Good self-defense knife?

T

tjhands

New member
I realize that this thread has nothing to do with guns, but I didn't know on which board to post. I'm looking for a self-defense knife that has a 5-inch or smaller blade. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Kershaw "Ken Onion" spring assisted folding knife. There are a couple of different models with blades in the 3.5" range. Best I've ever handled. Have one in my pocket as I type.

U.F.O.
 
Box cutter. Short stiff blade that will still cut someone well and if a cop grabs you and asks why you have it, you simply forgot it was in your pocket after leaving work/shop.


And while I have heard that suggested, I'm now going to shut up and follow the thread and see what is suggested.

I've got one of those spring assisted knives that the above post mentions. Great knives. I bought mine back when they were still $50 and Kenshaw didn't up the price because they could. But I've talked to a couple cops if it was legal or not, and while they liked it and said it should be fine, they were a little wary and thought about it for a minute.
 
I'm just bitter because they are listed at like $80 now I believe. I've seen them for $65, but since I bought mine for $55 at walmart I don't see the reason for them being so much more. (Straight edge Balck out)


Only complaint that I have about mine is that the plastic grip is starting to seperate towards the end. Haven't looked for a screw driver to tighten the screw yet.


I take that back
http://www.kershaw-knives.net/Kershaw-Ken-Onion-Blackout-KS1550.htm


You might want to look into their Blur series as well. Looks to be the same thing, but more in theory, more tactically oriented.
 
Just a dumb question?

Self defense knife? I am thinking that would be an option if I wasn't able to carry concealed? Maybe this is the case at hand? If not and your legal to carry concealed when would you state a knife as a self defense weapon? I don't want to pick a fight here but I am confused when a person would reach for a knife? Again I understand if I was at home and had no other weapon of mass destruction available I might opt as last choice a knife. Close combat -that close is even more ugly than a 3 yard gun fight....
I know I have just put my nose into another's question and I am sorry if I come off as a jack*ss for speaking out of turn. I might have just read this thread wrong and spoke out of turn.... If so - sorry
If I am 20% right - just reason and think about the issue(s) real close.... :)

Now - I have thought for a few minutes I can understand why you would carry a knife but still not sure I call it a self defense knife??? ok - let me have it..... I asked for it right?
 
You ask a great question. Let's say some yahoo is trying to beat your head in with a tire tool for no reason other than he wants your wallet. You pull your CCW pistol out, pull the trigger and it hopelessly jams. Whatcha gonna do? The fight has become close quarters, all you have now is a very inefficient club.....unless.....you have something to use as a backup. Enter your folding knife. Just carry one with a legal blade (in TN 4" or less) and you got no legal problem.

U.F.O.
 
I don't carry a knife for defense, but I always have one. Most often its a CRKT or a Benchmade folder. I suppose if I had to, it would work for defense.
 
I've been using older style steel handled Spyderco's for couple years now and haven't looked back-------went through the Kershaw's et all and they just didn't work for me----personal preference I guess.

The Spyderco is easy on the wallet---strong and quick to use------just wish I would have tried them in the '80's instead of the early '00's-------would have saved me a lot of money in the long run.
 
You know, there are some really nice SD knives out there costing a hundred dollars or higher...Benchmade, MOD, and a bunch of others. Spyderco sort of sets the standard with Native, Delica, Endura, and so on...

BUT, for every day carry I just KEEP coming back to these Kershaw Ken Onion speed assisted designs. Takes an edge very nicely, will hold it reasonably well, and is very natural in the hand.

Bladeforums.com will teach you everything you'll need to know.
 
As others have said above,I like the Ken Onion Leek, Best deal I found was ($35)

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=2RW31FEQ7ELR8PA94KJ90MM1S9D4DH75

But there are many other to look at as well. Do you want a fixed or folder? If you want to carry it around I like forlders but fixed blades are more simple and generally faster to deploy but assisited folders are pretty quick.
Serrated or plain? Serrated cuts flesh and fiber well but is harder to sharpen.

As stated above www.bladeforums.com is an informative place. Good online stores are www.cheaperthandirt.com , www.knifeworks.com , http://www.agrussell.com/index.html , www.knife-depot.com
Here's a selection of knives I like. Some are more defensive and others are more ultiliarian. There are a ton of knives out there. Do some research and I guarantee you will find one that fits your need to a T.

Benchmade

Stryker
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=229

Griptialian
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5242

Buck

Police Utility
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4341

Cold Steel

Push Knife
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=2RW31FEQ7ELR8PA94KJ90MM1S9D4DH75

The Spike
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1194

CRKTs

M-16
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=2RW31FEQ7ELR8PA94KJ90MM1S9D4DH75

Crawford-Kasper
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=2RW31FEQ7ELR8PA94KJ90MM1S9D4DH75

SOGs

SEAL Pup fixed
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=2RW31FEQ7ELR8PA94KJ90MM1S9D4DH75

Mini X-ray folder
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=2RW31FEQ7ELR8PA94KJ90MM1S9D4DH75

Spyderco

Harpy
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/...gid=&mscssid=2RW31FEQ7ELR8PA94KJ90MM1S9D4DH75

Karambit
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4744

Yojimbo
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5286

Gunting
http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-4776.html?src=froogle-kd


Obviously I could go on forever. Look at the sites I listed and ask at blade forums and you'll find something.
 
Thanks again, fellas. Some great info here. I ordered a Ken Oinion Leek.

RoJoe, to answer your question (and no, I'm not offended and you didn't sound like an a'hole): There are times when I won't have my carry-gun on me. Simple as that, really. Like someone said above, there are instances that, even if we DO carry a gun 100% of the time, a knife could prove invaluable. It's always better than nothing, and the folding one that I ordered will fit in the tightest of clothing (like those skin-tight cheetah-print leather pants I wear on Saturday nights!), and is never illegal to carry into a bar, store, restaurant, etc.

Peace.
 
Luckily for me I live about 2 miles from the kershaw factory, so I buy the factory secconds with cosmetic flaws for next to nothing. :) :)

I prefer to carry the largest kershaw liner action with the tanto blade, its less scary to non-knife people than a spring assist, and ive been using kershaw's so long its faster than the spring assist in my hands.
 
I don't carry a knife for defense, but I always have one. Most often its a CRKT or a Benchmade folder. I suppose if I had to, it would work for defense.
Click to expand...

That would have been my exact response had you not posted it first.

What I usually have on me is a well-used 5 year old Benchmade Stryker, or a CRKT Point Guard that's always in my car if I forget the Benchmade. Just as Mannlicher, I don't carry knives in prospects of defense, but I'm sure they can serve that function if need be.

As for recommendations on a dedicated defensive folder, I'm afraid I simply lack the knowledge to to offer any real assistance. Though I will say I have complete confidence in the Stryker if it were ever needed as a defensive tool. I've always felt the blade opens as fast as any switchblade or spring assisted blade with adequate practice as well as possessing a blade just long enough to inspire confidence. What I can say with certainty is if I ever were to lose it and seek a knife to replace it, another full-size Benchmade Stryker would be my first quarry.
 
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Knives are a "defensive" tool? I always looked at them as "offensive". If I have to use one in a fight, it wont be defensively. If your going to carry one as a weapon, I'd get the biggest and baddest fixed blade you can reasonably hide and dedicate it to that.
 
A Bowie is a good back, up folders to slow. In the Great State of Ky if you have a carry permit you can carry concealed. Are permits are for Deadly Weapons not just handguns.
 
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