I agree with your assessment regarding the difference between the original Satin Jack and the SJTAC, KnifeGuy. Although I owned hunting knives that could double as fighting knives, I bought the Satin Jack because I didn't have a knife in my collection that was designed from the ground up to be a fighting knife. I also didn't own any INFI. I figured if I bought the Satin Jack I could kill two birds with one stone. Plus I just loved the look of the knife. (I think the original Satin Jack is one of the best-looking designs Jerry ever produced! But then I'm a big fan of straight-handled Busse knives. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> )
The Satin Jack still occupies its place in my collection as my only real fighting knife and INFI blade. For what it was designed for, it's [censored] near perfect! And it's crazy light for a knife with such a long blade. (Hmmmm. I wonder if Jerry pumped a little helium into the INFI he used for the Satin Jack. H-INFI, perhaps??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )
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I can appreciate wanting a dedicated fighting knife. I have a few. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
There is just something special about many of the fighter designs.
The great thing about the SJ is: as much is it is a fighting knife, it can still be used for many other tasks.
There are many different styles that could arguably be called great fighting knives even with significantly different shapes and styles. As you mentioned, many hunting knives would be great fighting knives.
To me, I would just assume NEVER be in a mano e mano knife fight. I would consider this a loose/loose situation. I have seen an extraordinary amount of damage that can be caused by just a box cutter. Any sharp little blade in proper hands can quickly do more damage than most pistol calibers.
I am no expert in knife fighting. What I like in a fighting knife is mostly aesthetics. However, from my non-skilled knife fighting perspective, it seems that a good fighting knife is like any other knife to be used:.... depends on the situation.
I will say that I don't personally believe a real knife fight includes much blade on blade action. The Steven Seagal and Jet Li crap in the movies may be entertaining, but highly improbable - even if both knife fighters were professionals. I believe two people going at each other with knives or swords will be done very quickly - one way or another.
- I could see where a small 4" - 4.5" blade would be great for tight, controlled quick slice and get out. MANY knives could do this very well. The SS4 jumps to mind for starters.
- I could see where a Gerber Mark I or Fairbairn Sykes dagger would be good for stabbing.
- I could see where a long Tanto or short Wakizashi would be great for quick, nimble and strong slashing.
(I like the Cold Steel - Magnum Tanto XII - San Mai, The Extrema Ratio T2000M, or the Bark River Golok)
- Or just use a Katana or similar big sword and just get it over with.
Again, I won't claim to be a professional. I know there are many people who have designed highly regarded fighting knifes who are theoretically much more knowledgeable than me about knife fighting. However, it seems to me that a good sharp knife making long slashing cuts in vital areas would be much more effective than stabbing (unless a direct stab to the brain or heart could be achieved and guaranteed). It seems to me, the problem with stabbing could be a potential lack of follow up attempts (????). Knives such as the Fairbairn Sykes dagger and the Mark I are ideal for stabbing, but I am convinced there are MANY better designed for slashing and slice cutting.
Some knives are just naturally very secure in the hand, but many knives and many fighting style knives in particuler seem to me would be very well served with a lanyard looped around the thumb and behind the back of the hand. I don't practice or pretend much with the knife fighting concept, but I do like a lanyard on certain knives.
Some of my favorite fighting knives:
Al Mar - SERE Operator
Bark River - Slither
Benchmade - Nimravus
Blackjack - Tracker
Branton / Brend - Model #2
Byron Knives - Elishewitz - Lightning Strike
Camillus - CUDA - Terzuola - CQB1
Cold Steel - Black Bear Classic
Chris Reeve / Harsey - Neil Roberts
Gerber - Yari
Greco - Companion
Greco - MST
Junglee - Hattori Fighter (& Baby Hattori)
Jungle - Yakuza
Pacific Cutlery - Timba
SOG - X-42 Recondo
SOG - Field knife (under appreciated knife!)
SOG - Team Leader (New - looks nice ???)
Spyderco - Perrin
Spyderco - Temperance
Various customs including Steve Voorhis - Loveless style sub-hilts and others.
Obviously, there are many more great fighting knife designs, I just don't have them all yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
* Unfortunately, none of the above are made from INFI, SR77 or SR101, but most are made from pretty decent steels.
*** ALL of the above knives would (IMO) be well served with a lanyard. I would guess a properly used lanyard increases the secureness of the grip on many knives by 2 - 5 times!
I know there is a lot of different knife fighting techniques, training, and various grips.... whatever.... again, I am not a knife fighting expert and I don't really care to be, but I am pretty sure I would want my knife to stay very securely in my hand.
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.... Oh yeah, and for a fighting knife, I think the Swamp Rat - Desert Jack is very nice! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
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