Self Defense / Fighting Knife

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Jan 17, 2003
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If you aquired a knife for self defense / fighting only, what would it look like? What qualities would you look for? I am not interested in fieldcraft or industrial uses. Strictly for close quarters fighting.

(Please don't tell me to get a gun or some other type of weapon, that's not the point:rolleyes: :D )
 
A whole lot depends on how you plan on carrying. For a big sheath knife I happen to like the Randall No.1 and No.2 with 8" blades. I'm partial to bowie's and daggers for such.
 
It would look like the Spyderco Gunting, which is the best combination knife/impact tool I've seen, and the blade is exactly what I want for SD - a razor sharp spear point. As a bonus, the Compression Lock is such a clever design and so obviously strong that I often find myself staring at it in awe (yes, I stare at most of my knives, but not as much). I'm still not completely sold on the "ramp" above the Spyderhole. I realize that removing the ramp would defeat some of the most unique design features of the knife, but they are features that I don't train with and that I wouldn't use in a confrontation. I just need to smash things with the butt of the handle and cut things with the blade. I will leave the kinetic openings and joint locks to those who know what they're doing. Within a week of getting the Gunting (my first and only Spyderco so far) it has become my EDC.

Qualities that the Gunting delivers: legal to carry concealed (in CA anyway), hefty for effective strikes, excellent blade shape for both stabs and slashes, excellent retention because of handle shape, super-strong lock, effective in a variety of grip styles.

Even if fixed blades were legal to carry concealed here in CA, I would probably go with the Gunting for its concealability and striking ability.

miguel
 
Try the Applegate-Fairbairn fighting knife. That is was it was designed for:

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/index/specops.html



Originally posted by R. Lemmen
If you aquired a knife for self defense / fighting only, what would it look like? What qualities would you look for? I am not interested in fieldcraft or industrial uses. Strictly for close quarters fighting.

(Please don't tell me to get a gun or some other type of weapon, that's not the point:rolleyes: :D )
 
Definetly a Strider...Any Strider! They're all sick...The only reason to buy a Strider is to maim or kill.
 
Ontario/Bagwell Hell's Belle...There is none better for fightin' with.
 
Definately a neck knife of some kind. There is simply no better knife for concealment, ease of use, deployability, strength. Try to go for one that offers some kind of finger hole for added grip strength.

I have a CRKT Bear Claw and an attacker would be hard pressed getting it out of my hand. I have removed one scale to make the knife thinner, and ground the spine to a sharp edge. I could now do some serious slashing damage with this knife (hopefully it wouldn't come to that!):eek:
 
Ideal close quarters weapon IMHO is a good Tomahawk, but you asked about knives so...

My ideal combat blade would be about 5" long, with a secure checkered G10 handle (I find the feel of the "old" Spydie Chinook handle about perfect for my uses.), blade style would ideally be a double-ground spear point, but those are illegal in Illinois so my next choice would be a good clip point, the knife would, of course, be plainedged so as not to catch on enemy clothing at an inappropriate time. Of course the overall design would be full-tang fixed blade for that extra strength needed, with a stock width of between .155" and .200", Ideally I'd like it in one of my preferred steels, such as 440C.

Ok, so now you know all about my fantasy combat knife, what's really out there that I'd reach for in an emergency? I already mentioned it, my Spydie Chinook!
Actually, in a true emergency I'd reach for my trusted TZ-99 9mm and my SureFire 6P, but you wanted to know about knives...
 
If it's defensive, then it's a fixed blade. If it's a fixed blade that is a reasonably priced and well-made production model and of medium, easily concealable size, then it's a Gryphon M-10.

8.5" long overall, checkered, comfortable grip, 4" blade in AUS-8, sharp and quick.
 
Youngcutter,
I think you might be mistaken on the illegality of the knife you describe. The only knives that are prohibited, as far as my research has shown, are automatics and ballistic knives. Unless you live in a county that restricts things further, like say... Cook.
As for my ideal fighter I would absolutely need a fixed blade. Even a tiny risk of lock failure won't do for the ideal. Also I would like a recurve, double edge blade so that i can cut any which way with the most cuttin' per inch. Substantial hand guard maybe serrations on one side....
Wait a minute I think I’m describing a REKAT warrior.
Now if I could only handle one and be certain.
 
kesparate

While it's true that technically posession of even a "dagger, dirk, or stiletto" without intent to harm another is legal, it would be hard to convince a police officer the dagger you're concealing is for utility... (and for the purposes of my own and most other's definition, a symmetrical double-ground spear point IS a dagger.)
Then, whether or not you're convicted depends on the Judge you draw, because of Illinois' track record, I sure wouldn't take my chances.

As such I avoid double-ground spear points and stilletos, I'd rather not try my luck and see if the representative of the local constabulary is an armchair lawyer...

P.S. As an addendum, posession of a knife for self-defense purposes in the state of Illinois qualifies as "intent to harm another" and as such is an illegal posession.
 
It would this one, or something almost identical:

ThreatCon1.jpg
 
A worthy self-defence knife by Trace Rinaldi.
I think I'd like to take a look at that, myself.

If money matters, and doesn't it always, I would consider a John Greco knife.

www.cqcknives.com carries some of John's knives.
However, I might consider contacting John directly because he makes some unusual self-defense knives along the lines of Trace Rinaldi's that I haven't seen at the cqcknives site.
John Greco also makes a new line of folders that look and sound stronger than anything I have seen anywhere else, and he has those for sale at cqcknives.

Finally, the best self-defense knife in the world does a person no good if he has left it at home because it doesn't carry well with his mode of dress or in his social circle.
So, a self-defense knife must have carryability.

I carry a John Greco Persian (fixed-blade) in a slip sheath in the front trousers pocket of my Dockers.
That won't work for someone who doesn't wear pleated trousers regularly.

Now I think I'll go check out the price of Trace Rinaldi's thigh and groin cutter.
That little puppy looks vicious. :)
 
Originally posted by Steve Harvey
It would this one, or something almost identical:

ThreatCon1.jpg

Ditto that.

Edge In reverse grip is the way to go, and that knife is purpose designed and built just for that. Definately a fighting tool.

Its not dueling, its not likely to be knife on knife, and its not likely to be at 3 or 4 foot distances, circling one another like fencers... kissing distance it shall be. So, I'll take a knife like that ten times out of ten.

Right now though my fighting knives look like a Emerson Commander and a Steve Mullin clip point fighter, with a sharpened back edge. But they arent just fighters, they are do-everything'ers.
 
Glad you guys are diggin the disciple!!! It may seem kinda weird to many,BUT take a look at Dons review, and it might help you understand, why the blade is flipped....http://www.donrearic.com/disciple.html

Also keep in mind this is the ONLY dedicated Pikal knife design to date(There is NO other knife like it, BUT many will come)... It seems like a no BRAINER now!!! But that is thanks to guys like Daniel Long, Don Rearic, and Southnarc!
 
Originally posted by YoungCutter
blade style would ideally be a double-ground spear point, but those are illegal in Illinois so my next choice would be a good clip point . . .Actually, in a true emergency I'd reach for my trusted TZ-99 9mm and my SureFire 6P, but you wanted to know about knives...

Doesn't it just make you wonder what moron sponsored such a law? I really wonder what the hell was the point? Same goes for laws against any blade type: is a psycho with a double-edged blade SO much more dangerous than a psycho with a single-edged blade!?! What is saved by making these things illegal? Same with auto-opener knives: once a knife is open, it's open. An auto is NO MORE MENACING than any other knife. It's slower to open than a FIXED BLADE -- duh! The fixed blade is ALWAYS open! And if a person is planning to hurt or kill someone with a knife, and he has no access (pshah!) to an auto, all he really has to do is open his non-auto before he begins his attack! DOUBLE-DUH!

I think the original poster excluded guns as a means of self defense because his mo- I mean GOVERNMENT won't let them have them up there.
 
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