Choice of concealable fixed blade knife

[kannonfyre]

Please excuse me if the subject I'm about to discuss has already been hashed out before. Am quite new to self defense forums.

I have been told by various knife freaks that tactical folders are always slower to deploy but easier to conceal than fixed blades. I used to carry a spyderco CO7 police model but have found that I cannot unfold the knife quickly enough. In cases where my clothing does not allow me to conceal my expandable baton (my close quarters weapon of choice) ,what good choices are there for a fixed blade knife that can be easily concealed at the belt and can be drawn quickly?

I'm 5'7" tall so I'm looking for a blade with a maximum length of 5". My best friend has recommended the 1970/80s issue USAF survival knife as it has a short blade and it's pommel can be used to attack with a buttstrike. Any comments?

 

[cookhj]

check out this site.... http://www.1sks.com/store/cold-steel-kobuns.html


the kobuns are great knives and come RAZOR sharp.

 

[hso]

In production fixed blades I like the Kasper/Polkowski from CRKT.

I like Bud Nealy's Pesh Kabz (http://www.budnealyknifemaker.com/mcs.html) for a more expensive, but not wallet busting piece.

 

[Charles S]

I will second the recomendation on Bud Nealy's knives.

I further agree that for a cheaper production the Kasper/Polkowski from CRKT is hard to beat.

Try a waved knife by Emerson knives. They are very fast and easy to deploy.

Charles

 

[brownie0486]

I have no idea who these "knife freaks" are that you are talking to but I would suggest you speak to a true defensive knife instructor about the time it takes to open a combat/tactical folder.

I instruct in both long blade and folder defensive/offensive techniques and can tell you my folders from either pocket [ left or right handed] are deployed and "good to go" as soon as they clear the pocket. This also applies to my students after several hours of instruction.

It is my experience in this field of knifecraft that users who choose a straight blade over a folder based on how fast it can be accessed from concealed don't have the proper training to deploy the folder in an appropriate time frame and consequently choose a straight blade in lieu of the training required to become profcient in deployong the clipped folder from the pocket.

It's not a hardware [ straight blade vs. folder ] issue. It's a software [ between the ears] issue.

"Draw straight, keep your steel sharp and watch your back"

Brownie

 

[Joe Demko]

I've always liked the Old Hickory paring knives, myself. A little creative work with rasp and sandpaper on the handle, a touch of polyurethane, and you have a frightfully sharp, concealable fixed blade knife. Can be had with either clip point or spear point, too. Choose one of the utility models if you want a tad more blade length. If you are in the market for a full-size sticker, may a recommend a duct knife like this. Others are available from other tool outlets on the web. They don't cost much compared to double edged knives from the likes of Cold Steel, but duct knives are typically very sturdy and take a good edge.

 

[brownie0486]

Golgo-13:

Most cops will arrest you if caught with that duct knife. Most states, if not all, have laws relative double edged knives [weapons] being carried on ones person in public.

In my state, the LE's will confiscate if there is any doubt about the legality of an item. It's then up to you to get it back if in fact it was legal after all.

I would not sugggest carrying a restricted "dangerous weapon" at any time when there are so many to choose from that do not violate state or federal statutes.

Brownie

 

[Joe Demko]

If you're going to get arrested over it and have it confiscated, would it make it any better if it were a Gerber/Boker/Cold Steel/custom? Fact is, lots of double edge knives are sold and carried. Duct knives are as good as most of the so-called "fighting knives" produced by the cutlery concerns. I've owned scads of knives over the 20-some years I've been collecting. The older I get and the more knives I see, the less impressed I am with a lot of them. I no longer believe, for example, that there is $500 dollars worth of difference in real practical terms between factory knives from one of the major makers and a custom maker. There's a boatload of intangibles, I guess, but I'm past the point where I am willing to lay out hard-earned money for intangibles.

 

[JShirley]

Hi, kannonfyre.

It sounds like you and I are about the same size (I'm 66", 154 lbs). I was once lead astray by the "gospel" that folding knives were untactical and foolish. I sold my very serviceable large Cold Steel Voyager, and bought 5 small fixed blades.

I wore the most comfortable one 3x, I believe.

Totally aside from the practicality- or lack, thereof- of a concealed fixed blade for defense, one must also consider how the law enforcement community will view your preferred implement. Gerber, for instance, makes a serviceable and affordable small double-edged blade, the Guardian Backup, but I know there are numbers of strong folders that will serve at least as effectively, and are less likely to be objectionable to the police.

I personally believe fixed blades are only really useful if they fit your activity. This would include hunters and fishermen, and few else, unfortunately. YMMV.