Best Self Defense Knife (9 Kick-Ass Blades Reviewed)

Humans made it to where we are today because of our ingenuity and tools, but one outweighs all the others in importance and significance.

No, it’s not beer (but that’s pretty darn important, too); it’s the edged weapon.

By knapping at the edges of flint obsidian and other stones, we created the first edged weapons for hunting and defense, like spear tips and knives.

Imagine the fear our ancestors felt at night when wolves surrounded the camp. Now imagine that fear countered with a stiff lip and a sharpened point to defend against predators. Even the wolves learned to back off and fear that edge.

Today’s predators tend to walk around on two legs but are just as vicious as the wolves of our past; we owe our survival to strong steel sharpened to a razor’s edge.

The “You Better Think Twice About That” Disclaimer

Using a knife as self-defense is, of course, a last-ditch effort.

With a firm grip on self-defense basics, you’ll know that using a knife is dangerous in many ways, and I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you exactly why you want to reconsider using a knife.

They’re Dangerous for Everybody

Simple enough, if you have a knife, you will want to use it. Trading punches with an assailant can result in broken bones, black eyes, and a smattering of legal trouble, but using a knife can be a fatal option.

A few slashes and stabs to your attacker can result in permanent injury and even death, which is super permanent.

And what if your assailant gets their hands on the knife you tried to stab them with? To quote the late, great Bill Paxton in Aliens, “Game over, man!”

They’re a Deadly Weapon…

… especially in the eyes of the law.

Throwing fists with someone is trouble enough, but whipping out your knife is an entirely different ballgame.

No matter who started what, the fact that you chose to stab and slash your way out of a scenario makes you guilty of a litany of crimes.

Besides that, you could kill somebody.

That’s not something to take lightly.

They Could Be Illegal

Every state, county, and country has laws on what you can and can’t carry.

Check your local laws before you start strutting around town with a butterfly knife flipping between your fingers, or you could get busted for having the blade on your person.

Many establishments won’t allow weapons of any kind, even if they’re legal otherwise, so leave that neck blade in the car when you go clubbing.

Then Why Am I Carrying a Knife?

I can sum that up in three words: knives are effective.

If somebody puts you in the corner, taking out a knife can be all it takes to deter an attacker.

If you’re targeted by a mugger looking for easy cash, removing your knife and preparing for war can be enough to send most opportunist attackers on the run.

These criminals tend to look for soft, easy targets that won’t fight back. Brandishing a knife with the intent of going down, slashing and stabbing is not an easy target.

But before you start getting all stabby-stabby, brush up on these thoughts and considerations. You won’t be able to refer to this when you’re in a situation, so familiarize yourself with it now and act accordingly.

What Does the Situation Warrant?

Is this a drunk at a bar intent on causing trouble? Maybe it’s a jilted lover angry at you for finding a new flame. It could be a potential rapist, a handsy bartender, or a tough guy with a show to put on.

Every one of these situations demands a different tactic, but you can rest assured that the only time to consider using your knife is when you or your life is in danger.

A knife is a very permanent solution to your problems.

Is It Worth Going to Jail Over?

A friend of mine threatened a belligerent drunk with a knife. No contact was made by either party, but the police showed up. Guess which one got into legal trouble?

The one with the knife.

We can’t overstate the importance of using a knife for only the most dangerous scenarios. It could result in fines, jail time, or more.

Selecting a Self-Defense Knife

In short, you want to consider a few basic ideas for your knife selection.

#1 Folding or Fixed Blade

This is a matter of endless contention for even casual knife enthusiasts, so let’s cut that discussion down to its basic principles.

A fixed-blade knife is more robust and easier to handle defensively. Retrieve it from its safe place (around your neck, belt, holster, etc.) and get ready to defend yourself.

Fixed-blade knives are more difficult to conceal but are stronger than their folding-blade counterparts.

Folding-blade knives are far easier to conceal on your person, and it’s simple to carry multiple knives as backup.

The downside is that you need to withdraw them like a fixed-blade knife, but you also need to open the darn thing.

Each one has advantages, but for what it’s worth, I’m a folding-blade guy when it comes to self-defense.

#2 Type of Blade

Let’s keep this one short, too.

Blades designed for slashing are great when you’ve got room for these actions. If you’re in tight quarters or have an assailant weighing down on it, a knife designed for stabbing is the superior choice.

Keep blade length short; I rarely carry anything over 2 ½” long. These blades are easier to conceal and won’t make you overextend yourself on the attack or defense.

#3 Cost

Simple enough, you get what you pay for.

If you’re buying a knife for self-defense, don’t skimp. You want something reliable that you know you can trust.

Cost does not always equate to quality, but picking a middle-of-the-road price option is a good idea.

#4 Utility

What if you need to use that knife for more than defending against bad guys?

Using it for everyday purposes is an excellent way to become familiar with the knife and how it handles, and also lets you get more bang for your buck.

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Our Selections – Fixed Blade

We’ve broken our reviews down into fixed and folding blade sections. Check each out and consider what we’ve talked about above.

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Top Picks – Folding Blade