Knife help for a new guy

BlackCat13 · Jan 18, 2014

Hey guys,
I want to get a self defense knife, but I don't have any experiance with carrying a knife for self defense. I started carrying a pocket knife around when I was ten or so, and am still doing it. Along the way I only bought one knife (and that was only because I wanted a "really big knife")

. Most of the knives I have are with me because people have given me them. Grandpa, dad, brother, etc. Most are low end knives. (Though I do have a Kershaw leatherman like knife).
So, as you can see I don't really even know what a "high end" knife is like, or the differences between a low end and a high end are. And I've never used a knife for self defense, let alone gotten in a really serious fight where I would have needed one.
Any help on what kind of knife I should get would be nice, also any basic "what not to do"s, or "should do"s when carrying a knife for self denfense would be gladly taken. I was thinking of spending only about $30 on a knife, but I would be willing to spend all if it would save my life or some one else's that I'm with. I don't live in a really bad spot or go to a place like that either. I just think that the world isn't getting any better, and I should have some thing to defend my self with if I need to. Help of any kind would be nice.
Thanks

Tallahassee · Jan 18, 2014

You're right, the world's getting crazier. Martial arts self defense classes (hand to hand, no weapon or nonlethal weapons) would be a great idea.

In modern urban situations a knife is a poor self defense choice IMO. Having a knife is no good unless you draw it; it may not work as the show-Dracula-the-crucifix deterrent you want it to be; and now you're in a knife fight. If you survive you're in a new fight with the US criminal-law legal system.Have fun the next few years..

No one wins a serious knife fight. Loser dies on the spot. Winner dies in the ambulance on route to the ER.

Look into other nonlethal self defense options. Knives are a really, really bad choice. Just a flat fact. Keep looking.

addylo · Jan 18, 2014

Couldn't agree more. Situational awareness is always your best defense. Avoid situations where you may find trouble. The next best defense is a good pair of running shoes. It might not sound very manly but it beats the heck out of hospitals.

I carry a knife every day but having to pull one in self defense would mean I'm in deep yogurt and have already exhausted all other options.

Kunai · Jan 18, 2014

Well, before I even start, I would DEFINITELY recommend taking at least a few knife-defense lessons, so you know what you're doing at least a little and reduce the risk of hurting yourself in the process.
Second, for around $30, I would recommend you take a look at Cold Steel, or even BudK if you just want a starter knife or cheap one. Good knives are almost always over $30, but occasionally you can find some half decent ones at garage sales or antique shops. If you're serious about this, you may also want to invest in a trainer knife for practice. Trainer knives have absolutely no blade, so when you practice, you don't risk hurting yourself or others.
One more variable is how long you want the blade to be. If you go walking around with a bowie, it could get in the way and would also be super obvious, even if you tried to hide it. If you carry a three inch blade, it could be too short for when you need it. I would recommend a knife that's about 3.5 to 4 inches, and to keep it as sharp and well maintained as possible.
If you're okay with spending a bit extra, the Cold Steel Recon-1, Code 4, and Medium Espada knives are pretty good for self defense, as well as serving as an EDC, or every day carry knife.
Good luck!

k1ssthecook · Jan 18, 2014

The two replies you have gotten are bang on. I can't stress enough that there are a ton of factors that influence the ability to carry a certain blade. I collect SD knives, and have even trained with the P'kal.

That being said, I don't carry it. I carry a spyderco Native 5, because I would be crucified in court if I had to deploy a P'kal in a confrontation.

There is a book called "surviving armed assaults" by Lawrence Kane. Some of the stuff is kind of hokey, and I would never recommend a book or DVD as martial arts training. What the book does really well is explain the situational awareness and avoidance techniques that can prevent you from getting into the situation in the first place.

I'm too pretty to go to jail, that's why I keep it in my pants (the knife that is).

Jesse B. · Jan 18, 2014

You might look into pepper spray (which comes in many formulations). It's non-lethal, easy to use, can be used at a certain distance and against multiple assailants, and is pretty effective--not 100% of course, but enough to justify carrying it. I've only had to defend myself once, against two guys who were a LOT bigger than me, and I was very glad to have the pepper spray. They were not so happy.

BlackCat13 · Jan 18, 2014

Wow, Thanks guys. I didn't know I'd get responses so fast.
Thanks Tallahassee, addylo, Kunai, k1ssthecook, and Jesse B. You guys knocked some sense into me. I really shouldn't mess around with a knife. Like Jeese B said, get pepper spray. I'm not old enough to get a handgun, so I wanted to get some thing else. I thought I should get a knife. But as Tallahassee and assylo said. No one wins in a knife fight. Knife fights are bad news. I guess I really hadn't thought about that.
That being said, I'm not a total newb to self defense. I took Martial Arts classes for two years and have studied self defense for a few months now. Thank you all for replying so fast! I will go and buy my self a really nice bottle of pepper spray (or the new Kimber "pepper blaster") instead of a knife.

Once again thank you Tallahassee, addylo, Kunai, k1ssthecook, and Jesse B.! Who knows, you may have just saved my life...

KAEDC · Jan 18, 2014

Perhaps you might want to look it to a kubaton system. With proper training they can be an effective last resort and many are built to accommodate pen inserts so they have some practical use as well.

hurley842002 · Jan 18, 2014

Keep in mind, when talking self defense, the knowledge we have and the items we carry, are merely tools in a tool box. The more tools the better (so long as they are legal). Just because a few have said knife fights are a bad idea, doesn't mean you shouldn't carry a knife as an option. Gun fights are also bad ideas, but I still carry one....

jobasha11 · Jan 18, 2014

BlackCat13 said:
Wow, Thanks guys. I didn't know I'd get responses so fast.
Thanks Tallahassee, addylo, Kunai, k1ssthecook, and Jesse B. You guys knocked some sense into me. I really shouldn't mess around with a knife. Like Jeese B said, get pepper spray. I'm not old enough to get a handgun, so I wanted to get some thing else. I thought I should get a knife. But as Tallahassee and assylo said. No one wins in a knife fight. Knife fights are bad news. I guess I really hadn't thought about that.
That being said, I'm not a total newb to self defense. I took Martial Arts classes for two years and have studied self defense for a few months now. Thank you all for replying so fast! I will go and buy my self a really nice bottle of pepper spray (or the new Kimber "pepper blaster") instead of a knife.

Once again thank you Tallahassee, addylo, Kunai, k1ssthecook, and Jesse B.! Who knows, you may have just saved my life...

Oh don't let them talk you into not getting a knife. There is always a reason to get a new knife, even if not for your first purpose.