Length of a Knife

G

God of Pan

Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
25
A bunch of questions. How long is the perfect knife for fighting? How long does the blade have to be to reach and penitrate organs? What are those organs (best to hit)? Straght blade, or curved or tanto, serations or not? What is the minimum length? Thanks a lot.

Daniel
 
GoP, I'd say you got good guidance on these questions at selfdefenseforums.com. Spend a few months reading through, the advice there is consistently good quality.
 
Dan,
The shape is a matter pr preferance really. The length should be within the legal limits of the city where you live. Reaching vital points and organs is a lot easier than one thinks. You don't need a sword to do all that stuff. As far as I know in most places a 4" and under blade will suffice. Legally and penetratively ;) Just look at say the throat, everything vital in the throat is there for you to see as it is so close to the outside layer of skin. It's would take far less length of steel to get to those vital points. Good luck....R
 
4 to 5 inches is best for fighting its not to long or short blade type or shape dont matter the fighter makes the knife not the knife the fighter.
 
"How long is the perfect knife for fighting?" -- Not an issue. Weight, flex, perceived comfort and security of the grip, etc., will matter more than length. Try a bunch of different blades out and see what you like.

"How long does the blade have to be to reach and penitrate organs?" -- One inch.

"What are those organs (best to hit)?" -- Internal ones. I'd recommend you not limit your targets to specifics, but focus on what targets of opportunity an opponent would present: more than likely, arteries. Check our archives here for a few different threads on various topics.

"Straght blade, or curved or tanto, serations or not?" -- Absolutely. See my first answer: it will be up to you. Because basically anything you can hold in one hand can be used effectively, these are mere details. I have both straight and curved blades, clip, drop, and tanto points, etc., serrated and non-serrated: and they all work the same way at this level. Again, try a few out, and see what feels right. Never buy on looks alone.

"What is the minimum length?" -- 1" or more. And if you're familiar with swords, you'll quickly discover there is no maximum length for a knife--you can easily sail right into the world of swords without finding that limit.

Good luck.
 
I would worry less about penetrating vital organs and plan on "defanging the snake". Target the offending appendage like the arm , hand, leg, etc. Cutting large muscles and tendons will stop an attack quicker than a cut to the heart or kidneys, and is a lot easier to explain to the local constabulary. A small knife of 4" or less is very effective for this application.
As a friend of mine always says, stay safe.
 
1"-4" blades while lacking in reach can be very difficult to disarm. Especially w/ a finger hole (allows you to grab with blade in hand). Even while rolling it's hard to flatten them out. Easy to conceal. Usually legal. Good advice in previous post about checking your local laws. Where I am pretty much all fixed blades need to be worn in the open. But as for folders - the sky's the limit (almost).

-Tyrkon Lawson-
www.celticsword.com
 
Training, training, training. Forget what knife. Its how you use the knife. I know guys I wouldnt want to face with a 15 inch bowie if they had a nail clipper in their hands. The knife is useless without skills, like a unloaded gun. Yeah, you could pistol whip the other guy , but what if his weapon is loaded.
 
Remember smaller blades are harder to disarm. I would go somewhere between 5-7 inches but your training is really what matters.
 
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