Which Emerson is best for self defense?

[matt f.]

The best knife to have in a knife fight is the one in your pocket. If you want to survive that knife fight, you'll need another tool called your brain. It's better to not put yourself in the position of needing a knife for self-defense. You're going to get hurt or killed regardless of how badly you inflict injury on someone else. Your knife will be confiscated, and you will most likely be arrested. Then you'll need to spend thousands on a lawyer--rather than spending that money on a custom Emerson. I'd rather avoid all the problems and put that money into an Emerson custom.

If we're talking about EDC, I carry the CQC15, Commander, Combat Karambit, Mini-Commander, Horseman, and a new model I just ordered. I sold my Gentleman Jim a while ago. I prefer the BT black coating, which does not reflect light and protects against rust/corrosion.

In other words, the model of Emerson doesn't matter. They are equally effective at cutting.

If you're in a knife fight, you're not going to be able to "cut at a distance."

As far as the Kbit. I prefer the reach of a longer blade. My ideal is to cut but keep distance.

 

[colubrid]

The best knife to have in a knife fight is the one in your pocket. If you want to survive that knife fight, you'll need another tool called your brain. It's better to not put yourself in the position of needing a knife for self-defense. You're going to get hurt or killed regardless of how badly you inflict injury on someone else. Your knife will be confiscated, and you will most likely be arrested. Then you'll need to spend thousands on a lawyer--rather than spending that money on a custom Emerson. I'd rather avoid all the problems and put that money into an Emerson custom.

If we're talking about EDC, I carry the CQC15, Commander, Combat Karambit, Mini-Commander, Horseman, and a new model I just ordered. I sold my Gentleman Jim a while ago. I prefer the BT black coating, which does not reflect light and protects against rust/corrosion.

In other words, the model of Emerson doesn't matter. They are equally effective at cutting.

If you're in a knife fight, you're not going to be able to "cut at a distance."

I don't understand your post here. You don't know me and yet you assume a whole lot.

As far a bit longer blade which I prefer. Yes I can fight from a distance. That is me. The average Joe I would say cannot.

 

[matt f.]

Try re-reading the post to understand it. A knife fight (self-defense) is not going to be "from a distance,' so it doesn't matter which blade length you use or what shape it is. Any Emerson design will be effective. They are designed for this purpose. It's best not to get yourself into a situation where you will need a knife to defend yourself. Most people getting into a knife fight don't come out unscathed. Use your head and get the model Emerson you like to carry. Hope you never need it for self defense.

Why go to Brazil with your wife if you are in that much danger of being jumped? Why not go to a safer area?

I don't understand your post here. You don't know me and yet you assume a whole lot.

As far a bit longer blade which I prefer. Yes I can fight from a distance. That is me. The average Joe I would say cannot.

 

[colubrid]

She knows how to run as well. If she's in the fight and I'm there, the bad guy is getting shot multiple times at close range.

My point had to do with tying the previous two posts together to this one.

If I don't have a gun (like when I am in Brazil) and I have my wife/GF with me. I can't run and leave her behind. So then I have a choice. Either we become victims at the attackers disposal and yield our lives and let them do as they please hoping they won't kill us. Or stay and fight for your life with the one weapon in your pocket being a knife.

Remember these are scenarios where one only has a knife and can't get away and there at least two attackers. If I had known they would attack me I would even need a gun. I would just have stayed home.

anyway, I think the above scenario is not unrealistic because attackers usually come in twos or more. Now many go out by themselves. I am also thinking Brazil here where this type of situation is VERY common and you just can't bring a gun to Brazil. Only criminals have guns there.

 

[matt f.]

I carry a combat karambit when out with my lady. It's deployment method won me over and is lightning fast. I can also throw punches and weapon retention is a non-issue. The super karambit is too big for my hand, and I have a medium/large hand. I'd recommend the combat karambit as a primary (or secondary blade if you carry two knives).

My point had to do with tying the previous two posts together to this one.

If I don't have a gun (like when I am in Brazil) and I have my wife/GF with me. I can't run and leave her behind. So then I have a choice. Either we become victims at the attackers disposal and yield our lives and let them do as they please hoping they won't kill us. Or stay and fight for your life with the one weapon in your pocket being a knife.

Remember these are scenarios where one only has a knife and can't get away and there at least two attackers. If I had known they would attack me I would even need a gun. I would just have stayed home.

anyway, I think the above scenario is not unrealistic because attackers usually come in twos or more. Now many go out by themselves. I am also thinking Brazil here where this type of situation is VERY common and you just can't bring a gun to Brazil. Only criminals have guns there.

 

[colubrid]

I carry a combat karambit when out with my lady. It's deployment method won me over and is lightning fast. I can also throw punches and weapon retention is a non-issue. The super karambit is too big for my hand, and I have a medium/large hand. I'd recommend the combat karambit as a primary (or secondary blade if you carry two knives).

Actually that knife is next on my list now. I will get the combat karambit also. Thanks

 

[matt f.]

You won't go wrong with this decision. It's lightning fast at deployment, which is a benefit since being jumped happens fast and usually when you're not expecting it. Make sure to carry the C-Karambit often and practice with the index finger (wave) deployment. pretty soon it will be second nature. You can deploy it from the seated position also. When it comes down to it, it's a matter of how fast you can access your blade. The karambit is probably the fastest deploying Emerson, IMO.

Just try to avoid a situation if at all possible.

Actually that knife is next on my list now. I will get the combat karambit also. Thanks

 

[SOC_MRN_Leon]

Super-K and the Persian seem to be the best choice IMO. The 7 being after those 2.

 

[ForeverArmed]

Try re-reading the post to understand it. A knife fight (self-defense) is not going to be "from a distance,' so it doesn't matter which blade length you use or what shape it is. Any Emerson design will be effective. They are designed for this purpose. It's best not to get yourself into a situation where you will need a knife to defend yourself. Most people getting into a knife fight don't come out unscathed. Use your head and get the model Emerson you like to carry. Hope you never need it for self defense.

Why go to Brazil with your wife if you are in that much danger of being jumped? Why not go to a safer area?

There seems to be this common misconception with many people on this board that having a longer blade means you'll be able to have a knife fight from greater distance. I've seen this stated by a number of people here.

 

[ForeverArmed]

I carry a combat karambit when out with my lady. It's deployment method won me over and is lightning fast. I can also throw punches and weapon retention is a non-issue. The super karambit is too big for my hand, and I have a medium/large hand. I'd recommend the combat karambit as a primary (or secondary blade if you carry two knives).

Well said and I fully agree. Deploying the 599 Fox Karambit with the index finger in the ring, with the Emerson wave, achieves full fighting grip and possible first cut very fast. This sort of deployment speed to superior to any other feature imo.

 

[BBW]

Karambit/Super-Kbit. Lots of fighting techniques designed around that blade shape & grip orientation.

^^^
Nothing slashes like a Karambit

 

[matt f.]

It would be interesting to see what Mr. Emerson would say about this topic. I can see why people would think that the longer the knife, the more reach you would have, but that denies the fact that a majority of the "tactical" knives being marketed (think combat karambit, CQC7, etc.) are all <4" in length with full sized handles. If length gave you a significant advantage, then why aren't we carrying Bark River Bravo 1.5s, Bravo 2s, and STS-8s for self defense. I still maintain that the best defense in a knife fight is to not get into one (if at all possible). The second thing is to have a knife you are comfortable with. The knife has to be comfortable and familiar. That knife should become second nature to the user/operator. I carried a benchmade 910 stryker for over 12 years, and this knife I could deploy without even being aware of it. I think we should pick a knife that feels good in our hands and that we'll carry. Just my .02$ YMMV.

There seems to be this common misconception with many people on this board that having a longer blade means you'll be able to have a knife fight from greater distance. I've seen this stated by a number of people here.

 

[matt f.]

That is exactly why I carry that when out with the family. I may carry a Primary defensive blade or an EDC tasks knife, but I always have the combat karambit, too.

Well said and I fully agree. Deploying the 599 Fox Karambit with the index finger in the ring, with the Emerson wave, achieves full fighting grip and possible first cut very fast. This sort of deployment speed to superior to any other feature imo.

 

[OnionPoptarts]

I've taken Sayoc Kali for many years, I don't carry a karambit and I've always been taken back by how many people do. I don't like to get caught up in conversations like this, as I always end up reading tons of things that just make me face palm or are just plain wrong. I've never been in an actual knife fight, closest I've ever come is having to show my weapon, causing my attacker to stop and flee, however I have been in combat. You can carry "the throat slicer 9000" all you want but this won't guarantee victory or necessarily give you an edge. In an analysis of over 300 prison knifings it was determined that a low stab towards the stomach or chest was almost unblockable. This being said it is my belief that a proper mindset is what is most important to have in any combat situation. All to often civilians say in their conscious or subconscious minds "I'm a bad ass, I'll win the fight because I've watched allot of Bruce lee movies, do cross fit, I learned some cool moves from my uncle and he was in the Army, I train to do UFC, I play airsoft, I always carry my throat slicer 9000, I go to the gym 5 days a week, I played sports In high school" Any one of, or a combination of these things are some of the false reassurances many people people give themselves. The proper mind set for combat isn't "I just get crazy mad dude, and black out" no, you clear your mind of all thoughts, but destroying the enemy in front of you. If your worried about your family, or your friends back home this will hold you back, or distract you, same goes for being full of emotions of any kind. Completely disconnect and think of nothing but destroying the enemy, disregard all societal restraints that tell you "don't gouge out his eyes with your thumb, or crush his larynx, or bite out his throat that's not proper society" because that too will hold you back. At the end of the day I believe it is the mind set that is most important for self defense. That being said I'd opt for the Persian, I don't own one and won't buy on ether, I'm happy with my 7,8, and roadhouse all of which are excellent for any task including self defense.

 

[matt f.]

You bring up a good point. If someone is trying to take your life or hurt someone you love, you have to pull out all the stops. The stakes are real and they are high. Life and death. I think avoiding a situation like this is the most important thing. Some situations you can't get out of or prevent. I hope no one here is ever in this situation. Equally true is that you will not know how you react in a combat-type situation unless you are actually in one. I think the key is trusting your ability to survive and that you can handle yourself. Don't let that other person hurt you or someone you love. That said, a knife you are comfortable with is better than being unarmed in any case. Again, the knife you use doesn't matter. I bet a majority of the prison knife fights you mention are with improvised weapons. They are just as deadly as an Emerson, Spyderco, or Benchmade.

I've taken Sayoc Kali for many years, I don't carry a karambit and I've always been taken back by how many people do. I don't like to get caught up in conversations like this, as I always end up reading tons of things that just make me face palm or are just plain wrong. I've never been in an actual knife fight, closest I've ever come is having to show my weapon, causing my attacker to stop and flee, however I have been in combat. You can carry "the throat slicer 9000" all you want but this won't guarantee victory or necessarily give you an edge. In an analysis of over 300 prison knifings it was determined that a low stab towards the stomach or chest was almost unblockable. This being said it is my belief that a proper mindset is what is most important to have in any combat situation. All to often civilians say in their conscious or subconscious minds "I'm a bad ass, I'll win the fight because I've watched allot of Bruce lee movies, do cross fit, I learned some cool moves from my uncle and he was in the Army, I train to do UFC, I play airsoft, I always carry my throat slicer 9000, I go to the gym 5 days a week, I played sports In high school" Any one of, or a combination of these things are some of the false reassurances many people people give themselves. The proper mind set for combat isn't "I just get crazy mad dude, and black out" no, you clear your mind of all thoughts, but destroying the enemy in front of you. If your worried about your family, or your friends back home this will hold you back, or distract you, same goes for being full of emotions of any kind. Completely disconnect and think of nothing but destroying the enemy, disregard all societal restraints that tell you "don't gouge out his eyes with your thumb, or crush his larynx, or bite out his throat that's not proper society" because that too will hold you back. At the end of the day I believe it is the mind set that is most important for self defense. That being said I'd opt for the Persian, I don't own one and won't buy on ether, I'm happy with my 7,8, and roadhouse all of which are excellent for any task including self defense.

 

[gooeytek]

Bottom line, if I can't avoid the fight and have to use the knife that I have on me, I hope that knife would be my Super Karambit. The wave will open it fast, and the ring on the handle gives a better chance of holding on to it, making it harder to drop or disarmed.

 

[ForeverArmed]

I've taken Sayoc Kali for many years, I don't carry a karambit and I've always been taken back by how many people do. I don't like to get caught up in conversations like this, as I always end up reading tons of things that just make me face palm or are just plain wrong. I've never been in an actual knife fight, closest I've ever come is having to show my weapon, causing my attacker to stop and flee, however I have been in combat. You can carry "the throat slicer 9000" all you want but this won't guarantee victory or necessarily give you an edge. In an analysis of over 300 prison knifings it was determined that a low stab towards the stomach or chest was almost unblockable. This being said it is my belief that a proper mindset is what is most important to have in any combat situation. All to often civilians say in their conscious or subconscious minds "I'm a bad ass, I'll win the fight because I've watched allot of Bruce lee movies, do cross fit, I learned some cool moves from my uncle and he was in the Army, I train to do UFC, I play airsoft, I always carry my throat slicer 9000, I go to the gym 5 days a week, I played sports In high school" Any one of, or a combination of these things are some of the false reassurances many people people give themselves. The proper mind set for combat isn't "I just get crazy mad dude, and black out" no, you clear your mind of all thoughts, but destroying the enemy in front of you. If your worried about your family, or your friends back home this will hold you back, or distract you, same goes for being full of emotions of any kind. Completely disconnect and think of nothing but destroying the enemy, disregard all societal restraints that tell you "don't gouge out his eyes with your thumb, or crush his larynx, or bite out his throat that's not proper society" because that too will hold you back. At the end of the day I believe it is the mind set that is most important for self defense. That being said I'd opt for the Persian, I don't own one and won't buy on ether, I'm happy with my 7,8, and roadhouse all of which are excellent for any task including self defense.

I'm surprised to see someone talking about mindset on this forum. Yes, in a fight, mindset is the most important thing. Mindset is at the very top of the hierarchy of survival principles.

 

[gooeytek]

The mindset discussion is fine and all, but we're talking about which knife to have in a knife fight and past the point of "what would you do?".

 

[Krav]

I've taken Sayoc Kali for many years, I don't carry a karambit and I've always been taken back by how many people do. I don't like to get caught up in conversations like this, as I always end up reading tons of things that just make me face palm or are just plain wrong. I've never been in an actual knife fight, closest I've ever come is having to show my weapon, causing my attacker to stop and flee, however I have been in combat. You can carry "the throat slicer 9000" all you want but this won't guarantee victory or necessarily give you an edge. In an analysis of over 300 prison knifings it was determined that a low stab towards the stomach or chest was almost unblockable. This being said it is my belief that a proper mindset is what is most important to have in any combat situation. All to often civilians say in their conscious or subconscious minds "I'm a bad ass, I'll win the fight because I've watched allot of Bruce lee movies, do cross fit, I learned some cool moves from my uncle and he was in the Army, I train to do UFC, I play airsoft, I always carry my throat slicer 9000, I go to the gym 5 days a week, I played sports In high school" Any one of, or a combination of these things are some of the false reassurances many people people give themselves. The proper mind set for combat isn't "I just get crazy mad dude, and black out" no, you clear your mind of all thoughts, but destroying the enemy in front of you. If your worried about your family, or your friends back home this will hold you back, or distract you, same goes for being full of emotions of any kind. Completely disconnect and think of nothing but destroying the enemy, disregard all societal restraints that tell you "don't gouge out his eyes with your thumb, or crush his larynx, or bite out his throat that's not proper society" because that too will hold you back. At the end of the day I believe it is the mind set that is most important for self defense. That being said I'd opt for the Persian, I don't own one and won't buy on ether, I'm happy with my 7,8, and roadhouse all of which are excellent for any task including self defense.

Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face. Mike Tyson , I do like that saying. While agree with mind set, but how does the everyday person achieve such a mind set with out training. If this was 100 percent true no one need to train, UFC, military, and so on. Just say get that killer mind set and do it. Training is not the be all end all, but with training you learn to receive punches and give as well. Muscle memory. Training will allow you to last longer in any given fight, wear and tear, your stronger, you won't lose your breath as fast as someone who is not trained. And be on the look out for multiply attackers. Protecting vital areas of your body mainly jaw. When I'm training it's amazing how we get tunnel vision, only focus on 1 person, and sometimes our hands drop from our face leaving me wide open. The only way I know to combat these things is threw repition. I still got a lot to learn but I'm much better off be trained. That's my 10 cents.

 

[Krav]

Muscle memory.


http://www.armourarchive.org/essays/rainald2.html