Gyroscopic Investing

I am no expert (read: please ignore everything I am about to write and really, I should not even be writing it at all ) but I don't think a knife is a very good self-defense weapon. It requires that you be within hand-to-hand combat distance with the attacker, and your ability to meaningfully employ it depends on heavily on your level of physical fitness and training in knife fighting. A knife is not a disabling weapon; it is a killing weapon, but it kills slowly through blood loss. That's the opposite of what you want for self-defense where stopping the attacker immediately is paramount. And then there's the psychological factor: a knife simply isn't that intimidating to the kind of person you can expect you might have to use it against. He can reason to himself, "I'm a big tough guy. I can dodge his feeble attacks, or even wrestle that dinky thing away from him."

It's probably better than nothing, of course But IMHO, a gun is simply worlds better if you feel the desire to carry a weapon for self-defense. A gun is more intimidating, easier to effectively employ with less physical conditioning or training, has greater range, and is more likely to actually stop an assailant quickly should--god forbid--you ever need to use it in that capacity.

Don't fall back on a knife! It's painful!

Seriously, though, what about a boot knife instead of a folding knife?

Spyderco Delica.

Made in Japan.

MediumTex wrote: Spyderco Delica.

Made in Japan.

I like knives!  I'm trusting your recommendation and ordered one today.  I have not had a Spyderco before.  Do you give a money back guarantee? 

... Mountaineer

Mountaineer wrote:

MediumTex wrote: Spyderco Delica.

Made in Japan.

I like knives!  I'm trusting your recommendation and ordered one today.  I have not had a Spyderco before.  Do you give a money back guarantee? 

... Mountaineer

I've had several of these over the years and they are great knives if you want a compact lightweight knife with a high quality serrated/straight blade.

The main challenge with these knives is to keep from losing them.  I've lost several of them.  If you find one, it might be mine.

How do knives really fit into a self defense plan?

(Not asking to be smug, I just really don't get the strategy and am curious).

Desert wrote:
Edged weapons are devastating.  As PS pointed out, they bring more killing power than they do stopping power, but I'd rather have a knife than nothing. 

But at what point in a confrontation do you break out the knife?

AdamA wrote:

Desert wrote:
Edged weapons are devastating.  As PS pointed out, they bring more killing power than they do stopping power, but I'd rather have a knife than nothing. 

But at what point in a confrontation do you break out the knife?

As soon as she starts complaining about anything!

Desert wrote:

Kshartle wrote:

AdamA wrote: But at what point in a confrontation do you break out the knife?

As soon as she starts complaining about anything!

  For that comment, I'm afraid I have to send you back to the morality thread for penance.

No please don't. 

I don't think I would ever pull a knife on my wife. She still has the huge machete I got her this past christmas!

Desert wrote:   Yeah, nothing quite as bad as showing up at a machete fight with a little knife. 

Did you really get your wife a machete for Christmas?

I did! She loves it. Every wife needs a machete!

Desert wrote: I'm scared enough of my wife as it is, even without a machete! 

But seriously, I was just thinking the other day that I'd love to have a decent sword.  Maybe I should consider a machete as well. 

Which machete did you get?

Condor Knife & Tool Golok Machete:

[img width=600]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4 ... L1500_.jpg[/img]

If I was buying one for myself, in retrospect, I think I would go with their "El Salvador" wood-handled machete. It's got a thinner blade, and the Golok is kind of heavy, though that gives it a really good feeling to heft and swing around!

Medium Tex,

Got the Spyderco today; Amazon Prime 2 day shipping is great.  Even was delivered by the Postal Service!  Happy 4th to me.  Nice knife.  Thanks again for the recommendation.

... Mountaineer

Simonjester wrote: this isn't a knife fight, but it is a good example of keeping your cool, attempting to avoid conflict and being fully on guard and ready when the former aren't enough..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkz3uAFlkLM

I think this guy does a better job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APTdjG6Xo9A
2 mins

Mountaineer wrote: Medium Tex,

Got the Spyderco today; Amazon Prime 2 day shipping is great.  Even was delivered by the Postal Service!  Happy 4th to me.  Nice knife.  Thanks again for the recommendation.

... Mountaineer

They are very nice little knives.  Really well built.

I'm glad that you like yours.  Just don't lose it.