Prominent "fighting knife" makers

B

briwayne

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Dec 16, 2007
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What are some respected knife makers who specialize in making knives that are for fighting? I'm assuming the makers do most of their sales to military or police personnel.

I've heard the name Bob Kasper mentioned, but far as I can tell he didn't make knives, only helped design some models.
 
I am no expert, just making an educated guess, but I'd say that besides the military/LE personnel that buy them, there are plenty of people who buy fighting knives purely becasuse they are cool. Plus I am sure that plenty of them are fairly functional also.
 
I think Kevin McClung "Mad Dog" knives does a large selection of "fighting knives"
have had the pleasure of owning a few, and they Drove as sexy as they looked
 
HI Bri,

First, Bob Kasper did a lot of design work for Al Polkowski. Bob lead classes where people trained with these knives.

Second, during my 5 1/2 years with the 101st Airborne...not one single second was spent on anything to do that even remotely to do with using a knife.

Your assumption that military and LEO's are the main buyers of a "Fighting" knife would seem to make sense. However, it is about 99% inaccurate.

Given the choice between a firearm or a knife? Well as the saying goes don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

Don't get me wrong I love custom knives, been carrying one daily for 24 years.

I'll always remember what the Old SGM (Vietnam Vet) told me "Sir, if you are using a knife to defend yourself...you are in a F***ED UP situation."

Remember, a Fighting knife is the knife you have in your hand when the knife fight starts!

Check out Al's work.

WWG
Qualified Expert On 6 different Army weapons...but still carried an 8 1/2" Brend Model 2 every time I went to the field!
 
Bob Terzuola
 
I would also say that first it's Bill Bagwell. Of course, Walter Brend and Bob Terzuola would also get second the third position; albeit very close one to the other. If you are thinking of obtaining any blade from any of these makers (especially Bill Bagwell and Walter Brend), you are looking at prices well above $1,000. Therefore, you also need to consider this factor as well. One thing I would propose though, if money is not an issue and you are set to buy any such blade, is to go and attend one or more of James Keating's seminars. You don't buy a FERRARI without having a driver's license, do you?
 
Hi Keith, Sookie and Pootsy,

How many knife fights have you guys been in?

What knife did you use?

Did you or your opponent get cut very badly? Were either of you arrested?

I had a knife pulled on me once, cheap switchblade. Fortunately for me I found about a 2 1/2 foot long piece of electrical conduit pipe. Unfortunately, for the guy with the switch blade, I had been practicing Kendo for about 3 years at that point. I did not get cut nor arrested. The individual with the knife required some medical attention.

Andro brings up a good point that if you are going to buy a knife to fight with, get some training. I faired well against the guy with knife, due directly to the fact I had years of training.

Just remember, taking all the training and then leaving the knife at home will do you no good. In most places if you are caught carrying a "Fighter" will be a serious felony. As well you will probably find it difficult to carry a 12" (OAL) or larger knife year around.

Have you looked into taking Escrima or Arnis and carry a collapsible baton (or two)? These are considered "non-lethal" weapons and can be just as effective as a knife in well trained hands in a knife fight.


WWG
 
WWG, of course training is important, but the original poster didn't ask for advice about that. If he had, he woukl have been in the wrong forum. That would be a thread for Practical Tactical.

To answer your question, I have never been in a knife fight, and hope that I never will be. I have never taken any training involving knives.
 
WoodWorkGhost said:
Have you looked into taking Escrima or Arnis and carry a collapsible baton (or two)? These are considered "non-lethal" weapons and can be just as effective as a knife in well trained hands in a knife fight.WWG
Click to expand...

1. Fighting knives are absolutely wonderful to own, collect and display.

2. Kelly Worden and others, offer some fairly intense knife-centric training. If I was looking for a fighting knife for use, I would take class first, and buy knife second, based upon the skills that I had learned.

3. Iaijutsu(starts with sword in scabbard) is probably the BEST way to learn about collapsible baton use, Les. I have put the tip of a Monadonock within two inches of a training partners' face from waistband draw. The draw is remarkably kinetic, and when done right, and practiced frequently is a game over sort of situation(which I would only know about from a theoretical sense, and freely admit it)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Batons will get you in as much trouble in chicago as a knife in many cases with CPD
As for knife fights no, but i did hurt someones feelings once.
All joking aside, On the NW side of chicago while picking up my nephew i had 3 guys try to assault me, only thing i had was my spyderco spot, which paired together with a low kick,and I am not going to taking this ass wumpin standing still was enough. No one was cut, but i did need to change my underwear : )
 
I offer a fighter its in my hornet line, please have a look at my website.

Spencer
 
Well it is called a knife fight still when he has and you don't :D if it does then one :D. I always remember Bagwell saying about what weapon he would like in a knife fight; a shotgun. That made me alugh for ages. Just because someone is looking a fighting knife doesn't mean they are going to fight with it. In fact I hope they don't. the whole point is to have something with which you could. For me Bagwell is top of my list and i can't think of a knife better than a Bagwell fighting bowie for me anyway.
 
Thx for the links to the knives, guys.

Is there a tactical reason to have an upper guard on a knife with only one sharp side?

Sometimes I see knives with a bottom guard only. Other times, both sides have guards. Is this just an aesthetic thing or is there a use reason for this?
 
For years in production, most items that have gone to war, and name recognition I would say Randall fighting knives are tops. They have been in the business since WWII. You won't find fancy alloys, just rugged field-worthy knives.

Jerry Hossom has the best designs that I have seen. I would pick one of his if I expected to ship out (I'm much to old).

Re. the top side guard on fighting knives. When police investigate altercations with knives it is extremely common for the knife wielder to have cut himself on his blade. With a stab or thrust it is very easy for your hand to slip onto the blade. I experimented with knife designs in years past and discovered that a cross guard and even a subhilt are very useful.
 
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