Recommendations for “mean” knives

brancron said:
I don’t know why, but recently I’ve taken a liking to “mean” knives, for no particular reason than that I like them. I don't carry them for self-defense really, I just think they're fun.

So far I've got a growing Spyderco Matriarch collection, and have a Spyderco Massad Ayoob and Civilian on the way. Any recommendations along these lines would be greatly appreciated.

These three Spyderco models are certainly special purpose knives designed for causing bodily harm, but I wouldn't necessarily characterize them as "tactical" if you know what I mean. I am not a fan of overbuilt, chunky tactical knives in general. And I've always disliked karambits for some reason. I don't know if these rambling thoughts will make sense to anyone, but hopefully someone knows what I'm getting at!

Ideally, 5 ounces would be at my upper limit as far as weight goes.

Just for fun, here's a family photo:

gPCqeWf.jpg
Click to expand...
cold steel black talon is pretty cool
 
The Spyderco Yojimbo 3, and most wharny works good
I you like dagger style there the Hinderer maximus, the protech godfather are quite fun
For sure the Emerson Elvia but actually any Emerson’s design ;)
 
I get "mean" as an aesthetic. That's probably like how I have a few OTFs just for the cool factor. If we pivot to actual self defense, coyotes or dogs attacking kids, etc.; then it's best to go mean with a fixed blade. While knives in general are a solid step down from guns, there is about a mile of effective difference between fixed blades and folders across the spectrum of possible defensive encounters. Luckily, there are lots of mean-looking but EDC-friendly fixed blades out there. If anything, you might want to get in touch with David Mary David Mary on that. ;)

In the meantime, chunkier tanto blades give me a little bit of a "mean" vibe. Here is my Guardian 3.5 as an EDC-able example. The handle material might not be mean enough but you can get it different ways. (Also forgive part of a downright friendly WE in the background.) It's a handy size, comfortable to use, and not terrible for discrete belt carry. I'd definitely recommend an Armatus sheath if you go this route. Mine is ~4.2oz and just under 6oz when weighed with an Armatus sheath and a pair of soft loops.

sPkHJNZ.jpg
 
Since we are bringing up fixed blades, and David Mary David Mary ......
He's made a few.














The two above are of the Always design.
Designed to Always be the right knife to have with you.
It's profile lends itself extremely well to be a edc camp style, conventional knife (in jade g10 above) or a Wharncliffe/Reverse/Pikal edge/grip style (wooden scales above)

Idk about Mean, and idk about the weight, I'd have to measure?
but I'm pretty sure this gives More than 5oz of Wood.....
 
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