| Fighting knives are a type of knife that are | | | | Handle Construction |
| designed to be used for fighting – self | | | | Fighting knives usually need to have a quillon, or |
| defense, military, law enforcement, etc. If you are | | | | other guard to keep your hand from accidentally |
| planning on purchasing a fighting knife, there are a | | | | sliding up onto the blade of the knife. The handle |
| few characteristics that you will want to consider: | | | | should be easy to grip firmly and use in a variety |
| Blade Length | | | | of positions. |
| Most fighting knives have a blade between 5” | | | | Price |
| and 8" long. This length is short enough to be | | | | You don't need to go broke to buy a good |
| easily controlled and handles with one hand, while | | | | fighting knife. Most good knives run anywhere |
| long enough to be effective and deadly. | | | | from about $40 to $150. You can find a few for |
| Blade Shape | | | | less than this, and there are quite a few more |
| The two primary blade shapes used for fighting | | | | expensive ones, but you certainly don't need to |
| knives are Tanto and Clip. The tanto blade has an | | | | spend over $100 or so to get a good knife. A |
| angled point (instead of a curved one) and is | | | | good example of a popular, quality fighting knife is |
| primarily designed for stabbing and piercing. A | | | | the US Marine Corp Fighting Knife, which is made |
| good clip blade can be used for slashing/cutting or | | | | by Kabar. You can this knife for well under $100. |
| stabbing/piercing. | | | | Laws |
| Blade Material | | | | You should be aware that laws regarding knives |
| Usually, you want a knife made of a quality high | | | | vary from area to area. You should check your |
| carbon steel. Choose a steel that is strong and | | | | state and local laws before your purchase a |
| holds an edge well. Usually, you will not need to | | | | fighting knife. |
| the blade to be stainless steel. Just keep it oiled. | | | | |