What folding knife would you rely on in a pinch for defense?

[Lone_Gunman]

Lets say you didnt have a gun, and had to rely on a folding knife in your pocket.

What would be the ideal knife? How long of a blade would you want?

I am going to be in a situation in the near future where I can't carry a gun, and a nice knife would be reassuring. What would you pick?

 

[tellner]

As long as it's reasonably sturdy, sharp, fits your hand and (by preference) can reach all the way to the bottom of the peanut butter jar it really doesn't matter that much.

 

[hso]

As long as you can legally carry in the states you'll carry it in.

A blade shape that fits the training you've had.

A handle shape that fits the training you've had and that fits your hand instead of mine.

A thumb stud, hole, disc that's easiest for you to open quickly.

The problem with asking what the ideal knife is is that there is no ideal knife for me that will be ideal for you. It's like asking what's the ideal gun.

Let's start with some questions.

Have you looked up your state knife laws so that you know what max blade lenght is allowed for carry? http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm

Have you handled very many knives so that you know whether you like flat or fat? Hole or stud?

Can you legally carry a baton?

 

[JShirley]

In a pinch, I'd rely on the knife in my pocket.

Never choose a carry knife that wouldn't do "in a pinch".

J

 

[DogBonz]

The one thats in my pocket right now

An acient Benchmade CQC7. IMHO, its the best and strongest folder ever made. Always there when I need it.

 

[real_name]

Well, now we have clarified a few terms it's time for a recommendation, which is what you wanted I believe.

I carry a CRKT M21 plain edge.



It's a good size, solidly made, not too expensive and useful for other things than SD.
I haven't had to use it in SD ever, but as I can get it out and open in less time than it takes to think about looking at me twice I'm sure it's a useful addition to my kit.
Mostly it sharpens my carpenter pencil though.

 

[DogBonz]

Best Knife Ever

CQC7. Simple. Elegent. Strong. What more do you need.

 

[stdlrf11]

Like HSO said, it's what fits YOU.
For me:
CRKT Cruiser. rapid deployment, fills your hand.
BYRD Cara Cara. SHARP!! it fits your hand in more carry positions than any other knife I've seen. You can't beat the price.
CRKT M-series. They're all good. I like the double carson flippers
Spyderco Waved Endura or Delicia.

My personal opinion is that 4" blades are ideal (FOR ME). I also like tip-up carry. It speeds up and simplifies draw time. The fewer steps it takes to remove the knife, the less chance of you screwing it up in the heat of the moment.

Just my opinion. Hope this helps.
stdlrf11

 

[Boom-stick]

Emerson Karambit.

 

[enfield]

I've carried a Kershaw 1560 for nearly 4 years now. Still love it.

 

[LanEvo`]

Lets say you didnt have a gun, and had to rely on a folding knife in your pocket.

I'm in that boat myself Living in the people's republik of Boston. Moving to Bethesda/D.C. soon...so it still doesn't look good

What would be the ideal knife? How long of a blade would you want?

For me, I prefer blade lengths in the 3.5" to 3.75" range. Four inches and above is a bit unwieldy for me. I prefer "conventionally shaped" blades, as opposed to tantos, recurves, chisel grinds, etc. (which I find less versatile). I'm also a pretty big fan of coated blades for everyday knives that stay close to your (sweaty) body.

The handle and lock are important. There should be a full-length handle with enough thickness to wrap your mitts around. Some sort of built-in guard to keep your fingers from sliding forward onto the blade. And a VERY strong lock that won't collapse on you. Some mechanism to open the knife one-handed is an absolute must.

Other than that, it's up to personal preference. I like pocket clips that sit nice and low (Benchmade usually does a good job). I prefer "tip up" carry on my strong side front pants pocket. Any of the better blade steels are find by me. I've got blades made of 154-CM, ATS-34, D2, AUS-8, and VG-10. They're all fine...no need to get overly snobby about blade steel.

I am going to be in a situation in the near future where I can't carry a gun, and a nice knife would be reassuring. What would you pick?

It really depends on your budget. My everyday-carry (EDC) knife has been a Greg Lightfoot designed Microtech L.C.C. for years:

Before that, I was carrying an Emerson Specwar, which is similar to the CQC-7 mentioned above but has a more robust handle:

I'm also a huge fan of the Chris Reeve Sebenza, though I don't own one yet:

 

[Macchina]

I carry my Spyderco Manix everyday. For me it is a perfect combonation of utility and self defense. The lockup is amazingly strong, and the flat ground blade combines strength with an amazingly efficient cutting edge. S30V and G10, I love it!

 

[hso]

Welcome to THR, michaelmcgo!

 

[Boom-stick]

I carry my Spyderco Manix everyday. For me it is a perfect combonation of utility and self defense. The lockup is amazingly strong, and the flat ground blade combines strength with an amazingly efficient cutting edge. S30V and G10, I love it!

That looks like the big brother of my UKPK.

 

[VWTim]

What fits my needs are Benchmade Griptilians. I usually have 2 on my at any time, a combo edge and a Ritter plain edge. I also like that they're not marketed as a "tactical" knife in the event I ever had to justify my gear in court.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

They are on me all the time--as long as I'm wearing carpenter pants-----a Benchmade 551 Griptilian and a Spyderco Endura----nothing beats these as far as price--quality--size---features and just plain usefullness.

Wearing any other pants --it will be one or the other---the Benchmade has been getting the nod more and more lately.

 

[Sharpdogs]

Probably one of the waved Spydercos. You have the best of both worlds because of the wave feature and thumb hole. I would use a speed dialer to carry it. The Buck 110 w/thumbstud is a close runner for me because it makes a heck of a fistload. You have the non-lethal option as well as the blade. Here's picture of the Spyderco Waved Endura.

https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=125

 

[HornsKeith]

It may still be a few months before it comes out, but I'm hopeful that the Spyderco P'Kal might fit this bill. It should have good ergonomics for a variety of hand positions, be quickly deployable via the wave function, and have a strong lock with the ball bearing lock. It also looks like it'll be sized about right. I'm planning to pick one up whenever they're released, even though they're a bit pricey.

Keith

 

[El Tejon]

Pretty subjective. I would want something with a strong lock up and something that feels "right" with a reverse grip (how we train knives).

Can you get to a knife shoppe and handle a bunch?

 

[sm]

Agree with JShirly and hso's replies above.

What I have actually used for defense:

-Case Trapper, Yellow handles with Vanadium Blades.

 

[Sharpdogs]

That P'Kal looks interesting, kind of like an updated version of the Kershaw Talon.

 

[tarrigoni]

Any one of my Emersons. I have at least one on me at all times.

Luckily, though, I live in a state where I can legally carry my G19 basically anywhere.

 

[Boom-stick]

That P'Kal looks interesting

+1 to that, I've been trying to find out them for an age, theres an Urban myth that they even be offered with a matching trainer in a box set

 

[Telesway]

+1 to waved Spydercos. Well, to waved anything!

A couple of things to look for in a good folder:
-it has to have a wave on it
-it has to be made of good steel (A8/A10/VG8/BG10/440C etc)
-it stays in your hand even when the handle is wet

Why raving about the wave? Try one, carry a waved folder for a week, and THEN try going back to thumbstuds or thumbholes etc.

The way I see it is that for self protection get a fixed blade.

However, if, for some odd reason, that is just not an option and you definitely need a folder then at the very least get one that is waved and PRACTICE like hell opening it! Practice so much that you can open it in the middle of the night against your pyjama's waist band, standing up, sitting on the bed, lying down, you have to be proficient enough to get it open in awkward situations. Get a drone/training version of the knife and have your partner(s) attack you while you try to defend yourself AND produce the knife into play.

My first choice when it comes to a self protection carry blade is a fixed blade. It varies from a Benchmade CBK push dagger to a Cold Steel Counter TAC II.

However, I also carry a waved Spyderco Delica (plastic handle: the steel handle gets slippery when wet) as a back up. I also use the Delica for utility (like cutting open packages, peeling apples etc) while I never, ever use the fixed blades for utility. They're purely for SP.

If it fits your hand the Benchmade Griptilian is another good knife which can be waved. Just be sure not to damage the heat treatment if you wave it yourself!

 

[JTW Jr.]

I would suggest to handle as many different ones you can. FInd something that fits your hand , gives you positive grip , has a strong lock and is also a size where you WILL carry it.

If I weren't going with a fixed blade , I would go with something like a framelock or axis lock.

I prefer a Strider AR , it fits my hand purfect and locks up like a vault. I also always carry a 3" bladed fixed blade ( Rinaldi Matrix or Simonich Crowfoot) and a Strider PT .

I recently got a Zero Tolerance 0301 and I like that one as well , but I always revert back to the AR. From time to time I will switch things up and carry a Jim Burke proto necker , Blackwood Custom Henchman or Simonich Urban Raven.

You have many excellent choices to choose in factory knives from Spyderco , Emerson , Benchmade , Kershaw , etc. Then you could also venture into the custom/handmade world

Do you have a price you would like to stay under ? I think a price range would help narrow you to some relevant suggestions.