JWK in post #27 talks about the spyderco you can buy at walmart, I believe he is talking about the spyderco tenacious knife, can be purchased for under 40 dollars in my area, made in china, it has good steel that can be sharpened easily, the scales are g-10 and light weight. the pocket clip can be moved around to all 4 carry positions. For the money this is a great knife, I carry it almost everyday. I have a lot of different makes of knives, Benchmade, Buck, Kershaw, Boker kalishnikov auto just to name a few and the spyderco knife I carry almost everyday.

I've been using a Kershaw Blur for EDC the last seven years. Made in USA with assisted opening.

I also picked up two extras a couple of years ago, all for $40 on sale through Amazon.

AB 142 signed into law by the governor on 2/6/16 removed ALL knives including switchblades or automatic knives.

This is essentially constitutional carry for knives in the state of WI.

Restricted only by thise individuals that are prohibited bu state law from the ability to own or carry a firearm.

Furthermore, part of AB 142 also made it illegal for local jurisdictions to pass local laws/ordinances that are more strict than the state law! Ocal laws are “preempted” by the state law.

Therfore, ar least in WI the CCW does cover more than firearms. It also applies to edged weapons, batons and brass knuckles, mace etc. I can carry virtually anything at least a knife concealed. I still have to verify about the ability for certain knives on school grounds. Firearms are prohibited on school grounds except for law enforcement and retired law enforcement. Even LE or retired LE from another state.

Kershaw Blur on amazon now, under 50$, green, red, blue, black, purple, etc. The option of Tanto or drop point, both are 3.4" blades. I have carried the "Tactical Blur" since they first came out, I also sell a lot of them along with Cold Steel. As said earlier " Run to a gun, Run away from a knife", I do not know who made the original quote. Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

This is the best price I saw on kershaw blur.

May I humbly suggest the Kershaw Cryo?
I prefer the Cryo G10 version, it's just a tad lighter and I like the G10 scale.

They have the 'Speedsafe' open assist, in other words, a 'flipper.' Personally I find it deploys about as fast as an auto.
Another reason I like them is that they have four corner clip positioning. I have mine so it clips into my weak side pocket (left), tip up. That way when I pull it out my finger falls right onto the flipper and -click- it's open.

They're inexpensive enough to lose one every now and then and not cry too hard, usually $30ish dollars.
Decent steel, easy to sharpen and holds an edge pretty well.

I like the Cryo. Never owned one myself, but have given a few as gifts to kids, who have been glad to get them.

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Not in jail.

I have 5 Kershaw Cryos. I haven’t carried any of them in a while. They are cool though.


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In my humble opinion as to carry or not a defensive knife I´ve come to this: Althrough I´d rather be miles away from a knife fight, someday you will be assaulted by someone. In that case, training or no training, if you can´t run away, I think a one hand opening folder beats my fingernails.
I always have with me a Carson designed CRKT M21- 14 SFG semi serrated folder.
Regards, Ray

A $50 Kershaw Blur is my weekend/cabin hard use carry....... but a Benchmade North Fork ($150ish IIRC) is my weekday everyday carry.........neither is carried as a weapon.... and I never intend to get in a "Knife Fight"; I'll leave those to Jim Bowie....I'll always try to bring a gun to any knife fight..but as a last resort either can be used in self defense.


A cheap Chinese knock-off is the Ganzo G-704 ....... good truck kit knife for about $17 on Amazon......60+ reviews and 4 1/2 stars.

I carried couple SOGS over the years and they have some good low cost knifes but I finally gave up on them and bought a ZT 0350

Yep. Buy once, cry once. Cheap is cheap for a reason.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

^^^

Until you lose that $200 knife and have to buy it again! Then have to cry again. And if you may want a knife in each vehicle and then have to pay each of those times too.

I have been making that point with people for years. Glad to see someone else sees it the same way.

Exactly the reason I recommended the Kershaw FatBack , assisted opening knife to the OP for $22.00 if lost , stolen or like I did ,dropped into the water while fishing, you don't get that sick in the stomach feeling ....it's only $22.00 !
The knife is actually a great buy, a black 3 1/2 inch blade , nice design, properly shaped grip . opens with one hand.
It's not a Randall #1 Fighting Knife, but it's a good pocket knife.
I'm not advocating it as a personal defense tactical type ninja fighting knife ....just a decent one handed opening knife us poor people can afford .
Gary

Can't like above quote enough, knife fights are nasty, and usually nobody is a winner unless it is an offensive attack rather than a defensive attack.

I carry a knife, but as a tool, without a gun my go to is a cane, or walking stick. If legal a expanding baton can reek havoc used defensively.

To each their own. The possibility of losing a knife is not a good reason to go cheap. But if you must, buy the Kershaw Blur.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Cane or ASP baton if legal are great options and I’d choose to use either before a knife - gives you the advantage of distance and can be used to inflict enough damage to deter the attacker


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I have one. Great little knife but way to slippery for defense. Have you looked at the kershW wave opener copy of the Emerson. Faster than an assist once you get the movement down.

Comes in a variety of sizes too.

CQC-7K | Kershaw Knives

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

This is the problem I have with the Emerson design. It's a brilliant design, but it does require a specific type of carry and motion to get the blade deployed. I have a couple of them and can do the motion, but I still prefer the "Safe Assist" of the Kershaw better.

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Freedom isn't free.

There is always the large "Bigfoot" from Cutlery Corner at $58. It 's deployment makes an impact on the uninitiated. Size matters.

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I agree, but that's a risk I'm willing and able to take. Unfortunately, I've got small Benchmade automatics spread about in fields across the Heartland, but that won't ever stop me from buying and carrying the best . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

This is NOT a good defensive knife:



I'm sure it's a fine knife and very useful for everyday tasks, but it lacks a decent point.

A size deterrent is good. Slashing is good. But the sewing-machine motion and lots of stabbing is the easiest way to defend with a knife. Any knife intended to be used for defense should have some kind of point.

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Freedom isn't free.

Whether you need it or not for defense it is plain fun just to carry a knife and play with it. Love my spring assist jobs for sheer enjoyment.

And then God created the Maglite.

If you held it, you might think differently. It is no stiletto, but cut deep, it will. It is bigger than it looks in the picture, it is six inches long closed and sharp.

You make a good point.

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Not in jail.

I'm aware how big it is. That changes nothing. Being able to poke the attacker is an important aspect of defense.

Then again, maybe you're just being a little sarcastic with this. That blade weighs more than many guns. At a full 16oz most people won't want to carry it anyway. Further, it's illegal to carry in most states, at least in a pocket. So, it's in unrealistic defense tool in any case.

There's a reason this design was so popular in WWII:

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Freedom isn't free.

I started carrying a small fixed bladeknife a few years ago

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Even older, even crankier....

So far by only on-line searching. I am leaning towards the Kershaw Cryo 2.

I like the versitility of the four position clip. Especially because I am new to knives and nkt sure how I want to carry it other than left handed. Which many knives don’t have a clip that is reversible, and if so only allowes one way (tip up, or tip down) to carey it.

I also loke that it has a “flipper” and also studs on both sides of the blade. Which allowes flexibility to see what I prefer.

I may put skate board tape on one or both sides as it does look too slippery for any sort of defensive situation. The tape is cheap and if I don’t like it I can remove it. No harm, no foul.

I like that it is only about $35 and wont break the bank.

Yes I know thebre are better, higher quality and better defensive knives available. But they are also WAY more expensive and like I said, I’m not sure exactly what I want. With the Cryo 2 it will allow me to determine what my preferences are. And then I can decide to invest in a higher quality, more expensive knife.

This may all change if I hold a few knives and compare.

Any knife can be used to slash and stab in a defensive situation. A Karate Man may prefer a certain knife for his Ninja activities. Karate men are not concerned about costs, and can use a #2 Ticonderoga wooden pencil to kill you. Why not simply carry a decent all purpose knife?

The shock value of rapid deployment or scary blade shape is highly over rated.

Buy a knife that you will carry daily, use regularly, and become one with.

^^^. I think the cryo 2 meets exactly that criteria. $35 every day carry.

I gave my daughter a Cryo for Christmas a few years ago, and she loves it, especially the assisted flippimg action. She uses it for all sorts of mundane tasks for which a one-hand opener is completely unnecessary, much less an assisted flipper.

The Opinel I gave her a couple of years earlier cuts much, much better, yet she dismisses it as a “cheese knife”. The chances of her ever using the Cryo for self defense are somewhere between slim and none, but I guess a girl can dream.

The Opinel is in many ways a better knife, but it cannot approach the Cryo as a gift, or as a fidget device.

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Not in jail.

My dad was jumped in 1955 by two BG's ... He managed to dig his hawkbill knife from his pocket and literally carved the guys off him...
When he made it home it looked as if he was dipped in blood ....

You never know when you need to " carve someone off you"

I always carry a good knife .. I have found Kershaw knifes to be good lesser priced knives .. That I can get sharp ... I may need to do some carving !!!!

I did get the Kershaw cryo 2 for Christmas from my wife.

It is heavy which I like. It is a bit slippery if wet or bloody, so I will probably try putting some skateboard tape on one side.

My only complaint so far is that the pocket clip is so dam strog I can barely rip it out of my pocket. I think I will have to try to pry it carefully with a screwdriver or something as the springs clip is just ridiculously over tight. No way could it be used in a fast deployment defensive situation. Especially weak handed which is how I intend to carry.

On the up side. No worries about losing it or falling out.

Ssssoooooo, how exactly did you determine that ? ? ?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I apparently like Cryos because I have 5. They do make a Cryo that has G10 on one side. You can get D2 blade steel as well now.


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Your knife looks very interesting. Who is the manufacture?

I agree! I've got the version with the serrated section on the rear of the blade. Don't know that I'd buy that version as I usually shy away from serrated knives (personal preference) but I did not get the choice as it was a Christmas gift 10 + years ago. For the price, it's a hell of a well made and capable knife. Holds a pretty descent edge as well.

I like my Kershaw Leek.



It is a reasonably priced USA made knife of acceptable quality.

My only issue with it is the modified Wharncliffe style blade design, which lacks a curved belly. The blade design is great for stabbing style power cuts, but lacks finesse capability for skinning game or slicing a steak.

The Leek has an amazingly fine point that allows detail work. I'm just too concerned about breaking off the tip when I go at things with my Leek.

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Kershaw will replace a broken blade for $10, should that happen. They also offer numerous spare parts and lifetime sharpening that are free. Info is on their website.


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Has anyone else with a Kershaw had the problem with the ridiculously stiff pocket clip?

That's a good point, but I prefer a blade with a rounded belly. I'm too old to think of being in or winning a knife fight, so if I have to fight I'll simply stick my opponent with what is at hand. I'm a couple of weeks short of 63 years of age and have never been in a knife fight. I see no reason to purchase a knife for that purpose at this time.

Some of the comments here leave me a little confused I've carried a knife for most of my adult life and really have only minimal training in fighting with one. I've always considered them a weapon of last defense, to be used by surprise when possible. In my State 3 3/4" blades are maximum for carrying concealed legally. At this time I carry a SOG Flash II that is spring assist and would be well within the OPs price point and a well made knife.

I hunt with a Buck and standard 420HC. I keep it razor sharp and it has never failed me on deer, or small game. I also carry it daily. If I were in a pinch, There's no doubt that I could easily slice through a brachial artery. God forbid. Shoot, I could do that with a cheap Shrade, or a piece of glass. Lordy, that would be a heck of a way to have to defend myself. Is a colapsable baton not an option?

Like Bronco above I use the Buck Alpha folder for deer but mostly for carry the Sog Trident Tanto although the Flash would be a decent choice. Sure are some choices out there! Sog ran me $59 and the Alpha around $47.

Its a Bark River Knives Essential. It fits my hand very well, the blade is M4 (which can be a challenge to re-sharpen but it holds an edge forever). Not cheap, but good tools seldom are....

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Even older, even crankier....

I have one of these, bought at a gunshow for $50 with sheath and belt clip. Nice, simple knife with adjustable spring tension. I don't carry it because It's too big for my "work environment." Joe
Boker Top Lock Automatic Knife Cocobolo (3.375" Satin) 110701 - Blade HQ

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Phew, after posting I thought "necrothreadia" had struck again. At least it's only a couple months instead of replying to a 10 y/o thread about 9mm vs .45acp. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Although the Leek is a great knife I really would not classify it as a fighting knife. Way to easy to have your hand slide down the handle and onto the blade. I have has a number of them and if one is into tip carry, be very careful. The spring assist opening can and will allow the blade to become partially open if you happen to have it in your pocket and when you reach into said pocket you will need a bandage. Don't ask me how I know this.