EDC Choices - A personal reflection, an unfortunate situation and a few questions...

Peroni1973

Peroni1973

Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
707
Okay,

So let's start by acknowledging that we are somewhat (read 'very') spoiled by Sal and the team at Spyderco. Infact, I thought about posting this thread in the General Section but when I looked at what I carry, I thought that this thread might belong here.

I am somewhat embarrassed and certainly uncomfortable to admit that I was mugged on my last trip to Shanghai. I was approached by 4 guys and didn't keep my distance. To cut to the chase, one of them got behind me whilst one guy challenged me outright and up front. The guy behind me was trying to apply a choke-hold whilst a couple of the others took pot shots at me and a 'Spokesperson' demanded my cash, etc. Fortunately, I only had cash on me and nothing else of significant value. Whilst my situational awareness was appallingly bad, I did still have the presence of mind to know what was going on but only after it was far too late. Long story short, whilst I resisted for a while (not long) I knew that I had a knife in my rear right pocket and that I could reach it but I really weighed up what might happen if I were to 'remove' my choker and how much that would escalate things. So I capitulated and lost a few hundred bucks worth of local currency and a whole heap of pride...

...I also have a few bruises and a pretty sore throat (who knew that if you tuck your chin to avoid the choke that enough pressure forces your jaw backwards and somewhat compresses your trachea? I guess I do now.)

Anyway, I don't want to make this a ridiculous 'Mall-Ninja' thread but it has made me seriously consider my typical EDC's;

[URL=http://s1209.photobucket.com/user/Peroni1973/media/9d58ba0e-d43f-4e7b-95e0-56e70e266136_zps2b1f9b15.jpg.html]

[IMG]http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc385/Peroni1973/9d58ba0e-d43f-4e7b-95e0-56e70e266136_zps2b1f9b15.jpg[/URL][/IMG]

Each of these knives are really useful and incredibly handy. Of all of them, the knife that I had with me whilst being mugged - my Caly 3.5 VG10 remains top of the list for pocketability and useability. The fact that I can get this knife back to stupidly sharp (with my limited abilities) is a real bonus. [That said, I have a Caly 3 in Superblue and a Sage 2 to pick up next time I am in the USA to add to this list.]

As a result of my experience, I have already ordered a Ka-Bar TDI and I am seriously considering the Matriarch 2 (with Emerson opener). I know that any SD blade needs to (ideally) be reserved exclusively for that application. I have absolutely no training with a Karambit but am considering that too. The real contemplation of 'slicing and dicing' has caused sleepless nights and a huge reservation to 'escalate', especially as a Christian. All thoughts and input welcome...

I'll close with saying that of course, I would rather carry some kind of handgun but Internationally it just isn't an option and that I have absolute no machismo'esque desire to 'prove' myself by maiming or killing anyone.

Thanks in advance, for any thoughts and suggestions...

Ben
 
OK, so here's my perspective. I've been to Shanghai several times and luckily I was able to keep my distance. But I could easily see how this could happen. The knife you are carrying in that situation would really be useless. Even a gun against 4 guys isn't going to help IF they get the drop on you like they did. Having any knife in the picture pulled and ready before the incident would have probably sent them on their way. I wouldn't rethink my carry, just my awareness. Glad you are ok!
 
I say no pride lost. I'd give up the money in a heart beat over slicing someone. Just because you didn't see them with a weapon, doesn't mean they didn't have one. 4:1 is a terrible situation no matter if you had a gun, much less just a knife.

I'm one dude on the internet, but I think you made the right move if it matters at all.
 
I'm sorry for your experience, and I agree with rushane, if you're here telling us about it you made the right decision. I think that far more important than your choice in blade form/design, is your own preparedness to implement whatever tool to defend yourself. Preparedness here means both training to deploy/use the tool effectively, and perhaps even more important, mental preparedness to follow through with your actions. You have to realize that if you do draw a knife (or any weapon) it's for one purpose and one purpose only: to end the threat as quickly as possible. If you're hoping that the mere sight of the blade will scare off the attacker, and are not prepared to go beyond that, then you're better off not drawing it.

That said, situational awareness is paramount like Hilandr mentioned. The best way to avoid a punch is 24 hours in advance if possible, but 2 or 3 minutes in advance will do. I surely hope that you don't ever have to face something like this again.
 
Few hundred bucks lost....is nothing compared to what else could've happened if you had a knife and pulled it out.You did well.
 
Yeah...you pull a knife and one or more of them could easily do the same thing...and 4:1 odds are NOT favourable, even if you're the only one with a knife. No question about it, you made the right decision.
 
No need to swallow your pride. 4 against 1 is a losing proposition unless your life is seriously threatened. It sounds like you learned the situational awareness lesson, and that's the bottom line in your case.
 
You made the right call, and in actuality are relatively lucky they only took your money and not the knife as well!
 
I echo the above sentiment. You made the right call and have nothing to be ashamed of. The only reason to draw a knife is if you feel you are going to be dealt serious harm right then. I would draw 4:1, or whatever the odd, if I was confident I would endure massive harm/death otherwise. A pocket knife is a last ditch effort to survive. As others said, don't even take it out unless you're going to unfortunately have to use it. It works better as a surprise.
 
I wouldn't have pulled a knife, but a pistol? You betcha. Depending on the pistol you're carrying, you'd be able to lay down 7-19 rounds. But that's also assuming you've got the training and the guts to pull the trigger, that is if they don't back down and keep pushing the issue. But I don't know the laws in that country, so it may not be possible which is unfortunate.
 
You made the right choice. If you pulled your blade in that situation you likely wouldn't be telling this story.
 
Guys (and Sal!!)

Thanks for your generous thoughts and comments - I didn't intend this to come off as some weird sob-story. I do get the positives and know that I am blessed that it didn't end up worse. I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking that I managed this situation well - I didn't and tried to reflect that in my original post. It just reminds me to be even more observant at all times.

I realized that there is a mistake in my original post as Justin 5585 pointed out - I said that I didn't have anything of real value other than some cash - of course I did: I had my Caly 3.5! And I still have it :)

I still have real reservations about using a knife in a fight but if I felt my life and/or the lives of my loved ones was threatened I do believe that I would use one to the fullest. That said the real consideration of it is pretty grim to say the least. It would absolutely be a last ditch thing for me and is hopefully a very rare event at most.

On to matters more positive - Spydies! I am keen to know about the Matriarch and Civilian in real use. I get that for the intended purpose the Spydie edge slices 'meat' really effectively but does it snag on clothing, etc.? I see the advantages in slashing but stabbing looks limited or even out with the bladeshape?? I am really leaning toward the Matriarch 2 with Wave. It is wicked looking and would seem ideal re. deployment. I get that if a knife is seen, then I need to be prepared to use it (& that the element of surprise my be a advantage to maintain).

Thanks again for the thoughts guys...

Ben
 
Even if you killed all 4 of those bastards in self defense,and they deserve to meet their maker, you'd still end up donating your kidney's to some privileged chinese beaurocrat while rotting in a Chinese prison.
 
Another point to ponder, you didn't escalate the violence, the violence was already escalated and brought to you.

It was your choice not to answer that violence, however, stating you didn't want to escalate is a false premise... It was already escalated by others.
 
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