Delica for defense

[AH2525]

I know there are more "purpose built" defensive knives than the Delica, but in terms of being inconspicuous, readily available, etc. I was wondering 2 things:

1. Are there any resources (videos, books, articles, etc.) focused on the delica for self-defense carry?

and

2. What are other folks opinion(s) of this choice?

Thanks everybody,

Tom

[D1omedes]

I think the illustrious Mr. Michael Janich will be able to answer your questions.

[Michael Janich]

Dear Tom:

The Delica is an outstanding knife that meets the needs of personal defense extremely well. I have been carrying two of them on a daily basis for about 10 years and train with them regularly (largely thanks to the fact that Spyderco makes a purpose-designed training version of the knife).

I also typically use a Delica in my "pork man" cutting demonstrations in which I use a target constructed of a pork roast lashed around a wooden dowel (to represent bone) and covered with numerous layers of plastic wrap (to replicate skin). I cover this with a leg feom a pair of jeans and illustrate that a single cut from a well-designed, properly sharpened three-inch blade will cut the target "to the bone," representing disabling that limb. This is demonstrated in this video on YouTube (which I actually produced for local law enforcement and never intended for the YouTube audience):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PWmRWjD ... =1&index=6

As for information on using a Delica responsibly, I recommend my video "Martial Blade Concepts: The Enhanced Version," which is available exclusively from Stay Safe Media:

http://www.staysafemedia.com/product.php?proid=83

It specifically addresses the use of small, legally -ermissible knives like the Delica as personal defense weapons, focusing on the idea of understanding their potential, understanding human anatomy, and using that knowledge to reliably stop an attacker.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[ChapmanPreferred]

Looks like you have your answer AH2525 :) Thank you for the link to the videos Mike!

[AH2525]

Mike,

Thanks so much for the reply and links. It is a great resource having your expertise available on the forum.

[RIOT]

Hello Mike Janich,

If you had to choose SE or PE for self defense which one would you choose ?

[mark greenman]

The new FFG PE in Grey or Purple would be my guess.

[JNewell]

Wow. :D I was going to say "yes, I've been carrying one for > 10 years for exactly that purpose" but here you have it from a far better authority!

Dear Tom:

The Delica is an outstanding knife that meets the needs of personal defense extremely well. I have been carrying two of them on a daily basis for about 10 years and train with them regularly (largely thanks to the fact that Spyderco makes a purpose-designed training version of the knife).

I also typically use a Delica in my "pork man" cutting demonstrations in which I use a target constructed of a pork roast lashed around a wooden dowel (to represent bone) and covered with numerous layers of plastic wrap (to replicate skin). I cover this with a leg feom a pair of jeans and illustrate that a single cut from a well-designed, properly sharpened three-inch blade will cut the target "to the bone," representing disabling that limb. This is demonstrated in this video on YouTube (which I actually produced for local law enforcement and never intended for the YouTube audience):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PWmRWjD ... =1&index=6

As for information on using a Delica responsibly, I recommend my video "Martial Blade Concepts: The Enhanced Version," which is available exclusively from Stay Safe Media:

http://www.staysafemedia.com/product.php?proid=83

It specifically addresses the use of small, legally -ermissible knives like the Delica as personal defense weapons, focusing on the idea of understanding their potential, understanding human anatomy, and using that knowledge to reliably stop an attacker.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[VADER1313]

dear tom:

The delica is an outstanding knife that meets the needs of personal defense extremely well. I have been carrying two of them on a daily basis for about 10 years and train with them regularly (largely thanks to the fact that spyderco makes a purpose-designed training version of the knife).

I also typically use a delica in my "pork man" cutting demonstrations in which i use a target constructed of a pork roast lashed around a wooden dowel (to represent bone) and covered with numerous layers of plastic wrap (to replicate skin). I cover this with a leg feom a pair of jeans and illustrate that a single cut from a well-designed, properly sharpened three-inch blade will cut the target "to the bone," representing disabling that limb. This is demonstrated in this video on youtube (which i actually produced for local law enforcement and never intended for the youtube audience):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pwmrwjd ... =1&index=6

as for information on using a delica responsibly, i recommend my video "martial blade concepts: The enhanced version," which is available exclusively from stay safe media:

http://www.staysafemedia.com/product.php?proid=83

it specifically addresses the use of small, legally -ermissible knives like the delica as personal defense weapons, focusing on the idea of understanding their potential, understanding human anatomy, and using that knowledge to reliably stop an attacker.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

mike

wow awesome

[Rick Grimes]

Makes me feel even better about carrying my D4s.

[HistoricalMan]

The moment I read the title of this thread, I thought of Mr. Janich's video and planned on linking you to it.

However, I see the man himself has beaten me to it! As you can see, the Delica can be devastating.

[VADER1313]

The bottom line is, any knife can be used. I have 3 stab wounds from a drunk gangster attacking me, he used a cheap serrated steak knife. Almost punctured my lung and I lost a couple pints of blood. If he had a real knife, like the Delica. Maybe I would be dead.

[SecSpyral]

Dear Tom:

The Delica is an outstanding knife that meets the needs of personal defense extremely well. I have been carrying two of them on a daily basis for about 10 years and train with them regularly (largely thanks to the fact that Spyderco makes a purpose-designed training version of the knife).

I also typically use a Delica in my "pork man" cutting demonstrations in which I use a target constructed of a pork roast lashed around a wooden dowel (to represent bone) and covered with numerous layers of plastic wrap (to replicate skin). I cover this with a leg feom a pair of jeans and illustrate that a single cut from a well-designed, properly sharpened three-inch blade will cut the target "to the bone," representing disabling that limb. This is demonstrated in this video on YouTube (which I actually produced for local law enforcement and never intended for the YouTube audience):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PWmRWjD ... =1&index=6

As for information on using a Delica responsibly, I recommend my video "Martial Blade Concepts: The Enhanced Version," which is available exclusively from Stay Safe Media:

http://www.staysafemedia.com/product.php?proid=83

It specifically addresses the use of small, legally -ermissible knives like the Delica as personal defense weapons, focusing on the idea of understanding their potential, understanding human anatomy, and using that knowledge to reliably stop an attacker.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

Wow Mike, thanks for the info :spyder:

[224477]

I think MJ /Michael Janich/ covered that pretty well.

I can say Delica will work, but once you know HOW TO, then almost every edged weapon will work just some will work better.

Get proper training..

[SolidState]

In Japanese sword cutting people test cut on soaked tatami mats because they give comparable resistance to appendages. I've taken a delica2, a delica4 and an Endura2 to these mats in my training with good results. All knives were 1/2 serrated.

I can generally put my d2 and my d4 through a tatami half-mat. They cut about 90% of the target, but they're not long enough to sever the whole target. Enduras go right through. That compares to about a forearm. With a dowel, it goes to the dowel every time, and even carves into the dowel. I can get half way into a full mat with a sweeping cut, which is equivalent to a thigh. I've even done this with an old blue-jean leg around the mat, and it works pretty much the same. Long story short, they're great for cutting and can easily reach any area that would cause rapid reduction in blood pressure of one's opponent. Not that stabbing is useless, but the handles are very well textured in case one has to do that. Also, the ergonomics account for using the thumb in a pincer grip or a standard grip, as well as reverse grip very well. The wave feature isn't very good for pikal, but spyderco makes a knife that is good for that.

My escrima teacher recommended delicas and enduras by name. I have been carrying a Delica ever since (14 years now).

[butterknife]

Wow. That video Mike linked was impressive. Scary too. For me, it reinforces what my old karate teacher always taught me. Run from fights. Vids like that make you appreciate the folks who walk into dangerous situations to protect others.

[Reeper22]

Michael Janich,

Do you have a video that teaches reverse grip fighting with a reverse curved blade like the Spyderco Warrior in a reverse grip?

[SecSpyral]

Who would win in a fight....Michael Janich equipped with a Delica or a giant Brown Bear

[Reeper22]

Who would win in a fight....Michael Janich equipped with a Delica or a giant Brown Bear

Janich vs baby Ditka?

[Dr. Snubnose]

Hello Mike Janich,

If you had to choose SE or PE for self defense which one would you choose ?

Ay Riot, Of course I'm not Michael so I'll let him answer for himself...but It has been my experience that the PE makes a better defensive tool, as the teeth on the serrated model tends to get caught up on clothing. Nothing wrong with a Delica for a SD option. I once saw x-rays of a guy who was stabbed in the head. You guessed it...he was stabbed with a PE Delica and FWIW it did to my amazement penetrate the skull....Doc :D