So my buddy wants a new knife, help us decide:

MyLegsAreOk

MyLegsAreOk

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Aug 31, 2017
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My friend use to carry a Opinel no.8 INOX but lost it at a restaurant. He used it at work but didn't want to get another because he's had a few rough customers and was pretty fearful when he couldn't defend himself because it would take too long to get out.

The critera is this:
1. Defense
2. Sturdy
3. Price (Below $200, preferably below $100 but if it's worth paying more than 100 so be it.)
4. EDC
5. He likes flippers, hates the ball bearing lock from spyderco.

We're deciding between:
Cold Steel Lil Tuff
Cold Steel Goldeneye
Ontario Rat 2
LAPD TBFK
Spyderco Yojimbo 2
Benchmade Fact
Spyderco Inkuchi

I say go for the Yojimbo2. Very well made knife, $140, good for self defense, good for EDC. What do you guys think? Do you want to add something to list?
 
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The Yo2 is a fine knife and I heartedly recommend it. I have several and they are fine knives.
But - depending on the skill/training level - consider loss of fine motor skills in a confrontation, stress, and what might be a close quarter tussle; maybe consider a fixed blade like the Spyderco Street Beat. Where legal of course.
Caveat; Im not a trained knife fighter and dont carry a knife for SD, so feel free to disregard the above.

This one might be better suited for PracTac.
 
I like my Yoji 2. Great knife, mediocre steel. For similar money:

WE 709 Practic. $146 at BHQ, M390 steel, flipper on bearings.

For something more discreet, I'd recommend the Massdrop Ferrum Forge Gent select CF or Rosewood. $120.

Spyderco has numerous models in that price range. I'm currently on the fence with the mantra 3, ikuchi, and sliverax, and some others.

I know nothing about knife fighting. In 40 years on this planet I've been in one fight, freshman year of high school. It seems to me, in a last ditch effort, any knife will do. Most of my adult life I was 6'4" and ~260lbs, so people generally left me alone.

I would recommend enroll in a self defense classes in addition to a knife. I did Tomiki Aikido for over ten years. Purely defensive martial art. Taught me a lot, saved me in that fight, as well as several nasty falls.

Nowadays, only thing I'm fending against is falls and health.
 
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MyLegsAreOk said:
My friend use to carry a Opinel no.8 INOX but lost it at a restaurant. He used it at work...because he's had a few rough customers and was pretty fearful...
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Please think very carefully before attempting to draw out the edged help ;-)
However i do understand the need for quick draws.
Gosh, didn't it cross your minds to look up the old endura 4 emerson opener?
But honestly, it's a shame having to waste perfectly good money on material which becomes key evidence in the aftermath.
 
MyLegsAreOk said:
rough customers
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What training does he have in knife fighting and self defense? Cause without that, those rough customers may just stab him with his own knife.

Also what are your states laws for knife carry and what types. Not only that, but is your friend ready to sit in jail or court if he does injur or kill someone?

I'm thinking your friend needs a career change.
 
My head always shakes a bit at these posts.

I feel like folks qualified to DEFEND themselves with a knife probably already know what knife they should be using. They have been trained, are military/leo (or ex) etc., spend time on those forums specific to those occupations, blah blah blah.

I feel like anyone who asks what knife to use for self defense should not be considering defending themselves with a knife.
 
jceckrosh said:
My head always shakes a bit at these posts.

I feel like folks qualified to DEFEND themselves with a knife probably already know what knife they should be using. They have been trained, are military/leo (or ex) etc., spend time on those forums specific to those occupations, blah blah blah.

I feel like anyone who asks what knife to use for self defense should not be considering defending themselves with a knife.
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Amen.......I’ll stop right there.
 
This question might be better received in "Practical Tactical" under Community Discussion Forums > Activities, Training & Skills Development.

Different defensive knives have different designs for different styles. Therefore, I also recommend searching out and taking a knife defense course, or just a defense course in general from a reputable institution (for example one that might have training programs for LE or government agencies).
Also, know the laws in your area, and policies of his work place.

Anything that is sharp can be used as a knife. In some states, anything sharp can be prosecuted as a knife. The limited instruction I received basically taught that 99% of situations where non-LE might need to fight with a knife are situations where 1. you will have the better option of running to safety or 2. you are the aggressor and will go to jail.

IMO, an 89 cent aluminum box cutter (not folding) from WMart is low key for work, very functional, and it's what the Yojimbo takes its roots from.
 
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I plan to get my concealed carry permit when I'm healthy enough. 17 rounds of 9mm is a much better defense than ~3" of steel.

When I was in my twenties, I was a bit unstable and bought "tactical" knives because I wanted to be able to hunt down and kill a particular person.

But, I mainly carried for utility. It's one thing to sneak up on someone and stab them, another to attempt to defend one's self.

I was never so disillusioned that I thought about defense. I sold off my SOGs years ago back when I joined BF.

This is why I suggested the knives I did. Utility first.
 
jceckrosh said:
My head always shakes a bit at these posts.

I feel like folks qualified to DEFEND themselves with a knife probably already know what knife they should be using. They have been trained, are military/leo (or ex) etc., spend time on those forums specific to those occupations, blah blah blah.

I feel like anyone who asks what knife to use for self defense should not be considering defending themselves with a knife.
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Indeed. MyLegsAreOk MyLegsAreOk , tell "your friend" o_O :D what J jceckrosh said, and that if "your friend" has not been trained in any knife based SD that ANY knife will be equally (in)effective for SD.
 
Retired LEO here. I mainly carry a knife for SD.

The one that I carry daily is a Bastinelli/Marcaida Pika that comes w/an excellent kydex sheath w/a Tek-lok type belt attachment which is also very slick. Its just an extremely small, light fixed blade karambit that is very comfortable to wear and easy to deploy.

If you're just looking for a SD weapon that's designed for that purpose, I recommend it highly. It costs $135 in black cerakote and IMO is well worth the price. You can get it for cheaper on EB; I bought 2 there NIB for about $100 each.

industrial_knives_PiKa_black_case.jpg


If you're looking for something more cost effective, I also have a Husky Folding Utility Knife that I bought for around $8 at Home Depot which could be equally effective.

Folds nice and flat and has a pocket clip for ease/safety of carry. Deployment w/the thumb stud is actually quite easy. The pivot screw is adjustable; just adjust the pivot as desired and add a little lube to improve blade movement. Disposable utility blades are razor sharp and very cheap. ;)

Husky-Folding-Utility-Knife-Lock-Back-metal-pocket.jpg

PS: I also carry a different folder everyday just because I can. All of these knives could be used for SD (some more effective than others) but my go-to knife if I ever need to use a knife for SD is the Pika.
 
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Yojimbo 2 and the Ikuchi. Although I like the looks of a serrated blade if I were to have to use one in self defense.
 
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