Looking for Suggestions for a EDC defensive/tactical knife

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brmiller

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As the title says, I'm looking for a good quality, but not overly expensive fixed blade knife that I can either carry IWB or horizontal in the small of the back. I like a katana style blade, but I'm open in this regard.

Maybe a large folder, but I've always been afraid of the lockwork breaking and taking fingers. I've not experienced this, and would rather not. :)

I have a Gerber double edge, but with a 7" blade and a full-sized metal handle it's a bit much for summer carry in shorts and a t-shirt.
 
TOPS Baja or Cochise knives, the Baja comes in different sizes, Cochise is about 4".

A Zero Tolerance 350 is a pretty durable folder, clips into your pocket.
 
A quality folder isn't going to break and take off your fingers. A cheap knife might.

Define
not overly expensive
Click to expand...

Some ideas. #1 might be over budget but is an automatic and a quality folder. #2 is also a quality knife for 1/2 the price. But it is a manual opening knife. The lock back is a little old school, but it works. I could be happy with either of these

Benchmade Claymore Auto Drop Point Black | SMKW

Spyderco Endura 4 Black | SMKW

If it has to be fixed blade I like the Bradford knives. This one comes with a good horizontal sheath.
Bradford Guardian 3 M390 Black Micarta False Edge | SMKW
 
Hey, I like the ARK, and I appreciate the suggestion, @Spats McGee, but be aware that the ARK sheath isn't made for belt carry. You'd have to buy or make a custom sheath for that purpose.

I have an unknown number of Spydercos, but a lot of the time, I carry a Ganzo with Axis lock. The axis lock is extremely strong, and since the patent has expired, you're not ripping off Benchmade by getting a knife from another company that uses it. I have given many Ganzos to Soldiers who had no knife, or a cheap linerlock that I was afraid would fail under hard use.

I have accidentally cut through two bottles with my Ganzo, one a full size bourbon bottle! So, 440C isn't the "latest and greatest", but it can hold a good edge.

John
 
jmr40 said:
If it has to be fixed blade I like the Bradford knives. This one comes with a good horizontal sheath.
Bradford Guardian 3 M390 Black Micarta False Edge | SMKW
Click to expand...

I have a Guardian 3 that I got for a fall/winter EDC with the horizontal sheath. I am super unimpressed with the sheath and have never carried it because of that. It doesn’t lay flat and sticks out. I need to order a custom kydex to get it usable.

Another option inline with the Ark and Kabar TDI is the Shivworks Clinch Pick, not much utilitarian about it though.
 
Look for a very slim knife, sheath combo, lightweight 3/16-1/8" thick around 4-5" single edge or unsharpened top edge. made of a strong steel with flat profile full tang handle . The presentation is much faster and foolproof compared to any folder.
However: A pocketed folder is usually legal in a lot of jurisdictions where as a concealed fixed blade is not neccesarily . For instance in Ca. the fixed blade must be fully exposed and on or about the waist . Its a good idea in Ca. to have a hunting or even a fishing license on you to shut up the question about "why" . In Ca. however it is legal to have any length and blade configurartion folder in your pocket if not an "auto".
I think a flat , light full tang fixed blade in a quick sheath is the fastest and best defensive way to go, however lately I am reconsidering a "defensive" knife in most cases. Legally it might be better to have a pistol .
 
hso said:
What training do you have?
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Not a lot. Basic combat stuff in the Corps, some more extensive training at Coronado Island. I learned a bit about butterfly knives from a Japanese lady, know nothing about specialty knives like karambits.
 
Gordon said:
Look for a very slim knife, sheath combo, lightweight 3/16-1/8" thick around 4-5" single edge or unsharpened top edge. made of a strong steel with flat profile full tang handle . The presentation is much faster and foolproof compared to any folder.
However: A pocketed folder is usually legal in a lot of jurisdictions where as a concealed fixed blade is not neccesarily . For instance in Ca. the fixed blade must be fully exposed and on or about the waist . Its a good idea in Ca. to have a hunting or even a fishing license on you to shut up the question about "why" . In Ca. however it is legal to have any length and blade configurartion folder in your pocket if not an "auto".
I think a flat , light full tang fixed blade in a quick sheath is the fastest and best defensive way to go, however lately I am reconsidering a "defensive" knife in most cases. Legally it might be better to have a pistol .
Click to expand...

I live in AZ Sir, and here any edged weapon is legal to carry, open or concealed. Edged weapons are considered 'tools' here, not weapons. It's a bit hard to conceal a two-handed broadsword or a Katana when just trying to go get a burger somewhere though. :)
 
I carry a real Polkowski Custom made knife for the purpose
OAL: 7 1/2"
Blade Length: 3 3/4"
Blade Cutting Edge: 3 1/2"
Blade material: ATS-34 (again, if memory serves)
Blade is hollow ground and has false top edge
Handle Material: White Linen Micarta
Sheath: Kydex knife snaps firmly into place
Weighs 7 .0z with sheath
CRKT makes a knock off that knife , maybe somebody makes a better one . The deal is the thin full spine handle and size and shape of blade and the thin secure Kydex sheath , all carry without printing anf deploy instantly with no fumbling and strong as a railroad spke and sharp as a razor !
32008923597_57f506c526_b.jpg 32008924487_3e31dd3263_b.jpg 39985323123_8d09d8daa8_b.jpg
 
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gila_dog1 said:
I've never had to use a knife for self defense, but I almost always have one on me. This guy makes the most sense of anybody I've seen on youtube:

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd say most of what he said is pretty good advice. I always look askance at people who look at my tiny ARK, and start asking about penetrating ribs and such. It's not designed for that, it's designed to make somebody let go of you. In general, especially with knives, you want to stay as safe as you can, while bleeding the opponent at every conceivable opportunity.

One thing this guy didn't address, but that is definitely true, is that you want to avoid letting your knife be seen if it's at all reasonably possible. He didn't use these words, but when he talked about several attackers, or a woman defending against a man, he's talking about disparity of force. if you have disparity of force working against you, you can generally lawfully use (potentially) lethal force. Displaying your knife earlier than you have to will get the defender killed. What could have been several thugs thinking they're just going to smash you into oblivion could rapidly change into one of them just stepping back outside your range and shooting you. (That's just one example.)

While this instructor said the right things, I think it would have made a lot more sense to demonstrate a knife against some other weapon.

John
 
gila_dog1 said:
I've never had to use a knife for self defense, but I almost always have one on me. This guy makes the most sense of anybody I've seen on youtube:

Click to expand...

I've never put much faith in this stuff because I have been in a one-on-one, a couple of times in the Corps (long ago, far away land), and when someone is trying to kill you with all their strength, and you are doing the same, it never seemed to go down like the choreographed dance I see in some of these vids. But if this stuff helps some folks, then it's all good. Thanks. :)
 
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