Pleas help the new guy!

J

JasonB

Joined
May 26, 2002
Messages
6
Hi,

Don't know the first thing about knives but I'm thinking about purchasing one and would love to tap into your collective expertise.
I work in Van Nuys, CA. Some areas of Van nuys are nice, some are not so nice (gangs, prostitution, etc.). I work in one of the bad areas and want a little portable protection for when I'm away from our facility (lunch, etc.). I have worked in this area for six years and have had a couple run-ins with the local thugs so this is a real issue for me. I am a warehouse manager, so I will also use the knife for opening the occasional box, cutting twine, etc. Just so you know (don't know if it's relevant), I'm 6.2" 200 pounds, and have had a couple years of martial arts training, although this was about ten years ago. I have looked into pepper spray and stun guns but I can't easily carry them on my person. Two issues: 1)what is legal to carry in this part of town? I have talked to several dealers and have read some literature and web sights but still am confused. The dealers actually contradicted each other and were no help at all. 2) What folders do you guys like under $75?
 
is to avoid situations.

As a last resort, any sharp legal sized folder will do.
before that however, carry a little canister of mace.
avoid the situation altogether by going out to lunch with a few of the guys.
 
How small are the mase canisters? What I've seen is too large. Avoiding the situation may not be possible ALL THE TIME. For instance, I was hassled at a car wash once. Each time something happened, or almost happened, I handled it fine and I ALWAYS look to avoid danger. I would just feel better if I had a last resort option. We often do go to lunch as a group but this is not always the case. Also, I also leave our facility alone on various business related activities. Any info on the legal issues? Thanks!
 
I agree try to avoid trouble at all costs.
and don't use a deadly weapon unless your attacker puts your life in danger. All this said try a benchmade AFCK2. One of the liner lock models will run you around $75-$85 and it will be worth every penny.
very sharp knife. If you could avoid using the knife for utility purposes try a spyderco matriarch. You can find one for $48 on 1stopknifeshop.com. the matriarch is a self defense only knife. It is not ment for other work and using it other than self defense will void the warrenty.
 
Get a mini AFCK from Benchmade, they are nice. You can probably find one right here on the For Sale forums too if ya look around enuff.
 
My humble reccomendation is just to go fondle the blades at the stores. Dont forget to look around the online stores, find something that really tickles you, then either search the knife and its reviews around here or ask. Most any sharp piece of metal will cut stuff, you should just find a quality one you like, at a good price. That's where all these splendidly knowledgeable gentlemen come in.
 
Welcome to the forums, JasonB.

I agree with will22 about that Spyderco Matriarch. It is, however, to be used ONLY as a self-defense knife. You could also look at the fully serrated Delica (3"blade) or Endura (4"blade), both are great knives with very affordable prices. With the full Spyderedge serrations, you can use these knives for utility use, as well as, self-defense if needed.

I suggest that you look into your local carry laws for the legal limit on blade length in your area first, just so you'll be alright with the law and you won't get hassled by police. ;)
 
Note: I have no experience with self-defense personally. I live in a fairly low crime area and have never been in a situation where I was in danger. The following is just a summary of the information I have read on these forums.

You really have ALOT of choices. Just about anything with greater than a 3 inch blade and a nice lock would serve for a self defense blade. The important thing is to find one that feels comfortable in your hand, and that you trust to not break on you.

The only limiting factor would be how much money you want to spend.

On the lower end of the spectrum would be the CRKT M-16, the CRKT Crawford/Kasper Fighting Folder(C/K FF), or a Spyderco Endura. I would probably lean toward the Endura here just because I'm not too happy with my M-16(liked it at first but it seems to be wearing out rather rapidly. developed slight blade play and the liner lock is engaging pretty far to the right), plus the Endura has a thinner tip and can come fully serrated: two things that would maybe be nice for SD. Many people are very happy with their CRKTs though so don't discount them solely on my experience. The C/K FF also has a little device called a LAWKS(Lake And Walker Knife Somethingorother) which is an incredible strong lock. No need to worry about the knife closing with the LAWKS engaged. All these knives could be had for around 35-50 dollars each.

Medium range would be the AFCK. The newer models have an axis lock which many people consider to be the pinnacle of current lock technology. The new models run about 70-90 I think. You might be able to get one cheaper though if you hunt around. Another knife in this range would be the spyderco matriarch. Its designed specifically for self defense and if you use it to cut anything(except people i suppose) it voids the warranty. Its a slashing weapon and it has a whole heap of "back off im scary looking". These can be had from 40-80 depending on where you go. I think 1sks.com (the forum's official store) has em for $49.

High end you can get just about anything. The matriarch's big brother the Civillian goes for ~$140. There is also the spyderco Gunting which can be used for both lethal and non-lethal attacks. Spyderco has training courses available for techniques. I think the gunting will run ya about ~$140 as well.

As for mace, this is probably the option I would chose for self defense. Mainly because I have no background in self-defense or fighting techniques and if i tried to use a knife I would probably end up injuring myself as well. They make little keychain sized cannisters of pepper spray which can spray like 5 bursts(i think) up to about 10 feet. Cheap(5-8 dollars) enough that you could buy a couple and set one off so you have an idea of what to expect. It would seem like 5 shots would be enough to buy you the time to run away. If it isn't you are probably going to be in trouble with or without a knife. Since you have had some experience in martial arts you probably know alot more than I do about handling weapons or at least the basic principles of self defense and for you a knife might be more viable option.
 
Jason, welcome to Bladeforums! (drums blowing, trumpets waving, flags pounding!)

Carrying a knife for self-defense, you have to be aware of some of the basics. Having studied martial arts, you should know that training is more important than equipment, and alertness can be as important as training.

Whatever tool you use has to be comfortable and convenient and available, so a utility knife is better than a dedicated combat knife, if only because you will allow yourself to carry and use it regularly. You will be so familiar with where it is on your person, and how it feels in your hand, that you will naturally reach for it when you really, really need it.

In other words, if you carry a three-inch blade clipped to your right front pocket, and use it for all ordinary cutting tasks every day, and a six-inch double-edged dagger IWB SOB (inside your waistband at the small of your back) -- which one will pop into your hand when a mugger jumps out at you? Hang that dagger on your trophy room wall and forget about it!

Enough theory. Let me recommend a specific knife, one that will fit your budget, get the job done on the job, and (since it is a sharp and shiny object) will serve as a defensive tool at need, without suggesting to the justice system afterward that you deliberately walk around with intentionally deadly force waiting for a victim to appear.

Check out the Benchmade Griptilian, full-size, plain-edge, original modified sheepsfoot blade with an opening oval.

Stick around, study the forums, ask questions, enjoy your knives -- and someday you may consider moving up to the Maxx !!! :D
 
No time like the present for collecting good, background information -- and websites. Try Bernard Levine on knife laws.

I understand California does allow folders of any length blade. But I would check on your city for their own exceptions to this, if any.
 
Any legal resources you could point me to? I looked at some of the posts and followed some of the links in the "legal issues" forum of this site. While there is some interesting info here, it is very general. I need more specific info relating to my area...I think???
I talked to one guy at a local knife shop and he told me I can't carry anything over 1.5" in Van Nuys! He also said that if a cop wants to arrest you he will, no matter what he finds in your pocket. I don't think this really matters since I'm not, and do not look like a trouble maker. At another shop someone told me I could carry up to 3.5". Does anyone know for sure? Is a one inch blade going to help me that much in a life and death struggle? Seems like it's almost not worth the trouble. By the way, anyone know what the penalty for illegal carry is in CA. Thanks for the responses!
 
oooh. Californians kind of have it tough. I think you have to keep the blade under 3 inches. I could be wrong though.
 
Hey, I love my knives! They are beautiful examples of useful jewelry, materials and craftsmanship their makers should be proud of. But I'd rather slice salad than humans.

Being a crippled old bum, I stagger around with a cane ... and I bet any punk with a 6" blade gets beat into hamburger with my cane before I get scratched by his knife! :D

Check out this old thread on the Stinger -- I generally carry my Stinger just dropped into a front pocket. Ya gotta pound a heavy bag with one of these to believe how much damage a tiny piece of plastic can do. Don't hit someone in the head with one unless you have a thing for homicide.

If you can get an Impact Kerambit, it's a bit larger than a Stinger, but innocuous, ha ha.
 
JasonB, It sounds like you need to take a look at the coldsteel voyagers, great price, great lockup and nearly bullet-proof.
To be more specific I believe you need a model 29 XT. It is basically a large plain-edge tanto folder.

Take a look at: www.coldsteel.com

However the police might not like this knife. On the other hand I dont believe that any punk will be scared by a knife that has a 1.5 inch blade.
 
Right or wrong,
You stick someone with a knife in any capacity, be prepared to spend a night or two in jail while the lawyers and DA's sort things out. I'm not saying that you're guaranteed to be taken in, but be prepared for it.
 
Spydie's Harpy is the greatest box opener/string cutter, and can be useful in a SD application too
 
jason,
i'd like to preface my comments by saying that i have no clue what the laws in california are.

that being said, have you ever seen an Emerson LaGriffe? here's a link to a site that sells them (with a picture).

http://www.knifeoutlet.com/shop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=EMLG

the Lagriffe is a neck knife rather than a folder (it hangs around your neck in a small plastic sheath). it's a little wierd looking, but i have really come to love mine. the neck knife carry mode is very concealable and as soon as you draw it you're ready to go. with the lagriffe around your finger it's almost impossible to be disarmed, and the position of the blade makes defensive motions very intuitive. it like having a big claw. i know this type of knife probably isn't what you were thinking of, but i figured i'd throw it out there...give it some thought, you might warm up to the idea.

on a more traditional folder note, i have prefer the Masters of Defense knifes (tempest for me, but you should try to handle them and see what fits your hand the best). MOD knifes are built like tanks and the tempest is suprisingly easy to conceal for such a stout blade. here a link to the MOD section at Botach tactical. they have the best prices i have ever found for MOD:

http://www.botachtactical.com/modmasofdefk.html

finally, if you are still interested in pepper spray, check out the link below. Fox spray have an excellent reputation and the small canister with the belt clip (or just the refill canister alone) is a very convienient method of carry. obviously cans this small have limited range and capacity, but it might come in handy to get you out of a tough spot. if i were you i would consider carrying both the spray and the knife...that way you have some recourse if the spray doesn't do the job. a small ASP baton would also be a great non lethal carry weapon, but i bet that would be illegal in Cali. here in seattle i can carry a pistol, but ASP batons are still banned. lame.

http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/keychain.htm

be safe,
e.
 
JasonB I know that area to well as I only live 15-20 min from there. When im going through that neighborhood I usually carry a coldsteel xl voyager,It is not a good part of town.
 
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