Rambo/Bowie knives etc are just macho BS!

[Razoredj]

Despite the deliberately inflammatory thread title, I was willing to give this the benefit of the doubt. Given the way this is turning out, though, I smell troll.
http://www.trollalert.com/

Razor

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AKTI #A000845
And tomorrow when you wake up it will be worse.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

Everyone here has valid points-

1)Big knives are more difficult to carry than small knives, but not impossibly so.

2)Big guns are also hard to carry, but people do this day in and day out, concealed.

I routinely carry a Kel-Tec .32 when it isn't convenient to carry a .45 ACP. Would I rather have the .45-absolutely! If I tried harder, I COULD carry that .45 every day, but like most people, I am lazy, and "get by" without it.

The "fighting" bowie is simply the most devastating and versatile defensive blade.
It thrusts like a dagger, cleaves like a small axe, and has enough mass to deliver powerful, jarring blows. It has the best attributes of a poignard, traditional tanto, and Butcher knife all rolled into one.

Whether or not you can carry one is a personal decision and should be based on comfort, legality, and surroundings.

There are many places and jurisdictions a firearm simply isnt legal, but a large knife is. That is where the FB rules.

I concur with Matt on his list except he needs to add himself, AND Bagwell. Although Bagwell's knives certainly aren't the prettiest out there, they do work quite well.

I have long felt that a properly weighted shoulder harness fitted with a 7-8" gents bowie and a Commander sized 1911 on the opposite side would make a very impressive package for a true professional in a high risk environment. Matt, are you listening?
Sounds like you and Vickers could come up with something here.....

 

[storyville]

Gosh, I'm showing up to this thread late. I thought someone was badmouthing a new collaboration design by John RAMBO and Jim BOWIE. (Sorta like "Fairbairn/Sykes" ...)

Now THAT would be an interesting knife!

Glen

 

[muzzleup]

I like knives of all sizes and shapes and carry many knives on me,however, it is amazing how people react when you flip out a T 26 asp. It stops people in their tracks and quiets a small crowd. You bet you bippy that I don't want to get slammed with the round end of a 26" baton. It will not only break a wrist but will split a head like a watermelon...one very nasty weapon and it does not look very obtrusive to most people (until it is snapped out)

Originally posted by Chariot:
Sorry for the provocative topic, but I think this is a subject that needs to be discussed.

For self-defense, is big fixed knives (7" or more) a wise choice, or is it just macho bs from people living in a fantasy world?

When I originally joined this forum I thought "Rambo" type knives belonged on the silver screen and I was surprised that many people actually had that type of knife as their prefered choice for a self-defense situation. Going through the forums I came across it again and again, a lot of talk about their favorite knife was a 7" or in many cases even bigger knives.

Is that a realistic approach to self-defense with a knife, carrying a knife that's close to a short sword? (I mean it sounds like something out of the movie Gladiator)

I can't imagine walking around daily year after year with that kind of knife on me, it sounds more like something a baglady or nutcase would do.

To me, "Rambo" type knives are survival knives for extreme situations (woods, jungle, war situations etc) and if we look at the movies where they've been represented it shows just that (Rambo being in the woods, war etc, Crocodile Dundee taking place in the Australian wilderness) and then your average slasher movie (Halloween, Scream etc.) and yes I think Friday the 13th's Jason would like that type of a knife as well

But if you look at it realistically, how many documented situations can you name where people used that type of knife for self-defense? How many people that practice knife fighting systems use one? How many books and videos covering knife self-defense pick a 7" or bigger knife as their ideal choice?

Looking at websites like MastersofDefense.com they don't even sell knives like that, looking at the pictures of their specialists in knife self-defense, nobody holds a knife of that kind.

The only benefits I can think of, having a 7" knife, or bigger is:

#1 - The length, not having to get too close.

#2 - The intimidation value of a big knife (Crocodile Dundee example)

Now for the first one, I would say a telescope baton would be a much wiser choice:

1 - A telescope baton has an even better reach.
2 - Hitting someone with steel across their hand can be a very effective way of disarming.
3 - Explaining a baton would be much easier than a huge butcher knife type of knife if you end up in court.
4 - Learning how to effectively strike with a baton would be much easier than getting good at fighting with a "Rambo" type knife. (Much quicker learing curve, many special courses available that teaches just that).

For the intimidation factor, I would say a large knife is far better than a baton, but then again what are the experts views on this? Personally I do believe that this CAN be of importance, but I just don't know HOW important. This I would like further info on.

A large knife, like a Bowie etc, obviously has it's place in war, wilderness etc. but in everyday life in the city - I doubt it.

As for close combat situations (getting mugged, getting into barfights, wrestling, taking you to the ground trying to hit your with a broken bottle etc situations) a smaller knife would be a lot easier to pull and actually use, the chances are that you won't even be able to pull your 7" knife.

"Rambo" knives have their place, but I doubt they have their place in modern life self-defense... please posts your views on this, this is just thoughts I have, if you can convince me otherwise please do. Looking forwards to your replies.

Regards,
Chariot

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Ron

 

[Mike Sastre]

Matt,

I've been "running the woods" with a Bagwell Bowie without any problems for about four years. His "belt stud" sheaths don't need any mechanical security. The sheath goes behind the belt and the stud prevents the knife and sheath from dropping through. Belt pressure holds it tight to the body and you can position it anywhere at the angle you desire. It takes a good two weeks of daily wear to break in the sheath so that the knife will release without dragging the sheath with it on the draw. If you wish to carry concealed, go IWB and you have a "floating" system that allows adjustments so you can sit, reach, and move without the knife "printing". Bill's customs have blades that range from about 10"-12", and the Ontario/Bagwells run 9"-11", so there is indeed a little magic in the system. This is the way the period Bowies were carried and I think the old timers kinda knew what they were doing.

Mike

[This message has been edited by Mike Sastre (edited 07-17-2000).]

 

[Jeff Clark]

When I first entered this thread I didn't realize that we were exclusively talking about self defense in a civilian urban environment. This does push you towards less bulky designs. I still say that a long knife that snap-cuts well is best but I would make a few adjustments from the classic Bowie model--
--trade the cross guard for a compact finger guard
--make the handle slimmer and flatter, maybe with a small subhilt.
--make the blade narrower like a #1 Randall,
--keep the blade about 3/16" thick to keep blade heavy enough.

For city carry I use a point-up sheath under my left arm. This can go under a shirt that is not tucked in or under a jacket. Another way is to cut out most of the inside of my right front pants pocket. Then I use a sheath that straps to my right thigh with the knife handle in my "pocket". This requires a very slim configuration, but can take an 8" blade.