Recommendation for a self defense knife around $60.

I think all the guys who have answered this topic have covered pretty much all the bases.

I agree that Benchmade and Spyderco are probably the best production makes in your price range.

I would also look at Cold Steel. They produce a couple of sweet AUS8 FRN handled folders which can be had for very reasonable prices online. Gunsite, Voyager, Vaquero etc....

And SOG do some nice stuff too.

I personally would prefer a 4" blade over 3" but thats an individual thing.

It might be worth thinking about the name of the knife you chose and its appearance. This topic has come up before but if you have something like the Cold Steel Desperado which has a scary appearance and a freaky name that might not look so good in court if you actually have to use it in a SD situation.

A Voyager or Delica looks and sounds much more like an everyday tool that you just happened by the situation to be forced in to using for self defense...

Mind you if you are carrying a Glock ;)

Cheers
K
 
glockman99 said:
If you can find one for sale on the "secondary market" (due to your price-constraints), get yourself a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian.
Click to expand...

Wow I can't believe I didnt think about the Mini griip. My EDC has been a large Ritter grip for nearly a year now. Dohhhhhh

fulloflead said:
Consider the fact that 99.99999% of the time you're going to be using it for something OTHER than self-defense and get something you like and can use for utility use. ANY knife can be used for defense in a pinch.......But the Delica is so SMALL, guys.
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I think you probably understated the rarity in which the knife will be used defensively ;) . The Delisa has a 3" bl;ade which is what he asked for.
 
Minigrip/grip are superb, the CRKT M16 is great too and a better deal. The Spyderco Native and Centofante are in your price range and I like those a lot, but they're more challenging to deploy. You'll get used to the M16 and any axis lock and people will think you've got a faster-than-normal automatic. As much as I love the griptilian/minigrip, I think my M16 has better ergonomics.

While I don't like the liner lock as much as the axis lock, I've personally demonstrated the M16 is far tougher than I could imagine needing. My lockbacks would be afraid of the testing I put my M16 through, I'll tell you that much. Like those Manixes and Chinooks that just failed.

I've never had to use a knife in SD, but I like the concept of LAWKS (if you remember to use it...) for that sort of situation. With LAWKS on, it would be nigh impossible for your opponent to unlock your knife in a struggle, which is hypothetically possible with an axis lock. I'm not sure this is a real issue though.

But mostly, good price, decent steel, good lock, great ergonomics and the fastest non assisted deployment out there, the M16 and minigrip are great.

Do consider the native and centofante too, however.
 
Without going into a long discussion of the why's and wherefores, if I had $60 to spend I would get a steel-handled Endura

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SP10P

Then I would modify it by (1) adding grip tape to the handle and clip (2) changing the clip to tip-up carry (3) "waving" it, i.e. grinding a notch in front of the hole so that when you draw it the notch catches the pocket and it opens immediately.

Reasons: it is slim to carry; it is very solid and reliability is absolutely guaranteed; no worries about disengaging the liner lock; the wave function will make it very fast to open using very gross motor skills that are still easy under stress; it's nice and pointy; the handle is very ergonomic. Also, you can purchase trainers for the Endura to practice with. Or you can just make a cut-out from plastic, but a trainer is better b/c you can practice opening and deploying the blade until you are very comfotable with it.

I love the mini-grip but if I was really focused on SD I would carry something with a longer handle, b/c you don't want to fiddle with a small handle under stress. Even the Delica http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SP11P
offers a little more to hold onto.

If you could pony up more $$, I might go for a BM mini-TSEK, mini AFCK, or even a mini-stryker
http://www.webeknives.com/benchmade/folders.asp
 
I second the Endura. I've carried an Endura in one variant or another for the last ten years. Great knife for the price. For a fixed blade I vote for the Becker Necker.
 
How about a Ka-Bar TDI?



Can get one for about $30.

I know you want a folder, but well... :foot:
 
Benchmade Griptilian or Microtech MSE (buy it used to get down to your price limit) or Protech TR-3 (used).

http://knifeoutlet.com/shop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=BM550

http://www.thebladeshop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1384


http://www.1sks.com/store/protech-tr3-integrity-folder.html

There are some great deals on high-end used folders if you look around.

For second level construction look for used Spyderco Police or Military models (note: for some reason they have discontinued putting the names on the blades of these models after 10 years of production).
 
fishface5 said:
Without going into a long discussion of the why's and wherefores, if I had $60 to spend I would get a steel-handled Endura

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SP10P

Then I would modify it by (1) adding grip tape to the handle and clip (2) changing the clip to tip-up carry (3) "waving" it, i.e. grinding a notch in front of the hole so that when you draw it the notch catches the pocket and it opens immediately.

Reasons: it is slim to carry; it is very solid and reliability is absolutely guaranteed; no worries about disengaging the liner lock; the wave function will make it very fast to open using very gross motor skills that are still easy under stress; it's nice and pointy; the handle is very ergonomic. Also, you can purchase trainers for the Endura to practice with. Or you can just make a cut-out from plastic, but a trainer is better b/c you can practice opening and deploying the blade until you are very comfotable with it.

I love the mini-grip but if I was really focused on SD I would carry something with a longer handle, b/c you don't want to fiddle with a small handle under stress. Even the Delica http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SP11P
offers a little more to hold onto.


If you could pony up more $$, I might go for a BM mini-TSEK, mini AFCK, or even a mini-stryker
http://www.webeknives.com/benchmade/folders.asp
Click to expand...

with the stainless steel handeled Endura, you can't put the pocet clip on the right side of the knife to work with the "Wave" function unless you are planning on drawing it from your left pocket.

That is the way it looks to me anyway. Am I missing something?
 
I have a SOG Flash II and really like it. They have a 3.5 inch blade and can be had for around $50.
 
i would look at a used Benchmade AFCK or CQC7. If you frequent ebay or other forums good examples of both can be had in your price range.
 
For the money you want to spend just get you one of the new Waved Spydercos coming out or try to pick up one of the ones from the SDFforum where they were selling them for just a bit more than you want to spend.

For that matter just get you a regular old Spyderco Endura and carry that. One of the Cold Steel Voyagers or Vaqueros in a 4 or 5 inch blade should fit the bill just fine also.
 
If jet liners can be hi jacked with a box cutter I guess any blade thats sharp would be useful for defense. It all comes down to one thing- what you are defending against has. After all the people on those planes had nothing to fight back with.
 
Nitzle said:
For self-defense? I can't see that being too useful in a self-defense scenario.
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How not? It has a pistol grip for a good down force slash, you can stab with it, it sits well in your hand, is small and concealed and has a good blade. That would give you a nasty gash if you pulled it downward compared to a straight edged knife.
 
If you haven't already bought one get a CS XL Voyager clip point or Vacquero Grande. Look at ebay as these knives seem to be pretty reasonable in the ebay stores. These are big, extremely sharp, carry easy and the lock up is oustanding and the ergo's aren't bad either. keepem sharp
 
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