The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

Nevada Fitch · April 21, 2002, 10:49 PM

I feel somewhat qualified to comment on this, because I have been carrying a so called defensive knife ever since I was in the 8th grade in high school, I am almost 45years old at this time.

OK, fixed blade knives are great but not a carry option for most of us, so lets talk about folders. It is my opinion that most of these so called defensive knives made today are designed by people more interested in getting sales than giving us what we really need. I learned to open a folder with one hand years ago, before anyone ever come out with a stud or hole in the blade. Frankly a lot of these models out now are poorly designed for quick opening and the pocket spring clips are in the wrong place also. Some are real mean looking but they don't cut the mustard in actual use. The old Buck folding hunter is a better combat knife than most of the newer models, and opens faster too IMHO. One thing that really pisses me off is the stupid designs that have an opening stud but then they nest it in the handle to the point that it is nearly useless. And on top of that many knives have so little blade accessable in the closed position there is no way you can get ahold of it and open it quick.

Here are some good design features I think a combat knife should have.

1. An easy opening blade with a positive lock.
2. No safeties of any kind that must be activated first. We don't need any spring loaded assistance of any kind either.
3. A blade of about 3 1/2 inches for legal reasons, other wise a bigger blade might be prefered.
4. The handle should be designed in a manner that leaves a fair amount of blade showing so that no stud or hole in the blade is actually needed to open quickly.
5. A pocket clip mounted on the opposite end of the blade hinge pin. It should be reversable from one side of the knife to the other.
6. A blade heavy enough that it will not break due to side pressure very easy.
7. personally I don't care for linner locks much mainly because many are not that positive and they are not amidestrious. knife makers like them because they are cheap to make IMHO.
8. With this design you should be able to grab this knife by the handle and with a quick flip of the wrist open the blade on the draw in one swift motion without even touching the blade. This is my prefered method for self defense.

A good exampe of this knife design is made by Benchmade. My current favorite is called the " OSBORNE" by Benchmade. I also have a bigger version of this same design made by Benchmade with a 4 inch blade. These knive also have a sliding crossbolt lock that is very postive and totally amidextrious. I am not trying to sell Benchmade knives but I do really like this design and I think it is superior to most of its competition. If someone else makes its equal then that is fine also.

With a knife if this design I can probably draw this knife and get it in action in less than 1/2 a second.

There is so much junk being made by so many knife makers out there that I just felt I had to comment on this.

April 21, 2002, 10:49 PM	#1
Nevada Fitch Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2000 Posts: 261	My take on a defensive knife I feel somewhat qualified to comment on this, because I have been carrying a so called defensive knife ever since I was in the 8th grade in high school, I am almost 45years old at this time. OK, fixed blade knives are great but not a carry option for most of us, so lets talk about folders. It is my opinion that most of these so called defensive knives made today are designed by people more interested in getting sales than giving us what we really need. I learned to open a folder with one hand years ago, before anyone ever come out with a stud or hole in the blade. Frankly a lot of these models out now are poorly designed for quick opening and the pocket spring clips are in the wrong place also. Some are real mean looking but they don't cut the mustard in actual use. The old Buck folding hunter is a better combat knife than most of the newer models, and opens faster too IMHO. One thing that really pisses me off is the stupid designs that have an opening stud but then they nest it in the handle to the point that it is nearly useless. And on top of that many knives have so little blade accessable in the closed position there is no way you can get ahold of it and open it quick. Here are some good design features I think a combat knife should have. 1. An easy opening blade with a positive lock. 2. No safeties of any kind that must be activated first. We don't need any spring loaded assistance of any kind either. 3. A blade of about 3 1/2 inches for legal reasons, other wise a bigger blade might be prefered. 4. The handle should be designed in a manner that leaves a fair amount of blade showing so that no stud or hole in the blade is actually needed to open quickly. 5. A pocket clip mounted on the opposite end of the blade hinge pin. It should be reversable from one side of the knife to the other. 6. A blade heavy enough that it will not break due to side pressure very easy. 7. personally I don't care for linner locks much mainly because many are not that positive and they are not amidestrious. knife makers like them because they are cheap to make IMHO. 8. With this design you should be able to grab this knife by the handle and with a quick flip of the wrist open the blade on the draw in one swift motion without even touching the blade. This is my prefered method for self defense. A good exampe of this knife design is made by Benchmade. My current favorite is called the " OSBORNE" by Benchmade. I also have a bigger version of this same design made by Benchmade with a 4 inch blade. These knive also have a sliding crossbolt lock that is very postive and totally amidextrious. I am not trying to sell Benchmade knives but I do really like this design and I think it is superior to most of its competition. If someone else makes its equal then that is fine also. With a knife if this design I can probably draw this knife and get it in action in less than 1/2 a second. There is so much junk being made by so many knife makers out there that I just felt I had to comment on this.