Tactical knives

**itcanbdone** · 03-09-2016, 08:18 PM

Hi I'm wondering if anyone has had an issue with the tactical black paint on knives? It seems to me that I'd have paint always coming off or what not.. Any issues whatsoever? Are they safe for hunting and eating with?
Why are they around so much more than the standard silver and why have they seemed to take over as the new way?

**natertot** · 03-09-2016, 08:31 PM

I do not buy anything that is "tactical" because what makes something tactical is now how it is designed but how it is used. That being said, I am not sure what you are referring to as paint on a knife. If you could post a pic of what you are referring to, that would be helpful. I carry a Kershaw folder in my pocket everyday with a black finish and I have not had an issue with it. I've had it for about three years now and use it for everything from opening packages to employment as an eating utensil.

**crashdive123** · 03-09-2016, 08:32 PM

They are popular due to marketing. There is a large segment of the population that wants tacticool. Before that became a buzz word they were just called coated knives. Some coatings are better than others. For some, they do serve the function of helping to prevent rust. For others, they reduce glare ---- which really isn't a big deal for most people, but I did send a few knives to Afghanistan and Iraq where it was a bigger issue.

**itcanbdone** · 03-09-2016, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by natertot

I do not buy anything that is "tactical" because what makes something tactical is now how it is designed but how it is used. That being said, I am not sure what you are referring to as paint on a knife. If you could post a pic of what you are referring to, that would be helpful. I carry a Kershaw folder in my pocket everyday with a black finish and I have not had an issue with it. I've had it for about three years now and use it for everything from opening packages to employment as an eating utensil.

Oh ok.. Black paint on a knife. Local stores are calling it tactical because of black paint. Im talking black paint on the knife blade.

**crashdive123** · 03-09-2016, 08:35 PM

Paint is not an ideal coating for the reasons that you stated. Coated blades that are done properly go through a much more detailed process than painting.

**natertot** · 03-09-2016, 09:33 PM

Yep, what crash said. He makes knives as a hobby. He does really good work and he really knows what he is talking about.

**kyratshooter** · 03-09-2016, 09:42 PM

If your knife has black paint on it you need to be looking into other knives.

My own preference leans toward carbon steel blades and they normally take a dark patina with age so neither glare or peeling finish creates a problem.

**hunter63** · 03-10-2016, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by itcanbdone

Hi I'm wondering if anyone has had an issue with the tactical black paint on knives? It seems to me that I'd have paint always coming off or what not.. Any issues whatsoever? Are they safe for hunting and eating with?
Why are they around so much more than the standard silver and why have they seemed to take over as the new way?

Called marketing.....Paint it black, give it a tactical name and triple the price.

I guess I don't see a problem with paint on the blade...if that is what it is?
Mostly is powder coat paint that is put on with high heat.

If it's just plain paint....may not be a good knife.

Got a couple or black or olive colored blades, and they do seem to wear the coating a bit,... but I never gave it a thought as to any danger.

I'm a fan of carbon knives as well.....and they get stained with use.

**Lamewolf** · 03-10-2016, 09:13 AM

Everyone needs to quit buying "painted" knives, then maybe they'll quit putting "paint" on them ! Most of the times its not paint anyway but some sort of powder coat, or epoxy. Give me good old fashioned carbon steel blades with a patina on it - worked for hundreds of years !

**Wildthang** · 03-10-2016, 01:04 PM

But....... But........ But, I thought Tactical made everything more gooder and worth more money??

I actually saw a knife advertised as Tacticool, What the heck is that?

**Lamewolf** · 03-11-2016, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Wildthang

But....... But........ But, I thought Tactical made everything more gooder and worth more money??

I actually saw a knife advertised as Tacticool, What the heck is that?

Tacticool is where they coat the blade with a cold process chemical bonding agent that is impervious to the elements, and attracts fools that want to part with their hard earned money !

**kyratshooter** · 03-11-2016, 07:57 PM

I can remember when even the military was not "tactical", issuing us shiny brass and silver rank insignia, belt buckles and bright name tags!

In the late 1960s they decided to change the colors and paint the insignia dull colors so as to not get quite as many folks shot.

The term used for those changes was not "tactical" it was called "subdued", probably because it was used in both combat and noncombat operations.

Tactical was a term we only used if we were dealing with a situation when one was about to be shot, not going to the mall.

**LowKey** · 03-12-2016, 11:19 AM

The tacticule stuff ranks right up there with fishing lure stuff.
It isn't being sold to suit a purpose. It's being sold to part you from your money.

Eating flakes of baked-on enamel probably isn't a good idea.

**Wildthang** · 03-12-2016, 12:09 PM

When I own a knife I like to see the metal, even if it is tarnished old metal!

**hunter63** · 03-12-2016, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by LowKey

The tacticule stuff ranks right up there with fishing lure stuff.
It isn't being sold to suit a purpose. It's being sold to part you from your money.

Eating flakes of baked-on enamel probably isn't a good idea.

I ingested some gold flakes whilst drinking Goldschlager schnapps, and didn't die......?

**Faiaoga** · 03-13-2016, 12:16 PM

There is a tacticool knife company. wwwtacticoolnives.com

$15 for plain vanilla bowie knife, add $70 for nifty blood red blade.

**LowKey** · 03-13-2016, 03:20 PM

H63, There is someone out in your outhouse, digging for gold...

**kyratshooter** · 03-13-2016, 09:38 PM

I have another question.

At what height/weight ratio do things strapped to ones' body stop being tactical and flip over to comical?

Is there an age limit or can I camo paint my mobility scooter?

and is there a rule that says when I take my AR to the range I have to either wear camo or a ball cap/golf shirt/jeans, preferably from the Gap?

Will the gun still shoot if I wear my bib overhauls?