looking for self defense knife...

JediKnight86

JediKnight86

Joined
Jul 9, 2003
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Since all of my knives are user/practical styles I've decided to change things up a bit. I'm thinking about getting a good balisong, like a Benchmade, Microtech, or even that Spyderfly since I love Spyderco so much. edcknives.com looks like it may have something for me...

I'm also considering autos like a DE Microtech UT6 or Protech Godson.

So I'm looking for some recommendations. What is favored around here for SD knives?
 
Unless you're really good at opening a Balisong, I wouldn't ever recommend it for SD, if you are.... then others can tell you more about it.
Since you have already implied that you do not own one, let me strongly caution you against carrying it for SD purposes until you have mastered it's opening, again, I will defer this to the masters.
Also, there is a Balisong forum here, so it might be better to post something like this over there, or maybe the mods will move it. If you want to get there attention quickly to move this thread, hit the "report this post" button.
Good Luck!
 
ok well i can agree about not carry a balisong unless i know how to use it...but I'm still interested in getting one...ill go post in the right forum...

aside form balisongs....recommendations on other SD folders?
 
One quick comment on balisongs -- it takes a lot of practice to play games with them, but actually opening one and locking it open is no big deal. Just let one handle drop, rotate the other with your fingers, and the free handle clicks against the one you're holding. Then lock it. Takes a second.

For reliable self-defense ... RUN LIKE HELL! Ahhh ... sorry about that. :p

Get a normal knife, nothing exotic, just maybe a little bigger and stronger than the usual. Depending on what's available in your jurisdiction, a CUDA Maxx is a good start. It's got a BIG 5.5" blade. The bowie clip gives you penetration on a stab or a deep slash. The handle is all metal but grooved for a decent grip. The flippers that open it are FAST, and form a secure, integral guard.

Another obvious big knife is the Vaquero Grande, but as good as the 6" blade is, the handle is narrow and guardless. Not the most secure grip.

I'm not big on autos or assisted openers for SD because they can fail at the worst time. Why add complexity to an already tense situation? Unless you get a Severtech, but that's as big and blocky as a Buck/Strider 880.
 
For SD i really like the Kershaw Blackout. Nice size, assisted open, scary looking... and they have them at Walmart for 40.00 (at the moment)

I carry it everywhere. My Manix sits in my glove for any real work.
 
I have a Bob Dozier Agent fixed blade that I like for SD. Of course I prefer small Pocket Fixed Blades for SD as there is no fumbling to open it when you need it. Of my SD Folders I like are my Al-Mar SERE 2000, Emerson CQC-7, and a Benchmade Osbourne folder with the Axis lock and reverse tanto blade.
 
I'll also mention the Cold Steel Vaquero Grande. I have one, and I'm pretty sure that one hard hit of the 6" fully serrated curved blade on an attacker's belly could cause alot of problems for that fellow...Such as him being busy picking his guts off of the floor/ground.
 
Waved Spyderco Endura

Regular Endura, with Boye (sp?) dent and a 'ghetto wave'--a cheaper version, IMHO, of the waved Endura. The dent allows for very tight grips in differing holds without inadvertently closing the blade.

Emerson CQC-11, waved--a liner lock, but sturdy. Mine has yet to fail, or show remarkable wear, even after over a year of carry, openings, closings

Benchmade 806D2 with 'ghetto wave'--IMHO, the best of the four. It was meant for combat and the greatly recessed finger choil allows for hard stabs with a reduced chance of sweaty fingers sliding down the blade in a hard stab. Built like a tank and has performed well even after I've made minor repairs to it (loctite on pivot screw)

I emphasize the waves here, 'ghetto' or otherwise, as they've all allowed me to get a knife out, opened, locked and ready in about 2 seconds in practice and for a couple of real scares.

Hope this helps.
 
If you are looking for a knife for self defense, then deployment speed is crucial. I would recomend a small dagger, spear point, or clip point fixed-blade, with a sheath that can be attached to the belt so that the knife rides high. Make sure that the handle fits well in the hand, and provides a secure grip. A fixed blade is ready as soon as you draw it, and therefore is faster than any folding knife.

If you absolutely must have a folder, then get an OTF auto with a relatively narrow blade. Double action is probably best. Make sure the knife has a grip-tape surface, or finger grooves, so that it does not slip during a stab. The knife should fit your hand, so that it is in a comfortable position every time you draw it. An OTF is better than a manual because, when a situation arises, you can conceal the knife in your hand with your thumb on the button. If you are attacked, the blade goes from closed to open-and-ready in half a second.

If carrying an automatic knife is frowned upon where you are, then you have to go with a manual opener. A thumbstud is fast, but the knife must open smoothly. A narrow blade is best.

A balisong is not practical, even if you have experience opening them. Balisongs have straight handles and can become slick with sweat, which may cause your hand to slip onto the blade during a stab.

Just my opinions.

TheSurvivalist
 
I live in California where a concealed one inch fixed blade is illegal, but a Vaquero Grande is no problemo!

The knife I carry when SD is a potential issue is a Kershaw Talon. ATS 34 3 1/2 inch hawkbill blade with either Titanium or G10 handles. Mine has G10. Very smooth one handed opening with a reversible thumb stud.

They are discontinued but they show up on ebay every now and then. I got mine for about $55 new in box.

Also, have you considered a Karambit? I have a cheapo Smith and Wesson but I love the style. The only reason I don't carry it is it's so obviously made for combat that I'm worried about the "intent" issue if I ever had to use it.
 
My choice for SD is a Kershaw Blur. It has so many things going for it: relatively thin body, very sturdy, fast opening, all black (including the pocket clip), very grippy scales, assisted opening. I think it is a great knife. However, whether it is good for you depends on your SD style... what type of grip you prefer and such.

I am considering a Camillus Dominator too. I like the Titanium, frame-lock, dual-action assisted opening (thumb-stud or finger-flipper). But it is more than twice the price of the Blur.
 
if you want versatil knife that you could EDC + SD knife, it seems that plenty people around favor BM710 ...
I have'nt got one but expect one to arrived soon, so i can't talk for myself.
 
I will recommend one soley based on it's light weight (easy carry), cutting abilitity (it has a very large cutting edge), and ease of fast opening (hole which can be used either hand). It isn't a stabber, its a cutter. It is the Spyderco Rescue knife used by many LEO's, EMT's, etc.

Again, it is a serious cutting tool and just it's appearance will probably be a significant source of deterence.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=71
 
freddy1 said:
if you want versatil knife that you could EDC + SD knife, it seems that plenty people around favor BM710 ...
I have'nt got one but expect one to arrived soon, so i can't talk for myself.
Click to expand...


Of course, i am going to second this motion.:D
Congrats on your new BM 710 Freddy1.

Best defense as others have stated, is your feet, for EDC chores an everything you will use it (A knife) for, it will excell.

WR
 
JediKnight86 said:
Since all of my knives are user/practical styles I've decided to change things up a bit. I'm thinking about getting a good balisong, like a Benchmade, Microtech, or even that Spyderfly since I love Spyderco so much. edcknives.com looks like it may have something for me...

I'm also considering autos like a DE Microtech UT6 or Protech Godson.

So I'm looking for some recommendations. What is favored around here for SD knives?
Click to expand...
Something taped to the side of a Colt 1911A1 would be a good choice.:)
 
DGG said:
I will recommend one soley based on it's light weight (easy carry), cutting abilitity (it has a very large cutting edge), and ease of fast opening (hole which can be used either hand). It isn't a stabber, its a cutter. It is the Spyderco Rescue knife used by many LEO's, EMT's, etc.

Again, it is a serious cutting tool and just it's appearance will probably be a significant source of deterence.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=71
Click to expand...

nice knife. but for self defence?!? There is no point on it!
 
VegasNick said:
I am considering a Camillus Dominator too. I like the Titanium, frame-lock, dual-action assisted opening (thumb-stud or finger-flipper). But it is more than twice the price of the Blur.
Click to expand...

I have a Dominator and it is well worth the price. However, if you'd rather not spend that much just get yourself a Camillus Heat instead. The Heat is the same design built with less expensive materials (440A vs S30V and FRN vs titanium). It is still a very good knife.

I think that both versions of the design have significant advantages over the Blur for SD purposes. The flipper not only makes for faster deployment, it forms an effective lower guard when opened. That means there is a "hard stop" between your hand and the blade.

I think it's dangerous to rely on surface friction or gentle curves to keep your hand from sliding under hard use. Stabbing exerts a tremendous amount of force. I want a surface perpendicular to the grip in front of my hand. It can be in the form of a lower guard or a deep finger indent, but I want something solid up there. Knives like the Dominator and Heat (along with many others) provide that security.

My nephew is being deployed to Iraq at the end of the month. I just sent him a Heat to keep him company. (Along with a Victorinox Spirit Plus and a Camillus CQB-4.)

--Bob Q
 
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