mountain biking support knife.....

Z

ZJChaser

Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
257
well I know that may seem odd but after talking with one of the local mountain lion attack victims I figure it might be good to bring something worthwhile with me when I am on the bike. I also had a run in with a few coyotes a couple days ago. I dont think they are prone to attacking but I'm not sure. There are plenty of snakes as well on the trails.

I figure I should bring a knife along with me on the trails for utility and the rare chance of SD. I think I would need something that would hold up to lots of dirt and abuse, have a strong clip(would be clipped to the outisde of my camelback backpack). Weight is not a real concern.

My largest folder is a benchmade D2 Griptilian but I'm not sure it is really substantial enough and I've heard of the D2 chipping and I'd like to be able to use it for random abusive tasks as well.

any thoughts? prefered steels? recomended folders?

I do always have a mountain bike specific multitool with me but its got a baby blade that would take a couple minutes to get out..not very helpful.

I think I kinda like the look of the Zero Tolerance line thought they are a bit pricey I could justify it if others agree. I really like the ZT0121 but I really think I should stick with a folder. The idea of taking a tumble and the knife coming unsheathed as I roll over it just isnt friendly.
 
BM Rukus, BM Skirmish, SOG Spec-Elite II, or SOG Pentagon Elite II. Basically, any good large folder. Personally, I'd go with the Rukus, even though it is spendy, because the Axis lock is pretty much bomb proof.

And may I suggest that the back of your Camelbak is not a real handy place to carry it. Clip somewhere on your front, so that if Mr. Mountain Lion is on your back, you still have a chance to get the knife out and fight back.
 
sheath knife

have a kydex sheath mounted on the bike or lashed to the camelbac if it had a positive fastening it could be less likely to expose a sharp edge then a folder
 
Please do not harm them.....you are in their environment....
Those are GOD's creatures, they have to eat too.....
 
JGarth said:
Please do not harm them.....you are in their environment....
Those are GOD's creatures, they have to eat too.....
Click to expand...

I am not a hunter, I am not a fighter. I love animals and have no intention of hurting any. If one decides to come after me I will damn well do what I can to defend myself.

see I love lions(my gf and I sunburned in Cabo with lion cub):http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a218/ZJChaser/2007-06-07-10 Cabo - Cruise/IMG_0402-6copy.jpg

edit: Just for reference I plan to never HAVE to use it for defense but I would like it just incase. I have only seen the lions twice while in the hills and both times at great distances. I am upclose with coyotes and snakes often but they arent really a concern.
 
JGarth said:
Please do not harm them.....you are in their environment....
Those are GOD's creatures, they have to eat too.....
Click to expand...

That's pushing it. To think that a human should not harm a Mt. Lion that needs to kill and eat him? You have to be joking. And yes when these cats do attack it's because they are intent on dining on a human. They don't attack out of fear and territory like some other animals will and break off the attack and leave before killing their victim. So the best chance against a mt. lion attack is to fight back.
Get you a ZT0200 it opens fast and has enough blade to fight with. Sturdy too don't have to worry about it folding up under impact. Me when I hike I carry a pistol and a knife. Better to have them and not need them, than need and not have. IMO
 
Andy_L said:
sheath knife

have a kydex sheath mounted on the bike or lashed to the camelbac if it had a positive fastening it could be less likely to expose a sharp edge then a folder
Click to expand...
I was thinking that as well. I'm browsing for some with sheaths that would attach well to my pack(its rather small) camelback Lobo Any recomendations to look at?
Grampa said:
And may I suggest that the back of your Camelbak is not a real handy place to carry it. Clip somewhere on your front, so that if Mr. Mountain Lion is on your back, you still have a chance to get the knife out and fight back.
Click to expand...

noted...I can attach or clip to the front of the shoulder straps.
 
I agree with Grampa, go for the full-size Benchmade Rukus

BM610SBK.jpg
 
Forget about mountain lion attacks. You're more likely to get hit by lightning.

If you must use a knife for self defense, go fixed. Strap the sheath to the handlebar.
 
well if a mountain lion attacks you in an instant you may find it hard to manually open a knife. so it may be better to get a spring assist or automatic knife if you strictly for defence. bear mace is great for bears that attack slowly. mountain lions attack instantly. there is no standoff like you would with a bear.
 
There's a few cases of a knife being used to fight off a Mt. Lion. As well as the cats being fought with clubs and by other means. In this cougar attack report.
http://www.cougarinfo.com/attacks2.htm
(25 May. Armed only with a pocket knife, Mary Jane Coder, 41, fought off a mountain lion that repeatedly tried to attack her three daughters, ages 6, 8, and 9, in Big Bend National Park in west Texas. The lion kept trying to "herd out" one of her daughters at a time, but Coder charged at the lion to protect her children, yelled, and waved her knife. The lion wounded her hand, but the family managed to retreat to their car 2 miles down the trail. Source: (Nando News; Reuters News Service; 06/08/98)
One man knocked a Mt. Lion attacking his dog out with a branch and then killed it with a rock.
 
I second the spray, It may bite a big hole in your neck by then but same with a folding knife. The FBMCG Is on my wish list but thats just me. Look for utility first and make sure that cougar allen does not attack you!
 
Hey Guys..

You may also look into a fixed blade carried in a Mercharness...

I carry an assortment of fixed blades in a Mercharness while riding, and it's awesome..Light and comfortable, Nothing to open..
Draw and Go!

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
If you want something that opens quickly and is affordable, check out the waved Spyderco Endura. It'll be pretty quick coming out of your strong side pocket (right or left handed?) . For harder use, maybe a Spyderco Chinook II. It's definitely a high quality, heavy duty folder.

If you can legally carry a fixed blade, I'd rather do that. Strap one to yourself, one to your Camelback and one to the handle bars. :D

I'd carry the spray too. Why not?

Here's to never needing any of it! :thumbup:
 
Just get yourself a Bark River fixed blade (any one of them) and you'll be good to go as long as you keep it handy and not in back of you.
 
I think the concept of carrying a weapon while biking is a good idea.

Coyotes are not likely to attack you one on one unless they are rabid. They will usually only attack in a pack, especially a full grown man. Small children are different and are usually a target of opportunity without presenting much of a threat to themselves. That's how a woman who appears in defense of her child can be successful. The coyote did not anticipate the larger person showing up.

The lion has proved he will attack humans, but they ambush their pray so you can anticipate them springing from a vantage point with the tactic of knocking you down and going for the back of the neck or sometimes the throat. If your knife is on your bike you are SOL. Trying to grab it from your pack will be next to impossible even if you still have it on. Your arms will be flailing about trying to protect your vitals and I don't mean the family ones. If there is any chance of survival it's getting to your feet. Having a fixed blade attached to your chest area is the only real place you will be able to get to it, especially if your arms are in front of your face/neck while down on the initial attack.

My personality subscribes to carrying both a pistol and a knife. Unfortunately they will both have the same drawback as above with some advantage to pulling the trigger. Remember, your adrenalin will be pumping wildly. There will be no shortage of force when/if you get to stab him.

All and all these tools are probably more useful against the 2-legged predator. Good luck and don't forget to peddle like hell... cause hell is behind you... closing fast...
 
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