Looking to buy legal (3") folding knife for Rhode Island

[Chevy-SS]

Saw Michael Janich on Best Defense the other night. He was doing some meat slicing, very graphic and scary, but quite instructional. Michael had a small folding knife, plus a training knife. Does anyone know what he was using on that show?

I'm in Rhode Island, so I need to comply with state law, part of which is "prohibited - knife of any description having a blade of more than three (3) inches in length measuring from the end of the handle where the blade is attached to the end of the blade," So I need to be careful that the knife complies with state law.

I would appreciate recommendations for a quality folding knife that would be applicable to Rhode Island.

Thanks!

-

[Timothy]

It looked like a Spyderco but Mike will let you know for sure.

Welcome Aboard....stop by the new member thread and introduce yourself.

[Overload]

I give my strongest recommendation to the Benchmade Mini Griptilian model 556.  2.91" blade, swappable clip, ambi (and superior) AXIS lock.  If you want a hole for opening, go with the 555.

[Michael Janich]

Dear Chevy-SS:

Thanks for your post and for watching.

The knife I used for the demo was a Spyderco Delica. It's available in a number of different configurations, but the one I used was one of my two EDC Delicas, which have plain-Jane black Zytel handles. I prefer a plain edge.

The great thing about the Delica is that it is also available in a red-handled, blunted training version that allows safe training with a partner. Both versions are mechanically identical and feature four-position clips that support tip-up or tip-down carry on both sides of the body. The blade length is 2-7/8 inches, so it should be perfect for your needs.

FYI, a new version of the Delica 4 will be available very soon. It has a full-flat-ground blade and will be available with five different handle color options. If you want something that is not "tactical black," these will be a great choice.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Chevy-SS]

Mike,

Thanks very much for the reply! Your lessons are terrific. I hope you are getting good viewer ratings and that the show continues on. 

I really like the way you provide a wide variety of situations that might arise. If I might make a suggestion, I think it would be great if you could include more 'verbal' tactics. In other words, what are some of the best ways to talk oneself out of a dire situation. Good psychological tactics can often be just as effective as a punch, kick, cut or shoot - and there's a lot less danger and/or legal trouble.

Keep up the fabulous work.  You and Rob Pincus are a great team. Do you guys ever offer training at a facility?

Many thanks,

Dave

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

Mike, I know you like sydercos and your response led me to their web site. Two idle (well one idle) questions. The non-idle question is about the Delicas which I am seriously considering. There is a model with a hook designed to catch on a pocket and self open. Useful in theory, but it also seems it could be hazardous if the blade fails to fully open and lock. Whats your view? Useful or murphy prone gimmick? The idle question is over the "Civilian" model, shaped like a claw. It seems odd to buy a knife you can't stab with, but if its designed for the untrained in a stress ituation, maybe. Your thoughts?
Thanks
FQ13

[Michael Janich]

Mike, I know you like sydercos and your response led me to their web site. Two idle (well one idle) questions. The non-idle question is about the Delicas which I am seriously considering. There is a model with a hook designed to catch on a pocket and self open. Useful in theory, but it also seems it could be hazardous if the blade fails to fully open and lock. Whats your view? Useful or murphy prone gimmick? The idle question is over the "Civilian" model, shaped like a claw. It seems odd to buy a knife you can't stab with, but if its designed for the untrained in a stress ituation, maybe. Your thoughts?
Thanks
FQ13

Dear FQ13:

Thanks for your post and your questions.

The hook on the spine of the blade is an Emerson Opener, also known as a “Wave.” The use of a wave is personal preference. Some folks swear by them, while others despise them. I have worked with them extensively to evaluate them and found that they are extremely quick and easier to learn than other draw-and-open techniques. The downsides are that they tend to be pretty hard on your pockets if you practice a lot (as you should) and they force you to draw toward the back of your pocket (for standard grip). The latter is an issue because it can cause problems in confined quarters, with your back against a wall, etc.

If you do opt for a Wave, I still highly recommend that you practice manual opening skills as a backup to the Wave opening. Just like any other “malfunction clearance,” you need to have a backup.

Where I feel the Wave is most useful is for weak-side reverse-grip carry for handgun retention. Many people claim to carry a folder on their off side for handgun retention, but only a very few have actually developed the skill to draw it and open it under pressure. Few still know what to do with it once it’s out. The Wave at least helps solve one of these issues.

With regard to the Civilian, Spyderco developed it in response to a specific request from a federal agency. Many of their agents were working undercover doing drug buys and often could not carry firearms. They wanted a knife that would cut viciously with gross-motor-skill flailing movements. Spyderco developed and patented the “Reverse-S” edge shape and extended it into the hook-shaped tip. The hook actually penetrates during the arc of a cut, so although it doesn’t “thrust” in the conventional sense, it still allows deep penetration through clothing. I’ve done some cutting with the one in my collection—it’s impressive.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Michael Janich]

Mike,

Thanks very much for the reply! Your lessons are terrific. I hope you are getting good viewer ratings and that the show continues on. 

I really like the way you provide a wide variety of situations that might arise. If I might make a suggestion, I think it would be great if you could include more 'verbal' tactics. In other words, what are some of the best ways to talk oneself out of a dire situation. Good psychological tactics can often be just as effective as a punch, kick, cut or shoot - and there's a lot less danger and/or legal trouble.

Keep up the fabulous work.  You and Rob Pincus are a great team. Do you guys ever offer training at a facility?

Many thanks,

Dave

Dear Dave:

Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoy the show.

We do try to provide good examples of deesacalation tactics in the show and really tried to focus on that in the bar scenarios. Of particular note was the example where Rob got bunged up because my date and I were served our drinks first. I gave the car keys to my date, offered Rob MY beer, paid the tab and left.

I agree, though, that verbal skills should receive more focus. The problem is that, like demonstrating good physical security (miscreant kicking your door repeatedly and not getting in), it can be anticlimactic for TV.

Rob and I both maintain active teaching schedules (actually mine is active, his is hyperactive); however, we have not yet paired up to team teach. We’ve talked about it, but it hasn’t come together yet. If it does, you can be assured you’ll hear about it here.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Chevy-SS]

Mike,

Do you have a link to the Delica you were using? I cannot find it at the Spyderco site.

Thanks, Dave

[Solus]

Mike,

Do you have a link to the Delica you were using? I cannot find it at the Spyderco site.

Thanks, Dave

Here ya go  

http://www.spyderco.com/search/index.php

Opps..verified that link and it does  not go where I thought it would.  Just put Delica in the search space on the web site