cdjspider

I'm looking for a good, but fairly cheap defensive knife, and have landed on two different one that I like. I'm torn between the Subcom and Subclaw. The Subcom I would probably get more uses out of but Subclaw just looks mean and like it would be a good defensive knife.
So I'm leaving this up to your guy's infinite wisdom

Which one should I get?

flyby

I have the SubClaw, and while i'm not a huge fan of Hawk-Bill or Karambit style blades in general,
But I do think the aggressive blade style (kept sharp) does come into its own with this little guy ..also the blade's curvature is more relaxed than with most hawk-bill's, which make this blade even better imo.

There is also the Wharcom model in this series (which I just ordered :)
which seems an extremely useful blade with it's more conventional Utility style straight edge styling...and still a nasty little weapon though ;)

The Subcom with its more skinner style belly blade would be more handy for cleaning fish/game, prepping food etc..if necessary.

The aus8 blades on these resharpen easily regardless of which model you choose..I've never had a problem with aus8 over the years, in fact I like it :).

PS: A few swipes on the Lansky Turn-Block style sharpener does a fine job 'razoring-up' my Subclaw I noticed ..and doesn't take off a ton of metal like those carbide slot gadgets do.

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mercop

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KenpoTex

any particular reason you're not looking at a larger knife?

Nothing against the Subcom/claw (i think they're cool little knives), but unless that's all you can legally carry, I don't see any reason not to carry something larger.

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semperfi.45

It was that review that led me to get a Subclaw for EDC. You don't need a big knife, just some good techniques/tactics/training.

If the Subclaw was waved it would be perfect.

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ferris

I just bought a Subcom merely for the fact that it is such a cheap knife.

LAPoliceGear has a 15% off sale so I threw that little bad boy in there.

cdjspider

I think the biggest knife I can carry is up to 3 inches legally. I would go bigger but I've yet to see anything cheap enough (Very limited funds + wife wondering why I "need" one) and this is the first one to really catch my eye.

If anyone has any alternatives in that price range I would consider them.

flyby

Here are a few economy blades I have in that blade range (3") ..most all are quite nice (save the chinese stiletto which looks cool though :)
(top to bottom) Subclaw (zip-waved and works ;) , Wharcom (just delivered ..love it!), Spyderco Byrd Series Meadowlark lite-wt(FRN) and waved for weak-side carry..a poor man's Delica and sibling to the byrd Cara-Cara, is very nice, the 8Cr13MoV performs/sharpens virtually identical to aus8..which is Good (search ebay for prices), Byrd Crow (aluminum scales and liner-lock), Cold Steel Voyager medium tanto (in VG1) is the most expensive here but is nice, tight, and Sharp! :),
And an El-cheapo pearl stiletto (manual action)
..all these knives do thumb flick open very quickly with a little practice.

I'd say the Subclaw is definitely still worth having in that size range, as that model has a big bite for its size..nasty deep slashes and snap cuts, also a strong deep choiled Grip with jimping.
That and some Fox Labs would make a pretty good pair
..kinda like 'Fangs and Venom' ;)

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For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36