Anyone here ever actually used a hunting knife for self-defense?

[Doug Hamilton]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a MS-13?

An organized criminal gang. They started in Central America, El Salvador maybe (?), but are now all over CA and Mexico. During the Biden administration they invaded the US in masse and are now a serious threat to American citizens.

 

[dchum]

An organized criminal gang. They started in Central America, El Salvador maybe (?), but are now all over CA and Mexico. During the Biden administration they invaded the US in masse and are now a serious threat to American citizens.

Actually started in and were organized in the US - westlake area of Cali.

 

[Nhoro]

I thought protection against animals and the story of Harry Wolhuter stabbing that lion comes to mind. I worked for his grandson filming lions for a year and he had a replica of the knife.it was a pretty long and surprisingly slender blade, pretty much perfect for stabbing a lion in the heart. For me, a knife would be a lifesaver if you were injured in the Bush, needing to cut poles or render first aid but not my first choice for self defense- rather have a pistol.

 

[BeeMaa]

After carrying a small fixed & folding blades hunting knife for my entire life in the field, I think it's absolutely necessary to have one while hunting. The size, shape and style are up for debate.

Let's be perfectly honest, a knife of any sort is a last resort in a self defense situation against another human. Anyone without specific training in knife fighting & retention stands a chance of having that knife turned on them. Against something other than a biped, the odds get better but only because we have opposable thumbs.

Knives usually get used for field dressing but I've dispatched a few animals with it as well. Never needed one for self defense, but I suppose it's not out of the question. Maybe a good sized blade would be in order for hunting lion or lioness. I've heard stories of a "lion knife" being used to save ones skin.

For our next trip to Africa, I'll most likely be taking a small folding knife and put in a leather sheath on my belt. In my time over there, I've yet to take my knife out for anything more than cutting up a piece of meat at the braai or maybe cutting some 550 cord. Probably a Benchmade Mini Osborne.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Actually started in and were organized in the US - westlake area of Cali.

I think you may be right. I did know that a lot of the members were from El Salvador, along with Mexico and other CA countries. We dealt with some of them in the prison system. Violent and dangerous SOBs.

 

[mdwest]

Would hog hunting with a knife count?.

If hogs count I’ve been in at least 50+ knife and spear fights

I’ve been organizing/hosting a “veterans” hog hunt in TX every year for the last 8 years… we spend a 4 day weekend every spring running dogs and sticking hogs.. most years we’ll take 15-20 hogs between all of use over the 4 days…

A bit different than a typical hunting knife though… my primary knife is an 11” bladed pig sticker.. my spear is a 3.5’ long cut sapling with a 7” bladed cold steel bushman on top of it, wrapped in paracord for grip..

 

[dchum]

I think you may be right. I did know that a lot of the members were from El Salvador, along with Mexico and other CA countries. We dealt with some of them in the prison system. Violent and dangerous SOBs.

I’m sure you did, that is where most of the orgs started in the CA prison system as you well know.

I wouldnt even want to make eye contact, you’re a lot tougher than me having to deal with individuals like that!

Crazy!

 

[HankBuck]

If hogs count I’ve been in at least 50+ knife and spear fights

I’ve been organizing/hosting a “veterans” hog hunt in TX every year for the last 8 years… we spend a 4 day weekend every spring running dogs and sticking hogs.. most years we’ll take 15-20 hogs between all of use over the 4 days…

A bit different than a typical hunting knife though… my primary knife is an 11” bladed pig sticker.. my spear is a 3.5’ long cut sapling with a 7” bladed cold steel bushman on top of it, wrapped in paracord for grip..

@mdwest: really “if Hogs Count…” I have to say NO “hogs” don’t count in the Knife Fight question and neither do chickens, ducks, rabbits, lambs or any other Barnyard Animals….whether they got out of their pen a few years ago or Not. Come on @mdwest - lets keep this to real Wild animals, not some hairy pig that escaped from Oscar Mayer and bred like a Street Hooker for a few years !

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I’m sure you did, that is where most of the orgs started in the CA prison system as you well know.

I wouldnt even want to make eye contact, you’re a lot tougher than me having to deal with individuals like that!

Crazy!

Between the states and cities declaring themselves "sanctuaries" and Biden refusing to enforce federal law regarding illegal entry into the US, the current mess is not too surprising. Hopefully, the Liberal side in this country will wake up, but I doubt it.

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

Not me, but my grandad. Shot a buck on a deer drive and it dropped. He walked up and took out his pocket knife to cut the bucks throat because he saw it breathing. When he grabbed the antler the buck came up on him and he dispatched it with the pocket knife

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

Worth noting on this that they ended up 30 or so yards away from where the buck originally lay

 

[JimP]

Have a friend who shot a buck during muzzle loader season. We got up to it and it was still breathing, I told him to cut its throat while I held the antlers.

He pulled out his old trusty blade and when he tried to stick the neck that buck got back up on all fours with me holding the antlers and dead. I hip rolled him down the hill a ways and then did it again. When I got to him the third time I pulled out my 357 and finished him.

Never bring a knife to a gunfight.

 

[spike.t]

No but we had a very liberal use of force policy allowing us to use “any” implement in a lethal encounter. We were still using the carotid artery hold as less lethal force when most agencies banned its use. Honestly, I was very surprised since we all carried backup guns.

Also makes me think about the time my partner and I watched an hiv positive prostitute covered in her own blood from stabbing herself become combative and flee the ambulance. A background check would flag them “as a blood and bodily fluid precaution.” We looked at each other, paramedics just standing and watching, some other officers standing and watching, well fuck, we went after her and took her into custody. Nothing like having hiv + blood smeared over your uniform then notice you have a cut on your arm. For exposure you get an AZT cocktail, thankfully I was negative but not fun for the next 6 months. Fun times.

Why did you bother?......

 

[Flbt]

@mdwest: really “if Hogs Count…” I have to say NO “hogs” don’t count in the Knife Fight question and neither do chickens, ducks, rabbits, lambs or any other Barnyard Animals….whether they got out of their pen a few years ago or Not. Come on @mdwest - lets keep this to real Wild animals, not some hairy pig that escaped from Oscar Mayer and bred like a Street Hooker for a few years !

I take it you never used a knife on a 400 lbs boar that the dogs can hardly hold.
Nothing barn yard there especially if you in water and there gator’s around. Lol

 

[Flbt]

No but we had a very liberal use of force policy allowing us to use “any” implement in a lethal encounter. We were still using the carotid artery hold as less lethal force when most agencies banned its use. Honestly, I was very surprised since we all carried backup guns.

Also makes me think about the time my partner and I watched an hiv positive prostitute covered in her own blood from stabbing herself become combative and flee the ambulance. A background check would flag them “as a blood and bodily fluid precaution.” We looked at each other, paramedics just standing and watching, some other officers standing and watching, well fuck, we went after her and took her into custody. Nothing like having hiv + blood smeared over your uniform then notice you have a cut on your arm. For exposure you get an AZT cocktail, thankfully I was negative but not fun for the next 6 months. Fun times.

We had a good use of force policy. As long as the report made since and was legal.

I know what you mean about long months being tested no aids no hepatitis but dammed I got tb had to take those pills every day for 9 months.

I got in trouble on one of those calls. End of midnight shift. A Spatz hooker was fighting ems. Bloody and spitting + less pleasant fluid.
The sheriff was in early my suggestion of using the dog catcher pole was flatly rejected.
So the sheriff shows up himself after my idea was nixed.
We got everything sq away I was getting chewed out noticed something at his eye.
After appropriate med checks nice. New case of hep c
Off the record I was told later the catch pole was probably a good idea but not in front of the public.

 

[Red Leg]

Years ago in Rundu on the border with Angola my PH went into a market to get some last minute provisions while the tracker went off to pick up a couple of parts for the land cruiser as we were heading into the Caprivi. I was left guarding the truck. A loud and probably somewhat drunk or high character came up demanding money and eyeing the gear in the back. We were off the main drag and things could have become ugly. When he started to reach for me, I partially drew a blade that I always carry in Africa on my left side and he backed off and left.

It doesn't take a lot of training to be fairly proficient with a knife. Fortunately I have never had to actually use one, but in close quarters it can be as effective as a handgun.

 

[HankBuck]

I take it you never used a knife on a 400 lbs boar that the dogs can hardly hold.
Nothing barn yard there especially if you in water and there gator’s around. Lol

@Flbt - well I did kill & butcher 6 hogs in one evening with 5 other “Older Guys” - and they used a very long knife (Pig Sticker) to kill them. They then collected the blood (made blood pudding) and fully processed all 5 hogs that night in a barn (nothing went to waste)——it was a LOT OF WORK and exhausted after 5 hours of this. None of these hogs was over 225 lbs, all were very strong but Not dangerous. They were typical Barnyard Pigs - but if they ran away and bred (like Pigs enjoy doing) then in a few years we would have a bit more excitement.

 

[BJH65]

Why did you bother?......

Unfortunately it was our job, sometimes a no win situation. Perhaps she would have ran into traffic and got nailed, bled out, harmed someone, all kinds of scenarios that would involve lawsuits and dereliction of duty and I’m not even going to mention her race but rest assured that would come up too.

Even though she committed some disturbing the peace violations, she was being placed on a mental health hold and being transported to the hospital for her self inflicted injuries. Once law enforcement has detained, arrested or placed someone on a mental health hold, we are committed and now responsible for them.

Don’t get me wrong, lots of times I would tell myself, wow, I’m getting paid really good for this! Other times, when you’re getting shot at, covered in blood like this case or human fecal matter, or some near death call, then I’d tell myself I’m not getting paid enough for this shit!

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Yes

 

[Josh P]

While hunting pigs in west Texas another hunter came back to camp with his hand bandaged up and bloody. “What happened?”, everyone asked. He said he was sitting in a hole he dug out in the sand as a blind, and after it was dark he could hear coyotes, and they got close. “You got bit by a coyote?!”
“No…I pulled my knife out and cut myself!”