Knives come in a variety of styles and options. They are nearly an indispensable item for millions of Americans, especially those who enjoy activities outdoors or carrying one for self-defense. The Home Security Superstore has an excellent selection of quality self-defense knives for any occasion including our Everyday Carry (EDC) knives.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Knife
Choosing the right knife depends on what you’re using it for, environmental factors, and personal preference. Preferences often depend on experience. Here are some things to consider:
- The task the knife was crafted for
- Blade easy to sharpen
- Solid, secure grip on handle
- Material used to craft the blade-carbon steel versus stainless steel
- A thick, durable spine
- Full tang
- Sheath
Knife Laws
Knife laws vary across every state, as well as every city and town within each state. It’s critical that you research the laws so that you know which knives are legal and which ones aren’t. Some localities don’t allow you to carry knives over a certain length. Just make sure you understand the legalities surrounding carrying a knife in the jurisdiction you live in.
Know How to Use the Knife You Carry
The last thing you need is for a self-defense situation to arise and you to not know how to use your knife. Choose a knife that’s comfortable to carry, hold, and use. Practice using it and drawing it out of your pocket or purse. Similar to practicing drawing your firearm from your holster, make sure you can pull your knife out swiftly and smoothly. Seconds matter in a life or death situation. The faster you can get your knife out, the better your chances for survival.
Self-Defense Knives
Some knives used for self-defense are discreet or disguised. We have pen knives that look like an ordinary pen but feature a 2 1/2 inch hidden blade. They come in three colors—black, silver and gold—and you can even use them to write. You’ll have the element of surprise with this self-defense knife. We’ve also just recently added several handy folding knives to our inventory. These knives are easy to conceal in your pocket or purse and many come with clips to hold them in place. The last thing you want is to lose your knife in your bag or purse and not be able to find it when you need it. We also have M-Tech knives that are easy to unfold and clip in place. These knives are excellent for self-defense because of how swiftly you can deploy them.
Survival Knives
The biggest sellers are the outdoor survival knives. These come in a variety of lengths and some include a survival kit. Back in the day, survival knives came with a hollow handle where you could store other survival necessities. Today’s knives don’t come with hollow handles because most people agree that’s the last thing you need in a survival knife. Hollow knife handles create a weakness in the knife, making it easier to break when using it.
A good survival knife performs multiple functions, such as making traps, cutting rope and wood, hunting, and more. A single-edged blade is better for survival use, as a double-edged blade is better for thrusting. Reliability and durability are of the utmost importance in survival knives, and double-edged knives sometimes have weak blade tips that break off easier. You sure don’t need a broken knife tip out in the wilderness.
Rambo-style knives may look tough, but they aren’t practical because they’re too heavy to maneuver. Look for a fixed blade with a full tang. A folding knife is an excellent backup knife for self-defense, but it is not the best at survival tasks.
Blades with a narrow or thin point break too easily, so you want a knife with a sturdy point. You can choose between a serrated or plain edge. A serrated edge is best used for slicing synthetic fabrics such as seat belts and rope, so it’s more useful in an urban environment. A plain blade is much easier to sharpen in the field, while a serrated edge requires special tools.
As one of the oldest and largest independent distributors of high-quality home security, surveillance, spy, self-defense, survival and safety products, the Home Security Superstore is sure to have a variety of economically priced knives for you to choose from to fit your specific needs. You can also choose from a wide range of self-defense products, including tasers, stun guns, pepper sprays, and other non-lethal weapons that can save your life in the event of an attack.