Small fixed blade self-defense knife ideas

[Fosbery]

Cold Steel make high quality, low cost knives. They make a good few lil ones for easy concealed carry. Dart and Spike come to mind.

 

[Terrierman]

A. G. Russell's Sting would fill the bill and stay in budget. Ooopsie, it's a double edged boot knife so never mind.

 

[LooseGrouper]

Polkowski/Kasper from CRKT

I think these were designed for the exact purpose you're trying to fill:

http://www.travelcountry.com/shop/Action/Vendor_Show/Id/726

I have one and I love it. It feels really good in the hand even though the handle is very flat/slim. Mine came with two Kydex sheaths. One is for belt carry, and the other is for IWB. I checked out the CRKT site but they don't seem to be carrying them any more. Just type "CRKT Polkowski Kasper" into a search engine and you'll come up with tons of vendors still selling them in various configurations.

LG

 

[EricO]

I'll second LooseGrouper's suggeston of the Polkowski CRKT. I have both of the folders and have always been a big fan of anything Polkowski, especially Kaspar designed. I'd love a Pug! It's a very decent knife and when you factor in the inexpensive price it's a deal. Don't use it for utility purposes and keep it sharp. And if you want kydex for a replacement sheath, try out Tom Krein's custom kydex work, he rocks! Hey Tom!

If you go up in price, there are many knives out there. I have a penchant for small fixed blades for some reason. For true self defense purposes I would look at the Shivworks models along with SouthNarc's training video. Devasting stuff!

EricO

 

[stdlrf11]

LooseGrouper and EricO,
I think you found it. That looks like exactly what I need for the price I can afford.

Thanks,
stdlrf11

 

[LooseGrouper]

Great. Glad I could help. Let me know what you think if/when you get it.

LG

 

[tellner]

Go to a place with a good selection of knives. Pick up and handle a bunch of them. If it doesn't fit your hand comfortably with a positive grip don't take a second look at it. Find the ones that feel good and have decent engineering and materials. There will be a bunch.

Remember, it's your weapon to fit your hand and your needs, not anyone else's.

 

[stdlrf11]

I've gone to the stores around here. I wasn't impressed with their knives. The only one I keep considering is the large TDI tanto serrated, but I'm not sure it could be used for anything more than a slashing weapon with the curved handle. I think it'd be hard to thrust it with your wrist at a weird angle.

What do ya'll think?

stdlrf11

 

[leadcounsel]

I run 4 miles daily with a backpack. I recently attached this S&W knife, handle pointed down, to my pack shoulder strap. The knife fits snugly in the sheath and pulls out smoothly and in 50 miles has never fallen out of the sheath. Comfortable handle, good steel, nice edge.

It was $15 + shipping. I think it is cheaper and no shipping at Sportsmans warehouse.

http://www.knivesplus.com/smith-wesson-sw-hrt3bf.html

 

[loandr.]

should give ya some options...enjoy

LD

 

[stdlrf11]

Here are my daily companions right now.
CZ P-01, CRKT Crawford Falcon, KA-BAR TDI, Kershaw Vapor II, Streamlight TL-2.



I want a strong side fixed blade for when I can't/don't want to carry my P-01.

stdlrf11

 

[loandr.]

In case you can go a bit bigger.

 

[commygun]

Another (belated) vote for the CRKT P/K.
Stout, sharp, and 19.99 at eknifeworks.com.

 

[ready4shtf]

Here is the Texas penal code regarding illegal knives. Doesnt say double edged is illegal. Where are you pulling your information?


6) "Illegal knife" means a:
(A) knife with a blade over five and one-half
inches;
(B) hand instrument designed to cut or stab
another by being thrown;
(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk,
stilletto, and poniard;
(D) bowie knife;
(E) sword; or
(F) spear.
(7) "Knife" means any bladed hand instrument that is
capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or
stabbing a person with the instrument.



http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.010.00.000046.00.htm#46.01.00

 

[Fosbery]

(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk,
stilletto, and poniard;

A dagger is a double edged fighting knife. If it had a plain edge and a saw edge, it wouldn't be a dagger, but otherwise I don't see how it couldn't be.

 

[JShirley]

When you have the funds, Tom Krein does make great sheaths- I have one- and, if you save up, something like his TK-3 would ideally fulfill a small EDC FB function.

John

 

[stdlrf11]

I've spoken with many cops about what they would consider an illegal knife, and many stated that if it looked like a dagger (whether it IS double edged or not) then they would consider it illegal. That isn't to say that you would be arrested or charged with a crime, but I sure as hell don't want the hassle. The safe bet is to get a tanto or clip point knife and call it a life. Any "boot" knife, whether double edged or not, isn't for me. I have too much to lose spending the night in jail.

Thanks,
stdlrf11

 

[EricO]

Stdlrf11, here's a couple of nice small fixed blades I own currently.

Lynn Griffith and Busse Assault Shaker, both with custom Dwayne Puckett (armoralleather.com) horizontal belt sheaths.
Below is a pic of a custom sheath Tom Krein made for a Busse Natural Outlaw I once owned. Nice work Tom!


Loandr, that's a very, very nice collection of fixed blades you have. Very interesting collection also. 1st pic had a couple Perrins, correct? I've always thought the street scalpel with the horizontal sheath was a neat little pc.
Ciao,
EricO

 

[fedaykincmndr]

+1 for the P/K Companion great knife but kind of wide. It looks bigger than it actually is. If you've sheeple in TX I'd be careful whippin it out to open a box or something. It does have a false edge on top but you can tell by looking at it that it's not sharpened. I'd give it a shot. If you're into traditional an Anza makes a GREAT knife all around. All this tacti-cool stuff is kinda gettin' on my nerves. The best defensive blade is the one you have on you. If you're looking for tacti-cool then be prepared to pay more; that's where the demand is these days. However you may look at the Benchmade Snody Instigator (35 USD) if you're into the tactical thing. It looks like it'd be a great utility blade too. Just my $.02.

 

[kid_couteau]

Hi All

I would recommend that you carry a small bladed hunting or fishing type knife.

You really don't want a self defense blade for this you want something that says, "Hey I am not a dangerous knife I am the knife Granddad used for skinning out a partridge or whittling."

Anything that looks or says "fighter" is gonna buy you a hassle.

Just my opinion folks and worth just what you paid for it.

Kid

 

[stdlrf11]

I've narrowed my choices down to:

CRKT First strike, either the military or the smaller one
Cold steel Kubon
KaBar large TDI tanto serrated
Cold steel 4" gunsite (folder)
Spyderco 3.5" endura (folder)

Any advice?

stdlrf11

 

[hso]

The Sting is a dagger.

I think the Kasper Companion is one of the finest small fixed or folding knive designs ever made.

I do like the Endura/Delica knives from Spyderco.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

CRKT First strike, either the military or the smaller one
Cold steel Kubon
KaBar large TDI tanto serrated
Cold steel 4" gunsite (folder)
Spyderco 3.5" endura (folder)

Any advice?

If you go the folder route, get the waved endura 4, the best bang for the buck and has a wave to boot. But you're way better off with a fixed blade.

Regarding your choices, the First Strikes have had lots of reports of absolutely terrible edge geometry, and you want something that cuts. For self defense, I'd go with neither a tanto nor serrated, so i wouldn't go with the that particular TDI. The Kubon is okay, a tanto again, very little finger protection, but cuts well. None of your fixed blade options would make it anywhere near my short list, but that's me. Of the suggestions on this thread, I like Tom Krein's suggestion of the Benchmade best. Also like the CRKT Kaspar/Polkowski Companion if you're trying to save max pennies. Another really strong contender, and probably the best matter separator of the bunch, is the Spyderco Temperance http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SPFB05 These will be the least cool-looking but best pure cutters of the bunch. Look around, they are on closeout at some places, and can be had for even cheaper than at that link.

If you were to relax your budget a bit, I'd look closely at the Gryphon M10 http://www.elinemerchandising.com/GPM10.html The top edge is not sharp, it's not a dagger, unless Texas would consider an unsharpened swedge enough to be a dagger.

Joe

 

[Coop de Ville]

Spyderco Ronin.