Variety is the spice of life, just not with self-defense folders

mercop · July 4th, 2009, 03:02 PM

We have all heard that right? Variety is the spice of life. I don’t think this is case with life saving hardware. If you want to change something everyday try your underwear or watch. Try to carry the same gear, in the same place.

The question always comes up, what is the best folder for self-defense? After the preprogrammed internet responses of “there are no good self defense folders” or “the one you have with you when the fight starts” we can look forward to people listing their favorite knives, ones that they purchased based on cool factor, price, or someone else’s advise.

The stumbling point of folders for self-defense is not lock failures but in deploying them. Under stress people have a hard time deploying something the size of a pistol from a purpose built holster. Now we are going to try to deploy a small knife from a tight pocket. If you are not legally allowed to carry a firearm you would not roll over and die submitting yourself to violent attacks, the same is true with folders instead of fixed blade. You train to be the best you can with what you can carry every day, all the time, not once in a while. When it comes to knives, especially folders this takes practice. And practice necessitates a training knife, if your knife folds than so should your trainer.

We endorse the Spyderco Endura and Delicas and here is why-

Availability- both knives are available all over the world from many sources from internet shopping to the PX.

Configuration- both knife are easily set up for tip-up/tip-down carry as well as right or left handed carry.

Availability of a trainer- actually Spyderco’s trainers would be better described as drones since they are exactly the same as the live knife but with dull/blunt rounded blade. This is what separates the Endura and Delica from any other self-defense folder at its price point and way above.

There is no way to safely train with any live blade, especially in the case of a folder. Having a drone of your life folder allows you to work dynamic situations, which build confidence in your skills.

It is OK to have lots of knives; as a matter of fact I encourage it. Just consider the Endura and Delicas as your daily drivers.- George

Bottom knife pictured is the Spyderco Endura Trainier, above it is the Sharkee Open Folder Trainer (also mimics one of the most common edged weapons in the street, the steak knife)

Knuckledrager · July 4th, 2009, 03:17 PM

George,

Very insightful as usual! What was the name of the company that made the kydex type neck sheath for the spyderco line? The thing carried the knife folded but allowed you to draw it by the spyder hole and snap it opened at the end of the draw stroke.

Doc

BentLink · July 4th, 2009, 05:30 PM

Good think piece. I got my Emerson CQC-7 mini where it always is...

ccw9mm · July 4th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Have had a Delica or variant for years, now. Effective, ambidextrous, available in "blue" (for training).

QKShooter · July 4th, 2009, 10:16 PM

We have all heard that right? Variety is the spice of life. I don’t think this is case with life saving hardware. If you want to change something everyday try your underwear or watch. Try to carry the same gear, in the same place.

Very wise words.

mercop · July 5th, 2009, 02:44 AM

Mike Sastre from River City Sheaths did those neck sheaths, neat idea but I detest neck knives of any sort.- George

Knuckledrager · July 5th, 2009, 01:34 PM

I'm with you there. But on a Mercharness or static line, it adds another option for the folder.

unloved · July 5th, 2009, 02:10 PM

One of things I love about Spyderco, most of their line (including the Byrd line) is either (roughly) Delica or Endura sized. Do you carry a Rescue, J.D. Smith, Police, Wayne Goddard or Military? Then an Endura drone will make a good stand in for your defensive folder. A Native, Para Military, Persian, Captain,Urban, Rookie, Goddard Jr., or Caly? A Delica drone will fit the bill.

Of course, a drone of the knife you actually carry is ideal, but generally unavailable.

2edgesword · July 5th, 2009, 03:48 PM

Excellent points MC.

There is huge advantage in using a trainer that matches your EDC knife. As you train you become so familar with the weight, balance, feel and nuances required to deploy and utilize the knife that it takes no thought to accomplish these things.

mercop · July 5th, 2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unloved

One of things I love about Spyderco, most of their line (including the Byrd line) is either (roughly) Delica or Endura sized. Do you carry a Rescue, J.D. Smith, Police, Wayne Goddard or Military? Then an Endura drone will make a good stand in for your defensive folder. A Native, Para Military, Persian, Captain,Urban, Rookie, Goddard Jr., or Caly? A Delica drone will fit the bill.

Of course, a drone of the knife you actually carry is ideal, but generally unavailable.

Good points Matt. See ya next month at Non Ballistic Combative Pistol.- George

July 4th, 2009, 03:02 PM	#1
mercop Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 608	Variety is the spice of life, just not with self-defense folders We have all heard that right? Variety is the spice of life. I don’t think this is case with life saving hardware. If you want to change something everyday try your underwear or watch. Try to carry the same gear, in the same place. The question always comes up, what is the best folder for self-defense? After the preprogrammed internet responses of “there are no good self defense folders” or “the one you have with you when the fight starts” we can look forward to people listing their favorite knives, ones that they purchased based on cool factor, price, or someone else’s advise. The stumbling point of folders for self-defense is not lock failures but in deploying them. Under stress people have a hard time deploying something the size of a pistol from a purpose built holster. Now we are going to try to deploy a small knife from a tight pocket. If you are not legally allowed to carry a firearm you would not roll over and die submitting yourself to violent attacks, the same is true with folders instead of fixed blade. You train to be the best you can with what you can carry every day, all the time, not once in a while. When it comes to knives, especially folders this takes practice. And practice necessitates a training knife, if your knife folds than so should your trainer. We endorse the Spyderco Endura and Delicas and here is why- Availability- both knives are available all over the world from many sources from internet shopping to the PX. Configuration- both knife are easily set up for tip-up/tip-down carry as well as right or left handed carry. Availability of a trainer- actually Spyderco’s trainers would be better described as drones since they are exactly the same as the live knife but with dull/blunt rounded blade. This is what separates the Endura and Delica from any other self-defense folder at its price point and way above. There is no way to safely train with any live blade, especially in the case of a folder. Having a drone of your life folder allows you to work dynamic situations, which build confidence in your skills. It is OK to have lots of knives; as a matter of fact I encourage it. Just consider the Endura and Delicas as your daily drivers.- George Bottom knife pictured is the Spyderco Endura Trainier, above it is the Sharkee Open Folder Trainer (also mimics one of the most common edged weapons in the street, the steak knife) __________________ 2010 MCS Calander http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgb7wjh3_299f8tncbcz

July 4th, 2009, 03:17 PM	#2
Knuckledrager Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA Posts: 692	George, Very insightful as usual! What was the name of the company that made the kydex type neck sheath for the spyderco line? The thing carried the knife folded but allowed you to draw it by the spyder hole and snap it opened at the end of the draw stroke. Doc __________________ "The liberty of the individual is no gift of civilization. It was greatest before there was any civilization." Sigmund Freud

July 4th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#3
BentLink Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western PA Posts: 168	Good think piece. I got my Emerson CQC-7 mini where it always is... __________________ Still Clingin'

July 4th, 2009, 05:42 PM	#4
ccw9mm VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oregon USA Posts: 8,411	Have had a Delica or variant for years, now. Effective, ambidextrous, available in "blue" (for training). __________________ Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it. Thoughts: Justifiable self defense. Explain: How does disarming victims reduce the number of victims? Deal with evil through strength. Affirm the good in Man through trust. NRA. GOA. OFF.

July 5th, 2009, 02:44 AM	#6
mercop Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 608	Mike Sastre from River City Sheaths did those neck sheaths, neat idea but I detest neck knives of any sort.- George __________________ 2010 MCS Calander http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgb7wjh3_299f8tncbcz

July 4th, 2009, 10:16 PM	#5
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,493	We have all heard that right? Variety is the spice of life. I don’t think this is case with life saving hardware. If you want to change something everyday try your underwear or watch. *Try to carry the same gear, in the same place.* Very wise words.

July 5th, 2009, 01:34 PM	#7
Knuckledrager Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA Posts: 692	I'm with you there. But on a Mercharness or static line, it adds another option for the folder. __________________ "The liberty of the individual is no gift of civilization. It was greatest before there was any civilization." Sigmund Freud

July 5th, 2009, 02:10 PM	#8
unloved Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Posts: 246	One of things I love about Spyderco, most of their line (including the Byrd line) is either (roughly) Delica or Endura sized. Do you carry a Rescue, J.D. Smith, Police, Wayne Goddard or Military? Then an Endura drone will make a good stand in for your defensive folder. A Native, Para Military, Persian, Captain,Urban, Rookie, Goddard Jr., or Caly? A Delica drone will fit the bill. Of course, a drone of the knife you actually carry is ideal, but generally unavailable.

July 5th, 2009, 03:48 PM	#9
2edgesword Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New York Posts: 397	Excellent points MC. There is huge advantage in using a trainer that matches your EDC knife. As you train you become so familar with the weight, balance, feel and nuances required to deploy and utilize the knife that it takes no thought to accomplish these things.

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