Good fighting Knife

[Creature]

I find responses such as this a little disturbing.

I honestly believe it comes from a sense of entitlement that is rampant on anonymous forums. I find that members who have high post counts and/or longevity and especially administrative titles to be the worst offenders.

 

[Bobson]

What would entitlement have to do with it? Maybe more of an obligation to help people realize they may be living in a fantasy world. It's not forcing anyone to do anything, it's not insulting. Just informative. If you don't like it, you're not under any obligation to live by it. So what's the big deal?

 

[Barry the Bear]

Wasn't aware I had to be some samurai jedi Rambo to use a knife effectively, people have used blades for hundreds of years, yes sometimes they were masters of their trades other times they were just ruthless people. I'm just looking for a blade that satisfies my criteria if you want to be Rambo maybe AR-15 forum is more to it style.

 

[Bobson]

Wasn't aware I had to be some samurai jedi Rambo to use a knife effectively, people have used blades for hundreds of years, yes sometimes they were masters of their trades other times they were just ruthless people. I'm just looking for a blade that satisfies my criteria if you want to be Rambo maybe AR-15 forum is more to it style.

For future reference, when seeking advice on a topic in which you're not an expert, it helps if you're willing to remain or become teachable - keep an open mind, and remember that you came here looking for information. Otherwise you may as well not ask in the first place.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I asked for advise on a knife, not on being disparaged because I ain't neo from the matrix. I know my limitations that's not for someone else to tell me. I've been in combat I know what it takes to keep moving.

 

[Bobson]

I don't think anyone here (myself included) insulted you - certainly not intentionally. If you feel that I did, then I apologize.

 

[Valkman]

Here's some eyecandy for you, but these weren't at the $150 price point but they were custom made. I did make a 5.5" version for TX customers.

 

[Barry the Bear]

No apology needed, I myself apologize if I came off as inconsiderate or unwilling to learn. Valkman those are seriously some gorgeous knives!

 

[hso]

Look at the following.
Maxpedition MFSH Medium Fishbelly Fixed 5.5" Bead Blast Plain Blade, Nylon Grip Handle

The point is in line with the top of the handle and the edge sweeps from the ricasso towards the tip in a continuous curve.

The Dpx HEFT doesn't sweep to the tip from as far back, but the forward portion of the blade has good curvature for slashing and the tip aligns on the thrust.


The TOPS Silent Hero is another similar design.


For untrained people a sweeping edge that facilitates slashing and a point aligned with the thrust makes for more natural movement converted to deeper and longer cuts and punctures.

if I came off as inconsiderate or unwilling to learn

Unfortunately, that's exactly how you've come off. You asked about a fighting knife which is deadly serious business, but you act like the people that are trying to tell you that there's a lot to fighting with a knife beyond just picking one up are insulting you. I've trained for years and one of the most important lessons imparted to me by a teacher that was a maximum security corrections officer is that criminals train in knife techniques well beyond the "prison pump" attack. They have little else to do than pick up new skills and refine them and he's watched in frustration as Silat and PKT drills were being practiced by inmates. Learning to use a knife as a weapon isn't what you think it is.

If you'd simply asked about a knife to use defensively instead of a fighting knife more people would have approached this differently.

 

[JShirley]

It's hard to tell the winner from the loser after a knife fight.

Part of the problem is that when someone asks about a good fighting knife, some people assume they want to duel with a knife. Which would just be stupid.

Not sure why anyone would automatically assume such a foolish thing, but lots of people still do, for reasons unknown. Do you think any GIs or Marines expected to duel with their Marine Combat Knives? No. They expected to creep close to enemy sentries, and cut their throats or stab them in the back. Where these then not "fighting knives"?

Of course, the place for a "fighting knife" is when you're forced into a deadly encounter at close range, and there is absolutely no reason to assume the deadly threat you're facing is a knife

So, I have to wonder why anyone assumes that cutting myself free from a choking attack, or slashing a hand holding a gun will result in me being cut? Because those are the types of "knife fights" I see as being remotely probable...unless, of course, I'm attacked with a knife. My plan then is to deliver force to my attacker from outside his range. Once again, I see no inherent reason to believe I'll be cut.

Can we put this idiotic knife dueling assumption in the ground now? Not sure why anyone ever assumes that's what anyone wants to do.

John

 

[Gordon]

HSO's recomendation of Maxpedition MFSH Medium Fishbelly Fixed 5.5" Bead Blast Plain Blade, Nylon Grip Handle is really agood one IMHO. If one was to hang a 150-200 pound fresh animal carcass up and see what damage your attack method would have with a knife within that criteria I would put my bets on that one. Just sayin.....

 

[jdh]

To help a little with understanding the problem here in Texas:

§ 46.01. Definitions

In this chapter:
…..(6) “Illegal knife” means a:
(A) knife with a blade over five and one-half inches;
(B) hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;
(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;
(D) bowie knife;
(E) sword; or
(F) spear.
(7) “Knife” means any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.

(C) prevents the carry of the Gerbers.

FYI, Bowie Knife has never been defined and is open to the whims of the DA's office.

As much I like the 119 it is to long by .5" So I compromise and use a 105 instead.

BTW, Folding Knives of any length are illegal in San Antonio, Home of the Alamo in case you wonder why not a folder.

 

[AK103K]

(7) “Knife” means any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.

In other words, ANYTHING they might want to be illegal, if and when it suits them.

Pretty much every knife Ive ever carried since the age of 6, falls into the above definition. If they want to arrest you, they have all they need in writing for anything you might have, from a glass shard to a katana.

Now that all thats out of the way, all you have to do is decide which is best for your needs, and make a decision.

 

[Elkins45]

(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;

This would seem to put any double edged knife on shaky ground.

Part of the problem is that when someone asks about a good fighting knife, some people assume they want to duel with a knife. Which would just be stupid.

Not sure why anyone would automatically assume such a foolish thing, but lots of people still do, for reasons unknown. Do you think any GIs or Marines expected to duel with their Marine Combat Knives? No. They expected to creep close to enemy sentries, and cut their throats or stab them in the back. Where these then not "fighting knives"?

Of course, the place for a "fighting knife" is when you're forced into a deadly encounter at close range, and there is absolutely no reason to assume the deadly threat you're facing is a knife

So, I have to wonder why anyone assumes that cutting myself free from a choking attack, or slashing a hand holding a gun will result in me being cut? Because those are the types of "knife fights" I see as being remotely probable...unless, of course, I'm attacked with a knife. My plan then is to deliver force to my attacker from outside his range. Once again, I see no inherent reason to believe I'll be cut.

Can we put this idiotic knife dueling assumption in the ground now? Not sure why anyone ever assumes that's what anyone wants to do.

John

This is a great post, and brought up points I will admit I had not considered.

When I carry a gun on my strong side IWB (right) I almost always have a waved, fully serrated Delica in my left pocket. I figure is someone ever discovers I have a gun and I need to fight to keep them from getting it, a good slash with my left handed knife might just be the thing that keeps me from being shot with my own gun. The Delica is waved so it opens as it is drawn and the serrated blade makes a good slashing weapon. It's hard for someone to get a good grip on your gun (or your throat) if the tendons in their forearm are suddenly disconnected.

 

[Barry the Bear]

To help a little with understanding the problem here in Texas:

§ 46.01. Definitions

In this chapter:
…..(6) “Illegal knife” means a:
(A) knife with a blade over five and one-half inches;
(B) hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;
(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;
(D) bowie knife;
(E) sword; or
(F) spear.
(7) “Knife” means any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.

(C) prevents the carry of the Gerbers.

FYI, Bowie Knife has never been defined and is open to the whims of the DA's office.

As much I like the 119 it is to long by .5" So I compromise and use a 105 instead.

BTW, Folding Knives of any length are illegal in San Antonio, Home of the Alamo in case you wonder why not a folder.

Not no more, in Sept 2015 now all ordnance and municipalities may not adopt knife laws stricter than the state. It was never much enforced in SA anyways, it's my hometown.

 

[Piraticalbob]

These are three of my favorites.

Gerber Mk II



Gerber MK I



British issue Fairbairn and Sykes "Commando" (with a Bradley "Mayhem")



These days, I normally have the F&S and Bradley along. The Gerbers have become hard to come by, and are now quite collectable.

You can pick up a British issue F&S, new in the wrap on EBay for about $85.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOHN-NOWILL...386151?hash=item235dca2ca7:g:GR4AAMXQUmFSpzwK

OP specified 5" blade because of Texas legal restrictions.

 

[Piraticalbob]

The Morakniv Garberg, introduced at the 2016 SHOT show, might suit your purpose; is within your budget, within your blade length specifications (4.3"), is fixed blade, and has a full tang, a first for Mora.

 

[Tirod]

Some hold that the larger knife is the better tool for fighting. Others carry much smaller ones with the intent to disable. I've carried the larger blades and they are not acceptable in public or on the job. Like a concealed carry firearm or survival knife, you use the one you have on you when the circumstances arise.

http://www.bladeplay.com/item--M-Tech-Ballistic-Wharncliffe-Fixed--12940

Again, a knife is dependent on how it will be used and where strikes and blows will be directed. The intent of the knife linked is much different than the Gerbers, Sykes, or others I used to carry in the field. Working retail - those big knives aren't happening. I read thru the laws of my state and a fixed blade under 2" is concealable. Being concealable, it's also not getting looked at or questioned. Concealed is concealed.

The 2" blade length is still sufficient to disable hands, and used across the forehead can cause enough bleeding to blind an opponent. There are other considerations, too, but the point is that use of the knife to defend yourself requires study of martial arts and the ability to act competently in barehand defense - you have to get your opponent off you to get to another tool to use it.

Most of the time these contests wind up just being wrestling matches on the ground as a demonstration of who the Alpha Male is. It is poor custom and worse in the eyes of the law to escalate the situation. It can be said the winner of a knife fight is also the one sitting in court being tried for murder. It's a matter of cultural values - if you defend yourself with a knife is one thing, to kill with it another.

There is also the very real danger of simply owning something with the idea that possession makes the wielder somehow more powerful - there is a lot of that on gun forums. It's summed up in the cliché that racking a shotgun will make the attacker become mortally afraid and back off. Not so much, especially if they are trying to establish their credibility to their social hierarchy and have assessed their risk to be less than yours. And they may be right. Racking the shotgun may well have shown them they need to immediately kill you as rapidly as possible. There is NO guarantee you will get the outcome you wanted.

For the most part, fighting knives are a fantasy category of knife style that has been glorified thru a few mythological confrontations and the excess of hormonal influence that young males are subject to. A serious and critical examination of them will lead to knives of a completely different type than might be expected.

 

[hso]

BTW, Folding Knives of any length are illegal in San Antonio, Home of the Alamo in case you wonder why not a folder.

Incorrect even before premption. Only locking blade folders were prohibited. No one paid attention to it, tough.

 

[Old Dog]

I believe the Air Force Survival Knife (I know Ontario makes some of 'em?) has a 5.5 inch blade. I got one on my last deployment from an AF buddy, and it's become one of my favorite GP knives. Wish someone made a good kydex sheath for them, though. For folders, I've always found the Spyderco Endura an easy to keep sharp, inexpensive blade.

 

[jdh]

You SA guys can say it was never enforced all you want I know first hand it was from being told to lock my Buck 110 in the truck box or go to jail more than once at a fast food joints outside Kelly in my DRMO screening days.

 

[sgt127]

Quote:
(7) “Knife” means any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.
In other words, ANYTHING they might want to be illegal, if and when it suits them.

Pretty much every knife Ive ever carried since the age of 6, falls into the above definition. If they want to arrest you, they have all they need in writing for anything you might have, from a glass shard to a katana.

Now that all thats out of the way, all you have to do is decide which is best for your needs, and make a decision.

It defines a knife. That's all. Above that it defines an illegal knife. Texas law is not written to actually be understood.

 

[Something Better]

5" blade? Fixed would be either a cold Steel recon tanto, spyderco street Bowie, or an esee 4. Folder would be an Emerson super commander or cold Steel xl voyager. A "fighting" knife needs to be 3 things: rigid, pointy, and durable. Check out Don Pentecost's book Put em Down, Take em Out

 

[Bobson]

Spyderco street Bowie

Much as I love Spyderco, if Texas state law forbids the carry of Bowie knives (it does, according to post 37), but doesn't define exactly what they are, maybe it'd be risky carrying a knife with "Bowie" in the name of it.

 

[Something Better]

Take a look and see. A no guard clip point isn't much of a bowie