Do you carry a knife for self-defense?

[Starbuck]

ALways run if you have the ability to run and nobody gets injured.

That's a pretty good rule.

I completely understand the whole 'stand your ground' mentality, but for me I'd only do that if it was absolutely me or them. Stuff can be replaced and pride can be repaired.

 

[LaMidRighter]

That's a pretty good rule.

I completely understand the whole 'stand your ground' mentality, but for me I'd only do that if it was absolutely me or them. Stuff can be replaced and pride can be repaired.

I don't turn my back on an aggressor, too many people have been killed in flight. My philosophy is that I will defend myself, those I care about, or if I must intervene in an active attack such as a rape or violent assault I will. However I will always give an aggressor a way out, if the person wants to flee and discontinue the aggression they may and if necessary the police can find them later.

 

[Starbuck]

I don't turn my back on an aggressor, too many people have been killed in flight. My philosophy is that I will defend myself, those I care about, or if I must intervene in an active attack such as a rape or violent assault I will. However I will always give an aggressor a way out, if the person wants to flee and discontinue the aggression they may and if necessary the police can find them later.

Obviously everything is situational, and I wouldn't recommend straight-up turning my back on an aggressor either.

However, for me I'll only stand my ground if I can't see any way out of the situation. I'll also intervene to assist someone being attacked.

Where implements of defense are concerned though, I'm always paying attention to items in my vicinity. In a lot of situations, anything will do, even a hot cup of coffee/ hot chocolate. Generally speaking, no matter where I am, I am looking for two things:

1. Ways to get in/ out
2. Things that I could use

 

[CaptainCourtesy]

One of the best inventions all time.

I think I've gone through 4 or 5 of them in the past 30 years. They hold up AMAZINGLY. If the outer shell didn't crack, occasionally, and I didn't want them to "look nice", AND I hadn't lost one, I'd still be using the one I originally had.

 

[LaMidRighter]

I think I've gone through 4 or 5 of them in the past 30 years. They hold up AMAZINGLY. If the outer shell didn't crack, occasionally, and I didn't want them to "look nice", AND I hadn't lost one, I'd still be using the one I originally had.

Yep, very few things can come up that can't be at least eased with one of those little beauties in pocket. Sure, overhauling an engine or plastering walls, big jobs like that you need bigger tools, but for little things that pop up they are really handy.

 

[LaMidRighter]

Obviously everything is situational, and I wouldn't recommend straight-up turning my back on an aggressor either.

However, for me I'll only stand my ground if I can't see any way out of the situation. I'll also intervene to assist someone being attacked.

Where implements of defense are concerned though, I'm always paying attention to items in my vicinity. In a lot of situations, anything will do, even a hot cup of coffee/ hot chocolate. Generally speaking, no matter where I am, I am looking for two things:

1. Ways to get in/ out
2. Things that I could use

I agree. My thing is though, the attacker must be the one to flee IMO, only because to flee I have to turn my back, I'm not doing it. However I would prefer the attacker get the message that if he wins, he still loses in that he will be hurting for a long time. And yep, I will weaponize anything I have to in the worst case scenario.

 

[lizzie]

I carry one in my car, but not on my person. It's more for utilitarian purposes. I'm not big enough to be much of a threat with a knife.

 

[lizzie]

No, but I've carried a Swiss Army knife with me since I was 17 for utility purposes. It's helped me more times than I can count.

I keep a small Leatherman tool in my purse, which comes in very handy at times. Very similar to the Swiss army knife, but can also be usdd as a small plier.

 

[molten_dragon]

I carry a pocket knife, but not really for self defense, just for cutting things. That doesn't mean I wouldn't use it to try and defend myself if I was forced to, but that's not its primary purpose. Mine is a Case Mako that my wife bought me for Christmas several years ago. It's quite a bit bigger than I really need in a pocket knife, but it was a gift, so I like it.

 

[shlunka]

I carry my knife for dry shaving and hunting.

 

[ChrisL]

I carry one in my car, but not on my person. It's more for utilitarian purposes. I'm not big enough to be much of a threat with a knife.

That might depend on how BIG the knife is though. :lol:

 

[ChrisL]

That's a pretty good rule.

I completely understand the whole 'stand your ground' mentality, but for me I'd only do that if it was absolutely me or them. Stuff can be replaced and pride can be repaired.

Me too. :lol: I'd actually probably try to run away or hide if it was possible.

 

[tech30528]

I just carry a knife as a tool. I can't quite bring myself to drop big bucks on one though. Mine is a $15 Smith and Wesson that looks a lot like the top one in the OP and I have a Lansky sharpening kit. The knife has a pocket clip on it, and if I am wearing cargo pants or shorts it looks like I'm carrying two, one in the top pocket, one in the cargo pocket. But the lower one is actually a pistol.

 

[TurtleDude]

I carry a ball point pen for defense. If you know how to use it, you can stab the eyes out of most of the ******s carrying guns, usually before they can react. It takes training though, and I don't recommend it for most.

LOL, you cannot make a post without attacking gun owners

yeah that ball point pen is going to work really well against some 20 year old ute who has spent 3-4 years in a tough juvenile prison. BTW there are tactical pens being made-I gave one to one of my coworkers who was doing a one year stint in Afghanistan as part of his reserve JAG duties

 

[TurtleDude]

I keep a K-bar in all my vehicles along with a hammer and other safety things. Reason being I can use it for emergencies on the road like when a car crashes and you have to get someone out like now. Most cars today have very thin metal which can be punctured fairly easily with a heavy full tang knife and a hammer. You use the combo as an improvised jaws of life and literally cut people out of the vehicle. A big ass can opener if you will. K-bars also are intimidating to carjackers, though that to me is a secondary reason to keep it.

I have a glock field knife for the same reason-its very tough steel and I keep an original Becker "Machax" in the trunk (IMagine a Kukri on steroids). Ethan Becker gave me this tool more than 20 years ago and on two occasions I used it to chop up trees that had been blown across a road or driveway. shortly after I got it, my POS Ford Escort broke down late one night and while I was waiting for a tow, some "good old boys come cruising up and checking me out and they saw that machax sitting on the hood of my car and they just kept going.

everyone ought to have a good knife in their car-the Kabar is a good choice, the glock I think is even better since its even tougher and costs half as much

 

[TurtleDude]

Yup. My knife is a much better weapon when combined with good acting skills, than it would be in actual combat.

Thank god for that Italian maniacal shriek I inherited.

25 or so years ago, a girl who worked alongside my then girlfriend, was an artist and she often carried one of those "xacto" type knives. She was very slightly built and was taking classes at a nearby university that was in a fairly safe rural town about 40 minutes from the northern part of Cincinnati where she worked.

well some drugged out rapist decided to pick her and she must have stabbed that asshole 25-30 times with that little 1 inch xacto knife. other than her white blouse and stockings being ruined from the attack and all the blood from the mope, she was fine. fast forward 20 years later-one of my close friend's daughter was at U of Cincinnati-a far more dangerous area. This student carried a small knife for self defense. Good idea because some guy tried to have his way with her and all he got was about 68 stitches at the ER and 5 years in prison


I got full reports of both actions from the intended victims. In both cases, the attackers didn't know the petite 20 something young ladies in short skirts and heels had any sort of weapon until they had been cut several times

 

[Capster78]

What is curious is how people furiously defend gun rights, while don't for other weapons. The laws restricting knives (including as a felony offense) is extreme. Generally they can't be longer than 6 inches, can't be a danger, and can-not open by a spring.

So, while my wife can have a 42 round Nato 5.56 bullpup, an 38sp in her pocket with a .357 derringer up her sleeve, she can't have a $10 Mexican switch blade - and definitely not a cutlass.

THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHATSOEVER! Why doesn't anyone complain about that? Why isn't THAT ever challenged in court? Back then AND NOW, cutting weapons are STILL used and carried by most militaries (ie they have "militia" usage to this day.)

At close quarter a true cutlass would go a long way towards self defense! We have a vintage one ("for collection purposes only" of course :roll - and it's basically an 18 inch long meat cleaver. Why are GUNS the only "right to bear arms" people care about defending???

I was about to make a similar argument but it seems you covered it. Guns seems to be mysteriously exempt from meaningful regulation unlike most other weapons that are much less lethal.

 

[TurtleDude]

I was about to make a similar argument but it seems you covered it. Guns seems to be mysteriously exempt from meaningful regulation unlike most other weapons that are much less lethal.

that is just plain moronic

I can buy knives, nunchuks, swords (really good ones that will slice through 3-4 human torsos with one slash), crossbows, spears through the mail-not so with handguns or long guns

I have never filled out a 4473 for knives-some of which are purely designed for military purposes

so you are completely wrong

 

[Jerry]

What is curious is how people furiously defend gun rights, while don't for other weapons. The laws restricting knives (including as a felony offense) is extreme. Generally they can't be longer than 6 inches, can't be a danger, and can-not open by a spring.

So, while my wife can have a 42 round Nato 5.56 bullpup, an 38sp in her pocket with a .357 derringer up her sleeve, she can't have a $10 Mexican switch blade - and definitely not a cutlass.

THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHATSOEVER! Why doesn't anyone complain about that? Why isn't THAT ever challenged in court? Back then AND NOW, cutting weapons are STILL used and carried by most militaries (ie they have "militia" usage to this day.)

At close quarter a true cutlass would go a long way towards self defense! We have a vintage one ("for collection purposes only" of course :roll - and it's basically an 18 inch long meat cleaver. Why are GUNS the only "right to bear arms" people care about defending???

I have to agree that the ban some state's have on switch-blades is pure bull****. A spring-loaded knife is a lot easier to open and close especially when you're wearing leather gloves, have tools in your other hand, and are in a hurry.

 

[TurtleDude]

I have to agree that the ban some state's have on switch-blades is pure bull****. A spring-loaded knife is a lot easier to open and close especially when you're wearing leather gloves, have tools in your other hand, and are in a hurry.

the federal switch blade laws-like the Hughes amendment, need to be flushed down the toilet to the sewer where they belong. Same with state laws. laws based on ignorance and turds in politics who wet themselves watching "Rebel without a Cause" or West Side Story should be void ab initio

 

[Capster78]

that is just plain moronic

I can buy knives, nunchuks, swords (really good ones that will slice through 3-4 human torsos with one slash), crossbows, spears through the mail-not so with handguns or long guns

I have never filled out a 4473 for knives-some of which are purely designed for military purposes

so you are completely wrong

It depends on the state you live in, but in many states, there are restrictions as to how long and what type of knives are legal. The knives you mentioned above are illegal in many states.

 

[TurtleDude]

It depends on the state you live in, but in many states, there are restrictions as to how long and what type of knives are legal. The knives you mentioned above are illegal in many states.

no they aren't. only california has laws against say the Gerber Mark II being carried.

 

[notquiteright]

'Automatic' knives are illegal in Oklahoma to carry out and about, to include spring assist.

Never heard of a Reserve or NG unit being issued pocket knives. Do know some privately purchased/group buy knives were permitted.

I carry a 12 year old folding Gerber 3.5", that I use most every day out here on the ranch and during hunting season.

Bought a back up right before they went of of production... got both at Walmart. 25 bucks IIFC.

 

[Capster78]

no they aren't. only california has laws against say the Gerber Mark II being carried.

Well then, obvioulsy knives are not the best weapon to kill someone with. Otherwise, these mass shooters would be using knives instead of guns. The point is, there are more restrictions on many less lethal weapons then there are on guns. How many mass stabbings have you heard of that killed 20+ people?

 

[Manc Skipper]

I don't carry a knife or a gun. Not for protection, or penis enhancement, or any other reason. I live in a society where I dont need to.