What is your pick for best self defense Spydie

[McFeeli]

All black Matriarch 2 with Wave.

I keep it by the front door at our place in the woods and carry it if I hear big critters running around at night.

I don’t know why, but this made me chuckle. Where you keep your Matriarch, I keep my 12 gauge for the same reason. Unless of course you meant the type of critters that run on two legs, which I suppose the 12 gauge is there for that too.

I just have an image of someone chasing down a raccoon with a knife circling around in my head. No damn way am I getting that close to a skunk/porcupine/random nocturnal critter that teased my Husky one too many times.

I get it, though. When I was trail riding the mountains on my bike I ran into an adolescent black bear and all I had on me was a PM2. I spooked him out of the tree he was climbing and seeing a big ol’ bear drop down as quick as he did had me peddling my ass off while reaching down to where the PM2 was, just as a last resort. Better something than nothing.

 

[jstn]

Yojimbo 2.

 

[rje58]

If you think running is always the best thing to do, have you ever seen someone cut in the back?

No, but I have seen what happens when people stick around and fight with knives. If I have any chance to avoid and get away, I will go with that. If I am ever caught in a situation where I have to use my knife in self-defense - God please help me! And I mean that sincerely, not in any way being irreverent.

 

[Boxer .45]

No, but I have seen what happens when people stick around and fight with knives. If I have any chance to avoid and get away, I will go with that. If I am ever caught in a situation where I have to use my knife in self-defense - God please help me! And I mean that sincerely, not in any way being irreverent.

I agree and that was my point in the rest of what I said. Still, I carry more than a traditional folder for times when I can't carry a handgun or as a no other option means. Not because I intend to use it if theres another option.

 

[Therom]

I don't see a folding knife as a good choice for self defense.
however if I had to pick a blade to fight with, I will take the one I use the most.
For what I am concerned it will then be the paramilitary 2.
Light, good blade, good handle, and I am used to handle it in a lot of different grips since I have used it for some many different tasks.

But really, I don't see any self defense situation where I would use a knife.
I think that in most situations their is improvised weapons that can bring better reach to protect myself.

 

[jux t]

Street Beat, the longest one. Yojimbo if it has to fold.

 

[Zagorov]

I'd have to go with the Military - long blade, large and comfortable handle, ambidextrous opening... that would be my pick.

 

[jill jackson]

I read that the Spyderco Civilian was made for undercover agents to defend themselves. Honestly I don't really understand that because the blade looks good for gouging and ripping but not stabbing. So I've been wondering what the ideology is behind it?

The idea is to rip an aggressor wide open and get away, in cases of an undercover agent being in a situation where a firearm wouldn't be possible to carry.


"The blade on the Spyderco Civilian is both striking and terrifying. It’s a hawkbill shape, or “S” blade as Spyderco calls it, designed for slashing with maximum effect.

Note, however that the purpose of a blade like this is self-defense, not as a combat weapon designed to kill. Since the shape of the blade does not permit straight penetration it is in fact a pretty ineffective combat weapon. It is purely designed to ‘hit and run’ in a self-defense situation. That said, I know some who use it as a ‘rescue knife’ for effectively cutting seat-belts or harness straps in emergencies."

 

[Dudelepowski]

I read that the Spyderco Civilian was made for undercover agents to defend themselves. Honestly I don't really understand that because the blade looks good for gouging and ripping but not stabbing. So I've been wondering what the ideology is behind it?

Stabbing is the least effective technique for self defense. Unfortunately, situations of real self defense should involve defensive strikes/slashing to the eyes, neck, arms, groin and bowels.

 

[James Y]

I personally do not carry a knife for self-defense purposes, but there are at least two real-life instances I am aware of where Spydercos were used in SD:

1) A guy used a Military to defend himself from an assault and battery by a known gang member; the gang member died, and IIRC, in the trial (was was televised nationally), it was eventually ruled SD. The trial was featured on the now-defunct Court TV.

2) A drunk collegiate wrestling champ who often got into streetfights and always won, pulled a guy out of a car who he thought was making a pass at his girlfriend, wrestled him to the ground and was beating on him. In addition, a military buddy of his joined in and started kicking the guy being held down. The guy on the ground pulled out an Endura and stabbed backwards once, severing the wrestler's aorta and killing him. Initially, he was found guilty of murder and spent years in prison, but in a retrial it was ruled SD and he was released. This happened not far from where I live, and was featured on an episode of Forensic Files.

I'm not going to say which are the best or the worst SD knives, but these two examples are of people who actually used their knives in SD, and in those particular situations the knives were neither inadequate, nor did they fail. And neither knife was purposely-designed for SD or combat. Both men also faced lots of legal hassles, and as mentioned, at least one spent years in prison.

BTW, if anyone is curious, both of the actual knives in evidence were shown. The Endura was an Endura 1 or 2, fully serrated (this happened in the mid-90s). The Military looked DLC-coated, with a combo edge.

Jim

 

[bambam99]

My waved endura 4 with signet ring.
Makes deployment quick and easy

 

[on_the_edge]

I am professionally trained in the ancient self-defense art of Clickpow. Significant empirical data has shown that those so trained rarely, if ever, have a need for a knife as a weapon. As such, a Ladybug would be as good as any other choice. YMMV.

 

[Fonedork]

I don't believe in carrying a knife for self defense, but I'd probably grab the Szabo folder or the Euroedge if I had an unavoidable Spyderco duel. Maybe carry a Slysz bowie and throw it off in another direction and your assailant will irresistibly follow the knife and forget about you.

 

[Captain Skippy]

After 28 years as a police officer I’ve seen results of about every weapon. I’ve also seen armed police officers sliced and diced by knives. That old adage of don’t bring a knife to a gun fight is crap. At arms length I’ll cut you before you draw. But as for home defense I’ll take my SBR either in 5.56 or 9mm. Suppressed of course.

 

[sharkattacksw]

...my 1911...

 

[Lapedog]

I don't see a folding knife as a good choice for self defense.
however if I had to pick a blade to fight with, I will take the one I use the most.
For what I am concerned it will then be the paramilitary 2.
Light, good blade, good handle, and I am used to handle it in a lot of different grips since I have used it for some many different tasks.

But really, I don't see any self defense situation where I would use a knife.
I think that in most situations their is improvised weapons that can bring better reach to protect myself.

I think it is probably a misconception that we are always going to see a self defense situation coming from far enough away that we will have time to run or draw a firearm. Situations like that are generally not why someone is carrying a knife fornself defense and likely are the less dangerous SD scenarios.

The type of sd scenario where a knife is a very good defensive weapon are the ones you don’t see coming. A serious criminal will try to use deception or distraction to get as close as possible. Maybe one distracts you and then another grabs you from behind. Or maybe they use a ruse like asking for a lighter to get you within range. People, even trained people, can’t be on full alert all the time and it is during these lapses in awareness someone might get the drop on you.

Thing is at this range you probably will need some hand to hand skills to create enough space that the assailant won’t foul your draw.

 

[Lapedog]

Stabbing is the least effective technique for self defense. Unfortunately, situations of real self defense should involve defensive strikes/slashing to the eyes, neck, arms, groin and bowels.

There are many people who argue the exact opposite. You can’t say stabbing is ineffective as a self defense techniqie. The truth is most knife attacks have little to no “stopping power” in a full on hot blooded fight.

People are often slashed and stabbed quite badly in a fight and don’t slow down at all, not even realizing they were cut until afterwards.

 

[cbrstar]

Stabbing is the least effective technique for self defense. Unfortunately, situations of real self defense should involve defensive strikes/slashing to the eyes, neck, arms, groin and bowels.

At the risk of sounding like a mall ninja deluxe lol...

My Father actually used to train the British police in self defense way back in the 60's. He always taught me to run from a knife fight, but he also taught me a little about knife fighting.

Stabbing is a far more lethal wound then slashing can be. It might not kill you instantly but you run into the problem of bleeding internally. Stab wounds to the stomach especially are dangerous as it's soft and takes a long time to heal.

Now my Dad taught me blocks from knives that are trying to use slashing, and if someone is trying to slash at you I think it is possible for a well seasoned martial artist to stop that. But I'm here to tell you that 99% of those techniques are total bunk. The reality is most of the time your going to be assaulted in a "Prison style Shanking" and no martial arts technique can really stop it. All you can do is put your arms in the way and hopefully they hit your arms and not your internal organs.

Another thing people don't understand is just like a police officer you need quite a bit of distance between you and your assailant to draw your weapon. I think a fixed blade knife that has a modern sheath that holds it in place without a loop or lock would be your best bet. But again that's if you see it coming.

The other thing and the most important thing is you need the mindset to actually use your weapon, and that takes training. Even though I was taught all this stuff I don't have the mind set to actually use it. I've never once in my adult life have been in a fight. I would hesitate as all I would be thinking about not wanting to be arrested and spend the rest of my life in jail, and that hesitation would get me killed. Not everyone has it in them to want to hurt another person.

If someone mugs you with a knife just give it to them. The $100 bucks you are risking your life over just isn't worth it. Heck in America the trip to emergency will end up costing way more then $100.

EDIT: Sorry just also wanted to ad. IMHO It doesn't take a knife. You can gouge someones eyes with your fingers, and kick someones groin. If you you use a knife in SD it's a lethal last resort.

 

[blame it on god]

A punch to the throat, A kick to the groin or slapping someone in the ears is better than a knife IMO. I carry a knife and a firearm. Being ready basically means having your hand on your weapon. And we all know that's not practical or generally accepted.

In my experience, It will not be one person. Your best defense is being self aware. Put your phone in your pocket and keep your head on a swivel. Criminals, like predators go for easy prey.

 

[Lapedog]

At the risk of sounding like a mall ninja deluxe lol...

My Father actually used to train the British police in self defense way back in the 60's. He always taught me to run from a knife fight, but he also taught me a little about knife fighting.

Stabbing is a far more lethal wound then slashing can be. It might not kill you instantly but you run into the problem of bleeding internally. Stab wounds to the stomach especially are dangerous as it's soft and takes a long time to heal.

Now my Dad taught me blocks from knives that are trying to use slashing, and if someone is trying to slash at you I think it is possible for a well seasoned martial artist to stop that. But I'm here to tell you that 99% of those techniques are total bunk. The reality is most of the time your going to be assaulted in a "Prison style Shanking" and no martial arts technique can really stop it. All you can do is put your arms in the way and hopefully they hit your arms and not your internal organs.

Another thing people don't understand is just like a police officer you need quite a bit of distance between you and your assailant to draw your weapon. I think a fixed blade knife that has a modern sheath that holds it in place without a loop or lock would be your best bet. But again that's if you see it coming.

The other thing and the most important thing is you need the mindset to actually use your weapon, and that takes training. Even though I was taught all this stuff I don't have the mind set to actually use it. I've never once in my adult life have been in a fight. I would hesitate as all I would be thinking about not wanting to be arrested and spend the rest of my life in jail, and that hesitation would get me killed. Not everyone has it in them to want to hurt another person.

If someone mugs you with a knife just give it to them. The $100 bucks you are risking your life over just isn't worth it. Heck in America the trip to emergency will end up costing way more then $100.

EDIT: Sorry just also wanted to ad. IMHO It doesn't take a knife. You can gouge someones eyes with your fingers, and kick someones groin. If you you use a knife in SD it's a lethal last resort.

Stabbing is considerably more lethal but it is not at all uncommon for people to get stabbed and not realize it until after the fight.

Neither slashing or stabbing will necessarily get someone to stop attacking. Often they think they are just getting punched.