SD knives

The Swicks are great knives, and it's cool to see that Halpern is making premade custom scales for them!

When I go into the city (Chicago) I carry a Spyderco Matriarch 2 with wave.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/spyderco-matriarch2-black-frn-spyderedge-folding-knife.html

On the daily I carry the Ka Bar TDI folder (utility and self defense for an unbeatable price)

http://www.opticsplanet.com/ka-bar-knives-tdi-folder-serrated.html

And if I ever need to take a knife to a gun fight, I have the Spyderco Civilian

http://www.opticsplanet.com/spyderc...ed-blade-black-g-10-handle-folding-knife.html

I own a plethora of knives but those are my go to SD knives

-Matt S.

I've evolved over the years in my opinion on SD knives, and I land somewhere in the middle. They are not "awesome" but nor are they "useless." They are good when carried with full and informed understanding of their limitations.

I keep a 888 Pro SOL one me almost all the time. It's a tiny folding thumb-dagger, just like OSS used in WWII as escape-and-evade blades. It is very small but I have very few weapons I can legally or practically carry at work.

Outside of work where I have more options I usually don't carry a defensive knife except in very specific circumstances. Then, I tend to like my Benchmade Bedlam, Kabar TDI Folder, or Cold Steel Ti-lite. I would carry a fixed blade but it's not legal to conceal them and open carry will not work in my area for practical reasons.

My daily carry is a full sized Benchmade Ascent (long discontinued). I find it useful for a variety of tasks since I work out of small skiff as a fishing guide (and will be found daily somewhere in the salt or brackish portions of the Everglades if I'm booked...). Anyone that uses a cast net or handles anchor lines solo should always have a good knife that can be opened with one hand with them at all times as a safety measure. I'm also around urban boat ramps in the Miami area late at night (or really, really early in the morning -depending on your point of view) and it's handy there too -but for other reasons, self defense among them....

Mine varies somewhat.
And I have no delusions that a pocket knife is going to do any good for a 70 year old man in a hand to hand fight that haven't trained in such stuff for 40 years.

But, a Benchmade AFCK is one I have carried for 20 years.
http://www.benchmade.com/products/806

Another one I like for 'get off my yard and out of my truck window with a gun Kid', is the original Spyderco Rescue.

This thing would saw a big arm clear off to the bone in one swipe of a pull cut if necessary!
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/SP14SBK3/Spyderco-C14SBK3-Rescue3-Folder

It's like a pocket chain-saw!!

Rc

I have a small gun show Tanto blade that is more for vehicle or first aid emergencies than defense.
I might buy a small Gerber para frame tanto for EDC. I like the left hand Emerson CQC7 Commander in tanto. It's not cheap.
I too may buy a TDI KaBar for duty belt use.
I read a recent forum member post of a uniformed LE officer who used a small blade to repel a weapon snatch while he was leaving a rest room.
Some $&@# thought he could grab the officer's pistol & he has a painful reminder of his stupidity.
I like some of the Cold Steel folders but I've read mixed reviews of them.
Id like something small with a tanto blade that includes a glass breaker & maybe a seat belt cutter. I looked at a S&W Border Guard II knife but wasn't impressed.
Id read that Smith & Wesson markets it's brand out to cheap firms to hawk low end knives & accessories.

Benchmade 710 in the off hand pocket and a ESEE Izula around the neck. I am fully aware of the limitations and problems with knives for SD. I still would rather have a last ditch option if I was down on my back and couldn't get to other options.

I was once told by a buddy's dad (who was a narcotics detective that frequently did UC work) to carry three knives. One to use as a tool for cutting stuff, one for fighting, and a secret knife that no one knows about.

I carry a Spyderco Delica4 most of the time, during the week at work and whatnot. On the weekends or when I am out and about for whatever reason the larger Benchmade 710 is clipped into my pocket. It is there primarily as a utility tool, but its secondary purpose is certainly a defense weapon.

Benchmade.....

Benchmade is a good brand.
I owned a razor sharp Benchmade folder in the 1990s. I used it often at work. Mostly to open cartons or large packages. My co-workers & a few sworn LE officers I often worked with liked the design & quality.
I think Benchmade discontinued the model in the 2000s but I will check. The knife designer past away a few years ago.

I plan to pick up a Benchmade Infidel OTF. Automatic knives and no blade length restrictions became legal in TN last July 1.

Benchmade mini-barrage assisted opener clipped to my weak-side back pocket.

I might buy a small Gerber para frame tanto for EDC.

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The Paraframes are made in China, and the current versions have 7Cr17 blade steel. GB 7Cr17 is nearly identical to AISI 440A.

I like the left hand Emerson CQC7 Commander in tanto. It's not cheap.

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It's unfortunate that Zero Tolerance doesn't make a left hand version of the collaboration they're doing with Emerson. ZT makes a much better version than Emerson does, and they cost the same. There are FAR better options in the $175-$225 range than any Emerson liner lock.

I too may buy a TDI KaBar for duty belt use.

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The Ka Bar TDI is an excellent knife and sheath design for weak hand side carry.

I like some of the Cold Steel folders but I've read mixed reviews of them.

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Cold Steel has very rugged, high quality knives made to their specs. They may not be the best value in the price vs materials equation, but they're almost always a good value at the least.

I looked at a S&W Border Guard II knife but wasn't impressed. Id read that Smith & Wesson markets it's brand out to cheap firms to hawk low end knives & accessories.

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Taylor Brands (owner of the Schrade, Old Timer, and Imperial trade marks) is currently the exclusive licensee of the Smith & Wesson trade mark / branding for knives. Taylor is an importer. Quality varies within the line, since they're all imported from China. Most of them have 7Cr17 blades.

Most of the frame locks they offer are good knives for the price point. I've not seen a liner lock from them I'm comfortable with. their metal handled or synthetic handle with metal liner lock backs are generally pretty sturdy. I'm not comfortable with any of their synthetic handle lock backs that lack metal liners.

The S&W branded frame locks are actually of equivalent quality to the Gerber Paraframe line. Coast of Portland imports equivalent knives to those two, and a few are currently available for $7-$10 each from The Home Depot.

Mostly I carry pocketknives for the convenience of having something handy to cut stuff with, but I'm also curious about differences in blade shape, grind, steel, and things like opening and locking mechanisms, not to mention general utility and, oh yes, potential as defensive tools.

Right now:
Cold Steel Voyager X Large Clip Point
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Cold-Steel-Voyager-X-Large-Clip--8614

Most days:
Spyderco Tenacious – combo blade
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/SP122GPS/Spyderco-Tenacious-Folding-Knife-Combo-Blade-G10-Handles

Sometimes:
Cold Steel Voyager Medium – old style, pre triad lock
http://dealerscorner.coldsteel.com/Products/29MC/

While jogging:
Cold Steel Voyager Large – old style, pre triad lock
http://dealerscorner.coldsteel.com/Products/29LC/

Almost never, anymore:
Benchmade Emerson 975 SBT CQC-7
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Vintage-Benchmade-Emerson-975-SBT--19866

One other thought about what you carry.... I've long found value in carrying the same knife (and also the same sidearm -back when I still did that sort of stuff....) day in and day out. Yes, I have alternates and back-ups of one style or another - but that daily carry of a blade that you know instinctively has been my model. Just like in most martial arts training, the goal for me is a tool that I don't even have to think about if it's needed -it will be in my hand and opened ready for use in one smooth, reliable motion...

I carry at least two knives daily. I carry one for general use and another for "just-in-case".

My just in case knives are:

1. 5.11 Journeyman Karambit (with a wiretie "ghetto wave").
2. HK Plan D (similar to a TDI).
3. CRKT Ryan Plan B.
4. Utility-blade HAK.

On me all the time is a buck crosslock, but when i can i add an esee 3 or blackjack tac ops 4

Clinch pick carried on the belt centerline on my waist.

I've long found value in carrying the same knife (and also the same sidearm -back when I still did that sort of stuff....)

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This is valuable info kids!
Pay heed!

Every time I change TAC knives in my pocket?
It takes about a week to figure out how to open it fast without thinking by muscle memory again.

If you change knives every time you change pants, you are undermining your ability to use it quickly when you most need it quicker!!

Rc

I keep loosing knives thanks to my strong side pocket clip carry and the seat belt arrangement on an ancient Ford F-150.

I know where of rc speaks and he is correct.

Currently looking at some cheap Assisted opening knives I believe one was a Kershaw that I liked except for rubber grips. Cheap because if I have to replace it in three weeks a $125+ knife is not for me.

I still mostly carry my old Spyderco Endura with the broken point you guys have seen. For whatever reason it seldom leaves the truck when the seat belt grabs it.

I like to have a one handed opening knife with a lock blade on it all the time. I am not as old as rc ( but I hope to be one day) they are not always very fast knives though currently my one hander is a little all steel Buck from a couple of decades back from NRA-ILA as a gimme. the other knife is a SAK or as we used to call them a Mac Givver.

I once used a Mac Givver in an alley in New Orleans.....the only blade I could get open in my pocket one handed and in time for use was the cork screw......boy did I feel silly.....but I am still here and in the end no one got hurt other than the bad guy's pride.

-kBob

I decided long ago that the pocket clip on any knife was an invitation to lose it... That, unfortunately, was only after losing a really nice Al Mar blade on a long run into the backcountry of the Everglades (where I can be found most days on a small skiff with customers aboard). Since then I've carefully always carried my folder in my pocket and haven't lost a blade since (even with more than one or two sudden overboards while working on the water....).

I carry a Nite-eyez belt pouch that has a CRKT M21-04G & A CRKT M-16 -13LE. These 2 knives have been carried & used with no problems. I have started carrying a Byrd Rescue 2. This blade is almost 4" & serrated all the way . These are a lower cost Spydercos & are made in China useing 8Cr13MoV steel these are made to Spydercos specifications & are quite responsable. The Rescue 2 cuts through everything & I still have not had to resharpen it yet! Strong lockback! Paid $27 w/s&h. from wallyworld.

X2 Voyager with VG-1 blade is always clipped in my R/pocket I like a large folder for carry . I carried these large voyagers all over US when trucking.Always clipped in R front pocket. Never was one time in many years of driving, bothered in NY city NJ or and other large crime ridden city's by police .

I really like that swick. Looks like a more versatile knife than the tdk (which is pretty great for the intended purpose, i believe).

I keep a shivworks clinch pick and/or spyderco p'kal, one or usually both, all the time.