Knife in addition to gun?

[vito]

How many carry a knife as a back-up for a gun? I'm referring to some type of tactical knife in a sheath or holder as opposed to to a tiny penknife in your pocket. I guess there is no limit to what is carried, with some on this forum stating that they carry as many as three firearms, but in general I wonder about carrying something in addition to a concealed firearm.

[Webleymkv]

I almost always have a Kershaw Tanto Blur assisted opener clipped to the top of my pocket, even when I don't have a gun. Occasionally, I'll also carry a Cold Steel Counter Tac I or Counter Tac II fixed blade on my belt in addition to a handgun.

[threegun]

Always

[DiscoRacing]

I dont consider it a backup...but ... I do carry a smaller Gerber folding blade...I carry that as a tool tho.. not really for defense...tho could be used as such im sure.

[bbrian]

Vito – I’ve always had a similar question. That is, for those that carry both a knife and a gun, how many times was the knife actually required in a SD situation?

Has anyone on this board actually needed to employ both, outside of being in combat?

It seems like having a knife in addition to a firearm is just an extra precaution – a ‘nice to have’, but probably not necessary. Thoughts?

[Pahoo]

Absolutely and You'll find that gun guys are usually knife guys as well. For dress, I also carry a Kershaw assited opener; Mod #1660CKT. for work, again, I carry the Kershaw as well as a Buck Odysey #181 C. .... ;)



Be Safe !!!

[FireForged]

I dont consider any knife I carry to be "tactical" but I do carry a benchmade axis lock folder on my weak side. If I am not carrying a firearm, I carry the knife on my strong side.

[capflyboy05]

I'm not old enough yet for concealed carry.
But like the other gentleman that posted above me.
I have a Gerber knife I almost always have on me.
Also the same, I use it as more of a tool than weapon.
If I need to use it as a weapon,
I have the ability to use it as such, and will if I am ever being attacked.

[Lokpyrite]

I always carry 2 knives, 1 small folder with a pocket clip and a larger neck knife.
Plus a multi-tool.

[kenno]

God gave you two hands fvor a reason!
2 knives
2 guns

[SansCrainte]

Better than no back up. I don't think I have been without a knife daily in years. Usually just clipped to my back pocket. Most my jeans have two wear marks on the back pocket. Can of skoal and my knife :D.

[Death from Afar]

Always, gerber multi tool.

[StrongSideArmsInc]

When I was incharge of firearms instructing at my department, i employed the thought of using a knife for weapons retention. For the smaller and weaker physically, if someone grabs your weapon while in your holster, I have seen video after video of cops going around and around in this scenario. So I taught, carrying a fixed blade of automatic knife on the weakside, to be used to cut the wrist or stab in the gut an assialant trying to disarm you. My thought was no matter the size, if you cut the wrist properly, you disable the tendons and nerves and they will let go. If someone grabs your weapon, deadly force is authorized.
This came in handy one night when I got in a scrap with a 6-8' 300lb brick mason, who didn;t want to go to jail. I remember hearing the stiching on my gun holster ripping, when he was trying to pull my gun out. I simply pulled out my CKRT bear claw, and cut him from his pelvis to his belly button, and then took a chunk out his wrist. To my surprise, he let go. He passed out when he saw his own blood.
Always carry a knife, and think outside the box.

[egor20]

I always carried a Buck folding knife, although I've never considered it a back-up to my handgun, mostly I use it to cut open hay bale strings

BTW: I just broke my last Buck 112 (had it for 26 years), any one have a suggestion for a good 3"-3 1/2" folding knife?

[LFosburg]

I like to carry a knife when the dress code allows. I purchased one of the best knives I own on Amazon.com. I would recommend this to anyone although I just looked on there and it is only $21 with free shipping. It is a double blade smith and wesson tactical. Check it out... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IXG44U/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000CCF9DY&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1SPFRXETR0TZQ6PPYBDP

One of the best knives I ever owned. If you wear a boot it is great to carry as a boot knife. It comes with a heavy duty leather sheath.

[spclPatrolGroup]

I generally have a large Cold Steel Voyager cliped in my weak side pocket, mainly because I use it as a tool for cutting open boxes open, but there are many places where I cannot CCW for various reasons, so it beats nothing.

[Sixer]

I always keep a Gerber folder in my front pocket. More as a tool than for SD...

[Skans]

I carry a knife to cut things.....not people. I suppose some folks are comfortable fighting with a knife, but I'm not.

[FAS1]

Always - Spyderco C07. I guess I have carried this knife for the last 20 years.

[booker_t]

A second gun is a backup to a gun. A knife is a knife. Two knives means you have a backup for your primary knife.

[saltydog452]

The clip is one of those gadgets/gizmos that someone should have reasoned the utility value of a looong time ago. Maybe its one of those 'why dint I think of that ?' moments.

Pocket knives turn sideways and lay horizontal in the pocket. Possible exception acklonledged to the small 'watch pocket' Gentleman's knife.

Next up was when Buck marketed the 110. It was carried best in a holster/scabbard and was heavy, but felt lively in the hand. Good for knocking on metal doors in an attempt to make a delivery.:D It, and products like it, made a decent hammer of sorts.

I don't have a need for a heavy handle counter weight these days, but the Kershaw Blurr is a light weight, easily carried tool. It is one hand, assited opening for this arthritic, carpal tunnel geezer. It stays straight up and down vertical, as well as accessable, thanks to the spring clip.

I doubt that it will see use as anything other than opening boxes, cutting tape, string, amd such, or digging out the occasional splinter. It can be deployed with the left hand.

Tactical, if I understand the intent, would be a now discontinued Spiderco 'Copilot' that is used as a money clip. Assuming I was agile enough, that could present a surprise to someone who demanded all we had.

salty

[Water-Man]

Only a pocket knife.

[The Great Mahoo]

I carry a knife, but like most folks on here, for utility rather than fighting. Its a handy piece of equipment to have; mine has carved up more than its share of fruit and slain some of the world's most nefarious boxes. For combating people, though? I'll stick to my carry gun.

If all else fails, I would consider using my knife as a weapon, but its not a good option unless you know what you are doing with them. I trained on them a bit when I studied martial arts, but that was too long ago for me to be up to speed on.

[egor20]

I've been in one knife fight in life and that was 20+ years ago in Naples Italy, all I can tell you is, you're gonna get cut. If you don't think so, then never get into a knife fight, mine was 42 stitches to my left arm, his was a lot more.:(

[sirsloop]

I carry a knife, mainly for utility reasons... but you can bet its in my mind when walking down a dark sidewalk in the bad part of town. Only problem with pulling a knife is it would prompt a perp to pull their illegal pistol and start shooting. Better than nothing I suppose and I'm sure it would inhibit an unarmed conflict.

[hondauto]

I have had a knife pulled on me 2 times..I was lucky enough not to get cut both times.One guy got his collarbone and nose broken.. the other went to jail..no damage..
I love knives for only utility..I would never use a knife against a human being.Although I could make good tactical use of it.I don't know why but it seems that it's too primitive and not what the intended use was..
I only carry a knife if I'm Hunting,fishing,or some other wildlife venture.

[stu925]

About the only place I would rely on a knife as a weapon would be at work. Can't carry a handgun there and we're limited to a 2" blade. I keep a Kershaw Scallion as a last resort clipped inside my waistband. Can't lose the knife without knowing and it's in a spot where I can get to it quickly. Outside of work I carry a Kershaw Blur as a tool, seems there's no shortage of uses for a good blade. I like knives with good heavy blades since I tend to use them for everything including as a pry bar or chisel (which is why I don't send them back for repair when I break blades).

Stu

[sirsloop]

Well in states like NJ where a CCW is nearly impossible to get... a knife is the next best thing. Just hope the bad guy isn't packing.

[stephen426]

I often carry a gun, but I always carry a knife. I have a Benchmade 710 and it can easily be used as a "defensive" weapon. I prefer to use a gun in a gun fight though. I am also one of those guys that sees my knife as a tool. I have carried my knife (closed) when walking in dark alleys before. The Benchmade 710 can easily be used as a kubaton when closed.

http://www.knifeworks.com/images/products/display/710.jpg

[Vt.birdhunter]

A knife available with your weak-hand is a tremendous asset if someone goes for your holster.

A clip-it type knife in the left pocket is a great backup to most right hand carry positions.

[egor20]

Any one have a Boker damascus folding Knife?, I saw one in the Kennesaw catalog, looked nice.

[Jeremiah/Az]

As Egor said in another post, if you get in a knife fight you are going to get cut. It will get very bloody very quickly. If the sight of a lot of blood bothers you, even if it is not your blood, you might want to reconsider the knife for defense. I saw a Sgt. LEO turn white & would have fallen if not helped. It is not pretty I can tell you.

[redstategunnut]

I carry my gun(s) everywhere the law allows. I carry a knife everywhere.

[Rufus T Firefly]

Always at least a 4" folding clipped to my pocket. Not necessarily for protection but as minimum a readily available survival knife.

[Rattlehead]

I'm with Sixer and Skans - most of the time I have a 3-4" knife on me, but it's about as tactical as a teddy bear. Its there to cut whatever needs cutting, usually at work... boxes, 550 cord, apples, whatever. I only carry everywhere because I know I'll need it the day I leave it at home. I guess it could be used for SD, but that's not really what its there for.

[Klingon00]

Since I'm from Ohio, I'm not legally allowed to conceal a knife as a weapon, so I carry a backup gun instead. I do have a multi-tool, but I would never consider using it as a weapon (except perhaps as a last resort in defense of life), it is simply a tool.

Its odd to me, since the 2nd Amendment doesn't specify that it only applies to firearms, that Ohio law would restrict my rights as it pertains to my choice in the tools of self defense. Ohio trusts its law abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun, but apparently not knives.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Benchmade 520--general back-up--survival---box opening tool.

[old bear]

That is, for those that carry both a knife and a gun, how many times was the knife actually required in a SD situation?

Has anyone on this board actually needed to employ both, outside of being in combat?

It seems like having a knife in addition to a firearm is just an extra precaution – a ‘nice to have’, but probably not necessary. Thoughts?

I've carried a knife all my life. My current carry knife is a mid sized CRKT voyager.
I've never had any need to use it as a weapon, thank goodness!
A mid sized pocket knife is just handy to have, when was the last time you used a gun to open a C/D/ or D.D.V case:mad:

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Started carrying a Swiss Army knife as a cub scout and have been carrying some kind of knife ever since - though like others have mentioned I look at it as more of a tool than a weapon. I can think of a lot of tools/random objects I would use before I reached for a knife in self-defense; but if that was the best I had available I guess I'd use it.

[FM12]

Yep, various types/brands at various times. Usually more than one on me at all times, including a Leatherman Kick.

[LockedBreech]

I rotate carry of
- Benchmade Mini-Griptillian (Combo Blade, Axis Lock, 154CM steel)
- CRKT Tiny Tighe Breaker (Outburst, AutoLAWKS, AUS8 steel)
- Buck Squire (440HC steel, Buck's legendary heat-treat)
- Leatherman Burst (Bigger multitool, but the knife blade is pretty mean. 440A steel)
- Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman II
- Buck Minibuck (Tiny 440HC steel knife, can fit in my jeans coin pocket)

When I have the LCP and Benchmade, I feel very good about life.

[Eagle0711]

Yes always. Many places no gun is allowed. It's for SD and used for many jobs.

A Benchmade 580 Osborne design with assisted opening. Also Case 3 blade Stockman.

[booker_t]

Maybe something like this?

http://razoredgeknives.com/MikeAdamson-KnifeCollection-CutlassPistol-4-1018x400.jpg

[PatAz]

I always carry a knife.

[nefprotector]

Kersahw Junk Yard Dog & a Buck Vantage!

[bikerbill]

I always carry at least a 3-inch folder which clips on to a pocket on my weak side ... it gets used for lots of things during the day besides self-defense, but it gets sharpened once a week and it's ready if I need it ...

[Jeep Driver]

SOG Trident Tanto assisted opening knife, always clipped inside my pocket.

[booker_t]

I like to have more than just 3 inches.

Right now, been carrying an Emerson Super Raven B (http://www.emersonknives.com/ekSRaven.php) or Cold Steel Recon 1 tanto (http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/csstoreonline_2142_20730960).

Emerson in space (http://www.emersonknives.com/videos/nasa.mpg).

[BGutzman]

What is crazy is a lot of places its illegal to have a fixed blade of any kind or a folding blade longer than 3 inches in a public venue.

Its strange that I can legally carry a 45 acp with 25 rounds but not a knife of any real length or any sort of fixed blade.

All my years in the service I carried a multi tool of one kind or another, a spyder co for cutting rope and if the occasion called for it a gerber MK II for less pleasant possibilities yet as a civilian a tiny weenie knife is all you can really have most places.

[Microgunner]

I always have a knife in my pocket. I don't view it as a back up to my firearm but would not hesitate to use it as such.

[fivepaknh]

At home in NH I carry a gun and the knife is just carried as a tool. I have zero training in knife fighting. i wouldn't even carry a knife if I didn't buy a Benchmade 6150 auto on impulse. Now I'm just used to having a knife with me. I'm deployed now and clipped to my front left ACU trouser pocket is a CRKT M21-14SF. Again, just as a tool. My M4 is more than enough for defending myself.

As of May 2010 NH has no carry restrictions on knives. Auto, fixed, you name it, you can own and carry it.

[JC57]

Only knives I carry are included in my small pocket-sized Leatherman tools (a Squirt and a Juice), which hardly qualify as weapons. I have no training or experience in knife fighting so wouldn't try to use a knife as a weapon anyway.

I find I rarely use the knife blade on my multitools but the scissors and screwdrivers come in very handy.

[smince]

I always carried a knife on my strong side for utility use only.

In 2009, I took the Suarez International 0-5Ft Gunfighting class. During this training course, I learned the benefit and wisdom of having a weapon accessible by either hand.

My pistol is AIWB carried at 12:30, and I now carry a knife clipped to each pocket.

[dgvc63]

Gun or not, you should ALWAYS carry a good locking folder at the very least, preferably one that can be opened one handed.

[KChen986]

My knife is a pretty handy tool.

I'm always using it to open mail, packages, etc. If I need to, I will use it for self defense--but the knife is much more utilitarian than the gun.

[Old Wanderer]

While I understand I am in a severe minority, I carry a Kershaw tirade clipped in my right hip pocket where I would normally carry my wallet. I also regularly carry a Kimber Ultra.

I was found myself suddenly face to face with somebody demanding my wallet, I would opt for the knife rather than the gun.

Krav Maga and FOF classes have taught me I can win most encounter by allowing my opponent(s) to think I am giving them my wallet and begging for mercy. Drawing a gun is a loosing proposition if you are already at knife or gun point. Moving inside the OODA loop nobody expects while stepping forward to hand your wallet but that hand now has my knife, those tendons attached to the gun/knife hand only take a half second to disconnect. Also while you are whittling away, that person makes a great shield for you if he has some buddies.

I train every year, and being old and gray certainly is a psychological plus, (nobody expects you to do much but whine and beg) but a physical minus for me (I am no longer Jumping Jack Flash). I give myself 30 seconds to be done with the encounter, or I will probably loose. (Don't have the physical endurance any more, but I fight really dirty).

[smince]

Good for you, Old Wanderer.

That's the kind of mindset every gun carrier should have. :cool:

[billj47]

:)http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/billj47/P1290011.jpg

[2edgesword]

Since I'm in downstate NY, and not one of the rich and famous, my pistol license restrictions don't allow for the EDC of a firearm. Having said that I always carry a knife and firearm when/where I can with my out of state licenses. Each has its place and given the justification and opportunity my preference would be using the tool that allows for projecting power over distance.

[Jake Balam]

I carry a benchmade folder, not my first choice for self defense but it will do in a pinch

[Heavy_Metal]

aaaahhh Americans....well if my primary 5.56 carbine goes down, i have the 'ol .357 on the belt, if that fails me, i have the .38 special on my non dominant side belt holster, if i can't reach that i have the 40 cal glock in my fanny pack holster, if i can't get to that, i have a 9mm short barreled tactical S&W on the ankle, and if that goes down, and only then.... i have a 7 inch, diamond coated, half serrated Ka-Bar.....and if i can't get to THAT.....i'll gouge his eyes out with my keys!!!!!

i only jest because i can't carry all that kit to the grocery store :D

[egor20]

If I lived in East End of Paisley in Cayzer Court, I'd carry a howitzer to the local kip shop.

Nice try though

egor20's wife

Edit: I guess they had a special at ASDA on Special Brew

[Heavy_Metal]

lol easy Yank, it's the Crown villiage of Ralston adjacent to CFB Suffield....what is ASDA :confused:

[output]

aaaahhh Americans....well if my primary 5.56 carbine goes down, i have the 'ol .357 on the belt, if that fails me, i have the .38 special on my non dominant side belt holster, if i can't reach that i have the 40 cal glock in my fanny pack holster, if i can't get to that, i have a 9mm short barreled tactical S&W on the ankle, and if that goes down, and only then.... i have a 7 inch, diamond coated, half serrated Ka-Bar.....and if i can't get to THAT.....i'll gouge his eyes out with my keys!!!!!

i only jest because i can't carry all that kit to the grocery store

Sounds like the words of a man with no rights or a need for them.

Back to topic. I do carry a knife. Utility is at the top of the list but if I need it for anything else. It's there as well.

[rsh32crew]

A great carry knife for the original poster, Benchmade "Infidel" OTF

[PIGMAN]

I like my WW-II reproduction Marine K-Bar for any situation. another use for a knife is for a throw down.

[ChrisJ715]

Cold steel recon 1 and sometimes a crkt dragon fixed blade

[jimbob86]

How many carry a knife as a back-up for a gun?

I carry a couple of knives, primarily as useful tools, and not strictly as "tacticool" self-defense back-up weapons, though they would work in a pinch.

A knife is a tool, a pair of pliers is a tool, a gun is a tool, a cell phone is a tool........ I carry all these tools everywhere I can. In truth, I find the knife and Leatherman tool more useful than the gun- never actually needed the gun, and would be disconcerted if I somehow forgot my Leatherman..... though if I ever NEEDED the gun and did not have it, the consequences would be much worse than, "Darn, I can't fix/cut/open that ________ for ya..... forgot my Leatherman."

[JerryM]

No.
I would be interested in how many instances a CHL holder, not an off duty LEO, ever needed a backup either a gun or knife. I personally doubt that anyone ever needed to go to a knife.

Regards,
Jerry

[egor20]

I broke my Buck 110 last month so I bought one of these, Tailwind Black Micarta Damascus.

http://kennesawcutlery.com/Brands/United%20Cutlery/United-Tailwind-Black-Micarta-Damascus-Folding-Knife

It's a nice knife, never had a spring assisted one before, so its a learning curve opening it with one hand.


It is a work knife, so I wouldn't call it a backup, but if needed .......





well i did have a switchblade when I was in Italy, hehehe:o
Don't tell anyone :D

[Squidward]

Apparently, this is a decent knife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01NHcTM5IA4

[Single Six]

I think of my blades more as tools rather than weapons, but: Yes. I always have a Voyager model on my person. As an aside, Cold Steel is the only brand I buy. Anytime someone gives me a knife as a present, if it's not from Lynn Thompson and Company, I smile, say "Thank you so much"...and promptly re-gift. I've made lots of less discerning knife guys happy over the years. :)