Knife selection for home defense

[bdc]

Please notice - I did not indicate edc. I also restricted it to home defense.

The situation was as follows. I was widowed with a little one. It was not wise to leave a loaded firearm around the house. Moreover, I knew that when my little one got to a certain age, neighborhood kids would come in and steal, which happened as expected. I also did not know who might stop by for a visit and wanted to avoid making a mistake.

So, the challenge was to have a weapon available that would probably be overlooked by a thief. I put aside a discussion of hatchets/metal escrima sticks and swords. I was trained in fighting with them. Most people are not.

This what I decided. Every bedroom door has a coat hook on the back. If I could find a knife sheath that could be hung upside down on the hook, then I could remove the secure knife with a natural, downwards movement.

I looked at what I owned. There were two Barry Dawson knives in cordura sheaths with a single snap on the sheath. On the bottom was a metal ring. Hung them up and tested them. Then I designed a two handed tanto blade. Barry said it wouldn't work. when he made it, he called up exclaiming that I was right, it worked. That unit hangs on a coat hook on the back of my personal bedroom door.

It is now over 35 years later and the knives are still there and ready.

[David]

Although not as big as it once was, I have a rather large knife collection. But most are stored away. It don't have any particular knife assigned for a HD role specifically. I do have the Gerber LMF II in the back that is available as well as kitchen knives and my EDC Hawkbill in a drawer. I have a few knives in the vehicles as well as other defensive tools.

I am well versed in knife fighting however as it was part of the martial art I taught.

[Ronin.45]

As I've said in our EDC threads, I don't consider knives defensive tools. My pocket knife is for cutting tape or opening envelopes. I can't think of a single situation where I need a weapon and would choose a knife. No matter how well trained you are at knife fighting, an intruder with a gun has every advantage.

[Bob]

I have a couple of knife projects coming up. Where is the right place to post???

[Bob]

Oh yeah...my most likely HD knife is a Chinese straight sword. But that isn't what you were looking for, so it is whatever I would grab out of the gun closet. Not sure why I would do that. But, most likely would be a dull Romainian bayonet.

My hunting Bowie would be the likely best choice for that though.

[JDH]

8" Old Hickory Chef's knife, or something similar, if you want something effective yet likely to be ignored by a thief.

[David]

I have a couple of knife projects coming up. Where is the right place to post???

There is a 'Blade' forum up in the 'Top Gear' section.

[xxo]

I only use my knives/edged tools for utility purposes as there are better options for self defense, but in much of the third world just about everyone has a cheap razor sharp machete that they know how to use to protect themselves with if need be.

I don't have one but, I think something like a Assegai spear (Cold Steel sells them) might be good for defense if nothing better is an option....probably could set it up as part of a display or hide it behind a door or some other place where it is out of sight but easy to access.

[David]

...but in much of the third world just about everyone has a cheap razor sharp machete that they know how to use to protect themselves with if need be.

There are towns in the Middle East (and elsewhere) where it's a sign of manhood to carry a large knife. So it's not unusual to see every adult male walking around with a very large curved blade.

[Bob]

My Cold Steel Machete is not readily accessible for SD/HD. But it would count as a Chinese broadsword.