The Old Knife Ploy

The Old Knife Ploy

"Sure that’s just a ploy to buy another knife!" OOPS, I guess my wife is onto my scheme. It does seem that I have amassed a lot of new knives while making very little advances in writing my new book. My latest acquisition is an odd looking knife produced by Spyderco™. One of the determining factors in buying this knife, called the "Civilian," was that James Keating actually produced a video for users of this unique knife. I intend to order a copy of the video at my first opportunity. The other factor was a comment I read that the knife proved to be "too lethal" for the use that it was originally intended for. I an abstruse way that recommends it to me for self-defense use.
One of the most interesting parts of writing this new book has been my exploration of the fringes of knife design. This fully serrated hawkbill style knife certainly pushes the limits in imagination and functionality. Spyderco included a long note in the vinyl zipper case explaining that this knife was a departure from their normal "White Hat" (good guys) policy of making knives to be used strictly as tools. I think this is the first time I ever knew a company to feel obligated to explain their stand on the function of a knife. This is a quote from their website.
"In the 1990s Spyderco was approached by a specialized branch of U.S. law enforcement about making a knife for their undercover agents. These plain-clothes LEOs found themselves in situations where they often could not carry a firearm but carrying a knife was not a problem. Most had no formal training in self-defense tactics but as a last resort could use a blade to protect or extricate themselves from a life-threatening situation. This was how the Civilian model came to be."
Spyderco Website

The Civilian is a natural extension of my investigation into exotic knives like the Szabo/Black Cloud Argentine, Jaws, and Kamaitachi, as well as more traditional keris and kerambit. The blade form and function clearly parallel that of a karambit. Each new blade teaches me something, alters my perceptions of what works and why, and leads me onto new levels of understanding. Hopefully I can pass this knowledge onto you, the reader, in such a way as to help you decide upon a knife that is perfectly suited for your personal training and defense. I must admit that the shape of the Civilian is counter to my visual tastes in knives, that is one of the useless prejudices that I need to shed. After all, I have said time and time again, "knives are intended to do two things, cut and stab." Stay tuned because now it’s time to head for the dojo to see how well the Civilian performs these tasks.

An Odd Knife

An Odd Knife:

Every once in a while you come across a knife that defies identification. This knife came out the Northwest corner of the US, but it may have originated elsewhere. Based on the Patina I would date it early 20th century or later 19th century. Usually the blade's shape clearly defines the function of the knife itself. The handle is often less influential. This knife poses a real conundrum, its shape and function are both puzzling. It appears to be designed to slice something on a countertop or cutting board, the very utilitarian handle being offset to allow the users knuckles to clear the work surface. The handles appear to be plain Birch scales held by steel pins.

The sharp upward sweep of the blade would suit a rocking, cutting motion, but of what? The heavy weight blade (1/4" thick) is professionally forged and completely unmarked. The back of the blade does not have any signs of being hammered or beaten on. Someone scoured up the blade surface with a power grinder. I have removed as much of the damage as possible with wet-dry paper, bringing the edge back in the process.
I have asked all of my knife friends and no one seems to know what this knife was designed for. I even sent a photo to Bernard Levine, a renowned knife expert. He could offer no explanation either. Should you have a suggestion please email me at ghdave2@hotmail.com.

Buddy Can You Spare a Dime?

Buddy can you Spare a Dime?

This was a common plaint from unemployed people during the depression and although I am not quite old enough to remember the depression, this phrase was still in use during my childhood. What has this got to do with knife fighting or self defense?
A few days ago I needed my knife to open a package. I whipped out my trusty Kershaw™ Speed Bump and thumbed the bump to flip it open. It didn’t open. Without bothering to look down I tried again, and a third time. I rolled the knife over in my hand and pushed down to release the lock. As usual, it was already unlocked. About this time, from out of the space between the liner and the blade, a dime fell to the floor, and the blade sluggishly half-opened.

Well luckily my package was not in the attack mode. If it had been a drug crazed, pill popping murderer I would have been in serious trouble. Not only would my knife have been ineffective, but, I was so distracted that there was a hole big enough in my self-defense to drive an Abrams tank through. So, even though this has become one of my favorite tactical folders, this lesson re-emphasizes the fact that in a tight spot nothing beats a small fixed blade knife, like a Bradburn Tanto or one of our Cobras.

Keep this episode in mind the next time you chuck some spare change in the same pocket where you keep your folder. Some day this lesson might save your life!