hey guys im rawrzors, and i need a little help (indecisive)

[Rawrzors]

So I'm not really really new to knives, I have had the same knife for about three years, never lost it, carry it everyday, everywhere I'm permitted. I'm looking into an upgrade.

It's right hand tip down carry, which I actually really like, as I have gotten so used to it, so pocket clip positioning is not going to be a real issue.
I live in a supremely shitty area (Detroit. Real Detroit, not Metro Detroit, but really in Detroit.) So I want a bigger knife, more apt to self defense than anything else. I am acutely aware of the fact that more people are murdered in detroit than soldiers die in afghanistan.

So self defense is my main concern, in honesty. However, I do use it every single day for assorted tasks. Mainly cutting boxes open, popping those plastic straps, food prep, lots of food prep... mainly boxes and food prep. I go hunting, and I have used my knife to gut/skin animals before. I'm pretty good at that, so pretty much anything sharp, I'll be able to work over a deer with, or a fish.

I do want to have a nice steel. I hate that my knife (cheap steel) gets dull just about every week. So I'm thinking about s30v, zdp 189, or comparable steels but probably not m4 as it, in knives, is a bit expensive what I've gathered.

I'm torn between multiple knives that all seem amazing. First the Buck Vantage Pro/Force Pro. Love the looks, but I have heard of quality control issues with blade centering, wiggle, and even the tip hitting the bottom pillar.

The Kershaw Blur with s30v, which I have heard great reviews on, and it seems that most people love it, but I have also seen MANY videos of people tapping the spine and having it close on them. I don't think I could feel safe using a knife with a slippery liner lock like that. I really like my fingers and want to keep them intact, lol.

The Paramilitary 2, only thing is that its a little bit expensive for me. IK you have to pay for quality. I like the lock, the blade steel and everything about it.

Also the Spyderco Military. I like the knife, but its an uncaptured liner lock. I don't want it to develop blade play over the years, as I plan on getting one nice knife to keep and carry through the next few years.

I was also thinking about the endura4 in zdp 189. but its a lock back, not hating lock backs, its not a quick closer.

I'm torn because the Vantage is cheaper, the Kershaw has Speed Assist, and lower price, the PM2 has nearly no draw backs at all, but is slightly more expensive, and the Military has a slightly longer blade, same price as the PM2 but the trade off there is that it has the liner lock. I'm sure the liner lock is of great quality on the Military, though.

So here I am, I'd like your opinions.
I guess this is a "if you have $120 and you had to pick ONE" thread
I just need some help deciding on which one I pick. I'm pretty sure I wouldnt be disappointed with any of them except maybe the blur if it had lock issues for me. I just want to know what the experts on here think I would be most satisfied with.



So i think it would be a good idea to come up with some criteria.

I am right handed. i usually carry rh tip down.
the pocket clip has to be black. I dont really care if the paint chips off, just has to not be obvious i have a knife.
my legal restrictions are pretty much nill. in michigan you can carry pretty much anything except gravity knives autos and double edged. there are no length or lock restrictions.
i would prefer handle material that wont destroy my pants, but gives good grip. i could ofc take some 800 grit sand paper to some rough g10 and smooth it out under the clip. handle material isnt a real big thing to me, but titanium is probably out of my price range.

my price range is about 150$ max. nothing over 150. i think there are plenty of great options under 150 anyways. I would like to spend no more than 100 though. so unfortunately no benchmade contego with m4 for me =P although later on in life i will own that sucker...

I am looking for a defensive blade. something pointy, and over three inches. 4-6 prefered, but close to 4 is ok.
I would be hesitant to get an assisted opener, as i am going to use this at work in front of people. most of them know i carry a knife, and dont care, but if they hear TWACK and turn around to see a giant black tactical knife, they may not be so understanding.

i want a nicer blade steel that wont lose an edge for a long time. thats is why im liking s30v.

i take good care of my knives, so the thinner blade and ffg on the pm2 doesnt bother me a bit.



i love the black on black look of the PM2 thats my current fore runner.

 

[Rawrzors]

nobody has an opinion?

 

[Bob W]

I've suggested to the moderators that this be moved to the General knife discussion area since it's about knives. I'm sure you'll get dozens, if not hundreds, of suggestions there.

Good luck deciding!

 

[K.O.D.]

Hands down the PM2. Great knife. Manix 2 is a good knife as well. I own both.

 

[arrowhd]

I own all of the knives you have listed. All are good quality knives that will serve you well for years. My preference would be for the Endura or Military. I have fairly large hands so they just fit me better. Try to find a store where you can handle some of the choices. It will make your decision easier. I was in Detroit for business in 2009. It was pretty ruff looking. Hopefully things are turning around.

 

[dkb45]

Honestly, something that you can wave open is a good idea. An Emerson, Cold Steel Spartan, Rajah, or AK-47, or a Spyderco with the zip tie mod (but that destroys pockets). If you can wait a short while, Kershaw Emersons will be out that give you Emerson designs with a still good blade steel, ambidextrous designs, and a price of well under $50 (Emersons are generally well over $100). Spyderco also makes the Endura and Delica with a wave built into the blade.

Another option would be a flipper knife. Kershaw makes a bunch of assisted models (I would suggest against assisted for legality issues in many places, check your local laws), and there are dozens of good models made by the other companies, CRKT makes a ton of them.

The biggest factor is what is you price range? What size blade do you want? What are you legal restrictions (for SD many people are scared by an auto, but few businesses allow them on premises) for size, opening options, and locks (some areas allow no locking blades). What are you wanting for handle material and color, or do you not care at all? Right or left handed?

 

[stevekolt]

Out of your choices a PM2. But honestly, if not precluded from it, your best bet would be 9mm or .45 ACP. Your police chief was on the cover of the latest issue of "First Freedom" and recommends that law abiding citizens arm themselves and take the responsibility of self defense seriously. I always have a knife or two in the pockets, but I also carry a gun wherever/whenever it is legal to do so.

 

[olybears57]

paramilitary 2.. One of, if not the best full production knives I've ever handled. (excluding mid techs)

 

[skyhorse]

Para2 for sure. The Manix2 lightweight a close 2nd.

 

[Shorttime]

Benchmade Adamas.

Seen here with a ZT 0301 for size comparison.

The blade breaks before the lock fails.

Or, Cold Steel Espada. Because, moar.

 

[manowar669]

Self defense says "fixed blade" to me. Anywho, how about a waved folder? It'll be fast. There are new offerings by Kershaw/ZT that are available real soon, or an Emerson, or even a waved Endura or Delica. The cold steel Ti-lite is "waved" too.

 

[willc]

Manix2 in s110v if you can get it.
If not the XL and the light weights are in your price range or cheaper.

 

[hank_612]

Manix2 in s110v if you can get it.
If not the XL and the light weights are in your price range or cheaper.

I agree with the manix 2 lw. S110v is as high end steel as there is and the ergos are great.

My second vote would go to the para 2.

 

[katanas]

If self defense is a concern then, if you do not frequent bars and such or live in an area where police randomly stop and search or if you do not look "alternative" (tats, piercings, tough dress, etc.), carry a concealable firearm (the law be damned). If a knife is a must, make it the most dangerous but innocuous you can find. Forget "cool"; you want a jury to look at it and say to themselves "that's a normal looking knife". Like it or not, the general public which WILL make up your jury find stabbing someone a "gang or criminal" thing. No assisted opening (the DA will have it flicked open a dozen times during your trial) and there WILL be a trial, no "tactical look". Something like, maybe, a spyderco endura in blue or a cold steel voyager, or ?. My .02

 

[AntDog]

Ahhhhh. The question all of us tough guys ask when we first join. It's getting to be like a right of passage! I remember when I asked the same question!

It went something like this: "Hey gaiz! What's the best knife for self defense? I'd like it to be able to do regular knife stuff too doodz."

Jerry Fisk himself replied and told me the best knife for self defense is a 12 ga. shotgun. In other words, don't count on a knife for self defense. I suppose in some situations a knife would be helpful - like maybe scaring the guy away... but be serious. If the guy has you dead to rights, in his sights and intends to rob you there is little you can do unless you have a gun, and even then, better draw quick! In any other situation it would be best to walk or run! Some shootings these days start out as fistfights. It's not even safe to do that anymore. I swear some people are scared to death to take an ass whoopin.

My best advice to you would be to buy a knife for utility. Any knife you have with you will be able to hold up to "the rigorous strength demands of a knife fight". Just buy something you like the looks of and carry it. If you feel the need to poke somebody with it, then practically anything will do. You can carry a pencil ANYWHERE, and it pokes people just fine.

 

[K-train]

Best get a hand gun as well. Detroit is no joke.

 

[Smokinape]

Get a big ass cold steel...

[video=youtube_share;yoBszVB_xU8]http://youtu.be/yoBszVB_xU8[/video]

 

[Rawrzors]

Honestly, something that you can wave open is a good idea. An Emerson, Cold Steel Spartan, Rajah, or AK-47, or a Spyderco with the zip tie mod (but that destroys pockets). If you can wait a short while, Kershaw Emersons will be out that give you Emerson designs with a still good blade steel, ambidextrous designs, and a price of well under $50 (Emersons are generally well over $100). Spyderco also makes the Endura and Delica with a wave built into the blade.

Another option would be a flipper knife. Kershaw makes a bunch of assisted models (I would suggest against assisted for legality issues in many places, check your local laws), and there are dozens of good models made by the other companies, CRKT makes a ton of them.

The biggest factor is what is you price range? What size blade do you want? What are you legal restrictions (for SD many people are scared by an auto, but few businesses allow them on premises) for size, opening options, and locks (some areas allow no locking blades). What are you wanting for handle material and color, or do you not care at all? Right or left handed?

I do like the wave feature, but i hate the look of the knives with the wave. the only one i like with the wave is the fox karambit, and thats not really an edc knife i want, and its super expensive. i would rather get the endura without the wave purely because the one with the wave is fugly. also karambit is not great for food prep

the state laws for michigan allow pretty much anything except autos, gravity knives(stupid) and double edged stabbing blades. doesnt mention any size limits, or anything about locks.

I love the flippers personally. theyre fun as hell. but you are right, people are afraid of them and that is the second reason i have kind of scratched the blur off my list.

crkt uses tough steels that wont break, or cheap steels that dont hold an edge. they last for ever but the steels arent that great. some of them are pretty cool though, not really my cup of tea though, as i am pretty smart about not prying or doing dumb things with my knife. I have had the same crap knife for three years, and i didnt chip it or break the tip and i use it for a ton of things.

ill up date the top of the thread with some restrictions and info about my preferences. this could become a pretty fun thread =P

 

[Rawrzors]

If self defense is a concern then, if you do not frequent bars and such or live in an area where police randomly stop and search or if you do not look "alternative" (tats, piercings, tough dress, etc.), carry a concealable firearm (the law be damned). If a knife is a must, make it the most dangerous but innocuous you can find. Forget "cool"; you want a jury to look at it and say to themselves "that's a normal looking knife". Like it or not, the general public which WILL make up your jury find stabbing someone a "gang or criminal" thing. No assisted opening (the DA will have it flicked open a dozen times during your trial) and there WILL be a trial, no "tactical look". Something like, maybe, a spyderco endura in blue or a cold steel voyager, or ?. My .02

would a satin and black handles para2 look innoculous enough? you make a good point with the whole jury thing. but honestly, im not going to use it for anything but obvious self defense, so im not TOOO worried about a trial.

 

[Rawrzors]

Ahhhhh. The question all of us tough guys ask when we first join. It's getting to be like a right of passage! I remember when I asked the same question!

It went something like this: "Hey gaiz! What's the best knife for self defense? I'd like it to be able to do regular knife stuff too doodz."

Jerry Fisk himself replied and told me the best knife for self defense is a 12 ga. shotgun. In other words, don't count on a knife for self defense. I suppose in some situations a knife would be helpful - like maybe scaring the guy away... but be serious. If the guy has you dead to rights, in his sights and intends to rob you there is little you can do unless you have a gun, and even then, better draw quick! In any other situation it would be best to walk or run! Some shootings these days start out as fistfights. It's not even safe to do that anymore. I swear some people are scared to death to take an ass whoopin.

My best advice to you would be to buy a knife for utility. Any knife you have with you will be able to hold up to "the rigorous strength demands of a knife fight". Just buy something you like the looks of and carry it. If you feel the need to poke somebody with it, then practically anything will do. You can carry a pencil ANYWHERE, and it pokes people just fine.

the whole point of this thread was to get a great utility knife, that can do very well if i ever need it for self defense. I'm not going to carry a hand gun illegally. I'm just not that stupid. the 12 gauge sits next to my bed all day and hardly ever moves unless im taking it out shooting.
I'm not trying to be a tough guy and im also not dumb enough to do something daily that has a 10 year minimum sentence. all of the "the law be damned guys" have never seen what its like inside a prison. i havent personally either, but tbh, tv showed me enough prison for me to learn its not a five star hotel.

those little tiny 1 dollar ridge runner knives are good "utility knives" but id be better off punching the guy.

im not going to carry an espada daily... just too damn big... if i forget my belt the thing will pull my pants down lol. and yes i have remembered my knife and forgotten my phone wallet keys and belt before. lol

I would rather buy a nice knife, good for utility first, good for self defense second, but have it and not ever need than have a box cutter and need it.

i definitely see what you meant though.