Even the most high-end, heavy-duty tactical knife can become damaged at some point, especially if you’re using it often. The most commonly affected area of a tactical knife is, unsurprisingly, the blade itself, which sees the most action and is put under the most pressure.

If you are a serious tactical knife collector and user, then sooner or later, you’ll likely end up with a broken blade. Now, we know that it may be tempting to throw the whole thing out and buy a new one, but often, what can look like a devastating bit of damage can actually be repaired with relative ease.

Why Might a Tactical Knife Blade Become Damaged?

Without a doubt, the most common reason for a tactical knife blade to become damaged is using it improperly. Every blade has its unique limits, and it’s not uncommon for us to get overzealous and try to cut or chop something that the blade simply cannot handle.

Another common issue is improper storage, which weakens the blade over time. Keeping the blade in an environment that’s either too moist or too dry can weaken the metal, causing erosion or making it brittle, while extreme temperatures can destabilize the material.

Now, let’s go over the most common issues with blades, and what you can do to fix them.

A Stuck Blade

Usually, this is due to an issue with the spring mechanism and not the blade itself. Try pulling the blade into the ideal position and seeing if the spring realigns itself and continues working again. If not, you may need to replace the spring.

A Broken Tip

A broken tip is probably the most common form of damage you’ll experience when using a tactical knife. Sadly, this just isn’t an issue for which there is a quick and inexpensive fix. If you don’t want to replace the blade, you can see a blade specialist who will form a new tip by filing down the metal, starting where the tip broke off. What this means is that your blade will be a bit shorter than it was, but it will be functional once again.

A Chip or Dent

Blades can become chipped or dented due to a variety of reasons, including knocking them into something, or being overambitious when chopping or cutting. The chip or dent can be any size and occur at any location of the blade.

To fix a chip or dent, you should have a specialist create a new edge by filing the blade down to the deepest indentation of the damage. The height of your blade will end up being shorter, but it will likely not be so much shorter that it interferes with your ability to use the blade just like you did before the damage occurred.

A Scratch

Many people get nervous when their blade is scratched, but the reality is that if you’re using a tactical knife frequently, you really can’t avoid this happening sooner or later. There are home repair kits you can purchase that may smooth out the scratch. Bear in mind that this is an aesthetic issue, and not one that should interfere with the functionality of the knife.

A Tactical Knife Should Last for a Long Time

Over the course of time however, or sometimes sooner than expected, it can accumulate damage along the way depending on how you use it and store it. The good news is that most blade issues can be fixed by a professional, and some smaller issues can even be repaired at home. So, before you throw that blade into the trash, see if it’s an issue that can reasonably be remedied.