Aaaaaaaaaaaand ditto again!Glad you are OK. This situation does not apply to me. Why? Because running is beyond me now. I can't even work up a decent trot. Slow walks are my style now.
PS: If you live long enough you will find out what I mean. Still better than not waking up in the morning though.
A Different Kind Of Near Miss At The Range
- Thread starter Hartkopf
- Start date
johnjohn
Member
If nothing's chasing me. I'm not running,
desmobob
Member
I just wanted to add one thing about fast, one-hand, easy-opening knives... I'm a 62-year-old knife nut with a decent collection. I've owned all types from old slip joints to lock backs, liner locks, Axis locks, assisted openers, butterfly, automatics, OTFs, etc.
Automatics are the most "fun" and seem like they would be the fastest. But there are potential legal issues with them, especially if you travel... they're not legal in all jurisdictions. Most of them have locks as there's always the possibility of accidental activation.
In my experience (and I think easily proven), the fastest, easiest deploying knife is also one with very little chance of accidental opening. It is not even an assisted opener. It has no complicated mechanism or fragile parts; it's a simple liner lock design. It is the Emerson or other knife licensed to use the Emerson Wave Opening feature. An Emerson Horseman is one of my favorite every day carry knives.
Automatics are the most "fun" and seem like they would be the fastest. But there are potential legal issues with them, especially if you travel... they're not legal in all jurisdictions. Most of them have locks as there's always the possibility of accidental activation.
In my experience (and I think easily proven), the fastest, easiest deploying knife is also one with very little chance of accidental opening. It is not even an assisted opener. It has no complicated mechanism or fragile parts; it's a simple liner lock design. It is the Emerson or other knife licensed to use the Emerson Wave Opening feature. An Emerson Horseman is one of my favorite every day carry knives.
Capybara
Member
I concur, I've carried the Spyderco Matriarch 2 for almost 8 years EDC. While I love automatics and OTFs, I live in California and those are only legal here if the blade is less than 2", another stupid, arbitrary law we have to deal with here.
The Emerson opener, IMHO, is the best, most practical knife mechanism made. With an automatic or OTF, you have to clear the knife from your pocket, THEN activate the button or level for the knife to open. With the Emerson, you pull the knife out and it is open OR you can pull it out without opening it, it's all technique. Whoever thought of it was a genius. It's never opened in my pocket in eight years of EDC.
Spyderco makes a great product and they will sharpen this curved serrated blade for free if you send it to them with $5 S&H. Really impressed with their customer service too!
D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,396
I have the same knife. It is intended to be carried tip down for a fast deployment in self defense. If you lock the blade closed, it is no longer for SD.
That is true but if it’s in your hand, in your pocket, you can have a finger on the lock. It can become a move like flipping the safety off of a pistol as it’s being drawn. I totally agree with your point though. If I really needed a knife for self defense, it wouldn’t be this one. It will always be locked while in my pocket after this experience.
desmobob
Member
The story of the Emerson Wave Opening Feature is funny... it was an accident. Ernest Emerson was working for an aerospace company but making knives at home as a hobby. One of his neighbors/friends was a Navy Seal. It came to be that Emerson was asked to build custom folding knives for the guy's Seal Team. Emerson's design featured that hook near the base of the blade, intended to be a blade stop to catch/stop the blade of an attacker's knife in close quarters combat.
The Seals didn't realize that but found that it could be hooked on the pocket when drawing the knife for instantaneous opening. Search for the story of how Emerson's Wave Opening Feature came to be to get the accurate and complete details. I may not have it quite right.
Capybara
Member
Now you're going to make me research the whole story. I love that the opening out of the pocket was a happy unintended consequence of it's design. Thanks for the lead!
"I instantly thought of the headline; Man Dies at Shooting Range From Accidental SELF INFLICTED Stab Wound to the Leg.Running drills at the range, I was literally running from cover to cover between shots. I've dreamed up all sorts of drills to improve my shooting from different positions, winded, sweaty, tired, etc. I shoot in the clothes I would wear on any given day, with ALL of the crap in my pockets I would carry on any given day.
That's where the near miss comes in. The crap in my pockets. I felt pain in my upper thigh as I was running that got progressively worse with every step. The real pain came just as I stopped and set myself in my shooting stance. My small folding pocket knife had flipped half open and was cutting my upper thigh, culminating with nice stab as I set myself to shoot. The wounds are not major and I'll do everyone a huge favor by not posting pictures due to the location on my body!Added to that, I almost cut my finger trying to get the half opened knife out of my pocket!
Lesson learned and it could have been worse since my femoral artery was near the wounds. (not to mention some other valuable junk
I instantly thought of the headline; Man Dies at Shooting Range From Accidental Stab Wound to the Leg.
"I have had a bad experience with a spring-loaded knife, so, no more of those things with me. Also, car keys (for the old timers without a key fob) or house keys will cause harm if/when going to the prone position.
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I had a Kershaw in my luggage. Not in a sheath but a pouch of misc. items (dumb). It opened itself up. Thus, I just go for Sypderco hole types. I had a Sog with a stud, but slipped off the stud when opening it and cut my thumb badly.
Master Blaster
Member
I carry a benchmade assisted opener every day for about 10 years now. Never had it open on its own even one time. Benchmades have an important feature that makes the assisted openers including the barrage safe to carry if you use and understand it. Benchmade puts two sets of holes for the pocket clip on their AO knives. The two sets of holes let you move the pocket clip depending on whether you carry left hand or right hand pocket. Moving the clip lets you keep the blade oriented so it is at the back of you pocket facing backwards. This allows the blade to rest against the back of your pocket and that stops the blade from moving enough to open on the spring. Important to carry it the right way with the pocket clip installed on the correct end. As far as autos go the microtech straight out openers are pretty fool proof as you have to move the slide button and stretch the spring for the knife to open, so it is not under tension at all until you move the slide to open or close the knife. Microtech knives are expensive and start at about $300. Overall I can open my spyderco endura faster than any automatic or assisted opener I own.
SwampWolf
Member
Bayonets are a lot safer but hard to peel apples with and even harder to mount on a pistol. But I appreciate you sharing your experience because I'm reminded to regularly double-check the status of the blade I carry to insure it's fully closed.
IWAC
Member
I quit carrying a switchblade when I was in High School, because the lock was faulty, and it would come open in my pocket! 
fastbolt
Member
Yep, a folding knife whose blade is easy to start opening may create an annoying situation.
I've had 2 spring-assisted folders (same major maker brand) with blade 'flipper' studs come open in a front pocket. Both were carried tip-up. My suspicion is that pressure against my hip pushed both blades just enough for the spring assist to start the blade opening. They opened 1/3 to halfway. One sliced through a front pocket, but missed flesh. The other left the point clearly pointing up ... which is where my hand found it when I tried to reach by it into the pocket, and the point perforated the edge of my hand approx 2 cm. Yep, stitches were required, but fortunately nothing critical was cut.
I save the spring-assist folders for times when I can either carry them in a jacket pocket (away from body pressure), or can carry them on my off-side, so the blade spine is captured by the back of the pocket, with the knife pushed all the way to the rear of the pocket.
I stopped buying spring-assisted folders after the trip to the ER, too.
I've had 2 spring-assisted folders (same major maker brand) with blade 'flipper' studs come open in a front pocket. Both were carried tip-up. My suspicion is that pressure against my hip pushed both blades just enough for the spring assist to start the blade opening. They opened 1/3 to halfway. One sliced through a front pocket, but missed flesh. The other left the point clearly pointing up ... which is where my hand found it when I tried to reach by it into the pocket, and the point perforated the edge of my hand approx 2 cm. Yep, stitches were required, but fortunately nothing critical was cut.
I save the spring-assist folders for times when I can either carry them in a jacket pocket (away from body pressure), or can carry them on my off-side, so the blade spine is captured by the back of the pocket, with the knife pushed all the way to the rear of the pocket.
I stopped buying spring-assisted folders after the trip to the ER, too.
Mosin77
Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2019
- Messages
- 1,592
I was carrying a friction folder in my pocket to channel my inner European peasant the other day. Nice knife. Lots of old school charm. Till I reached into my pocket to grab it and it was partially open, resulting in a nice stab to my finger. Ahh, maybe I’ll rethink my knife choices. Spring knives have been the rule for about 200 years now and they work really well. Never got stabbed or sliced by my Case yet in the pocket.
Two small knives that doubled as money clips.
The Gerber got me in the leg, it now lives in a tackle box.
The CRKT is particularly dangerous, finger still bears a scar.
I’ve carried various Kershaw lockback’s since without injuries and see by this thread that pocket injuries are common.
stabbed myself in my ass more than once with my Leek when I worked in shipping and receiving, also had it poke a hole in my air mattress when we used to sleep at work . The little latch is helpful, but I rarely remembered to re-engage it.
.....when they wedge open in your pocket they are the worst......I carry a much larger non assisted knife these days, I forget it less, and it dosent open in my pocket...as offten.
Armybrat
Member
This little Swiss knife is the only one I carry on my person. It is attached to my key ring in my pocket along with a nitro pill container.
It has not opened up unexpectedly in the 40 years I’ve owned it.
(the .22 Colt derringer is just a safe queen).
It has not opened up unexpectedly in the 40 years I’ve owned it.
(the .22 Colt derringer is just a safe queen).
Ignition Override
Member
OP:
You did what we train (every two months) to block/“trap” in Krav class, using blue Plastic knives (plus blue handgun and 3' plastic baton).
You did what we train (every two months) to block/“trap” in Krav class, using blue Plastic knives (plus blue handgun and 3' plastic baton).
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doubleh
Member
Ha. I should just stop and let whatever decided it wants me get me. I can't even manage a fast shuffle anymore.
I'm off a little later this morning for a follow up with my arthritis doctor to see if he has anymore tricks up his sleeve that might improve my mobility. I'm not holding my breath hoping that he will.
Landgroove
Member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2012
- Messages
- 114
Ha. I should just stop and let whatever decided it wants me get me. I can't even manage a fast shuffle anymore.
Spring assist for arthritis will make a trillion bucks for the inventor!
I carry Spyderco or Axis lock.
My Axis lock.
I ...really... like the "tanto" style blade. Easy to sharpen and the 154 CM holds an edge forever...almost.
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A slightly different but similar take. When Surefire lights had exposed switches, I had one on my belt. Somehow when I got into the car, something pushed the button and turned on the light. It was under a jacket and I didn't notice it until it started to heat up my side for a mild burn. I had to dig frantically to get to it. Now I only have lights with a switch that is not so exposed.
There have been reports of pocket OC sprays unleashing on guess what!
There have been reports of pocket OC sprays unleashing on guess what!
JR24
Member
Yikes, glad you are OK.
Necessary_Nutrient
Member
Good thing you weren’t bull riding
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