Spare Magazine or Knife?
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Vern Humphrey
Member
Does the phrase "Dumb enough to bring a knife to a gunfight" ring a bell?
When you run out of ammo, or your magazine packs up on you, you're in a gun fight.
How many of you even know how to use a knife? It's not easy at all, especially with folder knives. Seriously, try to pull out a folder knife and open it while someone is beating up on you (with gloves). I convinced my Krav instructor to do a couple knife classes a while back, but it quickly became evident that the learning curve was too steep to get much benefit out of it so we stopped.
I used to carry a knife, thinking I can defend myself with it, but after that I stopped. If a fight ever gets that close, I'd rather default to my kick boxing, which I practice often than try to fumble with a knife.
If it's not obvious, I would vote for the spare magazine. If you want a non-firearm backup, mace. It's not just for the girls.
I used to carry a knife, thinking I can defend myself with it, but after that I stopped. If a fight ever gets that close, I'd rather default to my kick boxing, which I practice often than try to fumble with a knife.
If it's not obvious, I would vote for the spare magazine. If you want a non-firearm backup, mace. It's not just for the girls.
22-rimfire
Member
I agree with you about "knife fighting". It is a skill that I do not have nor do I intend to learn.
Unless you are the attacker (aka more than likely a criminal), I see little benefit of carrying a knife for self defense. It is an illusion of security for most people. A firearm is a show stopper. The fight ends quickly one way or the other. As folks say, don't bring a knife to a gun fight. The discussion is whether or not carrying extra loaded magazines is practical for normal everyday life.
I don't know anyone who claims their swiss army knife (SAK) is for self defense. It's a tool to cut things and possibly a tool for other light duty needs (screw driver, sissors, awl, tweezers, tooth pick, saw blade, etc.). I cut things with my SAK every single day and feel not completely dressed without it.
I like knives. I buy far more than I will ever need. I can see carrying a blade for self defense only in situations where firearms are stictly illegal or unavailable. Even then, for most people it is false security.
Unless you are the attacker (aka more than likely a criminal), I see little benefit of carrying a knife for self defense. It is an illusion of security for most people. A firearm is a show stopper. The fight ends quickly one way or the other. As folks say, don't bring a knife to a gun fight. The discussion is whether or not carrying extra loaded magazines is practical for normal everyday life.
I don't know anyone who claims their swiss army knife (SAK) is for self defense. It's a tool to cut things and possibly a tool for other light duty needs (screw driver, sissors, awl, tweezers, tooth pick, saw blade, etc.). I cut things with my SAK every single day and feel not completely dressed without it.
I like knives. I buy far more than I will ever need. I can see carrying a blade for self defense only in situations where firearms are stictly illegal or unavailable. Even then, for most people it is false security.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I carry a knife, too -- a Swiss Army Knife. And I use if for everything from cutting up my steak, to opening letters, to cutting brairs when I get tangled in them riding through the woods.
But it isn't a weapon.
I have an Ozark Trails multitool from Wal-Mart. The case it came in holds two magazines for my M1911, and no one ever gives it a second look. So I carry my spare mags in that.
mdauben
Member
For me, its not a question of knife or spare mag, is a question of knife or knife & spare mag. I always carry a knife. Every day. Everywhere. I would not willingly reliquish my folder, so the question is would I carry a spare mag, too.
My first response would be, yes. I would prefer to have two mags when carrying an autopistol (one in the gun, one spare). Pocket carry of my spare mag would not be my first choice, though.
This! I try to always, and I do mean always have my knife. Lately, its been a Leatherman Supertool and a CRKT M24. I don't have my CHL yet, so I only ever holster a firearm at the range, but when I do, I can comfortably carry my gun, multitool, wallet, flashlight, spare mag, and folding knife.
I really do almost always have a knife on me. if for apearance/political correctness issues I have to shed the M24, I still ahve the leatherman, and if I have to ditch that, well, I've got a SOG Micro Fussion II in my wallet. And when I'm swimming laps, that SOG fits nicely in my suit's inside pocket.
Am I paraniod? Most likely. Do I exceed even the most tacticool mall ninja's idea of "reasonable?" Its possible. Will I ever find my self in position where I need to cut something NOW and I don't have a knife? I doubt it.
Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
Vern Humphrey
Member
Because if you have to use your gun, you're in a gunfight, not a knife fight.
Because a spare magazine is quicker to deploy than a folding knife.
mdauben
Member
Which has nothing to do with what I posted.
I did not say I would rather have a knife for self defence than a gun, I did not even said I would rather have a knife for self defence than a second magazine.
What I said was that I am going to have the knife anyway. I carry a knife every day for opening packages, cutting rope, slicing food, and any of a dozen other daily tasks.
mustang_steve
Member
I always carry a knife, that goes without saying.
As for the spare mag, only if I'm carrying my mousegun. I might need a spare mag with it if the first seven shots don't do it. I don't carry unreliable things, so I don't factor in a magazine failure. Original equipment mags only...life is too short to use replicas.
If I'm carrying my 9mm, no extra magazine. If 10 rounds of 115gr JHP can't stop the situation, I'd be dead before I can finish the magazine anyways. I can't accurately fire off rounds on it nearly as fast as I can my mousegun.
As for the spare mag, only if I'm carrying my mousegun. I might need a spare mag with it if the first seven shots don't do it. I don't carry unreliable things, so I don't factor in a magazine failure. Original equipment mags only...life is too short to use replicas.
If I'm carrying my 9mm, no extra magazine. If 10 rounds of 115gr JHP can't stop the situation, I'd be dead before I can finish the magazine anyways. I can't accurately fire off rounds on it nearly as fast as I can my mousegun.
AK103K
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If you carry an automatic, BUG mouse guns aside, the spare mag is always factored in. It has to be. No matter how reliable you "think" things are.
Knives.... well, whoever it was it that said "knives are like credit cards, never leave home without a couple", was right.
22-rimfire
Member
I think because of the membership here that the bias is toward self defense and if you mention "knife", many think self defense purposes. I also think folks just like to be argumentative.
What do you actually use? .... a knife. Which one makes you feel prepared? ...both.
What do you actually use? .... a knife. Which one makes you feel prepared? ...both.
FROGO207
Member
Never forgotten my knife in 30 years. Forget my keys on a regular basis. A spare mag? Depends on the situation. If I feel the need I will add the mag while for the most part 7 rds 45 ACP is a show stopper. I feel confident about my ability to stand and deliver.
A spare mag? Depends on the situation. If I feel the need I will add the mag while for the most part 7 rds 45 ACP is a show stopper. I feel confident about my ability to stand and deliver.fatcat4620
Member
I was taught growing up that a proper man ALWAYS had a pocket knife. ALWAYS. I dont know how many times my knife has helped out some nice cute young women.
woerm
Member
mags mags
US Army standard load out for driver/aircrews was forever,
pistol + 24 rounds in clips and 50 rounds in a pouch.
weights a ton but that apparently was what they had evolved over 100+ years of handing guns to NCO's and pilots.
It must have gone up w/the double stack europellets but I'll hang w/ my 75 or so rounds of .32
woerm
US Army standard load out for driver/aircrews was forever,
pistol + 24 rounds in clips and 50 rounds in a pouch.
weights a ton but that apparently was what they had evolved over 100+ years of handing guns to NCO's and pilots.
It must have gone up w/the double stack europellets but I'll hang w/ my 75 or so rounds of .32
woerm
OP
OP
Yo Mama
Member
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I see this caused some discussion. My intent with a folder is utility, and then as a last form of defense. The extra knife/multitool is utility only.My folder is pretty quick, pocket clip, takes me no longer than 2 seconds to deploy, and I've trained with a partner advancing and attacking.
BUT, my original issue was not if a folding knife is a good defensive tool. My problem is I carry to much stuff. Realistically, yes, if I was in a gun fight I would rather the extra mag, and left the multitool at home. But when I need to open a bottle, strip wire, loosen a nut, ect..... I would have rathered the multitool.
In the end I'm looking for a thin holster for the SAK, or a mag holster IWB for a double stack that won't hurt my back.
Thanks all for comments.
22-rimfire
Member
The SAK people make some nice nylon belt pouches for their knives.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Carry your knife in your pocket and put your spare mag in the pouch.
I don't like people who fight with knives, I feel they are more sadistic then a clean hole in the head. But I carry one because of the many useful ways it can save your life. I also carry a spare gun rather than a spare Mag. My lcp is about as heavy as one of my knives, and can reach farther in most circumstances. But if you had to survive for a long period of time in the wild, a knife would be more useful than a gun for most, "not all" things. I still can't find a foolproof sharpening tool for my knives, some work on 1 and not another, have tried the stones bu never quite got the hang of it. Suggestions would be helpfull.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Go to Wal-Mart and look in the camping section, They have sharpeners that look something like the hilt on a sword. There are two carbide inserts inset in a V-shape, and you put the knife on its back, place the V on the edge and drag it from choil to point.
Next, get a piece of lath, about a foot long and a piece of good, thick leather. Cut the leather to fit the lath and Gorilla Glue it to the lath. Use this to strop your knife after sharpening.
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