Self defense knife for best friend. -- myArmoury.com

Philip Dyer

Hi Everyone, I just gotten back from a flea market and bought four old saw blades. I planning on using those to create two knives, one for myself and one for my best friend. I'm going into my senior year in college and after this I might not be able to see my best friend again. What do ya'll think would the best design, size, etc, for a knife for self defense with utility for delicate percision cutting for a girl who is around a half a head shorter that me, who is 6 foot 1?

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject:

While I advise against carrying a knife of any kind for self defense, a basic and fairly broad classic dagger form at least four inches of blade. A wide blade allows for a decent grind for utility as well as poking.

If you are going with saw blades, something like the western W77 comes to mind. Simple profile and slab handles. To boot (heh), a belt/boot or pocket clip sheath will keep it handy.

Height is fairly irrelevant when considering concealed or open carry knives.

Others will laud a kerambit or other recurve profile but a basic broad dagger is the most useful overall.

Cheers

GC

Just a note that the current W77s are pretty lousy steel and the grinds asymmetrical but they are what they are, a good short dagger with enough width to sharpen well.

Matt Lentzner · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 4:43 pm Post subject:

A knife seems like a poor choice for a self-defense weapon. Any wound that is likely to disable an assailant is also likely to kill them. Is your friend prepared to take someone's life? And potentially go to prison for it?

Also, it really does no good to have a knife if you don't know how to use it. Does your friend know how to use a knife or is she willing to learn and practice?

Both of those two issues are far more important than the details of the knife itself.

Honestly, pepper spray is a far better choice. It's not going to do permanent damage so can be used aggressively.

Go ahead and make a knife. Sounds like fun. Just leave it at home.

Philip Dyer · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 4:49 pm Post subject:

Tom King · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 7:10 pm Post subject:

definitely maker her the knife, but for a true defensive weapon a subcompact 380 or a 38/357 revolver is a better thing to have in your purse; ruger LCP and S&W shield come to mind, although there are how you say... budget options (jiminez arms/jennings is to pocket pistols as deepeeka is to swords, some are built right and get the job done but they are designed to a price point, certain models just suck, and every other 1 can be crap. Ironically they are about the same price)

but back on topic, as to the knife design, any spear point or drop point dagger pattern that strikes your fancy will make a good defensive knife, but from a HEMA perspective, short of john clements magic dagger blocking skill the only time you want to use a dagger is the other guy came bare handed to a knife fight (and is a legitimate threat of great bodily harm yadda yadda where using deadly force is the last available option) otherwise you'll probably both go to the hospital or die on the scene since it is very hard to successfully block a dagger thrust. Somewhat ironically, with a good carry position a knife can be deadlier to a man with a undrawn gun than that man can be to you, consider how quickly a human can close a 10ft gap.

Although a file knife, something akin to this would be a sexy as hell weapon with a bit of chisel work on the spine for flair

J. Hargis · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 7:57 pm Post subject:

Here's an article & thread on making a knife from an old saw blade. Good luck.

'DIY article: making a full tang knife from an old saw blade'
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=28539

Jon

Greg Ballantyne · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 7:59 pm Post subject:

Make the knives from your saw blades from a different basis. Its highly unlikely that the knives or daggers you make will need to be relied on in a life or death situation, so either go with your muse or try to recreate an historically supported configuration. You're far more likely to make a keepsake or memory for your friend than anything else.
Just my opinion.........

Dan Howard · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject:

My instructor used to say "the winner of a knife fight is the one who makes it to hospital".

In other words, it doesn't matter how good you are with a knife, if you get into a knife fight then you are going to get hurt.

G Ezell · Industry Professional

Philip Dyer · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 8:56 pm Post subject:

Matt Lentzner · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject:

Mark Moore · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 10:12 pm Post subject:

I'm going way out on a limb here to even attempt to respond to this.....First off, I agree with EVERYTHING that everyone has said about knife-carry, legalities, and plain common sense. I've been in a real knife fight....and it's no good place to be. Hollywood makes it all far too romantic looking. However....A good sgian dubh-type single edger with a blade of about 4" should be enough for anyone. If you are going to make a knife/weapon for your lady friend, keep it simple in design but as ornate as you can create. It's most likely to become the topic of conversation because of its uniqueness, rather than its deadliness. She could duct-tape a serrated-blade steak knife to the strap of her purse.....but a hand-made object of beauty and purpose from a friend......priceless. Let us know what you come up with!........McM

Philip Dyer · Posted: Thu 01 Aug, 2013 10:19 pm Post subject:

Ron Reimer · Posted: Fri 02 Aug, 2013 12:01 am Post subject:

How about a knife similar in shape to the one in this post,
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=28601
Its a great utility shape and has been used as a weapon through out history, also much easier to explain as a edc, ie I use it to cut fruit for lunch. More sheeple friendly.

Bjorn Hagstrom · Posted: Fri 02 Aug, 2013 1:05 am Post subject:

Now, if you where to make a pepperspray cannister out of the saw-blades, that would be impressive Big Grin

If she already carries a pocketknife, she seem to be a practical minded girl, so as others have suggested, a nice utility-type knife in a handy format would fill the same role, as well as being made by a friend. Who would not like that?

As a Scandinavian, I must of course recommend a pukko-style blade, and you can go to town using fancy materials for the handle and/or leatherwork for the sheath.

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Fri 02 Aug, 2013 2:30 am Post subject:

Ian Hutchison · Posted: Fri 02 Aug, 2013 3:54 am Post subject:

I'm assuming you're in the US? In that case, if she is serious about self defense, I would advise her to get CCW permit and a pistol instead of a knife. Maybe you could go along to the classes with her as a friend? They aren't terribly expensive, ~$100 (in Louisiana at least).

However, making a knife can still be a fun and interesting enterprise. For a 'fighting knife' I would choose a stiff, straight bladed design, with a blade length from at least wrist to finger tip (though preferably longer). Remember, never cut when you may thrust! A dirk, rondel, or ballock knife would all be effective fighting knives. For something a little more concealable, consider a Fairburn-Sykes style design, or a boot knife as already suggested.

On non-historical knives I'm a big fan of micarta over traditional wood/bone/horn scales. Micarta is lighter, tougher and affords a better grip in my opinion. It is also easy and fun to make. You should try it.

EDIT: Sorry, I read too quickly and missed your criteria for utility. In that case, the closest combination of utility and combat would, in my mind, be a seax. These can vary in length and shape but you should be able to find plenty of examples. For pure utility, nothing beats the puukko imho.

Philip Dyer · Posted: Fri 02 Aug, 2013 6:43 am Post subject:

Philip Dyer · Posted: Fri 02 Aug, 2013 7:58 am Post subject:

[quote="Ian Hutchison"]I'm assuming you're in the US? In that case, if she is serious about self defense, I would advise her to get CCW permit and a pistol instead of a knife. Maybe you could go along to the classes with her as a friend? They aren't terribly expensive, ~$100 (in Louisiana at least).

However, making a knife can still be a fun and interesting enterprise. For a 'fighting knife' I would choose a stiff, straight bladed design, with a blade length from at least wrist to finger tip (though preferably longer). Remember, never cut when you may thrust! A dirk, rondel, or ballock knife would all be effective fighting knives. For something a little more concealable, consider a Fairburn-Sykes style design, or a boot knife as already suggested.

On non-historical knives I'm a big fan of micarta over traditional wood/bone/horn scales. Micarta is lighter, tougher and affords a better grip in my opinion. It is also easy and fun to make. You should try it.

EDIT: Sorry, I read too quickly and missed your criteria for utility. In that case, the closest combination of utility and combat would, in my mind, be a seax. These can vary in length and shape but you should be able to find plenty of examples. For pure utility, nothing beats the puukko imho.[/quote
*Obilatory lame pun* Because everyone needs a little seax, right? Laughing Out Loud

Daniel Wallace · Posted: Fri 02 Aug, 2013 9:36 am Post subject:

it comes up every once and a while about carrying a knife, through personal experience, don't carry it in public. the attitude toward pocket knifes since 9/11 has totally changed.

if your at your home or a farm - its ok. if you want to see about the laws in your are about carrying concealed (because a small knife is considered concealed weapon) weapons consult your local library for city ordinances, do not ask a cop or a friend of a law enforcement read the laws yourself to understand them.

i make my own knives from time to time as well, so yes it can be a fun project so I'd say go ahead and make it. if it's your first blade take your time make it right. make it a little girly if its for a girl, just remember you may have to live with the shame of being poked with a girly knife if you have a falling out Laughing Out Loud

make it something special and something piratical to use - and remove the idea of self defense from the equation. view it more as an elegant tool for hunting/ fishing etc.