Posted on 06/28/2019 9:46:23 AM PDT by w1n1
We have all heard of never bring a knife to a gunfight. True, but depending on the situation knives do have the advantage over guns in short range fights. Knives do have their disadvantages as well, nothing is perfect. Having a knife as a backup to your pistol should be a part of your every day carry. Sometimes, getting to your pistol isn't always that easy when you’re caught in close quarter and have to do some hand-to-hand and getting the knife out was easier.
f you decide to carry a knife with the intent of using it to defend yourself or your family then be prepared for the harsh reality of a knife fight. Here are some things to consider when getting a self defense EDC knife. You want to weigh these factors: concealable, ease of use, and legality.
Concealable/Easy Access
The school of thought is if you want the knife concealed then position it out of sight out of mind. What we get is people clipping their folded knife to their pockets for the world to see.
The other thing is common sense, hiding a three inch folding knife is easier than a full size 6 inch blade Kabar. There are some sentiments that people say you should hide the knife until the exact moment you strike them with it. Thats up to you.
Ease of Use & Carry Position
This covers a cross between having a knife in your pocket or clipped inside at the appendix or anywhere on the pants or garment. So which position is the best for you to access?
Think of economy of motion, how many layers of clothing will you need to peel in order to get your knife out. We’re not going to go deep into this, because its all about choosing a position to store that knife. Then, run it through some hand-to-hand drills and see if you can get to your knife quickly. Thats going to be your answer. We can go on and on why the appendix is the best to go with. But, what if you attire is a 3 piece suit and its what you wear at your corporate job.
Here's a short quick list of folding knife and fixed blade.
Spyderco P'Kal - Spyderco claims that the name P'Kal comes from the word "pikal," spoken in the Philippines. It means "to rip," and that’s exactly what this knife is meant for. The P'Kal's edge is along the inside of the curve. This gives it great power for pulling cuts.
Fox 479 Black G10 Folding Karambit - This tool has been field tested in the most extreme climates by some truly hardcore people, and has proven itself time and time again to be of the highest quality. Whether you need a utility knife to open boxes and clamshell packaging or a reliable self-defense tool to open a can of whoop ass.
Gerber Ghoststrike - You can hide this knife anywhere then strike when you need to. The sheath can clip onto your belt, or it can attach to the included neoprene wrap to hide on your ankle. Also, unlike some knives on this list, you can rotate the sheath for horizontal carry.
Cold Steel Defender Push Dagger - Cold Steel, Incorporated was founded in 1980. This dagger is by far the easiest to use if you’re not a trained knife fighter. The motion used is similar to punching, which utilizes gross motor skills not the fancy Filipino slice combo angle 1 and 2. Read the rest of best knife for self defense.
Fatal cuts are pretty much limited to the neck, inside of the arms and inside of the thighs.
You need to stab in a knife fight. You need a blade that can both cut and stab. At least a 4” blade with 6” needed for jackets / fat.
Karambit style blades cut very well. But they only cut. I think they are a poor design for a weapon.
Daggers do not cut well. Again, why limit your ability to attack.
This is a knife that can both cut and stab well.
Deep belly and mass for cuts and point geometry close enough to stab well (not quite linear in this case but good enough). Has many other good attributes including being comfortable in the pocket.
I prefer a good Bowie knife but the authorities frown on those.
![](https://i.ibb.co/L6MLVQ8/IMG-4539.jpg")
Quit being nine.
Here’s an affordable modern version, with excellent grip and
forearm sheath. The handle is toward the wrist, and the sheath in position on the underside of the forearm, of the opposite arm from the “right” or “left” handed fighter.
Loose cuff worn. Reach in— pull the knife out even as working to put in position for a slash or a stab. Very fast, with training will defeat an old style switchblade.
Here’s an affordable modern version, with excellent grip and
forearm sheath. The handle is toward the wrist, and the sheath in position on the underside of the forearm, of the opposite arm from the “right” or “left” handed fighter.
Loose cuff worn. Reach in— pull the knife out even as working to put in position for a slash or a stab. Very fast, with training will defeat an old style switchblade.
Sorry- heres the link, two photos at bottom: https://www.bladehq.com/item—Scorpion-Knives-Fairbairn-Sykes—13085
I read an interesting article about Fairbairne. He trained the British Commandos. Some knowledgeable people considered him the best there was in hand to hand fighting.
One of the Commandos said when Fairbairne’s shirt was off, you could see that his body was covered in scars. Event he best gets cut.
Imagine the people he had to fight. Chinese Tong gang opium heroin dealers-— absolute scum of Asia.. real killers.
I’d believe it— scars. But he was the best. And we (US) follow his training for our best Spec Op operators. The speed of the knife, has to be trained in the movement from the sheathing. Lightning quick.
You’re right - very nice:
Another reference comes from Rex Applegate— writer of “Kill or Get Killed”
amazon has it. What a life history his, Fairbairn and Sykes.
Yikes!
Bkmk for my niece!
What we get is people clipping their folded knife to their pockets for the world to see.
= = =
What about ‘concealed’ weapons?
States differ - - blade length, opening style (gravity or spring), etc.
How do I keep legal and not conceal my ‘weapon’? The clip may help.
An associate carried something like a folding ‘hawk bill carpet knife’.
Can’t stab anyone with this, he said, but I can slice the Femoral with a quick slice.
Ditto
The first two are “immediate reaction” weapons.
This takes about 2 seconds...
Yep, I carry 3 knives.
And that is just the “Knife Department.”
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The closest one at hand.
Bayonet mounted on an M1 Garand that is freshly cleaned and loaded...
In the 1990s Spyderco was approached by a specialized branch of U.S. law enforcement about making a knife for their undercover agents. These plain-clothes LEOs found themselves in situations where they often could not carry a firearm but carrying a knife was not a problem. Most had no formal training in self-defense tactics or MBC but as a last resort could use a blade to protect or extricate themselves from a life-threatening situation. This was how the Civilian model came to be.The Civilian has a patented reverse "S" blade that's intended to be used like an oversized claw. The tip is ground to an ultra-thin profile. Deeply curved and full at the belly, the VG-10 ground blade excels in slicing and is available fully SpyderEdged. Because of its distinctly specialized features it is not intended or designed for general utility or everyday use. Curved in all the right places for ergonomic use and retention of the knife, the handle is black G-10. A two position clip supports discreet tip-up or tip down carry on the right side. One of the most specialized CLIPITS in the Spyderco line-up, the Civilian is available in limited quantities.
Those Frenzy blades!!
They could pull double duty as a straight razor for my morning shave.
That said....
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