During the very early years of war, the commander of the army always had a dagger tied around his waist. It was symbolic and also the last resort for defense. The scenario of carrying a dagger changed much throughout the years.
As time passed by, the use of daggers shifted from battle fields to travelling and trekking, from defense to purpose. When the use shifted from defensive security to domestic usage, the physical shape of daggers also changed accordingly. The original dagger soon transformed into what we now know as the tactical knife.
There are many things to consider when buying the ideal tactical knife. The buying criteria for tactical knives varies depending on its intended usage. A traveler and a outdoorsman might use the same tactical knife but for totally different purposes. People use knives for different things and because they’re used all around diverse corners of the globe, each person has their own specific need on what their knife must do for them. There are lots of critical factors that should be looked into when buying a tactical knife. It’s still very wise and important to consider all aspects and needs when buying the ideal tactical knife, especially for those who regularly venture into the wild for hiking, camping or hunting.
It’s important to use the proper knife and to also have a high quality one at that!
Size and Shape
The first and foremost key feature that a person looks at while tactical knife shopping is that of its size and shape. Both the size and shape of a survival knife is of equal importance. In simple layman’s terms, it all depends on if you want to carry the survival knife in your pocket, backpack or on the side of your waist. The same is the case with its shape. It depends on the purpose with which you will utilize the knife for and how you intend to carry it. All of these factors need to be considered as they all play a role in things.
A typical tactical knife is small enough to let you make precious cuts to make little things like a snare without the cumbersome hassle of a big bulky knife. Yet, it is also big enough and durable enough to let you baton through wood logs to arrange firewood at your campsite.
For your knife to be too small is a negative thing with a tactical knife, because you might need it in very difficult situations, where length is important or where your life would be in danger from a threat. A longer blade allows you to keep distance from what you may be defending yourself against. This is where it’s important to decide first, what the purpose of your knife is meant for.
Full Tang Blade
A full tang blade is yet another point of importance and a key feature on a good tactical knife. Never go for a knife that has a half tang, partial or no-tang. Your knife should be powerful, strong and durable enough to make you avoid some situations, one where you might have to fend a wild animal off to save a life.
If one looks at all the different variables to consider for tactical knife buying criteria, apart from the first key feature, the rest of the features are secondary. A lot of it has to do with what your particular taste and style is, along with simply what feels good in your hand to you. Some survival knives feature handles that are carefully designed and crafted to give it an elegant truly one-of-a-kind look, while others come in many different styles and materials. It comes down to what you like personally.
Knife Weight
The weight of a tactical knife might be of importance to some category of users. There are people who prefer light weighted knives vs heavier ones. The light weighted tactical knives help users in dealing with delicate jobs. Then there are people who look for a tactical knife that is a bit on the heavier side. Either the handle or the blade could be the heavier part. Take a machete for instance, it’s usually weighted more on the blade end so it delivers more energy with each chop. Ultimately, at the end of the day it all comes down to the individual preference of the owner and what the purpose of the knife is.
Style
Well, Hollywood has certainly impacted the fashion sense of the viewers. It would be ignorant to leave out fashion as a tactical knife buying criteria. With the impact of films and advertisements on the day to day life of customers, survival knives have gone through vast design changes over the period of time. Design changes are based on changes in geographical locations. Users in hilly areas would prefer a different design while users in low lands or cities would use another different design.
TV shows like Survivorman have gone so far as to create brand recognition with some of their stars who now have and endorse their own style of survival and tactical knives, through different knife manufacturers.
Blade Material
The metal that goes into making tactical knives is another important feature to think about when choosing the best tactical knife. Knifes can be carbon, stainless steel, ceramic and even high polymer plastics now. With today’s technology and manufacturing methods, knives are becoming more and more advanced.
While each different type of metal used to manufacture knives has it’s own pros and cons, most knives are built durable and will last a longtime if taken care of properly. These days almost all survival knives are made of stainless steel. You also get various models made of polymer carbon.
With so much information to consider and think about before buying the ideal tactical knife, it’s good to know Tactical Knife Buyers Guide has got you covered with lots of knife articles, tips and reviews to help you decide on what knife is best suited for you and your needs.
Knowledge
Reading knife reviews of other owners is a good idea to gain better first-hand knowledge about various kinds of survival knives out there. Before committing big bucks on a good tactical knife, make sure that you have done your research and come up with the ideal survival knife that the market has to offer you based on your various needs and specific purpose for your knife. Having a knife is cool, but having the wrong knife when you actually need it is never good.
Tags: Best Tactical Knife, Fixed Blade, Full Tang, Knife Buying Criteria
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