Defense Driven Advice Needed

M

Method of Movement

Joined
Aug 13, 2004
Messages
2
First off, this is a great service that BladeForums offers. My hat goes off to all those who give advice and help further knowledge.

I am an active jazz musician in Reno, NV, and play a lot of casino and bar gigs. Due to having to carry thousands of dollars to and from my car at all hours of the morning (usually through the back door in the alley), I made a potentially uneducated purchase of a Cold Steel Recon 1 tanto, plain edge. I bought it mainly to deter any situation that would arise if anyone gave me trouble at the bars. I did have two occasions where I was approached by several people who attempted to steal some of my equipment. The knife was affective enough to convince them otherwise. I luckily didn't need it. And, I'm a musician and am willing to defend my $6,000 investment with my life.

I'm a very small guy and feel very open and vulnerable without my knife. I have had martial arts training but that doesn't always work in pit fighting situations especially when you're only 120lbs.

I would like to know the certain advantages and disadvantages of Cold Steel's knives. What makes other ones better and why? Also, I'm in the market for another folder for my EDC. I like AXIS locks (like the Recon), 4" blades, and prefer Tanto's. I also like the disk better than the stud for thumb openings. Never had experience with a hole, but don't imagine I would favor it.

I hope this is enough background and info on my preferences to make an educated suggestion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I have visited and read extensively into Benchmade, Cold Steel, MicroTech, Spyderco, Buck, and Al Mar. I just want suggestions and a lamen break down to the specs.
 
i like the cold steel fixed blades (most of themm anyway) but am not crazy about the folders, they are ok, but better stuff around imho, for a 4" folder thats not too high priced, i would get a BM 806D2 axis AFCK, and excellent knife for about $100, wayyyy better than anything CS has imho, excellent ergos/lock up/fit-finish, it has a hole, but the things flick open so easy i rarely use the hole on mine, and they make the same thing w/a stud, the TSEK, its a good one too, i just prefer the looks on the AFCK. another good one is the spyderco ATR, has a compression lock which is diff than the axis but still a great lock, but then ya got the hole, ya could also try the emerson CQC7,CQC8, SOCFK (a really good knife w/the wave for opening) but these are liner locks.

if ya want the axis w/a stud i would say TSEK


greg
 
Your life is worth more than 6 grand. I hope you get the advice you are looking for. Be safe.
 
I was under the impression that Nevada is a CCW legal state. If I were carrying thousands of dollars around all the time, I'd definately look into a sidearm along with my knife.
 
What about insurance on your equipment?? And if your carrying all that stuff, how do you get to your knife??
If you are happy with the Cold Steel, why change?? Your use to it, stay with something similar. Maybe upgrade to a custom kydex sheath for your Cold Steel. Just some idea's.



Blades
 
You may want to take a look at Emerson's line of knives. Most models have the disk openers and many have the wav feature (it's basically a hook on the blade that allows a super fast draw out of your pocket). I don't think they are the best all around EDC knives for cutting stuff but pretty good for self defense purposes.
 
Get yourself a Benchmade 805 TSEK...This one has a blade that is SLIGHTLY under 4 inches long, but when opened, it looks and feels like it has a much longer blade, due to its' excellent handle.

If you want a totally MEAN folder, get a Cold Steel Vaquero Grande...6 inch blade, and over 13 inches long when opened.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :D

Classic question, and a thousand good answers. Since you've had some exposure to the martial arts, you know a little knowledge goes a long way. Just carrying a knife and waving it around can actually do more harm than good. Punks will back off -- real bad guys will take it as a challenge. The law generally sees a knife as deadly force, so you have to be justified in brandishing it.

Cold Steel and Emerson tend to market a lot of their knives as weapons, defensive or otherwise. Other companies call theirs tools. Not much difference for most of us, though.

The "ultra-lock" that Cold Steel uses is outwardly similar to the Benchmade "axis lock" (and the SOG "arc lock"). I'm only personally familiar with the Benchmade. If you pull back the bar on an axis lock, and flick your wrist, the blade will snap open -- it's practically a gravity knife, in fact, and some day we may get called on that. Reversing the procedure will close it just as fast and as smoothly.

Two suggestions for you to look into: one is our Practical Tactical forum, dedicated to self-defense issues. The other is the possibility of carrying a pepper spray, which will deter most bad guys without exciting any negative legal reactions.

Nevertheless, I personally agree it's a good idea to have a large and effective knife handy, anyway, and a good idea of how to use it. There are many good "fighting knives" out there. Ultimately, the one that fits your hand, that you have the most confidence in, is going to do you the most good.
 
Method of Movement said:
And, I'm a musician and am willing to defend my $6,000 investment with my life.
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One of our members, stjames, posted this once upon a time ...

Three guys all die of knife wounds (obligatory knife related content) and arrive at the Pearly Gates at the same time. St. Peter approaches and says “Before you pass into paradise, I must first ask of you two questions.” He turns to the first man. “Tell me son, how much money did you make last year?”

The man beams proudly and replies, “Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

“Oh,” says St Peter, “And what did you do on Earth?”

“I was a Doctor.” And the clouds part beneath him and he falls, screaming, towards the fiery bowels of Hell.

St. Peter turns to the second man and asks, “And you, my son, how much money did you make last year?”

The man grits his teeth and says “Two point five million dollars.”

St. Peter shakes his head and asks, “And what did you do on Earth?”

The man hangs his head and replies, “I was a Lawyer.” And the words have not so much as passed from his lips when he is sucked down, screaming (of course), into the burning pit of damnation with such speed that he passes the first man only half way down.

St. Peter turns to the third man and says, “And now you, my son. Would you tell me how much money you made last year?”

The third man scratches his head and says, “I’m not sure, but I think around twenty-five hundred dollars.”

St. Peter smiles and asks, “So, what do you play?”
Click to expand...
 
You can almost definitely get a CCW. Do so.

BTW, your 6000$ of equipment is more important than your life.
 
ivan_yulaev said:
You can almost definitely get a CCW. Do so.

BTW, your 6000$ of equipment is more important than your life.
Click to expand...


Did I hear that correctly? or was that a typo?
 
Method of Movement said:
And, I'm a musician and am willing to defend my $6,000 investment with my life.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but is your $6,000 worth getting gang-raped in the prison showers by six guys?

Someone mentioned insurance...that was good advice. If I saw someone trying to steal my car, I'd sit back and dial 911. If they made off with my car, I'd use the insurance to get my self another, that's why we get insurance.
 
Insurace is great and all.

Let's just keep in mind this poster is presumably an adult, and has made the choice to defend his life and property as is his right.

Method of Movement said:
Also, I'm in the market for another folder for my EDC. I like AXIS locks (like the Recon), 4" blades, and prefer Tanto's. I also like the disk better than the stud for thumb openings. Never had experience with a hole, but don't imagine I would favor it.
Click to expand...

I really hate to sound asinine, but if that's what you like, you pretty much already have what you want. That's pretty specific and hard to fill criteria as the combination of a tanto blade and a thumb disc are fairly difficult to fill. I've heard a rumor that BM is seriously considering a Tanto blade Griptilian after a joke went around about it on the forums a while ago. That could be the only thing I would imagine you might consider if it ever comes out. An Emerson CQC7 maybe?

Have you considered that perhaps you want to try another configuration, like a clip blade? Or a stud?
 
No doubt that a firearm is the best way to go for self defense generally speaking but going in and out of bars and clubs could prove problematic especially in these days of hieghtened security. Oh yeah and Casinos? I am not a frequenter of Casinos but I would think bringing a handgun in (even if ya are the band) would be frowned on. The knives mentioned are all good ones and fall within your parameters but if you are seriously wanting to carry a knife for self defense you really oughtta think about a fixed blade. There are lots of quality straight knives that are designed for defense are small enough to carry easily and cost 100.00 or less. A folder for edc utility and as a possible second line and something like a Spyderco Ronin, Benchmade Snody Resister, columbia river knife and tool companionor if ya really want a tanto maybe a spyderco Bob Lum. Those are just a few, try and go somewhere with a good selection and handle a few. These are good knives though if ya find something you like you may want to consider an aftermarket sheath. Lots of folks around who make great sheaths and not too much money to get a really secure, comfortable easy to access cary.

oh yeah and the equipment is insured right?
;-)>
Sam
 
If you're a jazz musician looking for a knife, the only apt choice would be Mr. Bud Nealy. He's a jazz musician that makes exceptional and reasonably priced fixed blade knives featuring innovative concealed carry methods.


www.budnealyknifemaker.com
 
DeadManWalking said:
Let's just keep in mind this poster is presumably an adult, and has made the choice to defend his life and property as is his right.
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Excellent point DeadManWalking. And I agree with you on the defending your life part. However, Method of Movement specifically said it was his $6K he was ready to die for. He didn't say anything about defending his life.

I just can't imagine trying to explain to a judge how you killed a couple of guys for trying to steal your guitar. Someone I knew (not a friend) got life for killing a guy. I won't go into details but the guy who died did a lot more than try to steal a guitar. I hope nothing ever happens to Method of Movement, but if it does, I hope he gets the world's most compassionate judge. Because 120 pound guys might have a hard time in prison.
 
But that's the risk you take. That's what being an adult and making those decisions is all about.

Personally, if someone were to rob me for no other motive than material wealth, I'd let them have it despite the fact I have a natural right to attempt to stop them. But that's me; other people may have a different set of values.

And let's also keep in mind that in many cases, victims don't get a chance to hand it over without a struggle. You've all heard about people being shot, stabbed, or beaten just so that the assailant can find all they have on them is $20 or so.
 
I've worked security in several clubs and carried guns everywhere, It's hard to check everybody so I think you would be allright with a gun, But insurance would also be a great way to go.If they have a gun let them have your stuff, If they have A knife show them your gun.Knives are great for backup, They never jam or need to be reloaded.I carry my Emerson commander or my strider GB wherever I go.In my opinion the best way to carry a gun is in the small of the back, Or in an inside the waistband holster.
 
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