Advice - EDC, ~$50, Self defense priority

[RTR_RTR]

Hey all,

Pretty much said it all in the title, but I'm in the market for an EDC knife with a focus on self defense, with a budget of around 50 bucks. I spend >90% of my M-F in firearm-prohibited zones, so I'd like a little non-firearm reassurance.

I have done a bit of looking and am currently looking at the kershaw groove/groove tanto and the kershaw skyline, if you all have any opinion on those (http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-40325-Groove-Handle-Plain/dp/B000QGCGGO ; http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Tanto-Groove-Machined-Grooves/dp/B002D4K9GG, http://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Skyline-Textured-Handle-stone-washed/dp/B001CZBDF8).

I know spyderco's are raved about, but I haven't been able to find one in my price range with good finger-slip protection and a decent length blade. If you all do...

Thanks in advance!

 

[The Highlander]

I've got a Tenacious and the shape/texture of the grip gives me 100% confidence that my hand won't slip onto the blade. I've stabbed it through drywall, compressed cardboard in a pallet, trees, etc. and haven't had any problems. If you ghetto wave it with zipties you can draw it faster than any speed-assist knife. If you want bigger Spyderco makes the Resilience.

Never handled the groove, but its blade looks a little wonky and the handle seems cheap (maybe I'm just not a fan of the two-tone; all black/g10 blur looks a lot nicer than the red) I know it doesn't have a deep finger choil, but the blur is really solid and deserves consideration.

If you can carry a fixed blade, perhaps the Buck Nighthawk would fit the bill?

The Tenacious and Skyline are both worth owning. If you shop around you can have both for $50.

 

[lemaymiami]

I have several EDC folding blades and all are very well suited to self defense. The one I carry the most is a Benchmade Ascent model (full sized, blade just short of 4"). This model is long out of production but new and good quality used can still be found on E-Bay. If you'll enter "benchmade ascent" on E-Bay there's a few there right now.... at least half of the ones there now meet your under $50 range. Good luck.

For those not familiar with the Ascent it's a forerunner of the AFCK model from what I can see.

 

[rio nueces]

I carry an 2nd generation Cold Steel Voyager medium non-serrated Tanto point. Had it for years, still very tight and strong. That was around $50.
I don't like the looks of the 3rd generation model Voyager which is being sold now, but I'm sure you can find a Cold Steel model to your liking. Good knives, inexpensive.

 

[Piraticalbob]

The Cold Steel 4" Zytel Ti-Lite can be had for as little as $35.00, if you want something a little more pointy.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Training & Location?

Before offering suggestions, perhaps you could give us an idea a) where you're located (regulations and all that), b) what sort of training you've had.

If no training, are you tall, short, big hands, little hands, heavy, light?

Knives for SD can be a truly ticklish thing, and it's certainly a pretty individual issue.

There are different schools of "stabby method" versus "slicy method" and preferred ways to hold (edge up, edge down, overhand/underhand grip) so as to maximize utility while minimizing exposure. And in any case, if you're in contact distance you're likely gonna get cut yourself.

So, without having at least some kind of idea what your training is -- or at least your thinking -- recommending a blade suitable for your SD will only amount to subjective, theoretical, or cosmetic preferences.


(Weird. I don't recall ever having written a response like this to an SD suitability request. Must be gettin' old.)

 

[RTR_RTR]

Thank you all for your advice!

Arfin - Louisiana (if you know legislation there, that'd be great... everything I've been able to find is very ambiguous, with general opinion online being that unless you're a felon, LEO doesn't seem to mind).

If you mean knife training, none. Hand-to-hand, nothing combat-oriented, couple years of boxing. I'm tall, medium/large hands, and light. I plan on carrying pepper spray as a nonlethal option, and really only having the knife as an absolute last resort if for some reason (probably due to a lapse in my own SA) that I found myself in need.

One thing I neglected to mention is (or maybe I was even a bit misleading), despite the primary purpose of carrying being for self defense, I don't want a weaponized knife per se (e.g. a stiletto), but rather a functional knife that would be amenable to self defense purposes - both for potential legal and utility purposes. I'm not opposed to a fixed blade if that would be a much better choice, but I'd much prefer a folder.

Thank you all again

 

[Firemedic56]

CRKT m16 or m21 series. hands down best bang for the buck ive found

 

[glistam]

RTR RTR, good man carrying the OC as your first option. High underrated stuff. A knife should never be your first option with defense.

Now as for a knife, I'm of the school of thought that for any fighting purpose, fixed is always superior to folder or automatic. But the law is not always on your side with that due to somewhat vague or erroneous (but legally binding) interpretations of terms such as "dirk" or "bowie knife." I'm afraid I don't know the law down there in LA so I don't know if that is an issue for you.

The best SD knife is the one you have in your pocket when someone tries to kill you. I don't think there is a perfect SD knife I can recommend for any other person. But I think any knife that is comfortable in your hand, is a shape and size in such a way that it is not a burden to carry, and had a sharp edge and point, will suit you just fine.

 

[hso]

If you're trained in boxing then you need to build off of that base for a knife style that uses a punching type of motion. That means you should look at knives that fit in your hand comfortably with the blade forward. Using the same techniques as boxing you punch with the blade sticking out of your fist and hit with the edge instead of your fist.

Handle each of the knives you're interested in with this in mind.

 

[Armored farmer]

I've only had it for a week, but my new Kershaw 'NeedsWork' is the best $36.00 I have spent for a long time. Super-quick spring assist opening, very sharp, good blade design, grippy scales, my favorite size...4.25", belt clip.
I always wanted an edc that would serve as a hunting knife....I am convinced this is it.

 

[VA27]

Go to housewares in any 'big box' store and find a stiff-bladed paring knife or steak knife. A good one shouldn't cost over 20 bux. Sharpen it. Carry it in a paper sack with an apple...don't forget to replace the apple occasionally. Need a folder? Opinel.

 

[jahwarrior]

another "what is the best knife" thread? you're going to get alot of varying advice. some of it will be good, most will be irrelevant. the only advice i can offer is to get a fisxed blade. if utility isn't going to be a priority, then there's no need to get a folder. just find a small fixed blade with a good sheath that will let you draw it rapidly. then, train with it, especially stress training. having a knife is meaningless if you can't deploy it under stress.

 

[RTR_RTR]

Thank you all for your advice, think I know what I'm going to do, just need to check on legality.

If you're trained in boxing then you need to build off of that base for a knife style that uses a punching type of motion. That means you should look at knives that fit in your hand comfortably with the blade forward. Using the same techniques as boxing you punch with the blade sticking out of your fist and hit with the edge instead of your fist.

Most logical thing I've ever read!

 

[Big Bill]

I'd recommend a Buck 110. http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=company.chooseKnife

 

[hso]

Most logical thing I've ever read!

Far from that, I hope, but it is reasonable to take an existing athletic skill/aptitude and base additional self defense skills off of it.

Get back into boxing just for fun or try another striking martial art that will expand the skillset. Incorporate the knife in an overhand grip into it. Think about adding a short stick/long pen as well.

 

[RTR_RTR]

I'm only a couple months out of my two years of boxing, so I still feel comfortable with it. Grad school is a major time sink, and not sure I'll get to continue, but I still have the opportunity to punch a bag on the weekends, just no more sparring/real training.

I ended up purchasing a ka-bar tdi (https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=1480) to go along with a can of foxlabs 2 oz flip top fog OC, just to give this thread some closure.

Thank you all again, both for the help and tolerating another one of these threads

 

[jahwarrior]

good choices, all around. the Kabar, in my opinion, is suited to a boxing style of fighting, and that Fox Labs is nasty stuff. i would have suggested a stream instead of a fogger, though, becasue of the risk of wind carrying it right back at you.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I like the Buck 110 because you can use it to also deliver a hammer blow do it is weigth.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Get a medium-small fixed blade. They are easier to conceal, faster to deploy and stronger.

I carry this behind the belt at 10:00.

The sheath is genuine Kydex and is rock solid; it lends itself well to CCW.

http://www.crkt.com/Crawford-NECK-KydexSheath

 

[jahwarrior]

why don't you carry it at noon?



i was considereing picking one of those up. CRKT, in my experience, makes great knives, but crappy sheaths. that one actually looks like it was put together well.

 

[RTR_RTR]

Sorry, I had meant to make a couple comments on the knife once I got it, and completely passed my mind. Feels good in the hand, normal and reverse grip. Very sturdy point. Not too sharp (mixed results between crumpling and being able to saw through paper if you start from the top), and appears to be a pretty wide angle grind. Isn't going to get regular use, so going to take it somewhere and have the edge touched up to where I'd like it to be (don't have the tools or the skills). Sheath is very comfortable between the hip and back by the kidney, which is also the only place it carries well for me without the handle printing. Sheath also goes up a bit too high - have to anticipate where the handle will end/blade will start to get a proper grip. Will probably shave it down and smooth it out.

 

[Patriotme]

I don't know if this will help you but Midway USA has a lot of knives and they are currently running a Father's Day special and have a lot clearance knives. You need to register to get the promotion codes. LA Police Gear has a lot of Kershaws and if you register with them you'll get a lot of promotional codes too.

 

[Doug S]

Spyderco Delica plain edge, $48.99 with free shipping from United Outdoors.