suggestions for a newb?

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lulwut

Joined
Nov 15, 2007
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So I've been reading around on the forums here. I was about to buy a Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Mini Covert knife -- until I read the reviews on here about how it's trash. (Plus, I'm still not sure whether it comes with the secondary lock.) I'm looking for a folding knife to carry just in case I need to defend myself. It won't be something I'll use every day.

I was wondering if anyone would like to suggest something else? Where I live and work it must follow three rules: (a) a 3.5 inch blade is the max, (b) must be a folding knife, and (c) it cannot be opened easily by swinging it open(ie, centrifugal force) or spring loaded. I really prefer a secondary lock. (If it were up to me, it would be a small fixed blade, but that's not an option. :grumpy: )

I'm now wondering about Gerber's Covert model (not mini). They say the blade length is 3.75 inches. Maybe that includes the very bottom part of the blade that isn't sharpened? That would make sense from a marketing perspective. If so, maybe the law only applies to the part that is sharpened? Below is a picture of what I'm talking about... is the blade length the blue or red line?

80uz4oz.jpg
 
Blue line.

There are plenty of knives that you can choose from under 3.5". Any particular lock style, steel, handle material, name brand, etc?
 
Benchmade Griptilian, Spyderco Endura for right on the line. Mini Grip or Delica (mini versions of the Grip and Endura) if you need smaller.
 
Kaizen1 said:
Blue line.

There are plenty of knives that you can choose from under 3.5". Any particular lock style, steel, handle material, name brand, etc?
Click to expand...

The blue line is used by the marketing departments? Or by the law?

The stronger the lock, the better. I like the S&W "Power Glide" design, but I'm not sure if that's legally considered a "folding" knife. As far as steel goes... anything decent? I don't know much about the types of steel. I prefer non-metal handles, just because metal ones seem to usually be thin and uncomfortable to make a fist around. And of course, made in the US is always a plus.
 
Welcome to the Forum :thumbup:
If your max blade length allowed is 3.5, and this one is advertised as 3.75 - I'd steer clear of it.

I only mention that because you would be much better off to be a little under the blade max, than a little over it. A little bit of extra length could cause you some trouble if it was ever checked out by a LEO.
You don't want to get into a disagreement with an Officer because you think the blue line is the actual knife length and he thinks it is the red line (He'll always be right :)

Concerning the Gerbers (or anything else you are interested in) - if you like a model, find a place where you can hold one, and check it out for yourself.

Just because one person does not like a knife, or has a bad experience with it, does not necessarily mean it is junk.

(I am not endorsing the Gerber, just wanted to give you a heads up that there are a thousand folks ready to give opinions here, some are founded on ownership/use, some are founded purely on opinoin, and you have to weigh all of them out.)

I'll give another example, my brother could break an anvil, and has broken the tips off f several knives, prying with them etc. Finally I thought, I'd buy him a CRKT, because I thought heck, if he breaks it, i'm out only $30 - he has used and abused that knife for over a year with NO issues - totally shocked me, BTW it has a extra lock mech on it as well.

My point to that little story is this - a bunch of folks here have trashed the CRKT knives for some valid, and not so valid reasons, but in my Brother's case - it is the perfect knife for HIM.

Not sure the price on the Gerbers you are checking out, but I would strongly recommend you also checking out Spyderco and Benchmade models as well before you make your final decision.

If Self defense is your only use for the knife, you may want to check out a Hawkbill of some type as well.

Be Well,

sp
 
I don't know if the Kershaw 1580 Boa would do the trick for you. Carried one of these for 4 or 5 years - used daily - very relaible -has a secondary lock.They now make it in S30V.Question would be the speed safe? Understand it's not legal in Minn.and a couple of other states. It definitly is not banned under the federal switchblade prohibition.Never have given much thought to the figten end of this knife - but it's a great EDC/tool.
 
lulwut said:
The blue line is used by the marketing departments? Or by the law?
Click to expand...

problem is this: any attorney may refer back to the manufacturer's specs and a judge or jury will base their decision, most likely, on that fact.

if the maker considers the choil to be part of the blade, and adds that to the measurments, then it is.

most consider the blade to be the sharpened portion only, but the law does not make that specific distinction most times.
 
BM mini grip... Axis lock is very strong, stays clipped in the pocket well. Made in the U.S, reasonably priced too... It doesn't have a secondary lock, but IMHO you don't need it with the axis lock.. I carried one for about 4 years and used it hard. It never failed me... As mentioned by someone else, just because some people say its junk doesn't mean that it is. If I remember correctly the full size that you are looking at does not come with a pocket clip, only a sheath, but the smaller one has a clip.
 
Some of you might disagree with this, but I feel that it needs to be said.

There's not really such a thing as a 3.5 in. "Fighting Knife". A knife of that length intended to be used against a man is better referred to as a "Holy fuck I hope I live long enough to see my kids again" knife. If you're looking for a fight or attacking someone you might as well bring something a lot more deadly. If you're faced with a threat that justifies the use of deadly force then that means there's a risk that you're about to die right then and there. No knife exists on earth with a blade of that length that, when you're about to die, you won't wish was bigger.


I highly recommend that you get a general purpose knife that you can use every day. Trying to find a knife of that length that's perfect for 'combat' is senseless. It's not really possible to make a knife of that length that's significantly better than a general purpose knife in a fight. The only things that will really be important in such a situation are how fast you can whip it out and how competently you use it.
 
Thanks for the input, everyone. I should have pointed out that I'm not really looking to spend more than about $50 on this.

I wish there was some sort of way for me to comment without bumping my thread up on the forum?
 
How about a black spyderco native. The reason it was called native is for it's ability to go native in any environment, to be unobtrusive. Its a spyderco, so the quality is good, its not expensive, easy to buy, and the black helps it to blend in even better. I think there you have it. good work shipwreck!

http://www.nationalknives.com/catalog/C41PSBBK.jpg

seems to be right there in your price range too.
 
For what you want in the price range you spec'd i'd have to go with spyderco. you could go with the native, delica, and possibly the endura and have an exc knife that would serve you well.
remember the best thing to take to a knife fight is a shotgun, if things get down to you pulling out your blade for self defense you've probably already lost. just my .02.
 
How blade length is measured depends are where you are. If you want to know for sure, write a letter to your local DA's office.
 
lulwut said:
I'm actually looking at this knife now (or a similar model)... http://www.thebladeshop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4386

I know the AUS8 is probably bad, but I don't expect to use it all the time.
Click to expand...


There are a lot of people that don't like CRKT knives or AUS-8 steel....
I like some of their knives, and if its heat treated well, there is nothing wrong with AUS-8 steel. They seem to be a reasonably well made knife. Don't get to caught up in the steel wars. Find a knife you like and buy one.. That way you can decide on your own after using it if its a good knife or not.. Everyones expectations are different.
As far as a 3-3.5 inch blade not being any good for SD, thats crap...
A knife fight is upclose and personal. an extra 2 inches of blade length is not going to make any difference, IF you know how to use it. The old saying of the best knife or gun for SD is the one you have with you when you need it.
 
Spyderco Delica, Boker Trance or Benchmade 530 would all make excellent, relatively inexpensive SD blades, IMHO.

I know you're looking for only SD, but the reality is that a knife for SD will rarely if ever see any use. You need to get used to the idea of handling it, using it and drawing it. You need to get a sense of what the blade can do, how to upkeep the edge and keep the knife oiled. Get used to using your knife for all sorts of tasks so you don't think of your knife as a "weapon" but a tool, and keep it sharp. The more you use (and practice with) your knife the more confidence you will have in it. I peel and cut fruit with my knives, do food prep with my larger folders and fixeds, and I whittle at wood and (most importantly) open boxes containing more knives. The knife is the last-ditch SD weapon, in my eyes. You don't want to get nailed for using it in any kind of minor defense situation.
 
Just as others have stated, I think you would be better off just picking a knife
that feels good in your hand. Also in the case of using it in self defense, I would
highly recommend some quality training are you will more then likely just find yourself
in a world of hurt.

Also just wanted to note, sometimes your feet are your best self defence.
If you have the option of running........run like hell.
 
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