Tactical folder definition?

[shark_za]

A battering ram is used in an assault, it provides a tactical advantage in the scenario. So not a weapon but used in the fighting context.
Same with boots, lights and gloves that enable certain options not previously available.

Think change, reaction, surprise, diversion, brute force, stealth. These are tactics as opposed to operations and logistics.

[SAK Guy]

I know one when I see it..... 

You should set up a website classifying all known knives into tactical and not tactical knives. That would make it so much easier for the rest of us

What, and miss out on all this? 

[Etherealicer]

I think it is fairly simple

If it has any of the following then it's tactical
- fake-tanto blade with straight edges
- blade is painted black
- larger than necessary for its intended purpose
- impractical or weird blade shape
- sacrifices utility for a more aggressive look
- poor design in general like no cross-guard on a stabbing knife
- if it shows up on pinterest under EDC knife

[comis]

any black coated knife...   

This pretty sums up what I see in every advertising...

I think the word 'tactical' is definitely one of the most overused term for outdoor/rugged utility gear, and probably 'bushcraft' has became another big advertising term overused.

When something is 'tactical', I would genuinely assume its main purposes is to be used as a weapon(or part of), and it has more 'fighting' value than its 'utility' value.  It maybe a little oxymoron that a folding knife can be 'tactical', I would think a fixed blade with pointy double edge is what I consider to be a fighting knife.

[ironraven]

It is black or some kind of subdued color, and it really super dangerous with that sharp edge. And it scares a whining children of all ages.

[Gerhard Gerber]

Just a thought - would it not be easier to define what a tactical folder is not? 

If "stag handles"=True, "tactical folder"=False 
 

[Grathr]

Just a thought - would it not be easier to define what a tactical folder is not? 

If "stag handles"=True, "tactical folder"=False 
 

But what if it is a black tanto with stag handles??

[dks]

The top left look tacticool...   

[Gerhard Gerber]

But what if it is a black tanto with stag handles??

You almost had me, but I asked Google, and I think my point stands! 
https://www.google.com.na/search?q=tanto%2Bblade%2Bstag%2Bhandles&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj39KKH6IPLAhUBvBoKHUL3DMcQsAQIGQ#imgrc=0q2tfg_45OmVwM%3A

.....at least as far as stag is concerned 

[Grathr]

But what if it is a black tanto with stag handles??

You almost had me, but I asked Google, and I think my point stands! 
https://www.google.com.na/search?q=tanto%2Bblade%2Bstag%2Bhandles&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj39KKH6IPLAhUBvBoKHUL3DMcQsAQIGQ#imgrc=0q2tfg_45OmVwM%3A

.....at least as far as stag is concerned 

This one looks tactical to me... :p


And this one:
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/BO121917DAM/boker-trench-knife-5-5-8-inch-damascus

[Kampfer]

Tactical is a theme, just like anything in camouflage is military related, of course doesn't make it so.

[Alan K.]

I think we will have to pull a scrodinger on this one.

A knife in a box can be both tactical, and not tactical at the same time.
Only when the box is opened and the knife is carried, can it be determined if it is tactical or not

Not carried, but used.  We can tell a knife is a tactical knife when it is used in a tactical manner.

[Sparky415]

But what if it is a black tanto with stag handles??

You almost had me, but I asked Google, and I think my point stands! 
https://www.google.com.na/search?q=tanto%2Bblade%2Bstag%2Bhandles&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj39KKH6IPLAhUBvBoKHUL3DMcQsAQIGQ#imgrc=0q2tfg_45OmVwM%3A

.....at least as far as stag is concerned 

This one looks tactical to me... :p
(Image removed from quote.)

And this one:
http://www.knifecenter.com/item/BO121917DAM/boker-trench-knife-5-5-8-inch-damascus

 
You Guys are trying to ruin Stag for me

[cody6268]

To me, "tactical folder" is nothing but a marketing term to sell knives, especially those $5 and under "tactical folders" seen everywhere.   I remember that most of the "tactical folders" were said as being useless for "tactical" use.

[Dean51]

If you look back in time before 1980, there were pocket knives aka slip joints. They would cut and slice. You could stab it into a box if you applied pressure to the edge and not the spine.
Tactical was a bayonet or Kabar USMC knife. Demo knives and SAK's were utility knives.

Then someone looked at the switch blade laws and found a way around it by making knives like flippers and assisted openers. Then immediately marketed them as tactical knives. So by the original marketing definitions any assisted knife could be considered tactical. Except maybe the smallest.

It's just marketing to get you to buy more than what is really needed.

A knife blade thicker than .100 starts loosing it's efficiency as a slicer. So if your knife is grossly overbuilt it's tacticool.

[Gerhard Gerber]

If you look back in time before 1980, there were pocket knives aka slip joints.

What I find fascinating how everything basically went from  round to broad and flat.

[Grathr]

So, is this HK Ally a tactical knife?
What do you think?

[eamo]

So, is this HK Ally a tactical knife?
What do you think?

(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

i dunno, to me it looks more weapon then function - and ultimately isn't it all about perception ?

[Kampfer]

So, is this HK Ally a tactical knife?
What do you think?

(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

A tactical utility knife, i can see it serves a police officer well.
Especially if he is a HK fan.

[comis]

Though my initial impression is HK may want to advertise or want people regard this as a 'tactical' knife, but thinking about how the big thumb hole weaken the blade, I would probably think this is most suited for utility.

[Kampfer]

Though my initial impression is HK may want to advertise or want people regard this as a 'tactical' knife, but thinking about how the big thumb hole weaken the blade, I would probably think this is most suited for utility.

Less than 3" blade, lacks of stopping power.

[dks]

apart from the black colour, it also helps if it is made of "Supersteel", or at least "Surgical Steel", made from a special "Alloy", especially the handle and, hardened to over HRC60.


 

[Grathr]

Thanks for the opinions!
The knife is actually very usefull as a utility knife.

[Grathr]

What about the Spyderco Tenacious Black?

[Etherealicer]

HK Ally: IMO not tactical. It's shiny and silver. Also the due to the holes it lacks a certain ruggedness.
Spyderco Tenacious Black: TACTICAL! The all black look makes it tactical despite it's ergonomics and functional design.

[SAK Guy]

HK Ally: IMO not tactical. It's shiny and silver. Also the due to the holes it lacks a certain ruggedness.
Spyderco Tenacious Black: TACTICAL! The all black look makes it tactical despite it's ergonomics and functional design.

+1!!!!! Elicits flight response in fearful types!!!!

However in green/satin: builds community, fosters goodwill, ends world hunger and the chicks dig it.....      (which kinda sux because I'm all about eliciting flight responses in the fearful....)

adjusted pic..

[Grathr]

[Aloha]

I've been thinking a bit more on the definition.  Tactical as used to describe a knife IMO still remains a marketing term.  That being said, in response to your HK and Blacked out Tenacious, I'd say to the average man/woman on the street the black looks Tactical vs the HK.

Here's where I'm at tho, if  joe/jane public sees a guy with all the other gears with any knife they'd assume Tactical as I'm sure many would.  Example would be a guy with head to toe in camo gear or even to an extent a T-Shirt with certain logos/depictions etc emblazoned.  Yeah I know this sounds really judgmental but lets contrast.

A guy in yuppy clothes hopping out a mini van full of toddlers whipping out the blacked out Tenacious. 

Tactical looking may be interpreted as part of the whole appearance of the individual not just the knife alone.   

[eamo]

I've been thinking a bit more on the definition.  Tactical as used to describe a knife IMO still remains a marketing term.  That being said, in response to your HK and Blacked out Tenacious, I'd say to the average man/woman on the street the black looks Tactical vs the HK.

Here's where I'm at tho, if  joe/jane public sees a guy with all the other gears with any knife they'd assume Tactical as I'm sure many would.  Example would be a guy with head to toe in camo gear or even to an extent a T-Shirt with certain logos/depictions etc emblazoned.  Yeah I know this sounds really judgmental but lets contrast.

A guy in yuppy clothes hopping out a mini van full of toddlers whipping out the blacked out Tenacious. 

Tactical looking may be interpreted as part of the whole appearance of the individual not just the knife alone.   

i agree - i think it is about perception more then anything else.

[comis]

How about this one? 

It's black.  Exceptionally traumatizing, if it goes thru a body(even more than a blade), and even disguise itself as a bottle opener...