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Some suggestions for folders to carry

Criteria for a Everyday carry folder for self-defense

  1. The locking mechanism on a folder has to be strong so that under extreme use the lock does not fail. When carrying the folder with personal defense in mind you want the blade locking mechanism to be the strongest you can find. All other concerns are useless unless the knife can be depended on to stay locked open and not collapse onto my fingers.
  2. Handle material is a matter of personal choice. I make decisions on handle material based on how slippery the handle becomes when my hands are wet. Handle shape? This is personal choice, what fits well in the hand and is not too small.
  3. Ability to access the tool of choice with no delays. If the knife is there for possible defense and you can not access it immediately it is useless. I want my defensive folder to have a pocket clip so that I can attach it to my pocket or waistline for immediate access in an emergency.

    Just carrying a folding knife for defense does not mean you will be able to access it in time to defend yourself or be able to escape injury. You will need to practice your defensive skills sets in "the draw drills" until you can access and open the knife one handed in less than 1 second from your preferred carry position. This is not as difficult as it seems. What most people find difficult is allocating the time necessary to become proficient with their chosen tool for self-defense. If at all possible practice with a trainer/drone

    You can have the most expensive fighting folder made on your person when troubles arise and without the knowledge base and skills sets from practicing and training for such possible encounters you may as well be carrying nothing.

Drones/Trainers
A drone is a training version of a live folder. Trainers/drones are not live knives turned into training tools but instead were built to perform only for training purposes. The main differences between a trainer/drone and a live folder is that the trainer/drone blade is usually double the thickness and has absolutely no sharp edges. This limits the possibilities of injuring yourself or a training partner but they still can cause great damage if used ill responsibly so always wear eye protection and long sleeve shirts to protect yourself as you deem necessary. Shown below are trainers with their respective live blades.

The Gunting family of knifes, designed by Bram Frank to be both blade and impact tool, is well-suited to such applications and to a variety of striking and pressure techniques. The knife has a black handle and is accompanied by color-coded siblings: red for the Gunting Drone (a training tool designed for safe practice) and blue for the CRMIPT (a "close range medium impact tool" intended for law enforcement). The latter two do not have sharp blades. The CRMIPT is intended for use as an impact and compliance tool.

The basic concept of the Gunting is of a knife that is suited to less-than-lethal applications as well as to cutting and thrusting. This is made possible by the "horns" built into the handle (which facilitate certain traps, holds, and pain compliance techniques) and by the prominent Gunting ramp -- the feature that makes it most recognizable. When closed, the knife can be used for several different techniques, most notably strikes and pocket-stick-like compliance and defense moves using the top of the ramp to concentrate the force of your strikes.

Magnum shown with normal size LLC

Approximate price at this time but should be around 70-90USD per tool.

LLC top - Tuscok live middle - Trainer bottom The Tuscok shown middle live and bottom drone designed by Bram Frank who also designed the LLC shown above and is in the picture to the left on top of the Tuscok model. The Tuscok is an excellent self-defense tool in two respects, smaller than average size hands and for woman who find it difficult to carry a LLC or average style folder because of clothing style.

All the techniques for the Gunting/LLC work with the Tuscok.

Approximate price $80-$100 per Tuscok.

The Emerson mini Commander is an ergonomically designed to fit smaller hands well and almost perfect for the average person's hand. There is also a larger size which might be seen by some people as something too big and scary which will result in the average person not carrying the full size Commander. If you feel that you can get away with carrying the full size Commander this would be a better choice for self-defense.

There is a trainer version of the Commander available which allows you to train safely which is paramount because we don't want to get hurt by using a taped blade.

Approximate price $100 to $120 for live blade, $109 for trainer

The Spyderco Endura is considered by many a classic in pocket folders for several reasons which include; it has been around for a long time and is moderately priced. The current version permits the carrier to carry it left or right side, tip-up or tip-down. The Endura pictured here is stainless steel and has a fiberglass model also, same as the stainless steel along with a "waved" version as seen on the Emerson min-Commander (authorized by Emerson).


The fiberglass model is a better choice for common usage because of the handle surface lends itself to a better grip. There is also a smaller model of the Endura available it is too small for use as a tool for self-protection. The Endura has a trainer available also.

Approximate price $50 for live, $50 for trainer

The Benchmade Griptilian is an excellent folder for self-defense. Easily opened or closed with either hand. The AXIStm lock from McHenry & Williams works smoothly and is as positive a lock as I know of. The 3-7/8" or 4-5/8" handles are molded of glass-filled black Noryl®. Both sizes handle like a dream, they open with a flick of the thumb and close just as slick as can be when the lock is slid back.

Approximate price $80 for live, $70 for trainer

WARNING! Knife training is inherently dangerous. When training never use a real knife but instead is a dedicated trainer which can still cause injuries yet is much safer then a live blade. Never bring any real/live weapons to a training session, they should be secured in another room and if possible locked away in a safe. Always wear safety glasses when training, all it takes is one mistake and an eye is lost. Always train in a safe manner!