What makes a good defensive knife for you?

[Sylvain]

I carry mainly two types of knives, utility ones and defensive ones (like many of you do im sure).Some can serve a dual purpose, some like the Swiss Army knife that never leaves my EDC is only for utility tasks (small handle, non-locking blade ... etc)

So im wondering what type of features do you need on a blade to make it a defensive blade that you would carry on your person?

Fixed blade, folding blade with a certain locking mechanism, type of steel, special brand of knife, shape of the blade (drop point, karambit etc), handle materials for traction, serrated or non-serrated.

If you can post a picture or just tell us about the criterias that makes a knife a defensive/fighting knife.

 

[BuddieReigns]

I carry a Shadow Tech Talon A almost all the time. I wear it handle down, main edge facing behind me on my right side by my back pocket, so I can slash with the same stroke as I draw it if I had too. Mine looks like this, but it's older so it doesn't have the grooves in the spine and the handle is wood:

 

[Rickshaw]

I carry a Cold Steel 4" Voyager for EDC and a Case for small work. Good locking system on the Voyager.

 

[tradertator]

My 2 favorite defensive blades are my Emerson Super Karambit and Spyderco P'Kal. Both can be deployed almost instantly, simple to use, and sharp sharp sharp. As far as something that doubles as utility and defensive, almost any Emerson is hard to beat.

 

[Sylvain]

My 2 favorite defensive blades are my Emerson Super Karambit and Spyderco P'Kal. Both can be deployed almost instantly, simple to use, and sharp sharp sharp. As far as something that doubles as utility and defensive, almost any Emerson is hard to beat.

How do you carry your karambit?

The Karambit is one great design for self defense in my opinion, with a bit of training you can do some interesting things.
Only downside is that it sucks to spread butter on toast.

 

[tradertator]

I usually carry it strong side, saber grip style. It's a very utilitarian design with a little practice. The Emerson Karambit training videos really changed the way I look at them. But whatever you do, DON'T SPIN THEM! I've got scars to prove its a bad idea

 

[Sylvain]

I usually carry it strong side, saber grip style. It's a very utilitarian design with a little practice. The Emerson Karambit training videos really changed the way I look at them. But whatever you do, DON'T SPIN THEM! I've got scars to prove its a bad idea

Come on spinning Karambits and doing aerial tricks to catch it with your other hand while the thing is still spinning in the air is fun.

Just dont do it with a sharp blade.

 

[ISP 5353]

Shadow Tech Talon model, Carried weak side right next to belt buckle. I can grab it with either hand.

 

[M67]

I carry my LionSteel and a Spyderco Dragonfly on me, the LS it's very defensive, at least it's built like a tank. I guess the Dragonfly would work in a pinch.


But, it I was looking for a knife to carry defensively, I'd go with something with a 14" blade at least Go for the intimidation so I wouldn't have to use it

 

[jbombelli]

What makes it for me? A full-tang fixed blade with a decent handle, a sharp edge and a pointy end.

That's really all I need.

 

[armedindy]

big, heavy

 

[TiminMishawaka]

A thin bladed, 4"ish bladed, sharp lockback blade. I read a passage from an old book on fencing where it stated that a blade only need to penetrate the torso to the thickness of the width of three fingers on a grown man to be a lethal hit. I like the Spyderco Endura full flat grind.

 

[rgrimm01]

...But, it I was looking for a knife to carry defensively, I'd go with something with a 14" blade at least Go for the intimidation so I wouldn't have to use it

I wonder if the affect would not be amplified by attaching a rackable pump shotgun slide on the blade?

 

[DanO]

Fixed blade, double edged with a little belly, 5" - 7" blade, scandi ground, crusher pommel. Currently have an EK and Custom model from former SG MSG Steve Popp. Love that Popp dagger!

 

[DaKruiser]

Strider db, I either have it teathered to my belt in my weak side front pocket or as a neck knife.

 

[Pale Rider]

Strider db, I either have it teathered to my belt in my weak side front pocket or as a neck knife.

You must have a thick neck!

For me it's at least 3in blade double edge preferred. I'm a grab and stab kinda guy, grappling background, fond of what mercop calls "typewriter" stabbing. So a solid dagger with a good guard. Looking at a microtech ADO.

 

[tradertator]

A thin bladed, 4"ish bladed, sharp lockback blade. I read a passage from an old book on fencing where it stated that a blade only need to penetrate the torso to the thickness of the width of three fingers on a grown man to be a lethal hit. I like the Spyderco Endura full flat grind.

Good point. Mercop (INGO's resident specialist on ****ing people up with sharp objects) said on here once that he carries a Sebenza.

 

[tradertator]

Strider db, I either have it teathered to my belt in my weak side front pocket or as a neck knife.

I freaking love those those frag grips . I've got a DB with Gunner Grips and an DBL NSN, but that monkeys edge stuff is sweet. I need another Strider.

 

[Jeremiah]

Google tracker dan Bloodshark. something similar to that would be ideal.

 

[schapm]

I currently carry an ESEE Izula AIWB and a Leatherman Skeletool CX on my strongside pocket as my defensive blades. Both have utility outside of cutting a fool.