Why do most people like pocket knives?

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LakanDula

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Am I really the only one that prefers being armed with a combat knife/bowie knife? Whenever people talk about self-defense, I always see "pocket knives". In my State (Indiana), it's legal to carry combat knives concealed or open. Same with Doug Ritter's Knife Rights movement, all I see is pictures of pocket knives.

I mean I get that they're small and easy to hide, but I don't know of they'd do the job against a big scary dangerous predator or big angry guy......the pain inflicted could only encorouage 'em to go after you more.

Let the record show, that while I've been into blades ever since 2005, I haven't really gone into the "collecting" and "self-defense" aspect until about February of 2015, so I'm fairly kinda new to this. So, someone shed some light on this?
 
Most knife users are a little bit less focused on combat than you appear to be. Pocket knives are very handy for utility uses.
 
I can't speak for everyone but there's probably a lot of reasons and is a per individual thing.

For one, many do not view a pocket knife as a weapon at all. It can serve as a self defense tool sure, but many carry a knife primarily as a cutting tool. There is no need to be walking around with a Kilingon blade.

Ease of carry... Do you see many gun carriers with full size pistols, shotguns, and rifles? No, they usually opt for single stack micro carry. Some just don't want to look like a nutcase in public maybe... Or look like a Mongol or Hells Angel with a sword hanging out their ass. And some, find it that they carry more often when the gun/knife is comfortable.

Many people live in urban areas and maybe as much as they want to walk around with a sword, they choose to fit in a little bit instead.

Doug Ritter's knife rights isn't aimed at making everyone carry a knife for self defense. You are missing the entire point, and what he's built up is to make knives become more UNDERSTOOD that knives are a tool. Not to be feared. An uphill battle for sure.

A well trained knifist can dice you up pretty bad with something like a Delica even btw.
 
If I legally could carry for defensive purposes, I'd EDC my R1 Military Classic/CS BBC on the same belt with a 1911, or maybe a Leatherneck tanto & Glock 34.
I'm jealous of those who live in areas where they can legally carry weapons and don't understand those who can but choose not to.
Pocket knives tend to be bad weapons. Tiny blades, tiny handles, and locks that can fail. When using a knife for SD, reach is everything, and a little 2 to 3" bladed folder isn't going to help as much as you think. They're cutting tools.
 
Personally, I carry pocket knives for ease of use. I also carry a combat fixed blade as a weapons retention tool. Like my gun, it's something I carry that I hope I will never have to use.
 
Sure a big fixed blade may could scare someone off a lil easier than a smaller folder but if the intent is there and you're up against some desperation not even a broadsword may do the trick in the scare department but I'll say this about the very small Spyderco Yojimbo 2..I'd be terrified to see the results of a few slashes/stabs from that nimble little claw
 
I like pocket knives because I'm not trained in knife fighting and cutting tools are useful.

I'm under no delusion as to how effective I would be in a combat situation with a knife - I'd be best off throwing my knife as a shiny distraction and booking it. Additionally, there are almost no situations in my life where I would be at risk of being assaulted by someone or something that required me to respond with deadly force, and even fewer places that would be completely okay with me walking around with a fixed blade on display. I work 5 days a week and I don't spend the other two days in the alleys of slums.
 
In my 15 or so years of carrying a pocket knife I've never really encountered anything where a 6" fixed blade would have better suited me than a 2.5" to 3.5" folding knife. In fact, nearly all of my uses would simply become awkward with a big fixed blade knife. I do like fixed blades however for me they're more of an outdoors specialty knife while a good folding knife could potentially serve at both if necessary.
 
I have no training nor skill in using a knife for combat, so I only consider a pocket knife as a tool for convenience, for minor cutting tasks where I am not near a better tool for the purpose. So serving only as one example, I don't consider myself to be "armed" with a knife when I am carrying a small folding knife in my pocket, unless I am going into battle against some packing tape or an apple.
 
LakanDula said:
Am I really the only one that prefers being armed with a combat knife/bowie knife? Whenever people talk about self-defense, I always see "pocket knives". In my State (Indiana), it's legal to carry combat knives concealed or open. Same with Doug Ritter's Knife Rights movement, all I see is pictures of pocket knives.

I mean I get that they're small and easy to hide, but I don't know of they'd do the job against a big scary dangerous predator or big angry guy......the pain inflicted could only encorouage 'em to go after you more.

Let the record show, that while I've been into blades ever since 2005, I haven't really gone into the "collecting" and "self-defense" aspect until about February of 2015, so I'm fairly kinda new to this. So, someone shed some light on this?
Click to expand...

Pocket knives by their very definition is carried in a pocket.

The overwhelming majority of people who wants a smallish handy knife for utility chores (opening envelopes, cutting boxes, peeling an apple etc ad nauseam) carry and use a pocket knife/folder even though IMO a small fixed knife with a few inches of blade is just as easy to carry and most certainly enhance the utility value.

Many who carry folders wouldnt dream of carrying a fixed blade and most likely would not think of exchanging their folding pocket knife for a small fixed blade.

Its a matter of tradition (to some extent a knee jerk reflex) and of course also a matter of legality.

I applaud both types of knives and fully understand the carrying of both and fully understand, that in some strata, there is also a stigma attached to the carry of ANY fixed blade no matter how tiny and no matter that its only ever used for mundane utility purposes.
 
Not everyone is a tacticool mall ninja. Some people just need to cut inanimate objects in their daily lives.
 
Comeuppance said:
I'd be best off throwing my knife as a shiny distraction and booking it.
Click to expand...

That's pretty funny man--I like your posts, and that line made my morning.

Agreed... I train in MA, including the use of a knife, and in all honesty that has little to do with why I carry my pocket knife. When I need to cut something, I have what I need--and when taking into account my kids, household tasks, etc, a knife is a great tool... that, and I like the aesthetics, the mechanics, etc...

As for carrying a med-to large fixed, it's pretty gratuitous around town--though I love my Busse knives. If I could trade out my folder for a small fixed legally and with the promise of a hassle-free time of it, then I'd do so--I prefer a smallish fixed to a folder. But I'm OK with a decent sized folder too. In a SD situation, you likely have little time to do much, and being good with your hands, feet, elbows, knees, and movement will likely be the most immediate way to go. Of course being aware enough not to get yourself in a sticky situation is paramount to staying safe.

So my dear Samurai (love your avatar, btw), good post...
 
Your chances of getting in an actual knife fight with someone are probably a lot less than getting struck by lightning twice in the same day. And, given such a rare chance happening, the most probable outcome of a victorious knife fight is a felony weapons charge following you around for the rest of your life, assuming manslaughter is not part of the equation.
 
I am a Newbie, but here goes.

I agree with all that has been said up to this point.

For me the pocket knife is more of a tool then self defense. I use it daily for packages, opening mail, cutting plastic ties, turning small screws - anything I think it can do (and some things it can't). I expect it to get banged up and likely need replacing after it has served me well. I needs to be slim and convenient. I understand wanting to carry a large knife for self defense, but it's not for me. Too cumbersome and not much of a need. I am 50+ and haven't needed anything up to this point. However, I bet I use my pocket knife 2 - 5 times per day. I feel naked without it. All depends on what your personal preferences are.
 
I carry a pocket knife to cut stuff, a pistol for self defense. A big fixed blade when hunting or camping or backpacking in addition to the pocket knife and pistol. While I have had training in using a knife I'm also aware that the guy who wins a knife fight is the guy who bleeds out last. No thank you.
 
Yeah, Cricket Dave is absolutely right, the romance of a knife fight needs to be abandoned... the nasty brutality of it is something else entirely. The only way one might be successful with a knife, w/o harm to one's self, is if one attacks by surprise or stealth... that is combat in times of war, otherwise it is assault with a deadly weapon and/or murder. I want no part of that...
 
Agree with Cricket Dave also. I remember reading an article by a knife fighting marshal arts type trainer. He urged all his students to turn and run if facing someone with a knife. Even if they were trained and there opponent wasn't. Knife fighting should be a very last resort.

Mike
 
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