defense folder suggestions?

AntDog

AntDog

Joined
Apr 3, 2001
Messages
27,229
I am getting ready to buy a folder for self defense and I was curious to see what anyone would suggest. These are the requirements:

1. It has to be tough
2. It has to be intimidating (to scare away the BG so I don't have to use the knife)
3. I'd like it to have at least a 3.5" blade, but it has to be less than 5.5" (the legal limit in my area)
4. It will need to perform light everyday use, as well as defense.
5. I need to be able to trust it completely if I'm in a bad situation.

I have been leaning toward the rekat Sifu, but I wanted some second opinions and suggestions before I buy. I have been hearing lots of good things about some Microtech and M.O.D. knives, but I have never had one, so I don't know the their quality first hand. Just voice your opinions if you'd like. Thanks!
 
Do you know how to fight with a knife? If you have to think about it, you don't.

That said, if you can carry a SIFU legally, you might as well.
 
As far as advice, can't really give any. However, if your looking for a "big" quality knife the Sifu is excellent. The lock is strong and it carries nice because it is so flat. For everyday chores I would get the stone washed blade. No black stuff to wear off.
 
How about CRKT Crawford/Casper folder (6773)?
Certainly intimidating, blade length 3.87”, trustworthy lock (LAWKS) and a favourable price. I thing the steel, because of your self defense priority, is neglectable.

More information at:

http://www.crkt.com/crawkasp.html

Horus
 
best tactical folder made? no doubt about it IMHO - the REKAT SIFU the .45ACP of knives........SIFU is #1 in my book. #2? maybe a matriarch/civvy, or a Kasper, as suggested above - personally a BM AFCK large.

vet
 
CRK&T M-16 will perform as you describe on a budget. The Emerson Commander is a decent knive with rapid deployment for the practiced.

Though dedicated solely as a weapon, and not at all useful for cutting, there are various blunt trauma devices and legal chemicals that will work at a safer distance. By the time you get to the knife, things are a little to close for comfort.
 
Here is a short list of the knives I would carry.

CS XLG Gunsite
REKAT Sifu
CS Vaquero or Hombre (intimidating)
Spyderco Civilian or Matriarch (no utility)
Spyderco Military (Awesome)
MT LCC (My daily carry)
MT SOCOM Elite
MOD CQD

All would be good choices.
 
Go to training, and ask your teacher what works best with your style. If you haven't been trained first, whatever you carry has just as good a chance of winding up in one of your orifices as defending you.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Shmackey:
Do you know how to fight with a knife? If you have to think about it, you don't.

That said, if you can carry a SIFU legally, you might as well.</font>
Click to expand...

I guess I should have started off by saying that I have had formal training! (and I do practice w/ trainers) I also have several fixed blades that would serve the purpose nicely, but I think they would be "frowned upon" in my neighborhood. I know how to defend myself - I just want the best possible chunk o' steel in between an attacker & me & my family. Thanks.

 
Antdog, where do you live 'cause I wanna move there. 5.5 inches is the legal limit?!?!? That's incredible. It's 3 inches where I am. 5.5 would be really nice.

 
Microtech SOCOM ELITE TANTO

Blade 4.09"
And thick .175" !!!

But I'm biased since this is my new EDC
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by shadowfax:
Antdog, where do you live 'cause I wanna move there. 5.5 inches is the legal limit?!?!? That's incredible. It's 3 inches where I am. 5.5 would be really nice.

</font>
Click to expand...

Houston, TX. As far as I know anything under 5.5 is legal for a folder. I have no idea about fixed blades.

 
My vote is for an Emerson Commander, and dont order offline, go and pick one yourself and make sure you dont get one with any of the QC problems that have been mentioned before. I got lucky and mine, ordered offline, was perfect, but not all others have had this luck.

Also someone said to look at the CRKT KFF, I dont own one, but have handled several, and they seem to be great knives to me, and for the price you just cant go wrong or so it would seem.

------------------
Morgan Atwood
(formerly known as nim-wit)
If you deny someone the right to defend themselves you are guilty of nothing less than attempted murder.
 
Cold Steel XL plain-edge Clip-Point Voyager.
Cold Steel XL Gunsite.

Both of these have a 5 inch blade.

------------------
Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
Here's my suggestions:

Spyderco's James Keating CHINOOK
Al Mar SERE 2000
Spyderco's Bram Frank GUNTING

--The Raptor--
 
Since you do not mention cost as a factor I am going to throw out the baddest of the bad. A DDR MADD MAXX! I type this as I sit and fondle my own. My MADD MAXX that is. It has the blade length, 5.5". Intimidating factor is second to none, just listen to this thing "clang" as it opens. It also has a utilitarian side to it, especially with the clip point blade.

Of course these are nothing more than my personal opinions. Others may vary.

------------------
Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 

In Texas, 5.5" is the rule, whether you have a fixed or folding blade. A fixed blade needs to be single-edged to avoid problems with having it classified as a "dagger, dirk, stiletto, or bowie knife."
frown.gif


I'm in the same boat, looking for the best combat/tactical folder. I already have a 5" Voyager/Gunsite, which is perfect, but I always wonder about the grass on the other side.
wink.gif
I've been reading up on the Sifu, and it looks like a real winner, but it's twice the cost of the Voyager/Gunsite and it's significanly heavier. Looking at the REKAT forum, there may be some quality issues with the Sifu also. Still, every week, I get closer to placing an order with 1StopKnifeShop for the D2 model with one finger groove.

I just ordered a Vaquero Grande for grins, but with a 6" blade, it's not legal for carry -- sure would scare the BGs though.
eek.gif


If you buy a Sifu, I'd really like to know your opinion and a comparison with an XL Voyager/Gunsite.

 
Thanks everybody! I've been researching almost all the knives that were mentioned, and I'll probably wind up with most of them at one time or another... I think I am probably going to wind up with all of these:

Sifu
Spyderco Military (I had one, but lost it in a move)
MT LCC or Socom (really torn between these 2)
CS XL Gunsite (My brother has one and swears by it)
as for the Madd Maxx - WOW, what a blade! I will probably have to save for a while on that one though...

Hey, a fellow Texan! milcaztra - when I get the Sifu, I'll get ahold of my brother (and his gunsite) and we'll do some compaisons and testing. I'll post it in the reviews forum. Hmmm, now what would be a proper test for 2 big bad boys like those?

[This message has been edited by AntDog (edited 04-19-2001).]
 
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