[doconix]

On Personal Defense TV a few weeks ago, they showed a knife that could be opened with the flick of the wrist. They didn't show the name of it, but just showed the knife as an example of a good defensive knife.

It was a folding knife that locked into the open position. It looked like a pretty "normal" folding knife -- not a switchblade or some other exotic thing.

Now, I really don't care what the exact knife was, but I am in the market for a good knife. Here's a few features I'm after:

- 3-4 inch blade
- folding, but quick open
- locks open so it can't accidentally fold when in use
- good for personal defense, but also good for deer, elk, cleaning fish, etc.
- keeps a good edge (i.e. low maintenance)

What would you suggest? Or, would you suggest something other than what I describe above? Before someone suggests a Leatherman, they get blood and junk in the crevices when cleaning an animal and are too hard to get totally clean again. I'm after something simpler but high quality.

Thanks.

 

[Cinhil]

Are you looking for a knife with or without the gut hook?

What expense are you willing to go to as there are many excellent quality knives out there and cost can vary greatly depending upon manufacturer, as well as reputation & quality?

If for all around use or defense most folders can easily be worked with so that you can snap it open in a flash if need be.

There are many options out there. Let me give you some examples:

SOG SOGFSA-5 Flash II, 8" overall 3 1/2" blade length w/combo edge & pocket clip, S> A> T> Lock system - 90$

Remington RM19293 Swift Lokt 8" overall 3.50" for the blade Liner Lock
Pocket clip - 72.50$

Ontario Knife Co. OK8767 XM-2TS 8" overall w/3.38" blade combo edge Liner Lock w/pocket clip - 212.70$

Leatherman LT830329 7.60" overall 3.10" blade 420 steel/w nylon handlelock blade plain edge - 39.00$

Kershaw K1597 9" overall 3.75" blade, 440c Tungston plain edge stud lock/w pocket clip 299.95$

Cold Steel 60ST Hunter 8.50" overall 3.50" blade AUS 8A steel plain edge
Lock Back/w pocket clip 89.99$

Any of these could serve your purpose, or a 100 more just like them. I thought I would throw a few sample ideas out there for you. Perhaps this can help.

If you have further questions you may email me privately & I may be able to assist you further. Hopefully this can help.

 

[tapehoser]

I recommend something in 440 Steel or stronger for ANY knife. Stainless doesn't come anywhere near the edge-keeping ability of 440 or harder steel.

I have an MTech 440 in a ghost camo pattern that is nice and hard and keeps a good clean edge.

However, if it is for hunting, I recommend something totally different. I carry the MTech with me every day, but for hunting I have a straight-blade knife (non-folding). For the guts and everything your dealing with, a 440 steel straight knife is the only way to go.

 

[Ruger Collector]

I recommend something in 440 Steel or stronger for ANY knife. Stainless doesn't come anywhere near the edge-keeping ability of 440 or harder steel.

440 is a very good, hardenable, stainless steel.

 

[Ruger Collector]

Check out the S&W line of knives at BudK. Most of the S&W line is made from top quality forged and tempered 440C stainless with a wide variety of optional finishes like non-reflective bead blasted, camo, Teflon and titanium. Few of the S&W folders run over $50 (at BudK, other stores will charge a lot more). The large special ops model I've carried for about 2 years keeps a keen razor edge with minimal maintenance and is easy to keep clean so I'm never afraid to use it on a backyard BBQ steak.

 

[T-Man]

I have a CRKT M16-13 that has been in my pocket nearly every day since summer of 2004. They come in different handle materials, mine is a sandy-colored Zytel (and the blade says "Operation Iraqi Freedom") It has a good-quality blade that opens easily with the flick of a finger. It locks open and even has a double-lock feature you can use to make dang sure it doesn't close until you want it to. Mine has field dressed fish and deer, opened cardboard boxes, cut my fingernails, just about any other task you can ask of a knife except self-defense. But I know I could have it out and open fast enough to do that job if needed.

 

[Strategic Tactical]

Good Choice T-man. I have the CRKT M-16-12M and love it. Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT). Good stuff and the price isn't bad either.... We carry some of them....

 

[Cinhil]

Yep, the Columbia River Knife & Tool knives are very good, didn't mention them in my previous post, but they are a fine line of tools. (all knives are tools)
The post on metal content needing to be 440 steel or better is accurate too. Always best to have an excellent quality knife at hand.

 

[Shaolin]

How is this knife? Good?

http://www.511tactical.com/511-investig ... 51004.html

 

[divegeek]

My opinion on knives is that if you're buying something strictly for self-defense, just about anything will do. The only real requirements are that it can be opened quickly with one hand and that it locks open securely. Sure, it needs to be able to take an edge, but it doesn't have to keep one, and just about any blade will do that. Also, it has to be strong enough that it won't snap, but again that's just about anything.

Now, if you actually plan on using the knife day in and day out as a tool, then you care more about quality. Not because it affects the utility of the knife as a self-defense tool, but because it affects how well it works for all of the other stuff.

Personally, I rarely have need of a knife as a tool, so I carry a 3.5" folding blade that I bought at a gun show. I paid $5 for three knives (together, not $5 each). It's compact enough to fit nicely in my pocket, mean-looking enough that it should be intimidating and sturdy enough that it won't break under the very occasional use I give it.

 

[mchlwise]

Personally, I carry a Kershaw Junkyard Dog. It's all steel construction, it doesn't have any assisted opening, but it has a "flipper" that lets you deploy the blade one-handed almost instantly into a locked position. Plus, I think it looks really cool.

I really like Kershaws myself, but there are a bunch of good knives out there that would be good for self-defense carry. I would say for $20 bucks, you can get a good quality knife from an established manufacturer.

 

[titanium27]

I have been told that you want to try and stick with 440C or better for a good quality knife. A friend of mine makes handmade knives and uses ATS34 for his blades and does his own heat treating. Here is a picture of my first handmade knife I made about a year ago. The blade is ATS34 with a glass bead blasted finish stainless steel boulsters and black linen micarta handle with handmade pins of stainless and brass. This is the knife I carry most of the time.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

That's a beautiful knife!

 

[titanium27]

That's a beautiful knife!

Thank You! I thought it turned out pretty good for my first handmade. I have a few others in the works just need more free time to finish them.

 

[tapehoser]

OK...I gotta be honest. Although I like my knife, I am looking for a knife that is made of some sort of steel that keeps an edge EVEN BETTER than my MTech 440. I'm just getting tired of sharpening the thing every month.

Any suggestions? Sure be cool if they made tungsten knives. 8)

 

[Shaolin]

OK...I gotta be honest. Although I like my knife, I am looking for a knife that is made of some sort of steel that keeps an edge EVEN BETTER than my MTech 440. I'm just getting tired of sharpening the thing every month.

Any suggestions? Sure be cool if they made tungsten knives. 8)

Check out RAT Cutlery, Busse, Swamp Rat, Ranger Knives, Scrap Yard Knives.

 

[titanium27]

Try one made from ATS-34, the one I made has held an edge really well.

 

[Queen Kat]

I also carry a knife at times. It's the Gerber Guardian Backup Kife...I'm sure no one will be surprised that it's the same knife Lara Croft stores in her boot. The Ruger in the pic is not mine but I like it anyways!

QUOTE FROM WIKIPEDIA:
"The Gerber Guardian: A type of boot knife designed by Knifemaker, Bob Loveless. The knife was made more than twenty years ago. The handle has a hard inner core. The Guardian 1 has a Santoprene rubber coating for a nonslip grip. And has a double-edge blade finished in nonreflective black. It is the blade-weapon of choice used by Lara Croft, of Tomb Raider fame..."

I hope the image code worked...

 

[Cinhil]

Now that is a nice knife, Queen Kat. I think I ought to look into carrying some of those Gerbers at the next Gun Show in September.
Thanks for sharing that.

 

[JonB]

If I had the money, I would get a Benchmade Griptilian or Mini-griptilian. Great steel (154CM on the newer ones), great lock (axis), and great handle. The bad news is that they usually run $70 and up.