Why?

[a__l__a__n]

I totally get the need for self defense. I carry a handgun (or two). I carry pepper spray. But I just don't understand the mindset of carrying a knife. If I have to resort to lethal means, I can use the handgun. Why would I ever choose to use the knife instead of the gun?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[azchevy]

I carry a knife as a tool

[gasmitty]

Same reason a carpenter can shape wood with more than just a saw.

[HotGuns]

A gun is hard to open boxes, cut streamers, use as a prybar,screwdriver or jack staples out of paper.

Its also difficult to clean underneath my fingernails with my HK.

[Mattmann]

Because sometimes you go places you can't carry a gun so a knife is a useful self defense tool. Also all the reasons stated above. Lol

[wmhawth]

A skilled knifesman is formidable but,,,,that ain't me. My knife is for whittlin'.

[WHEC724]

A skilled knifesman is formidable but,,,,that ain't me. My knife is for whittlin'.

Me too. It goes in my pocket with the car keys & chapstick.

[Elk Hunter]

Me too. It goes in my pocket with the car keys & chapstick.

Yup part of the standard carry

[JD]

Semi autos may not function well at contact distance and nothing says get the hell off me like a stab to the torso or 5.

If ever fighting for control of the gun pepper spray my not work as desired as cross contamination is quite possible.

Knives don't run out of bullets.

Sent via Tapatalk...and still using real words.

[adric22]

A gun is hard to open boxes, cut streamers, use as a prybar,screwdriver or jack staples out of paper.

Its also difficult to clean underneath my fingernails with my HK.

Hahahah! I was going to say the exact same thing. I use my knife for ALL of those things! My fingernails are probably what I use it on most!

[TerriLi]

Within a foot I'm better with a knife, and honestly they are great tools to have on you.

[a__l__a__n]

I carry a knife as a tool

Ok.... but the title of this forum section is "Defensive knives and other weapons".

I don't see the difference between a struggle for a gun and a struggle for a knife. If I'm in a struggle for my gun, am I going to take my hand off the gun so I can reach for my knife??? If so I may as well reach for my BUG instead.

[DontTreadOnI]

Good lord, this question. Aside from the fact that I use it for many things daily as a tool, it is only five inches long and fits nicely in my pocket and has no felt weight. It is there IF I EVER NEED IT. Simple as that, end of story. Hell yes I am reaching for my gun in a situation, but why would I not carry something that can be a last ditch weapon and has a bazillion uses and causes no fatigue to carry?

[buckeye .45]

I totally get the need for self defense. I carry a handgun (or two). I carry pepper spray. But I just don't understand the mindset of carrying a knife. If I have to resort to lethal means, I can use the handgun. Why would I ever choose to use the knife instead of the gun?

My knife is a tool, which could be pressed into SD use as a last resort. I think carrying a knife makes more sense than pepper spray, because I use my knife for a myriad of menial tasks on a daily basis.

But, if someone gets the jump on you, knocks you down, and is on top of you while going for your gun. It would be relatively easy to keep using your strong hand for weapon retention, and pull some sort of assisted opening folder from your weakside pocket to defend yourself with.

Granted, I could keep a BUG in my off side pocket, but I don't feel the need.

[glockman10mm]

If you have ever had a weapons retention class, the answer is easy. Carrying a firearm, especially in the open without weapons retention training is like jumping out of a Plane with no parachute.