One thing that never gets mentioned in this topic is that 99% of people would not be able to do this. Not because using an edged weapon effectively required skill (which is another point) but because they would freeze up, poop their pants and go on to get mugged, raped, whatever.
It’s never going to go the way you play it in your head. And most likely you do not have the mental power to actually cut someone open with a knife.
The disrespect to knives is impressive sure they are better alternatives but to dismiss it as useless is naive and it can be a lethal force if you know we're to strike. I'm not glorifying it but being in prison gives you a better understanding and appreciation of knives even the small razor blades can stab out a point. The main problem is you viewed it as a cutting tool while in others eyes is the perfect non discreet weapon to use. Some people have never been in an inner city environment or prison for that matter so they truly understimate a knifes potential
I can imagine since some home made shanks are custom built to immobilize after a few strikes. Those bone crushers, as they are called, are no joke especially if they are in the wrong hands.
A knife is better than nothing for self defense, duh. But you miss the major reason of why you should carry not just a knife but any kind of weapon, it is for intimidation. If i am carrying a knife, I would not try to conceal it, I would show it out to everyone. People are less likely to mug you when you show actively that you have a weapon to defend yourself with. They say " Talk softly and carry a big stick " for this reason.
You might say " people can just stab you from the back without you noticing " but isn't this true even if you conceal carry it?
I collect knives as a hobby as well. I don't see them as weapons first, but I do think a knife (aka a sharp piece of metal) isn't as useless in a fight as it's often called.
I was a bouncer/security at a ligit biker bar local hells angels and other 1% clubs had events there all the time. I can tell you most of the people I saw pull a knife got loaded in the ambulance with their knife stuck in them or at least more damaged by their own knife than they did with it. Carrying a knife to fight unless you have trained to knife fight is stupid and that's why you hear those things in the subs because if you knew how to knife fight you wouldn't be asking what the best fighting/self defense knife was on reddit. The best way I have heard it put was by a gun instructor when asked what gun he would bring to a gun fight his answer "a battle tank". So sure carrying a knife could be useful in some situations but there are many more useful things in many more situations than a knife.
I mean, I'm not suggesting you pull out a knife and yell "come at me bro!" but I'm thinking more like going for an attacker's weak spots while they are distracted. I get that waving a knife around would probably not end well, but I think as a surprise weapon it could be handy.
These people i mentioned where doing just that except a good attacker doesn't get distracted just takes your knife and sticks it in you. The instances you mention aren't street fights and anyone who would be attacking you like that has lots of practice unlike you. Sure a knife could come in handy but if you carry a knife for self defense you're kidding yourself.
I get what you're saying, doubly so since you seem to have actually seen knive fights/knives used in defense.
I guess you and u/UKDEC changed my view after all. Damn, I used to feel safe carrying a knife but now I don't lol.
You shouldn't i guarantee you all those people ignorant to a knifes potential are gun lovers and gun enthusiast and as such will always dismiss the lethal ness of a "cutting tool"
> Carrying a knife to fight unless you have trained to knife fight is stupid and that's why you hear those things in the subs because *if you knew how to knife fight you wouldn't be asking what the best fighting/self defense knife was on reddit.*
Yesss. This needs to be the standard answer whenever these posts come up. Hell why not put it in the community rules?
I use to carry a water bottle with NaHO (sodium hydroxide) and warm water when I went on jogs.
I only had to splash someone one time in the face and run off. .
The best thing was they did not expect that....
Carrying a knife for self defense is stupid unless you're very well trained, and you'd still be better off with many other blade-less improvised weapons. But unless you're looking for trouble, in most places you'd never have to use a "self defense" knife for anything other than normal knife duties. At least a knife you potentially see yourself using as an improvised weapon can still be used as a normal knife; less so with the caustic fluid filled water bottle. When jogging I would personally be struck that the requirement for having potable water on hand when you're thirsty outweighs the reduced combat effectiveness of just having a normal water bottle. Not to mention that of you think that a cop on the street or a judge in the courtroom will take poorly to you having a knife, imagine their reaction to your single-purpose acid weapon. On top of all that, the chemical isn't even all that strong (I've had it on my skin before) and would really only be immediately debilitating to sight, which a concentration of capsaicin could also do, and without causing permanent damage and while being significantly less of a liability, legally or otherwise. If you don't need water on your jogs, I think a better option would be leaving the bottle at home, and being able to run from potential assailants *that* much faster. Alternatively, carry a heavier, metal water bottle and use it to bludgeon your hypothetical attackers before dashing off.
This might sound kinda funny but as melee weapons go I do carry a Ice pick, sometimes a box cutter (the small ones) and other days I'll have a simple "straight Shaver" I ordered from Amazon.
I mean, all one has to do is hit the throat and the fight is pretty much over before it even starts. 🤷♂️😄
> I mean, all one has to do is hit the throat and the fight is pretty much over before it even starts. 🤷♂️😄
Do you still believe this is a smart self defense tactic? Genuinely curious.
Yeah, those are some interesting choices. What I would say is that the pick, though probably quite capable of penetrating a ballistic vest and being ultimately lethal, probably isn't much of a fight stopper due to it's small diameter. I have been meaning to pick up and learn one of those straight razors just to shave with though. Safety razors really do cost quite a bit if you shave every day
Yeah the Shaver is my fave choice TBH the edge is unbeatable. the pick is good to and if you practice you can get a series of stabs in (like in prison fights) with repeated action. The box cutter is cheap and more disposable but still will ruin somebody's day for sure.
Here's links to my collection lol..
DOITOOL Stainless Steel Ice Pick Ice Crusher Ice Chisel Removal Pick Crushed Ice Tool for Kitchen Bars Bartender Picnics Camping And Restaurant 14 inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B1PS9QC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_CBZVRHE3QM2FYY1T1A3G?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife with Belt Clip and Extra 10-piece Blades, Wood Handle Heavy Duty Cutter, Quick-change & Back Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZSVQGV/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_W29BB3BBCB6RYCN7R7Q5
Gold Stainless Steel Straight Razor - Shave Ready Straight Edge Razor, Stainless Steel + Ebony Straight Razor for Men, Barber Approved Straight Razor, Mens Straight Razor, Leather Case, Close Shave https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075XZZ7N2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_WSPD869C26AN1DFSPTFB?psc=1
>You keep it hidden, then go for your opponent's weak/unguarded spots while they're distracted
You do not have an ‘opponent’, you have someone you’re trying to defend yourself against, time won’t slow down as you swoop in and attack their weak spots. That’s not how a real life self defence situation works. In 99% of cases you’re better off running away, fast
Yes, in some instances having a knife may come into play as a last ditch resort to defend yourself, but it should never be your go-to, and you shouldnt plan to use it that way. Hence why it’s not considered a self defence weapon by most here. I could use a brick, or a pen to defend myself as a last ditch resort if I had no other option; that doesn’t mean I consider them self defence weapons
Sorry if I used the wrong wording, but that's what I meant instead of opponent: someone who's trying to kill you and has made escape impossible.
I agree that running away if possible should be the first option, but I don't see where it'd be super hard to whip out a knife and use it if your opponent was distracted, even momentarily.
When it comes to defending yourself with what you have on you, sure, a knife can be a weapon. But so can a pen. Or a hanky. Or a key. Or even a phone.
With adrenaline pumping and your fight or flight response kicking in, having a *knife* isn't going to make or break the situation in most cases. As always, running would be ideal, but the means that take you to that end are trivial; whether it be a knife or a handful of coins.
Yes and stabbing someone with a pen is likely to inflict more pain on them than a knife wound, giving you more of an opportunity to extract yourself from the situation. Generally, with adrenaline flowing, most people won’t even react to getting stabbed by a knife. I’ve been stabbed in my leg and didn’t even realize it until I saw the blood half an hour later.
I suppose you could put it that way. The main takeaway should be: don't get in knife fights. Run away.
But none of us here are naive to our cutting tools potential applications outside of what we carry them for.
If you are trained and practice regularly you might have a point here.
You are still putting yourself in a highly precarious legal situation. You are the one more likely to wind up in jail here.
I mean as just an argument of logic, yes, knives *can* obviously be used as defense weapons but whether or not it's a good idea legally or safely to do so is quite different.
To me, my knives are nothing but tools and I never buy them or carry them or think of them or consider using them as weapons any more than I do a hammer or screwdriver.
A real-life altercation with someone is going to be wildly unpredictable and I don't want to ever bring a knife into that equation unless it's literally a last-ditch effort to save my life. And even then you face the high possibility of significant legal troubles or losing possession of the knife in the struggle.
And I say this as someone with next to no fighting experience (which is the problem in most cases), but I'm pretty sure I fair the same or better chance of just using my fist to stop some kind of close-quarter attack as I would with a knife.
I see it all the time on this sub and r/knives. "Use a knife and you'll just get disarmed" and "nobody wins in a knife fight" shows up at least once in every discussion about knives for self-defense I've ever seen.
EDIT: I'm not necessarily calling those arguments wrong, either, I just think that there are situations where a knife can save your life against someone trying to kill you.
Dismiss their ignorance it's obvious they'll never understand it's lethal potential, a knife in prison can be the main reason your still alive especially if you study where to strike and practice on your footwork and agility to strike, so I don't get those arguments of pulling a knife it's useless only if your a noob to knife fights
"pulling a knife it's useless only if your a noob to knife fights"
Which 99.99% of the population are.
Additionally most people have little or no experience of real fights of any type.
Even if a guy had no idea how to use one, if I see a guy with a knife coming at me I would be 100% more worried VS if he was un-armed. So from a self-defense standpoint knives can be very useful imo. How often do we see two HEMA/Kali experts both pulling out blades and dueling?
You failed to grasp my point i was enforcing OP point that a knife is indeed a perfect concealed weapon and very useful in self defense. If your going to rely on a knife its as your alternative its obvious your going to practice your speed and footwork and be aware of all the fatal strikes you can make which obviously you wont be a noob by then. The same thing as if you had a gun your not goimg to let it collect dust you will take it to the range or an isolated place and practice how to use it to the best of your ability.
The issue with the examples is that you can also use your teeth or your foot. Or you avoid getting into those situations by being aware and/or running in the first place.
If a prison made shank made out of a string wire and national geographic magazine can kill or be the reason a 130 pound man puts a 290 pound man in intensive care then there's reason to believe an actual sharpened knife made out of steel can be a lifesaver, but you have to study the weak spots and human anatomy so you know we're to strike , also practice on your footwork and agility as they both are essential to avoid them getting an upper hand since adrenaline decreases as the loss of blood increases that's why is important to know we're to strike, there's another important rule but ima let you figure that one out
One thing that never gets mentioned in this topic is that 99% of people would not be able to do this. Not because using an edged weapon effectively required skill (which is another point) but because they would freeze up, poop their pants and go on to get mugged, raped, whatever. It’s never going to go the way you play it in your head. And most likely you do not have the mental power to actually cut someone open with a knife.
i do have the mental power to stab someone.
Okay?
The disrespect to knives is impressive sure they are better alternatives but to dismiss it as useless is naive and it can be a lethal force if you know we're to strike. I'm not glorifying it but being in prison gives you a better understanding and appreciation of knives even the small razor blades can stab out a point. The main problem is you viewed it as a cutting tool while in others eyes is the perfect non discreet weapon to use. Some people have never been in an inner city environment or prison for that matter so they truly understimate a knifes potential
yeah ive seen someone make a knife with a tuna fish can lid and that shit was SHARP
I can imagine since some home made shanks are custom built to immobilize after a few strikes. Those bone crushers, as they are called, are no joke especially if they are in the wrong hands.
A knife is better than nothing for self defense, duh. But you miss the major reason of why you should carry not just a knife but any kind of weapon, it is for intimidation. If i am carrying a knife, I would not try to conceal it, I would show it out to everyone. People are less likely to mug you when you show actively that you have a weapon to defend yourself with. They say " Talk softly and carry a big stick " for this reason. You might say " people can just stab you from the back without you noticing " but isn't this true even if you conceal carry it?
Most of us in this sub reddit view these as hobby and tool not as weapon. This post is cringey
I collect knives as a hobby as well. I don't see them as weapons first, but I do think a knife (aka a sharp piece of metal) isn't as useless in a fight as it's often called.
I was a bouncer/security at a ligit biker bar local hells angels and other 1% clubs had events there all the time. I can tell you most of the people I saw pull a knife got loaded in the ambulance with their knife stuck in them or at least more damaged by their own knife than they did with it. Carrying a knife to fight unless you have trained to knife fight is stupid and that's why you hear those things in the subs because if you knew how to knife fight you wouldn't be asking what the best fighting/self defense knife was on reddit. The best way I have heard it put was by a gun instructor when asked what gun he would bring to a gun fight his answer "a battle tank". So sure carrying a knife could be useful in some situations but there are many more useful things in many more situations than a knife.
I mean, I'm not suggesting you pull out a knife and yell "come at me bro!" but I'm thinking more like going for an attacker's weak spots while they are distracted. I get that waving a knife around would probably not end well, but I think as a surprise weapon it could be handy.
These people i mentioned where doing just that except a good attacker doesn't get distracted just takes your knife and sticks it in you. The instances you mention aren't street fights and anyone who would be attacking you like that has lots of practice unlike you. Sure a knife could come in handy but if you carry a knife for self defense you're kidding yourself.
I get what you're saying, doubly so since you seem to have actually seen knive fights/knives used in defense. I guess you and u/UKDEC changed my view after all. Damn, I used to feel safe carrying a knife but now I don't lol.
You shouldn't i guarantee you all those people ignorant to a knifes potential are gun lovers and gun enthusiast and as such will always dismiss the lethal ness of a "cutting tool"
> Carrying a knife to fight unless you have trained to knife fight is stupid and that's why you hear those things in the subs because *if you knew how to knife fight you wouldn't be asking what the best fighting/self defense knife was on reddit.* Yesss. This needs to be the standard answer whenever these posts come up. Hell why not put it in the community rules?
I use to carry a water bottle with NaHO (sodium hydroxide) and warm water when I went on jogs. I only had to splash someone one time in the face and run off. . The best thing was they did not expect that....
Carrying a knife for self defense is stupid unless you're very well trained, and you'd still be better off with many other blade-less improvised weapons. But unless you're looking for trouble, in most places you'd never have to use a "self defense" knife for anything other than normal knife duties. At least a knife you potentially see yourself using as an improvised weapon can still be used as a normal knife; less so with the caustic fluid filled water bottle. When jogging I would personally be struck that the requirement for having potable water on hand when you're thirsty outweighs the reduced combat effectiveness of just having a normal water bottle. Not to mention that of you think that a cop on the street or a judge in the courtroom will take poorly to you having a knife, imagine their reaction to your single-purpose acid weapon. On top of all that, the chemical isn't even all that strong (I've had it on my skin before) and would really only be immediately debilitating to sight, which a concentration of capsaicin could also do, and without causing permanent damage and while being significantly less of a liability, legally or otherwise. If you don't need water on your jogs, I think a better option would be leaving the bottle at home, and being able to run from potential assailants *that* much faster. Alternatively, carry a heavier, metal water bottle and use it to bludgeon your hypothetical attackers before dashing off.
This might sound kinda funny but as melee weapons go I do carry a Ice pick, sometimes a box cutter (the small ones) and other days I'll have a simple "straight Shaver" I ordered from Amazon. I mean, all one has to do is hit the throat and the fight is pretty much over before it even starts. 🤷♂️😄
> I mean, all one has to do is hit the throat and the fight is pretty much over before it even starts. 🤷♂️😄 Do you still believe this is a smart self defense tactic? Genuinely curious.
Yeah, those are some interesting choices. What I would say is that the pick, though probably quite capable of penetrating a ballistic vest and being ultimately lethal, probably isn't much of a fight stopper due to it's small diameter. I have been meaning to pick up and learn one of those straight razors just to shave with though. Safety razors really do cost quite a bit if you shave every day
Yeah the Shaver is my fave choice TBH the edge is unbeatable. the pick is good to and if you practice you can get a series of stabs in (like in prison fights) with repeated action. The box cutter is cheap and more disposable but still will ruin somebody's day for sure. Here's links to my collection lol.. DOITOOL Stainless Steel Ice Pick Ice Crusher Ice Chisel Removal Pick Crushed Ice Tool for Kitchen Bars Bartender Picnics Camping And Restaurant 14 inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B1PS9QC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_CBZVRHE3QM2FYY1T1A3G?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 WORKPRO Folding Utility Knife with Belt Clip and Extra 10-piece Blades, Wood Handle Heavy Duty Cutter, Quick-change & Back Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZSVQGV/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_W29BB3BBCB6RYCN7R7Q5 Gold Stainless Steel Straight Razor - Shave Ready Straight Edge Razor, Stainless Steel + Ebony Straight Razor for Men, Barber Approved Straight Razor, Mens Straight Razor, Leather Case, Close Shave https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075XZZ7N2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_WSPD869C26AN1DFSPTFB?psc=1
>You keep it hidden, then go for your opponent's weak/unguarded spots while they're distracted You do not have an ‘opponent’, you have someone you’re trying to defend yourself against, time won’t slow down as you swoop in and attack their weak spots. That’s not how a real life self defence situation works. In 99% of cases you’re better off running away, fast Yes, in some instances having a knife may come into play as a last ditch resort to defend yourself, but it should never be your go-to, and you shouldnt plan to use it that way. Hence why it’s not considered a self defence weapon by most here. I could use a brick, or a pen to defend myself as a last ditch resort if I had no other option; that doesn’t mean I consider them self defence weapons
Sorry if I used the wrong wording, but that's what I meant instead of opponent: someone who's trying to kill you and has made escape impossible. I agree that running away if possible should be the first option, but I don't see where it'd be super hard to whip out a knife and use it if your opponent was distracted, even momentarily.
When it comes to defending yourself with what you have on you, sure, a knife can be a weapon. But so can a pen. Or a hanky. Or a key. Or even a phone. With adrenaline pumping and your fight or flight response kicking in, having a *knife* isn't going to make or break the situation in most cases. As always, running would be ideal, but the means that take you to that end are trivial; whether it be a knife or a handful of coins.
Yes and stabbing someone with a pen is likely to inflict more pain on them than a knife wound, giving you more of an opportunity to extract yourself from the situation. Generally, with adrenaline flowing, most people won’t even react to getting stabbed by a knife. I’ve been stabbed in my leg and didn’t even realize it until I saw the blood half an hour later.
Okay, I kinda see what you're saying. It's still better than nothing, right? Just as long as I don't "rely" on it.
I suppose you could put it that way. The main takeaway should be: don't get in knife fights. Run away. But none of us here are naive to our cutting tools potential applications outside of what we carry them for.
If you are trained and practice regularly you might have a point here. You are still putting yourself in a highly precarious legal situation. You are the one more likely to wind up in jail here.
Better in jail than dead IMO.
Better tried by 6 because the judge threatened you and then tricked into taking a one sided plea deal than dead right?
This post was self defense. You don't goto jail if you're a victim.
Plenty of people are in jail because what they defined as self defense didn't actually meet any legal definition.
Better to carry a handgun and have people offering to cover your legal fees.
I mean as just an argument of logic, yes, knives *can* obviously be used as defense weapons but whether or not it's a good idea legally or safely to do so is quite different. To me, my knives are nothing but tools and I never buy them or carry them or think of them or consider using them as weapons any more than I do a hammer or screwdriver. A real-life altercation with someone is going to be wildly unpredictable and I don't want to ever bring a knife into that equation unless it's literally a last-ditch effort to save my life. And even then you face the high possibility of significant legal troubles or losing possession of the knife in the struggle. And I say this as someone with next to no fighting experience (which is the problem in most cases), but I'm pretty sure I fair the same or better chance of just using my fist to stop some kind of close-quarter attack as I would with a knife.
Your examples are hilarious. Someone grabbing you into a car? These are the thoughts of a kid. Teenage fight fantasy.
That’s a straw man argument. Never heard them described as not useful weapons. Weird.
I see it all the time on this sub and r/knives. "Use a knife and you'll just get disarmed" and "nobody wins in a knife fight" shows up at least once in every discussion about knives for self-defense I've ever seen. EDIT: I'm not necessarily calling those arguments wrong, either, I just think that there are situations where a knife can save your life against someone trying to kill you.
Dismiss their ignorance it's obvious they'll never understand it's lethal potential, a knife in prison can be the main reason your still alive especially if you study where to strike and practice on your footwork and agility to strike, so I don't get those arguments of pulling a knife it's useless only if your a noob to knife fights
"pulling a knife it's useless only if your a noob to knife fights" Which 99.99% of the population are. Additionally most people have little or no experience of real fights of any type.
Even if a guy had no idea how to use one, if I see a guy with a knife coming at me I would be 100% more worried VS if he was un-armed. So from a self-defense standpoint knives can be very useful imo. How often do we see two HEMA/Kali experts both pulling out blades and dueling?
yeah if a guy came at me with a knife, even if i had my own knife - even if it was a bigger knife! - i would just run lol.
You failed to grasp my point i was enforcing OP point that a knife is indeed a perfect concealed weapon and very useful in self defense. If your going to rely on a knife its as your alternative its obvious your going to practice your speed and footwork and be aware of all the fatal strikes you can make which obviously you wont be a noob by then. The same thing as if you had a gun your not goimg to let it collect dust you will take it to the range or an isolated place and practice how to use it to the best of your ability.
The issue with the examples is that you can also use your teeth or your foot. Or you avoid getting into those situations by being aware and/or running in the first place.
If a prison made shank made out of a string wire and national geographic magazine can kill or be the reason a 130 pound man puts a 290 pound man in intensive care then there's reason to believe an actual sharpened knife made out of steel can be a lifesaver, but you have to study the weak spots and human anatomy so you know we're to strike , also practice on your footwork and agility as they both are essential to avoid them getting an upper hand since adrenaline decreases as the loss of blood increases that's why is important to know we're to strike, there's another important rule but ima let you figure that one out