Pochi for Self-defense?

[SG89]

Who would win in a fight? Pochi vs Cat

[TomAiello]

I really think the Pochi is going to be one of those heavily sought after collector's items in a few years.

[Naperville]

I really think the Pochi is going to be one of those heavily sought after collector's items in a few years.

I wonder which knife would be more sought after in 5 years, a Spyderco Pochi or a Spyderco Native Chief XL?

For me it's simple, a Spyderco Native Chief XL. You can do things with a large knife that cannot be done with a small knife, but the opposite is not true.

[DSH007]

I've heard reports that the Pochi barely functions as a knife (poor flipping action/malfunctioning lock issues), let alone a "self-defense knife"..

A knife would be my last choice for SD.. among knives, the Pochi would be toward the very very end of my list.. but, I suppose it's better than nothing, so if it's what you got, go for it..

This feels like a 2022 challenge. I have to continue to say, it isn’t the size that matters,it’s how you use it. Err… we’re talking about knives right???

Very true.. sometimes a little prick is all you need to send them running! With your self defense knife that is..

[ZrowsN1s]

Pochi!? You'd be better off just holding it closed in your hand, filling out your fist for a more solid punch. Probably more effective that way and wouldn't get laughed at by your assailant!

If I were to take the question seriously, this is the best suggestion. It's titanium. With the knife closed, let the handle protrude slighty from the bottom of your hand. Hammer fist.

Absolutely! I did that with a lighter once, flame side down. It was sparking off his head hahaha. My friends loved telling that story. Ohh to be 20 years old again But really, a knife that size it's instantly what I thought of. Multiple benefits that way.

sparking off his head, I can see it in my mind.

[Kevinim82]

Joking aside, if you don’t brandish weapons and you keep an element of surprise/ambush any size knife would be lethal.

Now for jokes;
No surprise and the poochi would be a big disappointment.

[TomAiello]

Joking aside, if you don’t brandish weapons and you keep an element of surprise/ambush any size knife would be lethal.

When I was a kid, the first rule of fights I learned was 'the winner is usually the first person who knows the fight is happening.' I got suspended from school shortly after I learned that, but it was probably worth the lesson.

[TkoK83Spy]

Joking aside, if you don’t brandish weapons and you keep an element of surprise/ambush any size knife would be lethal.

When I was a kid, the first rule of fights I learned was 'the winner is usually the first person who knows the fight is happening.' I got suspended from school shortly after I learned that, but it was probably worth the lesson.

I remember when I was a kid my father said "if he's bigger than you, you better swing first and make it count" as well as "if you start it, don't come home crying" I guess he knew from the get go my mouth would get me in trouble someday

[Co Pilot]

Joking aside, if you don’t brandish weapons and you keep an element of surprise/ambush any size knife would be lethal.

When I was a kid, the first rule of fights I learned was 'the winner is usually the first person who knows the fight is happening.' I got suspended from school shortly after I learned that, but it was probably worth the lesson.

This is almost always true, unless you or they can take a punch. And most of us can't guarentee that, even if we can "take" a punch or have before. I've seen people seriously hurt from one punch. Usually by getting knocked down and their head hitting the floor, especially concrete.
Which leads to two problems, one is you can't wait to get hit first, to big of a risk. Second is therefore to win you have to hit first and that's generally going to land you in legal trouble if it's people of the same size,age and sex who are unarmed.
Having said that I had a friend/partner who won most altercations personal and professional by hitting the other guy while he was running his mouth.
My friend summed it up perfectly by saying of the other guy "He didn't realize the fight had already started".

[Co Pilot]

TomAiello, which makes me wonder if you knew my friend. Lol.

[Pete1977]

Michael Janich made this video about 15 years ago demonstrating the effectiveness of a small knife on flesh.

https://youtu.be/9PWmRWjDhYw

YMMV- i carry a full sized knife but if a pochi or other small knife is all you are willing or able to carry, you realize its limitations as a tool and you practice deploying it under stress it is capable of damage human tissue quite seriously as demonstrated with the 1/2 inch razor blade in the video above.

[Michael Janich]

Hey, All:

My answer would be no. There's a lot more to a viable self-defense knife than just its ability to cut. You must also be able to draw it quickly, open it swiftly and reliable, and hold it firmly enough to deliver fight-stopping cuts. The Pochi is a unique, artistic knife that faithfully represents the style of its designer. From a functional standpoint, it works as a casual everyday carry cutting tool. As a potential weapon, it is about as potent as classic "hideout" knives like thumb daggers, which means it is at best a distraction tool, not a fight-stopping weapon. Deploying it quickly and reflexively from pocket carry is also not practical.

This article I wrote addresses this issue in greater detail: https://www.knife-gear.com/spy-steel/.

People ask me all the time which knives are best for self-defense. My immediate response is "the ones that have matching trainers." If you don't have a suitable trainer, you're not going to train, which means you won't have the skills you need when you need them. At that point, you're carrying the knife as a would-be talisman, not a weapon. If you're looking for a true self-defense knife, start with that rule and your choices are narrowed very quickly.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Pete1977]

Mike-
Would making a drone out of a second model of your self defense knife be a viable trainer?
I made one out of a Police after reading one of your books.