What I'm looking for in an SD folder...

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evi1joe

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
33
My EDC is a Ti Leek in ZDP189.
For self-defense at work, where I can't carry a gun, I'm looking for a knife.
Qualities I think I want:
* Price: Less than $175
* Blade Length and shape: 3.5"...perhaps between 3.25"-3.75" and maybe out to 4"...spearpoints or drop-points or clip-points I think; while I'm a believer in stabbing--not slashing--the tantos just seem like they'd be harder to push into flesh than a thinner point though I do love the mini-CQC-15 modified tanto). While I love the big blades on say Ritters, SOG Aegis, Hogue EX01 3.5", etc., I worry those thick blades would be hard to manipulate/turn inside flesh as you cut your way out.
* Weight: 3.2-4.2 ounces (I had a BM710 that always felt heavy and bulky...if it were thin enough perhaps I could do 4.6 ounces)
* Handle: thin enough to be comfortable to carry, but grippy (G10?) with something to stop my hand from sliding forwards during a hard stab.
* I prefer Assisted Opening or just really easy/smooth to open and think I prefer studs to holes (sorry spydercos--I do love them!)
* Axis or Arc or Frame or other strong lock...liners kinda scare me.
* Combo edge (love that new CRKT serration, but worry that my hand might slip upwards on the Ignitor AND don't know if I like having to press down on the stud to open it).
* Steel -- not too picky...but I live in FL, so it needs to be rust-resistant. I like a good S30V or D2 and heard great stuff about M4.
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I've owned Microtech, BM, Spyderco and Kershaw and liked them all.
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10 knives I like, but why I don't get them (perhaps out of ignorance):

1. Hinder XM-18 -- too expensive for a guy on teacher's salary with 1yr old twins and it might be too bulky and heavy--don't know the specs b/c I stopped looking once I saw the price.
2. Hogue EX01 3.5" -- I don't like to have to lock it or risk pushing the blade-release button. In SD situation, KISS is king.
3. Emerson mini-commander or mini-CQC-15 -- the latter isn't available, and the former is hard to find for a decent price in stock with black and combo; heard some bad reviews about blade-play and the liner locks; never tried out the disc-opener. NOTE: I'm seriously considering these.
4. BM710 -- perfect except a bit too long and heavy and thick, and the handle doesn't have quite enough material to stop the hand from slipping forward in an aggressive stab. The subrosa, 740 Osborne, Stryker & Barrage take care of all my issues except the handle being too subtle and slippery (and maybe weight).
5. ZT780 -- looks interesting, except the finger groove for the pointing finger looks large enough to fit two of my fingers and the handle gets awfully skinny in parts; the ZT350 seems a bit bulky and heavy for a 3.25" blade...not sure if blade-shape is good for stabbing, twisting and removing (kinda thick).
6. I LOVE most of the bigger Kershaws, but they're ALL either way too heavy OR they DON'T have a thumbstud and rely just on the flipper OR the handles are too thick OR too smooth.
7. If CRKT made an assisted opening version of the 3.5/3.75 inch M16/M21 I might be interested...I like the spear-point, the handles seem okay, and it has that LAWKS system
8. SOG Visonary II -- looks good, but handle might be slippery; also not sure about SOG quality (read mixed reviews).
9. CRKT Ignitor T -- looks great, just wish it had a more aggressive grip/handle and was a frame-lock (also scared of the push-button stud getting hung up or needing too much practice).
10. Stryder -- too expensive and not sure the handle would be comfortable (and heavy).

I'm leaning towards the BM Stryker, the ZT350 and the Emersons.

Any ideas?
 
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personally I think any knife with a wave opening system is a huge benefit for SD purposes. a fixed blade with a good carry system is nearly impossible to beat, but if that isn't an option, having the blade open as you draw the knife is the next best thing.

with that said, the ones that come to my head instantly are the Emerson CQC-10 or Karambits(I don't like any of their thumb disc models cuz they failed to deploy 100% of the time for me), Benchmade AFCK(hard to find), Spyderco Military, Spyderco Police 3, Spyderco Endura waved and Spyderco Civilian.

if I knew I might have to use the knife though, I would take a Cold Steel Rajah or XL Espada over any others lol.
 
I would just get a waved endura and that's it. You could try for a matriarch, but I always feel that hawkbill or similar shaped knives would get you in trouble were anyone to ever see you with it. Just EDC your Endura and you can also use it for your usual cutting.

If you're a teacher, might I suggest some pepper spray and hand to hand training instead? I find it a tad unlikely that you'd be in danger of being attacked by your students(unless you instruct adults during the night shift). And even if you were, you wouldn't be justified in pulling a knife out unless you're in danger of being killed or losing a few body parts.

Personally, I like carrying my ZT 0301 for that purpose, though it's a bit big for your needs.

I used to carry an Emerson Super Karambit, but the blade shape drew unwanted attention, it's not very good at every day cutting tasks, and if the cops ever found it on me, I'd be royally screwed.

Since I don't get attacked every other day(or at all really), I choose to sacrifice the efficiency of a purpose built weapon(can't deny that's what the karambit is) in exchange for a useful tool that is 100% legal and will still be very effective if I ever need it as a weapon.
 
I would go towards inexpensive as if you ever use it for s.d. then you are going to loose it. So why spend all that money for something you may end up loosing, I would think you would want want a reliable lock and slim design that is tried and true pattern that maybe doesn't scream tactical all over it. Hence the ones mentioned next, everyone has them including LEO's for edc knives and they won't break the bank. Look at the zytel Spyderco, Byrd, and CS lines I would think. keepem sharp
 
Spyderco endura wave
JYD II

or any kershaw with a flipper, its like a built in safety.
 
I'd say the spyderco police but you dont like the holes in them. If you gotta fight off someone with a knife, nothing says get the F away from me like a 6 inch stillito blade which is a borderline mini sword. For that I turn to my CS 6 inch Ti-lite. I actually use to EDC one for about 2 years when I use to work with horses cuz nothing quite slices thru a lead rope or other peices of thick rope like that razorblade like mini sword could/would! If/when I go back to working with them, I'll turn back to it for my EDC. Either way, I dont think you should rely on a knife if your job is so dangerous you need a gun. Use a gun when you need a gun; aka dont bring a knife to a gun fight! A knife is for cutting thru things your fingers can't tear thru. Sure you could use it for SD but you shouldn't if you dont absolutly need to.
 
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For SD, I say go Emerson. They get the best recommendations. If not the Spyderco SE Endura wave is pretty good too. (If Charlie Mike is still selling his Police 3 that he modded, you might want to give it a look too.)
 
Endura wave, or an Emerson socfk since they can be bought with an "A"(spear point) blade given that you don't like tantos, or a waved cqc7 with an A blade.

There is nothing wrong with a well made liner lock, people around here seem to have this crazy stigma about them I've never heard of anywhere else and certainly never encountered in years of hard use with them.
 
Check out the BM 707 its a smaller version of the 710.

Also I would check out the Kershaw Spec Bump. It's assisted, has a great s30v blade and feels perfect in the hand in regular and reverse grip. I am not really a kershaw guy, but it's really a knife that's close to perfect
 
I would suggest pepper spray as an alternative to a knife for self-defense purposes. It gives you range and is non-lethal, plus comes in a variety of formulations like foam or gel which are better suited for use indoors or in wind. It's also cheap, which means you could still buy a knife and keep that as a backup.

May I ask where you teach?
 
Joe, what do you do for work that necessitates a knife for self defense? :eek:
My option would be an Emerson CQC7
 
Hope your twins will like visiting you in the joint, because that is where you are going to be if you use any of those knives.

Get some pepper spray.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I'm leaning towards Emersons for sure now--still the mini-commander and mini-cqc-15....since I think the CQC-7's handle is a little too mild for hard stabbing and the Emerson socfk looks like it might be hard to find for sale (as is the more expensive HD-7, which looks great).
The BM 707 was a bit too small, but that Combative Edge M1 looks great (it's a bit heay, and I'll have to find out more about it as far as quality and customer service since I'd never heard of it).
 
have you looked at the ZT0200?

its a liner lock but its STRONG and heavier but definitely worth taking a look at.
 
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