Help my cute girlfriend pick a knife.

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conw

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Hey guys,

I am aware of and usually make the "get her a CHP/pepper spray/etc" arguments and agree with them, and as such my girl will be carrying pepper spray and signing up for a CHP class soon in all likelihood. That is to say, in addition to carrying a knife that may be utilized for self-defense.

Anyway I did my homework and it looks like mercop's inverted edge tactics, and/or some hybrid of that, will fill the bill for her. Plus she just likes gadgets.

I want to get her a knife that she can clip easily IWB or inside her bra strap on the front near her shoulder if wearing a blouse/dress (perhaps just temporarily while walking outside). She is a hostess/waitress at a place open sort of late in an area that can be sort of sketchy.

I'm a huge spyderco fan and have considered the delica (esp the FFG recent release), the dragonfly, the native (which she didn't like), and looked at some others. My endura is too big for her hands IMO to really use safely/comfortably for normal tasks.

So to recap the knife needn't be a spydie necessarily and should be good for self-defense namely IET style defense, so a certain amount of belly, very sharp, good grip, plus light, and good for light utility work (neither overbuilt, nor skeery for people who might see her with it in use).

Thanks. Just looking for ideas :)

PS: while she is cute beyond cute, sorry, no pics or anything... that title was just to get a wider audience!
 
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Honestly, if you are looking for a system of self defense, a subcompact pistol like a Kahr PM9, Ruger LCP, or Sig P238 is the way to go.

Unless you are going to have her train on knife fighting on a regimen with Navy SEALs or the British SAS, it is best to leave knife fighting to the professionals.

Regarding nonlethal methods, Kimber has the Pepperblaster and the Taser is another viable alternative.

Most importantly, her cell phone is the best defense to call for help. Also she can ask for an escort to her car.

So let us know when the wedding takes place!!!
 
It is going to be hard to get replies without any pictures! :D

But on a serious note, I would suggest staying away from a knife as a defensive tool.
 
Actually, OT pics might be deleted, and enough pics could get the thread locked. Gratuitous shot of women tend to contribute to a boys club/locker room atmosphere where female members don't feel welcome.

I was going to advise that the Dragonfly is an extremely useful every-day size, but since she's cute, I don't know what to suggest.
 
I've been carrying a knife daily for 15+ years, and have some minor training in their use as a self defense implement. That said, I would much rather draw a handgun than get myself into a knife fight. Lethal force is lethal force, and I like my odds a lot better if I have a gun.

R
 
She better be plenty physically tough to take Mercop's course, but she'll come out with skills to stand her in good stead.

My wife sometimes uses the bra carry for a Harpy or Delica (she was tough enough to spend the weekend in Bob Taylor's course). She pointed out the "Eeek!" reaction of pulling the hands up to the chest made access from the bra very natural for women and that opening and driving from the centerline made for good protective mechanics.

There's not much in the way of "gadgets" in edge up knife techniques. Classic S Asia/Philippines stuff. It does require training from a competent instructor. You can't find a knife for her is she's going to go that route. She has to find what is comfortable in her hand for that grip (hammer/edge up) and that means a trip to somewhere with a large enough selection to handle. OR a Clinch Pick.


As John said, gratuitous GF picks won't fly at THR, but especially so here.
 
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My wife carries a swiss army knife and she finds it useful for many everyday things. She trains with a scandinavian fixed blade knife in the garden when she works out with the zuchini.
If, god forbid, she needs a knife for self defense, a sharp fixed blade is a better tool and no more difficult to conceal than a folder.
 
I concur that knife fighting is a last resort and difficult to learn. Of course if she is interested in learning a new skill, why not?

Recognizing and avoiding problems is 90% of staying safe.

As to the picture, the moderators are correct in not allowing gratuitous chick-pics. On the other hand, if she were holding a gun....:evil:
 
I'd need to see a picture of her to be able to make a suggestion (you know, to see about what size knife might work well for her)
 
As to the picture, the moderators are correct in not allowing gratuitous chick-pics. On the other hand, if she were holding a gun....
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I was thinking. Maybe a pic or two of her holding her new knife when she gets it.
 
There's no way a moderator would consider a photo Off Topic. It's important to assess the stature and muscle tone of anyone who may be involved in hand-to-hand combat, to determine the best implements that will lead to success in such an encounter; it may be that the consensus would be that other alternatives should be sought and trained for.

As an example, I'm tall, but lean & old, and no one on this forum would suggest that I take up knife fighting if they saw my pic (which I am mercifully witholding). I'm male, but gender has nothing to do with the question posed by the OP.

I'm sure that any pic posted on The High Road would be neither revealing nor provocative.
 
There's no way a moderator would consider a photo Off Topic
Click to expand...

a- two already said that they would delete said photo (post #4 and post #7)

b- it depends upon the moderator. Most are great folks. Others are not slaves to the truth or reason and their actions defy logic.


to the OP

If she wants to learn knife fighting please suggest to her that it is last on her list of priorities. Pistolcraft is more important.
 
Offense, defense, special teams, the knife is a tool with unlimited uses. The delica could certainly come in handy whether employed to clean her nails, or in a surprise attack to the femoral artery. The brain remains the best tool of all.
 
I agree that a small fixed blade is going to surer and quicker to deploy in a self defense role than any folder.
 
Yes, some OC spray for sure...CHP takes time. It's good to have options anyway.

Sorry for starting the boys club type thing JS and HSO, I know exactly what you mean. Let me say that I would never post a pic of my GF on an open internet forum without her permission (and she'd probably say no), but more that it was just a joke. I hope no women reading this felt indirectly offended or excluded.

Maybe with permission I can post a pic of her holding the dragonfly/whatever she chooses (she does really like the "tattoo dragonfly" but I am pushing for the delica FFG). Some of the posters here do have a point. In fact I could post a pic of her next to me, because honestly it would be illustrative. She is 5'6 115, and I am about 6'1 210, and if we both were holding a diff size knife (for scale purposes and so on) it would actually be fairly educational what knives certain "types" of people feel fit them. This could actually help other people pick knives/get an idea.

If the answer is no that's fine, mods. I hadn't seriously considered it but I thought someone above made a good point which I just echoed.
 
conwict,

I am a RAD Systems instructor and among the courses that I teach is a aerosol defense course.

I STRONGLY recommend that you encourage her to take a class. Our aerosol defense class is a minimum of 4 hours long. If you PM me with your location I can see if I can locate a program near you.

In addition I also suggest mixed gas sprays. (CS and OC). It seems like the CS increases the effect of the pepper. But even that is not necessarily a man stopper.

I commend her for preparing and you for encouraging and supporting her doing so.
 
Kershaw Ken Onion "Chive" with speed safe opening and a titanium oxide coating for durability.

KS1600VIB.gif
With a 2" blade and speed safe opening this little knife should serve your GF quite well. While it rates high in the "cute factor" this is a rugged, dependable, and highly functional blade. If called upon to "do the job" it will perform.
 
From the female perspective, I'll tell you what I carry. I generally have a Kershaw Leek that I keep in a special pocket that I sew into the left butt pocket of my jeans. From that position, I can reach it with either hand, as long as the clip has been moved to the opposite end (you can have it such that the blade points either down or up by changing the clip, and it comes in the "point up" position) I also remove the safety lock because it has the nasty habit of locking when you need it most.

I also carry a 2-inch "push" blade with a T handle laced into my boot. If you don't wear boots like I do, it probably won't work to do this. The Kershaw Leek is about $40, and the push blade was $10. The Leek has been used on and off for normal daily tasks for over three years and has held up quite well. The push blade is only as a last resort. I also carry a small can of Sabre Red, a brand which I highly recommend (no, I don't work for them.)

Anyway, these things are my "daily" non-firearm carry items. Check your local laws, and see what works for her!

*a little tip: don't just buy something for her, take her to the store and let her handle a bunch of things and pick for herself....
 
I vote Delica. As I'm sure you're aware, the FFG models come in a bunch of cute colors. Be sure to get her a trainer, too.

I don't know where you live, conwict, but if you can get to the New York Custom Knife Show (Secaucus, NJ) next month, I'll be helping George (mercop) with some demonstrations. I'm sure he's planning to do some IET.

NYCS.jpg
 
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Just something basic like a Cold Steel Double Agent or Tiger Claw would be an option.

These kerambit-style blades have superior retention because of the finger rings - nobody's going to take it away if she deploys it. It stays with the owner. These also have massive brandishing power; they look like business and should dissuade almost any attacker.

On the subject of knife defense, I think that the issue gets confused because people gravitate around the idea that knife fighting requires training. While that's good if you want to prepare for taking a knife fight to the bitter conclusion, or practice unarmed defense against a knife attack, the defensive use of a blade does not - in my personal opinion - require extensive study and practice.

If a woman produces a knife for defense and simply wants to retreat and gain distance and safety from an attacker, she need only make him give up whatever plan he has. Simple vertical slashes while moving in a safe direction are probably going to suffice in most imaginable instances.
 
Go to a gun show and let her fondle different knives and let her decide which knife she likes.
 
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