self defense folder

4

4GodAndCountry

Joined
Jul 21, 2003
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Hello Everyone, I know this is a tough question, but I was hoping for an opinion on the best knife to carry as a personal defense/ backup knife.It will not be used for general utility. I would like input on both fixed blades and folders if possible. Thank you all in advance. Justin
 
Folders: Cold Steel Vaquero Grande or Cold Steel X2 Voyager...(Both have 6 inch blades, and the Vaquero Grande is just plain WICKED!). If you need something a little smaller, there is the Spyderco Police model (4&1/8 inch blade) or Spyderco Endura (4 inch blade)...For a good 3 inch blade, there is the Spyderco Delica.

Fixed: Camillus CUDA CQB-1 or a Gerber Yari.

...Anything else I can help you with?.:D.
 
Originally posted by 4GodAndCountry
Hello Everyone, I know this is a tough question, but I was hoping for an opinion on the best knife to carry as a personal defense/ backup knife.It will not be used for general utility. I would like input on both fixed blades and folders if possible. Thank you all in advance. Justin
Click to expand...

you are right...it is a tough question...the truth is that there is no "best knife"...you must choose what is best for YOU...things to consider are what are your fighting skills? what is your size? what style of clothing do you wear (this will affect where and how you carry the knife) etc.

Theoretically, fixed blades are faster than folders (provided that your clothes do not get in the way) and they are certainly stronger...however, with practice, you can deploy a folder about as quickly.

so, things to look for in a folder: must have a pocket clip, must be easy to open and close with one hand (preferably either hand), must have a strong lock, should have ergonomics that allow for sure grip and rapid grip transitions etc...

probably a good idea to carry the biggest that you can handle :)

RL
 
Thank you everyone for your reply. RL, I am 6'2" and 210 lbs. I will be wearing BDU's but concealment is not an issue. The knive will be carried while I am at work so concealment is not an issue, nor is the legality, etc. I have some martial art and CQC training as well. The knife I carry now for this purpose is an Emerson Commander. Thank you again. Justin
 
Well, it seems to me that you are off to a very good start!

You might want to look at Strider :)

RL
 
The Emerson Commander would be good enough for me any day! Especially with the Wave feature, it would make a good defense knife if you know how to use it.

If you're looking for a hook style blade, the Spyderco civilian was designed for self defense.

If you're looking to step up in toughness/build quality (Emerson isn't good enough), then look at Strider or Extrema Ratio or Microtech for autos.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
Folders: Cold Steel Vaquero Grande or Cold Steel X2 Voyager...(Both have 6 inch blades, and the Vaquero Grande is just plain WICKED!). If you need something a little smaller, there is the Spyderco Police model (4&1/8 inch blade) or Spyderco Endura (4 inch blade)...For a good 3 inch blade, there is the Spyderco Delica.

Fixed: Camillus CUDA CQB-1 or a Gerber Yari.

...Anything else I can help you with?.:D.
Click to expand...

nuf' said... and the BM AFCK (806) is a worthy alterantive to the Police and Endura.
 
I recently got myself a Spyderco Civilian, and while I'm deeply in love with it, it does have two potential drawbacks. One, it's not exactly a knife you can stab with. Two, it's a fairly large knife (but not terribly thick, so it's still pocketable), so there might be a concealability issue. It fits my hand nicely, but I'm big; small-handed users might be better served by the Matriarch.
 
How about the good ol' Benchmade AFCK? Big, light, stong and fast....

Take it easy,
Bob Scott
 
I recently switched over to a Al Mar SERE 2000, can't say enough good stuff about it. It carries great wether concealed in civvies or on duty in my BDU's. I've carried a variety of Spyderco, benchmade, MOD, and Emerson products, to include the commander and this blade blows them all out of the water. Not to say it's the be all and end all of EDC but I love the goddamn thing.
 
I would carry a fixed blade if concealment wasn't an issue for me.
If you're looking for low cost, Ka Bars are always pretty good.
Or even Ontario knives, which look terrible, but have good steel....
You can only go up from there.......
Why not just go to your local knife shop, and see what you like?
Since you want to know what I'd like, well, I'd go with the biggest and lightest I could get, like a Ka Bar long tanto or Cold Steel Long Tanto. For length and lightness, CS Tantos can't be beat.
 
I guess the first question is "what kind of backup?". Is it a backup you always have with you (even in the shower)? Is it, backup for a primary knife in-case-it-breaks type of backup? How big do you expect it to be? How do you want to carry it? What percent of the time do you expect to carry it? Without some more details, I think you're going to get answers all over the map on this one.

But, given the criteria of : PD/Backup and not general utility and if you don't mind some size, I'd go with the Spyderco Civilian or Matriarch. Designed from the get-go as a last ditch defensive weapon, it suits that purpose extremely well. If you do mind the size, then I'd go with an Emerson LaGriffe, it's purpose mirrors that of the Civilian, but in a much smaller package perfect for neck EDC.
 
Bob Terzoula ATCF - 4 inches of steel, ergonomic handle, handles many types of grips.
 
My preference for a folder would be a MT SOCOM or a CUDA Max. Both very strong well made knives.
 
Camillus Cuda Max would be a good bet too. If you ever had to flick that sucker out in a self defense situation, I'm betting 90% of the bad guys would turn white and run!
 
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