| A tactical knife is a high performance knife; it's a | | | | high-tech knives. A drop point blade has a thick |
| type of knife the user can employ quickly and | | | | point that is good for heavier jobs, but does not |
| forcefully. It may be used as an everyday tool or | | | | penetrate easily. |
| a survival weapon; it can have a fixed or folding | | | | Automatic knives. Also known as switchblades, |
| blade. Quality tactical knives are very sharp, in | | | | automatic knives open at the push of a button, a |
| order to accomplish their major purpose of | | | | particularly important feature if you are unable to |
| cutting or separating one thing from other. | | | | access and open a traditional knife. If you expect |
| There's no strict definition of what is and what is | | | | to be in situations where you can't put down |
| not a tactical knife because what is tactical for a | | | | something in order to open up your knife, an |
| suburban civilian is different from what is tactical | | | | automatic knife may be the best choice. |
| for person in the military. The basic requirement is | | | | Survival vs. Rescue Knife. Survival knives have |
| that you can get to it, open it, and use it quickly | | | | sharp points and work well for general purposes. |
| and easily with one hand. | | | | They usually have clip blades and are double |
| Because of the great variety of tactical knives, | | | | bladed. The blunt tips of rescue knives make it |
| you need to consider a number of options before | | | | safer for rescuers to cut seatbelts or clothing |
| deciding what knife is best for you and your | | | | without injuring the victims. Some rescue knives |
| purposes. | | | | even have glass breakers to assist in automobile |
| Plain vs. Serrated Edge. The application determines | | | | rescues. |
| whether a plain or serrated edge will do the job | | | | Pocket vs. Folding Knife. A pocketknife is a small |
| better. A plain edge is better for push cuts, | | | | knife with a number of blades, small enough to fit |
| where you push the blade through whatever you | | | | in a pocket, like a Swiss Army knife. It folds, but |
| are cutting. A plain edge is also the better choice | | | | general does not have a locking mechanism. A |
| when accuracy, clean cuts, and extreme control | | | | folding knife is larger, usually has only one blade, |
| are required to do the job. The serrated edge | | | | and has a locking mechanism and a clip for |
| works better with slicing cuts, where you make | | | | carrying. |
| the cut by dragging the edge of the blade. | | | | There is considerable crossover when it comes to |
| Blade Shapes. The clip, modified clip, and drop | | | | knife types and uses. A traditional fixed blade |
| point are the most popular blade shapes. The | | | | hunting knife, for example, can be a fine knife for |
| sharp point of the clip blade is ideal for detail | | | | everyday use. Many tactical knives serve multiple |
| work, but not very strong. The modified clip | | | | purposes. When you buy a knife, consider the |
| comes in a variety of shapes; it's good for | | | | quality and what you want the knife to do. |