• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Viking-Bags Logo 2Pic of the Day, Viking Motorcycle Bags 45L Tactical XL Bag
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Viking-Bags Logo 2Pic of the Day, Viking Motorcycle Bags 45L Tactical XL Bag
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Op-Ed

Things to consider when carrying a knife for self defense

April 25, 2017 by Loadout Room Guest Authors 3 Comments

Things to consider when carrying a knife for self defense

Things you’ll want to consider if you are carrying a knife intended to be used as a weapon:

-How quick can you get the knife open and in your hand?
-Can you open the knife with one hand?
-Can you reach the knife with either hand?
-Can you deploy the knife if someone grabs you from behind and pins both of your arms to your sides?
-Can the blade shape and edge profile snag in flesh or thick clothing?
-Does the blade have a highly visible reflective finish on it?
-Does it have a balance between concealment capabilities and accessibility?
-Is the locking mechanism on it solid? (If its a folder)
-How loud is it when you take the blade out of its sheath or unfold it?
-Does it have markings or writing on it that identify it as only a weapon (like tactical, skulls or a dragon with a ninja riding it)
-Can you maintain it out in the field without any special tools?
-Can you afford to lose it in case you need to dump it?
-Do you have a training version of the rig or folder you plan to carry? (Very important)
-Are you willing to invest in edged weapons training and not just carry a knife like some sort of amulet to ward off danger?
-Are you prepared to maim or kill someone with it if the need arises?

These are just a few of many questions you need to ask yourself before you decide on carrying anything with the intention of using it as a weapon.

Ed


Author – Ed is a security specialist and combatives instructor with over 10 years experience in public safety along the northern border area of Mexico. He runs seminars and private training specific to anti-abduction, escapology, free hand and unconventional edged weapons work. He is also director of Libre Fighting Systems in Mexico.

Follow Ed on Tumblr to read more like this

Photos courtesy of edpoint.tumblr.com

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Vakarian Plate Carrier Review: Elite Comfort and Modularity for Under $300
    Vakarian Plate Carrier Review: Elite Comfort and Modularity for Under $300
  • Breek Arms Sledgehammer: The AR-15 Charging Handle That Gas Can’t Touch
    Breek Arms Sledgehammer: The AR-15 Charging Handle That Gas Can’t Touch
  • Honoring John Taffin and Mike “Duke” Venturino with Some Big-Bore Magnum Revolver Blastin'
    Honoring John Taffin and Mike “Duke” Venturino with Some Big-Bore Magnum Revolver Blastin'
  • M4A1 Block I: The Special Operations Origins of an American Icon
    M4A1 Block I: The Special Operations Origins of an American Icon
  • Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Stepvenlau on Honoring John Taffin and Mike “Duke” Venturino with Some Big-Bore Magnum Revolver Blastin’
  • Military Update on M4A1 Block I: The Special Operations Origins of an American Icon
  • Ajita Sherer on Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review

Latest From SOFREP

Firearms

Why My Favorite Gun Wasn’t a Sniper Rifle — It Was a Belt-Fed Beast That Made Grown Men Cry

News

Morning Brief: China Travel Crackdown, Russia Not Impressed with Trump’s Submarine Moves

Op-Ed

The Bolduc Brief: Navigating Future Leadership Appointments

Expert Analysis

The VA’s Chemical Straitjacket: How Polypharmacy Is Drugging Veterans into Silence and Suicide

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers