Ten Points Of The Fighting Knife

[Gabriel Suarez]

We all carry them, yet few ever consider about where it sits in the scheme of things.

1). The knife is always with you, even in places where the gun cannot go.

2). It becomes the first line of weaponry when the pistol is not available by choice, policy, inaccessibility or loss.

3). If things have gotten bad enough to need the knife, the use of the knife should be aggressive, brutal and terminal, and not "defensive".

4). There is a place for using a knife against the unarmed adversary if that adversary is younger, stronger or faster than you are...or more numerous.

5). There is a place for keeping them away with your edge, but there is also a place for closing and stabbing.

6). A knife worthy of combat carry should facilitate stabbing and be simple and instictive to use.

7). The more complicated and complex a knife is, and the more elaborate its system of use, the less desirable it is.

8). Conversely, the simpler the knife and the system and more gross motor dependant it is, the better it will do in a fight.

9). A fixed blade is more desirable than a folder, but a folder may be required in some applications. If a folder is used, the lock should be robust and not technically clever.

10). Learn to be violent with your knife

[Oku]

At the risk of sounding like a "fan-boy"....

Amen Gabe!

All good points but #7 and 8 are particularly "near and dear to my heart".

[John Chambers]

Good stuff! I'd also add:

a: Serrated edges are for cutting rope and seat belts, not people. Those edges catch on clothing and bone. The wound from a slash will be larger with a conventional edge.

b: Learn to sharpen your knife, and keep it that way. I see way too many people who can't sharpen their blade properly and have someone else do it for them. Most of the time, their knife is not very sharp.

[KK20]

Good stuff! I'd also add:



b: Learn to sharpen your knife, and keep it that way. I see way too many people who can't sharpen their blade properly and have someone else do it for them. Most of the time, their knife is not very sharp.

i agree fully with you. like sending our guns to someone else to clean and routine check each time we use it because we can't do so ourself . doesnt make sense.

[LAS22]

Great simple things to remember.

[John Silver]

Great points, and all reasons to remember our pointy friends.

It may not be sexy, but never forget that a good knife is a great tool. What one uses to work with everyday can save a life, and that familiarity only helps in a fight. Think of how a roofer might swing a hammer at your head, as an analogy.

[Dan Hood]

b: Learn to sharpen your knife, and keep it that way. I see way too many people who can't sharpen their blade properly and have someone else do it for them. Most of the time, their knife is not very sharp.

Ok, at the risk of sounding inept, If can't sharpen a blade to save my life. Drives my dad crazy. I also haven't found that idiot proof method of doing so.

There, I said it.

[ChuteTheMall]

Ok, at the risk of sounding inept, If can't sharpen a blade to save my life. Drives my dad crazy. I also haven't found that idiot proof method of doing so.

There, I said it.

The Spyderco Sharpmaker is almost idiot proof, and very effective.

[Gabriel Suarez]

IF SI was to present a knife program, the ability to sharpen would be one of the components of the program. Some knife styles and steels are easier to sharpen than others.

[BlackCamo]

yep +1 I use the same kit and really enjoy it.

All the kitchen knives are 'deadly' as well.

The Spyderco Sharpmaker is almost idiot proof, and very effective.