Thoughts from new Gunting cult applicant

R

Ric24581

Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
161
I finally got my Gunting!

I was going to post my initial impressions, but it got way long. I'll try to give the super short version....

Strikes with the ramp are *devastating*, and even without the video I've figured out some wonderfully evil ways to do some fingerlocks and traps (certainly re-inventing the wheel that you Gunting experts have already developed). Kinetic opening is quite cool. I don't have a DRONE yet so I haven't been able to practice very many practical ways to open it kinetically...but I do have a blood blister on the knife edge of my left hand from going *BAM* about 500 times in the last 3 days. The spoon clip is wonderful and I *love* the shape and texture of the grip.

Stuff I'm not real fond of that I've already seen others mention include how high it rides because of the low clip. I'd rather have it sit deeper for a slower pocket draw but more concealment and use the Skunkwords holster for faster draw, rather than vice-versa. The Gunting looks *huge* clipped to the pocket or even IWB.

I also have to join the folks who'd prefer the compression lock be set up "standard". I understand Bram's arguement that moving your thumb into your hand is stronger than away, but in playing with the Gunting I've found that, whether the motion is inward or outward, my thumb is strongest when it's pushing toward the opposing fingertips...which is to the left when holding the knife in a regular saber grip. Maybe I'm wimpy, or my lock is stiff, but I have to move my index finger to the right side of the grip and push my thumb toward it to fully depress the liner...which means i have to move my middle finger up into the finger groove to catch the choil. I'm stronger pushing my thumb left...toward my fingertips. *shrug*

Drop opening....anyone else have trouble drop opening the Gunting? The horns at the end of the grip on the spine side hit my finger and thumb in the hole and either stops the blade or pushes them out of the hole, which when done sharply enough will make me drop the knife. I know that *BAM* is the best way to open this knife but when I want to open that box I'd rather just *snap* it open ala my Military. Small complaint but something I noticed right away as I experimented with different opening methods. It's also my primary opening method from the sap pocket where I will carry it on duty, so I'll have to adapt.

Did I mention how devastating strikes with the Gunting are? It's like hitting someone with a ball peen hammer. Wonderful stuff.

I really wish it carried more concealed without a holster. My Military disappears into my pocket and for the most part it's a bigger knife. I can rest the Gunting in my pocket all the way down to where the pivot is even with the top of the pocket and still draw it into a good tomahawk grip with much more concealment...wish I could clip it that way. I'm carrying it now by canting it way forward to bury the ramp in the pocket...but there's still a lot of handle sitting up there.

I'm off with a broken ankle at the moment, but when I get back on the street I'm hoping to put the Gunting to some real world use. Hopefully it will take the place of my Military as my retention backup (strong side sap pocket...but that high carry is still bugging me). I already have some *zap* and *fingerouchouchouch!* ideas for various uncooperative types (especially "turtling" suspects) and runners (first contact when you overtake him is usually a "push"...put that nasty ramp in the push hand and it becomes a *zap* to your choice of pp's on the back).

Anyway, enough rambling for tonight. The positives far outweigh any "negatives" so don't let this post fool you...just providing some feedback. I'd like cherry Kool-Aid please.
smile.gif


Ok ok....it got long anyway. Sigh.

[This message has been edited by Ric24581 (edited 01-10-2001).]
 
Ric, adapting an idea from another forum recently ... could you have a secondary pocket sewn inside your sap pocket, but further down, so the Gunting would ride below the level of the outer pocket?
 
The "high" carry of the Gunting was peculier to me at first but now I like it:
1. In jeans type pockets (horizontal pocket openings) I find that the G rides very comfortably in contrast to most of my other knives which tend to slide up and out of the pocket when sitting. It sits higher in the pocket and therefore is not pushed upwards.
2. It is really quick getting out of the pocket when sitting down due to the fact that there is enough handle to grab.
3. In waistband carry is also very good (and not that visable) because there is again enough handle to grab to get the knife out quick and the knife carries quite comfortably this way when you learn where to place it so that the ramp does not create discomfort. The G can also be carried comfortably in the front waistband just to the left of the right hipbone because it rides high and is not bothersome when sitting down.
 
To my understanding the gunting wasnt designed to open with a flick or a snap like the drop opening,It was designed so that it can be opened either thumb hole or kenetic,Bram suggested this for legal reasons so it dosnt Fall into the catagory as a gravity knife....
 
Thanks for the comments, guys.

Sap pockets are the small, deep pockets on the backs of the thighs of police uniform pants. Nowdays we use them to carry gloves, knives, flex-cuffs, flashlights, etc..

I might be able to get an inner pocket sewn in...I'll look into that. Wish I knew how to sew.
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I understand the issues with "gravity" opening and the law, but even the Gunting can be adjusted to allow inertial opening by the owner. The drop opening is much less "gravity"-like, but the design definitely interferes with this type of opening and there's nothing you can do about it. Frustrating.
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Ric, I might be doing it wrong... but if I am correct a drop opening is similar to the way I learned it with a bali-song??? The knife is help upside down with a swith motion down with the wrist and a sudden stop and motion upwards the knife blade drops open??? If so try losening up the pivot just a bit and you shouldn't have a problem, I have had my Gunting a few months now and have been able to drop pop it with many different finger placements...Hope this helps...
 
Sounds like you're doing an inertial (snap) opening.

The "drop" is done by grabbing the Spydie hole with the thumb and first finger, drawing the knife, and snapping it downward letting the weight of the handle swing it open while you're holding the blade by the hole.
 
Okay, guess I was a little mixed up... If you have to open the gunting by grasping the blade...How about if you try this....Hold the blade the same way you explained but instead of a downward movement a very short upward movement..I just tried it a few times and it seems very controlable...
 
Hi Ric,
Might I make two suggestions from my gunting experiences.First off you will want it riding higher than most just for the quick draw option,which coinsides my next sugg.GET THE TAPES.Excellent,simply excellent three tape series which focuses on what you were suggesting about non-compliants.In the first tape it starts into cuffing technique and it flows into a martial backround with elegance,A must have for any LEO who is going to carry the gunting on the job.And the draw is so simply led into various strikes the only thing you have to worry about is which combo to use.And the trainer is a must,my live blade hasn't and hopfully never will see action but my trainer did once and it was a one motion argument and a damn sore finger for him.Welcome to the guntaholics.

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Someday my friends ,I'll own em all
 
Thanks for the advice...I ordered the tapes today.

On the high carry issue...I've spent pretty much every day this week showing people the knife. Even though just about every cop in my department carries a clip knife, the Gunting definitely stands out and gets attention. I'm sure part of it is the unique design...but people are noticing it because it looks huge sticking out of the pocket.

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Be polite and professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

[This message has been edited by Ric24581 (edited 01-13-2001).]
 
You guys are to kind...glad you all like the GUNTING series overall..( GUNTING- DRONE- CRIMPT and videos....
watch for video volume 5 & 6 which will go into cutting and flow drills...
ah bio mechanical matter seperation..

if it, the GUNTING, sat lower:
1) you can't tomahawk it from your grab..( engage it with the webbing of your thumb..)
2)the ramp gets stuck in your pocket..
3)you have to fish for it in a "gross motor" application that needs "NOW" as a response..
there's also the fact its NOT concealed..more than 1" is showing...

hmm I have knife pockets on both sides of my pants..just below my hip joint..knife is ALWAYS grabable. I carry it in my front pocket alot..OR better yet in a SKUNKWORKS kydex breakwawy holster..or my shoulder rig..
or a custom gun-GUNTING holster so its protecting your firearm and you can access you GUNTING or firearm at a moments notice or choice..Yup we did this at the SHOT SHOW..

I've stopped carying the GUNTING.. I carry the DRONE & a Cricket..I cut with the CRICKET and Slam n jam with the DRONE..
I have to show it so much I can't have a REAL knife ala the GUNTING on me..ROFL...

the next versions will have black clips.. I think you can get a new black clip and replace your shiny spoon with a BLACK one...
OR let SPYDERCO do it..( i'm not sure of the warrenty situation..not my department!)

have a great day..

 
Thanks, Bram.

I should get the videos today, and I'm looking forward to watching them. I will definitely order a black clip. Although I've never been a fan of subdued blades, this might be an example where a black or flat finished blade might be a good idea. It will be interesting to see how much the black clip cuts down on the profile.

I can see how the ramp would get caught in the pocket. I've resorted to canting the knife forward to bury the ramp below the pocket line, but it still comes out easily because of the cant. It would definitely get stuck riding straight up and down with the ramp below the pocket line.

BTW- have you ever tried using the ramp as a glass breaker? I wonder how it would perform on side window auto glass...

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Be polite and professional...and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

[This message has been edited by Ric24581 (edited 01-16-2001).]
 
Ric24581...well the butt works just fine for that thank you..LOL..( breaking out glass..just ask Nemo..)

No one will see the blade..it moves too damn fast..ROFL....bright, stonewashed...black..whatever..fixed blade it matters maybe if its exposed...
who can see it in the handle...
 
"No one will see the blade..it moves too damn fast..ROFL....bright, stonewashed...black..whatever..fixed blade it matters maybe if its exposed...
who can see it in the handle..."
--

Ah, but Bram, the ramp isn't in the handle...or in the pocket.
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Be polite and professional...and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
 
For the ramp to be burried in the pocket truly defeats the purpose and design of this knife(tool..etc..)It was meant for fast deployment via pocket or sheath(kydex).To have it buried or hidden(concealed)in the pocket ,waistband will take to long on the draw of the blade into the tomahawk position,yes you can get it out fast but having it higher is faster because you may take the webbing of your hand behinfd the horns and wala its out.I feel this way is much quicker than the 2 finger pinch and pull out..plus it a natural motion from hand to knife to opponent!If you want concealment get a skunkworks holster and put a regular spyderco in the pocket,the holster is just as fast if not faster than the pocket draw!!
Try it out!!!
 
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