KnifeCenter FAQ #68: What Makes A Knife Tactical? + Easiest Steel To Sharpen? More!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- This week we imagine having just one knife for 5 years, find the easiest steel to sharpen, and just what makes a knife tactical. Plus, we’ve got Marlinspikes, Viking knives, and our best attempt at knife jokes.
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Leatherman Wave: kcoti.com/3op1YfA
Benchmade Griptilian: kcoti.com/3J1sgw7
Spyderco Caribbean: kcoti.com/3IUDkeu
Cold Steel Voyager: kcoti.com/3sfTJTV
Condor Credo: kcoti.com/3AX3lad
Buck 110 Folding Hunter: kcoti.com/3LdKGLV
Kershaw Emerson: kcoti.com/3sf6eiJ
CIVIVI Elementum Tanto: kcoti.com/3grvRHD
Schrade Old Timer Mariner’s Knife: kcoti.com/3Hvd6yW
Victorinox Swiss Army Skipper Pro: kcoti.com/34EE9cE
DPx Gear RYP Harsey Demo: kcoti.com/3J10XSH
Old Hickory Kitchen Knives: kcoti.com/3AWalUS
CIVIVI Relic: kcoti.com/3rnL6rk
Benchmade 940 Osborne: kcoti.com/3GrN3au
CRKT Facet: kcoti.com/3J2xnft
0:00 Intro
0:47 EDC for a 5 Year Overseas Job
6:18 What Makes a Knife Tactical?
12:36 Marlinspike Multi-tools
16:49 Best Knife for Sharpening Beginners
19:45 EDC Viking Knife
21:05 Benchmade 940 Budget Alternative
22:11 Knife Jokes: Try Not To Laugh
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David and Seth, what are some discontinued knives you wish would come back?
From what I have heard... benchmade sequel
@@missiondiscover lots of people want that to come back, good response!
Slisz Bowie
Cold steel triple action
Spyderco tuff .. the one that got away
Air time with Thomas was hilarious! I vote for a Thomas Episode where he can answer all our questions, whether they are sharp or dull.
Anniversary episode 69 (nice) would be perfect for it. 😄
Absolutely agree it would be very interesting to see a little role reversal. Allen
Thomas is awful. Unfunny jokes, pointless interventions. Knife centre needs to hire a cameraman who can keep his trap shut when he's working.
A tactical knife is one that can be used to tickle with tact.
Dave and Seth, could you do a segment on knives used in movies? It would be nice to see it evenly divided between hero and villain knives.
I strongly second this idea!
3rd… great idea!
Your Cold Steel choice for the 5 years away scenario, would also be my choice. It might be a bit bulky for EDC, but the slightly thicker than normal handle makes for a comfortable knife. Nothing in that knife will probably ever go wrong.
Cold Steel rules!
I would get the xl tanto Voyager!
XL Drop point for the win
@@tunturikuningas5393 :- Good choices for survival, but too large and maybe illegal for EDC in most foreign countries.
@@hermespino9985 :- Again, too large for EDC especially in countries where such large knives might be illegal...remember this was a choice for an EDC in a foreign nation for trouble free 5 years of usage.
Tactical: 1. Fast deployment from on person or molle/ pack attachment. 2. Blade profile to stab, thrust and cutting ability. 3 Strength of knife eg Blade meteria,l construction and locking reliability. Eg like Cold Steel Tri Ad lock. These are main requirements for good real tactical knife. Tho you can still compromise anyone with Victorinox Tinker too depending on your experience and knowledge. ☝️😎
As a "deployment" knife to the middle east, my dad used the Benchmade Autostryker (serrated) for around 7 years. That was 16 years ago. Thing still fires pretty hard, little blade play, etc. So for the past 23ish years I'd highly recommend one
I used a Benchmade Nimravus and Ares..Been huge fan since bought both new in '97 after enlisting and bought several since.
16:48 get a Mora, inexpensive, made with the steels mentioned, and the scandi grind gives a lot of feedback for maintaining your angle.
Been watching you guys for 2 years now it’s great to see KC grow. Keep on going DCA!
Excellent choice on the Cold Steel Voyager. The reasoning was easy to agree with.
NEXT LEVEL EDC!! I know you’ve covered it before but it’s a new year with new sharpened steel out and I know you understand the need to bump it up to the next level 🤘
every time that i listen your name it coming in my mind the MacGyver(richard dean anderson),any way,i was to the army for 1.5 year and my choice for a tactical knife was...the victorinox swiss champ!! definitely the weirdest approach for tacticals knives you've ever heard,but believe me it was my best military ''friend''.any other soldier whatever knife he carried at the end of the day: hey man,can i use the scissors of your sak??...hey man,this can opener works perfect...hey man,this wood saw saved our day...hey man,are you used the flat head screwdriver,as a mini pry bar to remove the pins from the ammunition box??hey man,i never thought that the phillips head screwdriver could works to remove the safety rifle pins...and more and more...
Thank you WINKLER knives, and TOOR blades!!!!
Great video this week like always! Thanks for the mention!
Thomas had very quick wit on the fly , what a sharp guy .
Haven’t used the Voyager, but I own two Recon 1s and can attest to their longevity.
OG Recon 1 Clip Point is the ONLY knife that's followed me from early collecting days to the present. It's my go to when I know I'm getting dirty, thing is straight up BOMBPROOF!
Thanks David for explaining your general definition of tactical. Always has been sort of confusing, but you made it much more understandable. Allen
Hey DCA. Without getting to "weedy", could you touch on why so many frame lock folders only have scales on one side ?
Maybe one other consideration on the "tactical" topic would be sheath type and carry options ( at least when it comes to fixed blades )
DCA - you're a brave man going down the tactical rabbit hole (just as dangerous as the survival rabbit hole)!! For me, the mission of a tactical knife if to help force entry, remove obstacles & self defence. Generally defined by: robust/overbuilt design - solid blade - proven reliable steel - larger handle with solid grip even with gloves & subdued colours. Folders: 3.5+" - ease of deployment & solid lockup. Fixed: 5+" - easy use kydex sheath with mounting options. Also loved seeing the Spyderco Caribbean on the table - doesn't come up often but is a very reliable & versatile knife. Thanks for the vid.
The weeds graphic is completely appropriate and hilarious
Great content as always!
Just love the "WEEDS" garden that Thomas knows when to grow!!!
Voyager is a superb knife, love mine, highly versatile.
One thing that made a huge difference for me learning to sharpen a knife is a good sharpener. I went with work sharp precision adjust elite kit. Even the standard kit offers alot. No need to hold knife at consistent angle. The clamp holds the knife for you
New to knives and I learn a ton from you great content, keep up the good work!!!
Hey DCA. Love the content and info you and the KC crew provide. I watch yall almost everyday because im unortunately fortunate to be bit hard by the knife and sharpening bug at 25.
I have a couple kershaw leeks, 2 elementum button locks, and some random Gerbers from sporting goods store and happy with them all, but my pocket is screaming for the best EDC double edged dagger flippers in each price range. Or the best dagger flipper with best fidget factor that isnt 300$.
Thanks!
Welcome back, Mr. Andersen (and Thomas). The Cold Steel Large Clip Point Voyager is a great choice for a hard-use EDC. The Drop Point is offering stiff competition though. If there's a need to go smaller, I would also suggest the Rajah III - super tough, very ergonomic in multiple holds, and it checks all the "tactical" boxes - excellent thrusting and slashing, prominent integral guard, secure grip, and rapid deployment with the thumb plate (waveable). Despite all that, it's also excellent at day-to-day tasks, and especially for food prep.
I really like , and know how to sharpen my WINKLER belt knife since 2013 it is my EDC and all time favorite knife! It is tacticool , and very sharp. It is a great all around knife. It is a tactical blade , and all purpose blade it just works really great for cheese, and sausage, and great for the kitty litter jugs to cardboard to all of my cutting tasks to cutting steak , and chicken at supper, and food prep. My TOOR FIELD 2.0 is my other 1st place knife . CPM154 walnut handles and dynamic fluting with copper liners! It is a real gentleman carry knife any a very capable blade!!!! Have a great nite , and happy trails!!!!
Will be adding a Bar Blade to my EDC for sure. Thanks Thomas.!
I carried a Cold Steel Voyager when I was on active duty. I chose the tanto. However it held up just fine and is an amazing choice.
Hi DCA.
Leatherman Wave traveled with me for 10 years and 34 countries and still going strong.
I enjoy your videos, keep up the good work.
This was fun! 😀
Any time I'm trying out a new sharpener, I use an old AUS8 Shrade for the trial run. It works to a wicked edge in a hurry
I have a Spyderco Police 4 that I reprofiled to have a pointier tip. Excellent practicool knife.
OMG the Spyderco Caribbean made the show 🤯. One of my favorite knives!!
At the first question you could have chosen a fixed EDC blade. I also believe that Cold Steel Recon 1 or Mini Recon 1 are good options, depending on the size he desires.
He said folding knife in the question.
I've had the DEMO and I can't believe that flipper got out of the design phase. It's one of the few flippers I can consistently fail. It's located so low under the pivot you almost require a wrist flick. The handle texture however is fing amazing. Also I'd argue no frame Lock knife can be considered "tactical" in nature. The reason has to do with deployment: the way knife ppl deploy a flipper is ingrained not to rest your fingers on the lockbar...but in a panic, it's incredibly easy to do this unknowingly. The Emerson is a superior "tactical" knife because your chance of failing the opening goes down a lot between the wave/thumbs-up combo. Also, even with the texture on the demo, it's still quite slippery.
Thomas has the best fixed blade and pry tool known to man!!
Great video 🔪😍
@knifecenter hi, how r u guys... just wanna say great contents, simple to understand explanation.... warm regards for all knifecenter crews... stay safe...
I've hard used a 580 Barrage for eight years. I recommend it as a tough, heavy use knife that will get the job done.
Also, a quick note on marlin spikes, since I make paracord bracelets and the like. Marlin spikes are used to tighten knots as well as loosen them. It’s just a matter of where you take the slack out of your cord. If you pull your strands from the top of your braid down toward your loose “working ends” it will cinch the knots up tighter. Marlin spikes can be used in that way to either make a knot more secure, or to even up the tension on all sides of a complex knot.
For the first question, I would go with my S35VN Tenacious, on which I have a “wave mod”. The speed of deployment and versatile blade shape makes it practicool. I like a liner lock for ease of cleaning. It’s a shame there’s aren’t many wave knives with full flat grinds
I would choose the Spyderco Delica for oversees deployments. Because that’s what I chose last time and it worked great. Also, there’s a dull trainer for it so I’ve been able to train with it in martial arts classes.
You literally took the words out of my mouth... Id say the cold steel voyager or the sr1 lite .... Cold steel tops the cake in it's durability hands down... The recon 1 or new code 4 with g10 scales would be a phenomenal choice too, just more money!
Still have my OG Leatherman Wave that I bought in Kentucky on my way out to Fort Irwin CA while in the Army..I believe it was in '01 as it's been a long time now.. It was always a reliable tool worth having with me everywhere and even while deployed and all these years later and it's still in amazing shape with sharp blades. I find it a no brainier when someone asks what a good multi-tool would be for them that's reasonably priced and also made well to highly recommend the Wave. I would like a newer version with replaceable cutting jaws however and that is my only complaint about the original version when compared to the newest.
The emerson kershaw cqc-7 is a great knife IMO. Stainless for easy maintenance and doesnt break the budget.
For the 5yr middle east knife, that Carribbean is a good choice, how about an Endela or the new Native 5 in magnacut.
Great vid guys.
I personally learned to sharpen blades on the cheap utility knife blades. It taught me to maintain blade shape and not to grind in to the blade holder and they are cheap enough to be replaced easily
Love all the information you guys put out! You discussed edc for Middle East. There is the extreme spectrum of temperature in parts of the Middle East. Very cold winters and hot summers. Everything expands and contracts with temperatures. Can you share some information on the effects of metals, and other materials that make up knifes and the different ways they are put together in a environment where overnight it can be in the teens and midday it can be over 100?
The simplicity of the RAT 1 I would take anywhere owned and carried for years
Haha I love that weeds graphic
Even if the cross bar lock messes up you can always wedge a small wooden dowel behind it TEMPORARILY and remove it later. Works every time.
The 940 makes a great gasket scraper I have one in my tool box just for that job only.
THANK YOU
Awesome cold steel only
Voyager for the win
DCA - for the 5 year knife, Cold Steel Code 4 for a folder. But I'm thinking more of a fixed blade; Bradford Guardian 3.5.
For Marlin Spike knife - Spyderco Tusk if you can find one, for vintage I prefer the Remington or of Ka-bar.
0:50 I would choose one of the crkt m16, because they are so stable and nice for carrying all day (my experiences)
Victorinox has two styles of marlin spikes that are very different from each other. The other is currently found on a model called the Skipper,, which has a marlin spike/shackle opener. There are some TH-cams showing how good that one can be working with paracord.
Hey DCA! I have been bitten.. by the integral bug! Picked up a lionsteel SR2 in bright green and absolutely love it! 🤤 can you recommend a couple more integral knives with cool colours and solid blade steel?
I have the Victorinox skipper in navy Camo. It’s used by the Malaysian Komando Special Police task force. They do work that is a blend of anti terrorism and marine coast defence work. The Malaysians use the Vitorinox Outrider for the military and the skipper pro for the Royal Navy.
The new one handed opening Swiss army soldier released in 2008 is used by the Swiss, German, and US army.
I spent 13 years in infantry divisions and since I've been out I've encountered more tactical people than I ever met in the military
My Benchmade AFO spent many years in Afghanistan. It’s on its way back from Benchmade now for a refresh.
My first knife is a Cold Steel 6" voyager tanto. I researched everything
DCA, I'm not sure if this pliers based multitool is still in production but CRKT makes a multitool called the Bivy that has a marlin spike. It has a cool one handed opening plier head.
Also the Spyderco Tusk… not that they are available on your site but an option
1:28 I love this answer, but I might even go so far as to recommend the charge series for the upgraded knife steel. If I had to rely on a knife for 5 years, I would want something better than 420hc. Although sharpening might become a concern over the long run.
I mainly picked the Wave because that one in the video is still going strong for me after 15 years, so I want to keep its journey going :) If I were buying new, yeah I would probably select the Charge. -DCA
Hi dca, thanks for the awesome videos. I would like some suggestions on small pocket fixed blades. I will mainly use them for food prep and utility type work. so nothing tactical 🙂. I have looked at LT Wright already so mainly looking for other options. I also dont like budget models so fancier the better 🙂
Hey DCA, always look forward to the weekly videos of new knives and faq's. I have a question regarding proper oiling of my knives. I've seen reviewers do it different ways and would like to know which is correct. Let's say I have caged bearings or washers. I've seen oiling done in the pocket where the bearings/washers sit in, and others oil on the side contacting the blade. Which is the preferred method?
Thanks in advance.
Lol Thomas and his weeds 🤣 👌🏻
Hi DCA,
Every year tons of new models come out of the woodwork just to be quietly and unceremoniously retired a couple of years later. In your opinion, what current popular models do you think will stand the test of time 5 years later?
Thanks in advance for your reply 👍
If you bring that axis lock into the desert it'll be destroyed by sand I promise compression lock would work out lots better.
Your camera crew should be proud. Wonderful work this year. ✊🏾 🎥 💯
As for modern "tactical" standards, I'd say handle material plays a large factor today. Sturdy, grippy materials like micarta or textured g10 are two I'd consider key to granting a knife "tactical" status. Wood that swells in water or relatively chippable carbon fiber are examples I would not consider such
Q: DCA, what are some of your favorite small folders? I've been hot on little-big-knives lately, my go to is a Fox Suru. A KC version, and a Wilson Combat version for when I'm feeling fancy
Good point about handle material. I mentioned blade size and overall color as well.
cold steel recon 1 all the way. best edc knife ive ever carried for a long time
MYERCHIN makes some cool marlin spike knives too
I'd love to see you do a video about the best "gentleman's" knives available right now.
Right here good sir. A couple months old but still fresh: th-cam.com/video/YcpLLAbyMqI/w-d-xo.html -DCA
Hey DCA, long time viewer, first time asker - I love a good fidgety knife, find myself flipping/flicking open and closed all day long. I love the audible click of the lock engaging and the blade closing up, but sometimes the people around me get a bit annoyed by my constant clicking open and closed. Do you know of any good fidgety knives that are on the quieter side so that I can flick open and closed without being so annoying to people around me?
Side note since you had the question about marlin spikes in this video; I have to give a shout out the Meyerchin line of marlin spike knives! I’ve had one of their sailors tools for about 5 years now for working in and around boats on the Chicago river. Awesome tool and great option for a marlin spike multi tool.
Id have to put my choice in the hat too. I own some higher priced knives...but i ALWAYS come back to the Cold Steel Spartan. I can attest to it being excellent for hard use because I've been using it every single day at work and off work. It's reversible clip and its deep carry design doesn't give away it's size. Most people complain that its too "big" or "heavy" but i don't find it to be bad. I carry in my front jeans pocket & i forget it's there. I've put that thing through stuff most people would squirm and that im ashamed to tell with people telling me "knives arent meant to do that!" I have complete confidence in Cold Steel's Tri-ad lock. I know it doesn't have a "super-steel"...but its easy to sharpen hair-poppin sharp on my Lansky diamond stone kit! ( they made it with AUS-8 steel in previous versions and now they're offering it with AUS-10).Barring the legalities of other countries or Kommie-fornia type restrictions, the Spartan has been proven by me and many other users time & time again. Aside from being a very highly reviewed knife..if i had to trust my life to a folder...the Spartan would be it. From protecting my hands from slipping due to it's handle design to it's Tri-ad lock preventing it closing on me. It's very affordable & it won't break me if i ever lose it. It's thumb plate allows it to be opened extremely easy one handed when it catches on your pocket edge if you so desire. It opens with a very reassuring "click" reminding me it's ready to go unlike some other knives where sometimes you wonder if mechanism is engaged properly. Its just my own personal humble opinion based on what I've live through and experiences with the Spartan. Please share thoughts & opinions as these comments are always helpful in discovering new knives one hasn't thought of with knife lovers everywhere.
Dave in February 2004 I deployed to Iraq 🇮🇶 with a Gerber MP-600 and the original Gerber Applegate-Fairborn Rex large folder no asst a true flipper thumb stud. To this day I still carry both of them but in a better shelve. I used the Multi Tool for weapons cleaning working on my tank here weapons cleaning everything else that comes up. My folder I used in hand to hand on couple occasions. Today if someone tries something I just flip it out. All I do is clean oil and sharpen them. I was the biggest Leather Man fanatic until the MP-600. I now also have a Center Drive Plus the 1/4” drive is great the scissors are junk along with the file. Plus I have a lot of folders and fixed blades I have the Applegate-Fairborn Rex Boucher fixed blade.
I liked Thomas's jokes. They were on point.
Man I like you guys
I would like a folding tactical knife with a tip-up carry option. I don't see many of your offerings that have a tip-up clip option. I think tip-up in the pocket is more readily accessible for defense and also safer in your pocket if it should open accidentally.
Hey DCA - Help!
I'm looking for THE perfect fixed blade for extended outdoors use. Primarily for batonning and work with a ferro rod, must stand up against wet conditions (including snow & the occasional canoe capsize), preferably with a leather sheathe to be worn with a dangler. Something around $250-ish. Much obliged!
2nd comment... My 2 cents for new sharpeners... I found steels weren't super important if you go with a diamond stone. There are really decent and affordable stones on Amazon by Sharpal (325/1200) where the "1200" side is perfect for maintaining a working edge along with a strop.
I also found that learning to sharpen on a flat stone is easier if you start out with a wharncliffe where you're not needing to worry about anything but maintaining a consistent angle throughout your strokes. The spyderco delica wharncliffe is a fantastic knife and what I learned on.
Then get yourself a strop, either with compound pre-applied, or get your own compound and apply it (avoid wax compounds, they don't work nearly as well in my experience).
If you're worried about angles, you can get some cheap guides on Amazon as well to help you learn what different angles may look like, but eventually you'll just get a feel for it by looking at the edge contacting the stone.
My 2 cents but certainly not claiming it's the best or only way to learn!
The spyderco tusk was an awesome sailors knife with a marlinspike. A shame it was discontinued
Nice video as always. Question: any possibility of putting out any Serge knives reviews in you future videos ? Thank you
I assume the waterproof tactical playing cards are intended to keep me and the boys entertained in enemy captivity
DCA, thanks for the excellent content week in, week out. I need a button lock flipper that can satisfy my lust for the Malibu until I can get my hands on one. Any suggestions beyond the Cogent & BT Fighter?
I may be speaking out of place here, but personally the only kind of knife I would consider tactical is one that can be effectively used in combat and also used in a survival/utility use.. ei: a sharp versatile spine, fixed blade or extremely hard use folder, with a long blade either clip point or drop point. something a big game hunter wouldn't leave the rack without.
So Kabar? My Kabar Is my favorite fixed blade for that reason. I can do almost any outdoors chores with it and it's obviously great for CQB lol
The best folding marlinespike I have used is the Spyderco Tusk. Of course they discontinued it...
Hey DCA i got a LT Wright bushcrafter hc and was wondering how to take care of the carbon steel blade? Keep up the great work thanks.
I have broken a number of clip point knives, usually budget knives, and it's always the same,, I stick the clip point into something, maybe poking it into a 5 gallon bucket, and then I try to pry the hole larger and the tip snaps off. I like the narrow tip because it's much easier to poke into things, but the benefits of the shape are lost if it isn't durable enough to handle the first attempt at making use of it. Is there a steel that makes good knives that will be particularly durable for a poke and pry clip point?? I admit that these are budget knives with steels made for good edges, but I don't want to compromise sharpness. I still favorite your recommendation for the k-bar dozier2 (glass nylon handle, super lightweight, I carry it in my shirt pocket and my shirt doesn't droop!) , it's my work edc and I can't imagine ever replacing it. At home, however, I often want a clip point. Thanks!!
For a viking themed folding knife the ultimate is the pocket ulfberht.
After all these years, my Kershaw ken onion blur still is my EDC.
Whats up DCA.. i have a small little collection of knives and i love them all.. Some started getting rust pits.. I have a 2 part question how do you clean the rust and how do you clean the knives so they wont rust??
Question: What would be your recommendation for a good 2 knife combo for bushcraft purposes at different price points ($100, $200, $300). A smaller blade for fire making, carving and a larger one for chopping.
One thing about tactical knives is that they tend to be big enough that on a thrust, they can actually incapacitate a target.
Smaller slashes, unless done by a professional to extremely specific areas like an artery or certain tendons, wont do much beyond piss off an attacker.
Whereas a deep pierce to a lung or group of muscles can stop someone in their tracks, even if the stab doesnt kill them.
Thats why most are 3.5+ inches. A lot of US jurisdictions ban folding knives over 4 inches, so that is why you see so many tactical knives that are closer to that size rather than being smaller than 3.5 inches.
Also, this is exactly the reason why so many other US jurisdictions either ban knives over 3 inces, because they are too small to easily do fatal damage with a stab, or any sort of automatic or switchblade knife, because they are so fast to deploy even compared to an assisted knife.
So, if you live in a place with few knife restrictions and want a tactical knife, something closer to 4 inches than to 3 inches seems to be the sweet spot for damage done vs ease of carry.
But, as always, check your local laws. Some states or counties may have lax laws but your city might have pretty restrictive laws.
LMAO 🤣 suddenly everyone is a professional 🤣 😂