Best knife for me?? Suggestions please.

D

Dinus

Joined
Mar 19, 2005
Messages
7
I do not know the knife laws in my area [Philadelphia], however for defense many people have recommended a folder. Here are some things I am looking for in a knife and maybe some people can think of a knife for me or other factors to consider.

-Fairly light and flat design, basically nothing to bulky to clip inside my pocket (4" ok).
-I am a lefty and carry my knife tip up (in folded position). So ambi open/clip.
-Our weather varies to depending on part of the year, an attacker could be wearing a coat or a tshirt, so:
-Do plain blades ever have problems slashing through clothing?
-Do serrated blades offer much more resistance in stabbing or thrusting through clothing?

Those are the only requirements I can think of, any suggestions anyone? What do you carry for defense?

Dinus
 
Thats great advice. As much as I dislike running I know that is plan A. What I am really looking for is plan B. Hand to hand I have no problem however, in my area there are a number of weapons I can carry if I am in a really high crime area and I have no intention of worrying about legality. I would simply get a CCW permit but I am not a PA resident yet and my college prohibits guns anyway. I can get away with a knife on campus so I thought its a good idea as PLAN B. Right now I carry a SPyderco Endura and wondered if anyone else had any preferences that matched some of those criteria, I am especially interested in how well a blade performs on someone in cold weatehr attire. Thanks again for the great advice and any other input on knives, or how to aviod conflict in this case, is welcome.

(what does everyone else carry if they carry for denfense?)
 
Dinus said:

(what does everyone else carry if they carry for denfense?)
Click to expand...

I carry a Spyderco Merlin, fully serrated. If you're not familiar it's a hawkbill style blade, not exactly the best for self defence, but it was within my price range. I also carry an Aluminum Kobutan, it's an impact weapon. I'm also thinking of ordering a Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife, which is a nice fixed blade, small, easy to hide, etc...

Then again I also carry a Benchmade Mini-Pika, Kershaw Leek, Spyderco Calypso Jr., and 2 SAKs. I don't really think of any of these when I think of self defence though. Actually when I think of self defence I think of brains, give up the wallet and watch, talk your way out if possible.

I also keep a 3 D-cell Maglite in my truck. The light comes in handy and it's heavy and long enough to use as a nice baton. Father was a cop, guess I learned that one from him.
 
I myself carry a SOG Flash 1, partly serrated. I like the way it is quick to get to because it is assisted opening. I would highly reccommend it; I have found it very durable.
 
Dinus, welcome to Bladeforums! :)

You're off to a good start. I'm not real happy with the idea of a knife as a defensive weapon, but then, I walk with a cane, and I can do a lot more controlled damage with a cane than most people could with a knife.

Still, if you want a knife as a last-ditch self-defense weapon, I recommend you find one that will serve as a regular EDC, a daily carry and use knife that you will 1) always have with you, and 2) will become very familiar with, and be able to reach for and use without thinking.

You've got that Endura already, plain edge or serrated, it's a big, strong folder that can do a lot of quick damage to an attacker.

If you like it, go ahead and get another, so you'll have a back-up in case it gets worn or damaged. Or get a Delica, basically the same knife and the same handling characteristics but slightly smaller, for times when the Endura might not be appropriate. Get a tiny knife, too, a small utility SAK so you don't have to show your self-defense knife to too many people.
 
ive got a benchmade 806 axis lock AFCK (advanced folding combar knife)d2 blade, g10 scales, bronze washers, hardened steel liners, axis lock, and a 4 position clip just to name a few features.

it was designed by a former navy seal, every thing about the knife is made for killing from the design of the spyder hole for index finger opens for a faster regrip to the shape of the handle and blade that puts all the force of a stabing blow in to the edge of the blade so that your hand wont slip on to the blade while the handle is bloody.

its also good for opening boxes :D
 
Thats more great advice, its good to know what some other people recommend aside from people I train with (jiujitsu). The Endura I have is great though it is fully serrated and I am not sure how that cuts compaired to a plain or combo blade. I could see that not cutting too cleanly or hanging up. It seems to be better at cutting heavy material for everyday stuff. Anyone else out there have feeling on the (prolly beaten to death subject of) serrated vs. plain. I also like the looks of the spyderco chinookII. It may be down to that, the endura, or some of the other previously mentioned in this thread. I will definatly look into some of the suggestions here. thanks again, feel free to keep them comming.

Dinus
 
If your Looking for self-defense consider the Plain edge knives...The serrated models are more for heavy duty cutting tasks...the Spyderco Chinook II PE is an awesome fighter and meets your requirements...Doc
 
Thanks, the chinook and afck are both looking good and a plain edged endura might be my more economic alternative, anyone else want to speak their minds?

Dinus
 
As long as we're talking about Spyderco, keep in mind the Chinook, Chinook II, and the Manix are all big and very heavy knives and very effective at ... destructive activities.

Another big knife that's lighter but an amazing cutter is the Military and a much smaller but also effective Spydie is the Native -- I like the Native III best, but they're all good.
 
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