blade, an ergonomic handle, and a wrap-around metal knuckle guard — often taking the form of brass knuckles. Eventually, these blades would be replaced. However, the reasoning is a bit murky. Another possible reason is that these blades featured a triangular blade which, when combined with the brass-knuckled handles, served very little function outside of combat and, thusly, were replaced for utilitarian reasons.

Whatever the case, they had widely stopped being used prior to WWII. From around WWII until today, the form of most fighting knives has been somewhat standardized.

That is to say, most of them feature similar forms — most typically somewhere between old-style daggers and the more modern bowie knife. Of course, there is a lot of room for interpretation, especially because of the wide increase in both folding and fixed blades that are available to the public. Some of the most noteworthy examples of contemporary fighting knives are still made in some form or another today. Similarly, Gerber Gear has offered a version of their Mark II fighting knife which draws inspiration from the Scottish dirk since Nowadays, an increasingly wide variety of knife-making brands have some version of a fighting knife — or at least one that was inspired by fighting knives of the past.

Fighting Knives You Can Own. As you might imagine, there is a plethora of contemporary examples of fighting knives from around the world available today. Some of them are recreations of designs from the past, whereas others are new evolutions on those that came before them. Functioning as both a fighting knife and a functional bayonet, this is the fixed blade of choice for the Austrian army.

In fact, it was actually developed with the input of Austrian Army Rangers. This fixed blade is as no-nonsense as they come, which is definitely not a bad thing in the least. As iconic as they come, this is a variation of the standard fighting knife used by the United States Marine Corps, dating back to the early s.

As far as classic fixed blade knives go, this one is top-notch. A westernized take of the machete-like Gurkha weapon of choice, this blacked-out fighting knife features a high-carbon, powder-coated steel blade and a slip-resistant Kraton handle. The 7-inch blade makes this knife is a good size for the offense. The nylon hand feels great in the hand and it can be attached to most combat rifles like the M16, M4, AR, and other popular guns.

The holster is made of thermoplastic nylon and has a wire cutter and screwdriver. My Review: In some ways, the Bayonet became the most modern knife in the world and then went out of style insanely fast, so fast that most of us missed it!

Bayonets are designed to be extremely lethal and maintain a razor-sharp edge. With that, consisting of carbon steel aids in the durability and lethality category but, and anyone who has owned a bayonet like this would know, these will rust extremely quickly without proper care and oil.

So long as you take care of them, though, with a little rub down every so often, these will probably outlast you. These bad boys can fit on M4, AR15, and M16 platforms. My Review: I found a veteran that reviewed this knife on YouTube. You can check out the video below to see his review of the Mark 2 knife here.

I recommend skipping to in the video. This unique fighting knife from Gerber features a black oxide-coated blade for protection against corrosion. This coating also has the added benefit of diminishing the amount of light that the blade will reflect. This is important in close combat situations because the longer you can convince your opponent that he has the upper hand that you are not armed, that is , you keep the essential element of surprise when you pull out this beast.

The blade features an ultra-sharp double-edged at the tip of the blade, coupled with double serrated edges near the hilt. In a situation where inflicting lethal damage is the objective, this design makes for an epic penetration weapon that can actually double as a spear. The blade length is 6. Again, you can check the AKTI database using the link in the considerations section below to verify the appropriate laws and restrictions for your state of residence.

The handle is constructed of die-cast aluminum for super strength and durability and is textured for extra grip. Gerber knives are constructed with exacting quality, as I have owned many without ever identifying a single defect in manufacturing or design. Both are quality brands and will get the job done, so it really comes down to a matter of preference.

The Ka-Bar classic is literally the most famous and easiest-to-recognize model of fighting knife in the entire world. With over years of reliability on and off the fields of battle, the KA-Bar is the OG of combat knives and is still a formidable combat knife. The Ka-Bar will always be considered one of the best combat knives of all time. Anyway, you can choose between a full leather sheath or a solid Kydex one. While the leather may look better, the Kydex is probably the way to go if you plan using this knife in extreme situations or environments.

My Review: It may sound easy to design a new and interesting combat knife that is both feasible to manufacture and sells well but there is actually a lot that goes into fine-tuning the attributes of a knife towards combat efficiency. My Review: As mentioned in the description of the Karambit earlier in this guide, this small curved knife resembles the claw of a tiger, which is where the Karambit draws the inspiration for its design. I attached a cool video review if you need a break from reading.

These are specifically designed for defensive purposes, but they can definitely do some damage in close-quartered combat with another human. It is a very versatile weapon and can be held in a variety of different positions so you can adapt to whatever your enemy tries to throw your way.

If you have never used a Karambit, it is a good idea to check out some online videos that demonstrate proper hold position, safety precautions, as well as the many different slashing and cutting motions that you can take.

Because the blade length is only 3 inches long, it is not really designed to puncture deep enough to cause lethal damage upon your opponent, but the design allows you to slice through flesh the same way a large tiger would employ its sharp claws against potential prey. My Review: The Zero Tolerance Combat Folder is a top-of-the-line folding tactical knife, this knife comes packed full of features, including SpeedSafe assisted opening, a 3-D machined G10 and Titanium handle.

The blade is coated with DLC diamond-like carbon and Tungsten for extreme durability, hardness, and sharpness. Bottom Line: This is a feature-packed, top-shelf knife that will likely stand up to anything you can throw at it. The price is very high, so those looking for something to buy on a budget will not find what they are looking for with this knife. However, top-shelf knife collectors will appreciate the innovation and craftsmanship put into this Made-in-the-USA knife.

My Review: Another excellent offering from Benchmade, the Contego is an exception utility folding knife that even includes a glass breaker on the pommel for emergency situations. The CPM-M4 stainless blade and G10 handle construction are designed to handle the most extreme situations that you can throw at it. It is truly a tactical and utility blade.

For this reason alone, many of the Benchmark products may have what seems to be a high initial cost of ownership, but their amazing guarantee is really what you are paying for. This is definitely a well-built knife that I would be proud to own. Bottom Line: The Benchmade Contego is a top-shelf offering that is built to withstand a lifetime of abuse and exposure to extreme conditions. As with most Benchmade items, the price can seem a bit off-putting at first, but the extremely well build of this knife combined with its features and lifetime warranty for repair or replacement make the initial investment well worth it over the lifetime of owning the knife.

In many cases, you may not be able to carry a large fixed blade combat knife but you still may end up in a hairy situation so the compromise is obvious, a small blade is the way to go. First, the knife was designed by Kit Carson who was made famous by the design of the M The reason why this design is so decorated is due to the automated liner locker and the Carson Flipper opening action.

The knife is exceptionally fast to deploy and once deployed it is very safe and strong. The frame of the knife is slim and light yet ergonomically pleasing and the knife actually comes with a wide array of different blade styles to choose from. My Review: This uniquely designed folding knife from Cold Steel has a reputation as one of their most popular knives on the market today.

Its design was inspired around the shape and performance of the standard Japanese Kukri, and with a blade crafted from Japanese AUS10A steel, it is meant to last and meant to keep an edge, even in the roughest of conditions.

It is designed to be a true utility knife as it can cut through items diverse as rope, bamboo, cloth, and even meat. My Review: This knife is a bit different than many of the folding knives we have looked at.

The Homefront knife is designed by world-renowned knife designer Ken Onion and is inspired by tactical designs but is meant for everyday carry and use. While there have been some reviews that question the design of the knife, the main complaints have had to do with its price tag. However, the majority of buyers have had positive experiences with this blade and indicate that it stands up to heavy use, while the ability to disassemble and easily clean makes the components last longer.

Bottom Line: While I do not know much about this particular knife, some of its unique features are appealing. The ability to disassemble without using a single tool allows you to keep the inner workings of the knife clean, meaning that you can extend its life.

However, it seems to get the job done while standing up to harsh conditions, and the innovations in design are truly unique. This steel is much more resilient to wear and tear than traditional due to its material profile containing chromium and vanadium.

Today most of the Ka-Bar products consist of Cro-Van which seem to offer high tier attributes at more affordable prices. The Commando knife is rather raw in nature but has exceptional handling in part due to the integrated hilt. Without the hilt, I would say the grip is too thin but with the hilt, it all comes together nicely. The knife is rather heavy feeling and really has a great balance for fighting.

My Review: This intimidating-looking combat Bowie knife is made from high-quality material in terms of blade and hilt construction. It features a sawback on the backside of the blade and both smooth and partially serrated edge on the opposite side.

With an This definitely has the capability and potential to be a lifesaver on the battlefield and has no problem whatsoever inflicting lethal damage in a hand-to-hand combat situation, just like any quality Bowie.

The blade is constructed of high-strength stainless steel and this particular weapon includes a nylon sheath for safety in transport. This particular Bowie, as with many Bowies, features a design that is intentionally intimidating in order to quickly give you the upper hand, psychologically speaking, if you are ever involved in a fight-to-the-death in a battle or find yourself the victim of a violent crime, such as a home invasion. A note about this knife: Many times, cheaper products fall victim to shoddy manufacturing, especially when the manufacturer sacrifices quality components to save a buck.

This does not appear to be the case with this Bowie, as it features some of the same quality features and materials used in high-end offerings, such as a highly rubberized handle, a super-strong stainless steel blade, and overall quality construction. As a matter of fact, this knife currently retains a 4. A fixed blade knife simply is a knife without a folding blade.

Bowies, Ka-Bars, Mausers, most Karambits, and combat daggers are all fixed-blade knives. Even kitchen knives, such as butcher knives, fall into the fixed-blade category. Unlike pocket knives, fixed-blade fighting knives are designed to be carried in a sheath. Bowies had become so popular that they were literally synonymous with the term fighting knife all the way up until the beginning of the 20th century when tons of newly-designed combat knives were produced. There are many popular survival knife designs that fall into the tactical knife category.

They are designed to be used for self-defense or combat, but also contains valuable extras built into the handle. Another example of a utility knife is the Swiss Army knife, which includes several folding blades, one large enough for defensive capabilities, as well as a ton of built-in tools. Of course, if you are reading this article, you are already well aware of what a Swiss Army knife is, and probably have one in your collection. Beware, though, there are many counterfeit Swiss Army knives that may look like they have all of the same features, but these knock offs are almost always cheaply manufactured and have sub-par blades.

They are specifically designed for self-defense applications. Because the blade is curved and short, they are not meant to be used as an offensive weapon, but they can definitely be used in combat if need be. Because of their unique design, if you are not trained in using a Karambit, I recommend either taking personal lessons in their proper use or simply gaining this experience by watching some demonstration videos on YouTube.

On YouTube, you can find training and demonstrations of the many different striking motions that can be employed with a Karambit. Folding: Folding blades are the direct opposite of fixed-blade knives. Knives with folding blades are generally not designed for lethality, but rather self-defense situations, where you would likely be slashing instead of penetrating — the goal is to incapacitate instead of to eliminate. Buck knives and other utility pocket knives such as Swiss Army knives are examples of folding blade weapons.

These knives are equally useful as utility tools as they are for inflicting damage. Just like every purchase you make, finding the perfect combat knife for your collection depends on two main factors; personal preference and intended or anticipated usage scenarios. There are many other important considerations that you need to ponder when shopping for your next combat knife as well.

Blade: Because you could find yourself using your combat knife in a situation where the end result is the injury or even death of the other party, the quality, length, material, and construction of the blade are one of the most important features to consider when looking for a military-style combat knife. Besides blade quality, you must also consider whether or not you want a straight-edge blade or a serrated edge blade, or better yet, a combination of both. Serrated edges can have a tendency to snag when cutting through certain materials, and if you are in a situation where you are up against another human being, you may find that to be a disadvantage, and thus, a straight blade better suited for combat.

However a serrated edge on the opposite side of the blade, such as is featured in certain Bowies and survival combat knives, it can come in handy if you find yourself needing to use your knife not as a weapon, but as a tool to saw through something, perhaps the texture of wood.

Make your choice according to what your anticipated needs, but if you are buying the knife for combat, you definitely want to consider a straight-edge blade.

Other very popular knives that excel in combat would be the Tanto since its hard and structured point is designed with the capability of piercing low-level body armor in mind. Handle: No matter how special or strong or sharp your blade might be, if your handle is not up to the task at hand, you may find yourself in a very precarious position if it malfunctions in the middle of a fight. If your handle fails and the blade detaches from it, you literally will be standing in the middle of a fight-for-your-life with nothing but a handle in your hand.

This obviously is not desirable.