Combat Knives - Your Emergency Tool

When faced with a life-threatening situation what would you rather have? An EDC pocket knife or a tactical combat knife? So, if you are planning on venturing into the wild, or an outdoor activity, a top-notch tactical combat knife is what you will need.

So, what makes a good tactical combat knife? Is it quality, grip, or a combination of both? What are the disadvantages you need to know about these knives before you purchase them?

Chill, we will answer all of that for you. In addition, we will also provide you with some great tactical combat knife recommendations throughout the blog.

Let us start by looking a bit more in detail about tactical knives.

What is a tactical combat knife?

Outdoor knives are not uncommon. You might have already heard about hunting knives and survival knives, a tactical knife is just another outdoor knife. The key difference is its design. The tactical knives are built for combat purposes.

This is why they are sometimes also referred to as fighting knives.

The typical design among these knives is their hand guard, ergonomic grip, pointed end, sharp straight blade, and weight balance that is centered. Design details for these tactical combat knives were derived from military knives.

So, what makes a good tactical combat knife?

We discussed many design elements but out of them, three hold the most importance.

• The type of Knife

Tactical knives in the past only had a fixed blade. Carrying them was not comfortable. You needed sheaths to carry them like like the molded sheath. Compatible sheaths were essential back then.

But, now it has changed. Knife manufacturers around the globe have started making folding knives as tactical knives. Both of us can agree that carrying a combat knife has become easy because of this folding mechanism.

When it is not used, the folding tactical knife can easily be contained and stored. This is quite useful for your adventurous situations. You can just keep these knives ready in your bag or even in your pocket.

Now, one can argue that in terms of durability, a fixed tactical blade may be more useful. Because of their end side that extends to the handle, the force you apply is higher which is not the case with folding mechanisms. The force gets transferred in the latter case. 

So, when heavy-duty tasks are concerned like stabbing and skinning, a fixed blade can be preferred. But, modern knives have gone past just the folding mechanism. Their durability has also been increased due to the quality of the material and their strong build.

• The Blade

The blade type is an important factor when buying a tactical combat knife. It determines the performance of the blade knife in different situations. There are different types of combat knives available. Let us look at the three most popular tactical blade types.

Bowie Blade 

They are named after the bowie knives used in the 1800s. The fixed-blade tactical bowie knife blade type is broad and long with a smooth single blade. This blade is perfect if you want some extra force behind your swing. This makes it a bit heavy, but, makes it best for slashing through tough things.

Nowadays, bowie knives in form of automatic-opening knives are more popular instead of fixed-blade knives. Automatic knives are more comfortable to use and carry.

Tanto Blade

Sharp tips and flat geometry are what define a tanto blade. These blades are inspired by traditional Japanese short swords. Due to these sharp tips, they can easily pierce through fabrics and light body armor.

This makes it a great option for close-quarter combat and survival purposes. By the way, these type of blades looks quite cool. And, if you are putting in your bucks why not have something cool, right? Like the one below.

Drop-point Blade

This blade type covers everything from a slice, stab, shave, and cut. The thin point and smooth shape make this blade very versatile. This is the reason they are commonly used in the manufacture of tactical knives. 

You can choose this blade type if you want a blade that is not as aggressive for combat as the tanto blade or the bowie blade. Their effectiveness is low compared to the previous two blade types. Thus, they are mainly used as general utility knives.

So, if you are starting with a combat knife, this blade type will be a great start.

Clip-point blade is also one of the blade types but is not commonly used.

• Quality of Handle

Your blade is not useful unless you have a great handle to support it. It should be a priority. If you cannot wield your blade well, the performance is definitely going to go down. The three parameters you need to take care of while looking for a handle are - shape, size, and the material

Shape

You will find a comfortable grip in almost all the handles that are manufactured nowadays. The grip styles differ. For example, if your handle is round and oval, it will be most comfortable with an icepick or hammer grip. Other handle shapes will be better for gripping based on the index finger or thumb.

Most people don't think about the grips on their everyday objects, but they're actually quite important. The way you grip something can affect how comfortable it is to use, and can also influence how much control you have over it. That's why it's important to choose the right grip for the task at hand.

Size

The wrong-sized handle can make your knife-slicing experience quite uncomfortable. The amount of force you need to use while slicing will depend on the size of the handle.

So, it's important to choose a size that feels comfortable in your hand. Otherwise, you might end up with a nasty case of wrist fatigue.

Material

The look and feel of a handle are determined by the material used to create it. Most tactical combat knives out there are made from top-notch material which makes them very durable. That said, all these factors are variable. Not one shape, size, or material will suit everyone.

It all comes down to your personal preference on what material you are most comfortable with. For example, some people prefer the look and feel of a wooden handle, while others prefer the durability of metal. It really depends on what you plan on using your knife for and what type of environment you'll be in.

If you're looking for a knife that can withstand a lot of abuse, then you'll want to go with something made from tough materials like stainless steel or titanium. On the other hand, if you just need a knife for occasional use, then materials like wood or plastic might be more suited to your needs.

There's no right or wrong answer when choosing the material for your knife handle. It can be a steel handle, titanium handle, G10, leather handle, nylon handle, or even a titanium handle. Just pick the one that feels right in your hand and that you're comfortable with. We personally prefer steel-based and titanium ones.

Should you get a tactical knife?

After understanding these knives, let us now address the elephant in the room. Should you buy a tactical combat knife?

Your personal preference is what will determine it for you. The basics are clear earlier there were EDC knives and combat knives. But, a combat knife can be used as a true utility knife as well if they have a drop-point blade.

But, what do you wish to have a knife for -  EDC purposes or adventurous purposes?

You see, if you get a tactical design knife it would not be much different from a fighting or survival knife. Thanks to modern knife-making techniques, no matter which tactical knife you prefer, it will be a great option for your outdoor activities. 

And if you find a knife with a shape and size that is comfortable for you, you are ready to go. Also, with a good blade material like D2 Blade Steel for Excellent Edge Retention, your knife will retain its serrated edge for a longer time. 

There is one more sort of advantage that a tactical knife has. They look quite badass when you hold them. Their looks make them a perfect fit for someone who wishes to have a blade that stands out. Just look at the images that you came across while reading this blog.

So, if you are that someone, you can definitely buy these badass knives.

Now, the next question - Where should you buy these knives from?

Why choose OffGridKnives' tactical combat knives?

5-star reviews across all our knives are something we are proud of. 

Why?

Because it means our customers were satisfied with their knives. It is a measure of how good we are at our craft.

Now, that we have your attention, let us see why people buy knives from us. 

With our love for making top-notch knives, you get a comfortable knife that is strong, durable, and stylish. Specific to tactical knives, all the knives have a rapid blade deployment which helps you deal with any emergency situation quickly.

Since these knives are built outdoors we have made them all-weather resistant. Raining and moisture are not an issue for this knife. Keep using your knife for combat situations as you want to, they won't become rusty because of rain.

Remember the blade types we mentioned? We have all of them and some more to provide you with a huge selection. We told you to find a knife that suits you. Multiple options in this category will help you do just that. With the shape, size, and top-notch material for handles, we cover everything.

Lightweight knives ensure you do not carry any extra baggage. If you have quick deployment in mind then a tactical knife could be what you are looking for. If you need a specific locking mechanism like a liner lock, the options are there for you.

So, if you are looking for a high-quality tactical combat knife, then you can check out the category we have made for it. Multiple options for you to choose from.