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

sgt1372 said:
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.
Click to expand...

You might have a bit of training with them Sarge.......I don’t think we can say the same for the subject of this thread.
Also, God forbid you’re in a situation where these blades are needed, your treatment from LE will differ from his.
Just sayin.
 
I would pick the yojimbo 2 but I have to say I think a gun is much better for self-defense if that's what your worried about. Of course I would use whatever knife I have on me to defend myself if I had to but that wouldn't be a deciding factor in purchasing one.
 
When it comes to self defense I would start with Nik-e-do (Run, Forrest, run!). If that isn't appropriate fall back on bare hand, then skip over knives directly to a firearm. I've carried knives of one sort or another for 60 years and have never considered them as a defensive weapon other than pre-pubescent Walter Mitty imaginings and a brief but uncomfortable few days during Lunar New Year in Saigon in '68. It might give a sense of well being but it's false security and confidence that could get you hurt or worse. The winner in a knife fight is the one that bleeds out last.
 
As others have said, if you can't handle self defense with your brain, voice or legs it should never escalate to an edged weapon unless you have specific training. Skip the blade and move to spray, shock or firearm.

As far as a knife for your friend, it's hard to beat a SAK.
 
palonej said:
You might have a bit of training with them Sarge.......I don’t think we can say the same for the subject of this thread.
Also, God forbid you’re in a situation where these blades are needed, your treatment from LE will differ from his.
Just sayin.
Click to expand...

Well, the OP asked for advice in choosing a knife for SD use and I gave it. It's not for me to judge the OP's friend's preparedness in the use of any weapon. Common sense dictates that one should not attempt to use any weapon that they cannot legally carry and are not competent to use for its intended purpose.

I've already encountered the different perspectives on the use of knives for SD here on BF; some of which are quite bigoted and myopic. The whole idea that it's better to just carry a gun (which I can legally do) is one of those. I have no interest in further debating the matter here.

My view is quite simple. It is better to avoid conflict whenever possible. De-escalate and walk away whenever you can but, if you can't, and you are attacked, having a knife that you can use in SD is better than nothing at all. No doubt a gun is a more effective weapon but it is also more lethal and carries w/it potentially much greater liabilities; both criminal and civil. Carry/use either for SD at your own risk.
 
Last edited:
The knife as self defense weapon always begs the question: against what?

Fists? Then you could be the one in trouble (depending on local laws etc. - I am pretty sure you can't just stab a threatening person if they are unarmed). A pipe? Inferior reach. A bat? Inferior reach. A hatchet? Inferior reach. A chain? Inferior reach. A firearm? No defense at all.

So a knife is superior to an unarmed opponent. Obviously things change if anyone has training, because even with a knife I am more than likely getting my ass kicked by a well trained military or LEO individual.
 
I'm very far from being any kind of expert but I do have 5-6 years of martial arts across three traditional styles, a tiny bit of modern defensive training, and basic firearms training with plenty of practice. I've also read a lot if that counts for anything. The best and easiest resource today for seeing real defensive encounters today is the "Active Self Protection" channel on YouTube. Spend some time watching those videos. Real defensive encounters are nothing like the movies. They tend to be quick, messy, and terrifying.

With that out of the way, folding knives of any kind are generally not great for self defense. The best defensive tool remains a legally carried handgun in proper condition, good training, and plenty of practice. Distantly behind that are fixed blades, brass knuckles, and maybe some other weapons. Distantly behind that is any folding knife. (Features like "the wave" or automatic deployment might be helpful but just don't come anywhere close to matching the value of a fixed blade.) Empty-handed skills are the last resort but can also be helpful for getting to your weapon and keeping your weapon in an entangled encounter.

Talk with your friend. Spend some time thinking about defensive needs separate from a folding knife. Settle on a real defensive option and commit to it. Then think about an EDC folder. Choosing a good EDC pocket knife is easier once you get past defense as a primary need.
 
Whenever I think about this kind of topic, a quote from Edward W. Robertson's "The White Tree" comes to mind.

"Overconfidence is a strong ally. People are always surprised when you try to do things you can't."

Never rely on any tool to help you in that kinda situation. Because tools can, training can fail. There will always be someone better at fighting than you. I can't run, but I am rather proficient at defusing hostile confrontations.
 
I'm not a big fan of knives for self-defense. If I have to pull a knife, I'm way too close.

In the past, I've told people the best defensive tool someone has is their mind. Paying attention to what you wear, where you walk, how you walk, and who you pick as your friends all play a role in self-defense. So does paying close attention to your surroundings. What's going on down the block or across the street? I see way too many young people in public with their eyes glued to smartphones.

Keeping yourself mentally and physically fit both play a role in SD. So do the type of activities you choose as part of your lifestyle. I could go on but, you get the idea of where I'm going. A knife for self-defense is secondary to keeping track of what's going on around you and the choices you make. At least it should be.

Personally, I'd pick a knife for everyday use and not worry about a self-defense blade. If you truly feel that you must have a blade for defense, get some training (lots of it) and then choose your knife.
 
Last edited:
cold steel tri lite is a quick draw, opens as you are pulling it out of your pocket, and the blade is around the 3" mark so still legal. But, i looks like a fighting knife so that may be a turn off.


To all those who say you should have training, that is true, it is always better to have training, but a knife is better than nothing if it comes to that. obviously, I recommend not pulling a knife at all because that could quickly backfire, but if you are truly in danger of dying or being seriously maimed, and are already being control physically, than why not.
 
sabre cat said:
I'm not a big fan of knives for self-defense. If I have to pull a knife, I'm way too close.

In the past, I've told people the best defensive tool someone has is their mind. Paying attention to what you wear, where you walk, how you walk, and who you pick as your friends all play a role in self-defense. So does paying close attention to your surroundings. What's going on down the block or across the street? I see way too many young people in public with their eyes glued to smartphones.

Keeping yourself mentally and physically fit both play roles in SD as does the type of activities you choose as part of your lifestyle. I could go on but, you get the idea of where I'm going. A knife for self-defense is secondary to keeping track of what's going on around you and the choices you make. At least it should be.

Personally, I'd pick a knife for everyday use and not worry about a self-defense blade. If you truly feel that you must have a blade for defense, get some training (lots of it) and then choose your knife.
Click to expand...
Well said, I have had to do some quick thinking while driving due to people (all ages :) ) not paying attention to their surroundings but to what their friend just liked on Facebook. I'm only 18 so I haven't been driving for more than a couple years and have had more than a dozen instances where someone blew through a light I was just about to cross at. Pay attention people!
 


Cold Steel AK-47 . Excellent fighting or utility EDC folder . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 


4" blade , Tri-ad lock Cold Steel : Black Talon 2 , Talwar , Recon 1
 
I would think almost any knife would do, but the pm-2 is really pointy and has a nice thick blade and opens really easily.
 
DocJD said:


Cold Steel AK-47 . Excellent fighting or utility EDC folder . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Yeah, until you end up in court. Then the DA is going to have a field day.

Cold Steel makes a fine knife but I would never carry one as a defense knife. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure if I would ever purchase one just because of the marketing.
 
Last edited:
sabre cat said:
Yeah, until you end up in court. Then the DA is going to have a field day.

Cold Steel makes a fine knife but I would never carry one as a defense knife. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure if I would ever purchase one just because of there marketing.
Click to expand...
I would be much more concerned that lethal force was fully justified in self defense .

My state licenses guns for civilian SD CC , so how can any knife be worse ? :confused:
 
If your life depends on using the knife,use it and does not matter what kind of blade you carry that moment in your pockets.Cheers.
 
sabre cat said:
Yeah, until you end up in court. Then the DA is going to have a field day.

Cold Steel makes a fine knife but I would never carry one as a defense knife. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure if I would ever purchase one just because of there marketing.
Click to expand...
Only the dumbest, or cheapest, defense lawyer couldn't destroy that argument.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top