Just what makes a knife "Tactical".

 Bizillions of knife manufacturers are labeling their products with the word "Tactical". What does this really mean? IS this just marketing hype that sells knives to "would be if I could be's"?

AND if my knife is not a tactical knife, then what does it look like? I hope to explore this word, which has become a marketing prerequisite for selling all sorts of products. "Get the new Tactical stapler"! "It will give you the added advantage against your office companions"!

For (good) example:

Extrema Ratio's Dobermann IV comes under a banner of "Tactical" Let's have a look at this.

So if your tactics require sneaking up on your quarry under the cover of darkness then a non reflective blade coating would be wise. Or if you needed to pull this big knife out during the daylight hours and not have it reflecting any light.  If your tactics require you to use a knife all day then having one eveningly balanced would go a long way for hand and arm comfort, helping to reduce fatigue. If your tactics require a good non slip anti twist grip, then YES this knife, the Dobermann IV can definitely carry the banner of being a tactical knife!

BTW Extrema Ratio also market a non tactical version of the same blade shape. Ok why is it non tactical?

The blade is polished- there is absolutely no need of an anti-refelctive coating if you don't intend on sneaking up on someone/or something, with your knife drawn.

The scabbard is not Molle compatible and made of leather. If you don't intend of getting it wet all of the time/exposed to the elements (nylon is not going to get  all rotten with fungus/swell if wet). Nor carry it on a Molle style military pack/harness (ie you are not a soldier) ie you are a civilian. The balance of the non Tactical version is the same, so in regards to reducing user fatigue Extrema Ratio have not made any compromises here.

What makes a knife tactical soley depends on users tactics! For example this knife will not be of tactical advantage if your tactics require you to cut lots of ropes in the course of events as there are no serrations and a properly serrated blade will always cut ropes faster, that's physics. AND to use the non tactical version of the Dobermann IV as an example, a polished blade may well be of tactical advantage if you need something shiny and polished to attract attention if you require rescuing/being found.

Tactics don't have to relate to military or law enforcement applications although the word certainly conjures up this idea in most peoples minds. Can you have a tactical hunting knife, yes and no but now we are starting to get really crazy with this overuse of the word tactical! 

Unfortunately the word "Tactical" has become a key marketing weapon (no pun intended) for manufacturers wishing to increase their market share.

So the next time you take out your "tactical serrated zombie killing, ten inch jungle chopping, stealth, anti-radar paint, super stainless fishing knife out in front of your companions fishing knife; just see at the end of the day who had the tactical advantages and then think back and see if you were suckered by marketing hype!