Sage advice. Having been in a near fatal self-defense fight, I learned a lot. If you carry a folder, make sure the lock will withstand the tap test. I did not and it almost cost me my life. Practice opening it repeatedly without looking. Do not let the attacker see the knife before you use it. (I am only referring to self-defense of life here). A guard is essential. Do not expect him to die immediately, unless you hit a few choice spots. Finally, be prepared to die, and be prepared to feel bad when he dies. Always avoid a confrontation of this type if possible.

@chiefslief1886

3 ай бұрын

Yeah that's some serious points here... But it's the truth! Thanks for share 👍🏻✌🏻

@mikebryant8082

3 ай бұрын

Tap test?

@willieboy3011

3 ай бұрын

Wear a thick glove. Open the folder, hold the handle with the gloved hand, and tap the spine (back) against something hard (lightly at first). Then tap harder. If the lock holds, then it likely will not fail. I have had liner locks fail. One was an expensive Zero Tolerance folder. @@mikebryant8082

@donfierro777

3 ай бұрын

​@@mikebryant8082 hit the top spine of the blade to see if the lock fails DO NOT have your fingers in the way where it closes when you do. Check out the zt350 notorious for failing this test.

@randir14

3 ай бұрын

@@mikebryant8082 It's the spine whack test, you smack the spine of the knife on a hard surface to see if the lock will fail. I got rid of my Zero Tolerance knives because they all failed that test.

I was cleaning a squirrel with a pocket knife when I was younger and my bloody hand slid down the handle and sliced my finger open. I will always have hand/finger guards on my knives. Very good information sir.

I have collected different brands and styles of knives over the years. In the last few years I have collected brands such as Bark River, Benchmade, Smith and Wesson, CRKT, Case, Buck, etc.. Your videos are a breath of fresh air. Finally someone speaks on the appropriateness of the shape and design and not just the looks.

As much as everyone complains about the Kabar being a rat tang, when being used as what it's designed for the cross guard way over compensates for it's deficiencies.

@kuzinit2374

11 ай бұрын

I agree , the KaBar is an excellent fighter, not a very good prybar, like you may want in a good combat knife

@NorthmanGear

3 ай бұрын

Yeah but you could grab something like the cold steel leatherneck which has the same design, but also has a big beefy tang

@WR3ND

3 ай бұрын

The tang on it is actually about a half again larger than the portion you see on the bottom. It's notched down at the pommel where it slides into it and gets locked in with a pin. I've seen them being made and not many people know that. Yes, it isn't a full slab tang, but I wouldn't call it a rat tail either. Cheers.

@waynesmallwood6027

3 ай бұрын

That's because they're too ignorant to know the difference between a long-proven hidden tang and a flimsy rat tail.

A long time ago I was in a 3 gun club that held a knife match once a year. Mostly simple skill tests and cutting tasks, sometimes mixed into standard 3 gun stages. A member using a typical folder suffered a severe hand cut when his hand rode up as he stabbed a cardboard IPSC target: exactly the scenario you are talking about. He had a firm grip but impact, even on light cardboard, is powerful. Thanks for spreading the word on this.

@beentheredonethat5908

2 ай бұрын

Imagine a powerful grip, hard stab, while your band is bleeding or wet on top of that. I've see fights lost, and a life lost, due to a cut recieved while fighting to the hand, which made his hand slip up the knife causing a deep wound allowing for a death blow. Hopefully I will never be in a place to see that again, or an environment that life js lived in that way, but just in case, finger holes, hand guards, and handles must be tested and retested , drawing test and practiced over and over until you are secure in your own safety.

@nobodyatall7039

2 ай бұрын

I would never carry a folder because I've developed numerous techniques for comfortably concealing fixed blades since I was teenager, but if I did it would have to be strictly OTF precisely for that reason. Injuries from knives failing to deploy fully under stress and closing on the users hand are very common and I've read about numerous incidents like that from street fights, and even stuff like people trying to slash other people's tires. Swing out designs are just objectively bad and I don't use them. The reason they're so common is because most states have archaic laws against "gravity knives", which effectively ban OTF knives even if they're not automatic. This stupid issue has singlehandedly ruined the folding knife industry.

Very much agree with this. Even outside of self-defence, I get a little leery of knives that don't have a guard or great handle/grip retention. Having gone through and taught survival courses, these small preventative measures can go a long way to compensate for your carelessness when your fatigued, have sweaty hands or bloody hands from processing game, etc.....

Great advice, also if you have time, do a video on why a straight edge barber's razor would be the worst blade to bring to a fight. I run into guys that watch old mob movies and think you can fight with an actual shaving razor, I mean sure, someone could but as a barber myself I hold one often and as knife enthusiast I can't even explain how many ways it could go wrong. Cringeworthy wrong.

@heathenshaunt681

3 ай бұрын

People who think movie weapons are good idea are hilarious just because you can doesn't mean you should 😅

@desd1932

2 ай бұрын

Well actually back in the day in Scotland we had the razor gangs. They are 100% a good weapon that causes so much damage great for slashing a mans face and for making your enemy bleed out. Some were slashed from ear to the groin. Very nasty. You guys have guns but we have knife fights

Love your videos, man! No BS, just presenting the facts. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. Cheers!

@411Outdoors

3 ай бұрын

Thanks my friend!🙂

"EXCELLENT" That S&W HRT Has just been ordered!!!! Thank you Beyond!!!! Your saving lives man, and protecting them!! Much appreciated

@411Outdoors

6 ай бұрын

My joy and privilege! Thank you!🙂

@WR3ND

3 ай бұрын

It does look like a nice knife. Cheers.

@SmeagstheGremlin

Ай бұрын

I have it i wouldn't use it for Bushcraft or anything more then when shtf it will save you but if I was you I'd keep that edge perfect till the time comes you wanna be able to put the guy down as fast as you cann stay safe

Ty bro this is excellent information you neva know when life will throw a situation like this at you and you’re not prepared

I am a knife maker. I always have a guard on my fixed blades. The only knives I make. Plus I do not put a tang hole on the handle end … for lil cutsie hanging items than can get caught in machinery & drag your hand in with it. My handle shaped fit the hand as well - not flat slabs like on production knives. Great article btw.

@CadillacDriver

3 ай бұрын

What on earth would you put a knife near running machinery for? Weird mentality for a "knife maker".

@drknstodstny4141

3 ай бұрын

​@@CadillacDriverMaybe this guy cleans the inside of his mower blade bay with his knives like a real smart guy. Maybe even with the mower still running.

@johnruiz6743

2 ай бұрын

Why would little cutsie items be hanging from the end of a knife that you are putting next to moving machinery? If you are sharpening/grinding it then I would think that anything hanging off the end would be removed before you do that? 🤔

@purpleturtle7477

2 ай бұрын

@@CadillacDriver Farmer.

@CadillacDriver

2 ай бұрын

@@purpleturtle7477 no occupation or task requires a person to manually use a knife in operating machinery.

The Knifes with a large Handguard are larger in general. So maybe you do not carry it every single day. In 99.9% you propably never need your every day carry knife in a fight. If you are uncomfortable with it, you may have days you do not have it with you. So the best knife is the one you have with you. Also: Equipt with a knife you dont have to stab someone with large force to do much damage. Are the Knifes with large Handguards better in a combat situation? Yes! But the other knifes are totally fine for most Kind of Self defense. You could also argue a Machete is better than your knife... Always carry a machete or a sword with you... Thats nonsense. And the human body (even if you hit a bone) is not as hard as wood or a wall. A minor little cut with small force can be devastating.

@Tusk2001

2 ай бұрын

Education in how to use something is fundamental in safety and useage

@MrSteveC

Ай бұрын

Good point, I’m a knife guy I have more than a few knives you could use to kill a rhino but most people are killed by cheap kitchen or gas station knives.

Great advice... Thanks! 😁

This was a really good point, def reconsidering a lot of my options now

@411Outdoors

2 ай бұрын

I’ve got another video coming out on this subject this week it’s kind of a part two to this

Yooo, bro nice video! I will glad to hear your opinion about karambits and self defense with them

@411Outdoors

11 ай бұрын

💯🙂👍👍

These are high value advices! The truth must be told and shown, thanks! Great video as always ❤👍🏻👍🏻✌🏻 P.S. try skateboard tape on the handles when having no guard..aw hell on any knife that's meant to be used for real.

Well stated. iI am old enough to have owned and used the historic Gerber Mk 2 back in the mid-1960's. It's Sykes-inspired design embodies much of what you discuss.(including it's dubious legality in many jurisdictions). It is only relatively recently that manufacturers of tactically-oriented folding knives have incorporated handle designs intended to facilitate realistic under-stress gripping of their knives.

New subscriber- thanks for the great advice.

First honest knife evalutaion I've ever seen. Well done sir!

@411Outdoors

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

Vids like this are why I’m subscribed!

I never thought of this but it sure makes sense. Thank you. I subscribed to learn more. The knife I just bought that now I’d never consider for self-defense is the Mira Garberg. I did not buy it for self-defense. But it’s the last knife I bought.

I was thinking about this S&W for a long time now, I think I'm finally convinced, thanks !

@411Outdoors

11 ай бұрын

Glad I could help!

I have two Stings and you are right, forward grip is not easy, I had to exercise a lot to learn using it like that. Yet, those prpoved extremely useful when I needed to crawl up a tree and used Sting as a step - it holds my 220lbs with no issue, does not bend or give even slightly. I have got SW too, it is great overall and, probably is suitable for fighting, but I would never dare to use it as a ladder step.

Valid points. Good video.

That's good advice for us and information that can benefit the companies in the future.

I just subbed because of the martial arts practicality content. I would prefer a blunt force weapon like a slap jack or even a kukri or cleaver design but if you were in very confined spaces like on the floor being mauled or etc, the gentleman of this channel is the one evidently giving you far better options and advice

Hand protection and retention almost fot together. Be it a guard or a karambit ring. You need a way to keep the knife in hand, and keep the hand off the blade. Bare minimum requirements for defensive blade. And most other blades for that matter.

Great video and all points you make are valid. For me, my early 80s vintage Gerber Guardian comes to mind. I never had a bad experience with it, but it was pointed out to me that if hands were wet, they’d slide forward on that aluminum handle. I traded a knock-off of a Mark I for it straight up so it’s not like I’d be out any money to let it sit on the shelf, though. Maybe next up was my Colt Steel Tri Lire folder. It does at least have a thumb stud that sort of might function as a guard. I bought it because it was slim and I wanted something that was easier to carry. Don’t carry it anymore, however. Not a fan of filet of finger.

Facts!!! Great insight and advice. No guard on either fixed blade or folding knives is a non-starter. The Schrade SCHA9 provided the only lesson ever needed. Thanks 187/10 🙏

@411Outdoors

11 ай бұрын

👍👍🙏

When I was active duty in the Army with the 101st Airborne (3/187th Infantry), the personal blade I first carried was a Gerber Mark 1, which was basically the same design as the Smith & Wesson HRT/Cold Steel Counter Tac you show. It was a great fighting knife, but a pretty terrible utility knife. Turns out, I needed a utility knife far more than I needed a fighting knife for general use, so it got replaced reasonably quickly by a Gerber Gator. The Gator was a far more practical utility knife, without losing TOO much capability as a fighting blade. Fast forward multiple years to nowadays, and I pretty much exclusively carry knives that are primarily folding utility blades, typically a Muela Navaja GL-10R, or a Boker Magnum Rescue. I do this with the understanding that there are inherent limitations in their application as a self-defense knife, and essentially must be always used in a reverse grip for such applications, but am willing to deal with that limitation in that particular niche application for the gained broad practicality of utility in my 99.999% case usage of my blades. So, I guess it might be said that I don't even carry a knife "for self defense" per se, but I'm unwilling to dedicate the additional weight and bulk of carrying a dedicated fixed fighting blade for a 0.001% application, or 'pay' for the limitations inherent in true fighting blades when used in the utility role. But my knives are always a second or third fallback for me in terms of self-defense in any case, so I don't think I'm really missing out much in terms of practical limitations to usage with my blade choices. But that's just my view, ymmv.

Excellent advice!

I really like my SOG Seal Pup in terms of fit, feel and usability. Single sided blade so carry should be easier to deal with, but I’m about to test out the Benchmade Adamas fixed, standard and mini folders this week so stoked to Try them out. Very helpful video

@411Outdoors

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Great points,

It is surprisingly difficult to retrieve a blade from live tissue so pulling is an important part the handles function as well.

Great video. A guard is a must in for certain situations. Back in the 80’s everyone carried Buck 110’s on their belts in school. Someone sliced my brothers tire in high school and there was blood everywhere. We figured his hand must have slipped down the blade when whoever did it stabbed the 36” off-road tire sidewall. The next day a guy who my brother had fought a month prior had a bandaged up hand in school. Coincidence? My brother didn’t think so and gave him another tail whooping on top of that messed up hand. 😉

Good point that I've thought about myself. My EDC is the "Phrike" from Spartan Blades. It has good jimping on the back & a recessed cut for the index finger but, once the handle gets bloody, I don't think those features are enough to keep my fingers from sliding down the blade. I figure that after the second or third stab, I'll switch to a slashing attack. This will probably work against a single opponent but, against a mob a better designed blade is in order.

I recently purchased a Cold Steel OSS. Now living in England there is no way I can carry the thing, so it's my bedside blade. I also bought it because it is a sleek beautiful looking thing to my eyes.

Excellent tip.

scythe grip with a thumb cap grip. i prefer point down, edge in grip. this makes the handguard question irrelevant, and makes lock strength in a folder less important.

Very good information... I just got into knife making. And I'm finding some problems... I've made a couple very nice looking blades with exotic wooden scales and handles. But when I polish them so they look great... they're almost too slick to use . Especially if you're hands are wet ... it's hard to beat rubberized handles.

@LastBastian

3 ай бұрын

Hobbyist knife maker here as well. Polished handles look really nice, but I don't like how they feel. I prefer a "grippier" finish. I've even taken a few purchased knives with polished handles, sanded them down and textured them. I haven't used any rubber material, but "Terotuf" material feels phenomenal. (It's not the fanciest looking though)

@donscottvansandt4139

3 ай бұрын

@@LastBastian I'll have to try it... I've done one skinnier handle with nice wood and then wrapped it with paracoard and it worked good but colors didn't match. I want to find the balance between beauty and function. I know it's possible. And have used some like that.

@LastBastian

3 ай бұрын

@@donscottvansandt4139 For comfort it's hard to beat. Has a cloth like look and feel, and actually gets slightly more grippy when wet. It's also non toxic to sand, unlike G10 or Micarta, etc...

@donscottvansandt4139

3 ай бұрын

@@LastBastian nice! Gotta get me some.

you make extremely good points. The knife I cannot truly understand is the karambit. It seems like the design limits the use

I would love to know what you think about crkt Clever Girl and crkt Du Hoc? They are 2 of my favorites in my collection. Next to my Ka-bar lol

You are doing a Great Job !

Good review, I enjoyed the common sense approach. I hope people understand the application approach your giving them. I do have a question, your thoughts on Cold Steel. I like some of there designs but the metals tear my sharpening stones up so Im not a big fan. They come sharp but thats about as sharp as they'll ever be. Your thoughts?

@411Outdoors

3 ай бұрын

A lot of cold steel blades in the past i bought for self-defense only, and I typically never end up having to sharpen any of those

I got a " ktc3 " from kansept nice 154cm hawk bill for self defense sharp wicked point but that handle even for medium size hands just ant enough to even get 3 fingers on it to secure it in hand safely.

Is it limitisation or specialisation? It would be interesting to ask the maker's reasoning/thoughts. I am glad you recommend the HRT. Inexpensive knives scare me.

Cold Steel's Drop Forged boot knife is the better alternative to the CRKT sting if you want full tang

Very nice video! It`s like carrying a 22cal when you can carry a larger cal. in the same size gun.

Use to work at a fish plant in my youth when the fresh cod would arrive we would gut them and another would take heads off and debone, I was really good and fast to cut cod tongues at 50 cents a pound and standing in fish cuts all day 😂 A buddy from a short distance pitched me a cod tongue too fast before I was ready so when I tried to catch it in the blink of an eye and forgot about the very sharp knife in my right hand, well in went in my left dead centre, the only thing that saved my knife from going through was my gloves were soaked and slippery from fish slime causing my right hand to react in more kindness and slide down the blade 😂 one needs a guard so you can take it back out if need be or make sure there’s a hole in handle to tie a rope to and pull hard , I’m living proof 😢If one wants to protect his goods in the house and shed just put Vaseline on the door knobs , one lady put it on the bedroom door knob so the kids couldn’t get in 😂

@411Outdoors

11 ай бұрын

Great idea haha!

I like your vids and the way you deliver the information. Great job all the time. Old Marine 64-70 👍🏻🇺🇸

@411Outdoors

3 ай бұрын

Thanks my fried!🙂

Great advice

As a Cold Steel fan, I make sure that I buy a knife with some sort of guard for protection. Whether it is a fixed blade, food prep, machete, or even a folder, knowing that your hand won't slip brings peace of mind when doing a task. Thank you for this informative video! This needed to be said!

Good point

have you heard of the series of books, 100 Deadly Skills, by retired Navy Seal Clint Emerson? I believe they would make for a great video/videos, and to see your opinion on them.

You don't want to be in a knife fight. One man goes to the hospital. The other man goes to a morgue. Carry a pistol and be proficient using it. I carry a large Cold Steel Ti-Lite.

Thanks for the video. I believe that many knives are made for comfort of carry more than self-defense. Most knives are never going to be used in self-defense, so optimizing the knife for self-defense becomes less of a factor in design of many knives. I think that's particularly true for the CRKT Sting. While the double-edged, dagger design makes this knife look like some kind of self-defense knife, I suspect that this knife has been used in very few fights. This knife seems to be a lightweight utility knife that can be carried easily without snagging on things. Putting a guard on this knife to optimize the fighting qualities of the knife would add quite a bit of bulk and a little bit of weight. A knife that currently doesn't have any protruding parts to dig into the skin would suddenly have protruding parts. I don't think most people using this knife would like the look or feel of this knife with the changes that you would recommend to optimize this knife for fighting. I agree with you that someone who wants to carry a knife for self-defense needs to consider whether there is positive protection to keep the hand from slipping forward and being cut on the blade. That factor is important even for some utilitarian uses. On the other hand, many knives can do everything that they ever need to do without that design feature. Companies design knives without that protection because they know that most users aren't planning to use their knives in self-defense. You mentioned that many places ban double-edged knives. While knives with a guard may not be specifically banned, an ambitious prosecutor might try to claim that carrying a knife with that guard to allow heavy thrusting into a person is evidence of intent to get into a knife fight. On the other hand, stabbing someone with a pocket knife that had secure grip but not guard couldn't be spun the same way. Much also depends on fighting style. One of the most famous fighting knives of all time is the Ghurka kukri. These knives have no protection to keep the hand from sliding forward, but the whole fighting style for these knives is based on slashing and chopping. One could thrust a little bit, and the odd angle of the blade might redirect the force and prevent one's hand from sliding onto the blade. However, the fighting style is not based on thrusting.

Missing a pinky finger reduces your overall hand grip strength by 75%. Found this out the hard way. Guards are a must on blades in which any sort of thrusting could be utilized.

I’ve been considering the cold steel sr1 lite for edc, but am also wondering how well it would do in self defense? Any thoughts are welcome.

@411Outdoors

2 ай бұрын

It’s a VERY strong folder tested and approved 👍

Suggestion survival equipment I use and swear on Smith's diamond coat sharpener with great case and lid convertible to extension handle. Fast sharpening. Work's giving razor edge.

Glad you mentioned legality of double edge. But I train with my puka style knife against my palm and pinky. I’ve stabbed stuff with heavy resistance. Obviously there is still a risk, but as with firearms and multiple participants one has to practice properly so you do not flag or reduce flagging your team mates. Nice good points.

Good info

I agree with you.i carry an srk.theres just as many crappy knives as there are good ones,and most people I know buy cheap ones.all it took was a USMC kbars tip to break on me and I stopped buying knives that just aren't up to the job.i just buy cold steel I use fixed blades,they are so much more reliable and dont break or bend.

Hey brother I'm new to the self defense knife world, I was looking at the demko knives armiger 4 and I thought it was a pretty good knife what do you think about it?

@411Outdoors

7 ай бұрын

That blade is sweet! Love it. Good for all task esp defense🙂💯👍

My CRKT HZ6 also lacks a guard, but the handle on this is so grippy it's almost painful. I would absolutely trust my life on it.

@thaistomp

6 ай бұрын

That thing is a Japanese beast for sure. I love the James Williams blades.

I have a CRKT Obake that I've carried for years and I had never thought about the danger that you describe. Think I need to retire it.

@411Outdoors

3 ай бұрын

It’s such a cool knife but it’s limited to ice pick grip with a thumb brace

I like some CRKT products very much, and own three, two tomahawks (one smaller with a hammer pall and one based on an ancient design) and their "Ritual" folding knife. I tuned in to see if you didn't like the Ritual. It's similar to the Cold Steel Scimitar, but slimmer. Might not appeal to everybody.

At 5.02 I have t h e HRT also but the leather sheath I hate. I wish it was kydex. I'm thing about buying some kydex material and make my own

I as well do prefer guards. But also I understand that some people avoid them, especially in dmall knives, because of the risk of snagging the guard through clothes and fabric. The hole in the sting one is designed for Your thumb, so the blade sits well, without the risk of cutting Youself, but that greatly diminishes it's clinch knife abilities. In my opinion, kraton guards and handles are in between, giving You both of the advantages. I've recently posted a short video about that with Marauder's bowie.

A cold steel wasp is one of the knives I would say not to buy. I bought one and gave it away. The kabar ek44 is a much better knife after you replace the sheath.

I have a Buck Pathfinder, 5" fixed blade. I had a boot repair man make me a leather horizontal sheath. He got it right. The blade will not fall out. It is not big and bulky. I live on a ranch, so it also serves as a work tool. Decent steel and keeps an edge OK.

What do you think of the CRKT HZ6? I bought this knife because I thought it looked great as a tactical blade, it has an amazing grip but no guard.

@411Outdoors

6 ай бұрын

It is really attractive, but like you said, you’re pretty much limited to the ice pick grip

I see Microtech ultratech and Benchmade Infidels promoted as fighting knives but I have the same feeling about the grip. I own both because they where "grail" knives for me but I'd be hesitant about fighting with them.

Good advice! Any knife I would consider for a defensive situation would have a good guard on it. Most EDC knives would not be ideal for self defense. Fixed blades are superior in this regard. One can make do with anything, but using the right tool for the right job comes to mind...🤔

Those are the kind of knives I would use in a no-spin throw to disable or distract an attacker while bringing main knife into play. Like in a gunfight, using your pistol until you get to your rifle. Like the video, now a subscriber.

@411Outdoors

2 ай бұрын

Awesome my friend 🙂

Cold Steel's Spike series has decent hand protection and inexpensive too.

my go to self defence knife is the shivworks disciple, with a clinch pick as a back up

@411Outdoors

2 ай бұрын

Nice picks!

@bigfrankfraser1391

2 ай бұрын

@@411Outdoors parents moved to asia for work, and i spent most my youth jumping between Thailand and Philippines, so got a chance to train in both silat and kali, so the pikal style knives fit me perfectly because of that and shivworks makes the most ergonomic ones i own

Yep, I need a finger guard. thanks for another nice video.

@411Outdoors

10 ай бұрын

👊👊

Thanks for the videos. Appreciated. My question: I am an older retired man on SS, so not exactly a 1% er lol. What knife would you suggest for me to buy, in the 75-100 dollar range? Belt held sheath knife, in the 5 inch blade range. Most importantly to me is good hard, durable steel. I like the looks of the Buck 119, but get mixed reviews, and am not sure where to get the right, US steel model. Any help would be much appreciated.

@411Outdoors

3 ай бұрын

You’re right on track my friend I would either say the book 119 or the Gerber Strongarm. The Gerber Strongarm is probably my favorite knife in the world

@nathanlambshead4778

3 ай бұрын

Thank you sir (I take it you meant 'Buck' right?) @@411Outdoors

@nathanlambshead4778

3 ай бұрын

PS I see either one at a wide range of price. $35 to $100+ I take it 75 and over will be a better knife? and do you know the reason for the difference? @@411Outdoors

I have a oryginal Shrade SCHF 51 and it's great 👍

That is about as honest and logical as it gets folks.

I don't have a single knife only and specifically for self-defense. On the other hand, I have an APO-1S type survival knife ("Survival Lilly" design, made of austenitic steel), I am very satisfied with it, this knife is good for almost everything that can happen in bushcraft and in the hobby of "survival in extreme conditions". And when it comes to self-defense, I deeply believe that it would be an excellent tool there as well, although I have not yet had a case where I had to use it for this. But I'm sure it's big enough and robust enough to have enough deterrent power, because it just looks scary enough. The weight is 432 gramm, the length of the blade is 14.5 cm, full tang, the total length is 27.5 cm, the blade thickness is 4.7 mm. It has finger-guard, of course, although on the bottom only, not on the top. Very, very robust, a real monster! I don't think it needs to be better than that. Those who are not deterred by this will not be deterred by all kinds of daggers and double-edged knives. On the same time however, as it was told above, I can use this for any other purpose as well, not only for self-defense.

I've looked at the Shrill a few times over the years. I always decide against it because it just doesn't jive with carry. Maybe just for fun some day.

I'm such a believer in fingerguards that I fabricated fingerguards for all my old hickory knives what a difference they also look cool with them on

Excellent video so much common sense

I have two security knives. A cold steel Recon tanto and a condor plan A.

EXCELLENT VIDEO BROTHER!

@411Outdoors

11 ай бұрын

Much appreciated my bro!

I have a CRKT shinbu, Beautiful blade, looks great for slashing, but it has no guard so maybe not so great for stabbing.

at my age, 53yo after military, just the kobun and the hide out from Cold Steel but I'm not a defensive guy anymore, so I prefer a good camping knife 😂...if you put in your mind the need of self defense you are opening the chances of a situation where you have to defend yourself against someone...really, a knife fight is extremely dangerous, is erratic and fast and brutal...perhaps, running away as fast as you can is the choice...nice video and thanks.

@411Outdoors

8 ай бұрын

Thank you as well! Definitely wanna avoid a knife fight if all possible💯👍👍

@Vintage-Bob

3 ай бұрын

I'd strongly disagree here. If you don't think about self defense (or self protection, the term I prefer), then you're irresponsible. Not thinking about and preparing for bad things does not prevent bad things from happening. Conversely, thinking about and preparing for bad things does not make them happen.

I have the KA-BAR 1213 Fighting/Utility knife.

Agree 100%

I've been carrying around a Buck 119 on my belt for the past year. It has a decent hand guard on it, and I keep it razor sharp. All I need is a better sheath and some grip tape. But even then I feel confident I can use it to protect myself if it came down to it. I hope I never have to, though. Until then, I've used it from everything to cutting wires, rope, meal prep, etc. It's a handy knife. 👌

My Essee 3 is awesome for most things but the lack of a guard has put 11 stitches in my hand

Good hand protection and cheap as hell to make sure that if you have to get rid of it fast you don't want to say goodbye to a $50 Knife. In my opinion the best self defence knife is one that has no shine to it, small enough to easily conceal and easy to get rid of in a hurry.

In this regard - of a self defense knife, what do you think of the SOG Pillar? Because its handle is a bit slippery and it has no guard.

@411Outdoors

2 ай бұрын

The one I’m looking at seems to have a little bit of a guard. Are there different versions?

@istandwithIsrael

2 ай бұрын

@@411Outdoors No, there are not. Only one version - the one which appears on all KZread videos.

Malco DK6S 6" duct knife. It does what it needs to do and if it is mixed in with tools, is just another 'work tool'. This is my go-to diving knife.

Great video, I honestly never thought about that. Its not like we are living in the middle ages where they learned the had way haha. But you are 100% right, that should be a concern.

I carry a $10 folder on my belt daily. Its used everyday for cutting plastic wrapping and other things, usually sharpenedwith a flap disc on my grinder. Good for what I use it for,but for defense, its best left unopened and held in my hand so I don't brek my knuckles when punching.

@acid6urns

3 ай бұрын

man this comment made me cringe so hard as a knife nut

I luckily live in a fairly tame area within a 10 min drive of my house. So I've been lucky for 45+ years with judicious use of awareness and avoiding any sketchy situations. I'm admittedly not a martial artist or self defense guru. Personally not going to attempt to fight anyone with a knife unless I had training for it... and even then it would be a last resort. I've basically been told by a number of people who are knowledgeable on the subject that there are no "winners" in a knife fight. This is what I've heard from friends with backgrounds in military and medical fields. Someone hyped up on adrenaline and drugs isn't going to care you have a knife unless you have the training to hit them with what amounts to a kill shot...which is still damn difficult from what I've heard. That said... I've felt the majority of most knives that "claim" to be self defense weapons are just trying to sell more product. Many of them have no traction on the handle, no finger guard, or both. Glad to see vids like this at least warning people away from bad products.

CRKT HZ6 However that grip is very nice… Still ended up returning.

I wouldn’t need to stab, I have throwing knives, no need to get to close but if I’m carrying a EDC it’s the Manix 2 or anything benchmade carries