Need Your Help with Selecting Knife: Glock vs. Ontario 499 Air Force, or 498 Marine Combat

Look at the Ontario Spec Plus versions of the Jet Pilot Survival Knife (SP-2) and Marine Fighting Utility (SP-1). They have a nicer feel than the military versions in my opinion. They're a good option in the $40-50ish dollar range.
 
The glock knife is used around the world by military. It’s tough but unbelieveably obtuse by grind making it bad cutter. It is pretty stabbity though. I got one in my drawer for urban apocalypse and not feeling too bad just being there due the price.
 
I have written about this before on these forums, so I'll try to be brief:

Our son deployed to Iraq inn the "surge" of 2004. At that time, he was a USMC platoon leader. I was terrified (inside) and got him a selection of cutlery that included a "modern" Ka-Bar, a CRK "Green Beret", a Randall #1, and a John Ek dagger along with a Camillus "Cuda Maxx" folding dagger.

After consulting with training cadre vets from Viet Nam and Desert Storm, he took along the CRK and the Randall, leaving the others at 29 Palms. When he deployed a second time, he only packed the CRK Green Beret.

Hope that helps you.
 
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A knife for defensive purposes would not be on my buy list, but if I had to have one, I would want it to be good for other stuff, too. The BK7 would probably be my top choice, but I would give strong consideration to the Varusteleka Jääkkäri puukko and the JP Peltonen Sissipuukko, preferring the Peltonen because of the pointier blade. I have the shorter versions of each. You would probably like the longer ones.

Blades by Laurin in 80CRV2.

The Finns know a thing or two about cutting sentries’ throats.
 
For the price, I’d go with the Becker BK7. I just recently sold mine, great knife and I don’t regret selling it. Had too many knives (for me), and it didn’t hold a candle to the SYKCO DB421. But for the money, IMO you can’t beat a BK7 or maybe a comparable TOPS knife.
 
to add a point - the self def topic is always a Pandora box...
as in, actual SD use with a fixed blade is really generally a bad idea unless you've had some training

... obviously when pushed into extreme situations, that bit of training can also mean knowing what to do in given situations, and thus worth far more than a blade (imho)

it's also worth mentioning that there are often better SD tools than a fixed blade
 
Slimp said:
I'm looking for a fixed blade, self defense knife with open-carry.
Which of these would you recommend and why?

Glock Knife:

Ontario Knife Company 499 Air Force Survival

Ontario Knife Company 498 Marine Combat:

Links removed, read the site rules.
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Slimp: Did you get the guidance you needed on this?

Please keep us updated on what choice you make.
 
For open carry, self defense only? Between those three I‘d have to say the Glock. Very pointy, not too heavy, tough enough. Compact, ambidextrous sheath with a secure, one hand release. Decent handle, indexable guard. If it gets lost or damaged, no worries. For the record, I own all three and the 499 is my go-to for an all around outdoors knife. I have simple needs, what can I say.
 
Other thoughts:

Interesting to note that no one has suggested an Airforce Pilot's Survival Knife.

The knife is aggressive looking and brutally ugly to wave around (brandishing not recommended). It is unlovely and inexpensive enough to be considered nearly disposable if it is ever actually used for self defense. The whole package is compact at 5.5 " with saw teeth. double guard and stacked leather handle. The pommel but is hammer-it stout. For open carry, the leather sheath is as butch looking as a bear trap.

If there is an altercation and law enforcement is involved, and even if you are in the right and un-charged, the likelihood of ever getting your knife back is pretty low. A high spec, nice knife from a premium maker could be a significant loss in terms of investment and emotional involvement.

If this is for self defense, I would hope that I would never have to use it more than once.
 
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VorpelSword said:
If there is an altercation and law enforcement is involved, and even if you are in the right and un-charged, the likelihood of ever getting your knife back is pretty low.
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Source please?

LEO for 35 years - never once seen or heard of legally owned property being permanently confiscated without cause. That would be called theft, and cops are not immune to such charges.
 
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shane45-1911 said:
Source please?

LEO for 35 years - never once seen or heard of legally owned property being permanently confiscated without cause. That would be called theft, and cops are not immune to such charges.
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Sorry, Urban legend. In other, gun related forums, one sometimes reads of firearms retained by LE prior to a legal proceeding as evidence that is later somehow "not found" ertc.

I have no solid source, just the hearsay anecdotes.

My suggestion is that a knife intended for self-defense to be mundane in character and not a fine piece of premium cutlery that one is attached to. My post is in no way intended to defame law enforcement officers in general or in particular.
 
Slimp said:
I started with researching the Ka-Bar due to name recognition. I read that the Ka-Bar is inferior to the Ontario Knife 498, which is now mil-spec. That research led me to the Ontario knives and the Glock.

In other words, I'm not fixed on those, but rather am new to this and stumbling around trying to learn all the nuances of these knives, so I really appreciate reading your recommendations on better fixed blades.
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Just out of idle curiosity, what is the value to you in something being "mil spec?" Is it an indicator of quality to you? Most military hardware is solicited by a bidding process and produced by the lowest bidder. I certainly wouldn't use some of the equipment that the Army gave me now as a civilian, given superior civilian offerings. Some of it I would, but the Army sure gave me some garbage "mil spec" equipment. All "mil spec" means is that materials and designs are standardized and meet the stipulations that the military has put forth on material and cost, it shouldn't necessarily be an indicator of quality or potentially turn you away from a brand.

I would suggest that this is probably intensely true in the knife world, there are people and companies who know an immense amount about making excellent knives, but those knives might not be in agreement with what the military is looking for in a knife and so aren't "mil spec." The military's requirements for a knife are potentially going to be worlds apart from yours because they have to commission and pay for the manufacture, distribution, and maintenance of thousands (sometimes millions) of the same item. It's just a different set of priorities. Sometimes "mil spec" means the soldier end-user gets a decent piece of equipment, but sometimes it means the soldier gets a useless piece of trash because the Army saved a bundle, but that piece of trash is still "mil spec."
 
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VorpelSword said:
Sorry, Urban legend. In other, gun related forums, one sometimes reads of firearms retained by LE prior to a legal proceeding as evidence that is later somehow "not found" ertc.

I have no solid source, just the hearsay anecdotes.

My suggestion is that a knife intended for self-defense to be mundane in character and not a fine piece of premium cutlery that one is attached to. My post is in no way intended to defame law enforcement officers in general or in particular.
Click to expand...

No worries, and no offense taken. I appreciate your clarification. :)
 
You mentioned self defense. I don’t know California law. What are the laws On carry? (Open or concealed) In your car, Or to keep in the home?

That’s a big factor.

If it’s only in the home, I’d vote for a Kukri.

I carried an AF Jet pilots knife, properly dyed black, handle sheath and all to be more tactical. :). And, it was a great: Pry window, break glass, cut stuff that needs cutting knife.

For open carry. I’d pick the largest blade legal. Up to around 5-6 inches. But, I’d carry a non military style knife. Like a Case 5” Skinner.

Do research. State law does not pre empt local ordinances apparently.

www.akti.org

California Knife Laws | American Knife and Tool Institute

Dirk knives and daggers are illegal to carry concealed. Switchblades with a blade 2” or longer are illegal to carry. A wide variety of unusual knives are also illegal to carry. Violation of the carry…
www.akti.org www.akti.org
 
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If in an urban environment my suggestion isn't a good one but if camping, walking, in the "wilds" a cold steel shovel would be my pick. Otherwise a Kabar Ek model for pure sd would be OK. Not expensive, and full tang.
 
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