[LevelG27]

Knifes used for self defense?

 

[Old Guy]

This is one of those "Ask 100 people, you'll get 100 different answers" type of questions.

Here's my two cents worth...

One of the first things I look at is handle material. Something that will not get slippery if it gets wet. I also prefer the slabs to have some shape to them and not just be flat on the sides. MY main concern is to able to hold onto the knife.

Blade length and type is really a personal preference. I prefer a double edged knife similar to the Fairbairn-Sykes or a Gerber MK I or MK II.

Again, this is just my preference, YMMV.

 

[brownie]

Knifes used for self defense?

Personal preference dictates what one considers a quality knife.

I've got 4-500.00 dollar custom one of a kind folders, and 5000.00 custom Bowies, they'd be quality knives.

Steel, heat treat, temper, handle material used all play a part in what constitutes a quality knife. Quality is subjective however, and one doesn't need to buy the best knife or most expensive to get quality, per se.

I'm carrying a Spyderco Endura folder [ gen 4 ] today that's 90.00+ retail and can be found for 65.00 or so. It's my defensive blade today and would suffice in that role quite nicely.

I think the type of locking mechanism is also very important, and won't carry a linerlock, though others are very happy with that design. I prefer lockback locking folders or the axis lock as used on some Benchmade folders myself.

Brownie

 

[LevelG27]

This is one of those "Ask 100 people, you'll get 100 different answers" type of questions.

Here's my two cents worth...

One of the first things I look at is handle material. Something that will not get slippery if it gets wet. I also prefer the slabs to have some shape to them and not just be flat on the sides. MY main concern is to able to hold onto the knife.

Blade length and type is really a personal preference. I prefer a double edged knife similar to the Fairbairn-Sykes or a Gerber MK I or MK II.

Again, this is just my preference, YMMV.

Yes I figured this thread could be answered like you say w/ 100 different answers. I tried to reword the heading afterwards but could not change it or don't know how..

Just wanting to read what kind of knives other members use basically. I appreciate yours/Brownie's answers.

 

[Old Guy]

Well, as you can tell, Brownie seems to prefer folders, while I tend to lean towards fixed blades. Either will make a good defensive knife.

Brownie's right about "Steel, heat treat, temper, handle material used all play a part in what constitutes a quality knife." One thing to look at is their hardness scale. Higher is not necessarily better. Too hard (in the 60's range, for example), and the blade can break like glass.

Now, where's the other 98 answers?? opcorn

 

[CoachPops]

I look at construction ( blade and handle), weight, and balance. I have a Lakota Lil' Hawk that I purchased back in 1984 that is as good as the day I bought it.

1) I like a rigid fixed blade.
2) Handle - Slick is ok as long as it fits well in my hand.
3) Blade weight to handle weight ratio must be close to balanced.

 

[Mac45]

Whatever will get the job done without breaking. Sometimes you need a folder. At other times a fixed blade is better. Most people are better served by a multi-purpose knife, rather than a dedicated fighter. No matter what you carry, or when, you still have to know how to use it effectively.

 

[Glock23-4-Me]

What goes into making a quality knife????????

Ingredients: Mechanically Separated Chicken, Beef Tripe, Partially Defatted Cooked Beef Fatty Tissue, Beef Hearts, Water, Partially Defatted Cooked Pork Fatty Tissue, Salt. Less than 2 percent: Mustard, Natural Flavorings, Dried Garlic, Dextrose, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite

:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf


Sorry, I could not resist

 

[CoachPops]

Sounds like Spam

 

[Glock23-4-Me]

Sounds like Spam

"Potted meat" actually but good guess :drinks

 

[RadTek]

I'm far from an expert in SD blades...but, as an avid outdoorsman, I've been hunting/camping/fishing all my life and I've carried folders and fixed.

I prefer fixed for my outdoors stuff. It's pretty much one handed grab and use and return. But, many folders can be easily opend one handed as well. Folders are probably more comfortable for everyday carry too...at least more "practical" as their more compact size doesn't get in the way of everyday movement as much.

For me, it's about the edge, comfor and balance, because, when I'm using it, I use it ALOT!

Good grip wet, dry, even slimy(such as mud) is key. I'd imagine the last thing you'd want in any SD situation is to lose your grip. If for no other reason than, with a quality edge, that's how people, the wrong people, get cut. That also falls into balance, as a well balanced blade just seems to work as an extension of your hand. If it's unbalanced, that can get you hurt as well.

Edge rentention is also important, and that falls into the metal quality and how it's sharpened. I don't claim to be a superior craftsman with an edge, but, once I manage to get a good one, I like to keep it.

The rest of the folks here have some great information regarding translating "good knife" qualities in regard to SD. But, I'd imagine that the same applies..if you wouldn't use it camping or take it fishing, it's definitely no good for SD.

And price isn't always a good factor..one of the best camping/outdoor knives I have only cost $50 , was a gift to me, it is a Frost, which, I always thought was more of a cheap decorative almost novelty blade..been using it for almost 20 years now..keeps a decent edge most the summer. The worst one cost almost $200...sits in a drawer.

 

[brownie]

Well, as you can tell, Brownie seems to prefer folders, while I tend to lean towards fixed blades. Either will make a good defensive knife.

Brownie's right about "Steel, heat treat, temper, handle material used all play a part in what constitutes a quality knife." One thing to look at is their hardness scale. Higher is not necessarily better. Too hard (in the 60's range, for example), and the blade can break like glass.

Now, where's the other 98 answers?? opcorn

I actually prefer a straight and carry a 5.5" custom about everyday. I've been carrying a folder just this last week in preparation for returning to Fla for the class in June.

We'll be covering folders as that's what many people carry, and I need to get some practice in on them before the class [ I'm a tad rusty on the folders, not having carried them for almost 5 years now ].

I wouldn't carry any knife that was over 58 Rockwell in hardness. Most of your medium commercial grade stainless like AUS8 will be at 59-60 Rockwell and will chip out under hard use or break the tip pretty quick.

In stainless I prefer three steels. VG10, ATS-34 [ japanese ] and 154cm [ the american made version of ATS-34 ]. They'll be at 58-59 Rockwell.

My preference is tool steels like D-2, A-2, 5160 [ Bagwell Belles are made of this ], 1095 [ military K-Bars ], O-1, 52100 [ a premium grade ball bearing steel ].

The tool steels don't need to be hardened as much and a good quality tool steel knife will be around 55-56 Rockwell. Less prone to chipping out under hard use and hold an edge longer generally over the stainless steels as well as very easy to re-sharpen.

I own some tool steel blades that can be bent 90 degrees in a vise, then be re-straightened and not snap with just a kink in the blade. These are the types of knives I carry and rely on generally.

I've presently got a knife being made by Bill Bagwell out of Texas that's blade is going to be 10-10.5 inches long made of his own concoction of damascus he uses [ 5160 and something else ] with a stag handle and dual brass guards that will be my daily work knife. Expected delivery is July 2010 unless one of his orders gets cancelled and I got to the top of the waiting list [ I've got several from Bill already and have trained with Bill so there's a consideration given ].

Brownie