On Talon/Hawk bill Shaped Edged Folders;
I have modified my Civilian by clipping off 1/4 inch at a 45 degree angle acute to the edge which eliminates the very brittle and non-sustainable tip. I then used a wet grinder carefully and smoothly round off the ragged junction until the curve touch the first small inlet of the forward-most serration. I then use a Hunter carbide V-neck sharpener to sharpen the edge side rounding upwards towards the spine.
The result is a very sharp rounded tip that has much more meat than the original and can easily make razor incisions into fabric and cellular material without ripping. The depth of the slice is approximately 3/32" and the first inlet after the tip is a large serration.
There are several reasons I made the modification. 1) To eliminate the weak tip which will snap immediately if you apply lateral motion in either direction if the blade's tip has become lodged into a hard surface. 2) To increase the razor slicing or incision capability and making the blade more pragmatic for small incisions to a skin for poison bites. 3) To give more support for the forward-most area on the spine for spontaneous back handing in a reverse grip, the top is much more solid.
Note 1. I use a wet med speed to keep the stainless from discoloring and the job is so smooth that it looks totally new.
ON THRUSTING. Every blade has a unique inferior and a superior angle of attack. Ergonomically the arch of the semi-circle of the Civilian blade, especially after my modification is ideal for forward and reverse grip thrusting (simple angle linear stab). The major limitation for tactical combat using a talon curved edge is from the outside high or low to high thrust in a forward grip. This will result in a dangerous jab rather than a cut or insertion. As the proper hold and point entry should be horizontal and parallel to the ribs off a standing antagonist for a straight edge or dual edge knife, this curvature increases the bio-dynamic straight line and follows precisely the angle of the forearm through the wrist. It is actually a more effective stabbing angle. Similar to the ergonomics of a plier upon gripping. A straight plier is very ineffective but a plier with ergonomic gripping is much more effective to create positive work force. This is true also for the reverse grip and with the tip oval round but razor sharp, the cut is very smooth.
Finally the serration of the Civilian may rip and tear at someones skin, but my first hand experience is that is will get caught in almost any material from nylon to denim, and is good for leaving an irreparable wound, but will cook your last meal as you cannot pull out when you get your blade snagged in your opponents' loosely-fitted clothing.
Also, my thoughts on percentages; when dealing with tactical battle, you must consider multiple confrontations every moment. Therefore your psychological reserve and focus should be 49% to the coherent target and 51% to the dynamics of the spontaneous situation and its constituents. You should always apply and utilize no more and no less than 2% above the force of your opponents, as this is the only way to control your opponent during action in close quarters. Any greater amount of application of force or power will over extend your tactile sensitivity and increase your mechanical tension towards the opposite direction. Any less than 25 and you will not be able to obtain continuously greater probabilities to successfully and totally control the subject for extraction. Do not resist greater mass with angle or inferior weight bearing, you must accelerate your simultaneous counter attacking angle so that the deflection angle appears twice the rate of change to the time before impact of a greater mass. Philosophically, always use 110% of your drive because most fighters and victims never use anywhere close to the threshold of their ability, therefore act and set the mental reference to survive below the fail-safe which means they will stop performing for fear of going past the extreme threshold of experience and personal knowledge. In a fight for your freedom, you must breech the threshold of the philosophical fail-safe, using 110% of your mind-set, 2% more physiological energy than your opponent always and 51% focus and reserve of attention to the dynamic moving content in the envelope which your danger has occupied you in.
I prefer to carry the Cold Steel Battle Axe.
Thanks for listening and safe passage to you,
Chief Instrustor Chris Mar