silent folders ?? why no-one tought of that tactical aspect?

[PhilL]

The easiest knife for me to open silently is a Spyderco/ Michael Walker light weight. The reason is that the back of the blade when opening extends past the bolster so that you can complete the opening with your index finger while the thumb is on the liner lock. I asked Michael Walker at a show once what he was carrying, he took out a Boker "Skywalker". I noticed the stumb stud was taken off and I asked him why, he said he hated them and preferred to open a knife by the back of the blade. When I asked him why the Boker, he said, "Because it was free."

I don't usually post on these Ninja Killer Wannabee threads, because although I carry knives none of them are weapons. I'm not trained in the Martial Arts, but I know how to ruin somebodys day with a closed knife, and if forced to defend myself my first move wouldn't be with an open knife. If that's your first thought or first move you're in a lot of trouble. It's hard for sheeple to not think about knives as weapons if that's all we consider them to be.

 

[Bugs3x]

I certainly agree with dvirsky's first post. Expected to agree with Razor, 'cause I usually do. But, afraid that didn't happen.

Bart didn't provide us with any details about the BG. There were a couple questions about why one would want to sneak up on an armed individual. But, Bart didn't say he was armed. In Razor's situation, even with a loon at hand, if neither of these people are displaying any sort of weapon, then your opening a knife -- silently or loudly -- is going to constitute raising the level of aggression, even potentially having you perceived as the aggressor -- the BG. Somebody else said something about being whomped on. If it is one guy doing the whomping, you're on pretty shaky legal ground, I think, if you pull a knife. Sure, if there are lots of stories in the local media about people being stomped to death or something of the sort, then maybe not. Or, if you're physically infirm, as I am, then maybe you can get away with it.

Kind of like with guns, I don't see ever displaying a knife before an opponent/BG, whatever, has enacted behaviours that would prompt a reasonable man to fear for his life. Talk, however psychotic, isn't likely to suffice. Threatening behavior isn't either. It is going to take an attack, or an obvious attack is pending because the BG has a weapon displayed, before your blade should come out. In such situations, I can see no benefit by opening one's blade silently.

Of course, if one is going to keep the knife hidden from the other's view until one or more of those reasonable causes occurs, then a silent opening would be much more realistic.

This is based on a perhaps outdated understanding of the criminal statutes in Washington. Last time I checked -- years ago -- a threatening gesture with say a knife, equated to second degree assault, and almost necessarily, prison time. It could well be that other state's laws differ drastically.

 

[Bart student]

wow folks..this is going the wrong way.

1. I did not mean to use the knife as a weapon.. but picture this (utopic) situation: hostage situation somewhere, you LEO, you can escape, stay in builing. They took your gun, but forgot your knife... critcial time..you need to eliminate a guy standing with his back to you who is about to shoot your wife to emphasise he's serious about this hostage situation. I bet then you'd want your knife to open silently, don't you?

2.I think the whole idea behind the "tactical folder" is ridiculous. better name it hard use folder, it's a better tem i think. That is also why i brought up this thread in the first place. Knives are not fighting weapons, not even weapons. they are just not equipped for it unless made for it. They are too short (especially folders) and too weak to be a good weapon compared to a tomahawk (which is way simpler then a folder).

Greetz, bart.

 

[Razoredj]

Originally posted by Bugs3x
I certainly agree with dvirsky's first post. Expected to agree with Razor, 'cause I usually do. But, afraid that didn't happen. Bart didn't provide us with any details about the BG. There were a couple questions about why one would want to sneak up on an armed individual. But, Bart didn't say he was armed. In Razor's situation, even with a loon at hand, if neither of these people are displaying any sort of weapon, then your opening a knife -- silently or loudly -- is going to constitute raising the level of aggression, even potentially having you perceived as the aggressor -- the BG.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough in describing the situation; the loon who approached me was definitely acting in a threatening manner, approaching within in a few feet and then backing off, raving about police and people harming him and whatever else. At no time was my knife ever visible to him; the reason I removed it from my pocket and opened it is because the knife was totally unsuitable as a self-defense weapon, and could not be opened with one hand. It was either open it and keep it hidden and ready, or not be able to access it at all, should the need arise. Now, thankfully, Mr. Nutbar wandered off and nobody was ever the wiser. But had he attacked, I wanted an edge.

This was quite a few years ago, and I was pretty young and foolish. Among the lessons learned was that the knife I was carrying, apart from appearing provocative, was not suitable for a self-defense scenario because it required two hands to open.

Kind of like with guns, I don't see ever displaying a knife before an opponent/BG, whatever, has enacted behaviours that would prompt a reasonable man to fear for his life.

In the situation I described, the knife was not displayed. I prepared it for use, covertly, because I did indeed fear I was about to be attacked.

Talk, however psychotic, isn't likely to suffice.

No. But in this instance the man's behavior was enough to alert me to the potential danger. I believe I responded properly. After all, he never knew I had a knife, and no trouble ensued.

Threatening behavior isn't either. It is going to take an attack, or an obvious attack is pending because the BG has a weapon displayed, before your blade should come out.

Given that at the time the knife I was carrying could not have been opened quickly or easily in the event of such an attack, I had two choices: prepare it ahead of time, or be unable to use it at all. (The third option -- get a more suitable knife -- is obviously the correct answer, but I did not know that at the time.)

Of course, if one is going to keep the knife hidden from the other's view until one or more of those reasonable causes occurs, then a silent opening would be much more realistic.

Precisely my point. (Should have read further down before replying.)

Last time I checked -- years ago -- a threatening gesture with say a knife, equated to second degree assault, and almost necessarily, prison time. It could well be that other state's laws differ drastically.

You're absolutely correct -- and I would never display a knife unless I was about to use it.