While I don't always carry my gun (don't hang me here), I always carry my knife. While it is ultimately for self defense, I end up using it all the time. I carry a
Benchmade 710 which is the best damn knife I have ever used. It has Benchmade's patented
Axis Lock which is super smooth and easy to open with one hand. Closing is also very easy and can be done with one hand. The profile is very compact making it easy and comfortable to carry around all day. It has an excellent blade made of
154CM which comes extremely sharp and holds it edge very well. It is easily sharpened but Benchmade has the
lifesharp guarantee where they will sharpen the knife for you for $5 the first knife and $2.50 each additional knife. The knife can be used as a kubaton (blunt strinking device) when closed for less than lethal defense since it has stainless steel liners. The handles are made of
G10 laminate and offer an excellent grip. My knife is half serrated making it useful for a variety of
I know it sounds like I work for Benchmade but I don't. I have been carrying this knife for about 5 years already even though I have about a dozen other knives. Pretty much the best damn knife I 've ever used.
In a close quarters (contact distance) situation, I would probably grab my knife before grabbing my gun. I would try to grab a hold of the gun arm first, grab my knife and cut the gun arm across the wrist (down stroke) (hopefully sever tendons and nerves to make him drop the gun). If the bad guy does not drop the gun, he'll get a second cut in the inner bicep area (up stroke)(maybe hit the brachail artery and more nerves). I doubt the bad guy will still be holding the gun but if he is, the third cut will be the throat (backhand stroke). By that time, it won't matter if he is holding the gun.
Knives don't run out of bullets. They are dangerous in an arc rather than just a vector. Knives are silent. The greatest weakness is limited range so if its further than contact distance, go for the gun.