• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

A Weapon Knife?

Status
Not open for further replies.
You can always spot the "winner" of a knife fight...he's the guy laying on his back, covered with blood, with his hand up, asking for help.....the looser is dead.

I have had a few years in self defense. And my brother personally dealt with finding his exgirlfriends sister murdered some years ago, she was stabbed to death by a crazy ex boyfriend. . This kind of thing can change you.
I taught self defense at one time, and actually went to my brothers high school, and taught several girls in an after school Martial Arts class that my brother was teaching for extra credit. I was the "guest" instructor...go figure. Basically, what I have been taught and what I teach is basically, taking on someone bigger and stronger in a head to head fight, is not a good idea.
You have to train to use the best weapon you have..your head. Smarts has saved many a lady and man from certain doom.
Every single time someone asks me what to do in a self defense situation I always have the same answer. SHOOT THE BAD GUY.
If you don't have a gun, you better have some training. The internet can NOT prepare anyone for real violence.
Only training and smarts...mixed with a little luck.
There are a bunch of tough, well trained people on the internet, but typing back and forth with them can not help someone with the actual moment of violence.
Its harsh and stark in its reality.
I have been unlucky enough to have seen to much of this kind of thing. I live in one of the worst little towns in America. 3 methadone clinics and a whole bunch of gangs means its was a rough young adulthood. I stayed out of trouble by doing the right thing, I avoided situations that could lead to violence,and preparing for the worst. Martial Arts in my minds eye is seeing the future...today, you know when you are headed for trouble. Some just forget to listen to that little guy or gal on their shoulder...whispering good advice.
You have a child, and live in Alabama. Get training, and a gun.
If someone is in your space and means you harm....shoot them.
 
Last edited:
Lots of good stuff to think about.

If I am away, my wife sleeps with the Glock .40 and a sharp knife. as back up.

15 rounds of 180 grain hollow points, and two back up mags.

AR15 with a 30 round mag and a winchester defender with 8 rounds of buck shot, and a side saddle to hold more ammo.

I sleep with the glock, flash light, and a Busse B11 tucked in the mattress. KZII khukri and a spike hawk in the dresser.

Swords and Battle axes my also be around.


Heck, I have "too many" options, but that is a good thing.


My point is that my wife is comfortable using the Glock, and is competent with the AR15 as well.

She won't shoot the 12 gage, because it is uncomfortable (in an emergency, she would because she can, she just does not like it). She can check, load, and use most of my guns, including my M1 carbine, revolvers, target pistols, and rifles. She has shot a 10 gauge at her insistence.







I don't think I would hand her a bat, or club, because I am not sure it would not just get taken away from her.


A sharp, pointy, fast knife would, for her, make a good back up. We have "practiced" and she is quick. I can't take a knife away from her without being "cut" or "stabbed" repeatedly. We have played this "game" before. When play fighting she is quick enough to get multiple hits in on me before I can close the distance and overpower her.

I do believe that people underestimate the effectiveness of a short light sword. Especially one that can be used one handed and two handed.

You can't simply grab one and take it away.

Something along the lines of an AK or Ruki from Busse (or the equivalent from Swamprat or Scrapyard) would be great with just a bit of training. You are not going to become a ninja just because you have one.


I am very comfortable with edged weapons. Hawks, khukris, large knives, swords and axes. I have no training in knife fighting, or sword fighting though. I just use them a lot. I am good at throwing hawks and knives.

That said, I would much rather have a gun, with another gun as "back up". with an edged weapon as a back up to that. The kind of "back up" edged weapons I keep around are enough to end a fight instantly, not because I think a stab will instantly incapacitate, but because they can remove an arm, leg, or head with a swing. But I would rather shoot some one, all the same.





People who talk about pepper spray being an instant incapacitating weapon may have a false sense of protection.

I have personally seen full cans delivered at 2 feet or less into eyes and mouths and have literally no effect on the right person. The same spray, just from incidental secondary over-spray made me and another friend cough up blood. I can't imagine the long term pain if I had gotten a bunch in the mouth and nose and eyes. I will say this, if I had been close enough to grab the sprayer, in a real "fight" mode, he would have been in trouble. This glue huffer who was high took a full can to the face, and got a puzzled expression on his face. He did not even wipe his eyes or spit.

I think pepper spray is a good tool to have (ie, you aren't justified in using deadly force), but would want other options.



Pick something you are comfortable with, and practice till you are more than just comfortable. If you want to use a big knife, make a close copy size wise and practice with it. Find some one who you can train with.

Gun, sword, knife what ever.

It is good that you got a Tazer. Get some training with it.
 
In the final analysis, I agree with Moose45 and gunknifenut.

Get a gun (a handgun), get trained, and then practice. For the average person who might only go through basic gun training and only rarely practice, I suggest a revolver. Semis can often hold far more rounds, fire faster overall, and be re-loaded quicker. However, revolvers are simpler. Hold-point-pull the trigger. Repeat. Few home defense shootings are more than two shots.

It is more likely a person might freeze-up under stress half-asleep with a (semi) gun they have not shot for awhile in not remembering how to insert the magazine properly, not rack the slide, not flip off the safety, and not be able to deal with a failure to feed, etc.

Know the laws in your area for when you can shoot (anywhere on your property or only once a thug is inside your home?). Know the type of bullets that you can use in self defense. If you ever have to shoot in self-defense (unlikely yet possible) after the police arrive say no more than you feared for your life and that you want to speak with a lawyer, and then STFU.
 
As people have stated, a knife is a last resort weapon not an offensive one you are way to close to someone you want to be far away from. Knife fights are no fun for either side, I've been in them and I'll take a gun, any gun over a knife any day given the choice. Knives, bats etc are all easy enough to take away from an untrained individual. People don't just fall over if you stick them unless it's somewhere vital. Knife fights are over pretty fast.

No thanks on spray and tazers, With some people it just pisses them off. Under stress and adrenaline some people spray themselves instead, sounds funny but its not. A handgun and proper training and practice. My phone and bedside weapons are all in the same spot. My dogs will bark if a flea farts within 100yards, I always get up and go check if they bark at something, doesn't matter the time, just an ingrained habit. Dogs are a very large deterrent to an intruder even if they are armed.
Usually I grab the shotgun and pistol and go hunting, If I feel overly threatened with a multiple intruders scenario, I would stay put and grab an AR instead. If they are that determined to get through the bedroom door then they are getting the lower half of my AR in the form of an m203 and I will be doing some remodeling of the bedroom.

Gun, training, practice, and know your state laws.
 
Axes just don't get the love they deserve anymore....that's okay, how about dynamite? :D
 
Ok, I do wanna say this for the record real quick, if you life is in danger,

TA HELL WITH THE LOCAL LAWS!!!!!

Who cares? The only time, in any state or any territory, where you can use lethal force, is to save your life or the life of another. That's it. Can't kill'em for stealin' your car, or tv, or blend or jewelry, nothing. But you can to save your life or the life of another.

Laws be damned, you shoot to live, not to kill. Neutralize the threat to your LIFE, that's all.

That's why going roaming around looking for the guy that broke in your house is shit idea, because YOU put yourself in the path of danger, and it can be used against you in civil court, possibly in criminal court.

I'm no lawyer, but no jury is going to convict a single mom for shooting a burglar that broke into her house, and came after her in her bedroom, while she was hiding with kids.

It might be the same thing, if they find out, that she went out armed into the house, in order to either scare or kill a burglar.

Tennessee has a "no retreat" law, which means, you don't have to back down from a confrontation, other states aren't as obliging. In your home, with your life in danger, kill. Don't think of the laws, don't think of your property, think of your life and the life of your family. Kill to live. That's the best way to look at it.

Moose
 
TONS of good advice here. TONS.

Best offense is a good defense. Get a dog. And make it your best friend. It WILL protect you.

The time it will afford you (from it's barking) will make the difference.



Be prepared.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
Keep it simple.
The fastest car is a cell phone.

All stuff that sounds stupid, but ...

Like others have said, don't bring a knife to a gun fight - intruders most likely will have a gun.
Be prepared. Get a gun and ...

"Practice" - know how to use it.

Keep it simple - Close and near by.

And have a phone handy. Dial 911.

But most likely, a dog with a GREAT bark will be enough.

But, if it ain't ... Remember ... dead men tell no tales :D
 
Moose....Amen! I so agree with that statement. If you honestly think for one second I am going to think about the laws when someone is trying to hurt my kid. Get the Flippity Do Da out of here! Of course I won't go looking for trouble, but when it walks in your front door...do you think I'm going to whip out google and check what I can do? Heck no!
 
Skystorm said:
As people have stated, a knife is a last resort weapon not an offensive one you are way to close to someone you want to be far away from. Knife fights are no fun for either side, I've been in them and I'll take a gun, any gun over a knife any day given the choice. Knives, bats etc are all easy enough to take away from an untrained individual. People don't just fall over if you stick them unless it's somewhere vital. Knife fights are over pretty fast.

No thanks on spray and tazers, With some people it just pisses them off. Under stress and adrenaline some people spray themselves instead, sounds funny but its not. A handgun and proper training and practice. My phone and bedside weapons are all in the same spot. My dogs will bark if a flea farts within 100yards, I always get up and go check if they bark at something, doesn't matter the time, just an ingrained habit. Dogs are a very large deterrent to an intruder even if they are armed.
Usually I grab the shotgun and pistol and go hunting, If I feel overly threatened with a multiple intruders scenario, I would stay put and grab an AR instead. If they are that determined to get through the bedroom door then they are getting the lower half of my AR in the form of an m203 and I will be doing some remodeling of the bedroom.

Gun, training, practice, and know your state laws.
Click to expand...

I read this and all I remember is ''m203''.

are you serious??? If so I want pics lol that is Home-Defense Tony Montana style!
 
MsNaughtyIrish said:
Moose....Amen! I so agree with that statement. If you honestly think for one second I am going to think about the laws when someone is trying to hurt my kid. Get the Flippity Do Da out of here! Of course I won't go looking for trouble, but when it walks in your front door...do you think I'm going to whip out google and check what I can do? Heck no!
Click to expand...

Some folks will hesitate before the pull the slack out of the trigger on someone, in that brief moment, a thousand things run through your mind, and one of them is "Will I get in trouble?" Its also the one that most will dwell upon.

When your life is in danger, you will know it. Once you hit that level, kill. And keep at it until the threat is gone. Once its gone, take no more action, of retribution or of any kind what so ever.

Kill to live, that's what my instructors kept beating in our heads, between every volley we put downrange.

Even LEO don't have the authority to kill, without a threat to their lives, or the lives of another. They have arrest powers, and sometimes that means they have to throw someone to the pavement, to do it, but kill at will, the badge don't cover that at all.

Moose
 
"Even LEO don't have the authority to kill, without a threat to their lives, or the lives of another. They have arrest powers, and sometimes that means they have to throw someone to the pavement, to do it, but kill at will, the badge don't cover that at all."

Moose

AMEN brother
 
I don't have time to read the entire thread. I agree with the above stated advice...a knife is a poor first choice for self defense, but will suffice if it's your only choice. I wouldn't count on it alone. Distance = safety. A bat gets you further from an aggressor than a knife. A gun is prime. Handguns are good and all, but there is one thing that will one up it in a heart beat. The shotgun.

Handguns require accuracy. Accuracy requires training, familiarity, and the ability to steady your nerves. 9mm pistols are known for over penetration and lack of knock down. 38s and .380s are small and may not have enough capability to end it in one shot. .40s are great, but you still have to be accurate. .45s are a bastard to shoot for some people due to the recoil, but are a great option. A shotgun kills. Period. And it doesn't have to be a 12guage. A 20 guage youth model is a great option for someone who is not accustomed to recoil. Additionally, they are cheap, easy to maintain, and fun to shoot.

One of the main benefits of a pump action shotgun is the sound. It is loud and everyone knows what it is without hesitation. The simple sound of a shotgun racking a shell into the chamber clearly indicates that some bad crap is about to happen. The sound alone could easily change someone's mind if they were to get into your home...and yes, its loud enough to be heard throughout a house. It can also be used as a damn formidable impact weapon in a pinch.

Much like Skystorm, I check everytime my dogs bark. I keep a shotty under my bed. Its a simple Remington 870 Express pump action shotgun. I also grab my flashlight. I'm in law enforcement and a combat infantry vet...I have tons of rifles and pistols, yet I go for the old shotgun each and every time. Its reliable, its intimidating, and its beyond effective. On top of that, its more forgiving with accuracy issues since it shoots a whole bunch of bullets with each squeeze of the trigger.

In bushcraft the BK-9 may be the king. But in home and self defense, the shotgun reigns above all IMO.

On another note, statistically, you have a VERY SLIM chance of ever being confronted with an armed attacker in your home. However, if one decides to kick in the door, he'll more than likely run like hell when you rack that buckshot. Hope this helps.
 
MsNaughtyIrish,

In my post above, I was in no way stating that the laws should come before your safety and survival. There is a legal difference in many places in shooting a thug outside the house verse once inside. Yeah, it can stink. In some urban areas it can make sense. Some people are in prison because they went outside their home to confront a real or perceived threat. In my state, I've been advised not to use solid nose bullets because of the laws. That's ok. I have my revolver loaded with hollow point critical defense rounds. It will get the job done and if I miss the hp will hopefully not penetrate as deeply into my neighbor's house as would a solid nose bullet. In some places emptying an entire magazine 10-15-20 rounds into an intruder might get a home owner in some legal trouble especially if the intruder is a 14 year old. When I lived in California, we were advised to do a double-tap shooting and then pause. Too many rounds will cause a major investigation against the shooter even if they are the home owner/resident. Sometimes a prosecutor has a political or career agenda and will prosecute because of ego. Alabama is not anti-gun phobic like Chicago or NYC, and I assume (hate doing that) you'll be fine if you ever have to shoot in self-defense.
 
the problem i have with a weapon by the bed is if you don't wake up in time they can use your own weapon on you. Just saying!
 
If you're holding a bic under a stick of dynamite when the intruder comes in the room, he'll give you his money and let you rape him.
 
As far as laws go, I've lived in Texas and Louisiana my whole life. I was stationed in Texas and I'm from the Great Coon Ass State. Laws there definitely provide for self defense. At any time you reasonably and jusifiably fear for your safety or anothers, you may act in self defense. Sure, you will have to go before a grand jury, but it will get squashed as soon as they hear that you were inside your bedroom and an attacker came towards you. I go the extra mile and clear my house like an objective when I get freaked out simply because of family members living throughout the house. I'm in more fear for their safety than my own. More than once my children have seen me easing through the hall in the middle of the night with my shotgun, a pistol, and in once case, a machete. None of those instances ever amounted to anything thankfully, but I was ready and everyone was safe. I'm not sure about laws in liberal states like California or New York....there you probably are supposed to sign the title of your house over to a burglar rather than defend yourself, but in the south, you're covered. Moose has a great outlook on it. Kill to live. If its truly between you and him, send him to judgement while you figure out what color carpet you want after you clean his dead ass up :p
 
I dont understand the recommends for sub-gauge shotguns. A youth model 20G will kick about as bad as a full-size 12G because of the weight...and nothing trumps a 12G. Also, 20G buckshot is hard to find...most places dont carry it on-shelf, whereas any gunstore or walmart carries 12G slugs and buckshot year round. The only time they carry 20G slugs is during deer season.

I got rid of every shotgun I owned that aint a 12G years ago.

Kinda like in the knife world....''a big shotgun can do anything a small shotgun can, but a small shotgun cant do everything a big shotgun can''
 
I have had friends in Law Enforcement over the years, and I know there are some officers who hang out here. I was always told by my law enforcement friends to never leave someone who you had to shoot, alive to tell the tale. If you shoot to wound then they can say whatever they want when it goes to court. if you shoot to kill its your word vs....um nobody's.
 
Thrillbilly, the main reason I recommend a youth model shotty is because it is smaller in size. More females will find it easier to use than a 12 guage. I use the remington 870 express 12 guage simply because 3inch buckshot is great and it's smaller than my 26in benelli super nova duck gun. A youth 20 doesn't kick as bad...but its still got a sharp recoil.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top