A disservice to ourselves?

colobbfan

colobbfan

Joined
May 31, 2000
Messages
651
I notice fom the posts that alot of us change around our daily carries. Do you feel that this might slow down a response in a defensive situation?
Personally, I've found that a difference between changing from tip up to tip down (and vice versa) models is my biggest bugaboo.
But, I've noticed different hole sizes in different models seem to throw off my muscle memory enough to slow me down too.

What has been your experience?

I'm left handed but have carried mostly clipped to my right (weak side) front pocket. So my first action is to reach to that position to retrieve my knife. I'm fairly consistent and comfortable with the draw action using my right hand but feel compelled to switch my knife to my strong hand as soon as possible. I'm on my rotation of Goddard LTWT and Endura, which I've moved the clip for left hand carry.
I've also began experimenting with attaching the BladeTech Clip-it that comes on the FB01 & FB02 to some of the Mike Sastre Kydex neck carry sheaths I have for my Spydercos. And relearning between pocket carry and belt carry presents another learning curve problem.

And switching between different Spydies is easy compared to switching from Spydies to other brands of knives, for example.

So how do you feel about this subject? I want to be proficient with ALL my knives, but, I'm concerned that I might lose some time drawing in a stressful situation.

John Row
colobbfan

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A day without Spydies is like a day without ... WELL, Spydies!!!
 
As the first saying goes: "Beware the man who carrys only one gun."

If carrying a blade for PPP(Personal Protective Purposes) exclusively, then one will do best with carrying the same blade in the same location. Hopefully one will have been dedicated to this carry type and their drawing method. Reflexes will kick in when the adrenaline starts to flow.

Second saying: "What is the quickest reload? A second gun!"

A secondary or backup may prove usefull if the primary blade or hand/ arm goes out of commission.

L8r,
Nakano



[This message has been edited by Nakano 2 (edited 01-08-2001).]
 
Excellent point. I agree wholeheartedly. When you are under high stress situations several things happen:

1. fine motor skills are diminished.
2. you surpisingly revert back to training.

I would suggest being proficient with one knife. When you are in a defense situation it should be like second nature to draw and open the knife. Constantly changing knives, especially going from tip up to tip down, could have negative consequences if you aren't used to that knife.


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Dennis Bible

mylogosmall.gif
 
John,
I think you have a good point. I carried a Buck 110 or 112 everyday at work from 1980 to 1992. I didn't carry the knife for defensive purposes but after several years I noticed that I could pull the knife out of the sheath and open it one-handed without even thinking about it.
 
The muscle memory issue and training is why I exclusively stick with tip-up models of Spydercos for daily carry. If I need a knife for SAR, EMT, or defense purposes, the odds are I'm going to need it quickly and with minimal fumbling around. Yes, there are other types of folders in the collection (which I could use if needed), but I've never been big on "knife d'jour" carry.

I've always wondered if handguns had a relatively low price-point like knives, if people would constantly be rotating their carry piece(s) on a daily basis. "Today I'll strap on my Colt .45, but tomorrow it will be the new Beretta DAO .40 or maybe the Keltec P32." Shudder, thinking about varying trigger pulls.

Different strokes for different folks. IMHO, you shouldn't be too dependent on a single tool. However, if you rely on a tool for some mission-critical application, you probably should think about if you're doing everything to maximize its successful use (tool selection, training, carry, maintenance, etc.).

Joel
 
Yes, I follow the same basic modus operandi as Joel: I generally carry (and restrict my collection) tip-up Spydercos of the 3.5" to 4" blade class. (Large differences in handle size can slow you down as well even if the tip-orientation is the same.) -- I think these adequate restrictions for rapid reactions in most emergency situations, but if you are highly concerned about the martial/defensive use of a knife then the best thing to do would be to use only a single model of knife.

[This message has been edited by Carlos (edited 01-08-2001).]
 
Colobbfan,et. al.,

I agree with you guys. I believe that a consistent carry is a must for true proficiency. I've standardized my defensive carry and intend to keep it this way as it has gotten to the point that I don't truly feel comfortable outside of the house without it.

The two folders I carry are the Civilian (weak side)and the Military (strong side), tip up. In order to do that, I've had to reposition the clips.

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All you need is love... a sharp blade and a full clip
 
Interesting question, John. I also must agree with the consistency approach to reliability. Same model strong side.

Unfortunately, constantly testing protos, it's not an option. When forced to consistency, I too have my "favorites". I've also learned that the "muscle memory" can distinguish models.

On the positive side, we are trying to create the tip up/ tip down option as well where possible. The Chinook will be the second model offering 4 options. (The "Q" was first). Creating clip design that serves all postions well is more dificult than it might seem.

sal
 
It is true that switching the knife you carry will slow your response time in drawing and opening it, and switching carry locations will slow it even more. The questions are, how much slower will you be, and how important is that to you? Most of us carry at least partially for emergency situations, where speed is important. But I wouldn't want to carry the same knife every day, I enjoy carrying different knives, depending on what I'm doing, what I'm wearing, where I'll be going, etc. I've found that I've fondled and used each of my knives enough that I'm comfortable with all of them. Since my lifestyle is fairly low risk most of the time, and tactical readiness isn't my only (or sometimes even my main) priority, I choose the slight tactical disadvantage I give myself by occassionally rotating my carry. Generally, once a knife is in my hand, I know which knife it is and which way it opens. Try this experiment- toss 15 or so different folders onto your bed (closed) and, with your eyes closed, reach out and pick one up. In under a second you should know which knife it is, which direction you're holding it in, how it opens (hole, stud, disk, button, bali, etc.), and, unless you have mutliples of the same model, you'll even know if it's plain or serrated, coated or uncoated blade, where and when you bought it and for how much, etc. Yes, you would be faster with only one knife to choose from, but we knife knuts fondle most of our knives so frequently that we're pretty familiar with all of them (all that we own, that is). So, for me, the disadvantage is negligible. The only time I would seriously wonder, and here I usually increase my disadvantage, is when a new knife comes in the mail just as I'm leaving the house. Do I carry this brand new blade on which I haven't tested the lock, carry options, etc. all the things we do to familiarize ourselves with a new knife? Or do I leave it at home and think about it all day? I usually carry it (as long as it's legal). I do carry more than one knife, for what it's worth there, but that is the only time I seriously consider whether or not I'm handicapping myself unnecessarrily.

I just love too many different knives to carry the same one(s) every day, if it be the death of me then we know I chose wrongly.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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El mundo es mi cenicero.
 
Sal G., in other words future batches of Chinooks will have their clip holes drilled for 4 position/ option carry method?? A plus if that is so.

L8r,
Nakano
 
Jason,
Since my original post, I've come to the same conclusion that you've expressed. I keep my head up, try not to get blind sided, and feel pretty confident about my skills for defending myself. Maybe I was just feeling old that day!
smile.gif


I had noticed on the day I originally posted that I sort of felt that momentary "lost" feeling as I drew for a mundane chore with a different knife than I had been toting.

The 'NON knife' people at work think it's funny that I "have different knives for each day of the year". LOL
I don't REALLY have QUITE that many... YET!
smile.gif

The Knifenuts just nod their heads and smile knowingly!

John
colobbfan

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A day without Spydies is like a day without ... WELL, Spydies!!!
 
Hi Nakano. Yes that is true. 4 sets of holes. I, like you, believe that performance is a higher priority than appearance.

We'll see what the ELU response is to the "open" holes?

sal
 
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