61582859   
   XPost: rec.martial-arts   
   From: rusty.hinge@foobar.girolle.co.uk   
      
   RichD wrote:   
   > There are plenty of blokes walking around   
   > with a (presumably legal) folder in their   
   > pocket.  With the idea that it's a last resort   
   > self defense weapon.   
      
   Not I.   
      
   > But there also seems to be a popular   
   > opinion that no folder is strong enough for   
   > an extremis situation.   Is failure, while   
   > cutting/stabbing flesh, a serious possibility?   
   > What is the failure mode?   
      
   The blade can turn round and bite you?   
      
   > If you did carry one, which brand/model do   
   > you gurus recommend?  Checking these   
   > boards, it seems Spyderco is the preferred brand.   
   > Is it really more solid?  Tested?  (how?)   
      
   I carry a folding knife in my wallet. The blade is of carbon steel and   
   about an inch and a quarter long - the edge being around an inch. There   
   is also a screwdriver and a can-opener blade.   
      
   This does everything I want it to - cut string, plastic tags, sharpen   
   pencils, open recalcitrant food wrappings, etc with the blade - I've   
   never used it to turn a screw or to open a can, nor, you will be   
   unsurprised to hear, as an offensive (or indeed, defensive) weapon.   
      
   A good knife is one that's useful. Though it isn't as long as my little   
   finger, I count mine a good knife.   
      
   --   
   Rusty   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)