Carry question

filedog

filedog

Joined
Sep 3, 2002
Messages
518
I've learned a LOT form this forum, recently got a BM 551. REALLY nice, sharp as hell, and easy to open. I carry a knife for a lot of reasons, but one is last ditch defense. I own several knives, and I notice that when I carry only one for a day, and practice with it, I get pretty quick to draw and open. If I vary them, I kind of "pause" for a moment when I draw, remebering how to open the knife.
Now, there's a lot of cool useful folding knives out there, but lately I'm thinking of just settling on one type, one that's easiest to deploy(tip up, axis lock for example).
I know many of you favor multiple blades, but for my EDC I prefer 1 knife. It seems when I get closer to 4" blades they're a bit too large for me to comfortably carry, 3.5" seems about right, not too large for the pocket, but big enought to be useful for defense. Anybody else share this view?
 
'Comfortable carry' and 'useful for defense' are compromises that are very personal judgements.

My own compromises militate toward the 4"-bladed Spyderco Military or Benchmade 806, but if my emphasis shifted more to a 'useful for defense' folder, something like the Camillus Cuda Max would be on my 'next knife' list.
 
"It seems when I get closer to 4" blades they're a bit too large for me to comfortably carry, 3.5" seems about right, not too large for the pocket, but big enough to be useful for defense. Anybody else share this view?".

Not me...In fact, I WISH that my Al Mar SERE 2000 had a 5 inch blade, as well as the Benchmade 710 (that I should be receiving tomorrow from a recent trade). I also don't really have a problem with "too big", even when carrying my 6 inch-bladed Cold Steel Vaquero Grande!
 
I think that if someone carries a knife with the intention of deploying it as a defensive weapon, it is wise to consider the advice I received from an instructor I conferred with:

Imagine the knife in question being waved around in front of a jury by a particularly-adept attorney, painting you to be some sort of malicious freak or wannabe-Rambo.

Does the knife make the situation above worse, or at best, does the knife seem to NOT support that argument. The old "Tactical-disemboweler" model used to legitimately defend yourself can be supported by facts, but you play hell getting to the point of a jury HEARING your side, while they're scared by the sight of the knife.

I carry knives which don't scream "tactical" (although I own them, and in the past have carried them).

One more opinion...:yawn:
 
Originally posted by Hawkbill
I think that if someone carries a knife with the intention of deploying it as a defensive weapon, it is wise to consider the advice I received from an instructor I conferred with:

Imagine the knife in question being waved around in front of a jury by a particularly-adept attorney, painting you to be some sort of malicious freak or wannabe-Rambo.

Does the knife make the situation above worse, or at best, does the knife seem to NOT support that argument. The old "Tactical-disemboweler" model used to legitimately defend yourself can be supported by facts, but you play hell getting to the point of a jury HEARING your side, while they're scared by the sight of the knife.

I carry knives which don't scream "tactical" (although I own them, and in the past have carried them).

One more opinion...:yawn:
Click to expand...
HOWEVER, the first order of business is to make it through the deadly encounter alive, and I feel that I have a slightly better chance of doing that with a "longer" blade. (Besides, I have a VERY good lawyer friend who will stand by me in court.).
 
Hawkbill makes a very valid point. To prosecutors, injuring another person is almost as serious as smoking with regard to political-correctness.

The Cudas, for example, have 'guards' which clearly imply 'fighting knife' and one model has a stiletto blade which is obviously not an optimum blade style for whittling. Establishing that the knife is a 'fighter' style is simply a matter of expert testimony from a polieman or instructor.

This leads to arguing your bad 'intent', simply by carrying a non-PC blade style.

There are effective defense lawyers, but there are also effective prosecutors.

Knives are not PC. Prosecutors who seek political advancement recognize that winning PC-issue cases advances there career prospects. Expect their maximum effort against you.
 
The idea of using knives for self-defense is complicated and contentious. Agreeing that it's not a bad idea to be prepared though, I also agree that you are best off having one regular knife for utility and defense that you are really comfortable and familiar with. At least if you switch knives, try to keep to a basic size and pattern. You might want to get a mini-Griptilian for those times you could carry a smaller knife but don't want something totally unfamiliar.
 
I could see how frequently switching between liner and Axis locks might cause a moment of uncertainty in a stressful situation...or tip up/tip down for that matter.
If you are legally carrying the knife you use to defend yourself, and you are employing it against a physical attack that you reasonably believe will cause your death or grave bodily injury, then it doesn't matter what the knife looks like. The judge or jury will determine if your belief was reasonable based upon the circumstances. Massad Ayoob has an incredibly informative book about when the use of lethal force is, and is not, reasonable/justified. Highly recommended reading for all who carry a weapon (a knife carried as a tool and used as a weapon is a weapon) and may someday be faced with using it as such.
 
Originally posted by selfinflicted
If you are legally carrying the knife you use to defend yourself, and you are employing it against a physical attack that you reasonably believe will cause your death or grave bodily injury, then it doesn't matter what the knife looks like. The judge or jury will determine if your belief was reasonable based upon the circumstances. Massad Ayoob has an incredibly informative book about when the use of lethal force is, and is not, reasonable/justified. Highly recommended reading for all who carry a weapon (a knife carried as a tool and used as a weapon is a weapon) and may someday be faced with using it as such.
Click to expand...
Amen. Plus, carrying a substantial knife somehow feels right, it taps into an ancient need that long predates civilization and its laws. For some reason it's fun to carry a decent-sized knife. Doesn't mean you want to use it against anyone. I guess if you have to explain it, it's not worth explaining. I'm allergic to tiny knives.
 
I've got big hands... I can make a 3" knife disappear. I can fully palm my spydie dragonfly. My custom probably looks overbuilt to most ppl, fits my hand well enough.

I CAN use small knives, but the 4"+ range works better for me. I'd love my spydie military to have a 5"+ blade on it. The temp could have a 6"+...
 
My SERE 2k goes everywhere with me. It would be better than nothing if I needed to defend myself, which I don't plan on having to do, but it's always a possibility, sadly. However, the SERE, at ~3.5 inches, is almost a little "too big" for polite company; I wouldn't yank it out on a street corner to open an envelope for instance, even here in Texas.

I've got a mini-grip 556 on the way for a more "society-friendly" tool, but the SERE will always have a place in my pocket for the "big work," and making the occasional sandwich.
 
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