Let's talk about knives

[Skiprr]

A few points; my personal opinion only.

First, carrying a blade for self-defense requires training, just like carrying a firearm. If you aren’t practiced in using it, you won’t be able to deploy it effectively. Better to have it than not, but your performance under extreme stress will be no better than your training and practice. No different than with your handgun.

Second, folks who decry a blade as unnecessary because they carry a gun might want to rethink that. Inside a radius of zero to 10 feet defending your life is about fighting. It is not about marksmanship.

If you are not aware of, and prepared for, that contingency you will always be at a mental and physical disadvantage to the committed felon who lives and does business in that very zone.

Outside of your home in a metropolitan area, our best stats say that your odds of a deadly encounter are:

• Contact to 3 feet: 34%
• 3 feet to 6 feet: 47%
• 6 feet to 15 feet: 9%

Only 10% of deadly encounters will happen at a distance of over than 15 feet. And 81% will happen at a distance of six feet or less.

Familiar with Tueller’s Drill (he hates calling it a “rule,” so I won’t)? Google it. What it showed was that a committed aggressor could cover 21 feet before a law enforcement officer could deploy and use his firearm.

Don’t worry so much about 21 feet. Worry about six feet.

Third, the purpose of a defensive blade is to either protect your handgun, or allow you to fight your way back to it. Clint Smith said, “The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down.”

At bad-breath distance against a committed aggressor you don’t have time to clear your cover garment and present your handgun.

But a good blade might change the outcome.

Fourth, something used to cut box tops is almost certainly not a defensive blade. Neither is a switchblade. I used to live overseas and had a few switchblade knives, mostly Italian (now discarded). I wouldn’t go into a fight with any of them.

A defensive blade needs to be thick and sturdy. Switchblades, typically, are not.

Thin blades break. Regardless of their carbon composition. The very reason that you wouldn’t want to take a sharp ceramic kitchen knife into a fight.

[AdioSS]

I usually carry a fixed blade (ahead of a flashlight & spare mag on my weak side) along with a folder in my right front pocket. I've carried a pocket knife pretty much every day since I got my Whittling Chip Card in Cub Scouts :)

These days a ZT0560CBCF is riding in my pocket.

Hinderer designed, 3.75" blade with S110V edge, carbon fiber scale, Titanium frame lock, SMOOTH bearing flipper

Often a SOG Vulcan fixed blade is on my hip.

Sharp 5.3" VG-10 full tang blade, but I hate the sheath.

[equin]

A few points; my personal opinion only.

First, carrying a blade for self-defense requires training, just like carrying a firearm. If you aren’t practiced in using it, you won’t be able to deploy it effectively. Better to have it than not, but your performance under extreme stress will be no better than your training and practice. No different than with your handgun.

Second, folks who decry a blade as unnecessary because they carry a gun might want to rethink that. Inside a radius of zero to 10 feet defending your life is about fighting. It is not about marksmanship.

If you are not aware of, and prepared for, that contingency you will always be at a mental and physical disadvantage to the committed felon who lives and does business in that very zone.

Outside of your home in a metropolitan area, our best stats say that your odds of a deadly encounter are:

• Contact to 3 feet: 34%
• 3 feet to 6 feet: 47%
• 6 feet to 15 feet: 9%

Only 10% of deadly encounters will happen at a distance of over than 15 feet. And 81% will happen at a distance of six feet or less.

Familiar with Tueller’s Drill (he hates calling it a “rule,” so I won’t)? Google it. What it showed was that a committed aggressor could cover 21 feet before a law enforcement officer could deploy and use his firearm.

Don’t worry so much about 21 feet. Worry about six feet.

Third, the purpose of a defensive blade is to either protect your handgun, or allow you to fight your way back to it. Clint Smith said, “The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down.”

At bad-breath distance against a committed aggressor you don’t have time to clear your cover garment and present your handgun.

But a good blade might change the outcome.

Fourth, something used to cut box tops is almost certainly not a defensive blade. Neither is a switchblade. I used to live overseas and had a few switchblade knives, mostly Italian (now discarded). I wouldn’t go into a fight with any of them.

A defensive blade needs to be thick and sturdy. Switchblades, typically, are not.

Thin blades break. Regardless of their carbon composition. The very reason that you wouldn’t want to take a sharp ceramic kitchen knife into a fight.

This is interesting info. For a newbie with no blade experience, what kind of blade is best for SD? A fixed blade? Also, how would it be easier or faster to draw a blade for SD in a close-encounter (less than 21 ft) than it would be a handgun? Or I'm guessing a self-defense class and practice would help with that? Are there any SD classes that focus on using a knife? Most of the ones I see advertised are handgun SD classes, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

[bizarrenormality]

This is interesting info. For a newbie with no blade experience, what kind of blade is best for SD? A fixed blade?

I suggest something you can "yank and shank" if you have no training. If you do get training, the best knife styles will depend a lot on your training and personal style.

[spolct]

i could use more training with a knife, but I carry one for utility mostly. although I've decided that if i ever get attacked by a dog while down in the 'other' side of town (a regular occurrence for me) i'll deploy the knife if at all possible. i figure that the ruckus would attract plenty of attention and if i'm going to do harm to somebody's dog and that somebody comes running out i'd rather not have already shown my gun card.

i carry a spyderco paramilitary2 but i've been thinking about finding a lightweight neckie.

[Bang4Buck]

All good suggestions. I'm leaning towards an auto/switchblade because as of September 1, I can carry one. And....it will actually fit in my pocket comfortably. I agree fixed is more practical, but I am generally in business casual or suit and tie. Strutting about a client office with a big knife on my belt wouldn't sit well. Seems the auto/switchblade strikes the best compromise for utility and opens quick for self defense. I've accepted I'll probably have to drop a couple hundred bucks for a good quality auto.

[mescobar_rpls]

A self defense knife should only be used as a self defense knife. You do not want to dull the knife by using it for utility. One should use a utility knife for utility.

[AdioSS]

Well, since the topic is here anyway, I've got a couple NICE knives including a Benchmade Auto for sale still viewtopic.php?f=19&t=67971" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pecos]

My "knife" is either a 9mm or .40 LOL! I never need to get that close to questionable people...knock on wood...

As Crocodile Dundee said (paraphrased) to the Gang-bangers... "You call THAT a knife...he draws his LARGE knife from his back waist band... they scattered!!!

Im not good with knife fighting I carry a pocket knife. If Im attacked with a knife & I cant retreat -there going to meet my .40 !

[Pecos]

Im OLD & cant jump around like a NINJA anymore.

[AdioSS]

if Mic Dundee were to carry a folder, he'd probably carry a Cold Steel Espada XL (or a Rajah II) but probably with the flat G10. The shiny version is the one Mickey Rourke used in The Expandables. Here's a comparison of sizes with a Beretta 92. Many consider that to be a very large pistol, but the Espadas dwarf it!



Up front is the Texas "legal" 5.5" Large Espada.

[karder]

I think a knife is a vital component to any self-defense setup, but as others have said, training and practice with a blade is very important in the event you ever have to deploy it. I have carried Cold Steel knives for years, but I am now really into Grayman knives.

I do agree that you might want to consider carring one knife for utility and daily use, and a second for self-defense. These days I have a leatherman tool on my belt that takes care of my daily needs but like to carry a second blade for "emergency". I like a fixed blade. I carry pistol strong side and knife weak side and practice knife with both hands equally. I figure if I am every pinned up and cannot access pistol my left hand has it's own option.

Picking a knife is probably more personal a decision than picking a pistol as there are so many choices for so many different styles. I think too much is made of blade length. A 5.5 inch blade is great, but some serious damage can be inflicted in seconds with a straight razor. Remember, if you are in a fight, slashing motions may be more effective than thrusting motions depending on the situation, and deploying a folder may be tough under extreme stress, so you want to keep that in mind when picking a blade. Check out http://www.graymanknives.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. They are expensive, but worth it in my opinion. Good luck in you search.

[Bang4Buck]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll probably get an auto first but I suspect I will buy more down the road.

[Abraham]

karder,

The Grayman knives are gorgeous, but I saw no autos.

Presumably, they don't make them...?

Have you taken formal knife fighting classes?

If so, can you share some of what they're comprised of, i.e., average course length, what's involved, etc.

Thanks!