Defense Folder Recommendation?

[Warp]

I recently purchased a knife with self defense in mind. I went with a waved Emerson (CQC-8) and am happy with it. It's big, sharp, fits in my front pocket along with my hefty keychain and cell phone and, with a little bit of practice for technique, opens RIGHT up with the wave feature.

I would like to have the G10.

http://www.emersonknives.com/ekC8W.php

http://newgraham.com/store/product/2222/Emerson-CQC8-SF-EM-CQC8SF/



*Disclaimor: I carry a gun for lethal force self defense but will be vacationing where the gun cannot go with. Plus a knife is never a bad backup to have.

 

[Bierkameel]

I'm voting for the Zero Tolerance 0300/0301/0302, you will never cut your own fingers with this knife because of the excellent lock.
Also the reverse grip is the best one i have seen on a folder.

 

[mdauben]

I practice Systema, russianmartialart.com , it's kind of like external tai chi I'm told.

I'm not familiar with that style, but judging from the photos on the website they seem to favor a reverse grip? If so, you might want to look into a "waved" knife, as these alow you to draw and open a folder in a reverse grip, whereas normal folders need to be drawn and opened in a forward grip, and then do a 180 degree change, which tends to be slower.

I bought their standard fixed blade trainer, it looks like a big-ass kitchen knife coated with plastic but apparently there is a knife with a blank in there.

I think if you are going to use a folder as a SD weapon, having a matching practice blade is very important so you can practice drawing and deployment fast without having to worry about cutting yourself before you have all the movements down in muscle-memory properly. I know Spyderco makes trainers for several of their knives, and some other makers do also.

I've read the IL and Chicago law back and forth numerous times and am getting a second opinion from Mr. Levine, but it appears that a blade over three inches is okay in IL and same for Chicago, as long as the clip is displayed (in Chicago).

That is certainly a reasonable interperetation of the law, the problem is that since "concealed" is not defined in the law, that interperetation is up to the LEO on the street. You may well be able to argue it successfuly in court, but that does not stop an LEO from arresting you for concealed carry violations.

It's only if you use a blade 3"+ with intent to commit a crime that the dangerous weapon charge comes in.

Again, unfortunatly at least on the street this is up to LEO interperetation and could wind you up in jail even if you later beat it in court.

I'm certainly not telling you what to do or not, just offering some things to think on. I used to live in IL for years and (thought ignorace of the state weapons laws) rountinly carried what were probably "illegal" knives for EDC and was never stopped, searched or questioned by an LEO. Of course I never placed myself in a position where an LEO might do so, as I avoided high-crime areas, dressed and acted non-threatening, and never had to pull a blade in SD.

 

[njr]

I like the solid construction on the ZT 200, but the blade is over 4", which if I ever traveled out of state, might be cause for trouble. Even in MO, my understanding is that the limit is 4"

Plus, living in Chicago, I guess it probably looks too aggressive.

I would consider it though, as my job does take me to rough neighborhoods on a not infrequent basis. However, it would be harder to argue that the knife is a tool, not a weapon.

I do like the toughness of the knife though, if god forbid, I had to use it defensively, in terms of thrusting and extraction, hitting bone, etc.

I looked at the Systema videos again and thought of the day we spent on knife work at a seminar I attended, and no, I would not say that we favor any one system like reverse edge.

I'll have to take a look at the Spyderco military etc models for stregnth- they don't look as tough as some other knives I've seen, but I'm sure if they're used in the military, by police etc they must have a pretty good record? Plus, they don't look as offensive as the ZT.

MDauben, I hear ya on the arbitrary interps of law, but given my work environment, my family's experience with naziism (1/4 of them slaughtered in Belarus by cops and fascists), I'm going to protect myself, arbitrary harassment be damned. If necessary, I'll fight any charges and sue the city. But, I'm a law-abiding, peaceful citizen and don't present a scumbag appearance, so....

 

[Blop]

What is that top knife?

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=760BK

 

[mdauben]

I'll have to take a look at the Spyderco military etc models for stregnth- they don't look as tough as some other knives I've seen,

I don't think you should have any problem with the Millie. Its a very strong, durable design. In fact, the only durability complaint I remember hearing was from a guy who tried to chop through a 4-5 inch sapling with one, and had it jump out of lock.

MDauben, I hear ya on the arbitrary interps of law, but given my work environment, my family's experience with naziism (1/4 of them slaughtered in Belarus by cops and fascists), I'm going to protect myself, arbitrary harassment be damned. If necessary, I'll fight any charges and sue the city. But, I'm a law-abiding, peaceful citizen and don't present a scumbag appearance, so....

Oh, I know exactly what you are saying. When I used to live in IL I had a job that sometimes required me to work in bad neighborhoods, often after dark. At the time I made the concious decision to carry a pistol, even though CCW is for all intents and purposes illegal in IL and doubly so in the city limits of Chicago. As the old saying goes, better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

 

[Warp]

I sometimes take the 12 vs 6.

Depends. If it's a misdemeanor, okay. If it's a felony, as it is in Illinois......not so much.

I would quit the job rather than be forced to commit a felony in order to stay reasonably protected.

 

[mmarkh]

I like the solid construction on the ZT 200, but the blade is over 4", which if I ever traveled out of state, might be cause for trouble. Even in MO, my understanding is that the limit is 4"

Plus, living in Chicago, I guess it probably looks too aggressive.

I would consider it though, as my job does take me to rough neighborhoods on a not infrequent basis. However, it would be harder to argue that the knife is a tool, not a weapon.

I do like the toughness of the knife though, if god forbid, I had to use it defensively, in terms of thrusting and extraction, hitting bone, etc.

I looked at the Systema videos again and thought of the day we spent on knife work at a seminar I attended, and no, I would not say that we favor any one system like reverse edge.

I'll have to take a look at the Spyderco military etc models for stregnth- they don't look as tough as some other knives I've seen, but I'm sure if they're used in the military, by police etc they must have a pretty good record? Plus, they don't look as offensive as the ZT.

MDauben, I hear ya on the arbitrary interps of law, but given my work environment, my family's experience with naziism (1/4 of them slaughtered in Belarus by cops and fascists), I'm going to protect myself, arbitrary harassment be damned. If necessary, I'll fight any charges and sue the city. But, I'm a law-abiding, peaceful citizen and don't present a scumbag appearance, so....

Get a waved Emerson.

 

[MM]

I really like my Griptillian. Affordable, nice blade design, good steel, fits well in my hand in hammer grip, sabre grip or pikal grip. I got the one with a thumb hole and gave it a "ghetto wave." Also, a dedicated trainer is available so you can train with something that approximates what you carry.