Knives for Dummies

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ravenQ8

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Jan 2, 2002
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I don't know if this is the right place for this so please bear with me. I'm a DOD civilian stationed in Kuwait where we are not allowed to own or carry firearms so I've started getting into knives for defensive purposes. In the past I've only owned Ka-bars for camping and maybe a Buck pocket knife for everyday use. I now carry a Gerber Guardian in my boot and a Schrade clip-it on my belt loop.
I have on order a Ka-Bar NG for my car, a Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn 5780S, and a Benchmade 710BT for carry.
I am now looking for a neckcarry knife and wondering if I made good choices in tactical folders. The more research I do the more bewildered by the choices available.
What do you think of the choices I've made so far? What about the CRKT M18 tactical folder? I'm also looking at the Emerson Raven.
As for a neck knife what do you think of the Fallkniven WM1 or the Emerson La Griffe?
Is there anything better that I've overlooked?
One last thing. How about a good reasonably priced book on how to use a knife without getting it taken away and used against me? Everything I've found is priced $55-$89 which seems pretty high. I don't mind paying for quality but if there's something equally good for less...
I know this is a lot of questions, thanks for your patience.
 
Sounds like you are starting off pretty well. The Benchmade 710 seems to be a favorite in a lot of places, and the entire axis series is a very well built group of knives. I have several of the 730s and always have one with me, so as far as I'm concerned you made an excellent choice there. You may want to wait to get it in before worrying about anymore folders, as it will spoil you:)

As for neck knives, the two you mentioned are pretty nice blades. I would also suggest looking at the Busse Assault Shaker, it's a little more expensive, but I prefer it to those two, as it is a bit more stout. There are a lot of options out there, many of them are excellent choices, the two you mentioned and the Busse are in that group. I feel that it all comes down to what you are comfortable with and what feels good to you that makes a good neck knife. Also what you intend to do with it can change recommendations greatly.
 
For neck knives go to Newt Livesay. His Woo model is what you are looking for, also it's cheap enough that if it gets taken by customs or if it needs to get lost for whatever reason, it won't be a significant economic loss.
 
The knives that you have chosen are all well respected knives, and are good choices. If you feel the need for a LARGE folder as a "defensive/offensive" knife, then take a look at a REKAT Sifu.

As far as a neck knife goes, you might want to take a look at the Camillus Cuda CQB-2. I have one, and it makes for an excellent "necker".:).
 
For purely defensive purposes the FRN Spyderco Matriarch provides good value. At $48.99 from 1 Stop Knife Shop it's even below the price range you felt was pretty high (although I think many would disagree with the suggestion that $55.00 is getting too high for a good quality knife). A number of makers can provide a Kydex neck carry sheath if that is your carry preference.

The link below will take you to 1 Stop Knife Shop's listing for this knife

http://www.1sks.com/store/spyderco-matriarch.html

David
 
Mate, since the title of this thread is " Knives for Dummies"
one has the assume that you have not real working knowledge
of cutlery ,or the handling thereof, at all.

So no matter what cutting hardware you pick out are you going to
invest any time in any level of training?? That would be the first thing
I'd do. Learn to use it then what it is is very clear. You'll KNOW
what knife you need.
 
Thanks to all for your helpful comments.

4 s ter: When I talked about prices I meant only about the price of books. $55 for a knife of good quality is nothing and even for a book if it gives you what you need. I just think someone might have written a book for less money that can give the same knowledge while good steel is good steel and will cost.

Titewad: I freely admit that I have no training on the subject of fighting or defending myself with knives. I thank you for reminding me. If I had a good trainer I would be happy to start with a stick to learn the moves but since I don't have a trainer and I need something to give me some level of protection until I can read enough I need a knife or knives. If I pay a high price to learn that's okay. I'll take my lumps to learn what I need. If you can suggest some knives that I can grow into as my knowledge grows I'd appreciate it.

Again, thanks to everyone that responded. I've gotten more info from this board than anywhere else.
 
For books on how to use knives, I'd look at Michael Janich's "Knife Fighting: A Practical Course." Michael Walker, a veteran of many years of Special Forces and Police work, also has a book out called "Modern Knife Combat: The Training of a Knife Fighter"

If you get Greg's book, you can ask question on the Practical Tactical forum and get answers FROM HIM! If you get Janich's book, I'd suggest going to www.spyderco.com and joining their forum. Janich posts there, as he is head of their Martial Blade Craft division, or whatever you call it.

I have no knife fighting videos, but stuff from Kelly Worden and James Keating are supposed to be great. Janich has some videos out too. I'd suggest going to www.paladinpress.com and looking on their knife fighting section to see what is available. And do post on practical/tactical to ask questions about knife fighting. Do a search there as well. There is a search button on the top right hand of the screen. search things like "what videos", "reverse grip", "what grip", "what book", and so on. Doing a search first is probably better than asking first, as a search will bring you up LOTS of recommendations. And you can see what stuff is recommended all the time. You'll cut to the chase easily that way. Above all, find an instructor! If none is available, find a partner at least and go through drills and stuff together. Practice in front of a mirror too so you can see what you are doing, and you can always make targets up to practice on. An old tire bolyted to a pole makes for a great training tool. You can get an idea of how a knfie feels iny oru hand as it impacts hard targets. Good Luck!
 
Try the Fallkniven G-1 Garm neck fighter. I have one and love it. I did a review of it on the Review forums. Try searching for it. It was a few days ago. I'm a Cop at Andrews in MD, so I know how you feel about the whole DOD rules of the road. Good luck to ya in the sand box. If you need any more info e-mail my regular account and I'll give you my gov. one. :)
 
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