What knife protects your life?

[Zerileous]

I carry for utility, not SD, but should the need arise, I would use either my paramillie or my BM 940, because these are my left front knives (i am a left, they rotate).

I would prefer the 940 for the oh **** what a knife maybe i should do this reaction from the bad guy, because when using the axis to flick it open it looks alot like a switchblade. Assuming I actually fought with a knife I would prefer the paramil.

Anyhow I hope to never have to use my EDC in a defense situation, and while I dont train for it specifically, I would apply my tae kwan do training to the knife. Thus treating the knife as an extension of the moves I already know. I would most likely prefer an edge out reverse grip, because it is the easiest to apply to moves i already know and carries less risk of cutting myslef (as i would use all four appendages, and blade up brings the edge pretty close to my right arm)

[Chucula]

i read on some knife forum, possibly this one, that knife carrying for sd is almost pointless. sure there are exceptions like M Cook has, but consider what happens when you try to use a knife for self defense.
A. the person runs away. in this case you dont even need a sharp knife, jsut a scary looking one (civilian :D )
b. you really mess the guy up. he will go to hospital or die, and you will end up with police and a have a hard time convinicing them fi you were alone/collect knives, etc (go ahead and argue)
C. the guy pulls out a gun/some weapon. you have just escalated the situation and put yourself in a lot of danger. he might even be trained in some sort of fighting, and your overconfidence has screwed you over

in addition to this kind of stuff, you have to take into consideration what the chances are. if you use your head, dont walk in certain places at certain times, dont piss people off, and swallow your pride, you will be much safer than if you act generally stupid and depend on the knife.

of course there ARE exceptions, and some people do need to carry a knife for sd on a daily basis or every once in a while. but for most people, it should not be an issue.

if i had a knife for sd, it would be civilian or manix. i would rather intimidate than hurt

[Gerard Breuker]

In general I would just like to state once more that there are a lot of myths about SD. You have every right to believe nothing bad will ever happen to you because you always this or never that. It is however the most common reaction of victims of violent encounters all over the world. I never thought this could happen to me but it did.

I guess if Michael is an exception than so am I. I have a wife and three children. What is your excuse?

[Chucula]

In general I would just like to state once more that there are a lot of myths about SD. You have every right to believe nothing bad will ever happen to you because you always this or never that. It is however the most common reaction of victims of violent encounters all over the world. I never thought this could happen to me but it did.

i dont have a problem with carrying a knife for sd. i have a problem with using a knife for sd. of all the consequences, the majority are not in your favor (in my opinion). i have gotten out of nasty situations that could have led to fighting (no weapons, but still...) by talking, and i think if you use your head, you will never need to use a knife for sd. that is all im saying. and again, there are exceptions (crazy person/military)

EDIT since i am arguing against knives for sd, i will supply a substitute. tazers are the best devices for self defense

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Just for the record I'd like to state that only an insane person would ever WANT to get into a knife fight. That's not why I train edged weapons self-protection :spyder:

[Gerard Breuker]

Chucula,

If there are exceptions you must be willing to use your knife if those exceptions occur. Carrying alone won't help you then.
Awareness, avoidance and de-escalation are important skills and can minimize the chance you will ever encounter a serious threat. There is however always a chance these skills will not be enough.

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: When I think about running from a violent criminal I consider that I'll be turning my back upon and running from someone who probably outruns the police on a regular basis.
Considering how poor of a runner I am a bio-mechanical speed stop to the perp's quadricep or Achilles' tendon will probably help me get away.
How one gets to the Achilles' tendon without getting hurt is a matter of martial style and training.
Train hard and stay safe. Mike :spyder:

[clovisc]

my PE scorpius is my most frequently carried dedicated SD knife. it's wicked sharp, and it follows me pretty much everywhere i go, no matter what, just in case i need it as a last ditch emergency tool. the 3" blade makes it "legal" no matter where i am or how i'm carrying it... and the large handle feels great in my big hands.

although these days, i can't really imagine myself ever getting to the point where i'd really NEED to use a knife.

...but then, just because i can't imagine it doesn't mean it can't happen.

other favorite dedicated SD spydies i carry include...

Chinook II (my fastest opening, most intimidating-sounding/looking spydie)
matriarch (usually only carried when i'm walking very late at night, and/or going somewhere very rough)
crossbill (the "poor man's civilian)
merlin (usually carried in my waist band... i love hawkbills for SD)
PE atlantic salt (carried clipped onto a small cord tied around my ankle)
SE smith (such a wickedly thin blade!)

in a total SHTF situation, though, i'd use whatever knives i'm carrying. i always keep them as sharp as possible.

when i'm thinking about what knives to carry for SD, i go by a rule of three...

ONE primary SD knife -- something large and intimidating... something very easily and quickly deployed, given a prominent carry position, such as right front pocket.
TWO -- a smaller, lighter, secondary SD knife kept well concealed... usually my merlin or scorpius in my waistband
THREE -- a razor, or extremely sharp razor-blade-like knife with a totally straight edge, kept somewhere unexpected, and/or away from my other knives. my PE atlantic usually fits the bill... kept clipped onto a string around my ankle, inside of my sock.

[Vincent]

It actually really doeant hurt to much to get slashed. If the knife is sharp eneogh. the Duller the more it hurts.

so carry a duller knife to inflict more pain/

[GarageBoy]

Trust me..sharp knives HURT, especially when it starts to sting....(gashed my self with a DoDo when I flicked it open)
Here in NYC, we gotta stay within legal length AND have a non scary lookin knife

[Chucula]

hah there ya go vincent. if they are going to get hurt, make it really hurt :D

i agree that is teh possibility that you will need to use a knife. i jsut wouldnt want to. a tazer can really incapacitate someone though, and not damage them (at least, not much)

in other words, we are all saying the same thing over and over again: i dont/didnt think it would happen, but it might/did so i carry and will be prepared. so i propose no more of this and back to topic

a side question i am thinking about: which do you prefer, bowie/chinook blade or hawkbill? (for sd)

[clovisc]

chucula -- i vastly prefer hawkbills, myself.

[WORKER#9]

there have been several tazer fatalities lately and are local dept just had one and are now reviewing its use as it seems to fatal in some instances. also tazers are large and bulky so whos going to carry one of those around but you would never know a DODO is in your pocket and personally if I am defending my life I dont really care what happens to the perp. if someone attacks me my family or any loved one I hope they die. sorry but no bleeding heart here. and I know its been stated earlier in this forum that most violent situations can be avoided by talking, that is total horse****, take it from someone who has been attacked. worker

[LONE WOLF]

Carry as big a knife as posible. Today, I took my bowie out and choped right through a 1 1/2 inch katopa branch in one stroke. a smooth cut with nom ripping or tearing of the branch. Now think about what that would due to some street scum. You cant carry a Bowie everywhere (trust me, I tried up till I got caught in a Wawa with it, luckily I hualed *** and didnt go back there for 4 months). So go with the big spydercos, such as the Endura, Police, Military, Manix, Chinook, Civilian, Matriarch, Spyderhawk. Carry as large a knife as you legaly can.

[Dr. Snubnose]

chucula -- i vastly prefer hawkbills, myself.

I just got a MerlinSE Today...Looks like a SD knife to me...Doc :eek:

[Chucula]

i just cant stop tonight...

there have been several tazer fatalities lately and are local dept just had one and are now reviewing its use as it seems to fatal in some instances. also tazers are large and bulky so whos going to carry one of those around but you would never know a DODO is in your pocket and personally if I am defending my life I dont really care what happens to the perp. if someone attacks me my family or any loved one I hope they die. sorry but no bleeding heart here. and I know its been stated earlier in this forum that most violent situations can be avoided by talking, that is total horse****, take it from someone who has been attacked. worker

yeh yeh i know, there are exceptions to everything. i was actually just talking with my brother about self defense and he brought up some good (and obvious) points (drunk who is more athletic than you runs you down, etc) and talking will not solve the problem. i could go on about certain situations and what not but there is no point; if you want to carry a knife around, you do that. no one should tell you what you can and cant carry if you feel your safety is threatened. as long as you are not stupid/cruel with your weapons, by all means have them :spyder:
also i did not know that tazers kill people pretty often. i have never held a tazer, so i dont know how big they are either. but what about a tazer knife! hot diggity, talk about a one-two punch :D that would be a good sd device

[clovisc]

I just got a MerlinSE Today...Looks like a SD knife to me...Doc :eek:

yep -- almost like a karambit without the ring on the end... that's kinda how i imagine myself using it in SD situations. mine usually hangs out in my waistband.

it's also very practical for emergency rescue situations... cutting clothes or seat belts...

can't wait for the tasman, that's for sure! i can't imagine how awesome serrated H1 will perform in a hawkbill!

[Vincent]

Ive actually almost destroyed my left hand with My MIlitary 2 times and my Para once recently.

1 time peeled the skin, the 2nd time was when i asked to take the stictches out and the 3rd time happends this tuesday when i cut my pinky down to the bone with my para. On palm side.

None of them Hurt, Thogh the para hurt more because it was no wher neer as sharp as the Military. They bleed alot alot, but none of them hurt.

Not getting the cuts numbed for Stitches, That is real pain. That is worse than getting slashed.

When i was 6 i got stabbed with a Sak, that also didnt hurt to bad. I was wrong to use Alchohol on it instead of peroxide.


But in general, I find the sharper the knife the less it hurts. Its like it cuts so fast your body doesent even know its been cut yet. You get cut and then there is a delay in the bleeding.

[Michael Cook]

It actually really doeant hurt to much to get slashed. If the knife is sharp eneogh. the Duller the more it hurts.

so carry a duller knife to inflict more pain/

:spyder: A sharper blade will more easily cut through the entire bicep/tricep/quadricep thus effectivly defanging the snake. I don't care how much it hurts. A drugged out perp may not feel pain at all but a well delivered bio-mechanical cut will stop the threat and end the fight. That's what it's all about. train hard, stay safe. :spyder:

[Zwaplat]

Yep Vincent, using a knife for SD is not about hurting your opponent, but incapacitating them. Hurting someone severely enough when he's pumping with adrenaline is very difficult.
As Michael Cook stated, biomechanical cuts are the way to go. Cut a muscle in half, and that limb won't be of any use anymore.