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How many of you carry tactical knives while carrying your firearm?
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KMM696
NES Member
Well, I have no idea what makes a knife tactical, but I carry one every day. Depending on what I'm doing, it's either a Benchmade auto I've had for about 18 years, or one of two Kershaw Leeks (spring assist). While they certainly are available for a 'tactical' job, mostly they're just a knife. Auto, assist or thumb open; because having to let go of what you're holding to cut so you can open your knife and pick it back up to cut it sucks. If I thought I'd have to defend myself with a knife, I'd carry a pistol.
http://www.crkt.com/
These guys make amazing yet affordable knives. I have a M-21, which is pretty big, but I still carry it almost every day. I carry it mostly as a tool, but if I need it for defending myself, its more than capable. Mine isn't spring loaded simply because the opening is extremely smooth, and typically assisted opening is over kill and unnecessary.
These guys make amazing yet affordable knives. I have a M-21, which is pretty big, but I still carry it almost every day. I carry it mostly as a tool, but if I need it for defending myself, its more than capable. Mine isn't spring loaded simply because the opening is extremely smooth, and typically assisted opening is over kill and unnecessary.
Also carry a Kershaw Leek. Use it daily as a tool from cutting my fruit to opening packages. If I don't have a blade with me, sure enough I'll need one & wish I did.
I always have a knife, whether I have a gun or not. Usually my Strider SMF, but at work or if I'm out and about (and might get wanded on my way in), I carry a cold steel ti-lite that if I lose it, I won't cry.
Both are designed to cut flesh. I guess that makes them tactical?
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I always have a knife, whether I have a gun or not. Usually my Strider SMF, but at work or if I'm out and about (and might get wanded on my way in), I carry a cold steel ti-lite that if I lose it, I won't cry.
Both are designed to cut flesh. I guess that makes them tactical?
Both are designed to cut flesh. I guess that makes them tactical?
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I always have a knife, whether I have a gun or not. Usually my Strider SMF, but at work or if I'm out and about (and might get wanded on my way in), I carry a cold steel ti-lite that if I lose it, I won't cry.
Both are designed to cut flesh. I guess that makes them tactical?
Depends. If I'm pocket carrying, then no. Any other way, they its a toss-up, depending on the gun and what else Ive got with me. I prefer a zytel Cold Steel Ti-lite, but the quillons on it will scratch anything on the same pocket (my phone bears a few battle scars). I also have a Kershaw Volt II that I picked up for $20 when I need something that can pass as "just a pocket knife". Its assisted, but they can both be opened equally fast. The CS doesn't get used, and it hails from a time before I was old enough for a LTC. The Kershaw does double duty, I try to avoid using it to cut things, but sometimes the assist comes in handy when my hands are full.
Not a huge fan of the 8Cr13MoV steel in the Kershaw, it has the tendency to develop light rust spots if I don't occasionally apply a coat of car wax.
Anything I carry has to be tip-up and back. I hate knives that carry tip down.
I suppose it could confuse a LEO that doesn't know the difference?
Case in point, a guy I know went and got himself arrested.( I had nothing to do with it, but was around after the fact, so I was frisked as well) I had a non-assisted knife with a "flipper" (CRKT M16-01K) and the two officers spend a good 5 minutes trying to decide among themselves if it was a "Switchblade"; I could hear them going back and fourth with one another. They decided it wasn't, and gave it back.
IIRC the only extra park in many of them is a "torsion bar" that engages the blade. I cant find a large picture version of the Kershaw design (http://www.kershawknives.com/knifetech.php?feature_id=1&brand=kershaw)
The CRKT version is basically a bent "bar" of what looks like thick wire. I cant for the life of me find the picture I saw, but I know at least with the Hissatsu assisted folder, you can disable the assist with an allen wrench.
Not a huge fan of the 8Cr13MoV steel in the Kershaw, it has the tendency to develop light rust spots if I don't occasionally apply a coat of car wax.
Anything I carry has to be tip-up and back. I hate knives that carry tip down.
I suppose it could confuse a LEO that doesn't know the difference?
Case in point, a guy I know went and got himself arrested.( I had nothing to do with it, but was around after the fact, so I was frisked as well) I had a non-assisted knife with a "flipper" (CRKT M16-01K) and the two officers spend a good 5 minutes trying to decide among themselves if it was a "Switchblade"; I could hear them going back and fourth with one another. They decided it wasn't, and gave it back.
IIRC the only extra park in many of them is a "torsion bar" that engages the blade. I cant find a large picture version of the Kershaw design (http://www.kershawknives.com/knifetech.php?feature_id=1&brand=kershaw)
The CRKT version is basically a bent "bar" of what looks like thick wire. I cant for the life of me find the picture I saw, but I know at least with the Hissatsu assisted folder, you can disable the assist with an allen wrench.
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I will second the CRKT knives. They seem to be pretty agressive in developing a wide variety of knives to suit many different people/likes/needs. My current favorite is the M16-10Z. I try to practise every day opening and closing it one-handed to be able to manipoulate it when I need to.
http://www.crkt.com/M16-10-EDC-GlassFilledNylonHandle-AutoLAWKS-Combo-Edge?&search_id=18552
The only drawback I see (other than my fumble prone fingers) is that most "tactical" knives seem to have enough rough edges/projections/etc in order to be easily and securely grasped under less-than-deal conditions. When I wear jeans or 5.11s, it's not a problem. But if I am wearing a suit or slacks (any dressy clothing with relatively thin or smooth fabric) that these knives seem to catch the fabric too easily. A knife which is smooth enough to not catch might be less than secure in your hand in an emergency situation. YMMV.
http://www.crkt.com/M16-10-EDC-GlassFilledNylonHandle-AutoLAWKS-Combo-Edge?&search_id=18552
The only drawback I see (other than my fumble prone fingers) is that most "tactical" knives seem to have enough rough edges/projections/etc in order to be easily and securely grasped under less-than-deal conditions. When I wear jeans or 5.11s, it's not a problem. But if I am wearing a suit or slacks (any dressy clothing with relatively thin or smooth fabric) that these knives seem to catch the fabric too easily. A knife which is smooth enough to not catch might be less than secure in your hand in an emergency situation. YMMV.
Twigg
NES Member
What he said.
...and if really had to depend on a knife for defense I'd want a fixed blade and the skill to use it.
I carry a crkt m16, but with all the recent talk decided to pick up a tactical tomahawk. Does everything a pocket knife does and more.
45collector
NES Member
Trick question.
(in MA at least)I carry a Kershaw Whirlwind that I've had for years. It is spring assisted, but I've carried folders that aren't spring assisted and it doesn't make much difference to me. I can get both open just as quickly.
Palladin
NES Member
+1 for CRKT Same knife, reg blade half serrated
Same here.
I've been carrying a first model aluminum handled, half serrated, pre-safety lock, CRKT M16-13 for about 10 years, which I use for daily cutting tasks.
It has been the very best daily carry knife I've ever owned, and I own a lot of knives.
The lock has been starting to slip under heavy usage lately so I decided to upgrade to the newer titanium version of the same knife.
I'm not disappointed with the performance of it, I got a lot of use out if it, so much so that I simply wore it out.
Only if it opens by accident while in your pocket.
I carry a Kershaw Clash every single day . Much like my gun, I consider it like car keys or a wallet - I barely realize it's there, but know when it isn't...I think Kershaw still builds dollar-for-dollar, some of the best knives out there. I like my Clash because it has a launcher tab on the back of the blade which makes it quick to employ and works even if something goes wrong with the spring. It's shave your face sharp and holds an edge. Not bad for $30.00...
For tactically opening cardboard boxes and tactically cutting tactical zip-ties.
I haven't had a spring assist for a while now, but found it very convenient when I did. I often work from a sit harness and a easy one-handed open is imperative.
Currently using one of these for work:
and a Buck Knight for walking around.
asp
NES Member
Kershaw Leek here... I don't consider it tactical and could never imagine pulling it in a fight. Just a knife to cut stuff.
Funny how we are largely devided into two clans. Kershaw vs CRKT
Funny how we are largely devided into two clans. Kershaw vs CRKT
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I carry a Kershaw assisted open Asset for cutting stuff I need to cut. I guess I could use it for tactical purposes if I had to but thats not why I bought it.
rogzballz
NES Member
After reading this thread I was curious about the various knives and looked up a few of them. I like the assisted-opening versions - so these aren't in the same category as an automatic knife? Seem very fast and convenient.
I carry one. It's the GOAL/NES Buck they sold a year or two ago. Why do I carry it? Remember the woman that died because her scarf got caught in the escalator at Downtown Crossing? No one had a knife, all they could do is watch helplessly while she strangled to death.
That's why I carry a folding knife.
That's why I carry a folding knife.
I carry a Spyderco Delica all the time. I need it to cut stuff. I don't really think of it as tactical, but it would suffice in a pinch. I've carried it for over ten years and never had a problem. Sharp, easy to open, reliable.
TBalls
NES Member
During my normal work hours I usually just have my Leatherman Micra on me, so I'm not sure if that qualifies as "tactical", though I'm sure it's not tacticool. When I can dress more casually it's usually a Benchmade Griptillian. I also have a Kershaw Oso Sweet that is ok, but I just don't like the feel of the grip as much.
As others have indicated, I'm not really sure what makes a knife or the carrying of one tactical, but I always have something on me whether I'm carrying or not.
As others have indicated, I'm not really sure what makes a knife or the carrying of one tactical, but I always have something on me whether I'm carrying or not.
Federal definition:
http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/15C29.txt
15 U.S.C. §§ 1241–1245
Mass Definition:
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter269/Section10
Ch.269 Sec.10(b)
Basically, a switchblade has to have some button lever etc that allowed the blade to be opened solely by spring power. An Assisted opener requires manipulation of the blade (or an extension thereof) and generally, must be manually opened about 30 degrees before the spring takes over. Legally, that makes them NOT a switchblade
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