[Bonker]

So I'm wanting to buy a legal fixed blade for everyday carry. 5.5" blade is the limit here. I'm SERIOUSLY looking at knives such as the SERE Operator.

But I found this:

http://www.spyderco.com/dealer_product_info.asp?sts=5%2F7%2F2003+11%3A24%3A22+PM&pfid=FB08P&deptId=1010&mscssid=6RFRN1JT5E8L8JVHSARURPPEVEV64VB0

The blade looks wicked for slicing and the design seems sound. I like the finger hole for retention.

Anyone have an opinion on it? I'm more of a thrusting fan than a slicing fan but I'm willing to be converted :)

[Gray_Fallen]

The SPOT is interesting, but I much more prefer the regular La Griffe (Both are Fred Perrin designs).
The La Griffe has the same hole, what I think is a more all-user friendly handle, and is thrusting capable.
Because of flesh compression and the blade shape a ton of damage can be done with a slash from the Emerson made La Griffe. My tests with mine on meat have been impressive. Thrusting doesnt go real deep, because of the short blade length, but still it can do a lot of damage. You can thrust with it similar to a push dagger, just punching, and can get in a lot of thrusts very quickly.
Check Emerson's site www.emersonknives.com and your favourite dealer for the production La Griffe.
Its cheaper than a SPOT too. I didnt pay more than $50 for my Griffe, and if you look you wont have to either. Very well made, with good steel, though.

Or, you can do one better than either and get a HideAway. Go to www.hideawayknife.com and check it out - four different blade shapes available, a ton of options, and several custom makers to choose from - and still its under $140 for S30V steel models.
The knife was designed with the help of some of the best minds int he self defense community ike Don Rearic and SouthNarc, knife makers like Mick Strider and Jerry Hossom, and is being made by some of the very best out there, Rob Simonich, Hossom, Mick Strider, Mickey Yurco. Each knife is custom cut to fit YOUR hand, and made to your order. Its an excellent design, and from all reports an excellent knife.
I dont have one, but its number one on my short list.

I'd get a La Griffe, before a SPOT, and when/if I could afford it, a HideWay over either.

[Bonker]

Thanks for the info!

The Hideaway is waaaayyyyyy too expensive for my tastes but that Emmerson is sweet!
I can find the Emmerson for about 49 bucks while the Spyderco SPOT is about 42 bucks from dealers.

I also want that Emmerson Karambit folder :)

Anyway, here's a cool article about the Emmerson LaGriffe I found:

http://www.bladeforums.com/magazine/secure/jan/lagriffe.shtml


I'm still not sure which I like best though. I need to see how they both feel in my hand.

One thing about the SPOT though....that wavy blade looks hard to sharpen.

[hso]

Ok, the Hideaway is one of the most interesting go anywhere knives I've ever seen. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

[Gray_Fallen]

I guess the SPOT has gone down in price - I'd still get a Griffe.
Dont pay more than $55 or so for a La Griffe, $49 is a good price.

The HideAway is indeed expensive, compared to the griffe, but theres a lot of work in it, and it is marvelous - but yeah, right now its out of range for me too. Eventually though I'll have one of the Hawkbill versions.

Check out selfdefenseforums.com for more information on the Hide Away's, a lot of people there have them and have reviewed them.

Oh, and another cool article on the La Griffe: http://donrearic.com/emersonlagriffe.html

[Bonker]

One thing I was thinking about....

If you had to explain to a jury why you cut another man to ribbons in self defense, it would be a lot easier if the weapon had a harmless souding name like SPOT or Hideaway.
LaGriffe would be a problem maybe if the prosecution made a big deal about it being a military "claw."
Of course, SPOT is an ackronym for self protection, ie a weapon, and hideaway would bring about images of illegal CCW.

I need a knife called the "fuzzy love bunny" !

ALso, I'm concerned that the Hideaway, with it's 2-finger hole, might be considered illegal "knuckles" by an overzealous police officer. Just something to consider.
But the more I look at it, the more I'm thinking about finding a way to come up with the extra cash for one. The hybrid grind looks SWEET!

Whoa, I think I've stayed up too late tonight :)

[Gray_Fallen]

I realize some pretty draconian crap can happen - but my main concerns are getting out alive, especially once lethal force is initiated and its time for me to bring out my blade(s).

As for the knuckles thing - its a concern with the la griffe too - but again, responsible use if it comes to that would look better than I'd think the name would look worse, especially with a good defense that has knowledge about such things, if it even got that for. My lawyer, thankfully, is a shooter and knife guy, and very knowledgable about arms and close combat, and could make good arguments and find the right expert witnesses to argue that it wasnt a knuckle knife.
On the street - well, you might have to face having to take it to court.
Of course, I am not a lawyer so this is just my guess work here - and its probably not as good as anybodies.
Really, with any of the above, its the least of my concerns. Things like that could be applied to any knife, a CQC (Close Quarter Combat) 7, a Commander, a Vector, a Scorpian, a Street Bowie, a Ronin, a Talon a Harpy, a Police, an AFCK (Advanced Folding Combat Knife), an ATCF (Advanced Tactical Combat Folder), or even more mundane names if it was a creative prosecutor. (And those are all real production knife names).

[The-Distinctive-Edge]

We love the SPOT, it is a very nice Spyderco. Paul

[commygun]

Bonker or Grayfallen,
Do you know of an on-line source that has a good price
on the La Griffe? Looks like a very interesting knife. Thanks.

[Bonker]

Type it into Yahoo and you'll get a ton of dealers who sell it for about 49 bucks.
But I'd rather pay 5-10 bucks more to buy it locally from a dealer in case I have a problem and to avoid mail-order hassles.

And you are correct... it DOES Look like a very interesting knife. :)

[Bruz]

Do you know of an on-line source that has a good price

I shopped around a little a couple of months ago and got one from www.DiscountKnives.com ($44.58). Still have not recieved it yet though, there on back order!