Good fighting Knife

Hi Barry, good question and great to see you are aware of your local laws.

Personally, I like the Zero Tolerance Hinderer... http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/zt0566

Reasons for this are as follows...

1. A folding knife is easy to conceal in the places where I like to carry
2. This knife has a flipper that makes deployment very fast and can be deployed quietly
3. The blade design is good for stabbing or slashing
4. This is a TOUGH knife with a solid liner lock and flipper that acts as a block. If the liner lock were ever to break, the blade cannot close on your fingers

Bottom line, a knife to me is an "assassins" weapon and needs to be employed as such... If, God forbid, you ever have to use it, your enemy (emphasis intended...) should only be aware you have a knife after he's been cut... I think all "knife fighting" martial arts are complete BS and would never engage in a knife fight if I could avoid it....sneakers are a better option.

Stay Safe...

JShirley said:

I completely disagree. Sam and I designed a knife whose sole purpose was to allow an escape from someone attempting to assault- usually sexually- the wearer. Whether the would-be rapid dies is completely besides the point, as long as the defender gets to go home in one piece. You can find out in a couple of minutes of force on force training how effective attacking limbs is, too, when the attacker is motivated to grab you.

I'm also a little dubious about accepting advice from anyone who suggest flippers are a good deployment method for social work, and thinks solid engagement with a flipper will be quiet...

John

Click to expand...

Hi JShirley, sorry if I wasn't being clear, what I meant by "assassin's" weapon is that it is deployed without the knowledge of your enemy...not something you brandish like what's seen in our popular culture's fantasy of a knife fight. I think we are talking about the same thing when you reference "escape" from a bad situation. That's exactly right.

As to the choice of fixed vs folder...I'm with you on fixed being best, but due to the needs of my situation, a fixed blade will not work, hence my comment "in places where I like to carry." My choice is based on my circumstances...

What I know.

Don't go "double edged" and steer clear of too aggressive a "false" second edge. Too many jurisdictions where this can foul you up and the benefits are questionable in general use, fighting or otherwise.

Too heavy and you won't want to carry it.

Getting one with an already available non-lethal training version (weighted!) is nice.

Should easily transition from under-hand to over-hand.

Get as much hilt as you can stand.

A handle butt allowing one to push to a degree is a benefit whether for an over-wrapped thumb or palm.

Absolutely NO saw back edges.

I'm sure there's more but those are a few sumpins to think about.

Then there's sheaths! They matter.

Todd.

F B ..Cute, but illegal to carry in Texas

Yeah, bad choice of words on my part...

Read the comments about how to deploy a defensive blade and must agree that the only thing an attacker should see is the resulting wound(s)as you cut and slash to free/defend yourself when only armed with a blade.... No, this is not going to be a "fair" fight if I'm forced to use a knife to defend myself.

I consider any edged weapon a great defensive tool in close quarters - but only if you have no other choice at all. As my Dad would say (Army, 28 years, Corps of Engineers from WWII through two tours in Vietnam) the trouble with a knife is that you have to get entirely too close....

My ideal defensive blade is a folder that's razor sharp with a 3 - 3.5" single blade that's easily concealed until needed. In my years on the street as a cop one was always part of my gear. Thank heavens it was never needed for anything but extracting car crash victims when seat belts needed to be cut free.

By the way, there's a corollary here that any armed citizen should remember if coming into a conflict situation... Never allow you or your gun anywhere near someone that's a threat.... More than one guy with a gun has found out the hard way how easy it is to lose your gun to someone with a small knife that knows how to use it.... and you don't want to think just how badly your gun hand will fare against a knife at close quarters....

man, did this thread wander...

Most here aren't reading your comment about blade length. Yes, 5.5 inches is it in Texas and the knife cannot be a Bowie, poniard, stiletto, dirk, dagger, etc.

This means you have to settle for a hunting knife that is reasonably suitable.

Look at the Buck Model 105,the Puma Outdoor, and the Fallkniven S-1. Randall Model 5 with 5-inch blade option.

The Randall Model 15 has a 5.5-inch blade, but because the clip is sharp, it's legally a Bowie knife, if a cop wants to push the matter. This prob. also applies to the USAF survival knife and similar items.

Avoid anything that looks "tactical". It may get you in legal trouble. If you're a hunter or hiker, angler, etc., you probably will be okay with the knives recomended. Don't wear them around in town.

Use a lockblade folder in cities, and the Buck 110, similar Pumas, the Benchmade 710, etc. are about as good as you can carry, or will need. The Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn series may be legally "iffy", if only because of appearance. Still, the upper bevel isn't sharp, so they SHOULD be legal. But do you want a cop to see you with a knife marked Combat Folder on the blade?

I've thought this over for years, and decided on what I cited here.

On your own land, you have more options.

I carry a defensive knife with me most every day. Usually a ZT is my go to blade simply because I carry a pistol. My right hand rests naturally on my pocket over the knife. If I need it, it can be deployed pretty rapidly.

Indiana has few knife laws, so I also sometimes carry a longer (but lighter) combat knife on my weak side to back up my pistol on my right. I rather like the Gerber mkii (newer one running less than 70 bucks) or the M3 "trench" knife. As a weak hand back up, I think I would do better with a strong jab rather. Both of these knives have just shy of 7" blades.

Now, I am also a fan in-plain-sight multiuse knives. Oddly enough, one of recent favorites has been the Gerber Strongarm. Runs about 50 bucks, sub 5" blade, can be carried several different ways (for hiking/canoeing and concealment, I wear mine horizontally), and looks like a hiking tool over a "killing" knife.

My most resent addition to the rotation is "baby" ang khola khukuri in a front pocket sheath. The blade is right at 5.4" with an overall length of 9". I can cross draw it quickly and it only weighs about 6oz, I think. However, this carry method, for me, is less about being tactical and more about not cluttering my belt already sporting a pistol, multitool, and sometimes flashlight. The little khuk is more of a micro utility axe for work rather than a fighter.

Lots options out there.

The Gryphon M10 in ffg could do nicely

If you don't want to use the knife for utilitarian purposes my choice would be a Spyderco Civilian. In areas ccw is a no go my Civilian goes with me. It was designed for non professional users like me. I truly beleive you could really hold your own with one. Incredible design really.

Style..........fixed blade for sure.

I'll opine from the rafters on ideal fighter features -

Has a grip that aids retention when your hands are wet from blood or perspiration. (leather or checkered micarta/wood)

Has a cross guard to prevent your hand slipping forward onto the blade.

Has a narrow width blade to allow penetration through heavy clothing.

Has an upswept blade for slashing and terminates in a point for penetration.

Has a fixed blade for less things to worry about when needed under stress.

I always end up back at the Case 316-5 -

That profile shares much with the Buck 105.

I am becoming a fan of the smaller fixed blade knives- 2.5"-3.5". Spyderco Street Beat is a great knife.

I don't carry one for defense, but I am looking to try and get to Greg Ellifritz's one-day knife class at TDI. It's not designed to teach anyone a system of knife fighting or martial arts, just some basics and a few solid tricks.

https://www.eseeknives.com/laser-strike.htm

I don't think I've seen this one listed yet.

A lot of good knife choices available out there.

Before choosing... consider the legality of your choice. Some of the suggestions posted, would not be legal.

In Texas (your State and mine), there are few basic prohibitions. Someone has already posted the Penal Code so we don't need to revisit that.

As concerns a fixed blade knife (for carry by a regular citizen), the blade can not exceed 5-1/2" in length. It can not be 'double edged' ( a false edge is O.K.). It can not be a 'Bowie Knife', though no description of a 'Bowie' is given.

Although you didn't solicit any comments on your purpose for the knife, your training (or lack of), I find the responses asking for more information to be appropriate. Those admonishing against a 'stand up knife fight' well...yeah guys we already know.

As concerns training, it might not be 'necessary'...but certainly a rudimentary understanding of various 'grip styles', etc...would be beneficial.

For the purposes of self defense, most folks simply need to know how to cut someone off of you. A little knowledge of anatomy and bio-mechanical disabling, would not be a bad thing to know. But, in real life...you will take what you can get.

Select a knife that will allow for CQB slashing and thrusting. It needs to be something that feels good in YOUR hand and that has a grip that allows for both forward and reverse grips (of which there are many variations).

As someone else pointed out the grip/scales need to provide a good purchase.

Just a little bit of blood goes a long way and makes things incredibly slippery.

I wouldn't fret too much over tip design and whether or not it is perfectly aligned with such and such line, etc...

Just pick a good basic design, learn some fundamentals and pray that you never have to use them.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--EnTrek-USA-11-Bravo-Fixed--4425

Best of luck and stay safe.

A couple of pros I know are proponents of punch knives...Cold Steel makes some good ones, but the blades are much shorter than 5.5 inches. Might be something to consider depending on your training level.
On another note, I hadn't been on this board in over a year...mainly due to anonymous bench racers sniping all posts...it unfortunately appears they've multiplied. Just ignore them and focus on the helpful posts.
I note that none of the bench racers who've been less than helpful have listed where they got their knife training or what art they practice.
I fully expect one " sniper" to pop up with a complaint that I didn't add a link to the punch knives.
For those that took the time to actually give the OP good advice...Good on you!
To the bench race snipers on the first pages...keep on sniping...you'll feel better about yourself for doing it.

Point taken on legality aspect...also agree that you loose angles with a punch knife, however I would still advocate for those that have little to no actual knife training. I also agree that transitioning from an FMA style would be challenging.

To the OP...The Shivworks knife recommended is fantastic, but hard to find. Try the medium fixed Striders with a Tanto profile. The heavier Cold Steel Tantos are great as well, but you'll have to have a concealed sheath made.

My first fixed blade knife that I carried was a knock off of of the Gerber MK 1. What I found out was that it was easy to cut myself with the double edged blade. That did not stop me from purchasing an actual MK 2 with serations when I found one, a Large knife, easy to carry with sheath provided but everyone can see it. It is not easy to hide. My fixed blade options/choices have changed over the years. I now carry between a Spyderco ARC, Ronin 2 (4.1 inches), or ESEE Candiru or Izula. Much smaller choices, easy to carry. I am one of those guys that has not had "formal" training with a knife but, I have educated myself over the years with countless/situational applications, deployment, thought process, etc. There is rarely a time that I do not have a knife on me. That being said I would avoid a knife encounter at all times if possible. There is a great video on You Tube of JSirley and HSO, I believe demonstrating the use of the Spyderco ARC ( a small but effective blade). "Spyderco ARC Defensive Basics". Good luck in your search, ultimately it will be your choice what to carry and how to learn to use it.