I certainly was aware of those capabilities, but by and large, it was not something I contemplated.
My focus began to change when I began my career as a law enforcement officer.
Thoughts from a Parallel Universe
When selecting a knife for everyday carry, first consider the purpose.
Knives are probably the most ubiquitous tools in use today. While many reading this article seeknives as defensive tools, a lot of people use them daily for other tasks.
The choice is much easier if your utility is solely for utility purposes.
For the responsible armed citizen, a knife can indeed serve dual purposes.
In addition to the aforementioned utility role, the right knife can be a formidable personal defense weapon.
The TDI fixed blade can be discreetly worn under loose clothing. Here it is carried in a Kydex sheath on a gun belt.
You are simply someone who wants to be able to defend themselves if faced with an unavoidable threat.
What may fly in one jurisdiction may be totally illegal in the next.
In some places, the length of the blade is the deciding factor on legality.
Using any knife for personal defense carries the same weight as using a firearm. Is the application of deadly force justified?
The other issue we must consider is whether to use a fixed blade or folding knife.
The Case for a Folder
The significant advantage of a folding knife is its compact size.
With a utility knife, one-hand opening is not an issue.
Choosing between a folding knife and a fixed blade is largely a question of need. A folding blade, for example, is generally easier to conceal.
However, this is a critical feature should you have to defend yourself.
The trademark Spyderco hole-in-blade design facilitates one-hand opening, helping make it an attractive choice for double duty.
Another big plus is just about all of them are given innocuous names and dont shout death knife.
Some folding knives such as this Spyderco folder are equipped with a flipper to facilitate rapid opening.
I remain somewhat partial to Spyderco folders with the Emerson opening feature.
When drawing the knife, the Emerson feature catches the top of the pocket, locking the blade open.
This option is available on Spyderco favorites including the Delica, Drangonfly 2, Endura and a few others.
Folding knives are generally slower to deploy than a fixed blade knife. However, companies like Kershaw and Spyderco have developed designs that speed blade deployment.
A purpose-designed Spyderco I carried as a law enforcement officer is the PKal with the Emerson opening feature.
The PKal is a small knife that features a unique reverse edge with a sharpened edge facing the user.
The downside to any folder is the speed at which you might get it into action.
Fixed-blade knives can provide a more ergonomic design that offer a better grip when held.
The key, of course, is to spot the potential threat sooner.
In my perfect world, we would all carry a fixed blade.
Several years ago, I was attending a seminar taught by John Benner of the Tactical Defense Institute.
The draw and thrust of a fixed-blade knife is a gross motor skill that can be performed under extreme stress.
Regarding a fixed blade knife for personal defense, I prefer something that isnt too large or exotic-looking.
For some time, the Spyderco Street Beat has been a personal favorite.
New this year, Spyderco introduced the Street Beat FRN Black/Black Blade.
I routinely carry a concealed handgun and tend to think of my EDC knife as a back-up.
If I could hide it on my person, the fixed blade remains the better tool.
With a little introspection, you too can arrive at the correct decision.
