[DeepSouth]

I have to admit I'm way more of a gun guy than a 'Non-Firearms Weapons" guy, My everyday knife is a tri-fold Case. But I have become very used to having something to protect/defend myself and my family with, but now I've been told I am going on a Cruise for my 10th anniversary.


The rules for the Cruise are pretty plain if you care to read them.........
http://secure.carnival.com/Core/FAQ.aspx?faq=luggage+restrictions

If I read the rules right I can have a knife with a blade of less than 4" so at least I get something. But I also have a feeling they would not allow anything that looks scary, like some fix blade knives I have seen. Frankly I'm surprised they allow any knives, and I wouldn't be surprised if whatever I try to take gets confiscated.

So I guess I come here looking for suggestions about what a decent defensive knife with a less than 4" blade, that doesn't look scary, or cost to mush (in case it gets confiscated) could be, because I have no idea... I always carry a gun.;)

BTW:
I already know people are going to tell me to relax and all that stuff, and I understand that but I'm just afraid I'll feel totally naked with out something and If I can have anything I want it. I am also aware of the "constantly look around and be aware of things that could be used as weapons" people, I'm not that up tight. I'm not gonna spend a vacation being paranoid.

Also if anyone knows of something that I can take I'm open to suggestions, but if they want even allow pepper spray then I doubt theirs anything they will allow, and I want carry a cane around with me all the time, so that's out to.


Thanks in advanced
DS

[hso]

http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?a=folder&brand=&min_price=30&max_price=500&&sortType=ratingDe&

OR

Spyderco Native.

[Yo Mama]

hso beat me to the Native. Go for the 4, the 5 is much more expensive.

DeepSouth, I was more of a firearms guy also before I found the non-firearms section. Welcome, and good luck. :)

[Deltaboy]

The Native is the answer.

[Spec ops Grunt]

If you can pull it off, a cane would be better and no one can take it away.

[JShirley]

Canes are superior in most respects for defense, definitely.

I carried a Spyderco Native most of the time for over 10 years. It was replaced by the Manix 2 (http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=418), and then the Translucent Manix 2 (http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=662). The TM2 is a pretty blue color, lightweight, isn't hard on clothes or skin, is still at least as strong as the FRN Natives (the Native 2 lightweight (http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=20) is what everyone is recommending: the recent Native 5 (http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=663) is much heavier and more expensive), and has a more substantial blade. It also opens more smoothly. :) Price should be comparable.

John

[DeepSouth]

The Native looks like just what I'm looking for. I was hopeing to keep it around $40 so that want put me over budget to bad. Looks good to, you never know this might replace my old Tri blade Case, the quality of the Case knives seems to have gone done in the last few years. The side plates on my last three have all broken.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

DS

[Spec ops Grunt]

Is the case stainless or carbon?

[leadcounsel]

Mora.

I don't have one, but everyone seems to rave about them. And they are cheap at $16 and easily replacable.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Swedish-Mil-Mora-Knife/dp/B000ZN6Z4M

Why would it get confiscated if they allow it?

Or consider a ceramic knife...

Or a box cutter for slashing action...

[BCCL]

If you like the Spyderco Native, but want to stay under $40.00, look at the Spyderco Tenacious.

[sgtstryker]

If it was me, the medium Voyager from Cold Steel w/tanto blade is the way to go..only because you can't take the large one..

[JShirley]

The Spyderco Persistence is, in my opinion, a better general carry knife than the Tenacious. (It's the next size down, just as the Resilience is the next size up.) The Persistence is a really good general size, but large enough to get someone off you if you're seized. In any case, all four of the PRC-made Spydercos are excellent knives and terrific bargains.

John

[memphisjim]

indian not arrow

[JShirley]

Okay, software, not hardware, got it.

I often suggest flashlights. 2 cell AA or 123 lights are big enough to protrude from the ends of your fist, where they allow a strike to concentrate all its energy in a smaller, harder focus point than your fist. And legal everywhere, and useful all the time. :)

John

[sidheshooter]

I'm going to go with a cane, the native, a good surefire flashlight and a tactical pen from countycomm.com as my vote.

[Owen Sparks]

You don't have to fly do you?

[Wolfebyte]

The last cruise I went on was Carnival. They didn't check baggage.. or us getting on.

getting back home was just as easy. we got in the line with the carry on luggage group, they checked our ID/passport, asked if we had anything to declare and passed us through.

If I'd known that, I'd saved a few of the Cubans for the drive back home..


I carried a CRKT M16 for all of the trip, even into Mexico.. they had bigger knives for sale there..

[kbbailey]

It's been my experience that you'll more likely need to pop a beer cap off, or pull a cork, or tighten a screw somewhere than carve someone from crotch to eyeball. I'd take a SAK or Leatherman.

[aaronu]

It's my first post in this forum and naturally it's not about firearms... :D

:banghead:

First, don't forget to read up on the laws of any places where your ship will port.

Second, hopefully you won't need a knife for anything more than cutting steak at dinner.

Spyderco Native is a great knife for the money.

Maybe look at the Spyderco Salt H1 knives as well. H1 steel is highly corrosion resistant. The Tasman Salt is just under 3" and is a heck of a slasher. It comes in black or "safety yellow". The latter color looks pretty harmless in one's pocket. When you get back, toss it in a survival kit or tackle box.

You might also consider a fixed blade neck knife. Many good ones are under $40. Shove it (sheathed, of course) in a pocket or hang it around your neck where it's less likely to be seen. Some of them have built in bottle openers as well, like the Becker Necker BK11. Others, like the Cold Steel Point Guard, Ka-Bar TDI or S&W HRT have a finger hole for blade retention. I have a Scrapyard Knife Works "Scrapivore" that I highly recommend. Last but definitely not least would be an ESEE Knives Izula or Izula II.

Someone mentioned ceramic knives. Here's another option for the armchair ninja brigade: Cold Steel plastic (FGX) knives and spikes. They even have one disguised as a hairbrush. Most are under $10 so it's no big loss if you must toss one away.

Getting a tactical light is a great suggestion. Assuming you don't already have one, you ought to take a look at what's out there. Anything 60 lumens or higher can mess up someone's vision in the dark. The "good stuff" can be hundreds of dollars but something like a Nebo Redline puts out 220 lumens, runs on AAA batteries and has a crenellated bezel -- for thirty bucks. Fenix has a few that might work as well that are not crazy expensive; same for the 4Sevens Quark Tactical series.

Cheers,

Aaron

[JShirley]

The big problem with AAA flashlights is using the ones that hold three AAAs in a carrier. The carriers are fragile, and break easily. Lights that hold two AAA in the traditional in-line arrangement will be stronger, but may not be long enough to use as an impact tool.

[p35]

Wal-Mart used to sell Natives for under $40; don't know if they still do.

I personally prefer the Buck 395, which is roughly the same size, or one of the new Buck 110 Ecolites would come in just under your length/price limits.

[JVaughn]

Check out Ayoob's razorback knife. He designed it with SD in mind, and legality as well. It features a 3.875" blade to conform with the common 4" rule found in a lot of states and apparently cruises.

[DAdams]

Cruise?

Pry Bar, flashlight, inflatable vest. ;) Roll of 50s to buy your way into a life boat.
Antibiotic Z-Pak for runs created by too many individuals in close proximity. Smoke mask in case of fire. Valise Zodiac.

[Der Stro]

A word of experience:

I went on a Carnival cruise in Summer of '11. I carried my Kershaw Blur with me into the cruise terminal and was hassled by security who threatened to take it away but decided to let me keep it provided I kept it locked in my cabin. After every shore excursion I was also required to pass through a metal detector and have my bags xray'd and saw two people have knives taken from them before they were allowed back on the ship. Just a thought.

[Derry 1946]

Years ago, I bought an Ontario Spec Plus Navy 51-95 folding knife with 4" blade. In about 15 years of hard use, it is solid as a rock. Highly recommended. I searched online to see where you can buy them now, but did not immediately get any good results. I think I got mine from The Sportsman's Guide catalog. If you can find one, it's a great knife. Easy to use, very tough, serated. Cuts rope well and can easily punch holes in aluminum cans and such.

[hso]

•*Knives with blades longer than four (4) inches ( Recreational dive knives are allowed but must be held in the custody of the Guest Services Manager or Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise.)

I'd print that page and carry it with me. Stick to folders under 4" and stay away from anything Mad Max's Klingon love child would be expected to carry. Remember that you're surrounded by potential weapons all the time.

[VA27]

Opinel. It's inexpensive, scarey sharp, sheeple friendly...and disposable, if you know what I mean.;) +1 on the walking stick, too.

[9mmforMe]

I would strongly consider the Blackie Collin's Classic Tactical from Meyerco. I have found this to be an incredible buy. Its fit and finish is quite good for a knife that retails around $23.00. It has a 3 3/4 inch blade that comes in either stainless or non-reflective black coating, G-10 handle and either a clip point or tanto blade. The lock-up is solid as a brick, the blade razor sharp and the generous handle fits my large hand quite well.

Here is a link to check it out:

http://www.knifeworks.com/meyercoblackiecollinsclassictacticaltantoedge.aspx

[T.R.]

I've been very impressed by this budget priced FROST folder as a field dressing knife. It takes a razor edge with just a few strokes on ceramic sticks.

The frame lock device is sturdy. I bought it from Cutlery Corner.com

TR

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/FrostMP1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/FrostMP2.jpg

[Owen Sparks]

You are not likely to need a weapon of any kind once you get on the ship because of the quality of people who take cruises. Where you will need to be armed is on shore excursions. For that I would recommend a sturdy walking cane that weighs at least a pound. Walking sticks are legal everywhere and are far superior to a knife in most self-defense situations because of the reach advantage. About the only thing that could go wrong is that you stray out of the tourist areas and get mugged. A good stick would be perfect for fending off a knife wielding mugger or a gang of young thugs plus if you target the arms and legs it is non-lethal. There have been several good threads about sticks and canes as weapons here lately. Check them out.