the struggle is real- how will i ever choose?

M

monkey_knife

Joined
Mar 31, 2022
Messages
6
OK apologies first of all- I am ignorant of SO many of the things that I need to learn to choose a knife!! If clueless people irritate you please ignore this post!!

I currently own only one knife and have had it for many years- a Spyderco Vallotton. When I'm traveling in the Philippines I carry it, but almost never carry it outside of that. I've also owned a SOG Pentagon but sold it years ago- it was cool at first and then I got bored with it.

I know I want a fixed blade that looks "tactical". I'd like something that lives on my nightstand for when my young nephew stays over and the handguns are locked up. I may on occasion want to carry it when I am out and about as well as a backup to a handgun. So far this sounds plausible, right? But I would also like a steel that is good for basic bushcraft stuff- not something that will break if I baton or chop.

The SOG Pillar checks a lot of my boxes- micarta scales and a kydex sheath, good looks, and an uncoated blade. I think 5" is a bit too short of a blade however. I think the steel (S35VN) is probably good for self-defense or some chopping/general bushcraft but don't know for sure. I would probably just buy an ESEE 6, but it doesn't come with kydex and the blade is coated. I've seen a number of videos on youtube about removing the coating and I'm still considering that. I wouldn't mind keeping the blade lightly oiled. Not sure why ESEE sells a 4" blade uncoated, but not the 6" or larger.

I like the looks of a Cold Steel tanto and I think it would be great for defense but not for bushcraft. Maybe my problem is I really need two knives and not one.

Any thoughts, ideas, or constructive criticism is welcome!! If you have general advice about what makes a good self-defense/tactical knife and what makes a good bushcraft knife I am all ears. I think the G10 on my Vallotton is too slippery to be good for much of anything.
 
Any knife can be used for “bushcraft” and any knife can be used for self defense, it’s the skill/user that matters the most. Why do you think that a 4 inch blade is too short and that you need a 6 inch blade?
 
JWright214 said:
Any knife can be used for “bushcraft” and any knife can be used for self defense, it’s the skill/user that matters the most. Why do you think that a 4 inch blade is too short and that you need a 6 inch blade?
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It could well be misconceptions so let me explain. I've read that a 5" blade is considered "minimum" if you want to hit vital organs- so 6" would offer some margin for error. Also I see a knife as a very different kind of tool than a gun in a defense situation. With a gun- you only decide whether the situation warrants firing, and if it does you draw and fire. If it doesn't you don't. A knife (my perception- wrong or right) can help your assailant make a decision. Closing the distance between the two of you may be an easy decision for a bad actor if you appear to be unarmed. If you are holding a blade that has substantial "intimidation factor", I think an assailant's mind starts to weigh serious consequences.

I hadn't even considered an SRK in 3V and that looks like a great option!! I see them in stock in San Mai but not 3V- is San Mai a poor choice for general purpose chopping/survival/defense?

I'm not sure on the coated blades being more "tactical" but I don't like them. I don't want a surface that will be marred from use and look like crap after a few months. I won't be hiding and ambushing anyone so to me a matte finish doesn't matter. Again these are my perceptions with little experience in tactical situations and limited reading/understanding of knife fighting. I could well be wrong.
 
Richard338 said:
I'd say a Randall will impress your nephew.
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Ha!! He's only 10 and has been in the country less than 6 months so at this point it likely wouldn't- but later!! I've looked on eBay- wow. Pricey!! There is a pretty darn cool Busse for $700 OBO that tempted me I will admit.
 
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CHNeal said:
shane45-1911 shane45-1911 ….I just couldn’t help myself.
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I've said enough already. I think the entire forum knows how I feel about "bushcraft knives", whatever those are. 🤪

And this one is a double-whammy...."tactical" AND "bushcraft" - two words that should never be used in the same sentence with "knife". :poop:

I need to lay down for a bit.
 
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Where do you live that you need to carry a handgun and a 6" fixed blade for SD, Afghanistan?

Bradford makes the Guardian line (similar to ESEE but "better" steel). Check them out.

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monkey_knife said:
It could well be misconceptions so let me explain. I've read that a 5" blade is considered "minimum" if you want to hit vital organs- so 6" would offer some margin for error. Also I see a knife as a very different kind of tool than a gun in a defense situation. With a gun- you only decide whether the situation warrants firing, and if it does you draw and fire. If it doesn't you don't. A knife (my perception- wrong or right) can help your assailant make a decision. Closing the distance between the two of you may be an easy decision for a bad actor if you appear to be unarmed. If you are holding a blade that has substantial "intimidation factor", I think an assailant's mind starts to weigh serious consequences.
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monkey_knife said:
It could well be misconceptions so let me explain. I've read that a 5" blade is considered "minimum" if you want to hit vital organs- so 6" would offer some margin for error. Also I see a knife as a very different kind of tool than a gun in a defense situation. With a gun- you only decide whether the situation warrants firing, and if it does you draw and fire. If it doesn't you don't. A knife (my perception- wrong or right) can help your assailant make a decision. Closing the distance between the two of you may be an easy decision for a bad actor if you appear to be unarmed. If you are holding a blade that has substantial "intimidation factor", I think an assailant's mind starts to weigh serious consequences.
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Not that I necessarily agree with that, but fair enough. Just a few thoughts from an old cop, never underestimate a person’s stupidity, ego, or desperation. A logical/rational person would most likely not want to be on the losing end of a knife fight, but remember, criminals intending on doing harm are not typically logical/rational. So don’t count on intimidation. Guns are made for killing at a distance, knives are a very up close and personal thing. The skill required to hit those vitals under stress are not as easy as some may think. With knives being up close and personal you have a major concern for weapon retention to contend with in addition to all of that. And one last thought, from a legal standpoint, the minute you pull out a knife you have escalated the situation to what is considered a deadly threat. The old saying about writing checks that your butt can’t cash applies here. If you pull it, you better be 100% committed to going through with using it. I’m not trying to discourage you, talk you out of anything, or being a dick. I just genuinely feel these things should be considered. Good luck on your search.
 
irsh said:
Where do you live that you need to carry a handgun and a 6" fixed blade for SD, Afghanistan?

Bradford makes the Guardian line (similar to ESEE but "better" steel). Check them out.

​

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Detroit. Some parts of Toledo. Frankly, I was overseas for about 15 years and since I've come back I'm shocked at the way drugs and drug-related violence have exploded even in small towns in the rural midwest. Not far from here a meth head attacked and killed two people when they got off work- then raped the corpse of the teenage female. This was not in a major city. I lived in a city of fewer than 15,000 people and across the street from me in what you would guess (by looks) was a "good and safe" neighborhood I had a guy standing in his driveway very brazenly dealing drugs. Not to sound like a grumpy old man- but life isn't how I remember when I was growing up in this small town/rural environment. The threats are more numerous and more serious. There are more desperate people, and their behavior is unpredictable.
 
JWright214 said:
Not that I necessarily agree with that, but fair enough. Just a few thoughts from an old cop, never underestimate a person’s stupidity, ego, or desperation. A logical/rational person would most likely not want to be on the losing end of a knife fight, but remember, criminals intending on doing harm are not typically logical/rational. So don’t count on intimidation. Guns are made for killing at a distance, knives are a very up close and personal thing. The skill required to hit those vitals under stress are not as easy as some may think. With knives being up close and personal you have a major concern for weapon retention to contend with in addition to all of that. And one last thought, from a legal standpoint, the minute you pull out a knife you have escalated the situation to what is considered a deadly threat. The old saying about writing checks that your butt can’t cash applies here. If you pull it, you better be 100% committed to going through with using it. I’m not trying to discourage you, talk you out of anything, or being a dick. I just genuinely feel these things should be considered. Good luck on your search.
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You've given me a lot to think about and I appreciate that. If you have any further reading to recommend on legality or tactics, or how to stay safe and sane and make good judgments please pass those along. Some of the best reality checks that I've gotten in life have come from law enforcement officers so I'm interested in your perspective.

Just ordered a Fallkniven A1x and Amazon prime will bring it tomorrow. I couldn't resist the beefiness of that blade!! If it's not perfect for every task am I allowed to buy more knives? :)
 
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