Self-defense knife

Spyderco. If you’ve been using an EDC knife for a long time now, you would most probably know this name.

In case you didn’t know…

Spyderco has been around since the 1970s and through the years, they’re the one who popularized and developed the concept of an efficient and convenient pocket knife with features such as a pocket clip, one-hand development or opening capability, serrated blades, and many more.

In short, they’re the OGs, the revolutionaries.

So if you’re a brand-conscious consumer, you’d love the reputation Spyderco has.

But apparently…

They’re not all names and titles. Up to this day, the quality of their folding tactical knives doesn’t fail…

As evidenced by this another gem, the Matriarch 2. Pretty cool name, eh?

We’ve expected this already, but this knife is this review’s Editor’s Choice for one too many reasons. 

In case you’re looking for a good combat knife or a great self defense weapon for your wife, sister, daughter, or just any female loved one, this guy is the best one you can ever get.

Let me tell you why.

Most of us here have owned our own Spyderco folding knives for years now. I, myself, own a Matriarch for some time now. It’s not one to be discarded as it’s durable and made for longtime use.

This self defense blade is the more economical and easier to use version of Spyderco’s Civilian while also sharing some features from the crowd-favorite Endura 4 with the exception that the Matriarch is more lightweight, making it a great weapon for women, especially younger ones.

Starting from the handle…

It’s designed ergonomically so you can easily hold it even if it’s your first time holding a sharp blade for defense.

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Aside from that, it’s also crafted to be an ambidextrous knife, so you can definitely use it even if you’re left-handed- or just whenever and wherever the need arises.

Another thing that makes this a really good self defense knife is its easy to deploy capabilities.

With its Emerson- style opener, you can open this cold steel in just a couple of seconds.

But take note…

That it takes a little practice to get it right, especially if you’re not used to holding defense knives. My sister had to practice a whole day opening this up speedily and the next day, she’s able to deploy her Matriarch in just about 2 seconds. 

Very handy in times of emergency.

Another thing I love about the Matriarch is the steel blade itself.

The blade shape is serrated and it’ll be an understatement to say that it looks plain badass. Just opening this baby up would most probably scare the heck out of any goons surrounding you- hopefully keeping you from actually using this knife in combat.

Aside from its reverse ‘S’ shape, the grip is also textured so there is a slim chance that it will slip through your fingers. 

Maybe you’re wondering…

Since it’s a folding knife, how safe is it in my pockets?

Well, I haven’t experienced it yet, but some users say that you should be careful in taking this guy out of your pocket as it can open there and might cause injury. 

As for me, my Matriarch is well-screwed enough not to open in my pocket- so far.

It’s got a perfect score for all the metrics we’ve set, except for the safety because of this tendency.

But overall…

The Matriarch EDC knife isn’t dubbed as the “Queen of self defense EDC knives” for nothing, making it a very deserving Editor’s Choice.

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If you’re looking for flexibility in your cold steel for self defense but don’t want to splash out yet on an expensive knife, you can still have a great automatic knife, our chosen Best Value awardee, the Fox Karambit folding knife!

Much shorter than the Matriarch earlier, the Karambit is a force to be reckoned with, with all its revolutionary features all at a very friendly price.

One of the most noticeable and unique features of this folding knife is its tiger claw-style blade that’s designed to lacerate or puncture. 

Because of this curved design, it can get confusing to use, especially for beginners.

In addition to this…

I also love its retention ring, which other knife models lack.

It lets you hold your defense knife securely whatever happens. You just need to practice holding it and learn which finger is the right one to put through the ring.

Pro tip: You’d want to use your index finger for the ring as it’s the strongest finger you have and you’d have more control and flexibility with your weapon. Don’t use your pinky finger, as it’s not only the weakest finger but the awkward positioning might also break your pinky.

This Karambit also features an Emerson wave opening but this one is patented.

How is it different?

Well, this Emerson wave design will catch on your pocket so upon taking it out, it will automatically open and all you’ll have to do is use it!

It comes very, very convenient and handy in a very unexpected and crucial situation.

On the other hand…

Some users have a different say when it comes to Karambit’s one unique feature: the liner lock that keeps the knife deployed.

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Looking for a knife that’s way smaller, lighter, and generally inconspicuous that it won’t look and feel like you’re carrying one under that shirt?

This fixed blade knife by Ka-Bar might be the answer to your dilemma.

A favorite among law enforcement officers, this fixed blade self-defense tool that’s designed by John Benner, the founder, and owner of the Tactical Defense Institute, is made to be the “last option” when you’re left with nothing else.

Do you want to carry protection with you but your local laws prohibit the possession of a gun? Or maybe you just want to feel secure as you walk your dog or get home every evening through a sketchy neighborhood? This knife’s concealable design is your best friend.

As a matter of fact…

This is a standout among other fixed blade knives that we’ve gathered and tried as every curve is crafted to fit your holster or even just the waist of your pants or shorts like a glove.

It comes with a rectangular sheath that you can attach to your holster, inside or outside, you’re the boss.

Now, you may hear some comments saying that the sheath is too tight, causing some difficulties in taking the fixed blade out, slowing the deployment.

But let me tell you this:

Actually, I’ve also just learned that the sheath has a thumb grip to help you in removing your knife speedily and instantly.

All you have to do is press it after which you should hear a clicking sound and that means your knife is now released. 

I’ve practiced it about 50 times the first day and after that, I was able to pull the knife ever so breezily in a matter of seconds!

Now to the handle.

Its handle is curved at a 15-degree angle and while this may seem like an unimportant design, it was actually quite useful as it lets me hold the knife perfectly fit within my palm, so the handle is concealed and the blade is the only thing sticking out.

And speaking of the blade…

The blade is also a bit curved away from my hand when I’m holding it so it’s safer for the user.

I just love how it’s very light so I had quite a blast swinging it around practicing.

All these features amazed us and we didn’t hesitate to award this Ka-Bar baby the Top Pick award.

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If you’re looking to be practical and you want a knife that can be used for a self defense situation as well as for camping, hiking, and other purposes, then this hard-molded SOG SEAL Pup Elite Survival Knife could be your best bet!

One of its highlight features…

Is its razor sharp semi serrated blade. Apparently, it underwent SOG’s cryogenic heat treatment to harden the razor sharp steel that’s even more durable than the regular push dagger.

We’ve tested all the knives by cutting through a log of wood, and surprisingly, this one actually sliced through without breaking!

Moreover, it’s coated with a black Titanium Nitride to prevent it from rusting- not to mention, giving it a really, really cool dark look.

It comes with a sheath that’s literally tailor-made for this semi serrated edge shape, which may be a pro or a con, as it means a secured covering for the knife but can also be hard to remove. 

Now, what I love about this…

Is the different mounting locations it offers. You can even tie it up in your backpack!

We just love how it’s advantageous not only for self defense purposes but for survival, too.

In an ugly situation, you won’t want something pretty. You want something clever.

And that’s where the Clever Girl comes in.

Just an FYI…

This self defense tool was crafted by Austin McGlaun, one of the RMJ Tactical’s actual combat veterans that have returned from war with different degrees of PTS. 

To help fight PTS, they designed self-defense tools they wished they had in the field. 

And this is how the Cleve Girl was made. Some cool story to talk about your knife, huh?

But aside from its poignant story…

This knife is beautiful on its own. And I mean literally beautiful with an elegantly curved tip and thin, sleek design.

Now, it’s lightweight and very thick, but that’s also what keeps it from being useful in more heavy-duty purposes. In short, you can’t use this as a chopping knife. 

But aside from that, I love how the shape of the blade is strategically made to achieve a superior slicing action. Yes, the upward curved design will make it easier to hurt an attacker, should the need arise. 

But we hope not.

Let me introduce to you one of the strongest locking folding blades on the market today- the Cold Steel Black Talon II. 

At first glance, this guy may look plain. But this is not one to underestimate. 

This not so tiny blade boasts of its famous Tri-Ad locking mechanism that locks this deadly weapon in place, offering more security and stability as you use it.

Aside from this…

Comfort is clearly the name of the game of this Cold Steel as it also features a thoughtful thumb plate along its spine, which can act as either a thumb rest or a catch wave to enable its self-opening capability.

Talk about practical features!

This wicked sharp knife is also famous for being thin and dangerous.

This 4-inch blade extends to a whole 9 inches when deployed.

Now, this is an underrated foldable knife, but upon testing, we concluded that this Spyderco Harpy is one of the best folding knives on the market today.

One of the most unique among all blade shapes, Spyderco was the first of its kind to develop the hawk bill blade profile into the serrated blade design, resulting in a revolutionary knife that looks dangerous as it works.

The whole of this knife is made of stainless steel.

But in case you’re wondering…

It does have a linear slot along its handle to enable the blade to dry much quicker in case it gets wet. 

And another great thing about this blade is low maintenance that after having it for years, one of my teammates realized that never once had he had to sharpen it out!

Another thing that I love about this guy is the finger ring along its blade which aids a  perfectly speeding opening. 

And in case you find yourself in a dark place…

This locking folding knife has a dent on the side so you’d still know where to hold it even if you cannot see it. 

And hey, let me just mention that its stainless steel design was a favorite among the ladies!

If you want a straightforward knife without much fuss, this good-looking Benchmark turret knife is for you.

We graded it one of the best self defense knives with fixed blades on the market today thanks to its attractive grip that’s contoured with an ergonomic design that makes this knife easy to hold on to especially in critical situations.

Moreover, its unique dual thumb studs enable its user to deploy the blade speedily and close it back just as instantly. Be careful, though, as it’s very sharp right out of the box!

If you’re looking for a lightweight knife…

This could pass, too, but it’s much heavier compared to the other knives on this list. 

And the best thing I love about this? Well, it’s the knife’s beautiful visuals thanks to its black powder coating.

Further proving their authority when it comes to self-defense knives, Fox gave us yet another wicked little knife to make the bad guys run for the hills. 

At first glance, this tiny blade is certainly a clear warning waiting to be noticed with its pointy and thin blade with nice contoured wedges. 

Just like the first Fox blade we reviewed, this one also has a patented Emerson wave that helps with fast deployment that you can accomplish within a matter of seconds!

It also has an adjustable pocket clip that you can unscrew and install on the other side. 

I tried playing with it with wet hands and its textured grip proved to be very dependable as it didn’t slip one bit, and with the help of its improved retention ring, it felt like it’s all I need to protect myself when the need arises.

If looks could kill, this stunning combination of beauty and functionality takes the bag for being one of the best self-defense knives we’ve ever had.

A secured and safe grip is ensured with the big hole along its blade to ensure this baby won’t slip through your fingers however strong you swing it. 

Moreover, its handle may look simple but it’s cleverly shaped to complement your hands’ natural contours so when I held it, it fitted like a glove.

But my favorite thing of all?

It’s its attractive aesthetic. From top to bottom, it’s been coated black, and the blade is made to be non-reflective, which makes it super concealable.