Back up Knife?

[threegun]

I have taught myself how to fight with a knife........with the help of a few experts at the discipline that is. I even went so far as to slash and stab hanging beef and pork slabs. A knife, while not better than a gun (usually), is a great tool for defense against unarmed foe's.

One thing I want to stress to you guys is a knife is messy. My technique calls for me to slash any available areas and stab only when the risk of losing the knife is low (a defensive technique). Thats not going to look real good for me in court when I have to explain the 10 deep slashes on the now '"good boy" BG. Please don't forget the aftermath.

[LanceOregon]

The problem with doing this, in my opinion, is that a knife is yet a second lethal weapon. I would much rather that my other weapon be non-lethal, like pepper spray or a taser.

[threegun]

Tasers and pepper have killed and the knife can be used without killing. Remember most pepper and electrical units are called "less than lethal" as apposed to "non lethal" nowadays. With the knife slashes to tendons can disable arms and legs with only the risk of death coming from blood loss if help is not given.

I would agree though that a taser or pepper would be a better option prior to deploying the knife if time, space, and circumstances allowed it. For me the knife is my last resort period.

[Erik]

I'm glad its your last resort, because the whole "I used it as a less than lethal by benevolently cutting up my assailant" defense likely isn't going to count for much with the police, the prosecutor, the jury, or the judge.

[threegun]

I just wanted to point out that a knife can be used without killing.

My earlier point was that using a knife, especially like I have been trained to use it, will be extremely gruesome & bloody and possibly cause trouble in court defending its usage.

[pax]

I just wanted to point out that a knife can be used without killing.

So can a firearm, but that does not make it a non-lethal tool.

The law (in Washington state, and nearly all other states have very similar language in the statutes) defines deadly force as "the intentional application of force through the use of firearms or any other means reasonably likely to cause death or serious physical injury."

Using a knife on someone is reasonably likely to cause serious physical injury even if it does not cause death. That means that, under the law, if you use a knife on someone you had darn well better be justified in using lethal force.

pax

[threegun]

Definitely a "lethal weapon" then. I wasn't thinking in a legal definition since I wouldn't deploy my knife unless my guns have failed......that means I'm probably dead anyway and lethal force requirements were met already.

I was thinking of how many areas can be cut causing incapacitation of limbs without causing immediate death. I shouldn't have mixed the knife in with other "less than lethal" options. You are correct and thank you for the correction.

[tuckerdog1]

I carry a Buck. Not sure what the model is. I just looked for a long time to find something that fit my grip well, and felt like it would not twist or turn, should it get wet. It also had to have a blade that locked solid and was mighty sharp.

I change up when we walk the dogs. We've been "confronted" several times, and actually attacked once by other dogs. They are amazingly stout creatures. Slashing & stabbing a dog could prove difficult. And even a serious wound may not make them break off the attack. So I started carrying a Ka-Bar marlin spike folder. I can do some serious deep stabbing with that spike ( possibly into the skull ). And should my hand slip & slide down the knike, I won't be slicing up my own hand.

Tuckerdog1

[Erik]

You might want to consider an impact weapon for the mutts. The don't like to be wacked much.

[.300H&H]

Maybe a little unorthodox...but I like my $60 Boker joint/penknife - a 4 blade 'congress model'. Here's my thinking: 1) it's nice looking and is fun to show off as a gentleman's pocketknife...and has 4 nice carbon blades. 2)it'll cut well
and the 1st wk. I had it I almost had to get stitches for my index finger
3)if in a real rare sort of emergency where I needed a blade it would work...
if I did my part. 4) if it showed up in a court of law as something belonging to me...there's not likely a judge or jury that would find it to be a menacing weapon...but just a gentleman's pocketknofe - not even a lockblade.
Also, things get a bit scary when one looks at the various state laws concerning 'knives' ie. in my state it's okay to carry a lock blade, but the state next door is a bit more restrictive and persnickety...

[kungfucowboy]

You might want to consider an impact weapon for the mutts. The don't like to be wacked much.

depends on the type of dog. when our mastiffs got into a fight (wich was very rare) we hit them with 2x4's so hard they broke then switched to throwing cinder blocks that were handy again nothing. Finally found out that dumping a 5 gallon bucket of water over them ended it every time. weird but true.

[tuckerdog1]

kungfucowboy,

I can appreciate how tough your dogs are. Had a neighbor's Doberman get hold of our Golden's neck, some years back. Mostly got hold of hide hide, and not meat, so "serious" damage was not happening. But the Dobie was doing that twisting & pulling that they do, and it was causing dog a lot of pain. Now didn't want to just up and kill the Dobie ( neighbor's dog ). Started with light blows with a 2X4. Nothing. Progressed to serious blows, and still would not let go. Tried water ( hose ), and still nothing. What finally did the job, was prying the jaw apart with a good sized screwdriver ( broke a couple teeth ). Amazing how tough they are.

Tuckerdog1

[Erik]

"Depends on the type of dog."
Very true. Great stories about how tough some dogs can be. And those are dogs you care for. Talk about needing to dish out tough love.

[The Great Mahoo]

I always carry a knife with me; unless of course I am going somewhere it would be confinscated (courthouse, etc.). I learned a long time ago that they are just too useful to leave at home.

I carried a Spyderco Jess Horn Edition folding knife for a long time, but I broke the tip off and weakened the lock on it after so long. I switched to a Columbian River fixed Falcon, but reverted back to a folder after a few months. Now adays I carry a CR Mt. Rainier lockback, with an lock-block to keep stress off of the lock and keep it from accidentally closing.

[MrClean]

I have a couple I alternate out.
My old Benchmade AFCK, has seen MUCH use and shows it but is still 100% functionial! And my other is an Emerson Commander, little bit beefier but just as good.

Am actually about to order one of the new Kabar TDI knifes for duty carry. Says it will fit nicely behind belt... so I know it's there but that's it. I kinda like that idea. However, I think I will probably always carry a full size knife.

Oh yea..... have a SpyderCo Civilian. Wicked little contraption.... keeping it more for collection than anything. Sure is mean though. I should probably carry IT. For protection, great.... but for other uses... nah.

[Th0r]

I do occasionally carry a knife when I go out, especially to places where there is a high risk factor and where gangs hang around...

But it's not really a back up weapon. Since in the United Kingdom we cannot carry firearms to protect ourselves...

Also there is no point in carrying a knife, if like 95% of people, you have no idea how to use a knife. Statistics in the United Kingdom suggest that a very high proportion of those killed in incidents involving knives are actually the owners of the knives used to kill them...

They pull the knives and their assailant stabs them with it, mainly because they can't hold it correctly.

[SUPERMAN .45]

My EDC knife on my right pocket an EMERSON CQC-13, on my left pocket CRKT M21-14SF & on my left back pocket an EMERSON Kombat Karambit. I also carry a Cold Steel neck knife.