Spyderco 1st. Gen. Brk self defense?

[theory x]

Hi,

I just received a spyderco 1st Generation Brk from a friend of mine. My question is... Is this a good knife to carry for self defense purposes or should I look into a more appropriate knife for every day carrying? Would a smooth edge be better than a serrated edge for practicality.

Thanks,
Joshua

 

[Cougar Allen]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

 

[SilverFoxKnows]

The best knife for defense is the one you have on you. The one you use every day is the one you'll be able to deploy in an instant without thinking about it. If I had to pick a knife to save my skin I'd rather have a khukuri or a machete but they don't fit in my pocket so I guess I would have to make do with my Spyderco Native I'm not a martial artist, and carry for utility, so take my two cents for what they're worth.

Frank

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I agree. Unless you've trained with a particular blade style, your general-purpose EDC is the most reliable last-ditch self-defense knife you could have. -- understanding that knives are not ideal for self-defense.

After all, if the enemy is close enough to use a knife on him, he's too close for your own good, too.

The BRK was an early farmed-out Spyderco and isn't considered the best Spydie around, but it's good enough for light work. The design is first-rate, though, for work or for self-defense.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Plain edge or serrated. THAT question could go on for pages ...

It depends on what you mean to use it for, since serrated is useful on fibers like cord or cardboard, but a well-maintained plain edge should be able to cut anything a serrated edge can. I have gradually come to like plain edges best.

Of course, there's also this:

"I've done things with Spyderco's I will never tell cause Sal will stop selling them to me. But the funniest thing about them is the patterns they leave when you use the serrated version to spread cheese or butter on a piece of bread."
-- Gad Blilious