Small tactical razors for SD?

VultureParade

VultureParade

Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
369
For lack of a better thread title.

I've been looking into Fred Perrin knives and small fixed blades for back up self defense.

Does anyone have any information on the Perrin Lapel knife shown here about half way down the page?
http://www.donrearic.com/perrin.html

Also on bladeart the Street Surgeon shown here
http://www.bladeart.com/artists/fred_perrin/fred_perrin.htm

My question is, are there any other makers that are known to produce these small, tactical razors? Could anyone recommend a similar knife? Does anyone own this type of knife?

Any input would be great.

-Bryan
 
Why???

A longer blade has longer reach and can make deeper cuts. A longer blade has some potential for significant thrusting wounds. A knife with a very small handle maximises the chance that you will cut your hand while using it (a very common occurence when knives are use offensively). There are reasons why folding knives are popular. Major among those reasons is that you can get a knife with a blade nearly as long as the handle in a space no bigger than the handle. Since there is essentially a minimum practical size for a handle, why not get a blade of comparable size.

Here is what I used for years as a hide-away knife with some serious defensive potential. The blade is carbon steel and tough for its size. The handle is likewise folded carbon steel. A little velcro in the right places and you can tuck it away in surprising locations.

http://209.35.185.42/ShopSite/Mercator_K55K_Solingen_Germany.html
 
On the lepel knives:

These date from the WWII OSS/SOE days. The original ones were made from the recycled tips of bayonets(the P1888 Lee-Metford, and 1907 Enfield). A few old time cutlers(Paisley, etc...) also made them. They're weapons of last resort, meant to stab an eye, are slice a vein.

Current/recent copies:

Perrin, I see you've found his.

EK/BlackJack imported really nice WWII styled ones from H.G. Long. These are very collectible. I've seen them in the $75-125 range. BlackJack also made a plastic version.

Bill Siegle makes a nice small one, with a bit more grip for your thumb.

Fury makes a very cheap one also.

The Perrin Street Surgeon got quite a bit of press here, run a search and you should find more.

Personally, I'd go with the SS, or a regular small fixed rather than a Thumb/lepel Dagger. I feel the risk of your hand skating down the blade is to much.
 
Jeff Clark said:
Why???

A longer blade has longer reach and can make deeper cuts. A longer blade has some potential for significant thrusting wounds. A knife with a very small handle maximises the chance that you will cut your hand while using it (a very common occurence when knives are use offensively). There are reasons why folding knives are popular. Major among those reasons is that you can get a knife with a blade nearly as long as the handle in a space no bigger than the handle. Since there is essentially a minimum practical size for a handle, why not get a blade of comparable size.

Here is what I used for years as a hide-away knife with some serious defensive potential. The blade is carbon steel and tough for its size. The handle is likewise folded carbon steel. A little velcro in the right places and you can tuck it away in surprising locations.

http://209.35.185.42/ShopSite/Mercator_K55K_Solingen_Germany.html
Click to expand...

Valid points but there are reasons for knives like that:

-Concealability. Granted folders are also concealable, but if you prefer a fixed blade you need a smaller size.

-Legality. In some places you are obligated to carry a short blade. There are even places where locking folders are illegal.

-Reliability. All folding knives can fail. The appeal of a fixed blade has the same appeal as a bolt action rifle: less parts to break and therefore less likely to fail. The purpose of a piece like this is as a holdout; an absolute last resort. It must not fail.

If nothing else what's hurts more: being pommeled with a fist or 2 inches of cold hard steel tearing in and out of you?

All that said in response to the original question: I too was interested in pieces like this and while they are fun, I ultimately bought a Hideaway. Granted it's not quite what you were originally considering, but Hideaways are the best knife out this kind out there imao. If nothing else it takes care of the problem of holding onto such a small knife.

www.hideawayknife.com I believe.
 
Why???
Click to expand...

You have good points Jeff. I'm looking for something that is easily concealable and it will be used as a last resort. I have larger knives but I want something that I can hide on my person very well and keep on me at all times when larger knives aren't legal. Know what I mean? An unexpected little blade.



have you tried a box cutter?
Click to expand...

Haha, I tried this, but I found that many of the boxes I've encountered have been more scared of me than I've been of them. :)
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Emerson La Griffe, or one of Perrin's La Griffes. These are probably the most popular of the small tactical blades. I have a Street Surgeon, and although it has a very neat leather sheath and is a nice little utility knife, I wouldn't rely on it for self-defence because it's difficult to draw quickly into a useful grip, and I can carry much more effective knives with larger blades that I can quickly access in a secure grip.
 
The recent TK magazine has a feature artical on someone making tactical straight razors. Very nice workmanship.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top