Looking for Suggestions for a EDC defensive/tactical knife

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hso said:
How far back? If you took the training Bob Kasper designed for the Corps you're way ahead of most.
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Long ago Sir. '72-'81. The last four years I switched to the air wing and ran an avionics shop for HMH-363 at Tustin till they threw me out for shin splints. Too bad too, because if you're not in combat, the military was a pretty easy yet interesting job. For me anyway. :)
 
brmiller said:
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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If you've faced someone trying to kill you on the battlefield with a blade, you're one of a very few. It's incredible if you've done it more than once: I'd love to see the citations.

John
 
I was never officially on a battlefield Sir. Marine Scouts were always vigorously hunted when on mission though. Carlos was a Marine Scout I believe. Capture was the goal. It got pretty hairy for some. Never saw any documentation for my first 15 months overseas. I never received my mission orders through regular channels. Luckily, I got out of there in '75 in mostly one piece, and have spent many years forgetting everything I saw and heard. And I'm just an old guy who sometimes talks too much. Take care.
 
My instructor has a Bronze Star, but multiple close-range attacks have to be worth more than that...
 
My Army reserve unit got activated during time of war for the 1970 NYC postal strike. (True, activated for 3 days, then returned to reserve status)

Several members of the unit received potentially dangerous paper cuts in the heat of battle with the mail, but no purple hearts were awarded.
 
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.
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That or to stay off of you. That's why if I were carrying a dedicated self-defense knife I would want it to be a fixed blade carried where it's rapidly and easily accessible with either hand. Also, since things are likely to be tangled up in a get off me situation, I like the idea of a blade that will cut in either direction without having to reposition it in the hand.
This guy makes the most sense of anybody I've seen on youtube...
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His comment about knife on knife fights (you're gonna get cut) is pretty good, but that assumes the attack is pressed. If you can keep some distance then you don't have to get cut. If they really want to get in and score a nasty stab or cut on you, then they will likely be able to do it, but not without getting cut themselves. Same with you. If you feel like you've got to get in and make a telling stab/cut, you can do it if you know what you're doing, but they will cut you in the process if they are quick and/or know what they're doing.

The guy's stance is good. He's right about cutting hands/wrists, but if you look at what people often do when they are doing the "knife fight stance" they often lean forward. That puts the forehead in easy reach for a quick cut. The rule is cut what's closest, and if someone leans forward and gives you their forehead, don't look the gift horse in the mouth.
 
JShirley said:
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
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Wait, if I read the post correctly Spats says YOU DESIGNED THE SPYDERCO ARK but you don't carry one?

Second, I haven't bought a bought of bourbon in 40 years, isn't the bottle made of glass?
 
I have one of the little 3" Sig-Tac neck knives.
Looks like a Timberline Lightfoot Mini Pit Bull

Its all scratched up as I use it for darn near everything.

Had a Benchmade 530 for over a decade but it finally gave up the ghost.
I abused the heck out of it, got my money's worth.
Figured go fixed blade next time.
 
brmiller said:
I was never officially on a battlefield Sir. Marine Scouts were always vigorously hunted when on mission though. Carlos was a Marine Scout I believe. Capture was the goal. It got pretty hairy for some. Never saw any documentation for my first 15 months overseas. I never received my mission orders through regular channels. Luckily, I got out of there in '75 in mostly one piece, and have spent many years forgetting everything I saw and heard. And I'm just an old guy who sometimes talks too much. Take care.
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I'm just going to say I think the OP isn't being completely truthful and I'm going to leave it at that.

I will add this comment though, it occurs to me that if the OP had actual knife fighting experience he wouldn't be here asking a bunch of random strangers what he should carry for defensive knife?
 
JShirley said:
My instructor has a Bronze Star, but multiple close-range attacks have to be worth more than that...
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When I got to Fort Carson we had a motor platoon sergeant who got put out for being too fat. While they were processing his paperwork for separation he was awarded a bronze star for basically being in Iraq during Desert Storm.

They called him up in front of the whole Battalion and pinned it on him and I remember him standing up there while they were pinning that medal on him just laughing his ass off.

I think he found the irony amusing
 
OK I'm going to post this video that I posted in my thread about fighting knives and call it a day.

 
JShirley said:
My instructor has a Bronze Star, but multiple close-range attacks have to be worth more than that...
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I have done some knife sparring with David Bellavia. His multiple knife encounters got him the MOH. He used a Gerber Rex Applegate. A bronze star these days, doesn't mean very much. I watched a lot of people get them for doing practically nothing.
 
My EDC knife is a Cold Steel XL Voyager, lost/misplaced it & ordered a replacement, so naturally I then found my original so I have a back up now. It’s a big knife that carries like a small one & has stood up to some serious abuse in the field very well. I also have a an XL Espada in case I need a pocket sword that’s mostly used for fun when we go fishing/hunting-“‘excuse me while I whip this out” or “That’s not a knife” :)
3568AA53-9E94-4039-82D3-494D33C3523D.jpeg
 
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herrwalther said:
I have done some knife sparring with David Bellavia. His multiple knife encounters got him the MOH. He used a Gerber Rex Applegate. A bronze star these days, doesn't mean very much. I watched a lot of people get them for doing practically nothing.
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Not saying a BSM is worthless, just saying I've seen it be a deployment award as long as you were an E-7 or above...
 
brmiller said:
I was never officially on a battlefield Sir.
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Barfight with knives?

Marine Scouts were always vigorously hunted when on mission though. Carlos was a Marine Scout I believe.
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Were you a Marine Scout/Sniper? If so you surely would know whether Carlos Hathcock was or was not the same.


Capture was the goal. It got pretty hairy for some. Never saw any documentation for my first 15 months overseas. I never received my mission orders through regular channels.
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My BS meter just exploded. I don't know why.



Luckily, I got out of there in '75 in mostly one piece, and have spent many years forgetting everything I saw and heard. And I'm just an old guy who sometimes talks too much. Take care.
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Where is "there"?
 
Night Rider said:
Wait, if I read the post correctly Spats says YOU DESIGNED THE SPYDERCO ARK but you don't carry one?

Second, I haven't bought a bought of bourbon in 40 years, isn't the bottle made of glass?
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I designed it, but don't usually carry it unless deployed. The ARK is a great neck knife, but not the first thing anyone should reach for, if they have an alternative. The other place it's been a primary carry for me, is when I've been kayaking. Then I lashed it onto my flotation vest. (I also gave my guides from my 2015 ocean kayaking trip ARKs.)

Yes, I cut through the top of an Evan Williams BiB* bottle- right at the top, so I didn't notice it until I took a swig, and realized the top "felt funny" ( :confused: ), and a Texas Pete "Hotter" hot sauce. Both glass. I actually won my unit's "Rat Bastard" award for the latter. :p


*I of course assumed the issue with the Evan Williams had been a defective bottle- because why would I assume I had cut all the way through glass? So I contacted EW

Hello –


Thank you for contacting Heaven Hill Brands and your inquiry and patronage of Evan Williams, as well as for your patience with our response. It is truly appreciated. We thoroughly enjoy hearing from our loyal consumers and sincerely appreciate your patronage of our products.


I apologize for your recent experience! I would be happy to provide a refund for the standard retail price of this bottle, $25! If you are interested, I would only need a mailing address.

Additionally, our Quality Assurance team works very diligently to provide our consumers with the best products that meet our standard of quality. To help us in doing so, would you mind providing some more information about this bottle:

  • 1 picture of the label
  • 1 picture showing the mentioned problem (if applicable)
  • 1 picture of the date code (if getting a clear picture is difficult, typing out the code works as well)
  • The date of purchase
  • The store name and location of purchase
Our date code can be found etched into the glass/plastic around the front or back label, and it will start with one letter followed by four to eight numbers. It can help to hold it up to the light as it can be very difficult to see. Below is an example of our date code.
 
JShirley said:
It's a good knife, though I don't love the compression lock.
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Neither do I. If they offered a mini Yojimbo (which is in the works) in a different lock, I would be interested. Janich does make good points about the usefulness of Wharncliffe shaped blades, which I happen to like for EDC uses anyway.
 
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