3" self defense folder?

V-1

V-1

Joined
Apr 14, 1999
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So far, to cover this requirement I have the following blades:

1. Spyderco Lil' Temperance. Both the leaf and swept point CPM440V plain edge blades.

2. Al Mar Nomad. VG-10 Plain edge blade.

3. Small Sebenza classic. Wood inlay, s30V plain edge .

I'm not sure if you can improve on these designs in the production world. All well thought out and perfectly executed.

Any other suggestions for a 3" self defense folder?
 
Well since you make it sound like it isn't going to be used very often and just needs to be a good reliable knife, I'd probably get either a delica or a kershaw leek (because of the quick speedsafe release).
 
> Well since you make it sound like it isn't going to be used very often and just > needs to be a good reliable knife, I'd probably get either a delica or a kershaw > leek (because of the quick speedsafe release).

I tend to agree.

I heard some bad folks carry utility knives as weapons these days. Imagine what it would be like when you have to hand the bad guy your sebenza because he has his three dollars utility knife on your neck.
 
I personally would not include the Sebenza as a designated SD knife, b/c it's handle is not designed with an eye towards maximizing retention during combat. You want something like the mini AFCK (3.25" blade) that is designed (a) to lock in your hand (b) to prevent the hand from sliding up onto the blade in a hard stab. The CRKT small Kasped Folding Fighter would fit that bill too, don't recall the blade length though. Same with the Yojimbo, it's designed specifically for conflict, although it serves well for utility.
 
Get an MOD trident. Very good blade to handle ratio and it is wide to boot! These are very well made knives and come razor sharp. keepem sharp
 
I EDC a Spyderco Scorpius quite a bit. A bit bigger than 3" blade, but a classy knife with stainless handles and designed for SD. I have no intention of ever using for SD and did not buy it for that - I loved the way it looks.

Great steel too. I suppose you could say I use it as my gentlemans folder.
 
For a defensive piece, a problem with many folders is the handle: just not big enough to really fill the hand securely, which is a prime concern. For that reason, I think the Yojimbo and Temperance Jr., both of which have "full-sized" handles even though their blades are under 3", are easily the top choices.


Joe
 
I should have mentioned that I have a blue Yojimbo. Wicked sharp with plenty of handle with some nice index pivots milled in.

I was just wondering if anything else is out there that would match these for form and function. Something that I may have overlooked.

I appreciate the feedback.
 
That's all I've got for self defence, a small, plain Sebenza. I just keep mine razor sharp...

I use utility-type pocket knives for everything else.
 
For self defense, a 3" revolver trumps a 3" folder. Never bring a knife to a gunfight. ;) In these times, I just think self defense is best left to a gun.
 
seriously.. For SD I carry a good pepper spray. Better than knife, cuz you can spray (from 5 feet away) and run. This way you dont go to jail for defending yourself against some scumbag - the laws are crazy these days.
 
I don't know crap about self defense and I don't pretend to, but the Dodo seems like an ideal SD folder to me. Having been on the receiving end of cuts from the ones I've owned several times, I think it makes a lightsaber look dull! I had the unfortunate luck of owning two with bad locks, so I'll never buy another one unless they change the lock, but I loved the ergonomics and everything about the knife, otherwise. For serious SD, I would probably sand down the texture on the clip-side of the knife, too, otherwise it grabds material a little too tenaciously and you'd probably end up screwing up the draw in a pinch.

I'd only carry a knife for SD if I was HIGHLY trained, and even then I'd probably carry pepper spray and a good pair of running shoes instead.
 
If you don't know how to fight with a knife, all the little differences between knives don't mean anything.
 
I would suggest a Strider PT! It is tough as nails, and very sheeple friendly.
 
Well for SD, I carry a gun (and yes, I DO have a permit. I have also taken some tactical handgun classes. I always want to take more.).
 
Thanks for the knife suggestions! I'm going to check a couple of them out.
 
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