Harpy for SD??

S

sherlockbonez

Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
1,369
Hi everyone, i'm new to this board. I just have a question that maybe you guys can help me with. A few days ago, one of my friend brought up the idea of using a Harpy for SD, his argument was that the curved blade was somewhat like the civilian model, but i don't think that it's very useful at all for stabbing, thrusting etc. It's no question that it's a great utility knife, but for SD? Can u guys help?

Thanx
 
As a martial arts teacher for 25 years and a Spydie collector, my humble opinion -

Self-defense is an attitude - A Green Beret with a cricket is much more dangerous than a wimp with a Civilian.

The mark of a master is one who: studies, practices, teaches and then studies, practices and teaches. The Japanese call this "kaizen" or continuous self-improvement.

Self-defense is NOT always defensive - sometimes self-defense must be offensive as well. You cut before being cut.

You made an astute observation in commenting on the shape of the Hawkbill knives such as the Harpy. They are mean looking slicers but you lose a lot in not being able to stab. Slash and run may be good. But, stab and run techniques are important also.

For SD, if you've got got the attitude, you also need the blade with you at all times. I think this means light and easy to open.

The Gunting and Chinook are excellent heavy weight weapons but not good to carry if you are dressed in a suit, short or chinos. For lightweight SD carry, go with a Massad Ayoob, Police G10 or Military G10 or any of the nylon scales.

Right now my EDC is a Police G10 because I prefer the top lock (Military has a liner lock) and I don't like the slippery Almite on the. If the Military had a top lock with David Boye dent or the Ayoob came in G10, I might switch.

Again, you asked a very good question. I vote for the pointed blade over the curved blade for SD = MBC (Master Blade Craft).
 
But it depends...
I have a metal-handled Harpy, and it is pretty slippery when wet, so I would think long and hard before relying on it in a self-defense situation. However, if you are talking about the G-10 Harpy, that one can do just about anything.

Regarding blade shape, Harpy is a hawkbill, and a Civilian is a reversed "S", which is designed specifically for slashing, while Harpy was designed for pulling cuts on ropes and nets.
I see you are in GTA, so just go to "Europe Bound" on King St. West and see a Matriarch (small Zytel handled Civilian) they used to have there up-close. Now THAT was designed with self-defense in mind...

Basically, carry the Harpy in one pocket and Matriarch in the other. That way you can't miss...:D

Just my CDN$0.02
 
... And in my ravings I missed answering your question entirely...

Sorry.

Yes, I definitely agree that the ability to thrust is very important for a self-defense tool.

But as I recall Civilian was designed specifically for self-defense, to inflict severe slashing wounds. It all depends what you are confortable with. I went with a half-serrated Gunting myself. It can slash and thrust and tomahawk when closed (less-than-lethal) and feels nice and comfy in my hand.
Go with what works for you.

P.S. Welcome to the forums... :D
 
Thnax for your response. I didn't know the for sure cause i have no formal weapon training, and most of what i know is just a mixed bags of info from people that street fights. This site has been really informative. Great site.
 
Just to add some more stuff to the mix, in the (excellent) video on using the Civilian for protection, Mr Keating makes reference to some of his students adapting the techniques to use with the Harpy.
Brian
 
To throw another question out in the air. I always think that my dragonfly PE is more than enough in a SD situation. I belive that awaerness is the key. However my friend (same guy), feels that i should be carrying something bigger.what do u guyz think?
 
Comfort and confidence in yourself and your equipment is what is most important. Better off with a Dragonfly that you have total confidence in, than the "Super Duper Eviscerator" that you either do not have full confidence in or are so scared of it yourself that you can't use it effectively.
 
I seen alot of post here, and it seems like you guys like to carry bigger knifes than i normally do. I am thinking something along the line of a native or a calipso jr. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Is my dragonfly so inadequt (sp?) that i should get one or is it just a preference?
 
Sherlock,

Any blade over about 3/4" CAN be quite effective in a defensive situation, but longer blades generally give you more leverage and cutting power. However, knowing how and where to make the cuts counts for more than the blade length or serrated vs. plain edge.

I used to amaze people that I worked doing comma cuts (stab and then draw/twist/slash your way out) on carboard boxes with a mini AFCK that they considered to be too small compared to their Buck 110s and Police models. They would hit the box with their best shot and cut maybe 3 or 4 inches, I would leave a 14 or 15 inch comma shaped slash.
 
This is where my problem arises. Beside Judo, i really don't have any formal training, however, i have been sucessful in using moves that other had showed me (boxing,karate, some kung fu etc...) I had NEVER used my knife in a SD situation, but i have been very sucessful in using the techniqes that i have learn in defending against knife welding attacks, (mostly in my teens and the people with knifes are of the SAK or cheapo ones), and am very intrige in getting something bigger for pure SD situation not for EDC. I am pretty confident in the fact that if i have a video, i can learn how to use it fairly quckliy. Would any of the ones i mentioned about (native, calipso jr or merlin) be a good purchase or are there better choses without costing an arm and a leg. Don't get me wrong i have handled a lot of custom knifes and swords and are familiar with many of the properties of steels that everyone mentioned. However i just want something funtional for carrying, not for home protection, which i have a full size katana for.
 
How much are you looking to spend? If you want a blade purely for bladework SD, look into the Matriarch. Although, I am not sure of its legal status in Canada. A knife like the Gunting gives you a nice blade, legal most places, solid lock, and the ability to use it in a nonlethal manner if you have training. For a recommendation outside of Spyderco, I just picked up an Emerson SOCFK and I love it. Really secure grip, wave, and good blade. Or BM Axis AFCK. All three of these recommendations can be had around $100 if you look around the forums and auctions. It might seem like a lot, but for a knife that will be there and rock solid when you need it it is not all that much to pay. Carry it for a year and it costs you about 33 cents a day to carry. Not a bad deal at all. But like I said before, find a knife that you are confortable with. That is the biggest factor in my blade choice for SD.
 
While most of the time I prefer something bigger for SD, the Harpy/Merlin can be a formidable little piece. The hawkbill blade is essentially a talon with a natural tendency to sink into the target. You can sink in and rip out (serrated versions are best) - gets ugly fast using gross motor skills.
 
Sorry for responding for a while, my computer was down. I think after handling a few different knives from all price range and maker, i have decided on a frn native, partly for price, and partly because of it's weight and feel in my hand.
 
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