Knife for defence against wild critters ?

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
12,294
I was looking at my Gossman Roach Belly today when I started to think how a bigger version would be a really useful blade for using against wild critters should the need arise !
Before anyone gets on their high horse I know a gun would be better still but for many of us a gun isn't an option.
A larger version of this knife would also make a great camp knife as well.

What d'ya think ?

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I think that would be awesome. I like this one myself and a large one would work
 
Like that Roach Belly. Scott does great work. It looks like you could do quite a bit of damage with this blade.
 
If I where t pick a knife specificaly for SD against animals.. I;d want something with a double edge so could slash on the back swing I'd also want something wiht an exces of an 8 inch blade so on thrusts I'd stand a better chance of getting through muscle and fat to hit the organs. Now we are getting out of Bushcraft capapble knives here.. but as a thought some spyderco type serations on the very last 2 inches of the tip might help it form binding if it should make glancing contact with bone (on stick).. also a large pommel so after a stick, your blood slippery hand doesn't slip off the grip.

That being said wouldI pay for or carry a knife that looks like the one I just mentioned? No,,,

But Scotts knife looks awesome.... (all of his do)
 
RescueRiley said:
If I where t pick a knife specificaly for SD against animals.. I;d want something with a double edge so could slash on the back swing I'd also want something wiht an exces of an 8 inch blade so on thrusts I'd stand a better chance of getting through muscle and fat to hit the organs. Now we are getting out of Bushcraft capapble knives here.. but as a thought some spyderco type serations on the very last 2 inches of the tip might help it form binding if it should make glancing contact with bone (on stick).. also a large pommel so after a stick, your blood slippery hand doesn't slip off the grip.

That being said wouldI pay for or carry a knife that looks like the one I just mentioned? No,,,

But Scotts knife looks awesome.... (all of his do)
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The Spyderco Temperance was designed for exactly that purpose as a knife for defence against animals, comparing my Roach against my Temperance the Roach just seems like it would work better.I think once ya get over a certain blade length the knife becomes too awkward for close quaters combat, hell ya might even get attacked while tucked up in your tent. So after holding my different knives I think a blade length about 6" would be the best.

But hey what do I know !:D
 
I'd say a knife would have to have a good grip on it, after that it's all instinct and reflexes.

you want to be able to stab very well, chances are a predator is going to be on you like a fly on poo.
 
I think Scott's roach belly is a good base for the design. My answer was in the trail knife- which is designed for game finishing for bowhunters as well as heavier woods tasks. I mention these because I suspect it's similar to what you would expect, though I don't know if Scott would do the integral semi guard or not (I can't afford to own one of every maker yet.....someday) - full convex grinds, 3/16 8670M on the first, .225 5160 on the second, both have a good distal. 7 inch blade on the trail knife, IIRC, and 8 on the other.

(and yeah, the sheathwork steals the show!)

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This one has a swedge, which could easily be made into a full double edge, though I don't think it's really needed on the spanish dirk variant desings. (and yeah, KG did a stunning job on the black and red.)

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I agree with Blackhills when he says the blade should be on a ten foot pole.

If you had something like a Cold Steel Bushman with the hollow handle you could shape the end of your 'hiking staff' to fit the knife. The Bushman makes a great spear.

Although some knives may offer advantages over others, any strong, pointy blade of a manageable length would be useful. However it needs to be sharp, and it needs to be readily accessible.

If you hang it on your right hip, your right hand may be otherwise occupied at the time of the attack and it would be very difficult to draw it quickly with your left hand. Hanging it at the front of my body, perhaps horizontally, would be my choice of carrying method.

Fending off a big animal with a belt knife would not fit my idea of a good time.

Simon, the guy that runs the Tora Blades forum, described how he dealt to some attacking dogs with a kukri. Evidently three of them attacked his dog as he and his wife were out walking. The wife picked up their dog, and two of the dogs latched on to his wife. Not a happy family outing.
 
I think it'd make a dandy critter defence blade. Though I'd probably want a bit more of a pronounced guard for stabbing, and a sharpened swedge, if it was to truly be a defensive blade.


It looks like it'd also do a pretty good job skinning the beast when the fight's over:D
 
BlackHills said:
I think it would work a lot better for SD if it was attached to the end of a 10 foot pole. ;)
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I saw a Randall knife somewhere that had the hollow handle and a matching six foot metal walking staff. The knife's hollow handle could be screwed onto the threaded end of the staff giving you a spear.
 
That's a great looking blade! I still think a 5-6 foot walking stick would be a much better option for immediate self-defense. Long blades aren't carried in the hand, but a shorter blade like Gossman's Roach Belly, would be faster to deploy from a decent sheath than a longer blade if needed. I would prefer a walking stick and a smaller blade (4-5") with a quick access sheath system.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
be faster to deploy from a decent sheath than a longer blade if needed. I would prefer a walking stick and a smaller blade (4-5") with a quick access sheath system.ROCK6
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I agree. I think the stick would be a superior weapon in most situations, mostly because it allows you to keep some distance.
 
I'm with rock 6- sturdy walking stick and your standard favorite woods knife, If you do get attacked chances are you will never have time to afix a bushman or survival knife to your stick.
Bill
ratpack#222
 
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