Knives of the Bad Guys?

Matt VDW · August 14, 2000, 08:34 AM

Is there such a thing as a "knife of choice" for criminals?

I suppose that many stabbings and slashings are committed with kitchen knives, just because they happen to be handy when things turn ugly. But what about the criminals who arm themselves in advance for the purpose of mugging, rape, or just general mayhem? Do they tend to select big knives or small knives? Fixed blades or folders? Fancy fighting knives or sharpened screwdrivers?

LawDog · August 14, 2000, 12:36 PM

Actually, when I think of a 'Critter Knife of Choice', a shank generally comes to mind. Sharpened toothbrushes, mostly.

Second place would have to go to common kitchen knives.

Third would be the biggest, shiniest, (cheapest) hunting knife they could get their paws on.

I've never run across a critter with the good taste or sense to carry a Sebenza, or a Cold Steel Tanto or anything that you couldn't get for $19.99 at the flea market.

LawDog

RH · August 14, 2000, 12:38 PM

Great question ! Probably better answered at bladeforums.com, where there are lots of blade nuts and LEO's who might have some personal knowledge to add to the discussion.

My own guess is that not many criminals are carrying quality cutlery (>$30), unless they stole it from somewhere/someone else. To them it's probably a commodity item and a tool of the trade, but one that would be subject to immediate disposability if necessary. Box-cutter or snap-off plastic utility knife are probably big favorites.

David Scott · August 14, 2000, 03:10 PM

Swing by a flea market and look at the tables full of low-quality knives that look like Klingon standard issue.

EnochGale · August 14, 2000, 04:37 PM

Moderator is right, I just read somewhere that the weapon of choice is a kitchen knife.

Jhp147 · August 14, 2000, 08:08 PM

Chiming in with Lawdog. Kitchen knives if the fight starts in a house. Screwdrivers if it starts in or near a car or garage. Around here, we have a beef packing plant that employs a large number of certain ethnic groups. One group ALWAYS seems to have a boning knife handy. The closest I've ever seen to a real fighting knife knife at a scene is a good old Buck 110 folder. They seemed to be popular before "drivebys" became the crime of choice.

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When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; IT IS that they shall be destroyed forever...Psalms 92.7

Matt VDW · August 14, 2000, 09:09 PM

Lawdog, does anyone carry a sharpened toothbrush outside of prison? I can see how it might be the best thing available behind bars, but it seems like a poor choice for the street. Even one of those $5 Pakistani specials would hold a better edge.

LawDog · August 14, 2000, 09:36 PM

jhp147, IBP--gotta love 'em.

Matt, actually I've only found one shank outside of a facility--ex-con had a sharpened toothbrush laying in the console of his car. I missed seeing what it actually was until the stop was nearly complete.

LawDog

August 14, 2000, 08:34 AM	#1
Matt VDW Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 1999 Posts: 1,315	Is there such a thing as a "knife of choice" for criminals? I suppose that many stabbings and slashings are committed with kitchen knives, just because they happen to be handy when things turn ugly. But what about the criminals who arm themselves in advance for the purpose of mugging, rape, or just general mayhem? Do they tend to select big knives or small knives? Fixed blades or folders? Fancy fighting knives or sharpened screwdrivers?

August 14, 2000, 12:36 PM	#2
LawDog Staff Emeritus Join Date: September 15, 1999 Location: Where am I going? Why am I in this handbasket? Posts: 4,194	Actually, when I think of a 'Critter Knife of Choice', a shank generally comes to mind. Sharpened toothbrushes, mostly. Second place would have to go to common kitchen knives. Third would be the biggest, shiniest, (cheapest) hunting knife they could get their paws on. I've never run across a critter with the good taste or sense to carry a Sebenza, or a Cold Steel Tanto or anything that you couldn't get for $19.99 at the flea market. LawDog

August 14, 2000, 12:38 PM	#3
RH Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 1999 Posts: 532	Great question ! Probably better answered at bladeforums.com, where there are lots of blade nuts and LEO's who might have some personal knowledge to add to the discussion. My own guess is that not many criminals are carrying quality cutlery (>$30), unless they stole it from somewhere/someone else. To them it's probably a commodity item and a tool of the trade, but one that would be subject to immediate disposability if necessary. Box-cutter or snap-off plastic utility knife are probably big favorites.

August 14, 2000, 03:10 PM	#4
David Scott Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2000 Posts: 2,456	Swing by a flea market and look at the tables full of low-quality knives that look like Klingon standard issue.

August 14, 2000, 04:37 PM	#5
EnochGale Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2000 Location: southwest Posts: 823	Moderator is right, I just read somewhere that the weapon of choice is a kitchen knife.

August 14, 2000, 08:08 PM	#6
Jhp147 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 1999 Location: Texas Posts: 597	Chiming in with Lawdog. Kitchen knives if the fight starts in a house. Screwdrivers if it starts in or near a car or garage. Around here, we have a beef packing plant that employs a large number of certain ethnic groups. One group ALWAYS seems to have a boning knife handy. The closest I've ever seen to a real fighting knife knife at a scene is a good old Buck 110 folder. They seemed to be popular before "drivebys" became the crime of choice. ------------------ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; IT IS that they shall be destroyed forever...Psalms 92.7

August 14, 2000, 09:09 PM	#7
Matt VDW Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 1999 Posts: 1,315	Lawdog, does anyone carry a sharpened toothbrush outside of prison? I can see how it might be the best thing available behind bars, but it seems like a poor choice for the street. Even one of those $5 Pakistani specials would hold a better edge.

August 14, 2000, 09:36 PM	#8
LawDog Staff Emeritus Join Date: September 15, 1999 Location: Where am I going? Why am I in this handbasket? Posts: 4,194	jhp147, IBP--gotta love 'em. Matt, actually I've only found one shank outside of a facility--ex-con had a sharpened toothbrush laying in the console of his car. I missed seeing what it actually was until the stop was nearly complete. LawDog