Mega Tactical Folder?

[Tired_and_hungry]

In jurisdictions where handgun and fixed blade carry is illegal but the law grudgingly accepts folding knives, do large tactical folders have a place as self defense EDC tools? I'm referring to really large folders like:

Cold Steel's 6" bladed hold out,
http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/HOLD.20_OUT.20_SERIES/HOLD_OUT_SERIES.aspx

7.5" bladed espada,
http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/ESPADA.20_SERIES/ESPADA_SERIES.aspx

or 5" bladed SOG pentagon elite II,
http://www.sogknives.com/tactical/knives/pentagon-elite-ii.html

Do these knives actually offer any real tactical advantages vis-a-vis smaller folders?

 

[Mp7]

having

a pepperspray along with a knife
would be more "tactical", than just having a
bigger knife.

Skill and mindset will be key at all times.

 

[lemaymiami]

Tired.... any good quality folder with a solid locking blade in the area of four inches long will do for CQB defense work, if you don't mind getting too close with someone who really, really doesn't like you.....

 

[MartinS]

Have a place? Yes. Look at some of the hardware carried by folks back when points and edges were how you got it done. Not many 4 inchers with that crowd.

 

[jahwarrior]

I guess it would depend on your skill set, and mind set. I personally see no advantage of a large blade over a small one, for daily use; in fact, a smaller knife might have the advantage, for no other reason than you'll be more likely to carry it. The same can be argued about large guns versus subcompacts. Some guys own full sized 1911s and Desert Eagles, but carry a snubby or Keltec. They're easier to carry, so are more likely to be carried.

As for actual use, yes, a large blade would have an advantage, but most defensive scenarios involving knives are the result of an ambush, are extreme close quarters, and grappling is often involved. In these situations, have a larger folder, to me, has no advantage. It has to be drawn, opened, and used the same way a small one would.

Their advantages are: actuall cutting area, penetration depth, and length of arc. Meaning, the size of the arc of the swing, keeping the enemy at bay.

In the few situations I've been in, the largest folder I've had is a Spyderco Chinook, which is roughly the size of a Buck 110 folder. The other times, I used a retractable utility knife and a kitchen paring knife, and though I received a good number of stitches, I'm still here. Having a longer blade would have had no advantage, nor would having a high quality name brand tactical knife.

The best advice I can give is get something you can carry easily and legally, train with it, train to get ambushed/sucker punched, work on your situational awareness, and accept the fact that you get uglied up a bit.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I carry a older 6" Cold steel Voyager clipped R/Front pocked every day and have for years. Flick or wrist open . It doesn't get in way and is right their if I need it. Note its not their for general cutting of boxes or string. I have a older small CS Voyager for general duty.

 

[gotboostvr]

Hardly tactical, but I throw a Opinel No.12 in my back pocket every once in awhile. I got it for choping brush on drives during hunting season, but I like to strut it out when someone calls my No.6 "cute"

 

[Dr. Sandman]

Gotboostvr is rocking the French knife! J'adore ca!

Advice for tired
1. Don't waste your money.
2. Training is better than a big knife.
3. People that come at me with a knife just brought a knife to a gunfight.

 

[conw]

Southnarc had an illustrated "PSP" tutorial on use of big folding knives. A bit dated but still really cool and potentially useful.

www.safeism.com/pdfs/SNBigFolders.pdf

 

[Gordon]

The top knife; a 7" Darrel Ralph saber grind clips into my right front pocket on my bike jeans, the other stuff is not legal. go figure