Small fixed blade self-defense knife ideas

[stdlrf11]

I'm in the market for a small fixed blade knife that I can clip to my waistband and easily conceal for those times when I can't carry my gun. Here are my criteria:
1. 3-4" blade. No longer, no shorter.
2. Easy to instantly remove from the sheath. It will be for self defense, so speed is essential.
3. Strudy, well balanced blade.
4. No double-edged boot knives. They are illegal to carry in Texas.
5. Simple design. I don't need finger holes, etc.

I've been looking at the small CRKT first strike and the Ontario RAT 3 online. I won't buy it until I can go to the store and see how it feels.

This is a little out of my area of expertise, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
stdlrf11

 

[Plumber576]

If you want a defensive knife that is THE quickest to deploy, it does not get any faster than an Emerson with the Wave feature. They are well balanced knives that were basically created for everything you just stated. Look here at www.emersonknives.com , find the model you want, then search the internet for the cheapest price.

I have carried my Emerson mini CQC-7B for 2 years now in a utility purpose and it has yet to displease me. It is a stong tool that is, in my opinion, worth every penny you wild pay over something like a CRKT.

Good luck with your choice.

Edited to add, Emersons are, for the most part, folders that I think you don't want to overlook. They can be carried comfortably in the pocket, and be deployed as fast as a fixed blade if the knife uses the Wave feature.

 

[Fosbery]

Er...the fastest knives to deploy are fixed blades, not the folding Emersons (though they are quick).

Benchmade Nimravus 145 is a high quality fighter with a 3.65" blade. I'd reccomend that. Benchmade outbounder has an older styled design but it still great. Should be quite a bit cheaper than the Nimravus and has a 3.75" blade.

 

[JShirley]

As I recall, the First Strike doesn't have much of a guard. I'd want one.

John

 

[Sistema1927]

Look at the Kabar TDI Law Enforcement knives.

 

[Plumber576]

i forgot to add that you might want to look into a hideaway knife, they are great buggers. http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php

I had a strider, but a untility one can be had for under $70 IIRC.

 

[Fosbery]

Any good push dagger would be great, too.

 

[22-rimfire]

Check out Bob Dozier's knives. They are excellent and his Sheath A is very fast and fits horizontally on your belt. The Whittler, Canoe model, or one of the hunter models are excellent. Your choice. You can keep these knives scarey sharp which is what you want for a defensive carry knife. I believe A.G. Russell has some in stock as well for quick purchase. These are top flight handmade knives. You will mess with the sheath for hours (very fast) and you'll have a first class fixed blade. Links below: http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_maker/a_through_d/dozier_knives.html
http://www.dozierknives.com/

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Another vote for the TDI. I would suggest an aftermarket sheath (www.sheath mechanic can help you there) for it. However, I think the design is excellent and the price is very good! (I've bought 2 now).

I like the Hideaways that have been mentioned also, just haven't gotten around to buying one yet.

 

[stdlrf11]

Thanks for all of the responses.

First, I already have a TDI. It is great for an offhand backup knife, but I'm not sure it would be good for strongside use. It is mainly a slashing weapon, and the curved handle would make it difficult to thrust without changing your grip. If you think you can convince me otherwise, I'd like you to try.

Second, I'm not a rich man. There is no way I can afford to spend $200 on a knife. I can only spend $30-70, and $70 is a S-T-R-E-T-C-H.

Third, Push knives, daggers, dirks, double-edged blades and stilletos are illegal to carry in Texas, so they are out of the question.

Thanks again,
stdlrf11

 

[JTW Jr.]

I was gonna suggest the Kershaw Military but it it 4 1/2

Perhaps something in the Ontario Rat line up ????

Having carried Emersons , I find I can deploy my Strider AR just as fast.

all depends on how much you practice getting it into action.

 

[RyanM]

If you have small-ish hands, a Gigand Guardian might work. http://www.gigand.com/guardian.html

 

[Mac Attack]

I recommend a Strider SA or Strider DB. They are typical Strider, Big (3.5" blade and 7.25" overall) and Bada$$. I used to own a SA and it was a great knife that could have been used as a crowbar.

www.striderknives.com

 

[JShirley]

How much are the Striders? 5x what the man can pay isn't much help.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a couple SOG Field Pups. Has a 4" blade. Nice knives. Take a look. You can buy them for around $35 usually at some of the online knife places. You will have to get a sheath rigged up though as the sheath that comes with it is a vertical sheath. http://www.sogknives.com/fieldpup.htm

In fact, you could get Bob Dozier to make you one as he will make one of his sheaths for most knives. I know how you feel about expensive knives. I felt the same way. Until you start handling some of these, you never really know the difference. The Field Pup is a knife that could be used around the kitchen; quite handy actually. Razor sharp.

Another possibilitiy is the SOG Topo Contour: http://www.sogknives.com/Fixed-Blades/contour/C47.htm I have not tried one of these. It looks a bit "modern", but it might be what you are looking for.

I bought a 12" machete a while back. No sheath. I am going to have a kydex sheath made for it. Unfortunately, the sheath costs more that the blade.

 

[Mac Attack]

How much are the Striders? 5x what the man can pay isn't much help.

Good point, I only read the posters first thread.

Second, I'm not a rich man. There is no way I can afford to spend $200 on a knife. I can only spend $30-70, and $70 is a S-T-R-E-T-C-H.

In that case get yourself a nice fixed blade Buck from Wally world. I have seen some good usable stuff in the price range of $30-$50.

 

[Tom Krein]

Based on your requirements I would like to recommend the

Benchmade BM14100

I think this fits your stated needs very well. While it does have some holes in the blade I do not think this affects its ablility.

Here is a link to a website that has them priced well under $70.00...


www.knifeworks.com

I would recommend getting a good quality kydex sheath built for it and you would have a very good package for carry!

Tom

 

[22-rimfire]

And the kydex sheath will add another $25-$50 in cost. I don't personally have a issue with the cost, but when you put these absolute limits on buying a knife that you say you will use to protect your LIFE.... I just don't get it. What is your life worth? Cheapest way to go is to get a quick folder and forget the fixed blade. Now you don't have a sheath issue.

The extra $100 in the purchase of a knife means nothing in the grand scheme of things if the knife really works for the situation you envision. Save money where it is practical to save money, not on the important things. This is one reason I do not buy cheap handguns. (Sorry for my rant!)

 

[stdlrf11]

In the "grand scheme of things," paying for food on my family's table is more important than buying a sharpened piece of steel that I may/maynot have to use to hurt someone with someday After paying bills this month, I have $40 of "me money." I don't have hundreds of dollars to drop on the coolest new trendy knife or a custom made pig sticker. I'm supporting a family of 3 with one paycheck. If I'm going to spend $200-300 on a knife, I might as well drop a few hundred more and buy another handgun.
Okay, now that my rant is over....

Thanks for all of your opinions. I've pretty much decided to stick with my folders. I couldn't find a fixed blade that I liked, so I'll just keep my CRKT and Kershaw folders and carry my P-01 more often.

As for the money, I'll buy a new mag for my rifle and one for my CZ.

Thanks again,
stdlrf11

 

[Boom-stick]

Try these,

http://www.szaboinc.com/index1.html

I haven't got any of them but they do look good

 

[Fosbery]

Ooooh, nice

 

[hso]

Dan,

I don't think Szabo has anything in his price range.

 

[tellner]

I dunno. The Szabos look cool, but I have some concerns about them.

1) Too many sharp corners near fingers.
2) The protrusion on the back of the kerambit is wierd. Flipping it over is easy enough without it, and that maneuver isn't a terribly common one.
3) Some of the knives seem a tad expensive for what you get.

 

[Boom-stick]

The Szabos are really the kind of knife you buy because they look cool and you think would do you proud in a knife-fight, but when it comes down to it you'd probably wind up smacking the BG in the head with a brick just to protect the knife

As for the whole price range issue, if he finds something he really, really wants/likes I'm sure he'll find the money. (I know I do )

+1 on the HAK's I'm just thinking about which style to go for

And Coldsteel do a competitive price range of blades too.

Although it's a UK site check out www.heinnie.com for a good range of blades.


I noticed in a post further back about double edged blades being illegal in Texas, what would be the standing on say, a cold steel push knife with one edge ground down?

 

[stdlrf11]

You can't grind down one edge and call it legal. Unless you are REAL friendly to the cop, he'll get you for carrying an illegal knife. I was looking at the CRKT Hamond ABC knife, but with the serrated sawback blade, it is considered "double edged."

I'm not an authority on the definition of illegal knives in Texas, but I know what the statutes say. Most cops have differing views on what the vauge law means, which puts you in a tight spot when you have to explain yourself to them. There is a lot of discretion in this area. It is best to be safe and stick with what you know is legal.

stdlrf11