What's A Good EDC knife for protection?

Glock 20sf Underwood 10mm ammo of your choice. No 230 gr hardcast though unless you want to shoot through four skulls all lined up. Or a bear. Seriously, avoid those areas at all costs. If you feel that uneasy do not go there. I wouldn't even with two Glocks and two knives. Listen to your gut. You feel as if you were stalked. Don't die from being in the wrong place. Take care.
 
I'll forego the dramatic lectures, if fixed blade is legal go fixed, I would personally go punch dagger or a HAK (hide away knife, google it)
 
Illinois just got CCW, save up some cash and take advantage of it. You have to train, also. Simply having a knife doesn't make you a knife fighter. If you really want to use a knife defensively, you will need significant training.
 
A good powerful flashlight can be a good deterrent for those two-legged dogs out there. I just got a 4Sevens Quark Burst Mode QP2L-X. If the bezel is set right, when you turn it on it sends out 780 lumens for one minute (hence the term Burst Mode), after which it drops down to 390 lumens. 780 lumens shone in the eyes will stop any scumbag in his/her tracks.

I never leave home without a light, and was really waiting for a small powerhouse of a light. This is the one, it is small and BRIGHT! And it's got a pocket clip. ;-)

Here is a review from CandlePowerForums. It's very easy to use and has multiple settings for more usefulness. 780 lumens is WAY too bright for most uses.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?366958-780-Lumens-4Sevens-Quark-Burst-Mode-QP2L-X
 
Last edited:
Evening everyone, thank you all for the feedback. I really do need to get a new can of mace and I'm really liking the Quark Burst Mode Flashlight and will definitely be purchasing one. Yes ,I heard about the Chicago Concealed Carry some days ago...I'm going to have to research on that some more, but I don't think I'll buy a gun any time soon. You know I've taken ladies self-defense courses in the gym, so I have that to my advantage, but buying something like a kubotan increases my confidence more. A punch dagger sounded good, but I think they'd classify it as a weapon, but now that they passed the Chicago concealed carry maybe they'll make an excuse for it? I really have to do some research on it. I'm just going to stay away from using a small knife as self defense...the mace, flashlight, and kubotan should be enough. Thank you all once again!
 
All this is not to say you should not go ahead and get a nice knife, it is a most useful tool to have on you every day. I do not go a day without using mine for something.

I got my Quark light today, pretty impressed with it. Nice little powerhouse of a light. It uses batteries (CR-123) that are kind of expensive out in the real world ($10.00 for two). The best place to buy a lot of them at a reasonable (very) price is the same place you buy the light from, typically around a buck apiece. This light has multiple levels, if you read the review you know that. As long as your not using the 780 lumens they'll probably last a good long time. I buy the batteries by the 100. Last time I bought 100 was six or seven years ago, although I am getting close to needing more. But there are rechargable batteries available for it as well. Read the review and it mentions them by numerical designation. They may cost a bit up front, but save you in the long run.
 
Ms.Foxy said:
Evening everyone, thank you all for the feedback. I really do need to get a new can of mace and I'm really liking the Quark Burst Mode Flashlight and will definitely be purchasing one. Yes ,I heard about the Chicago Concealed Carry some days ago...I'm going to have to research on that some more, but I don't think I'll buy a gun any time soon. You know I've taken ladies self-defense courses in the gym, so I have that to my advantage, but buying something like a kubotan increases my confidence more. A punch dagger sounded good, but I think they'd classify it as a weapon, but now that they passed the Chicago concealed carry maybe they'll make an excuse for it? I really have to do some research on it. I'm just going to stay away from using a small knife as self defense...the mace, flashlight, and kubotan should be enough. Thank you all once again!
Click to expand...

I do hope the first thing that they teach you in SD class was run. Confidence is no substitute for ability, and unless you've trained full contact and can successfully retaliate after a man punches you in the face "confidence" will only get you killed. Basically unless you can break a man's jaw with one punch, look for an alternative, any alternative.

Get a concealed carry certificate, buy a gun, something like the Kal-Tec PF9, and then put about a thousand rounds through it on the range to make sure you can hit a man sized target under stress in low light.

No Nonsense Self Defence has some valuable advice for protecting yourself from the human wolves. Their first rule would be, the best confrontation is the one that doesn't occur. Your only goal should be getting home safely, not attempting to confront someone who is probably prepared and experienced in physical violence in a way that gym self defence will not have prepared you for.

It also goes without saying that you also need to know, and act within, the legal limits of self defence. If someone is running away it is not legal self defence to shoot them in the back. If they no longer pose a threat to you then it is not self defence. Certainly as a woman you get more leeway than a large muscular man might, but even then you have to abide by the limitations to ensure that what you do is legal.
 
Last edited:
Just remember your pepper spray first and don't worry about a flashlight or kubaton. For one thing, you should be thinking of not allowing anyone to get close enough to you that you'd have to use a striking weapon. The spray allows you to keep a distance from an attacker. I've carried the spray for over 15.5 years and it won't let you down if you know how to use it.

Joe
 
A pocket voltage test pen
Voltage-Test-Pen-WT-051-13CM-.jpg

is a pretty handy thing to have.
 
Feeling caddish. Why didn't I offer suggestions to the question posted?
I am notoriously bad at recommending knives to my wife. She likes the mini Griptilian with the hole and the sheepsfoot blade, and small Kershaws like the model 1620. If you get a knife you like that is handy for lots of stuff including the occasional food related task you will be more likely to have it with you. And it would help deter someone to see that you were competent with a blade if need be.
 
If you're interested in effectively defending yourself, instead of just feeling better, get a concealed carry permit and a small 9mm.
 
I prefer a big gun myself. Big knife as well. JMHO. I know a woman is not likely to agree with me on Big things. ;-)

 
Hawkbill like a crkt bear claw, It was originally designed for self defense anyways.
 
Get a Taser, you most likely won't have to deal with as many legal ramifications if you actually have to use it. Also it's more than enough to stop "most" attackers whether it's man or animal.

http://www.taser.com/

A handgun, knife, and other lethal options should be carried as a last resort if all else fails. I know I'd personally rather not have to spend thousands or even millions in court costs and lawyer fee's and deal with the media if I for some reason had to deploy deadly force to protect myself.
 
Don't you just love the internet? So many weapons and combat "experts" who are so eager to tell others what they need or what they will or won't be capable of.

Let's see, there's that same old cliche'- "You need extensive training in order to defend yourself with a knife". Really? Well here are six incidents of ordinary people successfully defending themselves with KNIVES against violent attackers, in some cases MULTIPLE attackers. They include- two women (one pregnant), a 50 year old man being kicked and beaten by FOUR attackers, and various other teenage defenders.

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/DNA-links-suspect-to-attempted-rape-near-UK-campus-182164671.html

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/500867-Pregnant-woman-uses-knife-to-defend-herself

http://www.krem.com/news/crime/Three-people-stabbed-in-North-S-112404894.html

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/self_defense_story_gives_subway_gLJPHnN7bo1ydpg4SPcVJP

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2305981/posts

http://foothillsgazette.com/2012/01/20/man-20-dead-after-gang-confrontation/

Now I seriously doubt that all six of those people were highly trained in the use of a knife. Of course we'll never know, but considering how rare "extensive knife training" is, I'd wager that they were just ordinary people desperate to survive who happened to be carrying knives. And somehow they found the opportunity to pull them out and use them EFFECTIVELY when they needed them. And I'll bet they were damn glad they had them.

On another matter, I always find it funny when people give the advice "Get a gun". As if that is the answer to every self-defense situation. As if a gun will guarantee ones survival. I wonder what those people would advise if a person is attacked in a populated area or a public place with other innocent people around? Because violent crime can happen anywhere and violent criminals don't always care if there are witness's. Would you suggest that a person OPEN FIRE in a crowded place? I'm very pro-gun, but I know that once a bullet is fired it won't stop until it hits something, or someone, and bullets don't care who they hit. I sure hope that all the people carrying guns also recognize this fact.

And what happens if ones gun is knocked from their hand during an attack? What happens if their gun malfunctions? What do they use then?

But hey, feel free to ignore this entire post. After all, I'm no "expert". Plenty enough of those around already.
 
Last edited:
Good quality pepper spray like Sabre or Fox labs would probably be easier to use and more effective.

2.5" blade is pretty small and you would have to get up close and personal to use it. Im assuming you're a lady, if its a big guy who is much stronger I don't think Id want to get that close as he could probably just grab the arm with the knife rendering it useless and then you're in a really bad spot.

Least with pepper spray you can keep your distance and its easy to aim and spray in his face then run like hell...
 
Last edited:
killgar said:
Don't you just love the internet? So many weapons and combat "experts" who are so eager to tell others what they need or what they will or won't be capable of.

Let's see, there's that same old cliche'- "You need extensive training in order to defend yourself with a knife". Really? Well here are six incidents of ordinary people successfully defending themselves with KNIVES against violent attackers, in some cases MULTIPLE attackers. They include- two women (one pregnant), a 50 year old man being kicked and beaten by FOUR attackers, and various other teenage defenders.

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/DNA-links-suspect-to-attempted-rape-near-UK-campus-182164671.html

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/500867-Pregnant-woman-uses-knife-to-defend-herself

http://www.krem.com/news/crime/Three-people-stabbed-in-North-S-112404894.html

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/self_defense_story_gives_subway_gLJPHnN7bo1ydpg4SPcVJP

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2305981/posts

http://foothillsgazette.com/2012/01/20/man-20-dead-after-gang-confrontation/

Now I seriously doubt that all six of those people were highly trained in the use of a knife. Of course we'll never know, but considering how rare "extensive knife training" is, I'd wager that they were just ordinary people desperate to survive who happened to be carrying knives. And somehow they found the opportunity to pull them out and use them EFFECTIVELY when they needed them. And I'll bet they were damn glad they had them.

On another matter, I always find it funny when people give the advice "Get a gun". As if that is the answer to every self-defense situation. As if a gun will guarantee ones survival. I wonder what those people would advise if a person is attacked in a populated area or a public place with other innocent people around? Because violent crime can happen anywhere and violent criminals don't always care if there are witness's. Would you suggest that a person OPEN FIRE in a crowded place? I'm very pro-gun, but I know that once a bullet is fired it won't stop until it hits something, or someone, and bullets don't care who they hit. I sure hope that all the people carrying guns also recognize this fact.

And what happens if ones gun is knocked from their hand during an attack? What happens if their gun malfunctions? What do they use then?

But hey, feel free to ignore this entire post. After all, I'm no "expert". Plenty enough of those around already.
Click to expand...

The original question was what sort of "2.5 inch folding knife" would be recommended to someone looking for self defence? People have pointed out that a knife, being a weapon, requires some training even if that's only in regards to when you should not use it and the legal criteria of self defence. Six anecdotes of people, very lucky people, who did defend themselves with knives does not invalidate other comments.

If she had asked, what knife would you recommend for self defence for a woman? I'd have said something like a Cold Steel Voyager Vaquero Medium, preferably fully serrated. That's a 3 inch knife, but the recurve blade and serrated edge make for very good cutting and it's not too expensive either. Also, simply having it in one's hand should give someone second thoughts about getting too close. It's not a Vaquero Grande, but it still looks nasty. I'm fairly sure that you'd still have to practise drawing and opening it under stress though which comes back to some, although not necessarily 'extensive' training (self taught).

And yes, given the option of having a gun for defence I'd take a gun first, and a knife as backup. Women are physically weaker than men, so getting close enough to use a knife is hazardous, much like engaging in fisticuffs. In the same way I'd recommend a taser or pepperspray over a kubotan because they can be used at range.

The thing about violent crime is that often it can be avoided, and thankfully most people don't move in the right circles to ever encounter it, but knowing how to de-escalate conflict, where possible, and avoid areas where it can occur are sectors of self defence that often get ignored when people jump straight to "what weapon should I carry?"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top