The Knife Vault

Marine Force Recon

What are the differences between fighting knives, combat knives and tactical knives?

The differences are very slight, if any. Fighting knives, developed for trench warfare, haven’t changed much through the years. Only the name has changed (political correctness maybe?).

Navy Seals Insignia

Present day tactical knives have innovations in design and materials. However, as in the days of trench warfare, the look and usage of the combat knife is still the same. That is to render the opponent helpless or dead with silence and swiftness.

It’s been said that there isn’t much need for these types of knives in today’s hi-tech warfar e. I’ll wager you will get stiff resistance to that comment if you are talking to a Force Recon, Navy Seal, Ranger or any other myriad of special operations forces.

75th Ranger Regiment Coat of Arms

Ka-Bar knives which have been around since early 1920 and relative new- comer SOG are still providing the military with exceptional “Tactical” knives. And I dare say there will always be a place for such knives as long as the regimes of this planet continue to disrupt the peace of other nations.