Knife Stuff
Ok, if you read two things today, make sure the second one is this. A good discussion on how to fight with a knife, in case it comes up. An insightful and, frankly, thought-provoking piece on something I’ve never really thought about.
Speaking of knives, I decided I need a new every day carry knife. I have, for years, carried a Leatherman Skeletool. I like it. It’s a good tool. Trouble is, it’s not a fast opening, defensive type of knife. When I asked someone who I figured knew a thing or two about knives, Breda said to me:
a multi tool is a tool
a pocket knife is a weapon you pass off as a tool
So, what’s a good one?
In the running so far for me are the Columbia River Knife And Tool’s Delegate. That is one sexy looking knife.
I’ve also always had a thing for Tanto blades and this Gerber FAST is in the running, but it’s much shorter on the sexy than the Delegate.
What say you?
December 15th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Stay away from partially serrated blades. The jagged edge just gets in the way of every thing you want to accomplish with a blade. Plus, to really be useful, they should be at the tip, not at the rear of the blade. Just marketing designs, I think. Because they look sinister. Prior to 9-11 you couldn’t fly with one, because they were “intimidating looking”. Full length ok, half and half no way.
December 15th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Some thoughts after spending a year training with knife and empty hands on defense and offense:
– Using a knife as a weapon is not all that complicated, altho training does make you more efficient and dangerous. A determined person with a pointy object – knife, Bic pen, nail, etc — can do a lot of damage.
– Using a knife as a weapon AND not getting hurt in return…more complicated. Training helps a lot.
– At hands-on or near-hands-on distances — e.g. where most civilian violent interactions occur — knife is scarier/more effective than handgun. Handgun has a deadly zone about 9mm or .45 in diameter extending from muzzle straight out. Knife has point, edge(s), can move like lightning, doesn’t run out of ammo, doesn’t jam, and doesn’t proved a safe place for opponent to grab for disarm.
– For training, find course with Tom Sotis and AMOK! I have heard many good things abou Janich, but haven’t been to his courses. Been to Sotis twice, he is good.
– Also for training, and just as important — find at least one other person, preferably more, to practice with (or against?) There are various AMOK training groups around the country
– Fixed blade is simple and reliable – you only have to access it, not access AND open.
– Folder gives you close to twice as much knife (once deployed) as a fixed blade in the same storage space (e.g. pocket).
– Folder must have STRONG lock. Do not like any liner lock or similar. Heard good things about Axis; have Cold Steel Triad locks. Have CRKT M-16, small version, nice utility knife, until lock froze in open position. Wiggling the blade (simulating use over time or sticking it in something with force) on many liner-type locks can quickly defeat the lock and let it close.
– Having a small blade, fixed or folder, is easier to tote around, less “threatening” to the uneducated, more easily passed off as a tool versus weapon. But once the fight starts, big blade more reassuring, an extra inch or two or four makes a big difference in reach and threat. Cold Steel Spartans and Voyagers conceal very well.
More reading:
Suarez thoughts on fighting blade:
http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?56107-Ten-Attributes-To-Select-Your-Fighting-Knife
December 15th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
p.s. the article you linked — “The Right to Knife” — is very good. You would find Sotis and AMOK a good complement to this.
Grossman’s “On Killing” has some thoughts on killing that may give insight as to why knife fighting discombobulates many, is often considered a “dark art” (versus a gun) or “only bad guys fight with knives.
December 15th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Spyderco V8-10 non-serrated.
December 15th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I carry a cheap Chinese knockoff of a Leatherman. It cost me only $5 and is adequate. When it wears out, I want a Buck X-Tract Essential.
December 15th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Plenty of feedback here, unfortunately I can’t read it all. I would add if it hasn’t been said – I cannot name a company in any industry who has better customer service and response than Kershaw. I own 5 of their pocket knives as well as 5 kitchen knives from their Shun series. Lifetime free sharpening and warranty, amazing customer service.
I’m sure that there are plenty of great knives out there but Kershaw has locked me in as a customer for life.
December 16th, 2011 at 12:55 am
Lots of good points above. I second (or third, or fourth) the motion for Benchmade. I often carry one for each hand.
Recently I replaced the left-hand folder with a fixed blade, currently a CRKT Kasper/Polkowski. It’s fast & balances well; however, I’ve been studying the KABAR TDI for some time. The design offers some distinct advantages, & I think the large, tanto, non-serrated model will be replacing the CRKT. Serrated blades are not a good choice for social applications.
Finally, for a pocket tool that won’t frighten sheeple (well…most sheeple), the little Gerber folders that take replaceable utility-knife blades are the handiest things I’ve found.
December 16th, 2011 at 2:32 am
i’ve been carrying a Benchmade Rift for a few years and seriously doubt I will buy another knife that doesn’t have an axis lock. Easy to open one handed, easy to fold one handed, and very, very secure when open.
December 16th, 2011 at 5:50 am
Sounds like what you want is a weapon that you can pass off as a tool. Try a Puukko or a Mora knife. Small, efficient and a tried and true tool for fighting, farm work or craft work. Best of all, it’s a belt knife, not a folder, so all your money goes towards a good blade, not a fancy mechanism for making two pieces of steel act like one.
December 16th, 2011 at 8:12 am
For those who’d like a bit more about defensive knife use and all the ramifications thereof.
And a very nice place to get training knives and marking systems, so you can practice.
December 16th, 2011 at 11:40 am
I’m partial to the SOG TF-7 (http://www.amazon.com/SOG-Specialty-Knives-TF-7-Trident/dp/B000IXDIOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324048617&sr=8-1) since I have one. I’ve carried it every day for a couple years now, and while I haven’t had to slay zombies with it yet, it has performed nobly against cardboard boxes, zip ties and even for cutting holes in drop ceiling tiles. The clip lets it ride low in your pocket so that it’s not sticking up advertising its presence if that’s a concern for you. I like the locking mechanism; it makes it easy to open and close it all one handed, and it feels very solid when open. I’m not a big fan of the safety because it will occasionally engage in my pocket unbeknowst to me, but I’ve heard that some people just put a bit of epoxy on the safety switch to hold it open. The “cord cutter” feature is interesting, but not terribly useful. It tends to require more force in my opinion than just opening the blade and cutting, but there have been a handful of occassions when it was beneficial because it allowed me to cut just the item I wanted to without damaging other surrounding items such as cutting a zip tie from a bundle of cables. As far as defensive use, the handle is 5″ long so you have a good grip, the blade is very strong with a spine a full 1/8 of an inch thick and the point is, well, damn pointy.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
The Delgate is a nice knife, very gentlemanly in size and function, light too. Since it is smaller it might prove a bit difficult to operate in a high stress situation.
If you would like something similar (assisted opening) I’d suggest the Ignitor. It is a bit more beefy blade with more belly – so much larger cutting edge and a handle that better fills the palm.
However, due to their opening/locking mechanism neither knife is particularly heavy duty. But, in my opinion no folder really is (which is why I’ll always carry a fixed blade when hunting or otherwise out in the woods.
The Ignitor is my current EDC, while the Delegate is my pocket knife for more dressy occasions.