Some education re: tactical, self-defense blades, please

[tr4022]

Okay, I'm a knife noob trying to learn here. I love Spyderco, I think they have the most interesting, best-built production products on the market. My questions is this: the Military is a beautiful knife, like all Spydercos, but doesn't it look a little, well, delicate for a tactical knife? Like the thin point could break off if you looked at it cock-eyed? If you're going into combat or a self-defense situation, wouldn't you want a thick, big ol' honkin' piece of metal that ain't gonna break no matter what you ask it to do? Or am I missing something? Help me see the error of my ways. What folding knife would you want in your hand if your life were on the line? Thanks in advance.

Tod

[The Deacon]

I'd say it would depend on whether or not your opponent is wearing a medieval suit of armor. If you need to punch and pry your way through that, then one of the many "sharpened prybars" on the market might be a better choice than the Military. OTOH, if you fear breaking the Military's blade while attempting to cut a normally clothed human being, your SD technique could probably stand improvement.

Really though, the best knife to have in your hand in a life threatening situation is one that you're totally familiar with, but you also have to have it with you. The heavier and bulkier the knife, the more likely it will be left at home. As for me, if my life was on the line, I'd prefer a handgun or, better yet, a sawed off shotgun.

[Blerv]

I dont own a Military as the 4" blade doesn't jive with my local laws. Still, all the pics I've seen show the 4mm blade being pretty thick (relatively) at the tip. As Paul said people over think the tip thickness as its still probably 10 times thicker than a razor blade which would have no problem doing similar things. The tip is very pointed and makes a great slicer which isn't what some other "combat" knives can claim.

The biggest criticism you will see it face here is potentially not being the most secure lock when white-knuckle squeezing and twisting the handle. However, personally I see this as more theory crafting than a real concern. Similar to tip breakage how many stabs/slashes would it perform until (if) this happened? The naysayer would believe Murphy's Law would strike immediately, I'm more on the unlikely side (akin to gun jamming statistics).

For all the factors pertaining to knife (and legal) defense in such a situation I would put blade performance towards the bottom of importance. Even a military isn't an "I win" button. If in a crappy neighborhood I'd carry a C2 Taser personally. You could light someone up as soon as strike them without the bad mojo of being under additional scrutiny.

In the knife defense world Spyderco has many choices depending on methodology and preferences. Being comfortable and enjoying the knife is infinitely more important whether it's a Manix2, P'kal, Civillian, Matriarch, Delica, Endura, Stretch, Tasman, Para2, Police, Caly 3.5, Yojimbo2, Persian2, or the others.

[jossta]

What folding knife would you want in your hand if your life were on the line? Thanks in advance.

Depends on if my life were on the line b/c I needed to cut something/someone of if it were on the line b/c I need to bust through a building.

[tr4022]

Depends on if my life were on the line b/c I needed to cut something/someone of if it were on the line b/c I need to bust through a building.

Okay, so what would you choose in each scenario?

Tod

[tr4022]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I can always depend on you three to help set me straight. It occurred to me that even if the tip of the Military or some other kife broke off, the broken, jagged end still would be kinda stabby, if less efficient.


Tod

[Blerv]

Here is a comparison pic The Deacon put up a while back. If you did manage to snap it my guess it would be a real mess of a scene.

Appearances can be somewhat deceptive. The Military's tip is not really all that skinny. The 4mm blade stock makes it fairly robust. Here's a comparison shot. Top knife is a Caly 3....

[SolidState]

People with knife combat training generally avoid stabbing to much other than the leg, the neck or the stomach area. You want to slash in a fight, you get bigger wounds that don't self-seal from muscle contraction.

Remember, bladed combat is a blood pressure game. If you can drain the blood from your opponent's brain faster than he can hurt you, you win. Large gashes bleed out faster than stab wounds. 50 stab wounds is survivable, people do it pretty regularly, while 50 deep slashes aren't as survivable.

[jossta]

Well, I would choose a fixed blade, or a shotgun, but the most valuable blade is the one you have on you and the Military is light and carries much smaller than it is. I was just saying that you can choose a knife that's a prybar or you can choose one that will cut...or carry two.

Knives make bad defensive weapon IMO. They require too much training and are easily spun to be evil by lawyers. Last ditch, of course I wouldn't hesitate to use it...but I wouldn't be happy about it.

[Mr Blonde]

I've been interested in MBC for quite a few years and loved training. Knife selection isn't as big a deal IMHO as are laws, threat assessment, lifestyle and training. If I could freely choose a weapon for self defense (which my legal system doesn't allow me to, I can use expedient objects in a proportionate manner if needed though), I'd go for one of those collapsible batons. That would give me -with my training background- a lot more options for damaging and controlling an opponent than a knife. There are many different philosophies concerining edged weapons use, some advocate the point and blood loss, others focus on the edge and taking out the 'possibilities for movement' of your opponent. The Military is a fine knife and in many years of use, the tip did not break. I would be concerned about the generous access to the locking tab on the Military. It did close on me when I didn't want it to, I didn't get hurt but it taught me that torqueing a linerlock with a well-exposed locking tab, presents its risks. For that reason, I like my PM2 better than my Militaries for allround use.

[chuck_roxas45]

I've been interested in MBC for quite a few years and loved training. Knife selection isn't as big a deal IMHO as are laws, threat assessment, lifestyle and training. If I could freely choose a weapon for self defense (which my legal system doesn't allow me to, I can use expedient objects in a proportionate manner if needed though), I'd go for one of those collapsible batons. That would give me -with my training background- a lot more options for damaging and controlling an opponent than a knife. There are many different philosophies concerining edged weapons use, some advocate the point and blood loss, others focus on the edge and taking out the 'possibilities for movement' of your opponent. The Military is a fine knife and in many years of use, the tip did not break. I would be concerned about the generous access to the locking tab on the Military. It did close on me when I didn't want it to, I didn't get hurt but it taught me that torqueing a linerlock with a well-exposed locking tab, presents its risks. For that reason, I like my PM2 better than my Militaries for allround use.

Yep.

[Blerv]

Don't listen to Chuck. He's always looking for a reason to show off his exceedingly strong hands.

[chuck_roxas45]

Don't listen to Chuck. He's always looking for a reason to show off his exceedingly strong hands.

I'm sooooo transparent to Blerv....

[Dr. Snubnose]

Simple answer: Fixed Blades for Fighting...Folders for Utility.....Not saying a folder couldn't be used in a SD situation, but I would rather have a fixed blade every time for that sort of thing......Doc