Tactical Knives
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Roger_Irvine]Roger Irvine
Tactical knife (also known as a fighting knife or a combat knife) refers to a type of knife that was originally meant for use in the military and in combat but has since morphed into other uses. The tactical knife is built in a way that makes it ideal for cutting branches and leaves, clearing paths and even opening ammunition crates. The knife also comes handy when setting up military tents and is one of the main reasons that saw its rapid rise among civilians such as campers who recognized its importance in setting up camping tents.
But even as useful as the tactical knife in these non combat roles, it is important to understand that tactical knives were traditionally built as weapons for use in close combat, something that was quite common in the wars of times past before the onset of missiles, bombs and guns. The knife would be used to subdue an enemy combatant.
As wars started to subside and armies increasingly relied in weapons that required very little proximity to an enemy soldier, the need for the tactical knife as a weapon in the battlefield started to wane. However this did not mean that the tactical knife was no longer required at all by soldiers. Rather, most military units still provided their soldiers with tactical knives but their purpose was now more to do with general use on the battleground as opposed to actual fighting.
The ancient Gurkhan army of the 13th Century AD used the Kukri tactical knife. The knife had a wide and curved blade and somewhat resembled the modern day machete and was purpose built for war. With the passage of time, the types of tactical knives one can choose from have greatly increased and both the military and civilians have a wide range of knives to choose from. That said, the military unit from each country will usually settle for knives from one manufacturer sometimes made to special order.
The US Marine Corp for example uses the KA-BAR tactical knife. Actually, the Marine Corp has used KA-BAR knives since the Second World War. The Chilean armed forces use the Corvo knife. Another tactical knife that is popular with military units and civilians alike is the British Fairbairn-Sykes. Though this double edged blade knife can be used as a general purpose knife, it usually serves as an assault weapon and is thus often classified as a dagger.
When it comes to civilian use, probably no other group of persons has found greater use for the tactical knife than camping enthusiasts. But the tactical knife is also used by farmers and other persons whose work environment is primarily in the outdoors. Tactical knives are often sharper than ordinary knives and how one handles the knife is important to ensure the safety of both the person carrying the knife as well as the people around him or her. Many knives come with a safety sheath and can also be clipped to the belt bucked under the pants around the waist area.
Other than the different types of brands, tactical knives come with different functionality which can be used to categorize them. For instance, some tactical knives come with a fixed blade while others use a folding blade. Whether to go for a fixed blade knife or a folding one depends on what you intend to use the knife for. If you need a knife for camping and for use in the outdoors, it is more convenient to have a folding tactical knife since it is easier and safer to carry around. On the other hand, is your goal is hunting or activities that will require a great deal of cutting, then the fixed blade tactical knife may be the better option.
Another way of categorizing tactical knives is by use of the blade. Some tactical knives have plain blades while others are fitted with a serrated blade. The plain blade tactical knife is mostly used for general purpose cutting since it produces a cleaner final cut. Serrated blades are more apt for cutting rough surfaces such as tree branches and where the cut does not have to be a clean one.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tactical-Knives&id=4419417] Tactical Knives