Personal Protection.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

I can understand why you'd prefer professional sharpening. The basic models with VG10 steel are easier to sharpen.

a reply to: Moana

If someone tries to rape, assault, rob you and throws you to the ground or hold a gun on you at 10 feet...a knife will do no good.

I'd say there are many small, easy to handle handguns that fit in a woman's pocket, purse, fanny pack, jacket etc, that would do you better.

Get a license to carry. Lock it while around children, take classes for safety, practice, practice, practice.*

*A common misconception I even see here on ATS about guns and gun control? We who own and are licensed to carry concealed...well...it really is not so much as when to use them...but how NOT TO USE them.

If we absolutely-in-our-faces-oh-my-god- Im-(or someone esle)-is-gonna-right-this-minute-DIE...then and only then will we draw our firearms.

Good Luck...and ask a lot of questions here. Our members are pretty hip to things. Be safe!

MS

a reply to: mysterioustranger No guns, I mentioned that before. We simply aren't stable enough to have guns in the house. I appreciate your reply though, thanks.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk I've been attacked many times, in a variety of situations. I know these things. Thank you.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan As I stated before twice, I cannot have a gun in my home. It would not be safe. I'd appreciate not having to elaborate further. And again, I am not anti gun in any way.

So, here's the thing. Most of you have assumed that I do not know what I'm talking about, that I've never done any research, and that I have no experience with assault, muggings, domestic assault, sexual assault, and fighting. I find that a bit presumptuous and even a bit degrading. When I asked for information about knives, I wanted information about knives, not a bunch of lectures from know it all men.

I will be purchasing both a knife and pepper spray. Whatever kind of knife and pepper spray, I care nothing about legality. Please stop replying with gun info, I stated several times that I cannot have a gun in my house, for personal reasons. Thank you for all the replies.

a reply to: Moana

And as I have stated numerous times from the very beginning, pepper spray is your best option.

In order to employ a knife effectively you need to be within arms reach of your opponent, which means your opponent is within arms reach of YOU. Any notion that a knife is any LESS deadly than a firearm is foolish and misguided (okay, I'm done). I understand; you have a situation in which firearms are not a valid option. Okay...got it. So, if you're absolutely bent on getting a knife...

I have nothing against knives, I own many; heck, I collect them even!

By your posts so far it looks as though you want to gain a psychological advantage on an attacker. Honestly, go with a large knife. In my mind the most functional knife a person can own is a knife known as a "parang". They look like a cross between a machete and a bolo knife. They're about 12" long (+/-), generally made out of high carbon spring steel. They can be sharpened to exquisite levels of "skeery sharp" by an average person with an average stone (heck, you can even sharpen on a rock if you know what you're doing). They are brutally tough, absolutely terrifying to look at and quite possibly the deadliest knife on planet Earth! (Honest...not joking here).

They're not small, they're not light and they're not going to fit in a purse, but if you pull one out I guarantee you people will back up...and fast! They're not pretty and they're not expensive, but a parang can do everything from fileting a trout to chopping down a tree, and everything in between.

I spent several years in SE Asia where firearms are illegal, the parang was my all-around knife.

So, there you go...you want a recommendation for a knife? Get a parang.

Here are a couple examples...(I own both)

Condor Parang

Bidor Parang

a reply to: Moana

Just a side thought...have you ever thought about moving?

Sounds like you're not in a really healthy place.

a reply to: Moana

I see..and that too is ok. In fact...thats a responsible decision, and I applaud you for knowing that about your situation.

Here is a funny one we learned in some self defense classes. Wasp spray. The large cans. They have a range of up to 20 feet, and where pepper spray wouldnt reach, at the distance reachable for an assailant...you can aim and spray from a good distance into an intruders eyes and face...and they will need to go to the hospital....while you are now with a 20 or so feet lead running away safe...in the other direction.

Wasp spray cans are large, and for their reach, distance and chemical effectiveness...they can give you just enough time to hit the hills.

Keep asking questions here, lets us know, and try some of the non-gun solution options you feel best. A knife is only good at real close range. Thats the only problem confronting an attacker or intruder for a woman.

Good luck to you. God bless...and let us know what you decide on! Peace....

MS

a reply to: Moana

The choice is between folding knife or fixed blade knife. Folding is less reliable. The knife I recommend is probably best for you.

The steel is a little soft and it will most likely come sharp but could be sharper. Sharpening is an expert job that takes time to learn. Serrated edges are particularly difficult. Get it sharpened by a professional and don't ever cut anything with it. In an emergency, it will be sharp.

The first emergency will probably be when you slash your hand open while drawing it from the sheath to show a friend. Those sheaths take time to wear in. At first it will stick. Draw it and re-sheath it a few hundred times to get it worn in and learn the muscle memory you'll need to draw it under stress. You'll still mess it up, but not as badly as you'll mess up drawing a folding knife.

Working on avoiding the stressful confrontations will do far more to protect you than carrying this knife. But if you are going to carry one, this is a good rescue knife as well. It can save you, or others, in more ways than just protection. Horses tangled in harness for example, or a leg caught in a boat towrope.

Folding knives are less reliable. Sometimes they will catch on something and open in a pocket or bag. When you reach in for it you can get badly bitten. Some locks have a tendency to be released by a strong or moving grip. You could easily cut your fingers to the bone with a folding knife. Your muscle memory will get confused if you use knives with different types of opening and locking mechanisms. Folding knives should really be in a different thread. They're great work tools but not suitable for you in my opinion.

Fixed blade is a better choice. The sheath is as important as the knife. It must be secure while allowing the knife to be drawn easily when needed.

The obvious thing to do is practice with it, but that means you've gone too far and become the monster you're fighting.

“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”

Friedrich Nietzsche


Many knives are of poor design and/or weak construction. Don't be tempted by anything that hasn't been recommended. At least 90% of knives on the market are not worth having.