May 28, 2008, 03:58 PM | #1 |
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Back up Knife?
I've read quite a bit lately about the pros and cons of carrying a BUG. I personally never have, even when I was a cop. I did carry a sap, switchblade, and push knife while on duty and have continued the practice of carrying a tactical/personal defense knife daily in addition to a handgun.
Mine is a Kershaw 1640 vapor designed by Ken Onion with a 3" blade. I'm curious, how many of you guys carry a tactical knife in addition to your firearm? Anyone use pepper spray? Something else? Note: I'm not making any judgement of BUG's. Just wondering how many people chose a different option. |
May 28, 2008, 04:16 PM | #2 |
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In the past, I knew LEOs who carried a gun, two speed loaders (in the days of revolvers), a blackjack, pepper spray, a nightstick, AND a Maglite. I've known some cops to carry a backup piece AND a "throwdown" piece.
Carrying CWP, I've never carried a backup gun or spare ammo. Maybe I'm kidding myself. I feel pepper spray has too much chance of missing or being misdirected by the wind in addition to a hype or drunk not feeling it, and a knife allows the perp to get too close. |
May 28, 2008, 04:30 PM | #3 |
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Both I carry a BUG, a primary with extra mag, a lockback knife, (Camillus Heat), and a Victorinox Swiss Champ pocket knife with 30+ tools. When I am at work I have a Leatherman, and whatever else I can get into my vest. When I get undressed at night it is like disarming Germany.
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May 28, 2008, 04:35 PM | #4 |
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I have a number of different blades that I rotate out with my CCW. The "most carried" list is as follows:
(I carry only one of these at a time) Spyderco Endura Benchmade Ambush SOG Flash II SOG Trident Kershaw Speed Bump (Ken Onion) I also carry a Ontario RAT-3 Fixed blade and Leatherman Micro in my Maxpedition Versipack.
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May 28, 2008, 04:45 PM | #5 | |
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May 28, 2008, 04:50 PM | #6 |
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I used to carry a Vapor II as my fairly non-threatening "college knife" because it wasn't blacktical and it was cheap in case it ever got confiscated by the local college gestapo.
Back in my on-duty days however it was a Kershaw Blackout, mostly because I liked the idea of reliable and quick deployment each and everytime and the all-black finish went well with my uniform pants (which were also black). Bear in mind however I didn't carry it as a weapon, the thought was always in my mind that it might be needed as such, but really, I just carried it for utility. The only knife I own that I really think could cut it as a "fighting" knife is my first generation Spyderco Chinook, but it eats up my entire pocket and scares the sheeple something fierce, so I don't carry it much. My Benchmade TSEK Axis is a close second. |
May 28, 2008, 04:55 PM | #7 |
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I carry a small pocket knife along with my pistol and an extra mag. I have always had a knife in my pocket, ever since I was a little kid. I never thought of it as a defensive tool till I took some CC classes. Since taking the classes I've decided to get a knife that meets the needs what what I was taught to use it for defensively as well of something that cuts stuff....I ordered a SOG twitch. Im pretty excited.
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May 28, 2008, 05:16 PM | #8 |
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I always carry a knife; not so much as a back-up weapon, but because they always come in handy. I end up using it for something at least 9 out of 10 days.
A couple of knives I regularly carry could easily be used for self defense (Kershaw Boa, Sog Flash Tanto) On occasion I'll carry a Colt Commander boot knife (which I would consider an actual fighting knife) Usually (until I lost it a couple of months ago after about five or six years and THOUSANDS of times being used) I carry a Kershaw Scallion. It's blade is 2 1/4"; it could really hurt you, but definitely not meant for self defense. Everyone should carry a knife at all times. IMHO it's absolutely the most useful tool on the planet. After all, our ancestors were using blades for cutting over 2 Million yrs ago. |
May 28, 2008, 05:27 PM | #9 | |
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May 28, 2008, 05:49 PM | #10 |
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knife
Chris Reeves; Sabenza
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May 28, 2008, 05:49 PM | #11 |
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I do carry a knife for back-up/utility
I only carry my Emerson Karambit.
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May 28, 2008, 06:38 PM | #12 |
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I always have a pocket knife. Usually my little Buck 505. Often, I'll drop a Kershaw Leek or Scallion in my pocket. I have absolutely no training or knowledge of using a knife as a weapon, so it scares me more than comforts me.
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May 28, 2008, 06:40 PM | #13 |
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Benchmade Griptilian is on my wasteband all the time
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May 28, 2008, 08:06 PM | #14 |
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"Everyone should carry a knife at all times. IMHO it's absolutely the most useful tool on the planet."
Yep. Erik- who advocates and carries a BUK.
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May 29, 2008, 01:34 AM | #15 |
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Always have at least one knife on me.
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May 29, 2008, 04:13 AM | #16 |
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I don't carry a BUG I do however carry a knife. I have carried a pocket knife since I was a little kid. I carry one now just in case I can not draw my sidearm or I am in a car wreck and can't get the buckle to release. You never know when you will need a knife for a job a sidearm just can't do.
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May 29, 2008, 07:34 AM | #17 |
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In normal everyday life, I don't carry a BUG. Florida weather and corresponding attire can make CCW interesting for a single sidearm, let alone two.
I never leave the house without my Benchmade auto-styker in my hip pocket, but I suppose I consider it more "utility" than "back up". There are so many things in life where a knife is just simply better applied than a gun. As for letting the BG get too close, well here's some graphic (very graphic) photos of what getting too close to a knife can end up like. I'll post as attachments, so those who don't wish to look don't have to see them.
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May 29, 2008, 07:36 AM | #18 |
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I carry my SOG or my Benchmade. At work I still carry the SOG since I can not CCW at work.
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May 29, 2008, 07:39 AM | #19 |
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honkylips
"That's a pretty bold assertion to make. So you personally know cops who carry 'throwdown' pieces, or you're just making uneducated assumptions?"
I stand by my statement. |
May 29, 2008, 07:48 AM | #20 |
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a Cold-Steel Voyager folding tanto is one of my favorite carry knives...
..also have a Spyderco,Gerber,Benchmade etc...
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May 29, 2008, 09:34 AM | #21 | |
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May 29, 2008, 10:15 AM | #22 |
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As a matter of history...
Between the era of swords and daggars and the era of reliable cartridge firearms, most people carried something akin to a Bowie knife as their primary defense weapon. Based on the technology of the time, a good fighting knife was far more reliable than most of the handguns available and far more utilitarian in general life.
Sadly, the open carry of an eight to ten inch long knife has fallen into disfavor. I normally carry a small pocket knife, but not as a weapon. I have a larger knife mounted on my 'outdoors' equipment belt.
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May 29, 2008, 11:45 AM | #23 |
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BUK
When I was on duty and off I always carried a knife, but no BUG. I just love myt "GT" ATS-34 spring op opening blade with tanto point. My other is a plain blade CRKT M16-03Z. My multi-tool is a Gerber.
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May 29, 2008, 12:26 PM | #24 |
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Its not a back up to anything, because stupid Wisconsin doesn't allow conceled carry, but my nomal EDC knife is a Strider SnG.
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May 29, 2008, 12:36 PM | #25 |
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I carry an Emerson Commander. It is a very useful tool and a very effective weapon.
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