Serrated or not...

R

Rhombifer

Joined
Feb 6, 2008
Messages
20
Dear Friends,

I have a doubt (a basic one I admit...but as I said before... I am new around here).

I have a CRKT Kasper fighting folder that I carry in a daily basis as a secondary defense weapon.

What do you think it would be better as a defense blade...a plain edge or a serrated?

Thank you very much for your help

Best regards
 
i think this would be better off in practical tactical, under the tactics section

but i would say a knife for SD is probably not the best bet. i think i prefer a blunt weapon
 
I'd imagine a plain edge would have less resistance when slashing, so you'd be able to have a longer and deeper wound.
 
Serrations can snag on things. They are intended for sawing which isn't a basic self-defense move (unless you are attacked by a honkin' big baguette :)).
 
I personally think serrations are fine for SD purposes. I wouldn't be concerned about snagging on anything.
 
For SD serrations are preferable especially in cold climate ,the serrations will cut through
fabric, leather better,therby giving an option of slashing of limbs instead of using point penetration .Be very careful most judges will not think of a knife as a SD weapon.
 
Been around alot of stick and knife fighting instruction.....enough to know that a knife fight is a miserable idea......Sure, in a pinch a knife is better then nothing,(and if that situation ever arises I am sure it wont really matter) but if you are not trained in using a knife for self defense, better to stick with something else.
With that said all of they guys that I came across that train and carry knives for SD choose a serrated blade.
I much prefer a plain edge...I like it alot better for everday use. I dont plan on having to use it for SD but if my back was to the wall and it was all I had I am sure it will slice just fine..know what I mean?
 
if serrations are the bomb for SD how come the guys who make custom SD folders (ie emerson, pat crawford, ralph, etc) dont offer serrated knives?

as far as folders go no one makes better SD folders than these guys, but no serrations?

whats up with that lol?

its 'cuz usually unless ya are cutting rope PE works just fine and has been working fine for oh about 20 or 30 centuries now, lol.
 
You should carry whatever your sensei recommends.
You should not carry a knife for self-defence before receiving extensive training in its use.
 
oh i dont know about that, trainings great but lotsa folks have used knives in SD scenarios and done just fine in spite of no training, it just depends on the scenario imho.

i dont think training is as critical as with a firearm, i mean ya arent likely to get it on with an experienced trained knife fighter, and if ya use it quickly and suprise your assailant it gonna beat bare hands all to heck, some knives (ie the spyderco matriarch and civilian for example) are designed for use by folks with little or no training.

but dont get me wrong, training is a good thing.
 
SIFU1A said:
oh i dont know about that, trainings great but lotsa folks have used knives in SD scenarios and done just fine in spite of no training, it just depends on the scenario imho.

i dont think training is as critical as with a firearm, i mean ya arent likely to get it on with an experienced trained knife fighter, and if ya use it quickly and suprise your assailant it gonna beat bare hands all to heck, some knives (ie the spyderco matriarch and civilian for example) are designed for use by folks with little or no training.

but dont get me wrong, training is a good thing.
Click to expand...

While we all agree that a trained individual will be much more effective when using a knife for SD, we should also agree that a non trained guy will be better off with a knife in this hands, rather than having nothing.

Even for unarmed fighting, a little training will go a long way. Same applies to knives, guns, and pretty much all else. But get an untrained person, give him a knife, or better yet a gun, and he will be much better able to defend himself. Of course there is always the risk of self injury, or having the weapon snatched by the attacker, but if you get to shoot or stab before that, the fight should be much closer to a happy end.

Personnaly, I had some training in unarmed martial arts (many years ago), and keep a good sized folder in my pocket all the time. I only regard it as a last ditch, or as a balancer, if confronted with multiple attackers.

Also, keep in mind that the very fact of carrying an SD object should keep you more alert to avoiding confrontation, and in a conflict escalation, the appearance of a weapon will sometimes be enough to discourage an attacker, by showing a willingness to defend yourself.

Lastly:
1. training benefits will be proportional to how realistic they are;
2. the winner of a fight will always be the more determined person.
 
Crocodilo said:
While we all agree that a trained individual will be much more effective when using a knife for SD, we should also agree that a non trained guy will be better off with a knife in this hands, rather than having nothing.

Even for unarmed fighting, a little training will go a long way. Same applies to knives, guns, and pretty much all else. But get an untrained person, give him a knife, or better yet a gun, and he will be much better able to defend himself. Of course there is always the risk of self injury, or having the weapon snatched by the attacker, but if you get to shoot or stab before that, the fight should be much closer to a happy end.

Personnaly, I had some training in unarmed martial arts (many years ago), and keep a good sized folder in my pocket all the time. I only regard it as a last ditch, or as a balancer, if confronted with multiple attackers.

Also, keep in mind that the very fact of carrying an SD object should keep you more alert to avoiding confrontation, and in a conflict escalation, the appearance of a weapon will sometimes be enough to discourage an attacker, by showing a willingness to defend yourself.

Lastly:
1. training benefits will be proportional to how realistic they are;
2. the winner of a fight will always be the more determined person.
Click to expand...

Although I am in agreement with almost all the above, there are too many variables in personal combat to predict the outcome with certainty. Who wins the fight is usually the most determined, but even that doesn't protect against, say, bad luck. Part of preparing for a possible SD encounter is to understand that no matter what you do, the outcome might not go well.
This is something that should not be ignored, but embraced, as in: "It's a good day to die." That allows you to go all in, survive and prevail, and yes, I've been there.
 
Rhombifer said:
...What do you think it would be better as a defense blade...a plain edge or a serrated?...
Click to expand...

Technique/ability are much more important than the type of edge. If you use your knife for more mundane tasks, which edge are you more likely to maintain? Serrations are a nuisance for me to sharpen. My preference, a fine edge with piercing point.
 
Well it looks like the board is in agreement that if you are going to be defending yourself against a baguette, or a rope....definetly get a serrated blade. If not, then it looks like the jury is still out:)
 
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