Tactical knives: purpose and important features

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

Since ancient times, a knife has been considered a very effective melee weapon. Initially, he performed an exclusively combat function. Today, the blade is an integral and vital element in the equipment of a special forces soldier. The modern knife market is represented by a wide range of different piercing and cutting products. Lines of combat, military, folding, hunting, tactical survival knives are being created.

Piercing and cutting products can have different sizes and shapes. The way they are made is also different. According to experts, blades that belong to the category of tactical knives are considered quite effective. The versatility of such a product is that it can be used as a weapon and a technical tool. Information about the types of tactical knives, their device and purpose is contained in the article.

About Design

Depending on the design features, tactical knives come in three categories:

Blades with a traditional design. According to cold steel experts, for suchpiercing and cutting products are characterized by good workmanship and reliability. However, for the manufacture of these tactical knives, the military style is used. Therefore, they lack novelty and originality. Army tactical knives have large dimensions and weight. The presence of such parameters is typical for both folding blades and products with fixed blades (fixed)

• The second category is represented by products with a fantasy design. The creators deliberately give the blades unusual and very original shapes. Hollywood films become the basis for such blades: craftsmen simply create copies of the knives of the main characters they like. According to edged weapons experts, many manufacturers of such knives then try to justify the original design of their products from a technical point of view. According to experts, such arguments often turn out to be very doubtful.
• The third category is combat tactical knives. The main purpose of such a blade is to neutralize the enemy as efficiently as possible. Designed specifically for knife fighting and removing sentries. The rest of the tasks are secondary. In the process of creating piercing and cutting products, designers use combat experience and other people's developments. Often this gives the desired result, and the knife market is replenished with new options for really very functional combat knives.

About classifications

The first tactical knives were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Today, such blades asuniversal means are used by athletes, hunters, tourists, extreme sportsmen and the military. Depending on the purpose, they are distinguished:

• Special forces tactical knives.
• Throwing.
• Tactical folding knives.
• Special Purpose Blades.
• Tactical survival knives.

Regardless of the purpose for which cutting products are intended, they must be strong, durable, ergonomic, safety, comfortable and efficient.

About handles

According to experts, the best tactical knives are those products that are created in compliance with design features. Such blades are equipped with properly designed handles. As a result, tactical knives (photos of some samples are presented in the article) are held in the hand more tightly and are very convenient to use. To do this, first of all, you need to choose the right material for the handle.

Fixed and folder handles can be plastic, titanium or stainless steel. The main thing is that the material of the handle does not absorb moisture. In addition, it must be stable - not be subject to drying out, cracking and crumbling. The knife, the handle of which is made of stabilized materials, can be safely kept in water, oil and gasoline. Handles made of wood, ivory and rubber-like materials have the opposite properties. The most durable are all-metal handles. However, they are heavy and very slippery.

According to experts, the quality of the knife willdepend not only on the materials used, but also on the right design and design. It is very important that the handle of a tactical knife does not slip in the palm of your hand. This can be prevented with the help of special limiters. There are no clear requirements for the length of the handles. Handles come in a variety of sizes depending on the purpose.

About sharpening

Blades can have one-sided, one-and-a-half-sided and two-sided sharpening. According to edged weapons experts, products that have both edges sharpened are more effective. Such a blade can be maneuvered and struck from any position. It is not necessary to change the position of the knife in the palm for this. In an effort to create the best tactical knife, more convenient and practical, developers equip their products with various additions. Melee weapons with blades from 150 to 200 mm long are considered standard.

About color design

The metal part in standard spetsnaz tactical knives is predominantly silver. However, according to experts, a product with a black or gray blade is considered more practical and safer. This is explained by the fact that the silvery metal part glistens in the sun, which will eventually unmask the fighter. Black and gray knives do not give such highlights.

About purpose

During a tactical operation, namely, descending from a helicopter, bridge or through the wall of a building, a fighter can get tangled in the cables. In this case, you can free yourself only by cutting them. You can also get stuck in a car andairplane. With the help of a tactical knife, you will have to get rid of seat belts. It is also convenient to cut parachute lines with such blades.

A tactical knife is indispensable for setting up a firing position. To clear the firing sector, the interfering tree branches are cut with a knife. It can be wielded like a crowbar or a hammer. If the blade is of high quality, doing such work will not cause any damage to it. Using a tactical knife, you can get rid of disposable plastic handcuffs. For this purpose, a blade with wave sharpening is suitable. Employees of special units operating under water are often at risk of falling into fishing nets. A tactical knife can also help out of this situation.

In addition, such a blade is a reliable assistant in the arrangement of a field kitchen. Tin cans and carcasses are easily opened with hunting tactical knives.

About fixeds

This term refers to cutting products in which the blades are fixed. Unlike folding knives, fixed knives have no moving parts. As a result, fixed knives are much stronger and more reliable than folders. Judging by the reviews, many potential buyers are interested in what type of tactical blades to give preference to. Experienced consumers recommend choosing a knife based on what kind of work it is planned to do.

For example, members of the police helicopter squads will prefer large and durable fixed. Similar knives will be taken with them by SWAT officers, since the fixedthe blade is much more convenient to squeeze something, cut through or cut through, penetrating inside the room. Nevertheless, fixeds are not always huge cleavers. Many officers use small fixed knives. In the open position, they practically do not differ from folders. Equally important in the choice is the personal preference of the owner.

About the fixed "Military"

Since 1998, the Russian company Kizlyar has been producing civilian edged bladed weapons and household knives. Products manufactured by this company are supplied both to the Russian and foreign markets. Judging by the numerous consumer reviews, the Kizlyar Military tactical knife is very popular. This model is not a melee weapon. The knife has a Clip Point blade. From half of its width, the blade is equipped with wide concave descents. "Military" is distinguished by a massive wedge-shaped tip. The “heel” of the knife itself has a special protrusion for the fingers. The handle is elastron, straight drop-shaped with a slight bend at the pommel.

In an effort to ensure a secure hold, the Kizlyar designers equipped the tactical knife with a special stop and a rectangular depression at the bottom of the handle. The shank protrudes from the top by 0.3 cm. There is also a place for a hole through which the lanyard is passed. Blade length - no more than 16 cm. Width - 3.3 cm. The thickness of the blade in the butt part is 0.5 cm. The product has a length of 28.2 cm. AUS-8 grade steel is used to make the knife. The blade contains a black coating.

"Military" was designed specifically for use in extreme outdoor conditions. With this knife, it is easy to butcher carcasses and skin animals, use it when setting up a camp. If you need to pry something, the tip of the knife can be used as a crowbar lever. In addition, "Military" can be used as an effective means of self-defense. According to the owners, the tactical fixed is also suitable for throwing. Knives are sold in black cardboard boxes that do not have internal shock absorbers. The product is completed with a leather sheath, quality certificate and instructions. The cost of a knife varies from 2100 to 2500 rubles.

Intruder Black

This knife model belongs to the fixed class. The product is manufactured by the Kizlyar company. Blade with a special anti-reflective coating Black Titanium. The manufacturer uses steel grade D2. Length (total) - 26.8 cm, blades - 15.8. The blade has a width of 2.4 cm and a thickness of 0.4 cm. The length of the handle is 11 cm. Without a scabbard, the product weighs 250 g. with which the fixed is conveniently attached to the belt or backpack straps.

In St. Petersburg, a tactical knife can be purchased for 5 thousand rubles. The product is completed with a scabbard and a certificate of quality.

About warehouses

Judging by the numerous reviews, today tactical folding knives have become very popular. According to experts, the products are very convenient and practical. If the correct technology is observed in the process of their manufacture, in terms of efficiency andquality they will not be inferior to fixed tactical knives equipped with one-piece handles. For a long time, folders were not considered as the best option for a tactical combat blade. The designers could not provide a reliable fixation of the blade at a sufficient level, as well as design a mechanism for opening and folding the knife with one hand.

The Swiss company Victorinox was the first to manufacture tactical folders. From other folders, which could be considered tactical only by their authors, Victorinox folders differed in that during their design, the wishes of the military of the Swiss army were taken into account. With the help of a tactical cutting device, a soldier must cope with a variety of everyday tasks that a standard combat knife could not do.

A breakthrough in the manufacture of folders has occurred in recent years. Several locking systems have been created to ensure that the blade is held securely and securely both in the open and in the folded state. Products are safe and reliable during operation. According to the reviews of the owners, warehousemen can help out in the most critical situations. Today, tactical folders are included in the equipment of the military of many armies and employees of various law enforcement agencies. Depending on the design features and tasks performed, tactical folders come in two classes: main and auxiliary.

About basic tactical folders

For cutting products of this class, a folding design is provided. With the help of these folders, the sametasks, as with a fixed tactical knife. Folding products are designed specifically for use by law enforcement officers in places with a large concentration of civilians. In such situations, in order not to attract attention and not cause panic among the civilian population, specialists are forced to act covertly. A tactical folder in this case is the best option. Folders are also used by various police structures. Tactical folders have reduced mechanical reliability. Manufacturers deliberately allow a decrease in strength. The main emphasis in the manufacture is on the ste alth of the knife. The second task facing the designers is to make the folder comfortable to wear.

About auxiliary

Unlike the main tactical folders, folding knives of this class are not included in the equipment of military personnel and law enforcement officers. Auxiliary tactical folders are often purchased by the military themselves. Knives of this class can be multi-object (multi-tools) and single-object.

Judging by the numerous reviews of the owners, multi-tools are very effective in solving various everyday tasks. According to Russian military experts, a similar multi-tool will be present in the Ratnik kit. With the help of a multi-subject tactical folder, you can open a tin can, open a food package, drill a small hole in a pliable material or fabric. In addition, the product is equipped with a screwdriver, spoon and fork. The warehouse is a small set of tools. Often the bladesuch a blade is not used as the main tactical knife. With the help of a one-piece tactical folder, they solve tasks that are difficult to perform with the main tactical blade.

There may be several reasons for this. Mostly this is too much weight of the main tactical knife and its low cutting properties. For example, with the simplest rigging, it is necessary to plan the stakes and cut the cables. When doing such work, you often have to hide the knife, and then remove it back. According to experts, the main tactical knife will not provide the owner with a comfortable and quick cut. Also, being in an uncomfortable position, it will be problematic for a fighter to get a large tactical blade out of the sheath every time. An alternative option in such a situation would be a folder. In some works it is undesirable to use a long and thick blade. For example, if you need to carefully insert the blade into a small gap. According to experts, many owners prefer to work with an auxiliary folding tactical knife even in situations where the main one can be dispensed with.

About Folding Tactical Folder Requirements

Because folding knives are designed specifically for tactical operations, the following nuances are taken into account in the manufacture of these knives:

• The product must have increased mechanical strength.
• The design of the knife must be reliable and repairable.
• It is desirable that the folder is equipped with a system that involves opening and closing with one hand. It is better if this system is automatic.
• The knife should becomfortable while wearing gloves.

Taking into account the above requirements, tactical folders are produced with large control elements: pegs, fuse buttons, clips. In addition, such tactical cutting products are equipped with overlays, which are characterized by wear resistance and increased strength. Pins and bushings also come with increased thickness. Tactical products weigh at least 150 g.

About the Bear Grylls folder

Gerber tactical knives are very popular among tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. The line of cutting products is represented by various fixed and folded products. Among the folders, the Bear Grylls product received a lot of positive feedback from consumers. Structurally, this knife is folding.

Created exclusively for tourists. In the manufacture of the blade, the developer used high-quality molybdenum steel, which is not subject to corrosion. The length of the handle is 10.2 cm, the blade is 8.3 cm. The thickness of the back part of the blade is 0.3 cm. It is characterized by the presence of a concave sharpening. The handle is made of rubberized polymers and is equipped with a rear lock.

In conclusion

The cutting product of a tactical nature has long been used by man in solving various everyday problems. Today, the knife market is replenished every year with new modifications of tactical fixed and folding knives. According to the owners, tactical knives are multifunctional, light, durable and maneuverable. This product will be irreplaceable.assistant for fishing, hunting and hiking.