New SD/Utility?

dragonram7 · #1

I had a friend ask me which of three knives I would prefer for Utility/Self Defense. Rather than give my bias, I thought I'd put it to the forum. I also placed the same question on another forum. Plus, I like them all. The three in question are:
1) Spyderco Super Hawk
2) Spyderco Chinook 3
3) BM Rukus
The cost is about the same for all three within $20, so that's not a factor. What do you think?

Netsquash · #2

I would go for the Superhawk, that think is a beast.

RazorSharp86 · #3

Both the Hawk and the Hook are great SD/Utility knives.
Since I am not a fan of backlocks, I'd go with the Hawk. Though I think the Hawk is more expensive.

MCM · #4

Not to rock the boat, or give my self a bad name here... but the full size Rukus is heavy duty, the blue one is the 615-2 smaller Shot show assisted special.
Of the three mentioned, I might go with the big 'un.
Might want to mention the Yojimbo or Dodo to your buddy as well.
As a side note, the Spyderco Chinook 3 can be found at a really great price now.... So, you might want to have your buddy go to a brick & morter and check 'em all out.

He might want something completely different than us.....
So, its best left up to him/her.

LowTEC · #5

For SD, I would vote for the E4SE wave

ozspyder · #6

Chinook III for me :D

224477 · #7

Haha, asking if some would suggest you a BM knife on a Spyderco forum is kinda odd, in my opinion. I would take Chinook 3 from what you listed

dragonram7 · #8

224477 wrote:Haha, asking if some would suggest you a BM knife on a Spyderco forum is kinda odd, in my opinion. I would take Chinook 3 from what you listed

Well 2 0f the 3 were Spyderco, plus I'm kinda biased. I figured we're all knife freaks. There might be someone with all three of these knives that can point out some pros and cons.

Any knife can be used as an SD tool. Arguably, some more successful than others. Adding the Utility aspect throws in the curve. Camping, EDC utility, and perhaps peace of mind are what he is looking for.

ldun33 · #9

Chinook III is a good SD choice however when I grab a Spider for SD, I always seem to chose my Civilian.

ClockWork · #10

MCM: That Blue and Black 615 is a pretty sexy beast.

Dragon: You can g et Chinook3's for a pretty reasonable price now. Less than a 610 Rukus or a Superhawk.
Both the 610 and the Chinook are beast. My personal problem with the 610/615 is that the handle was too thick under the index finger. IMHO it needs a finger divot like the Chinnook.
I agree with the above... Tell you friend to go down to a real life store, and handle the knives. He may completely change his mind based on how they feal in his hands

thanks
-Clockwork

dragonram7 · #11

ClockWork wrote:MCM: That Blue and Black 615 is a pretty sexy beast.

Dragon: You can g et Chinook3's for a pretty reasonable price now. Less than a 610 Rukus or a Superhawk.
Both the 610 and the Chinook are beast. My personal problem with the 610/615 is that the handle was too thick under the index finger. IMHO it needs a finger divot like the Chinnook.
I agree with the above... Tell you friend to go down to a real life store, and handle the knives. He may completely change his mind based on how they feal in his hands

thanks
-Clockwork

Thank you for your insight. It is exactly what I was looking for.

ldun33 · #12

One advantage of the Civilian is the shock value when it is produced. Similar to that of racking in a shell in a shotgun. I seems to make and aggressor back off and think twice. If not it will surely do it's job for you. :D

Dr. Snubnose · #13

For SD...I don't like any of your choices....for utility all three will work....Doc :D

Joe Talmadge · #14

ClockWork wrote: Tell you friend to go down to a real life store, and handle the knives. He may completely change his mind based on how they feal in his hands

Not just in his hands, but in his pocket. If it feels clunky to carry, guess where it will get left? That's why, despite admiring all of the above knives to a greater or lesser extent, I didn't choose any of them.

WhiteWillie · #15

I'd go with the Rukus or Mini-Rukus because it seems, even with the little belly of the blade, more utilitarian. I'd be hard-pressed to explain to a LEO that the Civilian or Superhawk were utility knives...at least with a straight face. Despite what we knife lovers might think about the utility or the Civilian/Superhawk, a LEO could well have a different perception. Remember, black rifles are bad but Mini-14s are good, even though they're functional equals.

dragonram7 · #16

ldun33 wrote:One advantage of the Civilian is the shock value when it is produced. Similar to that of racking in a shell in a shotgun. I seems to make and aggressor back off and think twice. If not it will surely do it's job for you. :D

Very true. The civilian is one of the most intimidating knives I've seen.

dragonram7 · #17

Dr. Snubnose wrote:For SD...I don't like any of your choices....for utility all three will work....Doc :D

It too bad the yojimbo is so hard to get. I do like the Ronin too. Both SD and can handle utility also.

white cloud · #18

i would consider the chinook or the yojimbo.

feeny · #19

surefire defender?
no problem explaining, noone dies, and probably easier to use than any of the above 3 in SD...
also the most useful thing around bar none if the lights go out.