Self-defense need when you come across any unwanted situation and it became essential to protect yourself first. But defending yourself does not always mean you have to fight with a criminal or rubbery. It can be also any ferocious animal from which you have to come out. In every case, you need a fine tactful weapon right? How is it if you got the best folding knife for self-defense!
Yes, we are talking about folding knife which is also known as a pocket knife. It works excellent not only defending yourself but as hiking adventure, gardening, fishing, climbing and more. Having a folding knife with you is an ideal decision but finding the best one is a challenge. Eventually, our created list might help you to track down the right knife as we have figure out number of an excellent folding knife.
Our Picks Top 5 Folding Self-Defense Knives
Certainly, a lot of different types of folding knives exists but it not possible to present each of them right? Therefore we have uncovered those knives that actually work. Even we carefully created the list with both expensive and inexpensive knife so that you can get according to your budget. Further, we add valuable information in selecting purpose that again assists you in your way. Scroll down to get all information about each knife.
1. Kershaw Cryo (1555TI); 2.75” 8Cr13MoV Steel Blade and Stainless Steel Handle
We mentioned before, that we arrange our list with high and low range knife. With said our very first pick up is Kershaw brands which is stand in the knife manufacturer world more than 40 years. In fact famous enough and perhaps most low range knife on our list. In spite inexpensive price they offer such a fabulous feature that you wonder how it possible to provide such feature with this price. First, let’s have a look at the key feature.
Key feature at a glance
- 75” stainless steel blade
- Include frame lock technology
- The full knife is coating with gray titanium carbo-nitride
- Speed safe assisted opening
- Edge and corrosion resistance
Design and size
Kershaw is a reputed knife maker company that basically designs their knife by Rick Hindered and Kershaw’s own designer. Meantime the selected model does not differ from them. It is beautifully designed in overall gray color coating with frame lock automation. The product dimension is a 0.4×0.4×0.4 inch that is good enough as a folding knife.
Blade function and material
Generally folding knife having small blade likewise, Kershaw cryo has 2.75 inches 8Cr13Mov stainless blade. The blade is finely coating with high-quality titanium carbo-nitride along with rust and edge resistance component. Steel construction of the blade made it highly sharper whereas the secure blade lock up made it safe in use. Apart from that one can easily open the blade with one hand that is needed in self-defense time.
Handle and weight
Similar to the blade the handle is also made from stainless steel with same gray color. The tip down and tip up technology that included with handle allow both left handed and right handed carry. Even so, the steel foundation of the knife is much light weighted that comes under only 1.6 ounces.
Pros
- Great for everyday work out
- Work great for a multi-purpose job
- Extremely durable
- Very easy to carry
Cons
- An opening knot is very close to the handle
- The blade is not highly sharp as the company claim
2. Zero Tolerance Unisex Tiger Stripe Knife – 0350Ts
In order to maintain the range of price now, we are present an expensive one that is indeed worthy to costly. The particular model we are taking up to describe is namely Zero Tolerance is a special one in every aspect.
Key feature at a glance
- High-performance S350V stainless steel blade
- Constructed with an assisted-opening mechanism with a line lock feature
- G-10 handle with a scale pattern
- Proudly made in the USA
- Sharp blade just out of the box
Design and size
At the point of design, the knife will surely own your heart. This is splendidly designed with gray tiger striped blade with a super black color handle. Although it is a folding knife and smaller than regular 6 to 8 inches knife. But architecture in such a way that builds is ideal for everyday use like survival tool, self-defense, tactical use and more. The full product dimension is 1x6x9 inches.
Blade function and material
In case of a blade that is exquisitely made from premium S350V stainless steel that makes the blade super sharper. Moreover, the tiger stripe design of the blade is coating with DLC (diamond like carbon) which add durability and capable it for heavy duty task. Again the blade is 3.25 inches long that are absolutely rust resistance. Further, the liner lock on the blade is heavy and strong than any average liner lock.
Handle and weight
The handle of the knife is another unique creation that is rare in a folding knife. It is manufactured with a G-10 scaled pattern that provides grip and great comfort in use. Once more the handle is a just half inch thick having pocketed clip on it that makes it easy to carry whatever you want. Stepped out with the weight which is pretty good comes in 8 ounces.
Pros
- Pocket clip lets you carry it easily
- Perfect for all kind of outdoor activities
- The durability of the knife is just wow
- The blade is super sharp no need any sharpener
- Could be a perfect gift for your dear one
Cons
- Expensive comparatively other folding knives
- The pocket clip does not allow deep-carry
- Slightly heavy
3. BlizeTec Survival Knife: Best 5-in-1 Tactical Pocket Folding Knife with LED Light, Seatbelt Cutter, Glass Breaker & Magnesium Fire Starter
If you are not satisfied with Kershaw and Zero Tolerance then surely you can get a close look at the BlizeTec survival knife. Because the knife is present 5 in 1 feature with their single design. Likewise, it is another self-defense knife on our list that also offers a reasonable price.
Key feature at a glance
- The blade is made of stainless steel
- 5 in 1 multi-purpose tactical knife
- Having magnesium fire starter rob
- Include mini led light function
- Glass breaker technology
Design and size
We are delighted to say the knife is just elegant and unique in design and feature. BlizeTecis designed with the combination of black and gray color. It has a total length of 8.46 inches from top of the blade to the end of the handle. Beautifully form with 5 different feature and function. Among them, the LED light and magnesium fire starter are two most uncommon those are rare in a folding knife.
Blade function and material
As for the blade details, it is composite with both plain and serrated saw pattern. The knife blade has a capacity that can do anything for you means versatile workable tool. It made of 420stainless steel with ultra-sharp high tech. This blade allows its user cutting rope, wood, fish, animal or self-defense from a weird situation and much more. In fact, you can also break the car glass with the blade in an emergency situation. In addition, the blade lock unit adds safety while carrying from place to place.
Handle and weight
The handle of the knife is made of anodized aluminum that technically constructed to fit your hand perfectly. Again the grip design of the handle makes sure you never lose your balance. In spite of multipurpose tool, it carries a much light-weight that comes under only 6.4 ouches. The weigh allow you to carry the knife with your pocket whenever you want.
Pros
- Fabulous LED light offer
- Budget-friendly
- Small in size that easy to carry out
- Comes with nylon pouch
- Make fire with a fire starter
Cons
- The Blade is not highly sharper as the company claim
- The LED light just work for 12 hours
- The fire starter take time to make fire
4. Benchmade – Mini Griptilian 556 Knife, Drop-Point
Walk into another classic brand we stop at Benchmade that is another high-quality expensive knife. Benchmade is popular for traditional knives and indeed they hold this reputation in the folding knife too.
Key feature at a glance
- Blade made of 154cm stainless steel
- Molded nylon handle
- Rust resistance
- Made in the USA
- With an Axis locking mechanism
Design and size
The mention model is a mini size of Griptilian knife that specially design to everyday workout. Unlike other folding knives, it has a number of beautiful color options so you can choose according to your test. Once more twist is, the brand offers different type blade like serrated or plain edge that no other folding knife offer on our list. However, the overall product dimensions 6x3x1.5 inches.
Blade function and material
Moving on the blade material it is made from 154com stainless steel with a hardness of 58-60 HRC. It has 2.91 inches blade which overall length is 6.78 inches. The blade is much sharper that work skillfully in both indoor and outdoor activities. Apart from that the modified drop-point shape with much big belly makes it a perfect weapon for self-defense. Even the axis locking system allows you to open it with one hand.
Handle and weight
You might notice the handle of this knife is slight differed than other folding knives. Well, the handle is made of Valox that is extremely strong plastic with stainless steel lines. It builds in a way that fits your hand and fingers. Again slightly grip pattern on the handle provide balance and comfort in use. As for weight, it comes in incredibly light-weight just under 0.8 ouches. Plus the pocket clip is simple, quick and easy to operate.
Pros
- Ready to use directly out of the box
- Very light weighted
- Quite easy to carry
- Ambidextrous design
- Comfortable grip handle
Cons
- Bit expensive
- The bright color handle will dull over time
- Only carry with tip-up pocket clip
5. Kershaw Clash Black Serrated (1605CKTST); 3.1” Stainless Steel Blade with Black-Oxide Coating
We again back with the best knife manufacturer brands Kershaw but this time with another outstanding knife. The model we are taking a look now shortly known as Kershaw Clash black serrated which is famous for it saw style blade structure.
Key feature at a glance
- Exclusive glass-fill nylon handle
- Stainless steel blade made of 8CR13MOV steel
- Lines lock safety feature
- Edge retention and wear resistance
- An everyday carry knife
Design and size
In our previous Kershaw review, we remark how the company designs their every knife. One difference is from Kershaw cryothat it is designed with full black color and different blade outline. The knife structure with 5.2×1.3×4 inches whole length. Primarily form with fantastic outlook keeping in mind that can be used on an everyday basis.
Blade function and material
A most noticeable feature of the knife is its blade design and feature for which we place it on our list. The blade of a model is made of high-quality 8CR13MOV stainless steel with partly plain and partly serrate saw design. This saw structure makes the knife a multi-tasking and fine weapon for self-defense to household work. Plus the blade is coating with black oxide for a non-reflective tricky look and as well for rust resistance. Once more the drop point of the blade with the right amount of belly makes it notable for slicing job. In addition, the locking liner locks up the blade and adds a safety while using it.
Handle and weight
At the point of a handle which is another creation of the company. This is one on our list that is made of glass- fill nylon material for extra grip and stability. On the other hand, the speed safe assistant allows you to open it with one hand. Therefore the convenient pocket clip grants easy carriage facilities. In fact, the weight is also light that comes under only 2.4 ounces.
Pros
- Awesome manufacturer quality
- Ideal for self- defense
- Inexpensive with super quality
- Wonderfully design for versatile work
- Fine sharpness
Cons
- Lost sharpness after couple day of use
- Does not ideal for cutting ropes
Why Choose Folding Knife as a Self-Defense Weapon?
The question is most familiar and rapid ask question but the answer is very clear and understandable. There are lots of self-defense weapon remain but all of them could not be used in every situation right? For example, you can’t use your gun as a self-defense weapon because there is a possibility of an instant dead issue. Again you can’t use fire or a large knife in public place as there is a possibility of huge damage.
But with a folding knife, you got enough advantage. You can easily open it just press a single button in an emergency or critical situation. Even more, you can easily conceal it within your pocket or purse in a small space. Moreover, it’s not dangerous like a gun or fire but much strong to fight against an enemy.
Self- defense means you have to protect you from dangerous but does not mean to kill anyone. In case a folding knife works great as it does not create any havoc but able to you save in your needed time. It has shaper edge but not dreadful like a gun. In a single word folding knife having all those possession that one need in self-defense weapon. And it is much easy to operate, maintain and even effortless to carry out. So it stands as the best self-defense weapon and consequently this the reason you can choose folding knife as a self-defense weapon.
Things to consider before buying a self-defense folding knife
We previously ensure that we not only selected product for your sake. Yet we describe those entire things that are must be considered before layout for shopping. With said there are few things you should look after if you are fully determined to buy. Better have a look.
The blade
The blade is undoubtedly the most important part of any knife. Meantime in a folding knife, you must have to check out the blade material and shape. Generally, two type of blade available and they are clip shape and drop shape.
Clip points are most common shape blade which you can often see in pocket knives. It’s known as clip blade because the final third of the back of the blade is clipped. The clip can be plain or serrate.
Drop point, on the other hand, is a straight spine blade which slightly slopes down at the top.
So before buying a folding knife check out which type and shape of the blade are comfortable and enjoyable for you.
Size
Size is another thing to consider before buy. As you are shopping for self-defense knives and of course carry it on pocket or purse. So if the size becomes big then it creates trouble to carry out. Most experts recommend the self-defense knife should be 3 to 6 inches in length that consider perfect size.
Lock mechanism
These lock mechanism factors only apply for a folding knife. The feature adds safety to the blade use and allow user open and close the blade easily. Most common two type lock is liner lock and frame look mechanism.
The liner lock is adjusted with the side spring bar of the knife and it helps to open the blade just using one hand.
On the contrary, frame lock just similar like liner locks only one variation it creates frame throughout the knife. In this type of lock open, you need your two hands.
Handle
Although we place the handle in fourth place but it is as much as important as a blade or other things we mentioned above. The handle can be made from a different material like plastic, nylon, glass- fills or stainless steel. But it should be flexible; comfortable that provides enough grip and stability in use.
Weight
The last considerable thing according to our research team is weight. You should select a light weighted knife so that it will be easy to a carriage. Besides, the light-weight knives are much smooth to turn.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about folding knife
- Reader question: Are folding knives and fighting knives the same things?
Answer: No folding knives and an actual fighting knife are different from each other. Most of the fighting knives are dreadful. On the other hand, a folding knife is not deadfall at all. It simply helps to protect you.
- Reader question: What features are important in the pocket or folding knives?
Answer: We already mentioned in the considerable section that what are important facts to consider. Experts say blade, handle, size, weight are the ultimate important feature in a folding knife.
- Reader question: How do I clean my folding knife?
Answer: Gun oil is the best solution that finely cleans your knife. Take a small amount of oil and applies in the blades from top to bottom. Then simply clean with dry cloths and be aware not use warm water.
- Reader question: How do I sharpen the knife?
Answer: You can easily sharpen your EDC (folding or pocket knife) like other knives you use. In fact, you can use a numerous of knife sharpeners.
- Reader question: Is using a knife for self-defense is against law?
Answer: For this, you have to research you’re local or higher government law that what you can carry yourself and what not. We can’t give you an appropriate answer.
Final words
In the end, only you can decide which knife suited you and your situation the best. Our only duty is to show you the right product out of hundreds. As we did, we picked up some of the most well-constructed and famous knives. And try our best to acknowledge you their feature properly. We hope our article will help you to find out the best folding knife for your self-defense.
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