Lot of interesting opinions... cool to see.
I have no problem with non-metallic blades myself. I think they are neat, and have their applications, even if you are a civillian.
I've encountered private business that had metal detectors, that I felt was sorta a slap in my face... and I know of others who think like me.
I wouldnt try to take one into a bar or an airport or a court-house, but still I think for civvies they have appliactions... beyond a 007 factor.
I prefer steel, always... and wouldnt give up the ability to carry it when I can.
I think that really, a non-metallic is a weapon (or a gadget/toy, for opening letters), and as a weapon, to be effective a non-metallic has to be designed to maximize its ability to damage flesh.
Two routes, simple stabbing/termination capabilities, stabbing designs (the Cold Steel Delta Dart of the A.G. Russell CIA Letter Opener come to mind), probably single use tools... but if they save your ass they save your ass. Features like re-inforced points, or dagger type blades, or tri-ground blades, are all possibilities on this... stabbing is stabbing, and many different methods of making a tool for it can be employed, but the basic is something that will poke into flesh with ease, but not break in the middle of the fight.
And the second route is tearing and stabbing ability. This would be a design like a hawk-bill, probably with serrations... shape and serrations making the most of its ability to demage flesh, but still stab capable if made right. This is trickier, to design and make, but once you figure it out, isnt hard... hawkbills, curves, hooks, serrations, etc. Nothing too radical though, nothing that could hang up and get stuck.
I preffer carbon fiber, owning Zytel blades and using two types of phenolic (G-10, Micarta, Tex-Tuff are all Phenolic materials), I've found that I think I like carbon fiber the best. I dunno if it uses phenolic resin or not... prolly. But what makes it the best I think, is that because of the fibers, when you grind a cutting edge on it, tiny fibers seperate and create a type of micro-serration. Its capable of making very clean cuts in thin paper, with little effort... and is easily touched up with an emery board, or a bit of sand-paper. (I preffer an emery board for stiffness).
Of course, it wont hold that edge like steel, not hardly... but for a weapon it'd work long enough. Especially if its more than capable of stabbing as well as slashing.
I think a good cross between both, is the best way to go, a ripping/tearing/cutting design, that you can also poke a lot of holes with.
I dont think non-metallics are things people have to try and "out-wit" the authorities... I think that even for civillians, we can encounter situational differences, that require different measures.
I dont question the man who carries two guns, even though I might carry one. If he needs two, then who am I to question that need?
There have been times I needed a really big stick... and even though I know people who dont feel a cane is a good weapon, they;ve never questioned that when I needed it, I needed it.
And as was said... the criminal element will always have weapons, and often times will have figured things out before we do. I think their learning curve when it comes to methods of fighting and doing bodily harm, is ahead of ours anyway.
. I probably wouldn't even be questioned about it.
