Military For Self Defense?

[Yonose]

If I had to defend myself with a folding knife, my first choice would be a Manix 2 XL. I abused the hell out of a couple on my last deployment (gave 1 away). It opens smoothly, and locks solidly. I obviously have a lot of faith in Spyderco, but liner locks are my least favorite modern locking mechanism.

John Shirley

I love the size of the manixxl blade and the handle fits my palm perfectly. It’s a hell of a knife, which I love in s30v but would love to have one made from cruwear!

 

[Lapedog]

I had a guy on top of me once and I did not have my gun on. He was young and a lot stronger than me. He was choking me. I had a knife clip to my pocket. I am glad he quit choking me. I did not pull the knife. I wasn't going to be choked to dead if I could help it, would you?

If that is the scenario you are afraid of I highly recommend getting a small fixed blade and learning how to use it. Some of the best for this range are the Fred Perrin La Griffe and Le Shark designs, or the Brous Blades silent soldier. These have rings in the handle which allows for a positive grip on draw and makes it very hard for you to be disarmed. They are neck knives but can easily be worn on the belt either inside or outside waistband. The Spyderco Street Beat is another great option but they only have the lightweight version available right now which comes with a terrible sheath that dulls the edge.

Perrins are the small silver blades on left, small ringed knife on right are Brous Silent Soldiers. All knives perfect for your described scenario. Knives in the middle are not good for self defense.

Included here are Perrin Street Beat and shivworks clinch pick. Clinch pick requires some extra training and understanding to use its edge in methodology. However it is literally made for clinch range.

Benchmade SOCP dagger is another great option. Comes with a very obtuse edge and no slashing ability. It is a stabbing knife for “get off me” encounters. They have a single edged version.

If you insist on carrying a folder then the only viable way I see which still isn’t as good as a fixed blade is to have a waved folder set up for reverse wave and to practice waving until it becomes second nature. Practice waving sitting down, laying on your back and standing on your head. You have to set it up for reverse wave because the regular wave puts the knife in a grip that is not secure when you draw the knife. With reverse wave draw you can just close your fist and the knife will be secure. Imho the best up close fighting waved folders are the Spyderco Pikal or waved delica or endura. Pikal needs some of that Shivworks training and understanding to take advantage of its edge in grip.

Spyderco Pikal. A folding version of the clinch pick. This knife was designed for exactly the type of self defense scenario you are describing. Reverse waving then closing your fist around the handle will put a knife into revrse grip edge in. In my estimation this is the only way to draw a folder fast and securely enough for self defense. The only other option is ringed folders like the karambit.

M

Me reverse waving my Spyderco Pikal from my left pocket. Grip is modified to show the camera what’s happening.

M

Wavee Endura and Delica. Great SD / utility options.

Put a WiseMen Signet Ring on these to turn them into even truer viable self defense folders.

 

[Yonose]

If that is the scenario you are afraid of I highly recommend getting a small fixed blade and learning how to use it. Some of the best for this range are the Fred Perrin La Griffe and Le Shark designs, or the Brous Blades silent soldier. These have rings in the handle which allows for a positive grip on draw and makes it very hard for you to be disarmed. They are neck knives but can easily be worn on the belt either inside or outside waistband. The Spyderco Street Beat is another great option but they only have the lightweight version available right now which comes with a terrible sheath that dulls the edge.

Perrins are the small silver blades on left, small ringed knife on right are Brous Silent Soldiers. All knives perfect for your described scenario. Knives in the middle are not good for self defense.

Included here are Perrin Street Beat and shivworks clinch pick. Clinch pick requires some extra training and understanding to use its edge in methodology. However it is literally made for clinch range.

Benchmade SOCP dagger is another great option. Comes with a very obtuse edge and no slashing ability. It is a stabbing knife for “get off me” encounters. They have a single edged version.

If you insist on carrying a folder then the only viable way I see which still isn’t as good as a fixed blade is to have a waved folder set up for reverse wave and to practice waving until it becomes second nature. Practice waving sitting down, laying on your back and standing on your head. You have to set it up for reverse wave because the regular wave puts the knife in a grip that is not secure when you draw the knife. With reverse wave draw you can just close your fist and the knife will be secure. Imho the best up close fighting waved folders are the Spyderco Pikal or waved delica or endura. Pikal needs some of that Shivworks training and understanding to take advantage of its edge in grip.

Spyderco Pikal. A folding version of the clinch pick. This knife was designed for exactly the type of self defense scenario you are describing. Reverse waving then closing your fist around the handle will put a knife into revrse grip edge in. In my estimation this is the only way to draw a folder fast and securely enough for self defense. The only other option is ringed folders like the karambit.

M

Me reverse waving my Spyderco Pikal from my left pocket. Grip is modified to show the camera what’s happening.

M

Wavee Endura and Delica. Great SD / utility options.

Put a WiseMen Signet Ring on these to turn them into even truer viable self defense folders.

Maybe taking Lapedog with you would be the best self defense scenario!

 

[Lapedog]

Maybe taking Lapedog with you would be the best self defense scenario!

Lol of course! I am a ninja navy seal swat team secret agent samurai mercenary after all.

Part of the reason I like short fixed knives is they are easy to carry so you will likely have them on you. Criminals often try to attack you unawares so you don’t know you’re in danger until they are ontop of you. Short fixed blades are easier and faster to draw at these ranges. If the range is long enough that a big knife can be preferred for a reach advantage I suggest you run instead. No one wins a knife fight.

 

[Kels73]

I prefer a fixed-blade for self-defense. The Spyderco Street Beat and the Ronin 2 are good options. They are easy to carry, easy to deploy, and strong.

If you are going to carry a folder for self-defense, then I recommend that you practice deploying it regularly so that you develop good muscle memory. As a gun guy, you probably know that fine motor skills are inhibited during a high-stress situation. That can make deploying a folder difficult; however, muscle memory can help compensate for it.

In my opinion, the Military is one of the all-time greats, but I prefer a different lock mechanism for self-defense. The back lock, the compression lock, and the caged ball bearing lock are a few that come to mind. There are lots of people who are comfortable with a liner lock for self-defense. This is just my personal preference.

One of my favorite self-defense folders from the Spyderco lineup is the Yojimbo 2. It was designed by respected self-defense instructor, Michael Janich. Add to that one of his DVDs and the red Yojimbo 2 trainer, and you've got a great starting point.

The Chinook 4, the waved Endura 4, and the Karahawk are a few other options that come to mind. Whatever you choose...practice, practice, practice.

 

[JD Spydo]

This has been an interesting thread in many respects. But the short answer for using a Spyderco C-36 Military model for self defense is that I hope it never has to come to that. I carry daily my M390 Military and have for well over a year now and I love it for everyday cutting chores. All I can say is that I guess it would be better than nothing at all. But I would far prefer a handgun like a GLOCK, Smith or Colt.

One of my very favorite Spyderco models ever is the C-60 Ayoob model which from what I'm told was primarily designed for self defense. And I dearly love all my Ayoob models and truly wish Spyderco would do a new Sprint Run with a newer/better blade steel. I guess if you were well trained in some type of martial arts you could probably utilize a knife to your advantage.

Fights are a lot like a car wreck>> they happen so fast sometimes that you have very little time to react in many instances. I used to think it was cool to carry a knife for SD and if I had one while being attacked I would sure try to use it but realistically I think even some type of chemical spray would be far better in most cases.

I think that YAB kind of nailed it down>> If I were to carry a knife for the primary use of SD I would far prefer a fixed blade. But if I had to pick a folder it would be the C-60 Ayoob model.

 

[James Y]

One thing about carrying a knife strictly for SD is not only deployment, reliability, etc., but also the legal ramifications. I wasn't going to mention this, but several years ago, there was a nationally televised court trial on the now-defunct CourtTV in which a man who had been walking down the street had been attacked and was being beaten by a known gang member, probably for robbery, but the defender had somehow gotten a knife out and stabbed the thug. Witnesses (the attacker's fellow gang members?) thought he was trying to fight back with body punches. Well, the attacker died.

When they showed the knife in evidence, guess what it was? It was a combo-edge Spyderco Military, and it appeared DLC-coated. The defender had apparently remained nearby afterwards and had called the police. So at least in one instance, there is proof that a Military was successfully used in SD.

IIRC, it was eventually found that the killing was justified SD. But it could have gone either way. The thug's family and friends had tried to paint a very empathetic portrait of him, but his criminal record proved otherwise. It was also probably very gut-wrenching and expensive for the defender/defendant.

Now, some will say, "Better judged by 12 than carried by six". Everybody makes their choices. The defendant had stated during trial that his knife was a tool for his job, and it probably was. But if you carry a dedicated SD knife, know that SD also involves the legal aftermath. And if the knife is clearly designed for SD it might not go too well for you.

Jim

 

[91bravo]

Self defense is self defense. When it comes to the legal ramifications, I don't see a difference at all on whether you defend yourself with a knife or gun. Dead is dead.

 

[James Y]

It really depends on the jury, and it does matter what they might think. For whatever their reasons, many people consider using a knife as somehow more heinous than using a firearm in SD.

Jim

 

[Danke42]

If I had to defend myself with a folding knife, my first choice would be a Manix 2 XL. I abused the hell out of a couple on my last deployment (gave 1 away). It opens smoothly, and locks solidly. I obviously have a lot of faith in Spyderco, but liner locks are my least favorite modern locking mechanism.

John Shirley

Or maybe a smaller knife that was always with you and maybe serrated.

Friendly wrestling match with a kid's friend escalates into welp I"m losing so time for a mag dump into this joker's pelvic girdle and then finish him with a big knife.

I think it's in my "That escalated quickly" textbook.

 

[Lapedog]

This has been an interesting thread in many respects. But the short answer for using a Spyderco C-36 Military model for self defense is that I hope it never has to come to that. I carry daily my M390 Military and have for well over a year now and I love it for everyday cutting chores. All I can say is that I guess it would be better than nothing at all. But I would far prefer a handgun like a GLOCK, Smith or Colt.

One of my very favorite Spyderco models ever is the C-60 Ayoob model which from what I'm told was primarily designed for self defense. And I dearly love all my Ayoob models and truly wish Spyderco would do a new Sprint Run with a newer/better blade steel. I guess if you were well trained in some type of martial arts you could probably utilize a knife to your advantage.

Fights are a lot like a car wreck>> they happen so fast sometimes that you have very little time to react in many instances. I used to think it was cool to carry a knife for SD and if I had one while being attacked I would sure try to use it but realistically I think even some type of chemical spray would be far better in most cases.

I think that YAB kind of nailed it down>> If I were to carry a knife for the primary use of SD I would far prefer a fixed blade. But if I had to pick a folder it would be the C-60 Ayoob model.

Honestly my problem with knives likenthe Ayoob and almost any other f

 

[Lapedog]

This has been an interesting thread in many respects. But the short answer for using a Spyderco C-36 Military model for self defense is that I hope it never has to come to that. I carry daily my M390 Military and have for well over a year now and I love it for everyday cutting chores. All I can say is that I guess it would be better than nothing at all. But I would far prefer a handgun like a GLOCK, Smith or Colt.

One of my very favorite Spyderco models ever is the C-60 Ayoob model which from what I'm told was primarily designed for self defense. And I dearly love all my Ayoob models and truly wish Spyderco would do a new Sprint Run with a newer/better blade steel. I guess if you were well trained in some type of martial arts you could probably utilize a knife to your advantage.

Fights are a lot like a car wreck>> they happen so fast sometimes that you have very little time to react in many instances. I used to think it was cool to carry a knife for SD and if I had one while being attacked I would sure try to use it but realistically I think even some type of chemical spray would be far better in most cases.

I think that YAB kind of nailed it down>> If I were to carry a knife for the primary use of SD I would far prefer a fixed blade. But if I had to pick a folder it would be the C-60 Ayoob model.

My issue with knives likee the Ayoob are that though the knife may be great once in hand and open drawing the knife andt thumbing it open is the weak link. The only folding knives that I consider even marginally acceptable for SD are waved knives. Then you have to practice waving until it is literally second nature.

 

[lieferung]

Tbf ,the Spyderco Massad Ayoob looks like a knife just begging for a CM wave mod.

 

[Misthailin]

 

[Yonose]

One thing about carrying a knife strictly for SD is not only deployment, reliability, etc., but also the legal ramifications. I wasn't going to mention this, but several years ago, there was a nationally televised court trial on the now-defunct CourtTV in which a man who had been walking down the street had been attacked and was being beaten by a known gang member, probably for robbery, but the defender had somehow gotten a knife out and stabbed the thug. Witnesses (the attacker's fellow gang members?) thought he was trying to fight back with body punches. Well, the attacker died.

When they showed the knife in evidence, guess what it was? It was a combo-edge Spyderco Military, and it appeared DLC-coated. The defender had apparently remained nearby afterwards and had called the police. So at least in one instance, there is proof that a Military was successfully used in SD.

IIRC, it was eventually found that the killing was justified SD. But it could have gone either way. The thug's family and friends had tried to paint a very empathetic portrait of him, but his criminal record proved otherwise. It was also probably very gut-wrenching and expensive for the defender/defendant.

Now, some will say, "Better judged by 12 than carried by six". Everybody makes their choices. The defendant had stated during trial that his knife was a tool for his job, and it probably was. But if you carry a dedicated SD knife, know that SD also involves the legal aftermath. And if the knife is clearly designed for SD it might not go too well for you.

Jim

This will make (3) confirmed reports of some civilian killing a gang member attacker with a spyderco military!

 

[Yonose]

It really depends on the jury, and it does matter what they might think. For whatever their reasons, many people consider using a knife as somehow more heinous than using a firearm in SD.

Jim

A dead criminal costs the state less money than a single trial by jury in the long run.

 

[rpn]

Lol of course! I am a ninja navy seal swat team secret agent samurai mercenary after all.

Part of the reason I like short fixed knives is they are easy to carry so you will likely have them on you. Criminals often try to attack you unawares so you don’t know you’re in danger until they are ontop of you. Short fixed blades are easier and faster to draw at these ranges. If the range is long enough that a big knife can be preferred for a reach advantage I suggest you run instead. No one wins a knife fight.

I follow Clay Martin on Gunsamerica who is a former Recon Marine and Green Beret. He has a video talking about training with knives and would give soldiers a choice between a folder or fixed blade...then he and another trainer would jump the soldier. He reported soldiers with the folder were never able to successfully deploy the folder. Never as in 0 times...that was an interesting video.

 

[Shotgun]

I follow Clay Martin on Gunsamerica who is a former Recon Marine and Green Beret. He has a video talking about training with knives and would give soldiers a choice between a folder or fixed blade...then he and another trainer would jump the soldier. He reported soldiers with the folder were never able to successfully deploy the folder. Never as in 0 times...that was an interesting video.

This may just be a case of not being used to the knife. Wouldn't you say this would be different if the person had used the folder several times a day at work for several years? I use a Millie at work and I no longer have to think about opening it, closing it, or turning it in my hand to change grips. It's become second nature. I personally don't see it as a weapon though. It just makes my job easier to have a good knife handy. I'm more likely to throw the attacker into something before thinking about my knife.

If I wanted a weapon I'd carry a gun but I don't carry anymore. When I did, I always carried at least one extra mag. Mags can fail so carrying just the one that's loaded can reduce the op's capacity to 1.

 

[oxman198]

Well Im sure the blade on the Military would cut through thigh meat like a laser, but I would be concerned about the liner lock. Of course if a dog had my kids leg in its mouth I would be stabbing with that Military like theres no tomorrow, to hell with my fingers. Now you could get a street bowie for half the price, now that is a SD knife right there.

 

[Yonose]

This may just be a case of not being used to the knife. Wouldn't you say this would be different if the person had used the folder several times a day at work for several years? I use a Millie at work and I no longer have to think about opening it, closing it, or turning it in my hand to change grips. It's become second nature. I personally don't see it as a weapon though. It just makes my job easier to have a good knife handy. I'm more likely to throw the attacker into something before thinking about my knife.

If I wanted a weapon I'd carry a gun but I don't carry anymore. When I did, I always carried at least one extra mag. Mags can fail so carrying just the one that's loaded can reduce the op's capacity to 1.

If anyone were jumped by a Recon Marine—Green Beret I don’t think it would matter whether he were able to deploy the knife or not. He’s still going down.