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mountain biking support knife.....
- Thread starter ZJChaser
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2007
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- 3,121
The Spyderco Temperance was designed specifically for cougar and other animal attacks.
A Temperance or similar small fixed blade in a Mercharness would be the best thing.
I would not personally put my life in the hands of a spray.
Spyderco had the market for sports knives but Buck has taken a shot at it recently.
A Temperance or similar small fixed blade in a Mercharness would be the best thing.
I would not personally put my life in the hands of a spray.
Spyderco had the market for sports knives but Buck has taken a shot at it recently.
mercharness + ZT 121?
I was looking for a sheath that had an actual retaining enclosure that is stil a thumb flick to open. the single button seems like a good design on the ZT sheath.
I have no fixed blades(besides a cheap little boot knife that sits on my desk as my letter opener) and no experience with the sheath design so I'm not positive how well they hold the blades in rough situations....especially inverted.
I was looking for a sheath that had an actual retaining enclosure that is stil a thumb flick to open. the single button seems like a good design on the ZT sheath.
I have no fixed blades(besides a cheap little boot knife that sits on my desk as my letter opener) and no experience with the sheath design so I'm not positive how well they hold the blades in rough situations....especially inverted.
I mountain bike a lot in Colorado. I carry bear mace for bears and a BM912 Stryker or a HK14205 for the pesky pussycats. Bear mace shoots 30 ft, you don't want to use it on a target that's much closer than that or the back spray when it hits the target could incapacitate you. Rarely will you know you're pray for a cat until it's on you, therefore the bear mace would rarely be used to fend off a cat. Nor would a handgun for that matter. In close hand to paw combat, it's better to "affix bayonets."
Cats are ambush hunters. They like to jump on your back from a tree or a ledge. Mountain bikers look like fleeing prey when they're peddling fast in a low gear going uphill which triggers the attack. They go for your neck from behind, so the 'ole reach around (or stab around) is your typical first reaction to get them off you. After that, you're best bet is to have your bike in one hand (mine weights 27 lbs) with the rear wheel towards the cat and your knife in the other if another attack is imminent. If there's enough distance, chucking rocks or sticks at 'em will usually be enough to scare it away.
Colorado cops can be more pesky than the cats, hence the folders under 3.5". On my "to buy" list is a BM Fixed Resistor or a BM Nimravus for those epic rides.
Cats are ambush hunters. They like to jump on your back from a tree or a ledge. Mountain bikers look like fleeing prey when they're peddling fast in a low gear going uphill which triggers the attack. They go for your neck from behind, so the 'ole reach around (or stab around) is your typical first reaction to get them off you. After that, you're best bet is to have your bike in one hand (mine weights 27 lbs) with the rear wheel towards the cat and your knife in the other if another attack is imminent. If there's enough distance, chucking rocks or sticks at 'em will usually be enough to scare it away.
Colorado cops can be more pesky than the cats, hence the folders under 3.5". On my "to buy" list is a BM Fixed Resistor or a BM Nimravus for those epic rides.
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2005
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- 2,826
For a folder, I'd recommend a Cold Steel Voyager X2 with a 6-inch blade, serrated or plain. For a fixed knife, you're gonna laugh, but seriously, I'd recommend you pick up a Maxam Tactical Knife Set. Each day you sally forth on your mountain bike, you can choose between the type of knife you feel like carrying. Nothing fancy, mind you, but these knives will do.
If you want a folder, though, you can't do much better than a Voyager. It's bigger and meaner than a Benchmade Rukus and far less expensive. It's lightweight, reliable, well made and has a decent lock.
The Maxam knives may not be the best quality fixed blade, but
they offer variety at an affordable price of $25.
If you want a folder, though, you can't do much better than a Voyager. It's bigger and meaner than a Benchmade Rukus and far less expensive. It's lightweight, reliable, well made and has a decent lock.
The Maxam knives may not be the best quality fixed blade, but
they offer variety at an affordable price of $25.
I believe mine is tipping the scales over 40 pounds now(Santa Cruz Bullit built for DH racing). Its on the chopping block soon and will go for sale. I'm not racing downhill anymore and will be grabbing a specialized enduro Comp most likely. It would make quite to impact if I got it swinging.
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2005
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- 28,426
I love mtn biking and knives. I own a bike store and sell knives too!
At any rate, my rig includes a timberline mini pitbull lashed under my saddle, an old school gerber guardian attached low on my shoulder strap, (so when I pull it out, I've got er in an icepick grip which I'd imagine would be the safest and most effective way to grab it if I need to stab a hungry beast) a swiss army knife inside my pack, a small golok from valiant for trail maintenance and a full size folding knife of some variety or another.
I did some research today, and I think that a really good option for predator defense while outdoors in a folder is the crkt hissatsu, and for a straight knife, the crkt dragon looks promising. Both are pretty cheap and well made and will do the kind of job we hope we never would have to do.
Shred that gnar!..!
At any rate, my rig includes a timberline mini pitbull lashed under my saddle, an old school gerber guardian attached low on my shoulder strap, (so when I pull it out, I've got er in an icepick grip which I'd imagine would be the safest and most effective way to grab it if I need to stab a hungry beast) a swiss army knife inside my pack, a small golok from valiant for trail maintenance and a full size folding knife of some variety or another.
I did some research today, and I think that a really good option for predator defense while outdoors in a folder is the crkt hissatsu, and for a straight knife, the crkt dragon looks promising. Both are pretty cheap and well made and will do the kind of job we hope we never would have to do.
Shred that gnar!..!
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2005
- Messages
- 955
I'm curious -- what exactly did your attack victim tell you? I've thought about this situation a lot, since I live in the Pacific Northwest and hike and bike in the deep woods every chance I get. I'd be very interested to hear what they did, and if they were able to use a knife.
I think a knife is a pretty minimal defense against a mountain lion, almost useless on coyotes, and worthless against a snake. Coyotes are wary, and would most likely only attack in a large force, if at all. Snakes (unless you're wrapped in a death roll with a python) aren't good targets for a hack or slash -- better to grab some big rocks and throw them from a distance. That is, if you can't get around the snake. I pretty much feel like if I'm out in the wilds, I'm in their home and if I can avoid them, I will. Around my house -- that's a different matter. As for lions -- unless you have the knife in hand when attacked, and are VERY steady whilst being mauled/shaken, it's going to be hard to use a knife to deter a lion. Better than nothing, though.
I carry a RAT7 D2 inside the outer pouch of my Camelbak M.U.L.E., protruding slightly through the partly opened zipper. I took the leg cord off the sheath and tied it through the handle to secure the knife while chopping, and I leave this hanging outside my pack. I leave the knife unsnapped, so all I have to do is swing the pack around, grab the cord and yank it, and the knife is in my hand. This gives me a large, very sturdy, well made and effective knife to use very quickly. Of more use is the Glock 20 10mm w/15 rounds zipped in behind it. The Glock is by far my preference in a violent encounter, but it's harder to get to. I also carry a small canister of pepper spray in an elastic holster strapped to the front of my Camelbak, for use against aggressive dogs or whatever.
My thought is that you need layers of defense, so you have options very readily at hand for whatever comes up. If you live in a place where concealed weapons permits are harder to come by, you'll have to decide if the risk of carrying a gun to defend yourself, especially in places where you know people have been attacked, is worth the penalty if you have a run-in with the law and get searched.
As for D2 being brittle - I've had no problems using my RAT7 to chop all sorts of stuff. Doesn't mean it's bullet proof - just that I've used it hard and been delighted with it.
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- Dec 4, 2005
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Hmmm.... Just like humans, I have no desire to hurt anyone. If they come after me or mine, it's all different. The great outdoors are there for me to enjoy, and if they come after me, they're gonna get hurt. I don't hunt, I don't fish, I'm a vegetarian, and I have great respect for life. My own and that of my family just happens to be the most important of all.
Having ridden Peugot Racing bike since 1963 I used to carry a Randall Boot knife until the Tri-athelete came along. Many times I had dogs, one time a Doberman, rush at me. Step one, I got off bike and placed it between me an said creature. Step two I prepared myself with the Randall in saber postion. Dog would have to jump high to get me and I knew I could perform a tracheotomy as he leapt. The bike also was to be used to push it over, pin it, and then penetrate through eye socket.
If I were to go mountain biking and could not take my 1911 A1 I would opt for the KaBar Ghurka holstered across the handle bars. Cheap at under $50.00, swung like a katana or thrust, and I tested it on a beef bone.
As one of the other members with a great sense of humor implied "Wild cats and viscous dogs are people too and need their food [grin]".
Really though, as was taught in WW II by Rex Applegate "Kill or be Killed'. Primitive, atavistic but true. Please do not let PETA intimidate you into becoming Kennelration.
Safe Biking.
If I were to go mountain biking and could not take my 1911 A1 I would opt for the KaBar Ghurka holstered across the handle bars. Cheap at under $50.00, swung like a katana or thrust, and I tested it on a beef bone.
As one of the other members with a great sense of humor implied "Wild cats and viscous dogs are people too and need their food [grin]".
Really though, as was taught in WW II by Rex Applegate "Kill or be Killed'. Primitive, atavistic but true. Please do not let PETA intimidate you into becoming Kennelration.
Safe Biking.
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2005
- Messages
- 955
I love my Enduro Comp. Great balance of rideability and travel, plus the disc brakes are wonderful. Here in the great northwest where it rains an awful lot, it's nice to know the brakes are going to work every time.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2006
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- 542
A knife is better than bear hands. Keep it on you, not your bike. Pepper spray or an air horn is a good plan, cause you both live.
I dunno, if I had bear hands for self defence, a heavy smack to kitty's face could do a lot of damage, probably same if not more than human hands with a folder.
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- Sep 5, 2005
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I had a friend who was checking ranch fences when he was attacked by a cougar. It dropped from a tree in broad daylight and rushed him. Fortunately, he had a .357 in a shoulder and dropped it in one shot. After calling the Centers for Disease Control in Denver, he was told to cut off its head and send it in for testing. He did and it was rabid.
Mountain lions usually attack only from the back and they go for the base of the head, where the neck is. If it snaps that area, you've had it. Lions also sometimes try to knock larger prey off a bike and down a ravine where they know that injury is likely. One woman killed by a lion was attacked this way a number of years ago out West while jogging. She was hurt so bad that she couldn't fend the cat off.
Finally, you are FAR more vulnerable when you bend over to tie your laces, inspect your bike or make a small repair. Don't do it. If you positively have to bend over, do it next to a tree, where you'll have it to your back.
If you can wear something around the base of your neck, that also will help.
Just a few things I've picked up in the wild....
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- Feb 12, 2006
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- 740
I do alot of trail riding and DH. On my trail riding days my "Da Kine" "Nomad" hydration pack I have a MOD Razorback mounted inverted on my right strap I lowered edge profile so I could slash or stab, and sometimes I carry a waved Cento 4 in my pocket or a waved Manix. And really remote trails or rides by myself I bring along my HK USP compact 40. Whos knows what could happen.
If you are swinging at a cougar, you'll have enough adrenaline going to swing it one handed...
Some good advice here, I personally like fixed blades, but some good folders do exist also. One thing you may want to try. If you wear a helmet, find someone who is artistic to paint a mean face on the back of it, with big eyes and teeth. They do this for tigers in India, who also attack from behind. You might get some snickers, but who cares? Let the lion eat them!!!!
