Best self-defense folder?

[jill jackson]

cold steel scimitar... i really think you can get plenty of grip on this handle even though it is stainless steel

That handle is zytel.

 

[tirod3]

Waves are fast - if you wear pants with horizontal pockets, like jeans. Vertical slack pockets, not so much. Holes work - if your thumb fits. Some oval holes work better than round, some like crescent tear drop ones. Thumb studs might be nice or an abomination, like the first Gen Vapor. Discs may be better or worse.

What is reliable is that insisting on one type of opening, lock, tip up or down, clip, or place to carry will not work for another - so recommendations aren't worth the pixels they're displayed on.

That's the biggest fault of SD knife recommendations. What works for YOU may not work for someone else, and expert recommendations are few and far between. Unlike responses.

 

[pilote]

YOU MUST BE 100% FEARLESS!
WARRIOR LIFESTYLE!

:jerkit:

no, i'm just a regular guy...but the soulless gangbangers i've known are.

now go back to playing with your knives Internet Commando...

 

[UpChUcK]

I'll add my 'non-expert' recommendation and say get a CCW if you can (Im working on it) and if not, any folder that you can reliable deploy quickly, is pointy and sharp will work well. Leaves it open for you to fill in the blanks in terms of your needs (Wave opening, Assisted Opening, thumb hole, stud, etc.). But even better is using common sense and having situational awareness and try not to put yourself in compromising situations.

I'll tell you what I carry though and if I need to use a knife quickly for SD, then it will be my EDC knife which is mostly a Kershaw Skyline. I have many more in my EDC rotation too all around the same size and would use those if needed. IF I had time to reach into my backpack, I have 2 options in there - my Zero Tolerance ZT0300 and my CRKT Nissatsu Folder. But whatever knife I use will be effective against a soft human target. Again, I doubt I'll be knife fighting Matrix-style for an extended time. So whatever will neutralize or disable my attacker so I can get the hell outta Dodge is what I'm gonna use and most likely it may be something big and blunt like a 2x4, tree branch or chair if available before my knife. Once I get my CCW, THAT will be my primary defensive tool along with the training I'll have taken.

 

[spiralarchitect]

SD and folding knives don't mix well. Most others have already said it, so, I won't dwell. I will note that almost no-one is going to be trained in knife fighting...esp. with a folding knife. Therefore, your best option is a Spyderco Civilian. It is the "point and shoot" of the knife world..... Plus it it just fricking scarry looking I would also recommend a Wave mod and tip up carry mod on a Civilian if you are looking for the biggest, fastest and scariest SD knife. Further, I would recommend staying out of bad neighborhoods at night, buying a good, bright, pocketable flashlight, possibly some pepper spray, a good loud whistle for your keychain and if all else fails.......hope you remembered to lace up your shoes tight..... 'cause RUNNING is about always the best option, preferably while toot...toot... tootin on that good loud whistle

Remember, it ain't about being cool. It's about staying alive :thumbup:

 

[MikeC]

Are we being serious here, I ran with a fairly rough bunch during my younger years, had three friends in Angola (Louisiana State Penitentiary) by the time I was 23 and by the time I was 30 had very one close friend that got sent to Super Max in Colorado.

Been in the presence of some serious individuals and rode shotgun or played guardian angel on more than several occasions. Unless you know what the hell you are doing, or in 100% absolute fear for your life or the life of a loved one you need to run. As someone said earlier if you pull it you better have 100% confidence and above all RUTHLESSNESS. Killing someone close up and personal where you can see their face when you stick that knife in them is VERY SERIOUS BUSINESS. Guns allow you some disconnect, knives will not, you are going to be face to face.

Someone earlier had also wrote about not even considering it unless you buy a knife for that purpose and receive proper training on how to use it, I could not agree more. All the training in the world though cannot make you ruthless. You pull that knife you had better damn well be ready to take it the whole 9, I just don't think we think about these kinds of things in the proper context. Some of the guys in our crew were ball players in college I'm talking about guys that were 6+ and 250 solid, wired out 24/7 on coke, roids, and anything else that wasn't bolted down or painted. These people were freaks, mentally and physically.

For the record I say use your head, watch your surroundings unless your really paying attention and assuming the worst you have no idea whats going on around you, even in a place where you may feel safe. We used to deal with a guy out of New Orleans that my friends had met in Angola that wouldnt' do a deal unless it was the local Wal-Mart Parking Lot or the parking lot at the Shopping Center where the Chuckee Cheese was at because of all the people. So you just never know, trust me, you just never know. My wife now is always like your so paranoid and always looking at the worst in people, true some of that is from the dumb, dumb dust but some it is the result of the education I got during my twenties. For the record most of the maniacs carried knives but they all carried guns, at their homes, in their vehicles and on their person, guns were everywhere. You don't want to be the guy that brings a knife to a gun fight and I can assure if the shooting starts your not going to start looking for your knife at least if your smart you won't.

 

[thejamppa]

MikeC is very correct. Even with skill and weapon, you still might be petrified. And if you carry weapon be damn sure that when you pull that thing out, you will have guts to use it. When you take out weapon, it will be kill or die situation.

Aslong your not acting threatning way maximises your changes of surviving. No watch, no money, no ring, no posession you have is worth of dying for. Most cases peoples who rob you don't plan to hurt you but if you pull out knife who knows what those whackjobs do...

if you want to carry something for selfdefense, I suggest anti-robber horn or similar which you can activate and causes huge noise. You pull knife tazer or such and you become immediately a threat.

Even I personally got training to kill person in army, I am not sure if I am ruthless enough simply to kill someone just like that or that I would not petrify if someone suddenly pulls out a weapon at me.

I am sure someone who has not got military training of any kind has even greater change of being petrify when someone pulls weapon at you.

Just obey and give what they want. Most cases they just want money and anything they can pawn. Its not worth of getting killed.

And if you plan to resist and get that knife: For crying out loud, go immediately get even some sort of basic training nearest dojo or similar.

If you pull knife there are following results:
a) you die
b) you get injured.
c) you win but kill that person. Result psychic trauma haunting you rest of your life.
d) you will win but kill that person. You get convicted from that. Man slaughter or using excessive force...
e) mugger gets injured (everyone knows wounded animal is the most dangerous)

I really see no point resisting a knife guy unless I am at least 6 feet away and I have pistol with me...

 

[jill jackson]

I carry a pistol at all times and a folder. (I like knives what can I say)
Just got this one in the mail today and it's solid and has a great grip, with a nice blade too (very sharp). A bit heavy at over 7oz. but it's a nice one, IMO.

 

[pilote]

Are we being serious here, I ran with a fairly rough bunch during my younger years, had three friends in Angola (Louisiana State Penitentiary) by the time I was 23 and by the time I was 30 had very one close friend that got sent to Super Max in Colorado.

Been in the presence of some serious individuals and rode shotgun or played guardian angel on more than several occasions. Unless you know what the hell you are doing, or in 100% absolute fear for your life or the life of a loved one you need to run. As someone said earlier if you pull it you better have 100% confidence and above all RUTHLESSNESS. Killing someone close up and personal where you can see their face when you stick that knife in them is VERY SERIOUS BUSINESS. Guns allow you some disconnect, knives will not, you are going to be face to face.

Someone earlier had also wrote about not even considering it unless you buy a knife for that purpose and receive proper training on how to use it, I could not agree more. All the training in the world though cannot make you ruthless. You pull that knife you had better damn well be ready to take it the whole 9, I just don't think we think about these kinds of things in the proper context. Some of the guys in our crew were ball players in college I'm talking about guys that were 6+ and 250 solid, wired out 24/7 on coke, roids, and anything else that wasn't bolted down or painted. These people were freaks, mentally and physically.

For the record I say use your head, watch your surroundings unless your really paying attention and assuming the worst you have no idea whats going on around you, even in a place where you may feel safe. We used to deal with a guy out of New Orleans that my friends had met in Angola that wouldnt' do a deal unless it was the local Wal-Mart Parking Lot or the parking lot at the Shopping Center where the Chuckee Cheese was at because of all the people. So you just never know, trust me, you just never know. My wife now is always like your so paranoid and always looking at the worst in people, true some of that is from the dumb, dumb dust but some it is the result of the education I got during my twenties. For the record most of the maniacs carried knives but they all carried guns, at their homes, in their vehicles and on their person, guns were everywhere. You don't want to be the guy that brings a knife to a gun fight and I can assure if the shooting starts your not going to start looking for your knife at least if your smart you won't.

Thank you. You laid it out more eloquent than I could.

 

[OzarkCDN]

Some of the guys in our crew were ball players in college I'm talking about guys that were 6+ and 250 solid, wired out 24/7 on coke, roids, and anything else that wasn't bolted down or painted. These people were freaks, mentally and physically..

Great post - I'd just like to add, that I hope someone wouldn't get an artificial sense of confidence just because they had a self defense folder and once you pull it, then you're committed to escalation by using deadly force. My uncle is a retired police officer and told us stories about little 140 pound Jamacians on crack that would chuck the officers in the air one after the other, two at a time. He and his buddies look like the US marshal type - arms like tree trunks and 250+ each. That's enough for me to know I'm going to chuck my wallet and run! Of course, God forbid that I'm with my family.. but hopefully 20 years of fighting experience helps you to avoid getting into areas that you don't need to be in and that you don't have a way out.

 

[MikeC]

I posted to try and enlightened people about whats out there, I ran real hard from my late teens until my late 20's and stayed on the fringe until about 30. What amazed me was the people I met that you would have thought were clean as a whistle and were involed in all kinds of crap up their eye balls and the overall goings on in general. At the time I enjoyed it and lived that lifestyle to the fullest, now I regret it, have health problems because of it and am cynical in general. Howver, I'm not naive about whats going on in very large volume throughout our society in general. If most people knew the nature and scope of what was reallly going on all around them they probably wouldn't leave their house.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Cold Steel AK-47. Don't have a CCW and think a strong, sharp, waved folder with an extra grippy handle is a key part of SD due to it's concealability and portability, it becomes a part of you, like an animal has a claw and if always carried all the better, then you always have a claw, you know where it is and how to quickly deploy...'No gun' scenario and can you always carry pepper spray? although I also recommend it for SD, [have used it]. A good source of preparation is _Meditations On Violence_ Rory Miller. Bruce Lee had some good advice. I have a Wilson Tactical coming in the mail, it may replace the CS as claw.

Edit: AK-47 has an impact device built into the end of the handle / also recommend the Gerber Applegate/Fairbairn which I have also owned but in modified waved form.

 

[Buffalohump]

Rant ON

If I had a dime for every time someone posted this question here I could retire tomorrow.....

And the answers are always the same:

1) The best knife is the one you have on you.
2) Knives arent worth dick as a self-defence weapon
3) Its no good unless you train with it every day
4) Don't buy a knife, buy a gun.... (and train with it every day)

For crap's sake doesn't anyone EVER use the search function here???

Rant OFF

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Rant ON

If I had a dime for every time someone posted this question here I could retire tomorrow.....

And the answers are always the same:

1) The best knife is the one you have on you.
2) Knives arent worth dick as a self-defence weapon
3) Its no good unless you train with it every day
4) Don't buy a knife, buy a gun.... (and train with it every day)

For crap's sake doesn't anyone EVER use the search function here???

Rant OFF

:jerkit:



Buy a good knife and a gun .

 

[halromberg]

Emerson CQC-8 , Benchmade Skirmish 630, Spyderco Militray, ZT 200 off the top of my head. There are many, many more offerings from these companies (and more) but that was a quick jab at it, no pun intended.

A 1911 works best though

But he said folder. I gotta go with a Mossberg 500 Defender. Folding stock qualifies it.

 

[Stringer69]

Knives arent worth dick as a self-defence weapon

You're using them wrong.

For crap's sake doesn't anyone EVER use the search function here???

There isn't one on my screen. Could care less what yours looks like. :yawn:

 

[TheCarbideRat]

As a historical sidenote, the Chinese Boxers of Boxer Rebellion fame, although eventually overwhelmed were a fearsome force, contending with sword, poleaxe, hammer, etc vs. firearms.

Do I bring a sword to a gunfight? nope, just sayin.

 

[mdauben]

If I had a dime for every time someone posted this question here I could retire tomorrow.....

I have always wondered why people who are so annoyed by repetative newbie posts like this, still feel compelled to respond anyway.

1) The best knife is the one you have on you.

True! Some knife designs might offer some moderate benefit for SD purposes combined with certain fighting styles, but almost any knife will work, as long as it is sharp.

2) Knives arent worth dick as a self-defence weapon

You know, I think the "experts" who keep promoting this misconseption are doing the newbies amoung us a disservice. Is a knife the best SD tool? No! Will a knife magically keep you safe from harm? No! Is it better than no weapon at all? HELL YES!

An unarmed person untrained in MA is going to be helpless against multiple opponents, or even single opponents who are bigger, stronger or even just more aggressive. Put a knife in their hands and a 12 year old girl can kill the biggest 'banger in the hood. Potentially. Sure, without training and the will to use it, it probably won't happen, but bringing out a blade can off-set a lot of physical advantages.

3) Its no good unless you train with it every day

I don't know about "no good" and "every day" but the more you train, the better off you will be.

4) Don't buy a knife, buy a gun.... (and train with it every day)

Some people can't afford a gun, but can afford a knife. Some people live in places were they can't carry a gun but they can carry a knife, or in some places they can't even own a gun but can own a knife. Certainly I would recommend training and a gun over training and a knife, but the knife offers options where the gun can't be used for whatever reason.

So, avoiding the sitation in the first place is aways the best option, and running away when confronted is a close second. However, neither of these are always possible.

When you are confronted with a life-threatening situation and can't run, a handgun would certainly be my first choice, but if that wasn't available I contend that a knife is better than bare handed, with or without training.

 

[bekylane]

This reminds me of an episode of Black Lagoon (an anime series).

The protagonist is a Chinese gunwoman named Revy. In one episode she is confronted by a huge guy who starts to brag about his powerful gun(a giant .45 luger pistol) and how he is the only man capable of taming it . While he brags about the gun Revy shoots him with her Beretta 92 and tells him: "If you can hit your target, pretty much any gun will do."

Same for knives, if it can cut and you know how to use it it will work for SD.

I personally would only consider using a knife as last resort for SD. Being properly trained in some MBC is a must in this case.

 

[J_Curd]

Therefore, your best option is a Spyderco Civilian. It is the "point and shoot" of the knife world..... Plus it it just fricking scarry looking I would also recommend a Wave mod and tip up carry mod on a Civilian if you are looking for the biggest, fastest and scariest SD knife.

A very cheap alternative is the wave modded Crossbill I mentioned earlier...