I saw this photo on Serge Panchenko’s insta story just now:
and it got me thinking about some things…
I’m generally against using knives for self defense, just a touch too much personal risk for my liking. But I’ve been hiking more often recently, and I’m starting to see the merit in having something on me for emergencies. In comes the…
Personal Protection Pocket Poker!
(or quadruple p for short)
Note: this isn’t an exact representation, especially since the width isn’t to scale. But the idea is there. Also I’ve forgotten to draw handle screws…
There is a need (or at least I have a need) for something light, and stabby. And Spyderco is the only company I trust with a blade this delicate. The idea would be a 4.00” long blade, false edge on the spine, slight upsweep to support a little slashing, and as narrow as is possible. 0.25”? 0.33”? I don’t know how thin is reasonable for ongoing use. But to support that thinness would be something equally strong, my first choice is 3v. As it’s near indestructible. But cru-wear is a favorite around here and I’m sure it’d be more than good enough. Simple crossbar finger guard made of a separate piece of steel to allow for a full tang, connected to a mostly neutral handle with a coffin-esque swell at the base to keep your hand in place. The scales should be removable for maintenance, and probably just in lightly textured and beveled g10 (I’d prefer frn but I know it’s expensive to start up, maybe later.) Slap a bolteron sheath on this bad boy and you’ve got a serious tool. It is specialized, but that’s not a bad thing. You’d be hard pressed to find something better for quickly getting rid of your coyote, hawk, bear or nutjob problem while out in the woods.
Now, a few points before someone else mentions them. I’ll add to this if someone points out something I didn’t mention.
- Yes the nightstick exists, but it’s fairly chunky, expensive (at least for it’s materials and theoretical use), and not really built for ahem real world use.
- Yeah it would definitely be hard to fit a spydie hole on that blade, but it’s the least of my worries with this design. It can go on the cross guard, or the top of the handle, or something.
- No it’s not one of those Japanese concealed dagger-y things, think of it as a modern stiletto. In an ideal situation this thing isn’t even really made to be concealed, it should just be easily accessible.
- ADDITION: This is primarily as a last line of defense against animal attacks, something you can access quickly to get a predator off of you. Knife fighting or anything like that was not really what I was going for.