Lightest 3.5" Defense Folder?

D

dsnw

Joined
Nov 10, 2001
Messages
16
Hi to all. Haven't been around for a while.

The last year or so I've gotten back into running. My schedule is tight. Most of my runs are after dark, often through shaded lightless areas. Quite a few people in my neighborhood let their dogs out at night. Lighting dark corners and spotlighting dogs is handled capably by my Arc LSHF-P. After being approached quite closely by a couple large dogs I decided that, were a dog to aggressively protect its territory, I would rather be the one with the largest tooth. I've been carrying my Benchmade Pinnacle 750. Fine knife, but somewhat heavy clipped onto a pair of running shorts.

Anyone have suggestions for a better self-defense running knife? I'm thinking 2 oz., 3 1/2", secure clip, thick enough blade to withstand a fight, and smooth predictable one-handed action. Blade strength is important but edge retention is not. Drilled Ti blade and lightweight Zytel handle?

My plan is to never have to use this knife. But...I want it in case a dog draws first blood.

TIA for any tips,

Dave
 
Just my opinion, but from my experience, buy a Spyderco Military. You won't regret it. Light, strong, wicked sharp. Get the full serrated model.
 
Yester5 said:
Just my opinion, but from my experience, buy a Spyderco Military. You won't regret it. Light, strong, wicked sharp. Get the full serrated model.
Click to expand...

A kydex neck sheath may be a good investment as well.
 
I'd suggest the Spyderco Delica Lightweight. The blade isn't quite as long as you'd like (just over 3") but the weight is only 1.9 oz. As an added bonus, the Delica can be had for around $40, although I consider it competitive with folders several times its cost.

--Bob Q
 
Are you sure a 3.5" blade is going to do you any good against a big dog?

What are your legal requirements? Can you carry a small fixed blade or a folder over 3.5"? How much money are you thinking of spending?

If what you want is a lightweight replacement for the Pinnacle, take a look at the Cold Steel Voyager or Gunsite line. If you can go for a longer blade, CS Special Projects has a special on the Vaquero Grande.
 
Under those circumstances I run with the knife in my hand. The weight doesn't matter then and it can be used immediately. I've seen some guys run carrying a golf club.
 
Actually, Esav brings up a very good point. A knife that size is a terrible weapon to use against a dog. You would be much better off with a walking stick, cane, baton, or just about any other impact weapon that gives you some reach.

Another option, and possibly the best choice against a dog, would be to carry some pepper spray. It affects dogs far more severely than humans. And there are legal advantages to not doing permanent injury to the dog if you can avoid it.

--Bob Q
 
I have a SOG X-Ray vision, which has a 3.75" part serrated tanto blade. It weighs only 3 ounces and is only 4 5/8" closed length. Has a good solid grip (textured zytel with index finger groove). Very compact for a blade that size. The steel liners are inset into the zytel scales, enabling the handle to be extra thin. Rides in my pocket completely unnoticed. Smooth "Arc" locking mechanism, which is very similar to the Benchmade Axis lock. Nice factory edge, and the serrations are absolutely nasty (just ask my fingers). :)

I usually carry a Chinook II and sometimes a Benchmade 710, because I usually prefer to carry a heftier knife. But when I want to carry something and not know it is there, I carry the SOG X-Ray Vision.

A very popular knife that I do not have personal experience with is the Spyderco Endura lightweight. The blade is 3 15/15" long, and it weighs only 2.9 ounces.

Regards,
cds1
 
Folks in Montana, Alaska and other regions populated by Grizzly bears rely on chemical repellants.
 
Ever considered a asp baton? The weight will get carried away nicely if u wear it with a shoulder rig, under the t-shirt. It's more effective than a knife for dogs.
 
pepper spray (if legal), bear spray (if pepper spray is illegal), or spyderco endura SE.

btw, a rolled up newspaper or magazine makes a terrific baton. it'll smash bones if rolled up real tight (and duct-taped). perfectly legal - not a baton ;)
 
Spyderco Endura
Benchmade 530 or Griptilian

But, I would humbly suggest:

Get Something Bigger - PUt a Chinook in each hand and use them as weights :)

Don't let the dog "draw first blood"

Get that pepper spray too

Read thisthread
 
I have vague memories ... something do to with running with scissors. I'm pretty sure running with a knife in hand is even more dangerous. Besides, with a dog, give me a nice big club over a knife any day. Second choice would be pepper spray. The last thing you need to worry about is hurting or killing the poor darling unless you plan to hang around to confess your sins.
 
For lightweight, it'd be hard to best the FRN Delica or its' larger brother, the FRN Endura. Both are VG-10 steel, and either can be had either plain-edge, combo-edge, or fully-serrated.

However...I'd carry my big old clunky Benchmade 805* (which I do, anyway...:)), if I thought I'd have to fight-off a mad doggy with a pocket-knife.

*Maybe even my Cold Steel Vaquero Grande...
 
Yup, baton, stick or spray are far better than a knife. I m a dog person, so.. :D Besides, expect to get a fair amount of injuries to yourself too when trying to fight a dog with a short knife. They might attack u even more aggressively when being cut. Simply stopping them should be enough.
 
spyken said:
pepper spray (if legal), bear spray (if pepper spray is illegal), ...

Bear spray is pepper spray. Just comes in a bear sized can. ;) I have a can myself. The wife uses it for walks around town with the baby. Great on humans, dogs, perhaps even enraged moose, if need be too.

Bruce
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I second the pepper spray mainly because it allows you to operate at a "stand off" distance from the dog(s). This lets you to touch the dog without it touching you.

When the dog can close in at literally, knife range, then it places the dog on a more equal footing, and that can place you at greater risk.

I've also heard of some people using the Cold Steel sjamboks while running. I think the shortest one they sell is 36 inches. That's over ten times the reach of a 3.5" folder.
 
If I was getting jumped by a dog, I wouldn't want to spend time trying to open a folder. If you don't want to deal with pepper spray or run ith a club, I'd go for a LaGriffe type knife, with the hooked serrated blade and finger-hole for maximum retention. Grab and slash, very basic, can't drop the knife, keep your neck & privates covered and slash its neck until it stops moving. A dog that's really attacking, once it gets its jaws on you, your pretty much gonna have to bleed it out as fast as possible while it crushes your bones.

Or you could run with pepper spray in your hand.
 
I would go with a zytel Delica or Endura from Spyderco. Great steel, extremely light, solid lockup and sharp. Either one of these knives would make a great EDC knife and would be more than capable of handling an attacking dog. You could clip the knife in your waistband or carry it in your hand while jogging.
 
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