| Fighting knives are a type of knife that are | | | | steel. Just keep it oiled. |
| designed to be used for fighting - self | | | | |
| defense, military, law enforcement, etc. If | | | | Handle Construction |
| you are planning on purchasing a fighting | | | | |
| knife, there are a few characteristics that | | | | Fighting knives usually need to have a |
| you will want to consider: | | | | quillon, or other guard to keep your hand |
| | | | from accidentally sliding up onto the blade |
| Blade Length | | | | of the knife. The handle should be easy to |
| | | | grip firmly and use in a variety of |
| Most fighting knives have a blade between 5" | | | | positions. |
| and 8" long. This length is short enough to | | | | |
| be easily controlled and handles with one | | | | Price |
| hand, while long enough to be effective and | | | | |
| deadly. | | | | You don't need to go broke to buy a good |
| | | | fighting knife. Most good knives run anywhere |
| Blade Shape | | | | from about $40 to $150. You can find a few |
| | | | for less than this, and there are quite a few |
| The two primary blade shapes used for | | | | more expensive ones, but you certainly don't |
| fighting knives are Tanto and Clip. The tanto | | | | need to spend over $100 or so to get a good |
| blade has an angled point (instead of a | | | | knife. A good example of a popular, quality |
| curved one) and is primarily designed for | | | | fighting knife is the US Marine Corp Fighting |
| stabbing and piercing. A good clip blade can | | | | Knife, which is made by Kabar. You can this |
| be used for slashing/cutting or stabbing | | | | knife for well under $100. |
| piercing. | | | | |
| | | | Laws |
| Blade Material | | | | |
| | | | You should be aware that laws regarding |
| Usually, you want a knife made of a quality | | | | knives vary from area to area. You should |
| high carbon steel. Choose a steel that is | | | | check your state and local laws before your |
| strong and holds an edge well. Usually, you | | | | purchase a fighting knife. |
| will not need to the blade to be stainless | | | | |