When you think about self-defense, your mind immediately goes to martial arts and kicking someone’s ass. You can keep yourself and your family safe from any attacker with the right moves. Still, there are situations when a weapon can be of great help, like when you’re dealing with more than one attacker or a wild animal.
In situations like these, owning a self-defense knife can save your life. Today, we will discuss the issue of self-defense knives and how to choose the one that fits your skills. We said issue because self-defense with a weapon is divided among survivalists and self-defense trainers.
There are two main groups when it comes to owning and using self-defense knives or any weapon to defend yourself. There are the ones who agree and those who disagree (naturally). The matter at hand is indeed sensible, but we’re going to discuss a few arguments from both sides and explain why it’s a good thing to consider a knife as a self-defense weapon instead of a gun or a bat.
The naysayer’s arguments are mainly these:
- a knife is a white weapon and is illegal to carry it in public without a good reason;
- there are several types of knives that are banned and you can get arrested for simply owning it;
- having a knife with you can lead to unintentionally hurting your opponent;
- many people don’t know when and how to use a knife during a violent situation;
- self defense knives are difficult to choose correctly and they are pretty expensive;
- a knife is a lethal force instrument in the eyes of the law;
- mistakes happen really fast when you’re in a fight, holding a knife;
- owning a self defense knife means a higher level of responsibility that many people are not prepared for.
As you can imagine, the main argument sustained by those in favor of self-defense knives is that you have an excellent chance of coming out alive from a life-and-death situation. This is the supreme argument anyone can bring to this debate, but we still must consider the counterarguments. First, as a self-defense knife owner, you have to be a responsible person and realize that the weapon in your hand can take a human life in a matter of seconds.
Holding a knife when the adrenaline is pumping through your veins can give you a false sense of power and can push you over the edge. We can’tn’tress this enough: there are serious consequences!
Before considering buying a self-defense knife, you should consider taking a course on how to use a knife in a self-defense situation. Here you can learn in what type of situations to use it and how to make sure that you’ve’veed all the other possibilities before drawing out the knife. During this training, you can learn about the most common mistakes people make and avoid them. A knife or any weapon has to be used only as a last resort!
Another important thing you need to know when choosing knives for self-defense is that you have to be prepared to use them. Some criminals may get frightened by simply seeing the blade, but if you regret being ready to use it and the opponent fights back, the knife can be as quickly used against you. So, once you have a self-defense knife, make sure you are ready to use it properly.
Reasons to Choose Self Defense Knives and Not Any Other Weapon
When in a life or death situation, anything you can grab may become a weapon, but the knife is the best weapon to have if you could choose. First of all, the blade is a tool. Suppose you are in a survival situation, and there has been a global disaster that affected people everywhere. In that case, you will need to support yourself and your family for food, shelter, and safety. The knife is helpful in every situation:
- you can use it to hunt and skin small animals or to cut any food you find – for this you should take a look at our reviews on hunting knives and how to use them;
- you will definitely need a fire so you can use your knife to adjust the size of woods you find for fire;
- you can use it to cut small branches and twigs for the shelter – for such situations, a survival knife is most recommended and we have a great set of reviews you can check out here;
- finally, you can use it for protection.
People are exciting beings with even more exciting behavior. If you meet a person in a civilized place like a supermarket, you don’tn’tpect to get jumped and robbed (in most cases). Still, if you meet the same person in the woods after a major disaster, you will automatically enter into a defense state.
Our brain knows that hunger and desperation alter human behavior and transform us into primordial beings. Therefore, basic needs like food and shelter are more important than our neighbor’sr’sfe. That’st’sy they need self-defense weapons is more significant in a time of duress. The knife doesn’tn’ted ammunition, and it doesn’tn’tquire special treatment, which makes it the ideal weapon in desperate times.
Returning to the main subject, here are a few reasons why you should consider using knives for self-defense over other weapons:
- the knife has multiple uses as a tool, this is a thing that no other weapons have;
- it’s a close contact weapon that you can use even if your opponent has grabbed you from behind;
- you can inflict serious damage without fatally hurting your opponent (if you know what you’re doing);
- a knife doesn’t make noise; if you’re in a situation where you need to put down your opponent quietly, the knife is the way to go;
- it’s easy to carry and it doesn’t require any special attention. The only thing a knife needs is a sheath and a good sharpening from time to time. A good sharpener will serve you years and doesn’t cost that much which is why we took an in-depth approach of the best products on the market;
- in case of a zombie apocalypse, the knife is the best weapon to have around as you will have to chop off their heads;
- you don’t have to carry any additional ammunition.
Besides the reasons mentioned above, knives have a certain level of elegance. However, they also require a particular state of mind and physical preparedness. A person who prefers knives for self-defense usually reacts better under stress and is more likely to stay calm and make the right decisions if attacked. Also, they won’tn’tt easily intimidated in front of another weapon and will know how to assess the situation correctly.
A person who is adequately trained to use a knife for defense will also know how to defend themselves against an attacker with a knife. This level of preparedness brings other perks like rapidity in movement, fast-thinking under stress, significant physical development, and so on. Using a knife is an art, and those who master it learn so much more than what knife to choose.
Tips on How to Choose the Right Knife for You
There are many types of knives when it comes to categories, and we are not going to browse through all of them. Instead, we’re’reing to discuss a few tips on choosing the best knives for self-defense. According to your skills and the area you are from, there are several options, and you need to know precisely what you’re’reoking for.
The first step in choosing a knife for self-defense is studying local regulations and learning which knives are banned in your area. Laws differ from one country to another and from one state to another. Usually, butterfly knives (a folding type of knife that conceals the blade completely) and other knives that can be easily covered are banned from wearing in public. Find out which knives are illegal in your area and if you travel, make sure you know the regulations in countries or states you are traveling to.
After learning about local regulations, it’st’sme to start thinking about the type of knife you want to own. The best knives for self-defense are those with a fixed blade. Folding knives are unreliable as they get loose very quickly, and in case you get in a fighting situation and need to use the knife, you have to unfold it and then use it. With a fixed blade, you draw it, and you’re ready to defend yourself. Be careful, though; some states and countries ban fixed blade knives that overcome a specific blade length.
A double-bladed knife will help you inflict more damage on your opponent, but you can also get hurt very easily. It’st’sso pretty tricky to use it as a tool as you can’tn’tt your thumb on the blade.
One of the best knives for self-defense is the karambit, a knife with an unusual blade that looks like a claw. The karambit is very efficient as a self-defense tool because it is small in size, you can easily carry it in your pocket, and it offers an excellent grip. In addition, the unusual shape of the blade allows you to make deadly, deep cuts. The transfer of energy from your muscles to the edge is realized very quickly, and you can be sure that your opponent will not be able to chase you after a few cuts with the karambit.
When choosing a knife for self-defense, the best tip is to consider its use. Even though you choose the knife for defense purposes, you will use it for different chores in the wilderness. Therefore, try to select a practical knife that you can use for both safety and assignments.
A Few Examples of Best Knives for Self Defense
Now that you know how to choose a knife and get prepared for using it it’st’sme to see a few examples of actual knives that survivalists and outdoor adventurers consider their best friends.
Survivor HK-738 Series Fixed Blade Knife 9-inch Overall
It’st’sfixed blade knife with the hilt wrapped in Paracord, perfect for outdoor activities. The blade is black, and it comes with a sheath that you can hang on your belt or your backpack. If you need more grip for this knife, you can add another layer of Paracord that will make it even easier to hold and use.
The entire length of the knife is 9 inches which makes it a reliable tool (or weapon) to have around. In addition, the blade and the hilt are made from one piece of metal, which means the knife will never become loose, and there’s a danger for the edge to come off (usually happens when the blade is inserted in the hilt).
The HK-738 knife offers excellent balance, allowing you to throw straight and far if you’re’reknife thrower. In addition, this knife has some of the most necessary attributes for a good self-defense knife:
- it’s small in size and it can fit in your glove compartment or you can hang it by the belt;
- it’s solid due to the fact that is made from one piece;
- offers a very good grip so you can use it very easy in any type of situation.
MTECH USA Mt-588 Series Neck Knife 4.25-inch Closed
Small, compact, and very practical, this neck knife comes with a pocket clip (if you don’tn’tke to wear it around your neck). The blade is made out of stainless steel, and the handle is imprinted with a grenade-like pattern making the grip better. A large thumbhole also helps with the grip and makes the knife extremely easy to use. It’st’ssy to sharpen, and the blade doesn’tn’tuff.
You can also change the knife’se’sain and replace it with Paracord, but it may be dangerous if you wear it around your neck. If someone attacks you, they can use the Paracord from your knife to strangle you. Also, Paracord doesn’tn’teak easily, which is why you shouldn’t wear it around your neck.
The package comes with a sheath where the knife stays hidden until you need it. It’st’smost impossible to get it out from the sheath accidentally as the case is reinforced. Given that it’s tiny, it is easy to conceal it in your pocket or under a shirt, around your neck. You can also use it as a tool, but it won’t do the same work a long blade knife does.
If you like this product, you can find and check its price on Amazon.
Ontario 9416BM Ranger Ready Detachment RD6 Knife
If you don’tn’tust small knives, this one will be on your list. This knife is among the best ones you can use for self-defense and survival chores like chopping and cutting down woods. It’st’se knife every adventurer should have in its backpack.
Because it’st’sbig knife, you won’tn’tve to get too close to your attacker to inflict some severe damage. You may as well not have to get closer at all; the Ontario 9416BM is pretty imposing and can intimidate even the most stubborn attackers. The big blade and the sturdy handle make it a very reliable weapon, and only a fool would dare to challenge you with this in your hands.
TDI Law Enforcement Knife
Returning to small self-defense knives, the KA-BAR is one of the best you can have. Even though it looks weird and trim, this knife takes over your muscles’es’ergy and puts it all in the hit and cut. Cuts made with this knife will be deep and painful as it is razor-sharp right out of the box.
The knife was designed by the founder and owner of Tactical Defense Institute and was created for law enforcement officers. You can wear it on your belt as it is small and draw it when the situation asks for it. However, given that this knife was created especially for protection and self-defense, it can be considered a lethal weapon, and you shouldn’tn’te it unless there is no other way.
The knife was designed so the owner couldn’t easily be disarmed. The grip is fantastic, and thanks to the oddly shaped handle, an attacker would have a hard time taking it from you.
If you like this product, you can find and check its price here.
There are thousands of options on the market for self-defense knives, which makes choosing the right one even harder. Still, you have to realize that owning a knife for self-defense purposes means an increased level of responsibility from your side. It would help if you learned how to control your emotions and assess a violent situation correctly.
Knives are dangerous in the hands of an untrained owner, and they can take innocent human life in a matter of seconds, so make sure you train yourself properly.
I think that having a self defense knife is a good idea if you know how to handle it. However, if you have no idea what you are doing, you are the one that can be in danger.
We absolutely agree with you James. You do not have to be an expert, but knowing the basics is important.
I got a Survival HK-738 knife, for me it is a sturdy and compact knife but I had to sharpen it after I used it the first time.
That’s a good piece you have there.
I practice FMA, which has a significant amount of knife training, here are some few lessons I’ve learned over the years:
1. Knives are deadly weapons; one cut deep enough can stop you from training for the rest of your life. One lucky cut across an artery can end your life in minutes.
2. Knives in one vs. one situation is not a good idea. If your attacker also has a knife, DON’T SIGN UP. Even if he has basic fighting skills, he can still cause severe damage.
3. The best strategy is to escape. Only engage when you have no other choice. It things go south and you need to engage, the best thing to do is to make sure you slash him in a sensitive spot that will end the fight quickly while ensuring that the cut he gives you is are small.
Knife fighting is like Russian roulette; you can train to hone your skills but you can never be sure if you can use them all.
It is wise to learn how to defend yourself with a knife, and there is no better self-defense weapon than a knife.
I have talked with different martial artists and nearly all agree that knives are scarier than guns. There is a reason to that:
people use knives every day. Knives are necessary to cut food, camp and perform a lot of other activities. That is why random street people are more willing to actually use knives as weapons than any other thing.
Thank you Stephanie for sharing your opinion with us.
Nice post. I carry a cold steel pro-guard on my hip. I am a big fan of retention ring forward grip knives. The Ka-Bar TDI looks awesome, thinking of getting that next.
That’s a great choice, Allan. You should try it out.
Survivalists and self defense trainers see the issue of owning a knife as the best measure towards defending oneself against an aggressor or a threat to life. There are different types of knives like TDI law enforcement knife, Ontario 9416BM Ranger ready detachment RD6 knife, Mtech USA MT-588 series neck knife 4.25 inch closed, etc. Which of them is the best knife for self defense?
Whether a self-defense knife is legal or illegal to carry depends entirely on your State Laws, but the best self-defense knife should have a practical size and multiple carry options.
Functions of knives are no longer limited to the kitchen. They have been widely known as one of the best self-defense tools carried by both men and women. Though, special knives like pocket size Survivor HK-738 and Ontario 9416BM are called defense knives, their function seems more into offense. It does not have the capability to shield a victim from an attacker, but rather gives the victim the chance to hit first.
Self-defense knives are much easier to carry and conceal when compared to guns. In actual fact, they are not strictly bound by the law, and you can use them in multiple situations.
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Check out https://www.knifecenter.com/ for good information.