MercWorx Sniper

The broad point, and the curved cutting edge are the prime features that I look for in a combat knife. The broad head gives it a stabbing durability that a stilleto does not have. The curved slicing edge is geared toward maximum laceration potential with minimum effort. It will slice easily with very little force. The overal shape of the blade and the grip is ideal for a smooth, strong fighting knife. The ultra thin tips usually snap off against anything tougher than cardboard, so I don't have much use for them. The psuedo back edge is designed to give a clean thrust to a stationary target which is optimal for kidney and lung stabs from behind. It also lightens the blade considerably so that the necessary wrist motions are more fluid in delivery instead of pure heft. Its hard enough to keep your grip on a heavy knife, support it, and still try to fight with it effectively.

A lighter bladed knife with the balance point set just ahead of the grip, allows for mid motion direction and power changes ina heartbeat. Blade momentum is easily redirected into a superior angle when the opportunity arises. However, these types of blades usually fail to meet the strength required to be considered a combat knife. Most of the foolks that I trained with wear armor of one type or another. A thin, agile blade is going to suffer badly against a trauma plate. Same goes for leather, and thick materials. Consider what it takes to actually get the cutting edge against your target. Most folks have no idea that the flat of your blade actually works against you. The less flat area you have, the easier it is to get inside an apponents defenses and do some damage. The larger the blade mass, the easier it is deflected by peripheral gear.

Again, thats also the problem. The less surface area of the blade, the weaker it tends to be. If it bends, its useless, if it flexes in your hand, its useless (Not to mention extremely dangerous to the user). Unterstand that there is a huge difference between a fighting knife, and a utility knife. The "sniper" (I really hate that name), is not a utility knife. Its a fighting knife. Its made to cut though gear peripheral equipment to get to flesh and blood. Its not made to pound tent stakes, dig holes, cut wood, pry things open, etc, etc. I don't plan to use it for that. I plan to use it for near silent kills, and self defense when I don't have a pistol or other projectile weapon.

Choosing a good fighting knife is a science unto itself. It has to do exactly what you want it to do, and meld well with your fighting style. I'm taking the chance that this knife, which fits the style I felt most comfortable with, will meet my needs and desires. Hence, why I'll be testing the shit out of it before I actually have to use it. I will be conducting tests that have to do with what its supposed to accomplish. I won't be trying to open a steel drum, cut through a tree branch for firewood, hanging from it, or seeing if it will support specific weight. I plan to test it through impact stabbing, and slicing excersizes mostly. I'll be doing some defensive impact tests as well.