Folder for SD?

Are the spyderco's that have been mentioned all one-handed opens? I have heard wal*mart carries this brand, so I think I'll head over there tomorrow. Can anyone recommend some good websites to buy knives from? Most of them I've seen, with the exception of the one listed in this thread, don't seem to shout "professonal" or "trustworthy". And I would love to find one with free shipping :).

This is going to be an addiction, isn't it?
 
Yep, knives can be an addiction.

As to the topic, I'd like to mention that I believe that whatever knife you choose should fit your hand well. I prefer a knife that is longer than my hand is wide - as this allows use of the knife as a "fist" or blunt impact instrument (you don't have to have the blade out when using a knife).
 
I am a Ken Onion fan myself and if you want something from him that isn't too bulky, go with a Leek, there are many different scemes and it is pretty cheap (mostly around 50 bucks or under), it is a great little knife . .check out my thread 'My Kershaw Collection' it will show you some Ken Onion knives.
 
As nobody mentioned a waved Endura yet I will. Good general utility folder with speed of deployment as a SD bonus.
 
The Emerson CQC-7 and the Commander with the wave are the fastest to deploy in my opinion.
 
fishface5 said:
check the post about the CRKT S-2 for $25 http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402937 ; that's a good & (crazy deal) cheap place to start.
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Damn straight, fishface5! Thanks for pointing that out. Got two on order: One for me, and one for a gift. Dunno how much I'll like the knife, but it'll make a good reserve/bug-out-bag/glovebox/whatever knife, if nothing else. Couldn't pass it up for that price.
 
ralphus said:
Are the spyderco's that have been mentioned all one-handed opens?
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Lost track of all the Spyderco's that have been mentioned, but I know the Endura is. It's "little brother," so to say, is the Delica. I've got a Delica on order. I wanted to keep my EDC knife down to a 3" blade or shorter. (Don't really have to, in Michigan, just like to be on the "safe" side of such things.)

I have heard wal*mart carries this brand, so I think I'll head over there tomorrow.
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Some Wal*Marts (about 1/3, I've read) carry some Spyderco's. Somebody suggested only the Super Wal*Mart stores. I dunno. Neither of the Wal*Marts in my neighbourhood did.

Can anyone recommend some good websites to buy knives from?
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I've seen www.newgraham.com recommended more often than any other, I think.

This is going to be an addiction, isn't it?
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Quite possibly :D. I started out a couple weeks ago just wanting a good all-around folder. I've now got a Delica on order, two CRKT S-2's that are on clearance on order, there's a blue-black Kershaw Chive at a kinda-local store that's calling me, and I'm thinkin' I really like the Spyderco Kumo somebody recently mentioned here. Then there's the Spyderco Sharpmaker sharpening system I need to get...
 
For self-defense, you want a knife that opens easily one-handed. The addition of a "wave" significantly increases your opening speed and reduces your reliance on minor-muscle movements to thumb the knife open. As a result, the top choice is easy enough: either the new waved endura 4 or the new waved delica 4. They're just hitting stores now. Pics here: http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21365 The hook catches on the pocket seam and automatically opens the blade when the knfie is withdrawn from the pocket. Or you can use the thumb hole to thumb it open.

Delica has a 3" blade, endura 4" blade. Carry whichever is legal.
 
I will take a gun to a knife fight everytime. If someone comes swinging their little knife at me, they should be prepared for the consequences of using a dangerous weapon. Not interested in getting stabbed or sliced up by some punk. If it makes you feel safer, then the recommendations already made are excellent. I would look at the Delica. The Spyderco Native also is a reasonable choice, but not as quick to open the blade.
 
The only Spyderco Wal-Mart carries is the Native.

22-rimfire, I will take my S&W 37 airweight over a knife too. ralphus apparently does not have the option of firearm carry.
 
I hope you understand, that just carring a knife with you is not helping you with SD.
I mean, in a case of unexpected attack, hit from behind, or something like that the knife in you pocket is no help.
You should also understand, that in lots of views you showing a knife is an equal to you actually using it, and may not just scary your opponent, but force him to pull a knife too or whatever he can to pull to attack you.
Aside from you being mentally ready to actually use a knife and some training in knife fighting you should have a set of rules just for yourself, and you should follow them. Rules should include: at what moment you should actually get a knife in your hand, when are you going to open it, at what moment you will make your first hit and what kind of hit it will be. You also might want to set a simple target in your backyard using your old jacket, just to see how good you are in penetrating the clothing and to try the time you need to get it out and make a hit. It is also nice to have some plan on what you going to do after you actually hurt one ar more persons with your knife - just run away, call police, call your lawer, etc.
Now, if this is a knife just for SD, and for nothing else - get whatever you want within legal boudaries in your area, that feels convinient to you, the only limitation - it should not have a name like "SupperKiller" but have a nice innocent name. All this "what steel is that" thing matters only if you use your knife on a daily basis.

P.S. this is just my view on "self-defense knife" problem, and it is may be wrong.
 
BrownBear said:
Now, if this is a knife just for SD, and for nothing else - get whatever you want within legal boundaries in your area, that feels convenient to you, the only limitation - it should not have a name like "SupperKiller" but have a nice innocent name. All this "what steel is that" thing matters only if you use your knife on a daily basis.
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I agree with BrownBear on this. Choosing not to repeat the rest of his statement, as he said it well enough, you don't want something that makes you look like you carried it with intent to kill. Nothing with "Death blade" or crazy 2 inch saw teeth. You want to be able to tell a jury you carry it for work and pulled it in self-defense as a last resort, not look like you were , for lack of a better term, 'asking for it.'

The blade should always be perfectly sharp, because if it’s for SD, you never use it for anything else. This knife shouldn’t be the one you open boxes with, no one should even know you have it.

Another point to think of is you want something with a guard or a choil; something to keep your fingers from slipping onto the blade if your thrust hits a solid object (bone, belt buckle, etc.)

Note that these are the opinions of someone who has never actually used a knife in SD, nor has had any formal training. I have however spoken with people who have, and done informal sparring with them.

Also, some recommended reading: The Logic of Steel by James LaFond. This deals with the reality of blade and shank encounters, author is not a martial artist, he is a kind of rough character who has studied violence extensively, both first and second hand. A quote illustrating one of the reasons I like him:
“My opinion about the best way to defend against a blade is worth about as much as your opinion. And if your opinion was all you needed to base your self-defense study on, you wouldn’t have bothered to read this book.”

Also, Street Steel by Michael Janich. This deals with the practicalities and technicalities of knife carry for SD. Can be a little heavy on the ‘author as hero’ bit, but offers another viewpoint with some potentially valid experience.

I am suggesting both of these not as some kind of bibles or such, but as starting places to form your own opinions, and potential places to learn angles on the concept that you may not have thought of. They’re just to get the juices flowin’

Good luck. Hope you never use your blade, and it’s for a damn good reason if you do.

May your juries always be BF members.:D
 
BrownBear said:
P.S. this is just my view on "self-defense knife" problem, and it is may be wrong.
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Sounds right to me. (N.B.: I'm not a self-defense expert of any kind.) Sounds much like the advice/cautions/instructions/comments one might hear in a concealed carry weapons licensing class, adjusted, as necessary, for edged tools.

I embarked on the process of getting a new, quality pocket folder because I wanted a good, dependable knife, that'll reasonably retain an edge, in my pocket. I'd like to be able to say I wanted a one-handed-opener for the convienience and handiness factors, but, quite honestly, I decided on a one-handed-opening model mainly because I like "trick" things. The fact that such a tool could possibly be employed as a defensive weapon is/was way, way down on the list of determining factors in my mind.
 
Does anyone know any dealers with the delica or endura wave in stock? I'm intrigued by the wave feature.

And I appreciate the SD advice; I guess I'm looking for an EDC with qualities necessary for SD: non-slip material, quick opening, etc--not a knife to call "SuperKiller". I'd much prefer "SupaKilla". (That was a joke.)
 
Spydercos with serrated edges are wicked, and very fast to open.

Faster opening are the Emerson knives with the wave feature. Test these out though, as you will find that some are easier to catch and open than others, and some will fit more comfortably in your hand than others.

Fastest opening, because it's a fixed blade, is the Strider SLCC, or slim line concealed carry. So much for an innocent name. Just pull and go. It's a unique fixed blade design that maximizes cutting edge. Mine is 7 5/8" in it's kydex slip-sheath, and disapears in most of my front pockets. It has 3.5" primary edge, and 2.5" double edge. It can be worn as a neck knife, if necessary. It'll cost you $300 and up as it's a custom/hand made knife, but it's a purpose built defensive knive, and extremely effective.
 
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