Protection knife against wild animals.

killgar said:
http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/larry-mueller-and-marguerite-reiss/2007/09/last-stand

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2006/07/22/bear.html

http://www.knife-depot.com/blog/knives-save-lives-man-vs-bear/

http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/music_movies_girls_life/man_kills_grizzly_with_a_knife
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Yes, but how many of those are black bears? Grizzly bears and black bears, two different things. Like comparing bobcats to sabre tooth tigers.

Considering how many millions people recreate and live in Virginia black bear habitat, and the total lack of reported fatal attacks, I stand by my earlier opinion that it's a non-issue.

OT, but I witnessed an interesting bear contact two nights ago. A small adult bear had grabbed a bag of trash from the dumpster and was carefully picking through it piece by piece. About 11 o'clock at night, I was standing about fifteen feet away watching. A tiny kitten ran down the alley right by the bear. The bear was spooked and jumped back. :D
 
Hello killgar
It would be nice if you can answer a final question. After reading all questions and ideas of this thread, what do you think is a good knife for defense? Yes, if you are lucky enough maybe a pocket knife can be useful, but I mean a belt knife. You have been talking about the ka bar, because it's fast and light. But if you would take into consideration, that you have stab through hair, hide, five inches of fat and muscles to pearce the heart, how long should the blade be then? I know that's not an effective way to try, but I am very interested in your opinion.
Thanks in advance.
 
stabman said:
In this story posted by Killgar,

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2006/07/22/bear.html

I think I figured out the whole crux of the dilemma.
You see, it was a Canadian who managed to kill the bear with the use of a knife.
Most of the naysayers have been American...:D

Thread solved; become Canadian and you'll survive just fine. :thumbup:
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Must be all the syrup and ham. Sorry, syrup and "bacon." :D

So since this thread is still going, has anyone thought about what would be better to deter a bear, a belt knife or a walking stick?
 
One might think, that of the Americans who frequent this forum, few if any carry a knife specificly for protection from animals regardless of their skills and abilities. Do they do so in Europe?
 
I frequent New Hampshire and Maine a lot, I never worry about bears, never even seen one. And any research or information I've gathered from the people here as well as other documentaries/television programs/etc. bears really do not want anything to do with people. Same with wolves, they aren't out hunting humans. Occasionally you get a bear attack or wolf attack, the last person to DIE from a wolf attack in the lower 48 states was in 1920. And most of the bears and wolves that do attack people are hunted and put down. They are curious creatures that are investigating what is in their area, sometimes people leave food out and they come check it out (mistake number one). Then sometimes people spook the bear or act either too aggressive or too erratic and startle the animal sending it to either run away or attack. I've never thought "this knife will be good for killing a bear!" or "better get my bear knife!". I carry a knife for more important and frequent tasks, like processing wood, cutting food, gutting and cleaning fish, cutting cordage, starting fires, etc. and more recently freeing a muskrat from fishing line.
 
halbschaf said:
Ok, does in whole America no one exist, able or skilled to answer my question? I cannot believe it.
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Any blade long enough to reach a vital organ will probably work. But to use a knife against a bear you have to get really close, which I don't recommend. ;) And a normal-behaving black bear isn't going to let you get that close. You'll have to ask someone else about grizzlies; I have no experience with those.

Only a few times have I been too close to a bear. Of course being in New Mexico they were only black bears and quickly scampered off.

Ask me about the time I got peed on by a bear. Dirty, greasy, smelly animals. :barf:

I don't have a picture of the bear that peed on me, but I see bears almost every time I venture outdoors.





 
I do not consider a knife as a means of bear protection, but in the interest of trying to give an answer I will say, that the ancient Finns (many of which where bear hunters by trade) where almost exclusively spear hunters, in regards to bears until the mid 1800s, despite the prevalence of flint lock black powder rifles... now keep in mind there are no black bears over there, these where brown bears, and these where not projectile spears, these where more of a thrusting weapon..
Given the historical context something that could be fixed to a stout pole would have obvious advantages, in terms of providing reach, thrust and being able to wedge the butt into the ground to provide a strong support for which to skewer and charging force (ala Anthony Hopkins in The Edge) However walking around the woods wielding a spear ( at least in my limited experience) will probably give you a greater chance of being halled off to the funny farm, than you have of being attacked by a bear.
If I had to go a spear route I would think something like a CS bushman bowie,, It can easily be fixed to a pole if need be, has a good point and enough length to do damage. and is a servicable knife it its own right.

If I where to pick a knife specifically for bear defense I would probably go with a CS recon scout Long enough blade but still manuverable. good point. Positive finger guard (usefull in a fighting knife)

Keep in mind these are just my ideas based on answering the concerns of the OP. they do not reflect my own carry items.
 
When thing you might want to look into if you think you need a knife for animal protection, is a spearhead. You can buy lots of them from modern companies. They are deadly and durable and all you need to do is attach it to a pole if you found yourself worrying about animals or wanted to try some spear hunting. You can easily use a spear as a walking stick or take the head off and throw it back in your pack.
 
RescueRiley said:
I do not consider a knife as a means of bear protection, but in the interest of trying to give an answer I will say, that the ancient Finns (many of which where bear hunters by trade) where almost exclusively spear hunters, in regards to bears until the mid 1800s, despite the prevalence of flint lock black powder rifles... now keep in mind there are no black bears over there, these where brown bears, and these where not projectile spears, these where more of a thrusting weapon..
Given the historical context something that could be fixed to a stout pole would have obvious advantages, in terms of providing reach, thrust and being able to wedge the butt into the ground to provide a strong support for which to skewer and charging force (ala Anthony Hopkins in The Edge) However walking around the woods wielding a spear ( at least in my limited experience) will probably give you a greater chance of being halled off to the funny farm, than you have of being attacked by a bear.
If I had to go a spear route I would think something like a CS bushman bowie,, It can easily be fixed to a pole if need be, has a good point and enough length to do damage. and is a servicable knife it its own right.

If I where to pick a knife specifically for bear defense I would probably go with a CS recon scout Long enough blade but still manuverable. good point. Positive finger guard (usefull in a fighting knife)

Keep in mind these are just my ideas based on answering the concerns of the OP. they do not reflect my own carry items.
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Hi rescueriley
Thank you. But I had my doubts a 7 1/2 inch blade would not be long enough to reach the vitals. As killgar also recommends a 8 inch blade, I think the CS recon is a good proposal.
 
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