"Don't take a knife to a gunfight." But they come in handy for utility work, and even some folders are adequate for defense. (Although Cold Steel says folders are not adequate for defense.)

I have a Kershaw, made in Oregon (old) stainless, 4" blade, titanium frame, P-10 scales, lock-up folder. It's designed for slashing and stabbing.

I have Cold Steel fixed, double edged, plenty of large, heavy fixed stuff, KaBar, Camillus, CRKT, Case, Schrade . . . "Field Knives."

Last thing I want to do is get into slashing and stabbing. I think I prefer being shot to being seriously sliced.

But I carry a knife for defense and utility.

What's your view?

Cold Steel says Folders are not adequate for Defense????

Where did you see that???

Cold Steel web site:

http://www.coldsteel.com/

It was in a reprinted article -- I just searched and it's not there now. They were talking about what sort of knife is "sufficient" as a "fighting knife."

Their consensus was that folders are not stiff enough, don't have a sufficiently heavy blade, and don't have a long enough blade for a serious "fighting knife."

This doesn't mean they're not lethal. But for knife fighting -- which Cold Steel is all gung-ho on -- a "fighting knife" is a heavy, fixed, long, single edged knife.

I have a couple of Benchmades, and I generally carry one or the other. I have no intention of getting into a knife fight but I see possibly using it to end a fight!
Peter.

Come on, guys. This is the kind of crap the hosts of this forum where hoping to avoid.

quote:

Originally posted by TWL:
Come on, guys. This is the kind of crap the hosts of this forum where hoping to avoid.

What sort of "crap" are you talking about? We're discussing "personal defense" and whether or not you've ever considered carrying a knife -- and if so what sort? If not, why not?

I see nothing contentious in this posts, not even yours.

I'll say it again. This is the kind of crap the hosts of this forum where hoping to avoid.

Believe it or not "Don't bring a gun to a knife fight" is just as true.

I would rather have a blade up close. Check out some of Gabe Suarez's and the Dog Brother's work.

TWL, I too am not sure what you are driving at. Having said that, I consider a folder a defensive weapon. If someone carried a large fixed blade knife I would probably NOT consider that a defensive weapon.
Peter.

I dunno where you guys live, but in NE Texas and SE Oklahoma they ONLY get into fights with their fists after school or somewhere they, by accident, don't have or can't get to a knife. Get in a serious fight around here and you'll almost certainly be cut or shot and that's a fact. I know at least 3 guys that lost a fight by having to hold their guts in..........

quote:

Originally posted by TWL:
I'll say it again. This is the kind of crap the hosts of this forum where hoping to avoid.

We tried to ignore you the first time.

quote:

Originally posted by TWL:
I'll say it again. This is the kind of crap the hosts of this forum where hoping to avoid.

+1

I try to carry a knife as often as possible, they're just damned handy. I've used them as all kinds of tools in a pinch, chisel, pry-bar, screwdriver.

for defense? I've gone for my knife and although folders aren't "ideal", ANYTHING is a weapon when necessity demands. I had a karate instructor once, massive guy too (I was about 200-225 lbs probably and he could lift me off the ground by the front of my gi and punch me with his free hand), he told me two statements that I remember 18+ years later

in regards to fighting fair "I once picked up a steel trash can and hit a guy over the head. I won" (it doesn't matter how you win, as long as you win)

and "nobody blocks my 44".

in short, anything will work. I also keep axe handles next to most of my doors, and love the feel of a good maglite in my hand.

if you intend your knife for defense though, you should spend the same amount of time on it as you do your gun. practice pulling and opening it. (here I feel cold steel knives have an advantage, at least the models I've had, the way the clip is oriented when you pull the knife you're already in position to open it. My benchmade is bassackwards). you should also have some general knowledge or training in knife fighting.

Red

quote:

Originally posted by TWL:
Come on, guys. This is the kind of crap the hosts of this forum where hoping to avoid.

Sincere question. What am I missing?

The question has been asked three times. Still no answer.
Peter.

The forum is entitled "Personal Defence." I view knives as being part of that realm, and not in the least "disruptive." I still don't understand the complaint.

Here is the thing about a "Knife"...

It is a tool as well as a weapon...

I have always carried a knife, since I was a Cub Scout...

Now, I always carry a Swiss Army knife, and a bigger knife as well. Usually 2 bigger knives.

I carry a Cold Steel Voyager that Lynn Thompson Personally gave me... Watch his videos if you want to see how effective this "folder" really is...

A knife never jams, and never runs out of ammo.

A human can be killed with one thrust of a knife...

He can be discouraged, and severly handcapped, with one slash...

IF someone is within 21 feet of you with a knife, and they have ANY knowledge on how to use it, YOU are in SERIOUS danger...

I have seen several people killed with "cutting, stabbing" instruments...

A knife is just another tool in a persons personal protection "kit", with a little training, and with a fair amount of determination...


Plus, If you do not have a knife, how are you going to clean your fingernails???

Cane is an effective weapon. The one I own has a 30" double edged blade in the shaft. Shaft doubles as a parrying club or bludgeon.

quote:

Originally posted by 0X0:
Cane is an effective weapon. The one I own has a 30" double edged blade in the shaft. Shaft doubles as a parrying club or bludgeon.

OXO I would not disagree with that statement...

However, in many states, including Texas, an illegal "knife" carries a serious penalty grade higher,than the illegal carrying of a handgun...


Also, most states that have a concealed carry law,they allow handguns... BUT NOT edged weapons...

In Texas ANY double edged knife, or any knife over 5 1/2 inches is an illegal knife...

Also some cities have misdomeaner laws against ANY locking blade knife...

The theory is, that a scared person, might carry a handgun.... ONLY a "bad ass" would carry an BIG knife...

Interesting -- TX has strict knife bans because that's the preferred weapon of Hispanics. Just like most carry laws were enacted to prevent "armed Negros."

In this state switchblades (automatics) are lawful. Anything, any length is lawful if not carried concealed. Pocket clip on a large knife constitutes "visible carry." Sword cane is "visible carry."

Don't mess with the old farts carrying canes. They'll beat you to death with it, even if there's not a sword inside.

Emerson Wave Karambit

Dalton M6

I lost/misplaced a Microtech automatic recently


Cold Steel Tanto MIA


Buck pocket folder

USMC Entrenching Machete circ. WWII

Excellent topic OXO

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Here is the thing about a "Knife"...

It is a tool as well as a weapon...

I have always carried a knife, since I was a Cub Scout...

Now, I always carry a Swiss Army knife, and a bigger knife as well. Usually 2 bigger knives.

I carry a Cold Steel Voyager that Lynn Thompson Personally gave me... Watch his videos if you want to see how effective this "folder" really is...

A knife never jams, and never runs out of ammo.

A human can be killed with one thrust of a knife...

He can be discouraged, and severly handcapped, with one slash...

IF someone is within 21 feet of you with a knife, and they have ANY knowledge on how to use it, YOU are in SERIOUS danger...

I have seen several people killed with "cutting, stabbing" instruments...

A knife is just another tool in a persons personal protection "kit", with a little training, and with a fair amount of determination...


Plus, If you do not have a knife, how are you going to clean your fingernails???

Lynn C. Thompson: Knife Fighting 1 of 3 (coldsteel.com)

STEVE TARANI KARAMBIT 1 of 2
The music doesn't last long

Knifes are very useful tools and can be very useful weapons at the right time and place. I sure would not want to be with in cutting distance of any body with a sharp knife who knows how to use it.

Even with a very short blade one can put the hurt on some one very quickly. No they don't have the reach of other weapons.

The trick is not to show your knife sucker the attacker in close and have at it.

After seeing what a attacker can do in a very short time you don't want to be on the reciving end.

Having been cut accidently several times one quite severly in my left thigh.( a 2.5 wide 9 inch razor sharp bowie stuck in about 3 inchs.) I still suffer from numbness in the back of my leg from it and that was 8 years ago. One does not allways just sew them up and go on your merry way.

I sure do not want to be cut by some one trying to do real damage to me.

Never ran out of ammo with a knife, never had on jam up on me.

Whereas someone might expect that you're not really going to shoot them . . . close quarters, ancillary casualties, etc. . . . the ol' slash and stab is the sort of defense you can do without risking the lives of by-standers.

We don't often hear of someone carrying on the attack when they've been slashed or stabbed.

Not that I'd give up having a gun for a knife. Having both is a good plan . . .

I carry a Columbia River equivalent of their M16 model. I have been trained how to use it and defend knife attacks. Unfortunately, I have had to use it just once in a bar in Abilene Texas. A very nice Hispanic guy got mad because my BIL bought his girlfriend a drink. Words were had, his knife came out, so did mine. He came at me with the intent of plunging it into my midsection. I had to block his thrust with my knife hand (luckily I am left handed) and proceeded to filet his thrusting arm from just blow the wrist to the elbow. He lived, I walked because of self defense, and I never saw the need to go back to that establishment.

That was all before my CCW.

Gawd! I hate Texas!

I was in San Antonio for training (Ft. Sam Houston), and it seems every night the lead in the news was a stabbing.

Hitchhiking in the Ft. Hood area, Killeen TX. The guy offering the ride checked me for guns before I got into his truck.

Killeen TX -- Shot up by Bonnie & Clyde, and later the site of the Luby's Massacre shootout, which resulted in TX passing its carry laws.

Texas is a scary place. Leads the nation in capital executions. The whole damned state just looks like the set for a "jail breakout" movie.

Here is an exercise that I was shown in a concealed carry course.

Give your partner and yourself a magic marker and use it on each other like a knife. In short order you and he will be covered with ink marks. Now if each of those was a deep cut, well.

Good exercise showing the validity of the seven yard rule. If you are threatened with a knife like that it is time to consider the gravest extreme and withdraw as quickly as possible, up to a point
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