| How to Choose a Personal Defense
Knife There are so
many variables to consider when searching for a personal defense knife.
There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different knives being
marketed as self-defense, fighting, combat, and close-quarter knives.
However, all good defense knives share certain features.
This is a general guideline on
identifying a knife that is well suited for self defense. However, you
must also consider the laws pertaining to the possession and use of
knives in your area, as they will restrict your choices.
All good personal defense
knives are quick to deploy, and are deployable with one hand. A fixed
blade knife will be the fastest to deploy. In a fixed blade knife, the
blade is affixed to the handle or the entire knife is crafted out of one
piece of metal. Its fixed position allows the user to be able to quickly
slide it in our out of its sheath/holster and point the blade towards
the attacker. If you choose a fixed blade knife, make sure you get a
holster that can firmly grip the blade without a strap, or one that has
a strap but can easily unsnap with a simple finger tug. A folding knife
is a knife with the blade encased within the handle. Although these are
not as fast to deploy as fixed blade knives, they are easier to conceal,
which can give you the advantage of the element of surprise.
Additionally, they are more difficult for your attacker to steal because
they typically are not holstered by a sheath but instead are stored
within your clothes pockets. If you want to go with a folding knife,
make sure you get one that you can deploy the blade with one hand. Good
self defense folding knives have loose moving blade hinges and can open
with the flick of the wrist. Alternatively, you can get a folding knife
that has a device on the blade, such as a hole or stud, so the thumb can
easily flick it open. Lastly, a folding knife that has a clip affixed to
the handle is ideal so that you can easily slide it on and off your
pockets.
Certain handle features make
or break a good personal defense knife. The ideal handle will not only
allow the user to maneuver the knife easily but also keep him or her
safe from injury. The most important feature a knife handle must have is
a finger guard that is positioned between the handle and the blade,
characterized by a groove or barricade. This helps prevent the hand from
slipping onto the blade after impact. It will also help to have finger
grooves lining the entire handle. Additionally, you’ll want to choose a
knife handle that is made from materials that have a good natural grip,
such as those with a rubber or G10 coating. Alternatively, a handle with
a checkered or similar surface pattern can facilitate a better grip.
Lastly, you’ll want a handle with adequate length, which will vary
because everyone’s hands are sized and shaped differently. In general,
you’ll want the butt to protrude out from your hand about an inch,
whether you’re using an underhand or overhand grip. This ensures that
you are able to grip the handle at full force using all your fingers.
You’ll of course need a good
blade on your personal defense knife. The blade, after all, is the part
with which you’ll engage your attacker and what makes a knife a knife.
Identifying a good blade goes further than just seeing if it is sharp
and pointed enough. It is paying attention to the subtle features that
will determine whether you’ve chosen a great knife or a “so-so” knife
for self defense. First, select a knife with a blade that is thick and
made of tough, durable steel, such as ATS-34, ATS-55, and AUS-6. At the
very least, get a blade made out of 440C. Second, you must select a
knife with a blade that is not too thinly pointed, but slightly wide.
The most robust and versatile points include the spear, drop, clip, and
normal point. These two features will help the blade resist shattering
just in case during a struggle you hit it against something hard. You’ll
also need to consider whether to get a plain edge (smooth) or serrated
edge (tooth-like). A plain edge facilitate quick and clean slashes, and
easy stab insertion/removal. Plain edges, however, become dull faster
than serrated edges. On the other hand, you shouldn’t use your self
defense knife for everyday utility in the first place. A serrated edge
will help keep the knife sharp. Additionally, because it rips through
the surface rather than slice, it can cause more damage. You do,
however, don’t get as smooth a slice or stab as you would with a plain
edge. We prefer that you get a blade that is plain from the tip down to
the midpoint, and serrated from the midpoint down to the base. This will
give a good combination of durability, ease of use, and damaging power.
We like getting our self
defense knives at
www.selfdefenseproducts.com.
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