An article I read in a gun magazine encouraged the carrying of a small "push " style knife. The knife was similar to the "Urban Pal" push knife. Does anyone use/carry such a small fixed blade? Do they come in handy? I will more than likely buy one, since I haven't bought a knife in nearly two months, but I want to be able to rationalize it.
hide away knives
- Thread starter tshadow6
- Start date
i do
yeah i carry one of those stiff K.I.S.S knives made by C.R.K.T.
im happy that i have never had to use it in the 5 years ive been carrying it. i did however prepare to make use of it one night about 2 years ago. i was sitting in a group and some drunks came up and started making trouble. luckily the situation ended without any problems.
as this is actually a S.D weapon, it barely ever leaves its home on my belt, although i have used it for some aritrary cutting jobs when it was the only implement at hand.
they do come in useful, but for general cutting purposes i would suggest something cheap and replaceable
yeah i carry one of those stiff K.I.S.S knives made by C.R.K.T.
im happy that i have never had to use it in the 5 years ive been carrying it. i did however prepare to make use of it one night about 2 years ago. i was sitting in a group and some drunks came up and started making trouble. luckily the situation ended without any problems.
as this is actually a S.D weapon, it barely ever leaves its home on my belt, although i have used it for some aritrary cutting jobs when it was the only implement at hand.
they do come in useful, but for general cutting purposes i would suggest something cheap and replaceable
stephen426
New member
While I don't always carry my gun (don't hang me here), I always carry my knife. While it is ultimately for self defense, I end up using it all the time. I carry a Benchmade 710 which is the best damn knife I have ever used. It has Benchmade's patented Axis Lock which is super smooth and easy to open with one hand. Closing is also very easy and can be done with one hand. The profile is very compact making it easy and comfortable to carry around all day. It has an excellent blade made of 154CM which comes extremely sharp and holds it edge very well. It is easily sharpened but Benchmade has the lifesharp guarantee where they will sharpen the knife for you for $5 the first knife and $2.50 each additional knife. The knife can be used as a kubaton (blunt strinking device) when closed for less than lethal defense since it has stainless steel liners. The handles are made of G10 laminate and offer an excellent grip. My knife is half serrated making it useful for a variety of
I know it sounds like I work for Benchmade but I don't. I have been carrying this knife for about 5 years already even though I have about a dozen other knives. Pretty much the best damn knife I 've ever used.
In a close quarters (contact distance) situation, I would probably grab my knife before grabbing my gun. I would try to grab a hold of the gun arm first, grab my knife and cut the gun arm across the wrist (down stroke) (hopefully sever tendons and nerves to make him drop the gun). If the bad guy does not drop the gun, he'll get a second cut in the inner bicep area (up stroke)(maybe hit the brachail artery and more nerves). I doubt the bad guy will still be holding the gun but if he is, the third cut will be the throat (backhand stroke). By that time, it won't matter if he is holding the gun.
Knives don't run out of bullets. They are dangerous in an arc rather than just a vector. Knives are silent. The greatest weakness is limited range so if its further than contact distance, go for the gun.
I know it sounds like I work for Benchmade but I don't. I have been carrying this knife for about 5 years already even though I have about a dozen other knives. Pretty much the best damn knife I 've ever used.
In a close quarters (contact distance) situation, I would probably grab my knife before grabbing my gun. I would try to grab a hold of the gun arm first, grab my knife and cut the gun arm across the wrist (down stroke) (hopefully sever tendons and nerves to make him drop the gun). If the bad guy does not drop the gun, he'll get a second cut in the inner bicep area (up stroke)(maybe hit the brachail artery and more nerves). I doubt the bad guy will still be holding the gun but if he is, the third cut will be the throat (backhand stroke). By that time, it won't matter if he is holding the gun.
Knives don't run out of bullets. They are dangerous in an arc rather than just a vector. Knives are silent. The greatest weakness is limited range so if its further than contact distance, go for the gun.
leadcounsel
Moderator
I find that I always like to have some weapon available whether it be a gun or knife. Sometimes it's difficult to include a gun in my dress or impractical depending on the engagement or illegal (for instance in a bar) so I always carry a boot knife or a folder.
I like carrying the combonation of gun + knife best, but don't always do so.
Never had to use either in self defense.
Often use the knife as a tool.
I like carrying the combonation of gun + knife best, but don't always do so.
Never had to use either in self defense.
Often use the knife as a tool.
Bill DeShivs
New member
I'm seriously into knives in a professional way.
I don't advocate using a knife for self defense. If the knife becomes a weapon of opportunity when that's all you have available, then so be it.
But to say " In a close quarters (contact distance) situation, I would probably grab my knife before grabbing my gun. I would try to grab a hold of the gun arm first, grab my knife and cut the gun arm across the wrist (down stroke) (hopefully sever tendons and nerves to make him drop the gun). If the bad guy does not drop the gun, he'll get a second cut in the inner bicep area (up stroke)(maybe hit the brachail artery and more nerves). I doubt the bad guy will still be holding the gun but if he is, the third cut will be the throat (backhand stroke). By that time, it won't matter if he is holding the gun.
Knives don't run out of bullets. They are dangerous in an arc rather than just a vector. Knives are silent. The greatest weakness is limited range so if its further than contact distance, go for the gun." Is pure folly. It would probably get you shot! You might be able to do it if you know the person and know the gun was unloaded. I'm sorry, but I doubt that you would be able to think this way this quickly. Truly fighting with a knife is a martial art, and requires quite a bit of training.
Knives are wonderful tools, but guns are much better for self defense.
Bill
I don't advocate using a knife for self defense. If the knife becomes a weapon of opportunity when that's all you have available, then so be it.
But to say " In a close quarters (contact distance) situation, I would probably grab my knife before grabbing my gun. I would try to grab a hold of the gun arm first, grab my knife and cut the gun arm across the wrist (down stroke) (hopefully sever tendons and nerves to make him drop the gun). If the bad guy does not drop the gun, he'll get a second cut in the inner bicep area (up stroke)(maybe hit the brachail artery and more nerves). I doubt the bad guy will still be holding the gun but if he is, the third cut will be the throat (backhand stroke). By that time, it won't matter if he is holding the gun.
Knives don't run out of bullets. They are dangerous in an arc rather than just a vector. Knives are silent. The greatest weakness is limited range so if its further than contact distance, go for the gun." Is pure folly. It would probably get you shot! You might be able to do it if you know the person and know the gun was unloaded. I'm sorry, but I doubt that you would be able to think this way this quickly. Truly fighting with a knife is a martial art, and requires quite a bit of training.
Knives are wonderful tools, but guns are much better for self defense.
Bill
steelheart
Moderator
Not exactly a hide away knife, but once I had to draw my Cold Steel Recon Scout (7.5" blade) on a guy who was getting ready to invade my personal space in a parking garage one night.
He got religion real quick.
He got religion real quick.
308Enfield
New member
I always have a couple of knives on me, a big Swiss Army knife for tools (I work in IT) and a little Hen & Rooster folder for everyday cutting chores. I have to agree with Bill that unless you really know what you're doing knives aren't a really good choice for SD. I've had some training on fighting with knives and defending against knife attacks when unarmed in martial arts, but I'm very much an amateur. Knife fighting is a demanding practice, and unless you dedicate lots of time to learning from a good instructor I think you'd be in for an unpleasant surprise in a real-life situation. I'm not questioning anybody's qualifications, if you really know how to use a knife than you've got a good second line of defense, but if you haven't been trained you should think twice about how safe you are.
Also, I can't speak for other areas but in Tennessee blades over 4" long are considered concealed weapons. Also, carrying a fixed blade can get you charged with, I think the phrase is "intent to go armed." For any of you who are carrying knives for SD, I'd recommend reading up on your state laws. I think its more than a little silly that I'm licensed to carry a pistol but can get arrested for carrying a Bowie knife, but that's the law and its important to know it and follow it.
Also, I can't speak for other areas but in Tennessee blades over 4" long are considered concealed weapons. Also, carrying a fixed blade can get you charged with, I think the phrase is "intent to go armed." For any of you who are carrying knives for SD, I'd recommend reading up on your state laws. I think its more than a little silly that I'm licensed to carry a pistol but can get arrested for carrying a Bowie knife, but that's the law and its important to know it and follow it.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Mr. 762- where in Tenn?
Bill
Bill
oldbillthundercheif
Moderator
Train Hard!
Anyone who carries a knife for self-defence needs to train with it constantly. Otherwise you will be cut to ribbons by the next hobo you run into. Hell, you will probably be cut to ribbons in a knife-fight that you "win", no matter the circumstances.
Acquire a "red-gun" version of the knife you carry (or something fairly close, you may have to substitute a "red" k-bar for your super-commando XZY). You will also need a bucket of paint, several white t-shirts, and a friend willing to invest in simmilar items.
Then proceed to slash at each other until you get good at it...
Do this or very bad things will happen when the brown substance flys into the rotors.
Anyone who carries a knife for self-defence needs to train with it constantly. Otherwise you will be cut to ribbons by the next hobo you run into. Hell, you will probably be cut to ribbons in a knife-fight that you "win", no matter the circumstances.
Acquire a "red-gun" version of the knife you carry (or something fairly close, you may have to substitute a "red" k-bar for your super-commando XZY). You will also need a bucket of paint, several white t-shirts, and a friend willing to invest in simmilar items.
Then proceed to slash at each other until you get good at it...
Do this or very bad things will happen when the brown substance flys into the rotors.
stephen426
New member
Bill DeShivs said:
Bill,
I understand where you are coming from and I respect your opinion. The problem I see is trying to outdraw someone who already has a gun on you and is so close that expecting him to miss is practically impossible. If I thought I was just going to be robbed, hell, I'll just give him my wallet and be done with it. Why even resist and put myself at risk over a couple of bucks? If I feel he is going to shoot me anyways, I sure as hell will go down fighting.
I am trained in martial arts and am in decent physical shape. While I am not an expert on disarming an armed attacker, we did go over some disarming techniques. First and foremost, you have to get out of the line of fire. By faking submission, you should look for an opportunity to move your body out of the line of fire and control the gun arm. While this is risky, you would be surprised that is can be done relatively easy for someone not expecting resistance. Like I said, bullets are only dangerous in a single vector and I sure as hell would not want to be in line with that vector. Once you control the gun hand however, there is no advantage. Consider taking some Aikido or Jujitsu classes and you may be surprised how easily you are disarmed (please make sure you are using dummy guns or triple check to make sure the gun is empty). There is actually a move to break the attackers wrist and turn the gun on him. A knife would also be highly advantageous in close quarters provided that you could access it quickly and one handed. Like I said earlier, if it is not contact distance, it is better to use a gun or not resist unless you are sure you have a chance to clear leather without getting shot. If you try to disarm a knife weilding attacker, prepare to get cut up. The best thing is to create some distance and shoot the SOB.
Arizona Fusilier
New member
I carried a Mini-Pal on my spare key chain, just because I got it as a present. Never used it though.
I'm normally not without a knife of some type.
I'm normally not without a knife of some type.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/ctkurt/autostryker.jpg
I carry this every day. I'm sure a fixed blade would do nicely as well.
I carry this every day. I'm sure a fixed blade would do nicely as well.
Mannlicher
New member
I always carry a back up knife. I find it darn hard to clean my fingernails with a Colt Commander.
Blackwater OPS
New member
+1 one for this, I carry a knife for the same reason as well as to aid in weapon retention.
So what would YOU do in that situation Bill? Try to draw your firearm and get distance on a guy that has already drawn? Now THAT would probably get you shot.
Bill DeShivs
New member
More than likely, I would already have my gun in hand.
I'm not saying a knife is not a weapon. I'm saying it is a last ditch weapon of chance.
Bill
I'm not saying a knife is not a weapon. I'm saying it is a last ditch weapon of chance.
Bill
CWO4USCGRET
New member
I have to
Agree with Bill; my knives I carry, in conjunction with my handgun, are defensive. If. in my opinion, it is time to bring out a weapon, then it will be my pistol. Understand this, knives are tools, but are also deadly force. I am armed with a handgun whenever I leave the house; either in uniform in the duty belt or in civvies, concealed. If I need to draw a weapon, then in my trained, professional opinion, the use of deadly force is a very strong possibility. I'm not trained in knife fighting; I am trained in the use of a pistol; if I have to shoot to stop I will...I can't see myself or my fellow officers using a knife to stop someone in a deadly force situation...my knife(s) are for opening boxes, and as a last ditch (if I have lost the use of my pistol...
Agree with Bill; my knives I carry, in conjunction with my handgun, are defensive. If. in my opinion, it is time to bring out a weapon, then it will be my pistol. Understand this, knives are tools, but are also deadly force. I am armed with a handgun whenever I leave the house; either in uniform in the duty belt or in civvies, concealed. If I need to draw a weapon, then in my trained, professional opinion, the use of deadly force is a very strong possibility. I'm not trained in knife fighting; I am trained in the use of a pistol; if I have to shoot to stop I will...I can't see myself or my fellow officers using a knife to stop someone in a deadly force situation...my knife(s) are for opening boxes, and as a last ditch (if I have lost the use of my pistol...
stephen426
New member
CWO4USCGRET and Bill DeShivs,
Let me clarify my point... I would only pull my knife if someone already had a gun drawn on me and was at contact distance. It would be hard for either of us to miss each other if we got in a fire fight and the chances of me drawing and shooting him before he gets a shot off are slim to none. At contact distance, I would try to disarm him. First of all, I would fake compliance and try to catch him off guard. You need to remember that a gun is only dangerous in one vector. If I could control his gun hand and grab my knife, I'm pretty sure I would be better off than if we exchanged shots at point blank range. You can be 100% aware of your surroundings but it is almost always possible for someone to get the jump on you.
I'm not saying you should whip out a knife if the guy is a few feet away from you and already has a gun pointing at you. A knife is only useful at contact distances. In my opinion, it is always better to give up what money you have on you than risk getting shot. If the bad guy gives you the impression that he is going to kill you anyways, fight for you life. Even if you walk around with $10,000 in your wallet, hospital bills and lost wages will make that amount seem like chump change. I'm not sure what a funeral costs now a days but you might want to consider the cost of that too. The problem is I'm worth more dead than I am alive so my wife would probably sign a DNR in a heart beat... Just kidding.
Unless you guys are really such quick draw McGraws, I'd hand over the wallet.
Let me clarify my point... I would only pull my knife if someone already had a gun drawn on me and was at contact distance. It would be hard for either of us to miss each other if we got in a fire fight and the chances of me drawing and shooting him before he gets a shot off are slim to none. At contact distance, I would try to disarm him. First of all, I would fake compliance and try to catch him off guard. You need to remember that a gun is only dangerous in one vector. If I could control his gun hand and grab my knife, I'm pretty sure I would be better off than if we exchanged shots at point blank range. You can be 100% aware of your surroundings but it is almost always possible for someone to get the jump on you.
I'm not saying you should whip out a knife if the guy is a few feet away from you and already has a gun pointing at you. A knife is only useful at contact distances. In my opinion, it is always better to give up what money you have on you than risk getting shot. If the bad guy gives you the impression that he is going to kill you anyways, fight for you life. Even if you walk around with $10,000 in your wallet, hospital bills and lost wages will make that amount seem like chump change. I'm not sure what a funeral costs now a days but you might want to consider the cost of that too. The problem is I'm worth more dead than I am alive so my wife would probably sign a DNR in a heart beat... Just kidding.
Unless you guys are really such quick draw McGraws, I'd hand over the wallet.
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