Why do most people like pocket knives?

[ursamajor]

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?

Because for self defense, we carry guns.

 

[ursamajor]

A revolver would be much worse to carry, because the cylinder fattens it: I have never owned revolvers so I don't claim to know, but they are worse for inside-the-waistband carry than pistols for sure.

Nope. The cylinder is usually below the belt. They are very comfortable to carry IWB.

 

[Shotgun]

I owned and occasionally carried a CZ-75 9 mm in the 90s, with only 12 rounds in the magazine and one up the chamber, as I noted the magazine spring set considerably over time.

I then also occasionally carried a Browning 7.65 mm, but this time in the pocket, because it was too small for belt carry. It was not big but it felt very heavy, even in a coat pocket.

A revolver would be much worse to carry, because the cylinder fattens it: I have never owned revolvers so I don't claim to know, but they are worse for inside-the-waistband carry than pistols for sure.

The CZ-75 is all steel but, considerably slimmer than the Glocks, and most others that are the rage these days. I did try a holster and it only worsened its bulk: In the end what I used to make it easier to take was a bit of foam padding, which also kept the sweat away (though being thicly painted in black enamel, it didn't rust).

I never stopped feeling utterly ridiculous carrying this artillery around. I could never forget for a minute I was carrying it, while Lile's "Mission" is like a long feather you can't help forgetting you have it...

So even having the experience with only all steel guns, I doubt lighter guns would be any better.

Gaston

P.S. Biggest hassle with the CZ-75 was the entire plastic "handle scales" were each held by one single screw, and had to be replaced with more rigid wood panels, fortunately those were offered as an option even back then.

I've carried a 4 inch 686 IWB. Pretty comfy imo.

 

[blade dude]

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?

Because here I can't conceal a fixed blade or I would. I would prefer not open carrying a fixed blade here because some police don't know all the knife laws around here and I don't blame them I read the penal code and it took a few times to understand

 

[Knave]

If I'm worried about self-defense, I'm carrying a gun. I carry my knives as tools, and a pocket knife does everything I need a knife for in most situations. Also, a big fixed-blade would look pretty strange strapped to my waist at the office.