Which Emerson is best for self defense?

OnionPoptarts said:
You make some excellent points. I'd like to add a quote I've always liked and I think it sums up a few things you've already said "you never rise to your expectations you only fall to your level of training". Your right their are to many "best self defense knife" threads, it's basically a stereotypical blade forum thread.
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Cool man. I know like most forums out there, this is another gear related forum. People love to talk about and show off their new bright shiny toys to their friends. Which is cool. But now that we've got them, let's talk about really using them. Yeah, in the training I've had whether it be H2H, martial gun handling and gunfighing, force on force training, etc - most people realize quickly how difficult fighting for your life really is. It's good stuff.
 
ForeverArmed said:
Exactly. Many people think they can predict or even have control over what their next fight is going to look like. The only control you really have is over how much you've trained and prepared for your next fight. And a little bit luck is always a plus, but definitely can't be counted on - it's usually against you.
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Surprise. Confusion. Adrenaline dump. I forget the exact quote, but something to the effect of: "No plan survives first contact."
 
I like the idea of the karambit for such a situation, but my personal inclination would be to suggest the Super Commander. Plenty of belly, great retention with that index finger notch. CQC15 is a little better with the heel horn, but you lose the pointed handle butt.

How 'bout a waved Grayman Satu? See Charlie Mike's mods for inspiration. It feels very comfortable in an edge-in, forward grip, and that puts the point at the perfect angle to get in under a ribcage.
 
Reading through this thread, it looks like about 10% of the posts actually consider the original question :rolleyes: Yes, we all know that a knife is only as effective as the person wielding it. To the OP, I would suggest any of the knives that you can get a matching trainer for. Even better, get a few of them :D
 
For work I've carried a Combat Karambit on either side of my pockets (depending on my mood) in a manner that I can draw the Karambit by putting my index finger through the loop and draw the knife straight forward like an uppercut. The knife is drawn in a reverse grip and stays that way. I can pull it out and do an uppercut with it about 2-3 times faster than drawing my duty weapon. This is intended in a situation where my life is in danger and I need my off hand to attack someone attempting to take my duty weapon or if I'm in a position that I can't draw my duty weapon from the holster. The Combat Karambit isn't a blade to take lightly because of the "short" blade length. Unlike a normal style blade that cuts on a tangent (single point) the Karambit cuts using the entire "tiger claw."

Also in the blade length is that it should be easy to travel with because it's shorter than most blade length ordinances even in places that have 3" rules. It's a helluva lot faster than an auto, has short blade length, and has great retention due to the loop.

For EDC I would recommend pairing this with a user friendly SAK for normal tasks.
 
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bpeezer said:
Reading through this thread, it looks like about 10% of the posts actually consider the original question :rolleyes: Yes, we all know that a knife is only as effective as the person wielding it. To the OP, I would suggest any of the knives that you can get a matching trainer for. Even better, get a few of them :D
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It is funny because I was thinking all day about getting a trainer. I am gonna do that.
 
It is scary to read some of the answers and scenarios here. From Sci-fi, some that think that the only response to a threat is to slice their throat, thinking that a curve belly would be better or worse than a tanto, to people who think that only 1 scenario could happen.
There are many different "scenarios" and not all need to be handled the same. Actually the thing that will save you 90% of the time is AWARENESS and COMMON SENSE.
Are you walking through a bad neighborhood during midnight by yourself playing with your phone and not realizing that 3 thugs are following you? Guess what? your knife will not do crap for you and maybe not even your gun. Are you walking when you see some weird guys walking towards you and you decide to cross the street to create space between you and them? Hey! you didn't even need to show your knife because they lost their opportunity.
How about a guy super drunk approaches you and as you see him coming you flashed him with 500 lumens while creating space, backing up and saying loudly GET THE &^^% OUT OF HERE? again you didn't need to use force or slice anyone's throat or even deploy your knife/gun.
I could come up with 1 million scenarios where you could avoid even having to "defend yourself"

What if those guys walking towards you cross the street and follow you? could you just go into a store/coffee shop or place with more people? do it. No need to open your knife with a wrist flip and say "make my day" hahaha

Unless someone is really looking to hurt you they just one your possessions and they will not necessarily want to kill you nor get hurt while trying to get it from you. (BUT THEY WOULD)

If someone attack you with a knife most likely you won't noticed it till you are cut already. Do you really think that if someone assault you out of nowhere you will go for your pocket to get your knife? you will most likely put your hands up; that is the first instinctive reaction and this guy keep slashing you while you are in shock and can't even process the situation. Most likely you will be dead.
Do you think that you will "dance" with him? do you think that slicing his arm with a 3'' spyderco Yojimbo 2 would be any different than doing it with an Emerson CQC8?
So many things....

1-Get a knife that is legal to carry where you are
2-get a knife you can open with 1 hand using gross motor skills
3-become familiar with it
4-the rest is personal preference and not relevant
 
BBW said:
It is scary to read some of the answers and scenarios here. From Sci-fi, some that think that the only response to a threat is to slice their throat, thinking that a curve belly would be better or worse than a tanto, to people who think that only 1 scenario could happen.
There are many different "scenarios" and not all need to be handled the same. Actually the thing that will save you 90% of the time is AWARENESS and COMMON SENSE.
Are you walking through a bad neighborhood during midnight by yourself playing with your phone and not realizing that 3 thugs are following you? Guess what? your knife will not do crap for you and maybe not even your gun. Are you walking when you see some weird guys walking towards you and you decide to cross the street to create space between you and them? Hey! you didn't even need to show your knife because they lost their opportunity.
How about a guy super drunk approaches you and as you see him coming you flashed him with 500 lumens while creating space, backing up and saying loudly GET THE &^^% OUT OF HERE? again you didn't need to use force or slice anyone's throat or even deploy your knife/gun.
I could come up with 1 million scenarios where you could avoid even having to "defend yourself"

What if those guys walking towards you cross the street and follow you? could you just go into a store/coffee shop or place with more people? do it. No need to open your knife with a wrist flip and say "make my day" hahaha

Unless someone is really looking to hurt you they just one your possessions and they will not necessarily want to kill you nor get hurt while trying to get it from you. (BUT THEY WOULD)

If someone attack you with a knife most likely you won't noticed it till you are cut already. Do you really think that if someone assault you out of nowhere you will go for your pocket to get your knife? you will most likely put your hands up; that is the first instinctive reaction and this guy keep slashing you while you are in shock and can't even process the situation. Most likely you will be dead.
Do you think that you will "dance" with him? do you think that slicing his arm with a 3'' spyderco Yojimbo 2 would be any different than doing it with an Emerson CQC8?
So many things....

1-Get a knife that is legal to carry where you are
2-get a knife you can open with 1 hand using gross motor skills
3-become familiar with it
4-the rest is personal preference and not relevant
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Yeah, I think we all know those things without saying it. Being the OP my question was more about the knife and not standard self defense and awareness.
 
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colubrid said:
Yeah, I think we all know those things without saying it. Being the OP my question was more about the knife and not standard self defense and awareness.
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This was a general reply Colubrid I'm not picking up on anyone specific but no, we all don't know those things... too much TV. What knife is best for self defense is like "should I get the blue shoe or the black one" kind of question. Reality is that it doesn't matter.
I think for "self defense" any knife you can open with 1 hand (Wave, thumb stud, hole, wrist flick) is good and that is somehow not a "gentleman's" folder. i.e. I could use my Strider SJ75 AKA baby Huey for self defense but I would prefer something else on me; a small Sebenza could be used but I would prefer again something else
Cheers
 
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