The Spyderco Warrior: Expensive, but worth it

When I first started to write this article, I had planned to credit Michael Echanis as being the man who originally designed the knife. I believed that for the past 30 years. I only found out when I read the booklet that came with the knife that’s a long-standing legend. The actual designer of the knife is Randy Wanner who was a friend and I also believe a colleague of Echanis

If you saw the movie “The Men Who Stare at Goats”, which was about the U.S. Military’s “psychic” warrior program, you may remember the character Ben Echmeyer. He was to one who had such the ability to control his mind and suspend a pail of water from a spike that was driven through his scrotum without pain.

If you read the book on which the movie was loosely based, you would know that Echmayer was based on unarmed combat expert, Michael Echanis. Echanis was an Army Ranger who became a master in Hwa Rang Do, a Korean martial art. Echanis trained U.S. Military personnel and also, elite soldiers for Anastasio ("Tachito") Somoza , the president of Nicaragua during the late 70’s. Somoza and Nicaragua were sold out by the Jimmy Carter administration and the country fell to the Communists. Echanis met his Maker several years prior when he died in a mysterious plane crash.

In the book, The Men Who Stare at Goats, the author, Jon Ronson was told by a military person that Echanis was one of the few, if not the only person who could actually kill a goat by staring at it.

And, by the way it wasn’t a pail of water suspended by a spike through his scrotum as Echmeyer did in the movie, (Leading one of the observers to ask, “What practical military application does this have?”) Echanis was able to suspend a pail of water suspended from a spoke that was driven through the skin of his neck, which admittedly has little practical military application either.

In Hwa Rang Do, the reverse grip is heavily used in their knife-fighting techniques. The Warrior knife was designed specifically for reverse grip knife-fighting.

The Spyderco Warrior at $300+ is hands down, my most expensive knife. (With great disappointment, I’ve since discovered the Warrior can be found for a cheaper price online.) While I used to buy Benchmade folders which ranged from about $150-200+, I now buy Spydercos and other knives that cost less than a hundred dollars.

The problem with purchasing expensive knives for defensive purposes is they can generally only be used once. Either it will be held as evidence by police while your defensive encounter is investigated, or if you don’t plan on taking a chance with the justice system where you live and trusting your fate to an OJ Simpson, or Casey Duggard jury, you’ll be dumping your expensive knife in some hard-to-locate-place.

The Spyderco Warrior, for me anyway was a must-have knife. If I’m end up visiting someplace where I can’t take a gun, but knives are allowed, The Warrior will be it, along with a folder or two

The Warrior’s blade is made of H1 steel which means it is EXTREMELY rust resistant at worst and completely rust-proof at best. The blade is a bit over 5” long and has black FRN (Don’t bother asking me what FRN stands for.) handles. NONE of my fixed blade knives feel as good in my hand and only my Gerber Applegate folder feels as good. The Warrior feels so good in fact, that I plan on buying one or more DVDs that teach reverse-grip fighting.

My one criticism about the Warrior is its pitiful sheath. The Warrior comes with a nylon sheath with a plastic insert. I could live with that if the knife fit securely in the sheath and didn’t wobble around in it if the strap isn’t secured.

For a knife that costs over $300, you’d expect a much better sheath that that. However, I found a place online, http://www.redhillsheaths.com/id7.html that will make a Kydex sheath for the Warrior at less than $100.

My summary: EXCELLENT knife, crappy, CRAPPY sheath.

Robot
831-869-9932

Cold Steel’s Recon 1 Folder: The Upgrade

Several days ago my Cold Steel Recon 1 folder arrived via UPS. I already have one of the previous versions but this latest version fixes the main problem I had with the older one, that problem being the thickness of the handle. While I could maintain a good grip on the knife, due to my raccoon-sized hands my grip on just didn’t feel comfortable. The handle of the new Recon 1 is contoured so that those with smaller hands can get a good, comfortable grip. That one, seemingly small difference will be the reason I may actually carry the newer model Recon 1, rather than keeping it in my safe as a collector’s item like I usually do with the older version.



I do like the blade shape of the older Recon 1 better. Both have Tanto-style blades but the blade on the older version looks better to me. I’m sure function-wise, there’s no difference. I’m betting if you stab someone in the right leg with the older Recon 1, and then stab them in the left leg with the newer version, they wouldn’t be able to tell which one hurts more and both wounds would probably bleed out the same. Go ahead, try it out on someone.

Another difference between the two Recon 1 versions is their locking mechanism. The older version uses the Axis locking system while the newer version uses a locking system called Tri-Ad. Look up the locking systems if you want more detailed information about them. I personally prefer either the Axis or liner lock. I like a knife I can open AND close with one hand.



Both knives have 4”,AUS-8A steel and have G-10 laminate scale handles. It’s possible that one could coat their hands with Vaseline and still maintain a good grip on these knives. (Not that I would actually try that)

Frankly, I love the new Recon 1. I only wish they made a smaller version so I could carry it along with my full size version like I do with my Spyderco Endura and Delica.

Robot

831-869-9932

Robot@InsideTheCompound.com

An Inexpensive Automatic Knife by Smith and Wesson

Recently I picked up another inexpensive, yet fairly well-made automatic knife. This one is made by Smith and Wesson. The blade, as you can see in the photo is tanto-style and the steel seems to be of an adequate quality. If you plan on only buying one switchblade for your collection, I wouldn’t recommend this one. If had to pick only one switchblade, it would be one of the higher quality autos either made by Smith and Wesson, Benchmades or one of the other companies. This auto cost less that $25 which puts in the range of the Boker auto-knives I wrote about on a previous post.

One of the main problems I have with this knife is its release button. On nearly all of the other higher quality auto-knives, the button is recessed into the handle enough so that you can carry it in your pocket with little risk of it opening unintentionally.

A test I like to do on auto-knives is to lay it button-side down on a flat surface and press down on it. If the blade doesn’t open, I then consider it safe to carry in my pocket. (Not that I would carry one in my pocket of course, carrying switchblades is illegal in the cowardly, Communistic state of California).



This auto, like many others has a safety, which is located on the back of the handle. While I don’t mind safeties on switchblades, I prefer the ones that are safe to carry without one.

Having to take the safety off of a switchblade before opening it makes it slower to open than a knife with a thumb stud or thumbhole, especially slower than those that can be opened with the flick of a wrist.

All in all, it’s a decent enough knife and it’ll do until I get the funds to purchase some of the higher quality autos.


Bryan Grasper
831-869-9932

Reunited With My Beretta Tanto Folder after Seven Years

I’ve recently found my Beretta Tanto folder. As the title of the blog states, she was lost to me for nearly, if not more than seven years.

It was probably in the late 90’s or early 00’s when I attended a Beretta armorer course. During the course I ordered two Beretta Tanto folders. One was all stainless and her sister was all black. The girls sported 4” long, semi-serrated blades.

I looked online for information about the steel used for the blades and one site said the steel used is AUS-08. http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=BE639

The same thing that makes the Beretta sisters cool=looking also makes them to not the best choice for a defense knife. The folders are all metal and using it in a defense situation can be difficult to hold on to if perspiration and blood gets onto it.

To remedy this, I put safety tape on the handle.

I carried the black Beretta at work. She’s relatively thin and fits in my pocket with very little bulk. Perhaps too little bulk, when she fell out my pocket all those years ago, I didn’t feel it and didn’t miss her until I got home. I don’t remember the exact time and date when I lost it (The knife that is).

Several weeks ago, I noticed a familiar knife clipped inside one of my co-worker’s pockets. Generally, a Beretta folder isn’t a knife commonly seen.

I asked to look at it and saw it was a Beretta with the familiar safety tape cut into the same pattern I had on my Beretta.

He told me the story of how he came to possess the Beretta.

She was found in the workplace parking lot. Whoever found her took her to one of the supervisors, who placed her in his lost and found drawer until someone asked for her.

Silly me, I assumed if a knife was found I would be the first person someone would try to return it to, which has happened several times in the past.

She remained in the drawer for several years until the supervisor retired. She stayed there for several more years until another supervisor got tired of looking at it and kept her for his own for another several years until the day I noticed her in his pocket.

He let me have her back, and I gave him a Benchmade folder as a replacement.
The Beretta tanto is not one of my most high-quality knives but her stainless steel sister (and me) did miss her.

Now the only other knives I need to be reunited with are my Buck 110 W/Flicket, my Benchmade CQ7, and my foliage green Spyderco Endura.

Bargain Blades from Boker: A Working Man’s (or Woman’s) Auto-Knife

If you’re in the market for one of the EVIL switchblades, you may have found the only evil thing about them is the price. Many switchblades are in the $200 range or more. Even the very well-made Pro-Tech, California-legal auto-knives are roughly $125-200.

Granted, the ones in the $250+ range are fantastic and if you only plan to have a few knifes, one of the expensive auto-knives would be a good deal.

However, if you carry your knife for self-defense and ever have to use one to protect yourself (This is assuming you live in an area where switchblades are legal) the fuzz will take your knife while they investigate your self-defense incident.

But then again, you may prefer the cut and run method of personal defense. That’s an alternative to having to defend yourself against a DA who wants to make a name for himself or get elected Governor by prosecuting a person for defending themselves with a knife.

Another possibility is being sued by either the thug or his family for using “excessive” force on their hoodlum relative, who despite having multiple violent, felony convictions is “trying to turn his life around but doesn’t know how, etc” in that event, you’ll want to toss your knife (and any clothes you were wearing during the incident) and that may hurt a bit with a knife costing $250+

Of course if you’re rolling in cash, buying another knife will be no problem. However, if your luck was like mine and you have only one folder, it would happen when you don’t have the funds to buy a decent replacement, and if you’re like me you’ll refuse to buy a $20, Big 5 special.

Enter Boker Knives. The most expensive knife I bought from them is a folder with a ceramic blade. It cost me nearly $200 and that was about ten years ago. Checking the price online now, I see a dealer who was the same knife for $108. I’ll be *%$$#!

By the way, if you want a good deal on a knife, visit www.KnifeSupply.com.

http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=BO89

The two auto-knives in the above photo cost me less than $50 combined, not including shipping. The larger of the two costs $24 and the smaller version costs$19. (I like having two blades on me).

The knives are made in Taiwan and the blades are made from 420CC steel.

Once open, the blades are fairly tight, which is one thing I demand in a folder especially one intended for defense.
Most of the higher quality knives have a safety so the blade doesn’t open in your pocket. Boker, rather than adding a safety, which presumably would increase the price, has the release button recessed into the handle where it makes accidental opening nearly impossible. Indeed, I’ve found with the larger knife, intentional opening is difficult. Not that I’m complaining. Switchblades aren’t legal to carry in California and my autos are collector’s pieces.

http://www.knifesupply.com/eshop/10browse.asp?category=magnum%20tactical%20knives&ReturnTo=http://www.knifesupply.com/magnum_knives.html

Assisted Opening Knives: The Politically “Correct” Switchblade

First, an apology to any readers I may (still) have.

I know I haven’t written anything since last May and for that I apologize. I like knives and have about 50 of them. They range from lock blades, switchblades, assisted-opening knives, boot knives, combat knives, one machete, one Cold Steel Kukri and a Katana.

I also have several videos and books about knives and knife fighting.

Having that much material, I thought I would have no problems writing a blog every month or so. I’m not making any promises, but I’ll try to do better. Now on to my blog:





Assisted Opening Knives: The Politically “Correct” Switchblade

An assisted-opening (AO) knife differs from a switchblade in that the tab or lever attached to the blade pushes it outward slightly before a spring mechanism fully opens the blade. A switchblade on the other hand is described (so far) as a knife which completely opens with a press of a button on the handle.

Why are AO knives legal and switchblades illegal in most places? In my humble, however correct opinion it is because some, if not most of the people who write weapon laws are ball-less, ignorant cowards.

We dodged a bullet a while back that would have redefined many pocket knives and especially AO knives as “switchblades”.

Several months ago, the U.S. Customs Service attempted to redefine switchblades in a way that could have included AO knives or folding knives with thumb stud attached to the blade.

Thanks mainly to the knife rights activists at www.KnifeRights.org, the Customs office has backed off.

An assisted-opening knife differs from a switchblade because while switchblade opens with a push of a button on the handle, an AO knife opens after you put slight pressure on a button of lever that is connected to the blade. The slight pressure starts the opening of the blade and the spring assist completes the opening and locks the blade into position.

Confused? I am.

A knife that opens quickly and easily one-handed is an ideal weapon for self-defense. Obviously a sheath knife is usually faster, but a folder is handier and is less prone to upset the cowardly sheep in our society.




The knife shown on the top here is the SOG Trident. It’s a decent enough knife, but it’s a bit thick for me.

The second knife down is made by Smith and Wesson and is an out-the-front (OTF) AO knife. The knife opens with a fairly solid “snap”. My only problem with these knives is the button is near the bottom of the handle, which can make reaching the button and then repositioning your hand into fighting position can be a bit time-consuming if you’re in a tight spot

The third knife down is a Smith and Wesson, Military & Police, side opening AO. The knife can be opened using the thumb stud near the top of the handle or by using the lever located on the back of the handle. I have two of these and the stud on the lever on one of broke off.

The knife on the bottom was designed by Blackie Collins. This knife is plastic except for the springs which assist in the opening of the knife.

The knife can’t be sharpened but the point could probably do some damage. While it may be tempting to try to get this knife past a metal detector, I’m betting it would pick up the metal spring, maybe not, but why would any otherwise law-abiding person want to slip a knife past a metal detector?



These two knives are AO F.A.S.T. , Applegates, made by Gerber. The button on the side of the handle both locks the blade to keep it from opening and unlocks the opened blade for closing. I often activate the lock when placing the knife in my pocket and have to force myself to remember to unlock it. While I like these two knives I rarely carry them. I still need more time to get used to them.

Assisted-opening knives are a good and fun alternative to switchblades. I prefer the actual switchblade but I live in California.

Bryan Grasper

BryanGrasper@live.com

831-241-4767

The “Evil” Switchblade and the People (like me) who Love Them

“A couple of the sounds that I really like are the sounds of a switchblade and a motorbike”

-Elton John: Saturday night’s Alright for Fighting


Here’s a question for you. What makes a switchblade more dangerous than any other folding lock blade knife?

Answer: Nothing.

The “evil” switchblade is the “assault” weapon of the knife world. In reality a switchblade is only as “evil” as the intent of the person using it. Switchblades, dirks, daggers, nunchucks and brass knuckles should all be legal. Each can be effectively used for self-defense, even the nunchucks. Some of you may have seen a few police officers with nunchucks on their belt rather than a nightstick or PR-24. About ten years ago I saw a Monterey Police officer wearing both nunchucks and a nightstick on his belt

It would be accurate to say a switchblade is handier as a self-defense weapon than it is an “assault” weapon. A criminal intent on attacking someone will already have his weapon ready, whatever it is. A victim would lose precious seconds opening a Buck-type folding knife

An article in Wikipedia (I know Wikipedia isn’t the most reliable of sources) states that switchblades or automatic knives in one form or another has existed since the 1700s. The earliest forms were attached to flintlock pistols. Obviously, since the guns only held one shot and were extremely slow to reload, an edged back-up blade was highly prudent.

After the Civil War switchblades became more common and ranged from the combat/self-defense variety to small switchblades that were designed to be kept in a woman’s (or man’s I assume) sewing kit.

Switchblades have come a long way since then. Roughly 20 years ago or so, cheap switchblades with cheap blade metal and weak locking devices were the norm. Today it is fairly easy to get an excellent switchblade for about $150-200+.

There are two main types of switchblades, one which opens from the side like a basic lock blade and the “out the front” (OTF) type. The Wikipedia article breaks down the OTF models into the ingle and double action types.



The single action type open with the push of a button but has to be manually closed. The double action type open and retract with the push of a button. The OTF blade pictured in this post is the same type The Joker used in the latest Batman movie. The Joker (there’s no brand name or markings of any kind on the knife) switchblade is the single action type and has to be retracted manually. The blade is made of cheap metal, probably low-quality 440 stainless. The blade isn’t very sharp. Sharpening it to an acceptable level would be difficult and I doubt it would hold an edge for long anyway. It does look cool though.

A police officer friend of mine encountered one of these when he was searching a hit-and-run suspect. My friend found the knife in his pocket saw the button on the handle but didn’t think the knife was an OTF switchblade, or a switchblade at all for that matter. His hand was in the wrong place when he pushed the button, resulting in a small, shallow cut to his hand.



The other knife pictured here is another cheap switchblade probably from the 70’s or earlier. A friend gave it to me and about the only thing it’s good for is opening letters and even then only if the paper isn’t too tough. Presumably it was sharper and tighter when it was first sold.



The knife pictured above is a high-quality Benchmade. I bought this knife for just over $200. The blade steel is 154-CM, one of the better quality metals. Like many high quality switchblades, this one has a safety. Also as with most of the better switchblades, the button is recessed into the handle. In other words, you can lay the knife down on a table, button side down, press down on the knife and the blade won’t open. With the button recessed, it is less likely the knife will open in your pocket. Of course that depends on whether you keep anything in you knife pocket. (You shouldn’t)



These two knives are of the “California legal” variety. In California it is legal to carry a switchblade if the blade is shorter than two inches. These two have 154-CM steel for the blades and cost around $125-150.

What we knife enthusiasts need is an organization like Gun Owners of America or the NRA but whose main concern I knife rights.

There is NOTHING that makes a switchblade anymore dangerous than any other knife.

Robot

831-869-9932

Next: Assisted Opening Knives: the Politically Correct (and legal) Switchblades

The OD Green Endura

Several days ago, I received my OD green-handled Syderco Endura. Lately, I’ve been carrying one of my Enduras instead of my Gerber Applegate or Benchmade Stryker. The Endura has an adequate blade length and is cheap enough (in price, not quality) that I won’t cry too much if I lose one, but more on losing knives later. My only complaint about the OD green model is the shade of green is a little to light for my taste. My other OD green-handled knives perfectly match my woodland camouflage pants and they all but disappear when clipped to my pocket.



Speaking of disappearing, I had a bit of a crisis today. I lost my black-handled, plain-edged Endura. Losing these knives when they’re clipped to a pocket is nearly impossible, however I managed to do it. While I have another Endura or two, my plain-edged model is a bit special because I have a plain-edged Delica as its mate. With the two of them together I have a bit of a Miyamoto Musashi (The Book of Five Rings) thing going.

But looking at the bright side, losing one knife means I have room for more.

Robot

831-869-9932