Gideon

I need some help folks. I'd like to purchase a knife to carry all the time for defensive. I can spend up to $100.00 but would like something around $75.00. I'll be carrying IWB. I thinking a folder. I like/prefer all black. It's main purpose will be for defense. I'm trying to figure out what the legal limit is on the blade lenght in Missouri where I live because I'd like to have the longest allowable blade. If you can think of something that is relatively easy to acquire and fits the bill, I'd really appreciate your opinion.

Don't laugh but I had looked at the Gerber applegate knife and also at this one:

http://www.knifeworks.com/browseprod...lain-Edge.html

What do you all think?

Thanks!
Gideon

P95Carry

I am certainly not the knife afficionado here but - am still wishing to get a Kershaw BOA (approx $90 seems best price, IIRC it is a 3" blade) - as my Buck is too slow to get into play for my liking.

I was impressed with the speed aspect when withdrawing BOA from pocket anyways - not sure how it'd work out for an IWB presentation.

__________________
Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

Betty

Missouri knife laws can be found here.

It appears 4" is your legal length, auto knives are off limits, and it also seems fixed blades are frowned upon. It seems knives that looks like they are "readily capable of lethal use" are out. So, a folding knife under 4" that appears "utility" is your best bet. "All black" tend to be perceived as tactical and for defensive purposes. Silly but true.

Check out the Spyderco knives and Columbia River Knife & Tool for good knives with belt clips in your price range.

__________________
"Americans have the will to resist because you have weapons. If you don't have a gun, freedom of speech has no power." - Yoshimi Ishikawa

maclean3

Don't overlook ebay. I've picked up a number of quality knives NIB for well under list price. You might very well find a deal on a good Benchmade, Emerson or whatever other brand you like.
Jack

ExSoldier

Okay, I'll weigh in with my dismal .02 here. I have a Spyderco Delica that I carry for utility primarily and an emergency backup just in case the ranges close and I have no choice. I am under no illusion as to my chances in a knife fight. First, I realize the utter certainty that I will be cut and perhaps cut badly.

In fact, I think I'd almost prefer an empty handed encounter since my Aikido training would be much more useful than if I had my hand wrapped around a weapon with which I'm far less than expert.

The extent of my knife training comes from casual contact with the NCO's of the 2nd Ranger Battalion and 1SF group when I was on active duty and we happened to travel in the same social (LOL) circles. This means I was close buddies with officers in those outfits and they let me be a "hanger on." There were a few perks (like training) to be had and I took advantage of the opportunity.

Do you have any training in knife combat? Remember, a knife does not have the shock impact of a bullet and so even though a mortal wound may have been dealt, the BG may still have enough ooomph! in his system to kill you out of pure mean spite. He's got to suffer hydraulic failure (bleed out to unconsciousness) for you to win and that might take awhile. What are you going to be doing while this is happening and he's still on his feet....and pretty mad at you?

One of the things the rangers taught me was that a man with his achilles tendon cut doesn't have a leg to stand on. If he can't stand, it will be difficult for him to effectively attack. But a move by you to go for that spot will likely have to come during a struggle on the ground....you can't go for it right off, or the BG will take advantage of your back and hand you your own liver.... Just something to think about...

__________________
Former Infantry Captain; 20 yrs as an NRA Certified Instructor; Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO.

TwoRavens

Spyderco Gunting (black, desinged to be used as kobutan, more on the black tactical side tho.., might be over you limit)

Spyderco Dodo (blue or black, short blade, can be used a kobutan)

__________________
/***********
Phill
************/

"Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate"
William of Ockham (ca. 1285-1349)

TwoRavens

Oh, and for training, Get SouthNarcs training DVD's from Shivworks , and/or Jim Keatings Drawpoint Series here

Re: Knives vs. guns, this is a very complex subject that gets over-simplified most of the time. There are so many individual factors that come into play that generalizing beyond firearms are better beyond 3 feet (assuming weapon in hand) is an exercise in futility.

As a general rule I agree with the statement: A twelve year old with a knife is equivalent to a 12th degree blackbelt. So for me, (for deadly force encounters) give me a weapon everytime, and I speak as someone with 20+ years of Aikido plus other martial arts...

__________________
/***********
Phill
************/

"Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate"
William of Ockham (ca. 1285-1349)

Rob72

Spyderco has probably the most accessable opening system. Cold Steel Voyagers are stout, and are cheap enough not to worry about damage "snapping" them open.

If you like the "wave" opening system, Spyderco can be readily modified by opening the hole with a Dremel.

I'd go with the Camillus before the Gerber, unless you just mold to the Applegate's ergonomics. The flippers are very fast, with practice. Be aware, someone just mentioned that St. Louis (maybe all MO-?) considered the "assisted openers" to be switchblades. (If you like one, though, it's easy to open them up, and take the spring out. The Kershaw Leek and Boa come to mind, and both have the flipper.)

S.O. Interceptor

I own several knives, and I like them all. But the knife I kept going back to, and now carry exclusively, is the Gerber Paraframe II. It's a silvery puter color, and has an incredibly smooth open. And so far it's been 100% perfectly reliable, and durable. And best of all, I think I spent $25 on it at Wal-Mart. Since then I haven't carried any of my more expensive knives.

__________________
Rest In Peace Dad! I love you!!!

oregonshooter

Defensive Knife:
1. Small fixed blade (check out shivworks)
2. Benchmade Griptillian in open state in kydex sheath (if law prevents a FB)

This is your primary weapon? No gun?
If so then carry a real fighting knife (FB) AFTER you have had some training and be tried by 12.