The book includes more than 300 detailed photographs that highlight tactical knives and tactical knife techniques. A "buyer's guide" section on choosing the proper tactical knife makes this title the complete package.

BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Knife World Staff

James Morgan Ayres is a contributor to Blade magazine as well as the Knives annual series [i.e. Knives 2010], penning articles on survival, self-defense, and hard-use knives, with an emphasis on the genre that has come to be known as “tactical knives.” His experiences with the 82nd Airborne and the 7th Special Forces Group as well as his involvement in the survival field leave him well qualified to cover this subject.

Ayres’ approach to The Tactical Knife is to begin with a look back at the knives that were history’s “tactical knives,” from flint to today’s high tech knives, with special emphasis on the Spanish navaja, the early American long knife, the bowie knife, and the fighting knives of WWII and Vietnam. From there, he explains how modern tactical folders and fixed blades have evolved into the plethora of offerings that today seem ever-present at knife shows, gun shows, online and in magazine advertising. Beginning with chapter five, the focus shifts to Ayres’ thoughts on knife design, blade geometry, steel, heat treating, and the like; chapter six to choosing knives suitable for different needs and situations, and chapter seven to basic knife skills, sharpening, maintenance, and self defense with the knife.

The final chapter is devoted to knife reviews, prefaced by the author’s thoughts on knife testing and how the testing for this book was done. Almost thirty makers are addressed from custom craftsmen (stock removal and bladesmiths) to benchmade manufacturers like Randall to full fledged knife manufacturers like Buck, Ontario, and Spyderco. The extent of coverage devoted to each varies considerably, from the several pages devoted to Benchmade, including specific models, to a couple of short, general paragraphs about Boker and Lone Wolf.

Ayres is a fine writer, and the true tales he has interspersed throughout the book add much to its readability. The book’s strength lies in these stories as well as the author’s thoughts on knives, self defense, wilderness survival, knife testing and techniques for use. The historical sections do a fine job of communicating that the “tactical knife” is not a new concept, but be aware that there are a number of inaccuracies with regards to dates and facts, and the knife review chapter is too spotty in its coverage to be a reliable resource. The black and white photography is generally good although there is some repetition and a few glaring omissions (where’s the SERE photo?)

Despite the minor flaws, The Tactical Knife is an excellent read for anyone with a serious interest in modern tactical knives, and the best portions of the book will remain as valid ten and twenty years from now as they are today.

Softcover, 256 pp.

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