EDC conceal carry fixed blade?

F

Fatboy 589

Joined
Jul 30, 2012
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'Ello, gents! I'm considering a fixed blade for an EDC along with a Glock 19 and other things. I'm currently rocking a Benchmade Griptillian and a Mini Presidio Ultra. Both are fast deploying blades, but is it worth it to have a fixed blade on you for self defense? I'm looking at a KABAR TDI and a Benchmade 175 SOCP. What do you carry, if a fixed blade at all? Weak side or strong side? Screw it and go for a Glock Bayonet? Any and all input is welcomed :D
 
First thing is to check your states laws on length.

Second is your budget.

Edit: Awesome!
Per google Florida knife laws are you can carry any non federally restricted knife (i.e. switch blades, gravity knives and butterfly knives) unconcealed, if you have a concealed carry permit then you can carry up to a 3.9" folder concealed, 4" folders can't be concealed.

"790.001. Definitions.
(3)(a) "Concealed weapon" means any dirk, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the weapon from the ordinary sight of another person.

(13) "Weapon" means any dirk, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife."

As far as fixed blades go, no concealed carry, but you can walk the streets with a katana, machete and broadsword, without getting hassled by the cops (depending on the area, no-go in inner cities), but people regularly carry machetes into hardware stores without anyone giving it so much as a first thought. Banks are obvious, no sharp pointy things, just like airports. Theme parks are worse than airports and courthouses, at least at a courthouse or airport they give you the option to go put it in your car.
 
If you're carrying a firearm, who cares what knife? Carry what you like. The firearm is for protection, the knife is for utility. I would worry less about knife choice, and just carry what you like.
 
I have never carried a fixed blade at all and never plan to. I prefer a fast folding knife, like maybe a sog aegis or something like that. But i guess if fixed blades for edc are more your thing then more power to you, i just prefer a fixed blade for outdoor/survival use.
 
My understanding of knife laws anything under "4 is okay for pocket knives, just can't resemble something of a "weapon." Talked to several gun shop guys (owners mostly) and they've clarified you can pack a fixed blade concealed :) I know my laws here pretty well, so it's all good.
But I'm thinking I might just stick with the benchmade folders, but I like the options :)
 
Theres quite a few schools of thoughts about knives and self defense, and the proper knife to carry for that use, and where on the body that knife should be, as a maker ive had lots of conversations about this subject. I believe a neck knife is the most optimal place for a knife to be used in self defense, im also from the school of thought that i dont want to get into a stabbing scenario, i would prefer to slash any incoming arm or leg, and be defensive in my engagement. When assulted we usually bring our arms and hands up to defend our brain, having a knife on the chest region in a downward release sheath, will give an individual a good chance of defending himself, beyond the fact that an exposed knife usually deters perps from the get go.

Forgot to add... i edc an infidel, and one of my own neckers.
 
Fatboy 589 said:
My understanding of knife laws anything under "4 is okay for pocket knives, just can't resemble something of a "weapon." Talked to several gun shop guys (owners mostly) and they've clarified you can pack a fixed blade concealed :) I know my laws here pretty well, so it's all good.
But I'm thinking I might just stick with the benchmade folders, but I like the options :)
Click to expand...

gripncoldsteel looked it up for you. i looked it up out of curiosity, here's the links to what i found.

http://floridacarry.org/issues/knife-preemption/39-knife-preemption

http://knife-expert.com/fl.txt

you should read up on the laws, the way i read it, (im not a lawyer or a gun shop owner) but it sounds like a fixed blade is a no no for concealment.

better yet, ask a lawyer, or call the prosecuting attorney in your county, unless one of those gun shop lawyers is actually a lawyer.

on subject, i sometimes carry a fixed blade, usually on my plate carrier, so not exactly concealed.
 
For defense, you want to carry and be familiar with pepper spray as a less than lethal option to pulling your Glock. I don't carry a gun, so I back up spray with a knife that could be used in a retreating defense and as a last resort, though I've never been close to that situation. For a fixed blade, spring through fall, I carry a CRKT Stiff Kiss with a clip point and plastic coated grip. I can deploy it in a second. In winter, I wear heavy clothing and often carry a CRKT Polkowski/Kasper Companion in a paracord shoulder harness. Takes 2 seconds to deploy. Training on a bicycle, I sometimes wear a Cold Steel Urban Pal on a bead chain around the neck.

Joe
 
I got an Esee 4 concealed on my belt.

If I have it on right, it will even hide under short and tight shirts.

The sheath holds it in amazingly, it's comfortable, it's the fastest draw I've ever had and it's easy to re-sheath.

I'd also like to add that I've been EDCing it happily since May. It will not only serve as an amazingly quick weapon, but it's one hell of a robust tool.
 
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"I'm not a fan of the neck knife because it will be in a different place everytime you try to draw it."

Not to mention an additional hazard around your NECK!
 
I carried an izula for years around my neck without any problems. After a while i didnt even notice i had it on. I do a lot of fly fishing so it was really convenient. Just recently i started to do a horizontal reverse grip belt carry and I find that its much faster deployment and like sharpend60 said its in the same place every time i reach for it. When i carry a pistol the last thing I would go for is my knife. Anyway I hope this helps!
 
interesting subject i too am looking to edc a fixed blade. of course when your looking at a knife just for self defense many things come into play.

1st. blade shape, you want either a wharncliff or a hawkbill as these blade shapes grab skin and tear rather than knives with large amounts of belly which dont grab the skin as well. that being said a knife is a knife and any will work in a last ditch self defense roll.

2nd. laws, it sounds lke you can carry anything under 3.9 inches.

3rd. budget, for a strictly self defense knife you dont want to spend too much, because the reality is if your packing that glock there is a slim to none chance you will ever use it. i would recommend anything from 40$-65$ for a strictly self defense knife.

taking all of those into consideration pick a knife that right for you.
 
The knife has its place, even when carrying a gun. The gun is not the end all solution for every defensive situation you may find yourself in. Before deciding on any blade you need to know how to use it. Start by finding a good edged weapons system (stay away from any school that doesn’t offer sparing or multiple attacker’s scenarios in there training).
Then when you know the basics, find a knife that you like and find an aluminum trainer that looks exactly like it sheath and all. You fight like you train and you train like you fight. If you just buy a knife and strap it on your setting yourself up for failure.

From my own experience, stay away from neck knives for self-defense they are hard to get to. A 84 mm blade is a good length for a defensive blade. Stay away from shiny blade finishes, it makes it harder to conceal the blade when it’s in your hand (a fact that experience and a good teacher will show you is that you never ever want you opponent to know you have a knife until after you have used it).

MG_9996.jpg
 
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manowar669 said:
If you're carrying a firearm, who cares what knife? Carry what you like. The firearm is for protection, the knife is for utility. I would worry less about knife choice, and just carry what you like.
Click to expand...

This +1

I can't think of a self defense situation where you would pull a knife over a pistol. A knife is only a good choice when no pistol is available and a pistol is only a good choice when no long gun is available. Carry what you like and don't overthink it. :thumbup:
 
I watched some videos about using the TDI as a weapon retention drill. If someone grabs for your sidearm you use your strong hand to trap the pistol into your holster and grab the TDI weak handed and do what needs to be done. The knife can be carried weak side at about 10:00 with the handle oriented for proper grip weak hand grip or you can reach across with the strong hand for an upside down grip. The video also showed examples of volunteers using their folder that they have carried for years and were intimately familiar with trying to draw the knife and pop a balloon in a timed event. Then they used the TDI that they have looked at for about 10 minutes to do the same. Each person's time improved by at least a second as they would fumble the opening of their folder or even miss grabbing it from their pocket.

I carry a BK-11 horizontally on my weak side, handle toward my center line. I can grab the knife normally for general use or grab it with my left hand in a reverse grip should my right arm be otherwise engaged.
 
If you're going to get a TDI, I would practice handling it a lot. It is easily concealed but it can be just as dangerous to you in a rough situation if you aren't familiar with handling it.
 
Spyderco Street Beat designed by Fred Perrin. Hold one, and you'll understand why.
 
So. Do you have any weapons/hand-to-hand training? If we are going suggest another item to "rock" in your SD arsenal, it would help to know what you are trained in.

If you have no training....get some. In the mean time pepper spray, situational awareness, and good running shoes would be your best options.
 
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