<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> I didn't get this all cut and pasted! so I will try and retype the beginning.

The other day I was stopped in the grocery store by the head butcher and his brother. They wanted to see my Emerson karambit. Seems they had been talking to the girls in the store about self defense (after that girl got kidnapped and raped out of a bar a couple weeks ago). They showed the girls how the knife came open right out of your pocket and they thought it was really neat, until I told them the price! Now we're talking about a bunch of folks that think 25-30 dollars is a very expensive knife.

Anyway, they then asked me to recommend some other knife brands. I then after telling them who made my Karambit, Emerson, I mentioned that Italian company named after the sly, and cunning red and white animal and also I think MAYBE S&W. I don't mind inexpensive knives, as long as they are not a POS! I think I also named a couple others but don't remember.

I also mentioned a fixed blade necker, the double agent I by CS. It is small, has a ring on each end of the handle (thereby MAYBE helping in blade retention). I also told the guys to just search self defense knives, on the internet.

I wanted to recommend a knife that would be easy to manipulate with gross motor skills (all us real knife fighters <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> know fine motor skills go out the window in a totally SHTF situation). Something simple that they could use to poke and scratch and scrape with if it ever became necessary

What would YOU guys recommend.

We are talking high school and college kids here, those NOT familiar with any aspect of self defense of any kind and in all probability will NOT seek out any training.

In our small community of 1,349 souls, this crime was a really big thing. Matter of fact, the city board was going to revoke their business and liquor license, but before the meeting was held the owner came in an relinquished them, in the hopes I am sure that when she applies for a license somewhere else they won't find out about the proposed pulling of the license and that specifically the state liquor board won't find out. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

Well...the best weapon is the one you have with you (ie: not left at home).

That said...I prefer fixed blades, but most do not for EDC. Regarding motor skills, and grip...I sport the SS4.

I would probably recommend a good, easy use, folder of some sort. Maybe a Spyderco of some flavor?

They more or less specified a folder but with their infatuation with the karambit I listed makers of those kind of blades, and also because of the ring or rings for retention.

I DID tell them that any good quality blade would work, IF THEY HAD THE RIGHT MINDSET! But to make sure what ever they got, had a SAFE and RELIABLE lock and that provided SOME sort of a guard/finger groove between the handle and blade. These girls are not going to have the strongest grip in the world and I think would be well served by something to act at least as a semi guard.

Thanks for the input Ishi.

I recommend Kimber's Pepper Blaster II. I think an untrained person with a knife is likely to get that knife taken from them.

From the yard, I like the Weiner Dog, Muk and Ward Dog the most. The Weiner Dog is nasty fast and that will be gifted to my girl when she's older. For folders, my para 2 is nice...an endura wouldn't be bad for most folks...I have a nice double edged custom, but you have to figure it's illegal about everywhere...

45 acp

I all seriousness I don't recommend a knife for self defense in general. Before everyone gets up in arms I will explain.

The key to staying safe/safer is distance. If they aren't going to carry a gun the next best is pepper spray. You at least have 10-12 feet to spray and then move plus you can use it point blank. Then if they keep coming a knife might be handy since they(the bad guys)are no longer 100% combat effective. I carry one (a knife) at work as a last ditch. But it will be a unique situation if it comes to that.

The next issue is outdoors pepper spray can't always be used. You don't want to pepper spray yourself or someone with you by accident.

Being aware of your surroundings and situation goes along way in preventing any situation before it ever happens.

I agree with all of you, JJ, the pepper spray was my first recommendation, but they SAY they want a knife and I DO agree about it being taken away. HOPEFULLY they will forget about it or do some serious thinking about the pepper spray.

Rich, As I said these folks think that a 30 dollar knife is quite expensive. hopefully though they WILL go the pepper spray route or just drop it all together. I am about folks carrying a knife for self defense just like I am a gun. IF they don't think they can use it, DON'T CARRY IT cause it will in all probability be taken away and used against them.

You are most assuredly right on what you said MB. Situational awareness and distance. I also said to use the SING principle in what ever order they can, to kick, scratch, claw, bite knee ANYTHING that will allow them to get away(remember Miss. Congeniality), if at all possible and then run screaming at the tops of their voices.

Like I said, I hope this all goes away as I am afraid that if they do get a knife someone will get hurt, either themselves or an innocent person who they mistook for one of the bad guys.

And being mostly high school girls, it might fade into the background rather quickly.

I was thinking they would be older. At least 21 I was looking at the bar comment. Kids definately nothing more than pepper spray. Kids make poor choices.

Then there are issues with State laws. Not all states allow pepper spray and knife laws vary wildly.

There are a couple that are old enough to drink. The rest aren't. That is why I mentioned pepper spray and screaming, biting, kicking.... so much to them. They are just scared and mad. Vowing that they will not allow anything like that happen to them. You know how people are after a Bad occurrence of any kind, they are all gung ho for making sure they are prepared. And sometimes AT first, you cater to their wishes/demands and sneak in a more realistic alternative and give them a while to chew on that and hope they will see the light of reason.

If I remember correctly, Missouri allows for carry of pepper spray for protection.