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Which Knife is Right for Me? |
A Primer on Different Knife Styles
Knives Town offers a variety of knife styles to choose from, each with a type of chore or use for which it has be designed. For each style we will present the strength and weaknesses as well as a detailed description. Our goal: to provide you the information you need to decide which knife is right for you. |
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 Pocket Knives
Strengths:
- Easily Carried
- Well adapted for general light duty cutting
- Broad range of styles and price to choose from
- Typically of no legal concern
- Enjoys general public acceptance
Weaknesses:
- Limited use beyond simple cutting
- May be insufficient for heavier cutting chores
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- Not well adapted to personal defense
- Typically constructed with a general duty steel of the 440 or 425 variety
Description: One of a variety of folding knife forms typically having single or multiple folding blades with maximum lengths of 3 inches or less. Other implements may be incorporated into the folding design such as screwdrivers or can openers. The pocket knife is typically intended to be carried loose in the pocket or purse, not possessing a pocket clip or sheath and may include construction across a wide range of materials from common steel and plastic to dressier materials such as black pearl, abalone or exotic woods.
The pocket knife has been around for many years and has played a widely varied role through time. Countless times the pocket knife has been pressed into service in many different ways, its abilities sometimes being stretched to the limit. In fact, prior to the development of Multi-Tools, the pocket knife was the form of multi tool for the masses and at one time was considered a standard accessory every man carried in the same way as a wallet. This helps explain the reason the pocket knife has been so widely employed, basically due to its being the tool available at the moment.
However, the pocket knife’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. The pocket knife is truly a Jack of all trades and a Master of none. The traditional pocket knife is not a specialized instrument but more often provides a choice of blades with different shapes and sizes, one of which the user will choose to best wrangle the chore at hand. While the pocket knife excels at small or medium cutting tasks, it has often been forced into a variety of duties for which it is not completely suited. In the same way that a dime can be used as a screwdriver in a pinch, the pocket knife has served faithfully, although not always the most effective. These limitations spawned the development of specialized pocket knives such as a sailors pocket knife which contains a marlin spike for untying knots, the doctors knife with its pill separator or the Swiss Army Knife which attempts to provide a multitude of tools in one package to cover a wider range of chores.
Unless one of the specialized types of pocket knives is chosen, the truth is the pocket knife is an excellent choice for general light duty cutting with limited functionality beyond this. Its ease of carry endears it to many and it may be found in a wide range of materials, shapes and price ranges.
 Tactical Knives
Strengths:
- Increased cutting power vs. the pocket knife
- Generally high degree of reliability and rugged construction
- Higher grade of steel
- Excellent personal defense weapon
Weaknesses:
- Larger size and bulkier to carry vs. pocket knife
- Legal implications
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- Unfavorable public perception
- Primarily still a cutting tool. No multi-tool type application
Description: The tactical knife is a broadly referenced genre of knives which commonly contain blade lengths exceeding that of the pocket knife, up to 4 inches or more. The tactical knife blade is often designed with special attention to piercing and slashing potential and may be constructed to greater thickness than pocket knives for increased strength. Blade patterns which incorporate a tanto point or serrations are not uncommon in the tactical knife and typically the tactical knife is a locking, single-bladed folding knife.
There has been a tremendous shift toward the tactical knife over the past couple of decades which has drawn away some of the pocket knife adherents. The reasons for this are good ones as the tactical knife will provide some significant advantages over the pocket knife, but nevertheless maintains weaknesses of its own.
A tactical knife can handle all the light duty, general cutting chores of the pocket knife with headroom to spare. The greater thickness and usually wider blade of the tactical knife allow greater shearing potential than the pocket knife and make for a cutting tool of greater strength. A tactical knife with serrations will be able to do ripping and handle tougher materials than a pocket knife. In short, the tactical knife can handle all the cutting chores a pocket knife would, and then some.
In addition to outdistancing the pocket knife in basic cutting, the tactical knife also makes for a serious self-defense weapon which is its essential function. The tactical knife was designed with fighting engagement in mind and this arena is where the tactical knife stands taller than any other folding knife. Widely used by military and law enforcement personnel, the tactical knife is meant for hard use cutting and when necessary, defending oneself from an assailant. For these reasons, a serious tactical knife is commonly constructed of materials that are known for their toughness and reliability.
Tactical knives will commonly incorporate blades made of high performance steel, such as 154CM, ATS-34, Sandvik, powder steel or others. The properties of these steels make them suitable for hard use and can be relied on to perform without failing where a lesser steel might. Tactical knives also will have locking blades. The hard use that is anticipated for a tactical knife mandates a lock that will prevent the blade from closing unexpectedly. Blade shapes will take different forms in tactical ranging from tanto point, spear point, sabre ground and others. The common design element of these shapes is geared toward combat, with each shape emphasizing either thrusting or slashing or some blades designed for both movements.
The tactical knife has rightfully captured much ground in the knife market as it will perform all the typical pocket knife functions in addition to serving well for heavier cutting and, of course, self-defense. There are some downsides to the tactical knife though that must be considered. Many tactical knives can exceed the local jurisdiction with respect to proper blade length. To be stopped by a police officer and found possessing a tactical knife with an aggressive blade shape and handle may be a very different experience than being found with a penknife or old style jack knife. Carrying a tactical knife is often not as convenient, as these knives are typically larger than a pocket knife and will often be supplied with a pocket clip, thus exposing its presence if carried in that way. Drawing your tactical knife in public to use for some nominal chore such as opening a box or cutting a string off your shirt may bring stares and social isolation. Unfortunately, particularly after one highly publicized and controversial knife murder of several years ago, the majority of the public does not understand "knife enthusiasm".
 Multi-Tools
Strengths:
- High degree of flexibility and usefulness with multiple on board implements
- Generally good construction and durability
- Neutral public perception
Weaknesses:
- Weight is heavier than the typical pocket or tactical knife
- Sheath carry is often required due to size
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- Designed as all around solution for lighter duty chores, may not be sufficient for heavy work
Description: Any of the many compact folding tools available which are based on a pliers or scissor format and contain fold out implements such as screwdrivers, chisels, scissors, saws, knives, files, corkscrews and more.
The modern day multi-tool arrived on the scene in the early 80’s and has been staking out territory ever since. Although the Swiss Army Knife has been with us for over 100 years, this was still a tool built on a pocket knife platform. The multi-tools that began with Leatherman were based on a pliers format and opened/closed in a very different way.
The multi-tool offers a reasonable solution to the age old problem of limited functionality in the pocket knife and truly permits one to carry a variety of serious, working tools on oneself in a compact, folding package. If you have ever been in a situation wishing you had something better than that dime (or pocket knife) to tighten that screw with, then you are just the person the multi-tool was made for. Most of these tools will usually offer, at a minimum - pliers, wire cutters, flathead screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver and knife. Many multi-tools go well beyond this, offering a large number of tools ingeniously folded into as small a frame as possible. The tools found within these folders are usually of good substantial quality, although not always up to the level of the comparable stand alone tool found in a tool box. Nevertheless, the multi-tool versions are still respectable representations that can do good work.
 Hunting Knives
Strengths:
- Well suited for the task of field dressing game
- Rugged construction for outdoor use
- Emphasis on grip for safety
Weaknesses:
- Specialized design makes for limited purpose use
Description: A knife designed for use in the field while hunting; specifically, a knife to be used in the field dressing of game.
Most quality hunting knives are designed with a wider blade midsection or "belly" allowing for dressing, skinning and various game preparation duties. A hunting knife may also be designed with a "gut hook" feature, often found cut into the back of the blade. This will assist with opening the game and when employed properly, opens the game with a zipper like effect.
Hunting knives may be fixed blade or folding knives. The handle design is important on these knives as they must be able to be safely used with a gloved hand or wet hand. Obviously the knife can be used for any cutting task if needed, but generally speaking a hunting knife is used for its intended purpose then oiled and put away until the following season.
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