Alright people I joined to ask this question, Help a girl out

A

ajri

Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
27
I've been looking around this forum for awhile as I've always like knives and am interested in learning about them. Plus some of the post here are hilarious. But i'm posting because I was looking for a knife for self defense and I would really appreciate more experienced feedback. Uhm I guess some info would help.

I'm a 22 year old female and I'm comfortable with knives (Dad bought me a Swiss Army floder when I was 11) but I haven't had one in 3 years and don't know a great deal about a lot of the brands. But I live on a fairly shady street and lately some incidents have got me thinking about self defense. I know awareness of where I am and SD classes are important but I'd also like to have a blade. Plus I just like folders:)

Looking for a folding knife small/thin enough that I can actually carry this on me. So prolly smaller thean 3 inches. I'll get mace for my purse, but I'm looking for a knife I can carry wearing the typical tighter college girl jeans without it being noticeable. That way I wont have to worry about carrying a purse everywhere.

Budget is around a 100$ and the only brand I really know anything about is Spyderco. So any recs for there knives along with other brand suggestions would be appreciated. Jesus this is a long post thanks in advance for reading this.
 
hi ajri, welcome to the forums. what state do you live in? knowing local carry laws would help narrow the choices. pepper spray is always a good option.

i know california laws pretty well, so if you live in ca, especially in los angeles, i can help you decide.
 
Hey There..

Welcome..
Cool another Chick Knife Nutt!!

My honest suggestion would be a Waved Spyderco Delica 4..

The knife simply needs to be pulled from a pocket,,and it pops open and is Locked, Cocked and ready to Rock!

Simply the fastest folder made...

For around $50US,, you've got some wiggle room,,and may be able to buy another knife as well...

Check it out,, it fits your criteria and I think you'll really like it..

Besides it's Way F-ing cool..:)

Enjoy your stay,,and participate..These are some of the Best people in the world here..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Thanks for offering to help, I'm a originally from the LA, but right now I'm attending school in northern California.
 
Ohh one more thing, basic everyday stuff and possible self defense (though I hope it never comes to that) Serrated? or Plain Edge? I've read some of the threads on that debate. It made my head hurt:o
 
ok, still in ca. since you are an adult any folder, as long as carried closed and concealed, ie in a pocket, should be fine. caveat being if asked by an officer you carry it as a tool, not a weapon. depending on circumstances admitting it is a weapon could land you in jail.

so, you use it to open mail, trim your fingernails, cut yourself out of a seatbelt when trapped, whatever.

now for 100.00 your options are pretty limitless. i would look at the spyderco like mentioned above, or kershaws. both are very easy to use.

and im sure it goes without saying that carrying a weapon without training with it is not wise, it is likely to be turned on you. ill assume you have considered this in all its aspects.

also check local municipal laws regarding knife carry where you are. they are often times more restrictive than state penal codes.

mark
 
ajri said:
Ohh one more thing, basic everyday stuff and possible self defense (though I hope it never comes to that) Serrated? or Plain Edge? I've read some of the threads on that debate. It made my head hurt:o
Click to expand...

i like partially serrated blades, i find they are better at mudane everyday tasks than plain edges. basically it comes down to preference, one isnt better than the other.
 
Normally, I have little use for the wave feature, simply because self defense is not a factor in knife selection for me. For a dedicated SD knife, I think it has merit, although most knife training seems to recommend 2 hand, gross motor function opening of any folder. That is simply because in a situation where the SD knife is really needed, your system is going to be full of adrenaline, and fine motor control is a primary casualty of that condition. The Spyderco waves are much larger than the Emerson wave, which I found to be a tad unreliable for me. I have no first hand experience with the Spydie wave, but from the reports of others, it is far more reliable.

Don't let anyone tell you the Delica is too small for SD. In the right hands, is is a devastating weapon. Get one or two, and train with them.

Good luck and stay safe :D
 
Hey Guys....

ajri...

I suggest plain edge,, but fully serrated blades do cut like hell!!!

Mori...

I don't mean to be critical,, however lets not confuse "pocket carry" with "concealed carry"..

Pocket carry as far as I'm concerned isn't "concealed carry"

Concealing means Intending to hide...

Same as if a sheath knife is covered by a jacket..
It's not concealed unless it's Intended to be hidden from view...

Now if the same knife,, folder or fixed blade is tucked IWB,, then it becomes Concealed...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys....

ajri...

I suggest plain edge,, but fully serrated blades do cut like hell!!!

Mori...

I don't mean to be critical,, however lets not confuse "pocket carry" with "concealed carry"..

Pocket carry as far as I'm concerned isn't "concealed carry"

Concealing means Intending to hide...

Same as if a sheath knife is covered by a jacket..
It's not concealed unless it's Intended to be hidden from view...

Now if the same knife,, folder or fixed blade is tucked IWB,, then it becomes Concealed...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
Click to expand...

i did not intend to show intent of the user. only using verbage as used in the penal code. i am not aware of any distinction between 'pocket' carry and 'concealed' carry within the meaning of the laws.

a sheath worn from a belt containing a fixed blade must be visible per the penal code section. you or i may not have 'intent' in concealing with a jacket, but if it is covered, it is concealed nonetheless.
 
I say a waved delica is a good choice, and I would also get some pepper spray. Pepper spray has a much longer reach and less deadly consequences. Can work on non-human attackers as well.
 
Hey Guys...

Yablanowitz...

I agree for the most part of your post..
The Delica is a perfect knife for SD..
It is Easily controlled, long enough to do the job,, and yes the Wave on the Sydercos are Far superior to the wave on the Emersons...

however what I don't agree with is the Gross/Fine motor skills..

As far as I'm concerned,, and I'm certainly Not an expert, is that the Waved knife,, when using the Wave is more Gross motor skill than Fine motor skill..

Fine motor skill would come into play by removing the knife from the pocket, and thumbing it open. Whereas simply Drawing the knife from the pocket and Exploiting the Wave feature would be more Gross motor skill, as the entire process is done almost for you, Granted you draw correctly...

Under certain circumstances(someone on top of you, or face down on the ground) using the Wave feature would certainly be more difficult,, but then again the knife can still be drawn and opened manually...

If somethingl ike this happened,, you've already allowed the situation to get out of control and you could be in a world of hurt...

The Wave feature on the Spyderco,,in my opinion is still the slickest,, and absolute fastest way to draw and get full purchase on the knife short of carrying a fixed blade.

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
normark i agree with you here. the wave seems to have been designed by ernie to account for the loss of fine motor skills. just grab hold and yank it out!
ive handled the spyderco version, very well made and unbeatable for the money.

ajri, how bad is your head hurting now?:D
 
didnt realize that such a simple sounding question would open the pandora's box did you?:thumbup:
 
Hey Guys..

Mori...

I'm not a lawyer or anything,, but I thought it was "Intent"

Here in Canada quite possible it is different in the US,, but concealed can refer to "Intent".

Just because I'm wearing a sheath knife, and throw on a jacket because it's cold and the knife happens to not be seen,, I guess under the letter of the law it would be regarded as concealed,, but I doubt you'd be charged for it...

If thats so I'm breaking the law come October,, right up until about april or May....

With that reasoning and I'm not saying you are wrong.. You are probably Quite correct.. A folder carried clipped Inside a pocket Would be considered Concealed... All of us then are carrying Concealed folders...

I don't regard a folder carried in a pocket Concealed,, not do I a fixed blade under a jacket...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Hey Mori...

LOL..
A simple question Eh !!

Easily gets F-ed up on so many different levels...

Sorry for Threadjacking you..:)

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys..

Mori...

I'm not a lawyer or anything,, but I thought it was "Intent"

Here in Canada quite possible it is different in the US,, but concealed can refer to "Intent".

Just because I'm wearing a sheath knife, and throw on a jacket because it's cold and the knife happens to not be seeing,, I guess under the letter of the law it would be regarded as concealed,, but I doubt you'd be charged for it...

If thats so I'm breaking the law come October,, right up until about april or May....

With that reasoning and I'm not saying you are wrong.. You are probably Quite correct.. A folder carried clipped Inside a pocket Would be considered Concealed... All of us then are carrying Concealed folders...

I don't regard a folder carried in a pocket Concealed,, not do I a fixed blade under a jacket...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
Click to expand...

yes, the word 'concealed' does not in and of itself imply intent. simply refers to unseen. intent normally plays a large part in arrest/dont arrest. again, keep in mind this is the penal code of the independent republic of california.

your interpretation of a law is not nearly as important as an officer's, or a judges. one could make any number of arguments to an officer or in court, but their discretion is key.

canadian law may very well make the distiction between concealed and pocket carry, i am not at all familiar with your laws.

sometimes its intent, sometimes it is circumstances, sometimes both. no rule to cover all scenarios.

mark
 
Hey you guys are given me something to think about at least. Which is far better than when I went to the only knife store in the area to just handle a few pieces (of course it was in a mall). The sales guy attempted to hit on me for the first 10 minutes then proceeded to hand me a Spyderco ladybug while trying to show my completely pacifist guy friend these really cool throwing knives. I would have been pissed if it wasn't so funny.
 
I know this may not be what you want to hear, but carrying a knife for self defense is dumb, especially if you are not trained in the use of a knife as a weapon. If you are close enough to use a knife then the situation has probably escalated to a point where a knife will not help. I would just keep pepper spray close at hand and forget about carrying a knife for self defense. If you do decide to carry a knife use it as a tool and not a weapon. With that being said I would say a waved delica is your best bet. followed by a close second with a Kershaw assisted opener.
 
Hey Mori...

I agree with you 110%...

I'm sure that theres been some over zelous cops who've charge people with SAKS...

It's all depending on circumstance....

Here in Canada there is no legal length you can carry....

Depending on where you are at the time,, it may still get you into trouble...

I wouldn't carry a large fixed blade into the Eaton's center in downtown Toronto,, but out here in the sticks I pretty much carry what I want,, when I want...

to a certain degree....

We black bear hunt in a Central Ont tourist trap town...
Pretty much raise some eyebrows walking into the local diner for Breaky strapped with some 7"-9" blades.. :)

I LOVE that shock factor..
Full Camo,, Rubber boots the whole ball of wax....

Ahh Crap,, there goes the thread again..

sorry..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
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