Defense for civilians? carry knife...

N

Nightg

Joined
Oct 20, 2001
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8
I was wondering if I could anyone's opinion on my carry knife. I currently carry a Chris Reeve small sebenza. I love this knife and is great for most utility applications. However, I'm also wondering in the back of my mind if I should get a more "tactical" knife (MOD Mark II or Microtech LCC) for defensive applications. I know that in a less than ideal encounter the best thing to do is run, but I may be faced in a situation where escape is impossible and I would require a defensive posture. I live in Maryland where they don't give CCW's to just anyone freely (to get a CCW, you need to carry large sums of money around or have high political connections), so firearms are out of the question. I believe there is a 4 inch and under limit, but want to be well under that limit (having a knife 3.9 or 3.75" may be too questionable by a LEO) so I'm thinking about the Mark II which is about 3.3". I will not be brandishing this out in public and will only draw it if an emergency dictates. I understand that it's at the discretion of the LEO to use his judgement if he stops someone with a knife, but every lawabiding citizen has every right to protect himself/herself. My question to you is, do you think I should stick with the small sebenza which is less menacing looking to avoid any questions a LEO may raise, or do you think it would be okay to carry the Mark II? If I get caught with a tactical knife, what should my excuse be to carry it? I value any feedback you can provide. Thanks.
 
look at every knife you can find under 3.5, if length is a concern, for a "tactical" knife i like somesort offinger gaurd,like the BM AFCK, but not like the LCC.

CAnt you just start carrying large sums of money soyou can get a gun?
 
I own the LCC D/A, it has a very strong lock-up and it it comes very sharp. The downside is it is very stiff right out of the box and I believe it is too heavy for everyday carry.
 
I think your Sebenza is more than capable of performing in a self defense role, besides as your everyday carry you are used to handling it and operating it. I think you should go with it and maybe invest in a some training that teachs the use of a knife in self defense.
Regards, Greg

By the way,welcome to the forums.
 
Since you are already familiar with the small Sebenza and it's nuances, wouldn't it be prudent to consider getting a large Sebenza?
The blade length is well within your parameters for blade length. You already have a "feel" for Sebenzas, so stepping up to a large shouldn't be a problem.
Also, the lg. Sebbie can fill the "tactical" role well without actually looking "tactical".
May be worth looking into.:D
Otherwise, get ready to be deluged(read: buried) with suggestions. All by my little lonesome, I could suggest a coupla dozen(or maybe even several dozen:eek: ) folders worth looking into.
Rotsa Ruck GI and Welcome to the Forums!:D

BTW,
Several thousand Sebbie fanatics would scream the same advice I'm giving if they looked into this thread.
 
I agree with LizardKing that I prefer my defensive knives to have some sort of finger guard. In fact, that is the only reason why I don't use my Large Sebenza as a defensive blade. If you aren't quite as particular about that the Sebenzas are otherwise well suited to the task.

Personally, my favorite defensive blade in your length range is the Kershaw Boa, but there are a lot of good options out there. :)

--Bob Q
 
It sounds strange to hear another Sebenzanista looking for some other knife ...

I think your Sebenza would do just fine for defensive use, if you really need that. Be careful how openly you insist on your right to self-defense, though. While it's perfectly true -- I think you have an obligation to look out for yourself -- a lot of legal problems can follow if you sound like you carry a knife expecting trouble; they'll claim you invited it.

Always tell the law it's a tool, which is literally true. It just happened to be handy for self-defense when the need came up, just like a garbage-can lid would have been! :)

More than a particular knife, you need to know how to use one. Training would be great, but at least read about it, think about it, be alert, be knowledgeable.

For those who think the Sebenza isn't an especially tactical knife, try a reverse grip, and box with it.
 
It is a GREAT land in which we live. At a time where all good citizens are concerned and beginning to develope a "I might need protection mindset", our GOVERNMENT is hiring more and more Prosecutirs to insure WE continue to comply with the Laws of the LAND, while Terrorists, EDP's, and criminals could not give a flying F*** about T-H-E LAW. I bet the events of 9-11, and the 19 or so airborne Terrorists were VERY concerned about violating the LAW....DUH? Now, as we all sit in front of the crystal ball (television) and hear a different future depending on the channel, our States are still hell-bent on keeping defensive weapons out of the hands of DECENT, hard working AMERICAN citizens. Yup, done with my political BS.
So a firearm is out of the question for you, but some insane, defiant, maybe grudge fed person armed with an assault rifle walks into McDonalds as you wait for your happy meal. Well, if you are gonna see God, and you wanna do something, and all you can carry legally is a knife, and it cannot have a blade longer than four inches and ofcourse, it CANNOT be an OTF or an auto, and the gun-toting person who has ALREADY begun to fulfill his/her plan of mass dstruction at the front entrance, I just cannot think of any LEGAL knife that will do you much good. Maybe if you had some sort of pre-plan in your mind as to EXACTLY what you WILL do IF something like this were to happen (yup, NEVER will, right?????) you might act as if you are down, pray the gunman gets close and personal and whatever knife you have chosen, becomes an in-range effective DEFENSIVE WEAPON and thrust upwards and just keep on thrusting!!!!!!!
This is my opinion ONLY, I do not profess to have YOUR answer, only MINE.....But this is SAD to have to even THINK this way, BUT I am....wolf:(
 
Many states allow concealed carry handguns and many people in the states that don't allow it recognize it's value. It's up to us to vote-in lawmakers that think sensibly. In my state of NJ there's no provision at all for concealed carry and it's almost a capital offense if you get caught so I definitely don't risk it. Our Republican Candidate for Governor is a fan of concealed carry so we'll soon see if he gets in. If not, I'm moving to PA immediately. The Democratic candidate is a big pussy so if he gets in then I'll opt to not live with millions of big pussies. It's kind of odd-thinking especially since there are more than likely several terrorists living in NJ right now.
So, getting to the blade issue. I think that it's out of control to restrict blade carry to law abiding citizens. Since I'm a very responsible citizen, father and husband I already thought about what I'll say to the judge about the knife that I carry and then nature will take it's course. I will not be in a position to sit and take rounds by a deranged wacko at McDonalds (I guess, though, that one must be deranged just to eat McDonalds now that I think about it) and a knife will, at least, give me a fighting chance. With blade in hand you can run towards the target in a rapid zig-zag pattern while changing levels and you have at least a 40% chance of success (better than 0%). I'd rather be dead trying than to explain why my family is gone because I just sat there.
So my recommendation is to go with the knife that you feel comfortable with. My briefcase has a Strider BT and my backpocket has an Emerson Mini CQC-7A. I also have a Busse Natural Outlaw hidden somewhere. I'll be looking for an inside the waistband thing at the NY Show to round it out, but I'd probably go with the Microtech SOCOM Elite if I wasn't willing to pay the price of a custom. Lower cost exceptional choices in my opinion are the CRKT Crawford/Kasper Folder and the M16.
 
Hide one of those nifty little pepper-gas dispensers on your person and continue to use your sebby for utility. If you live in a particularly bad area, you might consider keeping a stun-gun within quick reach in your vehicle. And keep a loaded gun in your house, provided kids are'nt an issue. A knife (ANY knife) should only be drawn as a last resort - and then be prepared mentally to attack fiercely....don't just brandish it. If you can't pack a heater, you're always gonna be at a disadvantage, IMHO.
 
Thanks for all your replies so far. Keep them coming. I have no complaints about the Sebenza. I agree that it can make a nice tactical knife, but there are a lot better ones out there. I have the MOD Mark II CQD in mind for that role. I just got a Mark I CQD and the grip seems to be extremely antislip and secure. If I had a choice between a Sebenza and a CQD for a defense role, the CQD is my choice for me. I'm sure you can get a secure grip with the Sebenza, but I feel that with the CQD you can get an even better secure grip. This is of course my opinion, and it's nice to hear what others have to say.

I guess another option would be to carry both. Use the Sebenza as my utility knife and bring out the Mark II for the defensive role.

As far as the gunman walking into a restaurant, there's not much one can do if he doesn't have a firearm. Knives definitely shouldn't be drawn unless it was the very last option (don't bring a knife to a gunfight). As far as home security goes, I have plenty of knives and defensive firearms for that role.
 
You cannot bring a knife to a GUNFIGHT. THERE is NOTHING one can do if a deranged person enters a McDonalds with an AK47 if he/she does not have a firearm. BUT there lies the whole issue. You do not have a firearm BECAUSE you CANNOT have a firearm. Big Brother says so. Now WHY TF does the deranged gunman have a firearm, a semi-auto with a 40 round clip to boot? Gee it's a banned weapon in many States, and SH*t he/she is now pulling out a sidearm. Hey you KNOW it's illegal to carry those!!!!!!! Here is ya lunch!!!:mad: :mad: It is time that the Second Ammendment be an inaliable right, not one open to some political minutia and tree-hugging horsesh*t. The right to bear arms is a RIGHT....PERIOD. The issue should be up to the individual to decide if they wish to legally bear said firearm, be absolutely trained and proficient and has an ESTABLISHED mindset. If you do not, that is YOUR decision. Then if the deranged person who cares little about Laws of man enters with evil intentions, he/she just might not fare well, or at least NOT so well..IMO...ONLY
wolf
 
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