My sensei had lots of technical knowledge and experience from training in Japan and the Israeli army but he always told us that if you don't and you're defending yourself or others: " _The most important thing is to not get your weapon taken, be non-lethal if you reasonably can, and if at all possible - run._ *And when in doubt, hold onto the knife with all your strength and aim for the neck.* "

I just want to thank you for your interesting and informative videos. The production values are high, and the interaction between Thomas and David add a lot. Good job!

As someone who works in big city at night I think range is super effective if a confrontation is inevitable you can have a 5 inch knife but a crackhead with a broom stick prolly gonna win if he’s motivated and healthy/capable enough to swing hard lmao

This man is 100. Always soft spoken and informative. I love this channel.

Probably my favorite running knife is my Cold Steel Air Lite Drop Point. It is, as the name suggests, very light. In fact, it's light enough to wear with gym shorts or track pants, with almost no footprint and no drag, but wait, there's more! It also 1) has a very usefully-shaped, relatively stout, 3.5-inch blade, 2) is made from a good budget stainless steel that is tough, but pretty easy to maintain, 3) has a handle that is comfortable for most EDC cutting tasks, but can even get some harder outdoors things done, in a pinch, and 4) sports a Tri-Ad lock. The result is a SUPER tough, easy-to-maintain, useful-for-almost-everything, almost weightless, very concealable knife. It's made for jogging.

My backup knife for self defense is a sog seal pup. My main line of defense is my beretta apx. My backup folding knife is a crkt fossil. Got to stay prepared.

I've done a lot of knife training, and the one thing that my instructors have always drilled into people is this: There are two types of people in a knife fight; Leakers, and Gushers. You will always get cut, it's up to you to determine how much blood comes out. The majority of people who you could encounter in a knife fight self defense scenario are going to A) not be trained in knife fighting, and B) probably are carrying some junk kitchen knife they bought or stole from the dollar store. These people are going to be unpredictable(AKA wont fight like your sparring partner), and possibly have other hazards upon their person that you want to avoid (disease, needles, etc), and likely are not going to be alone. This last point is pretty critical to understand and acknowledge, and train for. PS I wear a kabar TDI in a modified sheath as my self defense blade

I also use the tdi for jogging. I wear it iwb at 6 o’clock so I can grab it with either hand. It’s out of the way and doesn’t bounce around. If you give it a rinse after your each run and spray it with wd40 every other week or so it’s pretty rust resistant. I got one spot of discoloration on the each but just honed it off with a ceramic rod.

Self-defence knives need not always have to be fixed blades, but if one is optimizing their knife doctrine, fixed blades are by far the better choice due to reliability- just like why experts suggest Glocks or M&Ps because they are striker-fired and without a safety for optimal simplicity and reliability above all- which is what makes it a tactical choice.

Regarding ceramic bladed knives, I purchased a 5 or 6" version from "Harbor Freight" store for about $6, which was fully adequate for awhile, until I tried to hone the edge for a touchup. It was all downhill for me from there. I ended up just breaking the blade on purpose as a destructive testing clinic for myself, as I ruined the edge. No more ceramic blades for me.

The Cold Steel C clips work perfect for that Cold Steel Tanto. The hardware that comes with it is thin enough to fit in those holes. 👌🏼

Cool choices. Dig cold steel for the bang 4 buck value. I carry a civivi d2 elementum fixed blade in a scout carry behind the back. Love the terzuola clip. I keep the blade oiled, as d2 is not corrosion proof.

Perhaps feature Cold Steel's Safe Maker series sometime in the self-defence category? Like the TDI; anyone with even a little experience can make good use of them. They fit great as an appendix carry. I'm a big fan. Conversely, I can't understand knives with rings on them, like that Benchmade. They seem like a great idea, until you actually try to use them. Moreover; unless you are trying to pierce plate armour in the fourteenth century, a reverse grip is just making life difficult for yourself.

SOCP Dagger I think is the all around self defense shown. The ring is the key. Even without training, You need just a level head and stay calm as possible. Like I said the ring It can be used to impact or strike without going poke poke. The bridge of the nose and around the eyes are the best spots to hit

I WAS JUST SEARCHING THIS TOPIC UP ON YOUR CHANNEL AND ITS LIKE YOU READ MY MIND BY POSTING THIS ❤️

Old school solution to hide or minimize swirls and surface scratches on uncoated blades is Flitz metal polish. It will also put a shine and a bit of a temporary protective coating on it against oxidation.

Hey DCA, love the FAQ videos where we get to see some classic edc choices. Lately I've realized that as my collection of modern folders grows, blade thickness has become one of my most important criteria when choosing a new knife. My preference for thin and slicey blade stocks is part of the reason I edc traditional slipjoints along with my modern folders. My question is, would you consider having the boys at the lab add blade thickness as a filter option when searching for knives on the KC website, just as you would for things like blade shape and material?

I own and carry the Kabar TDI, I also own the TDI USSF Astro MP. AUS 8 gives good corrosion resistance and pretty good edge retention as well. The coating on the blade also provides extra corrosion resistance.

CRKT Keramin deserves a spot on one of these videos as well also the Spyderco Emerson Matriarch 2. Love these types of videos either way.... What I carry for opening boxes isn't what I carry for defense..... I enjoy seeing all of the options out there.

Was going to mention, for light scratches, you could try using something like Flitz (or many others) metal polishing compounds. They're super easy to use. Comes in a big toothpaste like tube and also has the consistency of toothpaste. Squeeze a dab out and put in on a polishing cloth and polish each side by hand for a couple minutes each. It WILL polish the blade, so i don't know if that will actually reduce the scratches or make them more apparent, i suppose it could work well on very faint scratches but I've used to polish a couple new knives i had to give them a finer finish on the blade and it works well. I've never used it to try to reduce scratches though but i think it could work. Some brands have a finer grit which works good to polish and bring more of a mirror finish on blades and some have a rougher grit which is better to even out imperfections and scratches.

For the tanto guy I've went through MANY same carry as u want and I modded a cold steel Kyoto sheathe and that blade has worked best for me..

That Benchmade SOCP dagger looks great. I love a finger in the ring too.

Cold Steel sells sheath mounting systems in 2 sizes. They say these are designed to fit a lot of their knifes. I have both sizes and they have lots of slots to fit a wide variety of sheaths. Cheap too.

Hey David got an actual question, normally I am just commenting for algorithm... Why aren't more companies making knives out of 14C28N Sandvik? I see Nitro V blowing up everywhere as the top budget ingot and yes it demolishes 8Cr14MoV, it just doesn't hold an edge... Ok I guess I couldn't get by without at least one pun

Dave, seems like every time you do one of these "specialty" videos, I end up placing an order... Keep it up!

Mirror polished edges are for show on a working knife. Cutting meat, just look at a butcher's edge, 400 to 600 grit. Filet knife has to have a less than polished edge if you plan to skin the fish. I found out in the 70s that a knife can be too sharp for the task when I went to skin fish and the blade just cut right through the skin instead of along it. I re-sharpened my knives with the 400 grit water stone, worked fine as I proceeded to filet about 400 lbs. of fish on my first charter as deckhand.

When using knives as self defense, please take classes that specifically involves knife defense. Like with any self defense weapons, the tool wont do much unless you have some basic training in using those tools.

So glad to see Benchmade redesigned the clip on the sheath! The original version was kind of unadulterated junk. Question, have the addressed the finish? The older version of the SOCP dagger used to have hard 90 degree edges. I sanded mine down to round them and it’s much more comfortable.

Hello DCA. Excellent recomendations and beautiful knives. I always wacht your series. Hope you full recover quick

Personally I trail run with my white river backpacker in my waistband. Small and light enough, but also gives me confidence that its would be a good survival knife in a worst case scenario

David you forgot about the Benchmade Nimravus which I was shocked they still make all these years later. It was one of my first two Benchmade knives I bought at age 17 before going off to the military and later deployment. I carried them both and used them hard for a few years without ever failing me. Both are now retired but in my collection and in great shape and were the reason I continued to buy from them.

Hi David (and Seth if that helps), My first question was answered brilliantly, so here I go again! Hope you can help me out with another one similar to my 1st question: I'm looking for a folding knife, with the following features: 1) Flipper (that becomes a "guard") 2) Axis or Similar Cross-Bar Lock (**MUST** be bank-vault, bomb-proof strong) 3) Thumb Hole, either oval or round, doesn't matter, but **MUST** have it... 4) About 3" or more Blade Length 5) Pointy, not Wharncliffe, but needs some belly. 6) Optional, but would be game-winning: Full Flat Grind, finger choil, assist or bearings in the pivot and Deep Carry Pocket Clip 7) See if you can recommend me a budget and a premium version each. Thanks so much!

I have no problem with D2 steel knives. You could even call me a D2 fan. I have a pair of Benchmades that have peeled and butchered several bears, a couple of wild beef cows and a couple or three moose. I have yet to get a speck of rust on the blades. The skinner went through one sand-encrusted bear, a moose and a two beef cows before I touched up the blade. The bears and cows were in a marine climate.

Regarding the attachment options for the CS Mini-Tac style knives, I have used the "Blade-Tech Quick-E-Loop" attachments for nonstandard sheath hole spacing with great success.

Love this guy always educational and easy listening.

This got me thinking: what is the best blade steel and geometry (point/blade/grind) for a self defense knife? Best handle material?

My kbar Leo goes with me everywhere. It’s easily ambidextrous and super sharp. Im a righty so carry it left side appendix. If my right hand is getting my weapon, the left hand can easily use the kbar with that angle. Love it. Very natural and light.

I’ve found the best fixed blade for self defense either with/without carrying a firearm is the Skallywag Tactical Dagger in D2 steel or aluminum. It has a bigger ring than the SOCP Dagger which helps with deployment when wearing gloves, has a sheath that’s MOLLE compatible, is primarily for stabbing (not slashing and is based on the design of the Hoplite spear), and if you’ve trained in rudimentary boxing (especially with the Philly Shell stance) will work with your body mechanics very well.

Question about sheaths/fixed blades… I’ve always been more into folding knives except for a few larger blades used in the garden or camping etc. Starting to dip my toe into EDC-ing fixed blades. I like the idea of fixed blades but the one thing that always gets me is gunk on the blade. Eg if you cut a box up with a folding knife and go through some tape or outdoors and get tree sap or fish guts on it. You can mostly operate it one handed, fold it away and use both hands to continue doing a task. The blade is obviously between the handle scales and gunk on the blade stays on the blade. With a sheath knife for example, if one hand is in use and you only have your other hand to use the knife. You get gunk on the blade but suddenly need both hands to do something so you go to put your blade away. All the gunk is then transferred into the sheath and will probably be extremely hard or impossible to clean completely. I have put some major scratches on my Rockstead Chou wave because there was sand stuck to the gunk which got transferred inside the sheath. I’ve also recently acquired a Winkler belt knife but reluctant to use it on anything but dry materials on dry days because the sheaths are lined with felt and a blade steel probe to rust. Do you have any pro tips? since the only alternative I can think of, and is mostly not practical is that you simply do not resheath until you have cleaned the blade. Which sometimes just isnt possible in the field. Or in between jobs etc. sorry for the wall of text. If this issue is worthy of discussion in one of your videos please feel free paraphrase. Edit: I have a couple of Moras which are so inexpensive they are more or less disposable. And a cold steel san Mai kukri. Which for some reason doesn’t bother me one bit to completely abuse. That thing just shrugs it all off.

Will be buying my KA-BAR from your site soon just deciding what knife is best for me from this video thanks guys

I just received my new honey badger large. N amazing action! Very nice knife n the price is amazing!!! Im positive I'll be buying one of each size n probably then. Some great knife n very nice packaging n information with knife. Just great all the way around!

Awesome video! You guys make the perfect knife videos. Thanks.

The sheath for fixed blades really determines how much you carry them. A sucky sheath dooms it to your knife drawer.

A couple other great ones in the way of fixed blades are the pika karambit by Fox and Bastinelli and the talon from 511 designed by Doug Markida (probably spelled his name wrong lol). Good quality karambits in general are great for self defence and there's a folder version of thr talon with the bramp (wave like feature) and of course the many great ones from Fox. To me any folding knife that you're using for self defense should have a pocket deployment feature. Yes even over an auto even if its legal to carry. A pocket deploy is just straight up faster to use than anything else in the way of folders. And personally for a fixed karambit I'd say to go traditional and go on the smaller side (2 to 3 or 3.5) rather than one of those huge ones. Along with taking classes on how to use them correctly. Obviously a knife is gonna do damage. But knowing how to utilize it correctly is always gonna be better than just winging it.

Just a suggestion I think it might be useful to have a ruler and a pocket scale on set, though I get that most information is on the site, though not everyone lists the weight of just the knife without the sheath and all the other variants (kydex, leather, nylon sheaths, etc).

For the running bushcraft folks I’d turn to some of Matt Graham’s designs with Condor and Tops, that’s his specialty and the lil’ bugger from Tops seems especially apt for both running questions

Here’s a question for DCA/Seth: I’m looking towards a compression lock system to add to the collection, but I really would prefer to keep cost as low as I can. As I’m certain its a design still exclusive to Spyderco, I’m aware that they’ll still be expensive, but what would be the cheapest example I could get my hands on? Thanks for the content, always learn something new here.

I enjoy these Q&A type videos. Very cool. I've got a question... Not sure if I'm able to say this correctly, but my question is: are blade serrations really any more effective (on certain materials, as some claim) than a 'properly' sharpened plain edge? My personal experience is that serrations 'saw' through stuff long after the plain edge of a knife is dull, and that gives people (who can't/don't maintain a proper edge) the impression that the serrations cut some materials better. I maintain that an appropriately sharpened edge cuts as well or better than one with serrations. (The only exception would be something hard and plastic, like a zip tie - but with proper leverage, even that is debatable, I feel.) Care to weigh in on this? Thanks!

Them: That steel will stain and rust and discolor! OMG! Me: Your truck never leaves pavement.

My hunting knife is the knives of Alaska elk hunter in d2. I've never had a problem with staining or rust. It sharpens easy and holds an edge

Love your videos. Recently got into knife collecting after a very generous gift. Which fixed blade would you suggest for someone who is more into small folders? Thanks for all the content! This channel has been a gateway to this hobby 🙂

Mini tac for me what a good looking knife 🔪 a really great value at $50.

Every knife you took to defend yourself should be familiar to you. This means that a training version of such a knife is needed to safely train the defense skill with a sharp knife. It's strange that you haven't discussed this topic.

T.Kell Nightstalker is my favorite EDC fixed blade for self defense. Or his Nightshade.

Great review DCA, no love for the horizontal belt buckle carry? My EDC is a Ka Bar Turok, just hafta offset buckle, to me much more intuitive and comfy.

How about a car camping knives setup? Maybe low-low cost, bargain, midrange and "fancy"? I don't hunt or do much more than build a fire and cook and hike on marked trails. I usually take a hatchet along for producing kindling, and I bring a box of firewood which is enough for 2 evening fires. I cook on a gas stove, mainly, though I do have grates and cast iron for cooking over a fire. I'm thinking 3 or 4 inch folder or pocketable fixed blade, a 5 or 6 inch blade for bushcraft stuff, and for some foolish desire, I think an ESSE would be interesting, not that I'd ever do anything that called for such.

I've carried a peace maker as a boot knife for the better part of a decade. It's a great little knife for the price

Hey DCA, I own a Global G-79 - a fantastic knife- and am looking to add a pairing knife to my set. I have wondered about Global's proprietary CROMOVA steel and wondering if you could explain a bit about it vs some other top kitchen steels. Thanks, Avery

Hey DCA great content, always look forward to the weekly uploads. What would you recommend for a daily EDC with a 3 to 3 1/4 blade, locking, lightweight with pocket clip that would double as a cigar cutter? Prefer high end materials with a price no more that $300. Thanks.

For a functional light fixed blade, the crkt spew came to mind. I like the minimilist range but the spew hovers in my "to get " list. Seems versatile for cutting or poking.

Personally I really like the cold steel mini-tac for a utility knife. I have one in the tanto blade that I put an ulti clip on and pocket carry it.

lol I like that intro - I'd love a video specifically on rescue knives. I'd love to find a great knife with assisted opening of any type as well as a glass breaker and seat-belt cutter. Thank you!!

Hey Dave, I find myself constantly pulling out my strop to "touch up" my already razor sharp knife, so as a "knife nut" myself I have a question: is a knife ever *really* sharp enough?

Hint to runners you can run with a neck knife you need to keep the cord or chain as short as possible. I’m necker weights 1.4 ounces.

Love this series. What are you best beach knife recommendations?

If you're looking for a ceramic blade, consider the Vargo Sobata 398 made with a sintered titanium ceramic silver alloy blade

There is no such long as a "Self Defence Knife'! I sent some pictures of knives to my Kali teacher. His reply" It's a knife" :) Having said that, what I look for : Quickness of:deployment, handle, strength, pointy, sharp.

Am I doing something wrong on the "western tanto"? I find them a pain to sharpen having to treat the point as a separate edge

I’m not sure if anyone else mentioned it but you can actually flip that clip to invert it on the cold steel peace maker 2 & 3 it is a little tough to do but I’ve done it myself

I have a Mini Tac Tanto that I just wrapped some gutted paracord through the holes to make belt loops.

Hey dca what victorinox large with a lockable blade would you use for edc? Because I live in Greece and knife laws say that you cant carry kives unless you have a professional or good excuse to carry one

Hey DCA, I just bought a Becker BK-9 and was wondering what knives will fit in the little companion sheath in the BK9's sheath pouch other than the BK-13? I've heard you can get a BK-11 in there if you heat the BK-11 up and force it in, but that seems a bit destructive. Is there another knife that's about the same size of the Remora that will fit in there?

Zip ties work well for back pack strap carry . Not much weight & cheap!

Was looking for the carcass splitter to come out for the tootsie pop question

I'm surprised that I didn't see any crkt minimalist knives on the table.

I've designed small tanto knives that I carry crossdraw, I also wear a number of knives scout carry and they're concealable The tanto prodigy and the strongarm by gerber, The becker bk16, The kabar Snody big boss. I've even worn the gerber mark2 scout carry

Enjoyed this segment last night Thanks

What knife should I buy as my first titanium frame lock? I like flippers on washers and tough steels but as long as there's good value I can dig it, the we elementum is priced well and it's a familiar design but I'm also looking at the Kizer THUCK because damn.

Fox Karambit! With quick deployment. Is my favorite

Hey DCA quick question. I am looking for a traditional slip joint style whittling knife. I was thinking a congress patter or similar. I also want to make sure it has a half stop. What would you recommend.

darn it!! why did you have to show that Smith and Sons?! Its so cool, and now its stuck in my head.

Two of the best self defense knives were made by crkt and now are discontinued. The Kasper Companion fixed blade, and the Kasper Dragon. Both Kasper designs designed by Crawford knives. CRKT should offer these again. I have several of each as well as other custom Kasper designs . Fast handling, easily concealed. Honorable mentionTerzuola M10

Facing a four legged, thick hide creature with a KaBar TDI?😨 I once faced a red eyed black dog that, along his partner, prowled my beach camp while I was living homeless. It attacked my little dogs and one night came back for me. I pulled a machete out of my minivan and started spinning it in vertical circles. The entity knew it wouldn't be able to close the gap unscathed, turned around and left. Outdoors you are on your own. Get something of adequate size for a fight to the death and practice. I have used machetes for agricultural work for many years and have developed muscle memory and control. If I was just walking or jogging a trail the bare minimum would be a small kukri like the KaBar combat kukri/CRKT clever girl or the KaBar short tanto. Practice!

Also if someone doesn't like scratches on their blade they could always stone wash it. I mean yeah stone washing makes alot of scratches but I makes it looks alot better than like one or two scratches on a blade and you can also stone wash any kind of blade with any finish for the most part.

Hey DCA, every time I grab a knife to carry I always open and close it once or twice. It does not matter if it is a fidgety knife or not I still do it. Even a fixed blade I will unsheath it then resheath. My wife has called me out on it and I have no “logical” excuse. Can you or any other viewers relate?

Great stuff there Davidsea,, I like the Glock 78,, if I have to protect myself,, ,, or I'm thinking of getting the Cold Steel Kobun, as it's very light, too..

DC do you know of any alternative thumb studs that will fit on the buck 110 slim pro trx. They just seem way too big to me. Tried a bench made buyout stud set but it doesn’t fit through the blade.

Regarding question #3 ( trail running/bushcraft fixed blade ) doesn't the belt clip, which has ear tabs, on the "Peacmaker" duo unclip & fit in the opposite way for inverted carry?

DCA: Have you been tempted to design knives for any other companies, a la Ray Laconico, Jesper Vox, etc? It would be interesting to see you come up with a sub-4" folding version of your Canteen Knife. Perhaps with a thumbhole and crossbar lock, combined with green "jigged" paper micarta scales and bright yellow anodized backspacers and pivot collar.

Hey DCA, can you make a list of Big Bowie Knives that Rambo would want, I already own the BK9, SP10 and CS marauder, can you recommend any other big bowies to add to my collection?

Hey DCA, what’s the difference between cerakote, powder coat, titanium coating, etc? Is there a difference besides protecting it from the elements? If so what’s your favorite coating?

Want to hear you recommendation on best self defense or combat folder. Also your opinion on carrying a small push dagger for the same purpose.

A big part of using a knife for self defense is being able to conceal it. Not enough emphasis is put on the sheath and the attachment of the sheath to the belt, especially horizontal belt carry? How about doing a video about fixed blade horizontal belt carry and concealability?

Viewer: Don't sell me a hunting knife in D2. DCA: I'mma sell you that hunting knife in D2 anyhow.😎😄

Hey DCA, Thomas and Seth, I want to try rit dyeing for the first time. I am looking at the CJRB tigress because the G10 is white and should take the dye well. My only hang up on that, is that it is a liner locking blade. I would prefer a stronger lock on a hardish use knife. Any ideas? Thanks.

CIvivi Tamashii is a heck of a good looking knife for the money.....and it is a more traditional "tanto" Japanese style blade.

Hey DCA, I've noticed my Demko AD 20.5 in AUS10A rusts extremely easy. I have tons of Cold Steel and other brands of knives in AUS10A that do not do this. Is this a common issue with the new 20.5s? Is the steel composition different?

Hey DCA et al, any tips on snugging up a slightly loose plastic sheath (hypothetically, on, say, a Wharncliffe Minimalist)? Much appreciated!

I think the White River ATK with a ulticlip… would be awesome for a few of these

Help. I just bought a 4 inch cold steel Kris Ti-lite. I need to think of EDC tasks to justify the purchase. What sort of edc tasks would the wavy blade be good for? Pocket bread knife maybe?