My $.02 about how I think you will use a knife for SD

[MadMercS55]

I've trained to use a knife for many years before I ever got into firearms. Sadly I've had to employ a knife on several different occasions, mainly because of violent conflict at less than arms reach. On several occasions my sidearm was trapped between me and the ground and my left side folder was my only option. I've worked in law enforcement for many years, some as a police officer, and later as a bail enforcement agent. A knife has saved my life more than I'd like to admit, sometimes because my own awareness failed and other times it was all I had to rely on. I acutally managed to stab myself in the process of thwarting a gun grab by a suspect much stronger than me, not proud to admit it, but at least I'm still alive and lessons were learned.

 

[starboard]

At my present no-CCW location, I carry pepper spray and a folding (Emerson) karambit, to be used in tandem.

What the karambit gives up in stabbing ability, it gets back twofold in ripping power and retention. The Emerson karambit in particular is waved for fast one-handed opening, and is very well built; my favorite defensive folder by a long shot.