Deluxe Martial Arts Forums - View Single Post - Folding knives for self-defense

Jim McRae · 04-17-2001, 05:09 AM

I suppose I should start.

I generally carry one of three folding knives as my primary defensive blade: a Chris Reeve Sebenza (large, with double thumb lugs), a Benchmade Ares (Black-Ti, 50/50 serrated), or an Emerson Commander ('99 model, Black-Ti, partially serrated). I own a good three dozen folding knives, but these three tend to be my favorites for the following reasons. The Sebenza is nice because it is hands-down the strongest folding knife made anywhere in the world. Also, it doesn't look much like a "tactical" knife, making its presence easier to explain to LEO's. It has a nice, heavy titanium handle that can be used as a striking tool when the blade is closed or open. The Ares is light and compact, yet large enough to do serious damage. The axis-lock is amazingly strong (it will take over 800 lbs of pressure, I am told) so I don't have to worry about lost fingers. The Commander is the fastest opening folder anywhere in the world: the "wave" feature on the blade that opens the knife as it leaves your pocket makes it as fast as any fixed blade. I really like the recurved blade — it adds a lot of power to your slashes. Also, Emerson makes a fully-functional folding trainer for the Commander, which is great for training (and sparring, if you don't mind the bruises).

All my knives are carried in my right, front pocket. Their clips are all configured for tip-up carry, which I have found to be the fastest, most secure position for quick-drawing the knife. In addition to one of the above knives, I always have a Leatherman Wave on my right hip, the blades of which can be opened one-handed and are large enough to be used as a backup weapon (as armlok put it, "its the politically correct way to carry two knives"). I also carry an ASP Defender O.C. Spray at my right hip. It is shaped like a mini-baton and made of solid aluminum so it functions as a striking tool as well as a chemical spray. It is held in the "icepick" grip and you can make a full fist around it, so you can use it like a set of brass knuckles in your normal JKD game and mace at your leisure. Sometimes, I also carry an Emerson LaGriffe in a neck-rig: it is the only neck knife I have come across that doesn't print against your shirt, and it is almost impossible to disarm. I try to make my general weapons rule "don't carry more weapons than you have excuses for", so I usually stick to the knife, the Leatherman, and the O.C.

My standard strategy for stay-out-of-jail force-escalation is to (1) go for the O.C. spray, if the opportunity presents itself. Since pepper-spray is the P.C. way to dispose of attackers, it might not land me in court. If that doesn't work I go to (2) hand to hand, using the ASP Defender as a striking weapon. If things get out of hand or a weapon is produced by my opponent I will escalate to (3) my knife. Granted, if the fight started out with a weapon, I'd jump right to #3. Of course, all of these assume I couldn't talk my way out of the situation or run for the nearest cop.

Looking forward to other opinions,
Jim McRae

04-17-2001, 05:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jim McRae Novice Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 79	I suppose I should start. I generally carry one of three folding knives as my primary defensive blade: a Chris Reeve Sebenza (large, with double thumb lugs), a Benchmade Ares (Black-Ti, 50/50 serrated), or an Emerson Commander ('99 model, Black-Ti, partially serrated). I own a good three dozen folding knives, but these three tend to be my favorites for the following reasons. The Sebenza is nice because it is hands-down the strongest folding knife made anywhere in the world. Also, it doesn't look much like a "tactical" knife, making its presence easier to explain to LEO's. It has a nice, heavy titanium handle that can be used as a striking tool when the blade is closed or open. The Ares is light and compact, yet large enough to do serious damage. The axis-lock is amazingly strong (it will take over 800 lbs of pressure, I am told) so I don't have to worry about lost fingers. The Commander is the fastest opening folder anywhere in the world: the "wave" feature on the blade that opens the knife as it leaves your pocket makes it as fast as any fixed blade. I really like the recurved blade — it adds a lot of power to your slashes. Also, Emerson makes a fully-functional folding trainer for the Commander, which is great for training (and sparring, if you don't mind the bruises). All my knives are carried in my right, front pocket. Their clips are all configured for tip-up carry, which I have found to be the fastest, most secure position for quick-drawing the knife. In addition to one of the above knives, I always have a Leatherman Wave on my right hip, the blades of which can be opened one-handed and are large enough to be used as a backup weapon (as armlok put it, "its the politically correct way to carry two knives"). I also carry an ASP Defender O.C. Spray at my right hip. It is shaped like a mini-baton and made of solid aluminum so it functions as a striking tool as well as a chemical spray. It is held in the "icepick" grip and you can make a full fist around it, so you can use it like a set of brass knuckles in your normal JKD game and mace at your leisure. Sometimes, I also carry an Emerson LaGriffe in a neck-rig: it is the only neck knife I have come across that doesn't print against your shirt, and it is almost impossible to disarm. I try to make my general weapons rule "don't carry more weapons than you have excuses for", so I usually stick to the knife, the Leatherman, and the O.C. My standard strategy for stay-out-of-jail force-escalation is to (1) go for the O.C. spray, if the opportunity presents itself. Since pepper-spray is the P.C. way to dispose of attackers, it might not land me in court. If that doesn't work I go to (2) hand to hand, using the ASP Defender as a striking weapon. If things get out of hand or a weapon is produced by my opponent I will escalate to (3) my knife. Granted, if the fight started out with a weapon, I'd jump right to #3. Of course, all of these assume I couldn't talk my way out of the situation or run for the nearest cop. Looking forward to other opinions, Jim McRae __________________ We cannot live better than in seeking to become better. -Socrates