Help: I Want A Knife!

I

InGearX

Joined
May 17, 2002
Messages
2
I was surprised when I came over this forum that such existed!
How cool!

I love in Brooklyn, NYC and often thought of buying some kind of protection... for those times when I walk home at late times and a wrong kid or two might want something from me or my girl...

Now I want to ask you for your advice on a good knife that I could still put on my key chain but it would still be good to pull out and scare some one in case I get cornered!?

Thank you all very much...

I will be checking this post often, and I really appreciate your advice and help!
If you have any questions please post and I'll reply, or if you feel you need to contact me directly please do at InGearX@email.com
 
I think you'll find no one here will advise the use of a knife to 'scare' someone. If you take one out, do so with the intent to use it. I suggest doing some browsing of the forums, and using the search function. Also, click on the store link at the top of the page and check out the offerings from One Stop Knife Shop. If you weren't already aware, there are tons of places you can put an easily accesible knife with clip and sheath developments. Decide how much you want to spend, and if the only role for your knife will be for defense. You won't find a shortage of suggestions!
 
Ask the local police what's legal. Make your choice from there. Get whatever knife feels comfortable in your hand. It doesn't sound like you'll need a knife for regular use so make sure the handle feels good in your hand.

Tim
 
What might these wrong kids want from you or your girl? If it is money I suggest you give it to them. If they are unarmed i recommend you do not use a weapon at all.

Do not get a knife to scare anyone, lest you be the one who ends up scared when you can't use it and have just convinced the BG that it is necessary to try and kill you because you want to do the same to him.

Your question is so broad as to be impossible to give a solid answer. I can give 100 answers in any price category. None of them are good suggestions unless you can use the knife and be confident in every aspect of it.

You might want to check out the tactics and training section with this question. Better yet search the archives and find info that might be relevant to you.

If you are really interested in SD then you might also want to check out selfdefenseforums.com.

Bottom line, your first and best defense in any battle is you, not the weapons you carry. If this key element is lacking no amount of weapons is going to make up for it. Learn how to protect yourself both armed and unarmed.

Have a good day.:)
 
Spyderco Civilian.Great for those walks down dark streets at night.:)
 
Lets be honest if your attacker has a gun you would be stupid to try to defend yourself with a knife. and one on your keychain would probably be too small to scare anyone. also you must never pull aknife or any weapon on someone to scare them. I'll explain why, if you were to pull a knife out and wave it around the worst thing that would happen is the person may become scared, so scared that they decide to pull their firearm and put a hole or two in your chest. A weapon is just that it is meant too be used. And I for one would not hesitate to shoot anyone who pulled a knife or gun on me because if it was me pulling the weapon I would have intentions of using it, so I would assume that those were the perp's intentions
 
Sorry I was so harsh but I just wanted to let you know that trying to scare someone may not work or may backfire. the only time to pull a deadly weapon is when you feel that you need to use deadly force to save your life. Anyway to protect yourself a spyderco civilian or a benchmade AFCK 2 will do severe damage. the benchmade is like a four inch long razor blade. It will shave you better that a mach 3.
 
For self defense while walking home late at night, I reccommend a good pair of Nikes. Saucauny makes a good running shoe also.

I might get flammed for this, but for the most part a knife is not your answer for self defense. I believe it was mentioned above, you MUST train to use a knife in a combat situation. Most punks who want something from you will not be afraid of a little knife. Most punks who pull a knife on someone, do not know how to use them, because if they did, that would mean that they had the discipline to learn to use it...which in turn would give them humility, and would never use a knife on someone except for defense.

I would much rather have a punk pull a knife on me than nothing at all. If the option of running away did not present itself, I would get a new knife (the one I just took from the punk!).

My suggestion, get a good knife to carry and use as a tool. Figure out what role it may have in your pocket. If you want it for self defense, look in to knife fighting classes, research them well.

Good luck, and welcome to the forums. Peace, Josh

ps, I guess you could put a strider or a busse on your keychain, but it would be tough to put it your pocket;)
 
Get yourself a Leatherman Micra for your keychain. (Our own "Vampire Gerbil" has info on his web-site on how to use it as a "weapon"...LOL!!). http://www.vampiregerbil.com/micra/

Someone also mentioned buying a good pair of running shoes...That is very good, sound advise, as fighting with a (small) knife is not a very pleasant thing to do.

Also, depending on the law where you live, a GOOD pepper-spray might be a good option, along with the running shoes.:).
 
What would be cool is a fake wallet to hand to them that had a booby trap rigged up somehow.
 
And even if you were lucky enough to scare off the "neighborhood punks" with your knife, they might just come back tomorrow with a bigger knife of their own. These types don't just go away feeling defeated, that would not be cool. The best defense is to try and avoid being in a situation where you have to defend yourself. I know, not always easy, but worth keeping in mind.
Proper training in the use of a walking cane as a weapon is way more effective than a knife. And with your sore knee, it is also legal. Look into the martial art schools in your area. In addition to learing how to use a weapon properly, you will also gain the self confidence mentioned earlier.
 
Hello all...

Thank you so much for the info!

Yes I must agree that pulling a knife out would be my last resort... but it's better to have one then not...

And I guess you are right if I do pull it out I must be ready to actually use what I have pulled out... ready mentally and physically (skill wise)...

Thus I also want to attend some self defense classes this summer...

btw hollllly this Spyderco Civilian could rip some one to shreds (or at least looks scary to me)!

sp12gsj.jpg

( $149 at http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?SP12GS )
 
The civilian is cool and useful, but check local laws before getting one. It is 4 1/8". It already looks mean and if you get caught with it in a 4" limit area you are going to jail most likely. There is the Matriarch with the same basic design, but a slightly shorter blade and FRN handle.

These knives are effective slashers but cannot stab for anything. They can be useful as a slasher to someone who is less than an expert, but a well trained person might have more options with a conventional blade.

It might seem counter-productive, but if you are not experienced in non-weapon SD you should probably get that first. Sometimes, no matter what, you may be without a weapon for a reason or another.

Of other interest are other forms of SD that CAN be less than lethal. If you are comfortable throwing a punch you can effectively use a Comtech stinger. Recently I have acquired a custom Koppo and I love it. It goes with me everywhere. In manny situations I would not feel unsafe if I had to rely only on my Koppo.

OC sprays are also good if for nothing more than as a metsubushi to gain an opening for an attack or escape. If you are going to use OC make sure to get it from a reputable brand and get an inert trainer to practice with.

Check out www.Drearic.com for lots of great info on this sort of stuff.

Good luck
 
Dann's suggestion of pepper spray is a good one. SD with a knife is essentially a martial arts situation. You must be prepared to put in a large amount of time and training to become adept at it. If you are less than fully adept, you may create even more danger for yourself and your companion. Be careful out there.:eek:
 
What might these wrong kids want from you or your girl? If it is money I suggest you give it to them. If they are unarmed i recommend you do not use a weapon at all.
Click to expand...

It's one of the things I hate about America. Let's hope that your money will be enough fot them.


Do not get a knife to scare anyone
Click to expand...

I second for that. If you draw knife use it before attacker notice it.
 
Think what you want. It is decision each person has to make in that situation. However, telling someone with little to no experience that they should certainly fight is irresponsible. I do not know what I would do. It depends on circumstances.
Maybe your sig line says it all.
 
You mentioned that you wanted to scare an attacker? The Spyderco Civilian is what you need, as you've been told. If your local laws prohibit a knife over 4 inches, the Matriarch would be a better choice. The Matriarch is slightly smaller, but has the same design. Either one would make a potential attacker think twice.;)
 
I've always dreamt of using a knife as a self defense tool on an attacker. Reality is that the knife is only as good as you skill in wielding it and committing to the move/stroke. So my view is that a knife is useless unless you have the state of mind and (martial) art/technique/training to go with it - and that includes disarming an attacker who may be successful in grabbing the knife from you. Also, I've always been taught to be aware, alert, and ready to escape (by running or attracting attention or calling the police or even puking on the assailant (they all hate puke on 'em)).

However, to answer the question, the Spydie gunting or La Griffe look like good tools to me - caveat: my view is based on the information in this forum, not first-hand.

I think learning martial arts should be the first step - especially street moves like those taught in Krav Maga classes.
 
Both are good tools. However, for a primary SD knife I would want something bigger than the LaGriffe. Also, laws might dictate that a fixed blade, no matter how small, is illegal. The gunting is awesome and it gives you a less than lethal option. However, to utilize it to its fullest you must know how to use a knife and know how to manipulate the Guntings special features. In order to do this it is also a good idea to get the trainer. Both together can run you $200 or more.
 
Don't know about The peoples republic of new york but down here in Texas giving the losers your money might not stop them from kicking your butt or worse. I have a Glock 23 that helps me out if I need it (thank God I never have) and my knife is a tool of last resort. May be if they would follow the Second amendment up there you would not have to worry bout it huh? :confused:
 
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