Everyday knives

[dzu]

Anyone carry a pocket/folding knife for work/utility/self defense reasons? I'm looking around at various Spyderco's, but am open to other suggestions.

Dzu

[anerlich]

I have a Cold Steel Land and Sea Rescue, but IMHO it's pretty hard to go wrong with Spyderco's. I'm probably going to buy one myself in the near future.

There are quite a few good folders out there. The main thing is to make sure the handle and opening action match your hand, the grips you plan to use, and any pecularities of your knife fighting style.

Try www.bladeforums.com (http://www.bladeforums.com) if you want a whole lot of specialist advice.

[Sharky]

I want one, but where the hell do u get them from?

They're obviously illegal here.

"You can't see it if you blind but we will always prevail (true)/Life is like the open sea, the truth is the wind in our sail/And in the end, our names is on the lips of dying men/If ever crushed in the earth, we always rise again/When the words of lying men sound lush like the sound of a violin/The truth is there, it's just the heart you gotta find it in" - Talib Kweli

[Sihing73]

Hello,

I have and carry a Buck BU-180D3. This allows one hand opening and closing and comes with a clip for the belt. I was pleasently surprised by the quality of the clip, though I wear mine inside a pants pocket. Over the years, I've had and carried it for almost 5 now, it has held up very well. It is accessible and legal in all 50 states. Like I said it allows one hand opening and closing which makes it pretty "handy".

Spyderco makes a good line of products as well but I find Buck to be a well respected name and I think the prices are a little more in line with the average joe. My knife runs around $89 and I bought it for about $60 so it was not that bad. Buck offers a full line of knives to include tactical knives as well as utility knives.

Peace,

Dave
BTW: The following link is a nice resource for different blade manufacturers:

http://www.ultimateblades.com/

[This message was edited by Sihing73 on 09-19-01 at 04:50 PM.]

[sunkuen]

Hi
I have a kershaw that I carry with me everywhere.The handle is aircraft aluminum,liner locker style.I would definitly advise the liner locker because of the one handed operation.Drop point blade,partially serrated is my choice.My buck has a clip point with no serration and while it is razor sharp i find the part serrated blade much better.Price for the buck and the kershaw each,U.S.$75 approx.

"Never cut towards your thumb,always cut towards your chum"

[anerlich]

Sharky,

It's supposed to be illegal to carry knives for defense where I live, too, but there seems to be a loophole for "utility knives" like these, as they do have real uses in some lines of work. I don't know the situation in Britain, but some suggestions:

army surplus/disposal stores
MA shops (ask kali or escrima guys too)
gun shops (anywhere you can buy a gun you can probably buy knives - I got mine from a gun shop, no permit required like for a shooter)
military memorabilia shops
large hardware stores

Naturally if the cops stop you, you need to be able to convince them you are carrying for work or non-violence related hobby purposes.

[fmann]

Possibly the best forum for knife info and discussion:

Bladeforums.com (http://www.bladeforums.com)

I'm a member there, too. Also www.onestopknifeshop.com (http://www.onestopknifeshop.com ) is a store that has a lot of detailed specs on various knives.

Rather than schpeel about my hobby, some low priced knives you might want to look in to for self-defense, utility, etc.:

small fixed blades:
Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) Carson F4 ~$20
Camillus Arclite ~$20
Newt Livesay Woo ~$25

folders:
CRKT small Kasper Fighting Folder ~$30
Camillus EDC ~$30 (low end steel) $50 (high quality steel)
Spyderco Native ~$45
Spyderco Goddard lightweight (discontinued though) ~$50

For self defense, nothing beats a fixed blade, but you'll attract more attention, legal and otherwise.

[Martial Joe]

I carry a sub machine gun...hows that for everyday knife?


To be serious I had a gerber when i was 12 and I cut my finger and it blead alot...

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/lolup.gif IXIJoe KaveyIXIhttp://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/lolup.gif
I am Sharky's main man...

[Gluteus Maximus]

I always carry a Puma short-bladed folding knife that I bought in 1980 for $75 so it would cost a lot more now. It's handy for slitting throats. The only drawback I've found with it is the amount of blood you get all over yourself when you plunge it in. For that reason I prefer a long-bladed knife but it's not always practical to carry one.

Max

Yooby Yoody

[rogue]

Lot's of relativly inexpensive Gerbers.

From now on, enemies who are associated with terrorist activity will not cohabit the globe with the United States of America. William F. Buckley

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us-gads.gif
Never forget

[EmptyCup]

I carry a folder from Smith & Wesson most of the time. It is half serrated and very easily opened by thumb stud. The blade is i think 5 inches...6 max. I'm not sure if that's legal in TO but it should be.

I was going to upgrade to a Cold Steel Gunsite folder but there are no dealers that I know of here and I don't want to order through mail...the tanto tip is very strong though and great for piercing without worrying about the blade snapping off. If Cold Steel's claims are correct, they are the best blade manufacturers in the country :)

and no, I don't work for them...

also used to carry around an asp...but the ones on the market now are badly designed and of low quality...the ones cops have are much better. They used to have ones that opened with a button but those are illegal now...oh well...

P.S.

I used to carry a machete around but it felt uncomfortable so... :)

[Gluteus Maximus]

For that reason I'd never choose a small-bladed knife with a smooth handle. Not much fun when the knife shoots out of your hand after the first thrust or two.

Max

Yooby Yoody

[BeiKongHui]

I carry a Columbia River Carson M16-13Z. It is a liner lock, with a thumb stud on the spine for super-fast opening. The blade holds an incredible edge and I get a Kali guy I know to sharpen it for me so it's sharp enough to shave with. The handle is aircraft aluminum and makes an excellent weapon even without the blade. It has a belt clip which I wear clipped to a pocket so to strike a balance betwen concealment and "quick draw".

I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.
--Khalil Gibran

[fmann]

For self-defense, nothing beats a fixed blade. No opening motion, no possible lock failure, and usually no lack of a guard (to prevent your fingers from running over the blade when you thrust).

Seriously, if you're taken by surprise, you're going to fumble the opening motion, drawing, the clip snagging your pocket by accident, etc. unless you train it non-stop every day.

The Kershaw Speed-safes w/ flippers/guards are really nice. Emerson's with the wave feature are nice, too.

[dzu]

Thanks for the info guys. I was at my local knife shop yesterday handling some knives and foudn out that I need a longer handle. THe Spyderco Delica, Native, and Calypso have too small a handle and the Endura feels OK, but would feel better with an extra .5 to 1 inch.

I realize that fixed blades are better for self defense, but I don't want to worry about sheathes and the like. A folder with a clip seems more convenient.

Dzu

[BeiKongHui]

The police can handle you having a folder better than a dirk or dagger also. The dull side of the blade gives you the excuse that it's a tool as opposed to a weapon.

I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.
--Khalil Gibran

[old jong]

Use a knife and you will have to make your next one in prison to defend your "honnor" maybe? :rolleyes:

Les paroles s'envolent.
Les écrits restent!...

[dlew308]

Costs more but they're good stuff!!!
Don't bother with copycats. Get the real deal.

[MixedMartialArtist]

Don't forget about these beauties. They may be illegal in some areas, but they're compact, easily concealed, and, with a little practice, you can open them from any starting position very quickly. Trade shows, pawn shops, and flea markets are great places to find such semi-illegal items. I carry a 5" balisong (not sure about the brand) all the time.

[Sihing73]

Hello,

Sorry but I would have to state a firm "No thanks" to the balisong knife. While an excellent weapon and very versatile the simple fact that they are illegal in some places would automatically cross them off of my list.

All of the other blades mentioned so far, lockblades, are legal to carry in all 50 states. While the balisong is legal in PA, where I live, they have the distinction of being considered a weapon and nothing more. At least with a lockblade you can argue the point of it having some "utility" purpose.

With the recent events in NYC and DC I would expect to see even stricter interpretations of the law with regards to carrying a knife. For example, I was called into my mangers office today and questioned about the knife I carry in my pocket. Seems like someone saw it and became concerned that I had a weapon in the work-place. Luckily my manger has a great deal of confidence in my judgement and accepted the fact that I used it to cut open boxes and such. I could imagine her reaction if I had pulled out a balisong rather than my buck :(

Considering that if you carry a knife and actually have to use it the deck will already be stacked against you. Unless you can articulate a "legal" reason for having the knife most people will assume you carried it with the intention of using it on your fellow man. If you carry a dagger or single blade or a balisong type of knife it will go even harder on you when you try to explain the legal use of such a thing. Not so with the traditional lock-blade. Many young boys are given and carry a "pocketknife". It has become almost acceptable that one can carry a pocketknife and use it for legal purposes. When you look at most lockblades, the general public does not differentiate between them and a common pocketknife.

Peace,

Dave

[popsider]

There seems to be a big difference between the UK and USA. Relatively few people in the UK carry a knife. Personally I wouldn't want to carry one, the only time I think it would be wise to pull one would be if I were confronted by someone with a similar weapon or I was **** sure I was in a fight with people that wanted to do more than give me a kicking. What I am saying is I think I'd rather risk serious injury/death in a fist fight than stab someone because you can be sure that if you do that in the UK you ARE going to get sent down.

Having said that I have been in a situation where a friend and I were confronted in a dark alley by half a dozen thugs intent on *fun* - my friend pulled a knife and all of a sudden they were happy to let us go on our way - so I can see why you might want one.

[kungfu cowboy]

Its a joke that knives with basically the same blade length and ability are regarded as legal because their overall shape (like style of hilt, whatever else) is percieved as utilitarian versus as a weapon. Seems a bit ignorant. I can purposefully carry a legal knife with as much intent as an illegal one.

"If do right, no can defense!"----Mr. Miyagi

[Sihing73]

Hello kungfu cowboy,

You raise a good point regarding intent. If you read over my post you will see that no matter what you carry you will have the burden of proving your intentions were not to use the weapon should you ever need to.

The benefit of carrying an "acceptable" knife is that most people will more readily accept the fact that you were not carrying it with the intention of using it on someone else.

The bottom line is that if you ever do use a knife you had better be prepared to explain its use and why you carried it no matter the type. It would be a lot harder though, IMHO, to convince a Judge or Jury that the 9" Bowie in your boot was there in case you needed it to open a box or cut some rope. Especially if you live in the city.
:D

Peace,

Dave

[Jeff Brown]

If you have advanced martial arts training and you cut someone with a knife, no judge in the world is going to sympathize with you unless your opponent had a gun.

[chi-kwai]

I am curious how many of you train responses to knife attacks in your respective schools.

--
chi kwai

[Gluteus Maximus]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> If you have advanced martial arts training and you cut someone with a knife, no judge in the world is going to sympathize with you unless your opponent had a gun.
[/quote]

True. Or unless you are outnumbered by a gang maybe. The situation in Australia is similar to Popsiser's description of how the UK is. I live in a fairly peaceful country town and never carry one in town - only out bush where I use it to put injured animals I come across out of their misery and for dispatching and skinning animals on the rare occasions that I go hunting. I would consider carrying one in certain parts of some Australian cities that are overrun by violent gangs if I ever visited those areas though.

Max

Yooby Yoody

[BeiKongHui]

No way would I use my knife in a street fight unless the other person attempted to stab me (I have had that misfortune once and nearly a second time)or there was some sort of huge threat to my safety or a loved ones. Not only do I not want to face the inevitable legal action but I'd have to live with the fact I stabbed someone.

As far as training for knife defense/fighting I have trained knife vs. knife and empty hand vs. knife. From my training alone I know I never want to get in a knife fight no matter how good at it I may be I know I will be cut.

I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.
--Khalil Gibran

[Sihing73]

Hello Meng Shuo,

You are right to a degree. The fact that you have trained in the Martial Arts can be a factor in determining whether or not you took the proper response to a situation. However, in the state of PA the bottom line is the level of threat you faced.

In other words, the use of force is permitted based on the threat to your safety. This threat can be real or can be perceived. The standard would be far less for a woman than most men. In PA you have a duty to retreat even if you did not instigate the incident. However, you are not required to retreat from your home. Also, the duty to retreat stands only if you can do so with reasonable safety. In other words if you think that running away will expose you to more danger, or if you feel the attacker will simply chase you down and you can't get away the duty to retreat minimizes. Generally, you ar epermitted the use of force in order to protect yourself or others from risk of serious bodily injury or death. The threat must be belivedable in order for force to be justified. For example, if I say I will shoot you but don't have a gun the threat is not considered real. However, if I have my hand in my pocket, jacket or behind my back then the threat rises in believeability and the perception of being in danger also rises, giving you more options. Another thing to consider is the fact that the amount of force you are permitted is equal to or greater than the force faced. You are permitted to use the necessary amount of force to secure your safety and eliminate the threat. If your opponent attacks you with a knife you are permitted to use deadly force while he is in possession of the knife and is able and willing to use it against you. If, however, you disarm him you are no longer justified in using deadly force.

Should you ever need to use a knife in real life remember these things:
1) You only happened to have the knife for legal purposes and be prepared to give some examples. You did not carry it with the intent of using it if you were attacked!
2) You were in fear of serious bodily injury or harm. It does not matter if you felt you could have beaten the attacker or not, you feared for your safety!
3) Your martial arts training is a means of toning yor body and helping with mental well-being. Try to paint it like a dance class or as a means of spiritual enlightenment. Some of you may take offense at this but remember, if you present yourself as some type of modern warrior the perception in court will be that you used excessive force regardless of the circumstances. Not impossible to overcome but you will have more of an uphill battle.
4) If you are charged then do not offer any help to those arresting you. Let your lawyer do all of your talking for you.
5) Remember that even if you win in Criminal court there is still the very real possibility of beign sued in Civil Court.

One last thing and perhaps the most important;
Never pull a weapon if you are not prepared to use it!! Don't rely on the showing of a weapon to scare the attacker away. If you pull it be ready to use it and face whatever consequences arise!

Peace,

Dave

[popsider]

"Never pull a weapon if you are not prepared to use it!!... If you pull it be ready to use it and face whatever consequences arise!"
Dave

A maxim that can be applied in so many walks of life.

[dlew308]

I tried to email you but it bounced.
Email me your address, thanks
dlew at no-msg.com


David Lew