Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 24 total)
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  • #34196
    idbl-fanatic
    Member

    What would be a good knife to carry for self defense? I was looking at the Smith and Wesson SWATLBS not not sure exactly what I should be looking for/at.

    Thanks

    #89257
    don
    Member

    Re: Knife

    LOTS of choices out there!

    Some things to consider, in no particular order:

    whether legality(ies) are a concern or not for you (state and local statutes, etc)
    if you have training, what kind of knife best matches the training you’ve received
    fixed or folder
    blade length
    blade steel
    plain, serrated, combo edge
    blade shape/profile
    grip material & shape (consider it might get bloody/slippery)
    locking mechanism
    manual, assisted, full auto
    how much you want to spend
    how/where (on your person) you plan on carrying it
    how you think you might be using/wielding it
    do you plan on using it for anything else besides “special occasions”
    how does it actually feel in your hand
    could it accidentally open
    could it damage or prematurely wear whatever it’s attached to
    etc…

    #89258
    don
    Member

    Re: Knife

    ETA: as far as the S&W swat lbs goes, if that fits your requirements/wish list, go for it (cheaper than a gas fill up for me). Check the feedback on Amazon and for any reviews on the internet. See if you can find a brick and mortar store that carries it so you can actually play with one in person. IMO, if you want something that you will be using for other things and will last a longer time, I say save up some more and get something better..

    #89259
    idbl-fanatic
    Member

    Re: Knife

    quote Don:

    ETA: as far as the S&W swat lbs goes, if that fits your requirements/wish list, go for it (cheaper than a gas fill up for me). Check the feedback on Amazon and for any reviews on the internet. See if you can find a brick and mortar store that carries it so you can actually play with one in person. IMO, if you want something that you will be using for other things and will last a longer time, I say save up some more and get something better..

    Thanks Don, I was also looking at the Emerson Super Karambit, but I can’t afford $300 for a knife :OhMy:

    #89261
    don
    Member

    Re: Knife

    I have much respect for Guro Ernie as a person, martial artist, and knife maker but I probably wouldn’t get one of his karambits. 1. his SK is pretty pricey for me as well, 2. I prefer my karambits a bit more curved, and 3. I’m not a fan of liner locks (a lot of Emersons are liner locks, I think the SK too).

    I’ve got a 5.11 Tarani Master Karambit (got it like new used for $90) that I prefer over the Emerson SK but it doesn’t have the wave feature. If I feel like I want it to hook the pocket while drawing, I’ll just add a zip tie to the hole.

    If I ever come into some $ (IIRC about $450), I’ll likely be ordering a custom karambit by Joe Brum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcN5YUhHbCc

    http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg226/marjoecassel/karambit.jpg
    https://www.google.com/images?q=joe+brum+karambit&hl=en&gbv=2&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=RxhIVITsA-X2iQLz7IDwCQ&ved=0CCYQsAQ

    #89262
    idbl-fanatic
    Member

    Re: Knife

    What do you think about the Fox 479?

    #89263
    don
    Member

    Re: Knife

    Sorry, no experience with it. Google search yields mixed reviews on the knife and company. The design doesn’t match my preferences. For that price, you could likely get a much nicer non-karambit (traditional) knife. Are you dead set on a karambit?

    #89265
    idbl-fanatic
    Member

    Re: Knife

    quote Don:

    Sorry, no experience with it. Google search yields mixed reviews on the knife and company. The design doesn’t match my preferences. For that price, you could likely get a much nicer non-karambit (traditional) knife. Are you dead set on a karambit?

    No, not really, just want something with fast deployment

    #89266
    idbl-fanatic
    Member

    Re: Knife

    Actually looking further into it, I like the Kershaw EMERSON CQC 7K it has the “Wave” feature, and I like that style of knife, and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper. LOL

    #89267
    don
    Member

    Re: Knife

    quote idbl_fanatic:

    Actually looking further into it, I like the Kershaw EMERSON CQC 7K it has the “Wave” feature, and I like that style of knife, and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper. LOL

    The 6K and 7K look like they have frame locks – not my favorite but I think they’re significantly better than liner locks. I’m not familiar with the steel they’re using but IMO it’s a pretty nice looking knife – and it’s only $30 on Amazon (you could get Four of those for One of the Fox karambit)! http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-6034T-Emerson-Designed-CQC-7K/dp/B00I0RQ0AO

    The blade shape of the 6K is more my style:
    http://www.knifecenter.com/item/KS6034/kershaw-6034-cqc-6k-emerson-folding-knife-325-stonewashed-blade-g10-and-stainless-steel-handles

    I’ve got an Emerson/Kershaw auto commander http://www.bladeops.com/Emerson-Auto-Commander-Automatic-Knife-Black-Han-p/emeautocom.htm that feels real nice in my hand and the 6K and 7K handles look very similar so I’m betting they will feel pretty good too (for me at least)…

    Fwiw, 6K and 7K made in China – if that makes a difference to you…

    #89268
    idbl-fanatic
    Member

    Re: Knife

    quote Don:

    The 6K and 7K look like they have frame locks – not my favorite but I think they’re significantly better than liner locks. I’m not familiar with the steel they’re using but IMO it’s a pretty nice looking knife – and it’s only $30 on Amazon (you could get Four of those for One of the Fox karambit)! http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-6034T-Emerson-Designed-CQC-7K/dp/B00I0RQ0AO

    The blade shape of the 6K is more my style:
    http://www.knifecenter.com/item/KS6034/kershaw-6034-cqc-6k-emerson-folding-knife-325-stonewashed-blade-g10-and-stainless-steel-handles

    I’ve got an Emerson/Kershaw auto commander http://www.bladeops.com/Emerson-Auto-Commander-Automatic-Knife-Black-Han-p/emeautocom.htm that feels real nice in my hand and the 6K and 7K handles look very similar so I’m betting they will feel pretty good too (for me at least)…

    Fwiw, 6K and 7K made in China – if that makes a difference to you…

    Thanks Don!

    #89270
    catapult
    Member

    Re: Knife

    Hey Don, a question for both you and CJs Dad if he happens to be reading this. I know you can use a kerambit either blade up or blade down but what’s your “go to” way to hold it?

    #89273
    don
    Member

    Re: Knife

    Hey Catapult, I primarily hold a karambit with my index finger through the hole and the blade extending out from the pinky side of my hand, tip curving away from me. I have a CRKT bear claw and an Emerson La Griffe that I would hold “blade up”…

    #89274
    bear34
    Member

    Re: Knife

    Aren’t there better SD options than a knife? I would think a collapsing baton, monkey’s fist or some kind of spray would be preferable. Just my opinion.

    #89278
    don
    Member

    Re: Knife

    Hey Bear, suum cuique and YMMV.

    Here in CA, in general, non-LEOs would probably be ok with a knife or spray but not with a baton or slungshot (monkey’s fist) http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di…le=22210-22295. Local municipal codes may also prevent non-LEOs from carrying a knife, e.g. LA County muni code 13.62.010. The running joke with spray is that it’s maybe 80-85% effective on bad guys and 100% on good guys…

    Legalities aside and all else being equal, there are circumstances where I might choose a baton or maybe spray but for serious serious SD, I’d most likely choose a blade (if those 4 items were my only choices).

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 24 total)
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