Good Neck Knife?

[kannonfyre]

Good day to one and all,

I was looking for a good neck knife to accompany me on an overseas island hopping trip and so made my way down to my local retailer to ask him for an Emerson La Griffe. It turns out that he does not have one in stock and it'll take a LONG time to order one. He does however offer to sell me a CRKT Bear Claw with serrated edge and sharp tip. It looks to me like a fair substitute for a La Griffe so I bought it.

I intend to use it as a back-up utility knife and last ditch self defense tool. Is the Bear Claw suited to these roles? Or should I have had a kydex neck sheath made for my Emerson Endeavor and use that as my neck knife?

Thanks,
Kannonfyre

 

[brownie0486]

Only you can say what you feel comfortable to carry and where to carry it.

Do you have any training in defensive knife tactics?

Training would be much more beneficial to you [ software issues ] than everyone who attempts to solve the problem with "hardware" only and no idea how to use their chosen defensive edged weapon.

I like the LaGriffe, have two, one on a neck chain and one in the pocket without a chain, both are sheathed in Kydex as they came from Emerson.

It will get you through the night [ if you know how to use it ].

Brownie

 

[Sir Galahad]

I carry the CRKT Bear Claw except mine is the non-serrated blade. It'll rip someone a new one if you know how to use it right. Some may disagree with me here, and this advice by NO MEANS is meant for everyone, but an article like the Bear Claw is something you don't pull until you're ready to use it, don't let the guy see it, and use it. That means: You are attacked and guy is pummeling the living crap out of you with a bottle while he's on top of you and you're flat on your back. Bear Claw comes out and Zziippp... Or guy has you about the neck from behind with a garrote. See what I'm getting at? In these situations, the bad guy is right up on you and your life is in danger. The blade of the Bear Claw has really no potential to keep someone "at bay" by extending it in a defensive posture. But in an up close situation, it can very well be that "Fifth Ace". The beauty of the Bear Claw is that it is next to impossible for the bad guy to knock it from your hand or twist it from your grasp.

 

[Wildalaska]

I stock and own both the La Griff and the CRKT...the designer of the CKRT is a friend of mine. I think the Emerson is a bit better made although more expensive.

WildhandytheyareAlaska

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Sir Galahad gives good advice; these are real "last ditch" tools, bg would laugh if you pulled it and said scram. but if used as he outlined, it is a formidable weapon.

 

[kannonfyre]

Brownie,

as regards my level of training, I've done quite a bit of H.A.C.A duelling with blunt large knives and went through a 2 1/2 hour introductory blade tactics class in Dec 02 in a neighbouring country. It involved medium sized blades and not "hand talons" like the La Griffe and Bear Claw.

The few experienced instructors that I have spoken to in my country (and there are but a handfull) either don't have experience using these unique tools or are disdainful of their existance.

 

[brownie0486]

kannonfyre:

Get a piece of cardboard and stab and slice into it. That is always a pretty good indicator of the knifes ability to cut and slash.

Brownie