Article by Santiago Gutierrez
Which type of knife is best for self defense? This is a common question amongst knife buyers and I am writing this article to share with the reader the most important things to consider when buying a knife for self defense. While most knifes are sharp and dangerous, there are several styles of knife that are especially effective in self defense situations.
Serrated knifes are very well suited for self defense. The teeth of the serrations are able to tear through the clothing of an attacker like it is butter. For your serrated self-defense knife I recommend that you do not use it as a work or utility knife. Doing this will dull the blade of your knife and make it a much less dangerous self defense tool.
Double edged knives give their owner a distinct advantage in that they are able to make cuts more quickly and from different angles. Be aware that double edges knives are illegal in some areas and always check with your local law enforcement before making a purchase.
Folding knifes with blades that are five to six inches long are usually an advantage when it comes to self-defense because they look intimidating. You might be able to scare off a potential attacker just by pulling out a knife that is very large and "mean" looking!
Push knifes can be small in size, but they are very powerful self defense tools. Because of their small size, push blades can be hidden on various parts of your person. Many knife buyers will wear push blades on the inside of their belt (front or back), under their pant leg, or in their boot (boot knife). Push knives should be thought of as a secondary self-defense weapon though. This is because they are not nearly as effective for self-defense as a long-serrated style folding knife, or a double edged knife.
Assisted opening folding knives are somewhat popular for self defense as they are able to open more quickly than many other folding style knives. When an assisted-opening knife is in the closed position, you simply give the thumb stud a light flick and the knife comes flying out! The main problem that I have seen with assisted opening knives is that the locks tend to be less strong than knives which do not have this feature. I recommend "lock back" style locks and "frame locks".
It is my opinion that a long and serrated style knife is the most effective knife for self defense. A plain or smooth-edged blade that is slightly dull will struggle to perform the way that a serrated folding knife does when your life is on the line.