Best knife for self defense legal in Texas

[duns]

Apologies if the question has been asked a million times before but I didn't find anything on a quick search.

I carry a concealed handgun and some folks say one should also carry a knife as well. I'm not sure that a knife would be all that useful for self defense but on the other hand don't see a downside*** if the knife is easily concealable, easily operable, and legal (Texas). Would be very grateful if you could all point me in the right direction.

***If there is a downside, such as a knife being considered in the eyes of a grand jury as an offensive weapon rather than defensive, I would appreciate being educated on that too.

 

[DT Guy]

The one you have with you when 'it' happens.

Seriously, you'll find people with tacticool knives who EDC something completely different. Apparently they'll have notice of when they're going to need a defensive knife beforehand?

I think finding something that works for your everyday needs, can open quickly and has 3+" of blade is about a realistic as you can get. Opening it all the time for daily chores is the surest way of teaching your hand to find it in an emergency, also.

Larry

 

[duns]

I think finding something that works for your everyday needs, can open quickly and has 3+" of blade is about a realistic as you can get.

What would you recommend for a knife that can open quickly? My CHL instructor mentioned a knife that opens when you pull it out of the pocket but is not an illegal switchblade -- but I don't don't know who makes these.

 

[hso]

Check TX law on knives and pick one within the law you can open with either left or right hand. The knife doesn't have to be very large if your goal is to get someone off of you to make space to draw your gun. If your purpose is to do a lot more damage a lot more blade is advisable.

As to fast to open non-switchblades, assisted openers available from Kershaw, Timberline, CRKT, Gerber, Myerco, etc. open quickly, but so to folders with thumb holes/studs/saucers made by other companies.

 

[ChaoSS]

duns, I believe you are referring to the Emerson wave?

 

[duns]

Check TX law on knives and pick one within the law you can open with either left or right hand. The knife doesn't have to be very large if your goal is to get someone off of you to make space to draw your gun.

Checked the TX law http://knife-expert.com/tx.txt. Blade must be no more than 5-1/2" and switchblades, daggers, throwing knives, etc. are prohibited.

The knife doesn't have to be very large if your goal is to get someone off of you to make space to draw your gun.

Getting someone off me while I draw my gun would be the goal.

As to fast to open non-switchblades, assisted openers available from Kershaw, Timberline, CRKT, Gerber, Myerco, etc. open quickly, but so to folders with thumb holes/studs/saucers made by other companies.

Thanks! That gives me somewhere to start looking.

 

[duns]

duns, I believe you are referring to the Emerson wave?

Yes, looked it up and I think that was what my CHL instructor must have been referring to. Anyone owns one of these? Any comments?

 

[hmphargh]

For me, a Benchmade Griptilian or Mini-Griptilian fills the role of general purpose pocket knife that could be pressed into some sort of defensive service if needed. Blade length of the Grip is 3.45" and the Mini-Grip is 2.91", I have one of each and switch them out as needed for what I'm wearing. I can easily open and close them with my left and right hand as quick as any assisted opener. I can't speak highly enough of them, they feel great in the hand, are unobtrusive in the pocket, come sharp and stay sharp, are fairly rugged, and Benchmade is a great company that stands behind their products if you ever have an issue.

You might also look at the CRKT M16 and M21 series knives. I personally don't think they are as good as the Griptilians, but I think they are decent for the price.

 

[zxcvbob]

Take a look at the Spyderco "Civilian". (it'll scare ya) ==(8-0

 

[riomedinamike]

For me, I generally have some version of a CRKT folding knife with a stout 4 inch blade. They are of good quality and are not expensive (usually less than $50).

More importantly, you need to get some practical knife training - a good place to start would be to purchase one of Janich's books or videos - he's distilled a lot of the techniques into easily understood and practiced methods.

I don't know what city you live in, but there are often some weekend seminars provided that will give you some basics.

Buy a couple of the knife magazines and they may give you some ideas.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

San Antonio

Presumably we're not talking about San Antonio.

It is my understanding that locking folders are verboten in San Antonio.

Assuming you're someplace else, like Houston for example, a locking folder should be fine.


Lately I've been carrying a Buck Vantage folder, a lightweight and flat, one-handed, locking folder with a three-inch blade. "Lightweight" is no reflection on the durability of this knife; there is nothing fragile about it.

It does not have any kind of spring assist, rather it has a "flipper" tab at the base of the blade which allows for a simple finger-flip & wrist-flick action to snap open the blade every bit as fast as an assisted opener. (It also has a thumb hole, so one may open it in a more sedate manner suitable for office environments and other pedestrian venues without raising eyebrows.)

It doesn't present as a "tactical" piece, rather it looks like a pretty ordinary all-purpose knife. It has a (reversible/removable) pocket clip that attaches all the way at the tail, so that the knife carries almost entirely out of sight.

Price isn't too bad, either (although it's available in S30V with G-10 handles if you feel like you need to spend more).

I won't try to tell you it's better and the Spyderco or Benchmade pieces mentioned above, but I think if you handle one, you'll like it.

 

[duns]

It is my understanding that locking folders are verboten in San Antonio.

Assuming you're someplace else, like Houston for example, a locking folder should be fine.

I'm in Houston but I do visit San Antonio occasionally so thanks for the tip. I will look into the Buck Vantage that you mentioned.

 

[The Highlander]

The pocket-opening mechanism you're looking for is the emerson wave opener. Emersons can be pricey though. Spyderco is licensed to reproduce the wave opener on their knives. (check the endura) You can also make your own wave with some zipties and any tip-up folder with a spyderhole.

 

[duns]

Thanks for all the advice that pointed me in the right direction. I have ordered a Spyderco Delica 4 Flat Ground ($49.95 at KnifeCo). I decided in the end the Wave feature was not really necessary.

 

[sohlman]

SOG makes a knife with spring assist. once you start to open it using the stud on the blade the spring takes over and the blade extends on its own. Legal in most states
http://sogknives.com/store/TF-3.html

 

[Blackhawk30]

Buck Vantage

This knife carries well for me.Only thing I dislike,is that it is hard to get out of my pocket.Nothing sticking up to grab onto.Mine is a S30V.Cost $65.Only one I've seen.What other steels are they made in?

 

[hso]

For knives that are deep carry that the user finds difficult to extract try putting a short lanyard on the tail with an "acorn" or monkey fist knot to help pull it up.

 

[230therapy]

I prefer a small fixed blade knife carried on the front of the belt. I like 2.5" or so, but a 2" blade is just fine. One required feature is a front quillon large enough to prevent the hand from sliding forward over the blade when stabbing.

It also must be low priced. The knife will be for self-defense only, so it needs to stay sharp only for the fight.

One example is the Cold Steel Mini Tac series of knives.

Think of it as a "CCW knife" rather than a general utility knife.

 

[Boba Fett]

I'm a big fan of the Kershaw SpeedSafe knives.

If you want some excellent knife reviews, check out nutnfancy's knife reviews.

From Kershaw, my current faves which can all be found under $50 (and most under $40) are:
Skyline - slightly different SpeedSafe design (technically, I don't think it is a SpeedSafe), but still excellent, light, and thin. I carry this one the most right now. Great handle material and excellent blade.
Leek - small, fast, thin, light - probably my second favorite. Not that it matters, but it comes in a lot of colors.
OSO Sweet - little larger than the skyline, but still very good. Handle could be a bit better, but still an excellent knife.
Blur - larger and a uses a thumbstud to open. Still fast with practice, but I think the others I listed are a bit faster to get open. I do love the blade design though.
Tone (Tanto Blade) - I just picked this up at Academy the other day. Couldn't find it on Kershaws site...apparently it has just been released. Haven't formed a complete opinion about it yet. It is slightly smaller than the Blur, very fast to open though. Blade seems very good and handle is pretty good too. The opening mechanism is a bit tight/heavy (may get loser after use) and the opening "switch" is a bit sharp. Not sure I'd EDC it, but I do like it so far.


I would have to double check, but I believe the knives I listed all have reversible belt clips and lanyard holes.

 

[The Highlander]

Good choice on the Delica.

 

[DT Guy]

One thing I'll suggest-consider that, in a knife event, you're likely going to get-ahem-'wet.' You want a handle that works when slippery.

I like the Kershaw Leeks and Shallots, but their lack of traction when wet makes me prefer others for EDC. IMHO, you can't beat an original Microtech Socom for a folder that can double as a weapon.

Larry

 

[Boba Fett]

One thing I'll suggest-consider that, in a knife event, you're likely going to get-ahem-'wet.' You want a handle that works when slippery.

I like the Kershaw Leeks and Shallots, but their lack of traction when wet makes me prefer others for EDC. IMHO, you can't beat an original Microtech Socom for a folder that can double as a weapon.

Larry

For any knife that you really like, but are concerned about the traction, find some skateboard grip tape. Comes in various "grit" strengths and colors. It will come in sheets about the length and width of a skateboard and will run about $4-6 per sheet. If for some reason you decide to get it with a design of some sort, it'll generally be around $10-20.

I purchased clear and black sheets for various applications.

Another thing you can do, especially with knives like Kershaw which you can pretty much take apart down to all the individual pieces, is break out the dremel tool and add your own jimping/checkering/whatever.

I'm seriously considering doing that to my OSO Sweet since the only thing I'm not thrilled with on it is the handle.

 

[Rexster]

duns, the Delica is a fine choice. It is what I most often recommend to folks, though my personal choices differ. Most of my blades are Spyderco, due to value and quality intersecting very well at the price point of so many Spyderco models, and the hole being the least obstrusive of all opening methods. Plus, if one is used to opening Spydercos using the hole, the same technique works with most other folders, as the thumb will hit the stud, disk, and such on other folders.

 

[Haifisch]

A Spyderco Military model is my constant companion.

 

[DT Guy]

If you're handy, a checkering file works wonders. I also just got a CRKT 'Summa' that's quite nice, but quite slippery. A few divots from a drill press fixed it right up, along with some 220 grit wet and dry to take the 'slick' off.

You just want to think about grip before you need it-

Larry