Pleas help the new guy!

JasonB,

Get yourself a Spyderco Native. It is a GREAT cutter, and it shouldn't look too "mean" to the police, or to a jury.
 
My recommendation for a tough folder for under a hundred dollars is one of the various Benchmade Griptilian models (Griptilianses?). I got the 555 mini-version, but they all should perform the same. Since I got this knife, I have not purchased another folder. I do not plan on ever purchasing another folder unless I lose it. It's that good.

As far as I can tell, this knife is Benchmade's answer to the Spyderco Native, Delica, and Endura series. Both knives are very tough, fairly inexpensive high performance cutters that are made to work rather than impress. In the end I chose the Griptilian for several reasons.

1) Axis lock. Run some searches, and you will find that this mechanism is very highly regarded around here. Completely ambidextrous, easy to work with one hand, and as strong as anything on the market. Very condusive to flick openings.
2)Full liners. Zytel is very strong and lightweight, but without some steel support it can also feel hollow. I found the 555 to feel much more solid than similar unlined folders. This does slightly increase weight and thickness.
3)Benchmade's "genetically modified sheepsfoot" blade. Bad name, great shape. My favorite blade style. Plenty of point, plenty of belly, and no recurve. 440C may not be the newest steel around, but I still find it to work great and (of the steels I have used) be the best balance of edge holding and corrosion resistance. Cheap too.

This knife will excel for everyday utility and on-the-job use. As far as self defense, I would imagine the Griptilian would work as well as anything out there. Good grip, sharp blade, and a reliable lock.

Take a look at this model. You could pay a lot more money for a lot less knife.
 
Uh, I'm kinda bothered that no one has mentioned this yet: If you get into a serious altercation with someone, you have a couple things to consider;

1) Are they REALLY going to be unarmed, or armed with nothing more than a knife? Especially if its a gangbanger, they'll most likely have at LEAST one gun. Time to bust out some old wisdom: "Never bring a knife to a gunfight.":rolleyes:

2) If you get in a position where you truly fear for your life, are you going to be content being armed with only a 3" blade??? I dunno bout you, but I'd feel just a little better with something more along the lines of a Beretta 92F.

Basically what I'm getting at, is that a knife REALISTICALLY, should only be used as an ABSOLUTE last resort for defense. Most people do not have the proper training to use a blade very effectively in close combat. Would you REALLY trust yourself to take someone out effectively with a small blade? I wouldn't trust myself to do that with my Strider BT! Also, your assailant is most likely going to be more heavily armed. (Like I said, especially a gang member).

However, when you brandish a gun, you present a person with a whole new set of options. The assailant can;
a) Continue on their current course of action attempting to attack you (or whatever he wants to do) and go home dead or at least severely wounded.
b) He can drop to his hands and knees, kiss your feet and apologise for being so stupid, because hey, he was only kidding. He didn't really want your wallet or your wife. Then he can scurry back into the sewer from whence he came. Funny how a Beretta makes even the toughest, meanest criminal into your new best friend! :D

I too live in CA where you can't legally carry a blade over 3 or 4 inches, much less a gun. But I'd rather live to fight it in court rather than die on the street. If you are really that concerned for your safety, (hey, think about your wife/girlfriend too! She should be reason enough!) I highly recommend a handgun, and definitely some good training to go along with that. You can keep your knife for a LAST RESORT backup, and as the first piece in your collection that you will be growing now that you are a member here! :D

Hope I helped!
Good luck!
drjones
 
I just saw that you say you can't carry stun guns and the like easily on your person. I disagree wholeheartedly. I forgot to say that you don't have to have a large handgun for SD. (like a 92F) There are LOTS of compact guns that will fit the bill.

If I can carry a Strider BT completely concealed on my person, there is NO WAY you couldn't stick a little pistol somewhere on your person, unless you wear spandex to work! ;) Pick up a few gun mags. They ALWAYS have articles on concealed-carry holsters and guns to go with them.

Regards,
drjones
 
Thanks for all the responses! I was hoping for this kind of reaction but didn't actually think I'd create enough interest.

drjones:

I own many handguns (Glock 17, Glock 21, Glock 30, Sig P239, Ruger SP101, etc.), and have been trained in their use. I do agree that a good pistol is the best defense you can have and I'd love it if it were legal to carry in CA. My boss is also a gun collector and very pro gun. At one point I was working until eleven or twelve at night on a regular basis and kept a 9mm in my office. All that being said, I choose not to carry a gun on my person for a lot of reasons, one of which is that it is VERY illegal and the risk to my life is not THAT great. It's a cost/benefit thing. If I felt I needed to carry a firearm for protection, I'd probably find another job. I want the knife as a last resort if I find myself in an unavoidable life and death situation. It seems to me it would be better than having nothing at all. I also think (please correct me if I'm off base here) that there might be some deterent value if I was cornered by someone with an edged weapon or blunt object. If they come at you with a pipe, they probably don't have a gun to trump your knife, right? Criminals love the easy target. I bet at least some of them would move on if I pulled a knife. Of course, in a robbery situation I would toss my wallet one way and run like hell the other way, if possible. Bottom line, it's all about probabilities; What are the odds of an attack?, what are the odds you'll be arrested for having an illegal knife on you?, what are the odds that you can deter crime with it?, etc.

Anyone been caught by the police with a knife larger than the legal limit? I'm wondering if it's worth the risk (which seems minimal since I don't look suspicous) of being caught to go with something with about three inches of blade. Anyone know what the penalties are? I think I would risk it if it is just a small fine.

You guys are right. The more I look at these knives the more I like 'em. Hope I don't catch the bug like I did with firearms.

Got to get back to the burgers now...You guys have a great Memorial Day! By the way, I want to thank all you vets for your service. Thank You!
 
Great! Now I understand your position MUCH better!

Maybe you want to look at something like a Cold Steel Spike. It's a fixed blade, not a folder, but it is VERY cool, inexpensive, and VERY easily concealed due to its low profile. Check out the Cold Steel Spike HERE. This site has the best price on NIB spikes. Maybe post a want ad here on the forums...

I have the tanto point on order, and I also bought a cheapo imitation from Knifezilla because of the totally cool arm/leg sheath it comes with!

Anyway, I'm not into folders, so I won't be any help there, but the Spike seems to be a pretty good backup weapon, as that is what it was designed for. Cold Steel has a very good reputation for quality, too.

Good luck!
drjones
 
Welcome to the Forums, Jason!
Criminals love the easy target. I bet at least some of them would move on if I pulled a knife.
Click to expand...
Knife use for self defense is a bit more accomplished thing than it seems at first look. I have impression that you are thinking more about deterring your potential assailant and preventing his attack drawing your knife. My honest advice would be: think about your next step if this will not work.
Because your assailant now is prepared that you have a knife and, on the other hand, you have extremely few chances with a folder against a piece of steel pipe...
My tactic would be certainly another. I would try to avoid critical situation with all possible peaceful methods (persuading, running away, giving them my wallet, etc.). If this wouldn’t work and my life would come in danger – I would use my knife unexpectedly, without any warning, trying to get my assailant down at first trial. In another words dealing him possibly hard if not deadly wound. Next trying to attack another bad guy (wow, don’t hope that someone will try to harass you being alone!) at the same manner, not giving him a time to understand what happened and to take any active steps against you. This looks brutally but this is the only way you can survey if they really are going to make you a harm.

Knife is deadly weapon. Think about are you really ready to use it in suitable manner, before you will decide to equip yourself.

Being really threatened I would go with one of the Glocks...
 
Interesting points, Serg. You are right about how scary a steel pipe or other blunt object can be if the bad guy can crack you in the skull with it...very devastating. However, for me it WAS (past tense) actually one of the easier weapons to defend against when I was studying jiu-jitsu about ten years ago, due to the fact that you can pretty much anticipate what someone is going to do. This, of course, does not include people who are trained to wield a stick. I had a friend at the time that was into judo and we trained together quite a bit. One day I decided I wanted to test my skills against some weapons, so he came after me with a dummy stick. Each time I was able to take him to the ground and/or disarm him without being dealt a significant blow, and the fight continued from there. When he came at me with a knife, things got UGLY. First of all, what little technique I new went right out the window. His first attack was a thrust to the mid section. I grabed his thrusting arm and instinctively threw an elbow at his face...didn't actually hit him though. So, assuming that was a knockout blow (big assumption), I got through the first attack ok. By the way, I hadn't been taught to do this in my classes, I just reacted. After that he slashed me to pieces (no more thrusts). There was basically nothing I could do. Moral of the story, I would REALLY respect a knife wielding attacker, even more than somebody with a pipe. Each situation is pretty grim though and of course I'd run like hell if I could.

For anyone that's wants to know, I called the LAPD in Van Nuys today and they told me a 2.5" blade is the max allowed by law. I guess this is what I'll be looking for now. I got the impression that if you are not a total loser, they might let you slide with something bigger, depending on the circumstances.
 
I believe on Cold Steel website it says, legal carried concealed in California, any folder size. You might want to check further.

Sometimes, LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) might not be the best source, because of 'interpretation' factor. Ask some lawyer friends if I may suggest.

However, CS 29MT is not comfortable (small) in hand, and it has 3 inch. I have CS 29LT and it fits better, although my hand is on the smallish range.

Happy finding.
 
Originally posted by BaliSwinger
I believe on Cold Steel website it says, legal carried concealed in California, any folder size.
Click to expand...
The nice thing about LA is that you can get to California pretty easily from there. :)

One problem with laws is that they are made to be preempted. The state sets the most permissable limit and the municipalities decide how much more they want to restrict it. Unfortunately, this leaves an honest citizen with little effective recourse -- how can we study every ordinance everywhere we go?

This is not an accident. It suits the suits to have us constantly aware of our fallibility and guilt.
 
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