Tactical knives

[BC]

I am in the process of shopping for a new tactical knife, and would be interested in reading some folks' thoughts on them (ie, brands, folding vs. non-folding, serrated vs. plain, silver vs. black...).

Currently I like the looks of the Emerson and the Strider brands, and am leaning toward a folder. I'm still undecided about whether I would like a serrated edge. I'd welcome any input... :cool:

Regards,

[Shikiyanaka]

I don't know if it's what is called tactical:

Spyderco, Bob Lum Chinese Folder, Plain.
Leaf shaped plain edge blade made of VG-10 steel. Aluminum handle, Almite coated in Imperial Jade Green, w/ nested locking liner & self adjusting pivotpin, etc.

I like it because its not a "stabbing" one.

Apart from that, and apart from that I do some Kobudô:
I don't like weapons
However, I am from Germany, and its relatively :D safe here. Just half a dozen scars, not enough to change sides ;)

[gozanryu]

The CFK by Emerson is a nice part if you are into folders. Some of the Cold Steel models are nice if you are on a budget. I prefer the fixed blades personally. I love weapons, just for the record. Also, you might want to check out Sharp Phil's site, he is always testing sharp things, and has a good handle on whats out there www.philelmore.com i think.

[Althaur]

Robert, I own a number of Striders and Emersons. The Striders are by far the tougher blade. More expensive yes, but remember the warranty. If you break it in anyway, they either fix it or replace it. Plus the owners, Mick and Duane, are two awesome guys. Go over to www.usualsuspect.net

That is a custom knife forum. You can ask all the questions you want over there. My advice is the Strider if you can afford it. They are pricey. Feel free to IM me if you have any other questions.

Josh

[Sharp Phil]

Originally posted by gozanryu
The CFK by Emerson is a nice part if you are into folders. Some of the Cold Steel models are nice if you are on a budget. I prefer the fixed blades personally. I love weapons, just for the record. Also, you might want to check out Sharp Phil's site, he is always testing sharp things, and has a good handle on whats out there www.philelmore.com i think.

All our current product reviews are at The Martialist -- http://www.themartialist.com. I'll be publishing a slew of reviews over the next several weeks, as things have really piled up here as manufacturers submit more and more samples.

[joe yang]

I've always been partial to fixed blades, double edged knives, no moving parts, ready to use, and no blade up or blade down issues. I also like cheap knives, decent, but cheap. I always figure any knife I every actually use in self defense is going to get lost, abandoned or confiscated anyway.

[Sharp Phil]

Sounds like the Disposable Drawpoint Package to me. (http://www.themartialist.com/pecom/ddp.htm)

http://www.themartialist.com/images/ddp01.jpg

[Althaur]

Good article, Phil. Quick question, is the front half of the spine sharpened? It looks like it in a few of the pics, but I can't tell if it is sharpened or just a false edge. Definately sounds like a good backup. I may have to get one to bang it up a bit, test it myself.

[Don Roley]

I have a problem with the knife Phil reviewed, along with a lot of others.

If you use a knife to defend yourself, you will face trouble with the law. Count on it. As such, I would prefer to have a knife on me that I can convince a jury that I was merely carrying around as a tool and I was not looking for trouble. The knife I see above does not fit that bill.

Even if you dodge criminal prosecution, the slime ball you defended yourself against might come back and sue you with the claim that you were looking for trouble, and use your knife to try to convince 9 out of 12 people that you were the bad guy in the situation. He is scum, do you expect him to not take advantage of the system if he can?

The worst knife I have ever seen was a knife called "ExtremeOps." That name alone should give your defence lawyer an ulcer. The fact that it is made by Smith and Wesson is good for another 5k in legal bills. It ain't fair, but that is the legal system. The blade is obviously a fighitng knife, with a tanto point instead of a more utilitarian one. And the knife is matte black, so if you have to sneak up on a sentry it will not glint. Oh yeah, outside of being part of a SWAT or military rig, this thing's main purpose seems to be to attract unwanted attention from the local law enforcement folks.

So, my main advice would be to pick a knife that you can use to defend yourself, but most people would just think of as a work knife. If you use it as a work knife and get used to using it- all the better for you and your skills. I like the Spyderco Endura plain edged versions.

Trust me- fear the legal system almost as much as the guy you need to use the knife on. With my contacts I have heard way too many stories of good people who did the right thing and got put in prison and/or sued for everything they had for it.

[Althaur]

Good points, Don. For the average civilian you are correct. The knife in the review really should be geared more towards law enforcement or military. The thruth of the matter though, is that some people will carry a weapon and worry about the consequences after they escape with their lives. Of course, in a lot of areas, just carrying that concealed will get you in trouble.

Most people don't carry a knife for self-defense. They carry it for utility. You have to ask what the main purpose of the knife will be and then use that to determine what best fits the bill. That knife would not work for someone that is going to be using it to open boxes all day.

For a soldier, it makes a cheap back-up. There would be no worries about it breaking or losing it. Of course, some soldiers will still want to spend the money to buy a reliabe knife that isn't going to break. I personally prefer a custom blade. While they are expensive, I know that it will perform and last.

[Mark Barlow]

I've played with half a dozen different brands but I always come back to my Spyderco Enduro although I do like the CRKT Lightfoot but think it's too heavy for everyday carry.

[gozanryu]

That knife is an excellent rendition of the thought that went into it Phil. Light, durable, obtainable and effective. A kind of "Honda Civic" in the knife world. I like the Gerber's and the Appelgates, because that is what I was trained with, but they are not really practical to carry. I think Don's point's are quite valid, however, I think (an have learned through experience) that carrying any weopon on yourself, and employing it, will bring about legal consequences. (Try taking a cane on an aircraft anymore) So, in Don's example, everyone gets to go home and sue, so a kobuton, yawara stick, hanbo (cane) are most likely going to get you in the same legal hassle if employed in the dissuassion of the bad guy. Without getting into another (read:thread hijack) discussion, I think the election to carry a edged weapon is indeed a "big step". Anyone who has ever faced a knife attack can tell you that. It is a different level of self protection indeed. You can almost assume a fatality, as there is little "middle ground". As an aside, here where I live, a concealed handgun is a misdemeanor, whereas a concealed knife is a felony! Wonder what a trench gun with the bayonet on gets ya?

[Oliver Ryan]

On a side note, I have the CRKT Bear Claw. Nice little knife, handy to have around. The only problem I have with it is the sheath. It comes with a retention clip, though it does not seem to want to stay when I draw the blade. The sheath just comes out with it, unless I use my thumb to stop it. Does anyone know of another sheath that will stay put that will fit the Bear Claw? Yes, it can be put on a belt, but adjusting it becomes difficult when using it.

[David T Anderson]

Originally posted by gozanryu
(Try taking a cane on an aircraft anymore) So, in Don's example, everyone gets to go home and sue, so a kobuton, yawara stick, hanbo (cane) are most likely going to get you in the same legal hassle if employed in the dissuassion of the bad guy.

Not to be argumentative Ken, but getting on an aircraft with a cane is pretty easy, in my experience. I always travel with a 'cane' [actually a bokken with a crutch tip] and it has yet to get a second look. Of course they do run it through the x-ray machine to make sure it doesn't have a blade concealed inside...:rolleyes: It may be different on flights origination where you are, but that has been my experience.

Perhaps it helps to be a respectable-looking middle aged type like myself. I can even honestly say that my back bothers me when sitting for long periods and might 'go out' on me, although it would be somewhat less than accurate since it has never actually happened. :D

And just to stay on topic, I'll state now that I'd rather go cane-on-knife than knife-on-knife...both on the mean streets _and_ in the courtroom...

[Sharp Phil]

Originally posted by Althaur
Good article, Phil. Quick question, is the front half of the spine sharpened? It looks like it in a few of the pics, but I can't tell if it is sharpened or just a false edge. Definately sounds like a good backup. I may have to get one to bang it up a bit, test it myself.

No, it's not sharpened.

[J Trask]

I am partial to the standard Marine Kbar knife. Can be used as a fighting/survival knife, pry bar, and I even used it as a hammer. My most useful knife is the swiss army knife (the huntsman) has everything I need.

John Trask;)