Fixed or folder for personal security (Work travel)

S

Safety3rd

Joined
Oct 4, 2011
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Hello all!

I'm sure this might have been discussed in here before, and I did search a little but not as much as could have. I know that one shouldn't rely on a knife for SD and that's why when I'm at home I keep a Bersa .380 in my pocket.

But I'm never at home. I travel almost m-f all over north and south America. I'm currently in Mazatlan now. I always pack my Speyderco endura in my suitcase and I've never had a problem with it, but it's more of my utility knife. It's my second one and I had lock failure on my first, so while I trust it. I don't.

I'm looking for another knife to carry with it. Either a 3" fixed blade that I can either carry in a mercharness or something like a benchmade bedlam or an Emerson cqc8 that I can carry iwb or inside a jacket pocket.

I'm open to suggestions, and I'd like to keep it under $200

Thanks.
 
While I love Emerson some times they can be a pain to sharpen. If this is for Protection only, the Benchmade Bedlam either auto or axis is great. It is large but fits the pocket nicely. For fixed blades I have found the knife is not the big problem it's getting a sheath that works well. Without a lot of research the ESEE clip point 3 and 4's are pretty nice. A bigger all around knife is the Spyderco Military, while a smaller knife that is great is the Para 2. You will probably get a bunch of people telling you to get Z/T's ect. while they are great they are high priced.
 
ZT 0350 will run you about $120. It's over 5 oz.. so it's not light -- but only about an ounce heavier than a Spyderco Military (another good choice). It has the advantage of assisted opening (if you like that sort of thing), but usually comes with a dark blade. For SD purposes (and I have no expertise in the area), I tend to think that a nice bright blade offers a more visible intimidation signal. If I pull a knife on an attacker, I want him to see it and get a good idea how big (and therefore dangerous) it is. Then I want him to run off.
 
Some countries restrict folding knives that lock all together. In reality, the Delica is not simply a "utility" knife, it serves a good function in a SD role. If you really beleve that, watch a couple short clips of Michael Janich on youtube, that will change your mind for sure. You may not want to hear this, but it bears repeating:
The best self defense begins with a solid training foundation. It really is not the best thing for a casual user. Should you need to use your knife in a country outside the 50 states, you could find yorself in a completely miserable situation. The knife you select for the most part is irrelevant in light of what training you will utilitze it with. Just like a handgun, the caliber doesn't matter; getting shot with anything is not a pleasant experience. Just because one owns a gun, does not mean that they can use it right off the bat sucessfully. Like all things worth doing in life, practice is sometimes the best road. Hope that makes sense.

If you are familiar with the Delica, I say stick with it. It beats trying to fumble around inside your pocket for something that you know little to nothing about.
 
Not sure how heavily restricted it is across the American continents, but mace/pepper spray is portable and pretty effective. It can be used at (close) range, on several attackers, and is non-lethal. (You could also carry it in addition to a knife.) Sorry for the non-knife answer, just thought I'd throw that out there since it served me well on one occasion.
 
Might be a little over your budget but maybe they ll work with you considering your line of work?! If you want a tank of a folder, although not too heavy, get a Grayman Dua!! I just got two of them! One in beadblast and one in their black finish! I cant stress enough how awesome these are!! Contact them, they are awesome people as well!!
 
In an SD context, I'd say go for a Karambit, but spend money on learning how to use it properly.
 
Fixed blades are always faster to deploy than folding. And of course more reliable. So if you CAN carry one, I'd advise it.
The Cold Steel Counter Tac II is less than 7" overall, just under 4" blade. There is a larger one as well if it will fit. Kobun or Peace Keeper II are other great choices with sheath that will accommodat the MercHarness. All these knive are relatively light and make for good concealed carry.
The MercHarness is a viable option, I've carried the Peace Keeper II quite a bit like that. Practice drawing it with different clothes and it's almost like a shoulder harness.
Another option (even more comfortable, but clothes have to allow for it) is a good hip sheath for a Spyderco Mule. I love these robust little razors, with some good scales you're set for life, and paracord works just as well.

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I know the importance of training and while I am fairly comfortable with my Endura I'm not over confident with it. It has a stainless steel handle and its great for the work I do (used it mltiple times today) but I wouldn't want to use it for protection or hard use.

I had a zt 0350 last year and I gave it to my sister on her way to afghanistan.

The more I think about it the more I realize what I want is a 3-4 inch fixed blade that conceals well.
 
I'm no SD expert by any means but I could see a Kershaw Leek filling the role you describe not to mention it is a very inexpensive knife that could be easily replaced if it is lost stolen or confiscated.
 
Check out the various Bucklites. Light, easy to carry (unobtrusively), tough as heck and if it gets 'lost', no biggie.
 
Buy both, but carry what's legal. I'll be on a trip to San Fran and Chicago, so I'll mostly be carrying a folder. I think the Spyderco Moran Featherweight is good for fixed and with a waved Endura or Delica for folders. Both can be bought in the budget of $200.
 
A hissatsu (if you're feelin ninja-ish) or military would work well:

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A ZT 0200 is also a good choice, but they are heavy to edc.... :thumbdn: However, you can buy them used for a great price. I have a plain edge 0200 and an 0200ST and love them both.

The 0350 is great too. It's a punchy little tank of a folder. :thumbup:

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As folks have mentioned above; endura's or delica's, there's a lot of spydies that would work as well. :thumbup:
 
I do allot of traveling, protecting dignitaries in Mexico and abroad. Some of the time we travel un armed (we get local armed authorities to accompany us). The only trouble spots for carrying any knife I have encountered are the airport check points. If you stay out of trouble and are discreet when carrying I think you will have no problem. Do you homework before you go on the trip, reviewing local laws.

When I’m traveling in the US I always take a folder with me, manual opening Bedlam 860 (auto knives are illegal in most parts so way risk it). Whatever you diced on carrying you really need to do a lot of training whit the knife as a weapon first.

If you going for a fixed blade, the selling point should be the sheathing system.


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Most of the time I travel it's with a toolbox, I have a bunch of canvass bags with tools in them and I've always tossed my knife in there with no problems. When I don't have the whole box I toss a couple of those bags in my suitcase (mainly electrical and specialty tools) and toss the knife in there.

I really like the bedlam and if I can't find a fixed blade to fit the bill, I'm going to get one.
 
You might look at what Bud Nealy has to offer. His sheathing system is well thought out and versatile. His prices are a little higher then what you posted but it can't hurt to look.
 
On the rare occasion when I go to Juarez now days,I carry this Buck Pak Lite in a horizontal carry on the back of my belt.Truth be told no knife would be much good in the usual attack scenario that happens by surprise with one or more assailants opening up with assault rifles out of the blue.Just the other day a 19 year old American and his 35 year old Mother got killed at a stop light in a SUV waiting for it to change when a vehicle pulled up next to them and opened fire.My best advise is to dress down,be aware of you're surroundings at all times and don't drive a SUV!Riding in a black Escalade with dark tinted windows is just about a sure way to get yourself killed in J town.
 
I'd suggest something cheap, pointy, and sharp bought wherever you are. Kitchen knife, steak knife...whatever. Cheap, tossable, as fuctional for hurting people as anything else, and no hassles crossing borders.

I'd also suggest being damn sure about the laws in whatever jurisdiction you are in. You run the risk of ending up locked up permanently for something like assualt with a deadly weapon before you can say "Mazatlan."
 
To the best of my knowledge you have no legal right to carry a knife in Mexico.Normaly gifting the policeman you're knife and a $100 bill will keep you from going to jail.
 
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