which blade shape is the best for SD?

What are you trained to do? If you thrust a lot, a hawkbill blade won't do much for you and if you slash a lot, a dagger won't be optimal. Learning to use a blade matters more than the shape of it. As long as you can put the sharp part into a BG, it's effective for self-defense.
 
Any 3" blade would do well if you know how to defend yourself with a blade, whether a slash or a stab.
For untrained people, they tend to use a slash (I believe).
 
If you can go to a 3&1/8th inch blade, the spear-point of the Spyderco Native is good for both stabs and slashes.
 
The spyderco gunting has a lot of advanced SD elements build into it. I carry a SOG pentetogon II with a dagger style blade with a "shark tooth tip" for maximum penetration.

Lasi Szabo makes a knife called the UUK. It is definatly the ultimate in fighting knives. It is one ugly SOB, but it's pistol grip and finger guard make much more capable than most other knives. To use most knifes you have too cock your wrist 45 degrees, the UUK has the angle build in. You just ball your fist around the handle, then thrust/slash with your wrist in it's strongest postion, kinda like a punch. Check it out at:

www.szaboinc.com

This guy is not worried about cosmetics just hard fighting knives, everything in product line is purpose build. I can't really afford customs so I settle for anything with big blade. Don't forget the fact that an inmate could probally kill you with a sharpened toothbrush handle. It's not all about equipment. You gotta be ready and stay alert.
 
Ohhhhhh, Self defense

I was wondering why you would need a specific knife for South Dakota

:D
 
3" blade for self defence??

Alittle small really, not much reach, not enough blade for stabbing attacks. You have to get pretty close to your attacker to do any damage.

I would say a min of 4" would be better, 5" in a folding knife, with 6" being the best compromise in a folder for a fighting knife.


Ideal would be a 6" or better fixed blade (Bowie Style Blade), but then it's not a perfect world. ;)
 
If you thrust a lot, a hawkbill blade won't do much for you ...
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To use most knifes you have to cock your wrist 45 degrees, the UUK has the angle build in.
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Check out the Spyderco Massad Ayoob or Shabaria. The tips of these knives also point at an angle from the handle, a lot like a hawksbill. Like the UUK, they are all ideal for stabbing because with your wrist unbent the tip of the blade points forward,

With a motion like a straight punch, you drive the point directly into your target.

Incidentally, for knife fighting, you might want a 6" fixed blade, but for self-defense, you just want to leave the scene. If you're trapped, or surprised up close, then it's more likely you'll be carrying that three inch folder. And 3" will do fine if you know how to use it. If you don't, 6" won't help you much, either.
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
Incidentally, for knife fighting, you might want a 6" fixed blade, but for self-defense, you just want to leave the scene. If you're trapped, or surprised up close, then it's more likely you'll be carrying that three inch folder. And 3" will do fine if you know how to use it. If you don't, 6" won't help you much, either.
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Some of use do know what they are doing and in that we also know better than to carry a puny knife for self defence..;)

Anything is better than nothing, but why limit youself to a small blade when even one inch longer could make a big difference?

The longer the blade the more reach you have..(Which means you are farther away from your attacker) and you have more stabbing depth.

Of course this means nothing if you are using the stupid reverse grip style.:rolleyes:
 
I see we take different points of view on this.

Bram Frank, who designed the Gunting for Spyderco, was adamant that anything over 3" is unnecessary if you know what you're doing. But Bram knows better than most. Maybe his skills aren't generally available. :)

Of course, depending on the jurisdiction, carrying a 6" fixed blade is tantamount to announcing that you are out there looking for trouble. Not only illegal, but not something you want to have to explain to the jury.

I agree that an effective use of reverse grip is something it takes courage and skill to apply. Also, like a short blade, something most appropriate in close quarters, where you need speed and agility to survive.
 
Esav Benyamin,

Yeah, I know that carrying a 6" fixed blade knife is illegal in most states. Pity..:(

That's why I did recommend 4" min, and 5" blades for folders if possible.

Bram Frank, who designed the Gunting for Spyderco, was adamant that anything over 3" is unnecessary if you know what you're doing. But Bram knows better than most.
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I think he is wrong, I disagree. But then not everyone has the same opinions on everything.


I would love to see him go up against a highly skilled knife fighter using REAL knives....with the other guy carrying a Bowie and him carrying that little puny 3" folding knife....

I think he would 2nd guess his own words....this is the real world. not hype just to sell a certian knife...things would change pretty quickly if his skin was on the line...

About the reverse grip, we do agree on that....I was trained in both grips and have sparred using both grips....I use both, depending on the knife and situation.
 
sickle1.jpg


slashed go deep and leave a substantial wound channel and if angled right when stabbing will stab too.
 
That's Laci Szabo's Battle Sickle that Harpy pictured -- a little outside the 3" folder range :D but it is a wild design!
 
Bleh, not sure why I said hawkbills weren't good for stabbing considering I spent time learning how to do it using a MT Kestrel a few years ago. I meant to say the Civilian blade shape . . . Hawkbills are good for forward grip thrusts when you learn how to grip them but the Civilian and Matriarch seem to require a very specific angle though. Doesn't mean I'm not planning to get one for myself though :D

"I agree that an effective use of reverse grip is something it takes courage and skill to apply. Also, like a short blade, something most appropriate in close quarters, where you need speed and agility to survive."

I remember some discussion a while back about the reverse grip in the tactics and trainings section where someone brought up an interesting point: While the reduction in reach of the reverse grip can be a serious hinderance against another edged weapon, we don't train solely to defend against other knives. Just because it isn't ideal for certain situations doesn't mean it's not useful against others.
 
slash... why I feel like bowie slashes better than hawkbill? I mean, it feels easier to slash into targets.
 
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