Wolf Knowledge - Knives
While visiting a forum about fountain pens, I came across a thread topic that's often on self-defense forums, titled "What's in your pockets?" On the various self-defense forums, these threads contain posts with lists of gear that would require a pickup truck to actually move. There was one item, though, that showed up in both self-defense and fountain pens - a knife. It seems that many people carry a knife. It is a useful tool to have with you, and for the most part, these two probably different groups of people chose the same kinds of knives. Something with one blade, some kind of locking mechanism so the knife doesn't inadvertently fold up once it's opened, a clip to hold it at the top edge of a pocket and a blade that's 2" to 3-3/4" long. A knife with a shorter blade would seem to be easier to carry but that's not true, a 3" knife is just as easy to pack around as a 1" knife. Most of the knives available for purchase have blades in the earlier mentioned lengths. And, many laws prohibit carrying knives with blades over 4" long (or some other arbitrary length).
Legality won't be addressed here. That's your choice. I am suggesting that, if you don't carry a knife then you should start, and if you do carry a knife, think about getting a new one. When I said that it is just as easy to carry a 3" knife as a 1" knife, it is equally as easy to carry a 6" knife. Yes, a folding knife is available with a 6" blade. Cold Steel, a company based in California, makes several models with 6" blades. A little knife can do many things, but a big knife can do those same things - for close work, just hold the back of the blade rather than the handle - and the big knife has the additional advantages of greater reach and stronger, harder striking ability. Get one of these big 6" blade folding knives. Then, after you find out in a few days of carrying it that there really is no inconvenience, start working with it. The big knife is just a tool. The more you use a tool, the better you will get with it.
Grasp the handle, keeping your thumb up against the pocket clip (if right-handed) or your fingers on the clip (if left-handed), and turn your wrist outward quickly. At first, you'll probably see the blade bounce a bit. If so, go faster. The blade should pop open and lock in place. This is called inertia or inertial opening. You'll use the mass of the blade to make it open. It's critical that you learn how to open the knife with only one hand. When you are in a situation where you really need a knife to protect yourself, you will want a big knife that you can get open and moving in a hurry. Please give this some thought. A big folder is a great tool and I highly recommend one.
Legality won't be addressed here. That's your choice. I am suggesting that, if you don't carry a knife then you should start, and if you do carry a knife, think about getting a new one. When I said that it is just as easy to carry a 3" knife as a 1" knife, it is equally as easy to carry a 6" knife. Yes, a folding knife is available with a 6" blade. Cold Steel, a company based in California, makes several models with 6" blades. A little knife can do many things, but a big knife can do those same things - for close work, just hold the back of the blade rather than the handle - and the big knife has the additional advantages of greater reach and stronger, harder striking ability. Get one of these big 6" blade folding knives. Then, after you find out in a few days of carrying it that there really is no inconvenience, start working with it. The big knife is just a tool. The more you use a tool, the better you will get with it.
Grasp the handle, keeping your thumb up against the pocket clip (if right-handed) or your fingers on the clip (if left-handed), and turn your wrist outward quickly. At first, you'll probably see the blade bounce a bit. If so, go faster. The blade should pop open and lock in place. This is called inertia or inertial opening. You'll use the mass of the blade to make it open. It's critical that you learn how to open the knife with only one hand. When you are in a situation where you really need a knife to protect yourself, you will want a big knife that you can get open and moving in a hurry. Please give this some thought. A big folder is a great tool and I highly recommend one.
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