For survival and fighting, a tactical knife is an essential part of an outdoor person. It is designed not just for survival but as well as for utility. You can use the knife for slicing meat and fish, hunting, cutting and many more. Functionality and toughness depend on the design.
So, if you are confused here are some tips that can help you. After reading the tips below you can now have your own tactical knife.
Know the Difference
The word “fighting” and “tactical” is different but when you paired it with the word “knife” it becomes the same in some ways. Some people who are not familiar with self-defence knife may think they are the same as the regular one. Yes, they might be regular, but their purpose is different from the others you use in the kitchen.
As the name suggests, fighting knife is for fighting. However, a tactical knife has other purposes like it can be used as a utility knife. If you want only something you can use in the kitchen, you can find many regular knives in the department store. Just by the name of it you can tell its purpose if you don’t have the basic knowledge. The question here is how can you tell the difference by look?
The fighting knife has a design which is straightforward and designed with either wood or leather on the handle. The blade is straight with one to two sharp edges. On the other hand, a tactical knife has a straight or curved blade. It also has a short handle, and most designs are folding type.
Choosing a Tactical Knife
You need to choose the best tactical knife you need to increase your chance of surviving in case you find yourself stranded on an island. There are factors to consider when you are choosing a knife for yourself. Here are the factors you should be aware:
a. The material of the blade. The best material to choose for a blade is steel. The most popular one is Damascus steel.
b. The handle of the knife. The handle should be steady for a good grip and absorb moistly and prevent slips.
c. The size matters. The knife’s purpose is to fit. It would be best if you chose how will you use your tactical knife to know the size.
d. The comfort of usage. Choose a knife that best fits your hand. Just choose you are comfortable to use.
e. The design you like. The most important factor of all is the design because you will choose the kind of design base on the purpose of the knife.
Design of the Blade
It seems to be that there is only one single design when it comes to blade design. As of today, a tactical knife has different types of uses such as cutting materials and meat, opening cans, self-defence or even breaking glass. Most design consists of a partly serrated and single edge. Sometimes the spine is smooth and has a clip edge point.
Core of the Blade
Most tactical knives are made of high-carbon steel because it can hold points and edge better than others. This is very essential as you don’t have time to always sharpen the blade of your knife during the combat. Having a reliable point is the most important requirement you should have for your knife.
Size of the Knife
If you want a knife that you can carry anywhere, then you have many choices in the market. More often people are sometimes disappointed on small blades because they could not meet the expectations of the one using rather than the other types of knives. Some military tactical knives are more than ten inches with a blade half its length.
Handle of the Knife
Bear in mind that when it comes to selecting a tactical knife for yourself, the most important you should look into just like the blade is also the handle. You should take your time to look for a knife designed for your finger grip and palm texture. Test the knife’s handle before buying. Hold it firmly in your hand. Choose the type you are familiar with and the best for you.
Weight of the Knife
You should also take into consideration the weight of the knife. The weight usually depends on the materials used such as the blade. If you want a knife that lasts longer, you can choose a heavier blade for rough activities. But if you are going to use it on normal activities, a lighter blade can be a good choice. But the perfect balance of a tactical knife is the one you can easily carry wherever you are. Most choices vary from 10 to 15 ounces.
Tang of the Knife
What is the tang? It is the part of the blade that connects the handle. There are terms you should know about tangs such as rat-tail tang, half tang and full tang. A full tang is like a sword that it has no separation between the blade and handle. A half tang is two separate parts glued together. The most military tactical knife has full tang style to go for maximum strength.
Compare the Best Choices You Have
There are several types of tactical knives to choose and manufacturer have guidelines about the usage of each knife. Consider the factor above when selecting a tactical knife and then compare. Don’t settle for one knife choice only.
It might help if you choose some reputable brand as well. Poor-quality brands will only produce poor-quality knives. You can choose base on the reviews from other people who have bought the knives.
