Best custom for self defense?

Being a Usual Suspect, I would have to recommend one of the Emerson CQC Series...... :D

Regards,

Ed
Usual Suspect
 
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:D
 
The best knife for self defense is the one you train with and carry every day.

More people are killed every year with the common "butcher" knife found in most kitchens. Why? Because it is the one they can put their hand on when it is time to use a knife.

If you have training in a specific martial art, then there are knives that lend themselves better to their techniques than others.

As the saying goes, "What is the best knife for a knife fight, the one you have in your hand when the fight starts".
 
Sorry Ferret!!!!:D

Totally agree with Les...

A .22 in your pocket is better than the .45 ACP in your closet.
 
Some of my favorite quotes:
"NEVER take a knife to a gun fight"
"If your enemy sees you, you've made a mistake"
"The best weapon in the world is a radio with an aircraft carrier on the other end"
:)
 
Hi. I'm not ashamed to admit I carry I knife for self defense most of the time. I have a ccw permit for gun but just don't carry one as often, maybe these days I will.

Here's what goes into my choice of knife for defense: Good size blade, easy to get to, easy open, good ergonomincs, good gripping. Right now the two custom I carry like that are a Bob Lum Tanto folder and a Brian Tighe Tighe Phoon I just got. I like this one a lot because the flipper acts as a guard to effectively prevent your hand from slipping onto the blade in hard thrusting. Also, I consider defense different from fighting. My choices for a fighting knife would be different. But for casual, I hope I never have to use it bit just in case carry...these are the things that I've considered.

Not sure that maker name or brand should be the main considerations though.
 
Quiet priest,

Thank you, That is the type of reply I was hopeing for.

I understand "the best knife is the one you have in your hand when you need it" type of stuff, but I am looking to buy a good tactical folder and since I cannot make it to any shows, I need some helpful responses.
 
Hi Westflorida,

I have been looking into exactly the same thing as I am about to buy my first custom :)

I am by no means a martial arts (or even knife) "expert" but here's my criteria...

1) speed - I think speed and surprise are the greatest assets in a "tactical" knife situation...so, I would choose a knife that is fast to open (e.g. my production Commander) and close...I prefer tip-up carry but it has been said that with practice tip-up or tip-down no longer becomes an issue - also, it's quite difficult to move like a gazelle with a BIG, heavy knife like the my MOD CQD...lighter and thinner is better for speed

2) size/shape - although my production MOD CQD looks "macho" it is quite impractical for defense because it is so hard to change grip position quickly...look for something like the Crawford Wortac which was designed exactly for this purpose or something with a nice ergo grip

3) blade style - look for a blade style that matches your fighting style...do you want to slash (recurve blade) or poke (spearpoint)? I would think that it is easier for a novice (or someone acting in the heat of the moment) to slash (hence my preference for recurves)

4) blade material - clearly you'll want something that will stay sharp :) Stellite or Talonite are great because they retain their edge and they develop micro serrations as they dull

5) locking mechanism - clearly a defensive knife should have a "bulletproof" locking mechanism - I know that there are a lot of fancy locks out there but I am still a fan of a good liner (or integral) lock

I'm gunning (or should I say "knifing" :) ) for a Greg Lightfoot custom...I hope to pick one up (or at least order one) at the CKG show next week :)

RL
 
Yes, the best tactical knife is the one you have with you. But that is only half the issue and not the useful half at that. What criteria should one use in selecting a custom knife to carry when you have a self-defense role in mind for it? Maybe we can come up with a slightly more illuminating answer.

I actually agree with those who say, don't bring a knife to a gun fight, though the statement is rarely helpful. If you truly anticipate the need to use deadly force in self defense, you should probably carry a gun if legally possible, or make plans to change your life style before it gets you killed. But just assume that like me and a lot of other people, you carry a knife all the time anyway, so why not carry one that won't fall apart on you in the rare and really unexpected event that you need to use it in a self-defense situation.

The best custom folder for self defense will have a strong blade with a strong tip, and a strong pivot. It will have a strong and reliable lock, and a handle that offers a very secure grip in a variety of positions. It will be easy and fairly quick to deploy under difficult circumstances. And, yes, it should appeal to you, fit your life style, perhaps be suitable for all the little cutting chores that you will do mostly with it, so that it is with you when you need it. What the knife is made of, what it looks like, etc. are not very important, just that it is strong, quick to deploy, and easy to hold on to.

There may be a lot of knives that fit that description for you, and they may be completely different from those that fit the description for someone else, so it is a little hard to say what the best custom folder is for self defense. I personally look for knives with integral locks, rather than liner locks, because then tend to be more reliable. Other than that, anything is strong, easy to hold on to, and that you think is really cool might be the best for you.

Then again, you could always carry a damascus, liner lock, jewel studded trinket and a .45 if you truly need self defense, and your state allows you to carry a firearm.
 
Any Carson. They look great,work great,don't break and hold thier value. Hard to get much more out of a knife.

F4 around the neck with a large 4 cliped in a back pocket and a medium 16 in a front pocket.

He makes some nice stick knives also.
They are just harder to hide.

Just add water,stir and you are good to go. :)
 
I'll probably get flamed for this, but the fastest folder I have been able to get out of my pocket and open is the Benchmade AFCK. Say what you will about Benchmade's quality control and thick edges, but I have owned several of these AFCKs, and every one would flick open without any thumb assistance and still have no blade wobble. Now, if we can get them to use BG42 and grind the edges a little thinner.
 
Hi. Just an added note about getting to the blade. The Commander is a great option for speed of deployment and good overall fighting blade. A knife I like but found was slower deploying was the Al Mar SERE 2K Really like the knife but not that "tactical" because of this (at least for me: it rides deep in your pocket. I know this is one of the selling points but I found that also means you have to practically go into your pocket to get it (snug jeans?), whereas with knives that stick out a little you can find your knife and grab it at the edge of your pocket without that extra second of digging into the pocket and struggle to get enough of a grip to pull it out, then snap it open. Now a plus for the SERE is it's handle (G 10) grips well and the shape offers direction and a little protection from sliding up onto the knife.

Also sometimes the clip is a giveaway that could use some attention, perhaps being smaller or more subdued. I have at least one custom that while ok is too shiny, fileworked clip is too large and attractive even, for me to consider a tactical defense knife, but thats just my opinion.

For some not too esoteric knife fighting and defense knowledge I'd recommend W. Hock Hockheim's Encyclopedia of Knifefighting and videos. check out www.hockscqc.com
 
The question is about the best "custom" folder for self defense...

Let's please not venture into Benchmades, Al Mar or other factory offerings and muddy up the thread.

(Glad I don't have to pick which one of my custom folders is best. That's why I carry a Glock. ;))
 
Dont ya just hate it when Les is right? Sorry, I cant believe my dumbass didnt read the topic.
 
Agree with what Les & others said. My choice for self defense would be:

Darrel Ralph "Gibbs" (super-size Mad Maxx) - 7" of cold razor-sharp steel in either dagger or spear-point. Super solid integral lock-up, thick Ti handles, flipper for fast opening & integral guard, built like a tank, surpisingly light & quick handling, works with any grip. When it comes to self-defense which side would you rather be on? Holding 7" of razor-sharp blade or facing 7" of razor-sharp steel - plus if you whip out 7 inches your problem may go away! :D :D

Other choices slightly less imposing: Ralph Mad Maxx or Scorpion, Mayo 5" TNT, Carson BAK.

When its my a$$ on the line I believe "SIZE DOES COUNT!".

Bill
 
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