blade length

G

guttercat2000

Joined
Dec 23, 1999
Messages
42
hi folks,
I was wondering what is the best blade length for a folder used strictly for
self defence? Also on defencive blade are
serrations a good idea? I have seen tactical folders with blades from 3 to 6 inches, plain and serrated.
I am trying to decide what the best combination would be for a defencive folder.
thank you dan
 
Here in California you can carry any length blade on a folder, concealed. Any and all fixed blades must be visible. I don’t carry a knife for defense purposes, but those that do tend to give out a lot of "bigger is better" advice. Jim March, who lives and works in the East Bay, is a big proponent of the Sifu, at just under 5” of steel. The best advice I have heard is to be prepared and trained to use whatever you carry for your intended purposes. And never tell a LEO that you carry “for defense”.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Ewok, I must really be losing my edge
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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Very few people carry a folder PURELY for defensive purposes. If that is REALLY all you want, I'd go with a fixed blade. A bowie or other large knife would be a consideration. If you insist on a folder, I, too, would go with the "bigger is better" theory. The Cold Steel Vaquero Grande is a big blade, at about 6 inches. The REKAT Sifu would be a good choice, too.

Serrations create wounds which are harder to fix up. Where they might REALLY shine is that they might seem a little more menacing. I don't like fighting, so in my opinion, any deterrent is a good one. This thread has been done a bazillion times, and the only way it changes is the participants.

If you want a knife which is good for things other than defense, please search for the other threads. They've all got this info. My last suggestion is to use common sense. "Does this knife have a strong lock? Am I experienced enough to know how to stab effectively, or should I go with a slashing knife?"

Good luck
Howie
 
One word...SIFU

well actually there are a few others like CS vaquero grande and if it's for defensive purposes, get serrations

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In what was destined to be a short-lived spectacle, a chicken, suspended by a baloon, floated through the Samurai bar's doorway
 
I haven't handled either one but the sifu, and the spyderco civilian both look like good choices. I know for a fact that the civilian was designed as a backup for LEO's to use. If you haven't seen it check it out. Its your basic clip it, only it has a combination recurve/hawkbill fully serrated blade designed for a nasty slashing cut that will deliver a lot of damage. That would be easier for someone looking to simply get the bad guy off and get the hell out without doing any serious fighting.It wouldn't be as necessary for hand to hand training either. And it would look pretty damned scary if you had the bussiness end pointed at you, so maybe that in it self would diffuse the situation. The sifu kind of speaks for itself too. BIG. If you want to see a picture of a sifu that will scare you, do a search on "going to court with Jim March" I'll warn you it involves vampire gerbil with his cape, so it may not be the knives that scare you
wink.gif
No offense if you read this VG, I thought your cape was cool, and I sure as hell don't want to have you mad at me
smile.gif

You might want to check out a leatherman micra too. VG has proven that it can be a devastaing self defense weapon and has a course you can take on how to use it
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I'd go with a blade length of around 4 inches if not a little shorter, in that way avoiding state knife laws and the added bulkiness of a longer blade. Plain edge would be my choice just because in my opinion in most cases a sharp plain edge knife can be just as effective as a serrated knife. You didn't ask for a specific self defense knife but I'd like to reccomend the Emerson Commander- fastest draw in the world! If not that then the Spyderco Civilian, even though it does have that serrated blade!
Sol

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"If you come to a fork in the road, take it"
 
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