Fixed Blade Knives | Special Forces Review | Tactical Rifleman

Published on June 1, 2018
Duration: 12:03

This video offers a Special Forces perspective on fixed blade knives, detailing their advantages over folding knives for combat and utility. It breaks down knife combat into stab, slash, and chop actions, and reviews specific models like the Blackhawk Night-Edge and Spartan Knives Sykes-Fairbairn. The importance of blade maintenance and secure sheath mounting is also emphasized by the instructor, Karl, who draws on his Desert Storm experience.

Quick Summary

Special Forces instructors emphasize that fixed blade knives offer superior strength and faster deployment than folding knives, making them ideal for heavy utility and combat. Key combat actions include stabbing, slashing, and chopping, with balanced blades excelling at all three. Proper maintenance, ensuring a razor-sharp edge, is critical, as serrations can be a sign of poor sharpening skills.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Knife Opinions
  2. 00:39Why Fixed Blades?
  3. 02:12Three Types of Knife Attacks
  4. 04:15The Balanced Combat Blade
  5. 05:12Blackhawk Night-Edge Review
  6. 07:34Maintenance and Sharpening
  7. 09:19Sheaths and Mounting

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary combat actions a fixed blade knife can perform?

A fixed blade knife can be used for three primary combat actions: stabbing, best suited for thin daggers; slashing, requiring a long, sharp edge; and chopping, utilizing weight at the tip like a hatchet or Kukri.

Why are fixed blade knives preferred over folding knives in tactical situations?

Fixed blade knives generally offer faster deployment and superior structural strength. Most are full tang, making them more reliable for heavy utility work like batoning wood without the risk of lock failure common in folding knives.

How should a fixed blade knife be mounted for body armor?

For body armor mounting, a smaller, lighter fixed blade like the Blackhawk Night-Edge is preferred. Its handle shape allows for tactile orientation in the dark, and it maintains balance for stab, slash, and chop capabilities.

What is the importance of knife maintenance according to Special Forces standards?

A knife is considered useless if not razor-sharp. Proper maintenance, including sharpening the straight edge, is crucial. Serrations are often seen as a crutch for those who cannot maintain a primary edge effectively.

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