What Knife Should a Guzzi Rider Carry?

[dibble]

Knife as a Tool/Knife as a weapon, should be two different threads really.

In the UK and I should think most of Western Europe if the Police have a suspicion that your knife is for "protection" will get you nicked.

We still can take pleasure in having nice tools though (with certain restrictions, sub 3" blade, non locking in the UK).

[Bjorn Are Stolen]

Two-handed knife from 16th century Germany 
-doesn't get much bigger than this 

[oldbike54]

Hey Oldbike 54. Based upon results with an overripe aand hostile cantaloupe, I would think a Federal .357 125 gr JHP would spread mustard all over the place.

 Yeah , those hostile fruits and veggies can be quite problematic , I prefer a shotgun for dispatching them , although it isn't always easy to tell the truly hostile ones from the merely overly flirtatious . A combination of organic fertilizer and to much sun makes some of our squishy little friends a bit frisky 

  Dusty

[Lannis]

Hmm , never could figure out how to cut rope or spread mustard with a gun , what am I missing 

  Dusty

You're allowed both, you know.    A little knife to cut rope or spread mustard or peel a grape doesn't take up much room.

Of course, if the only tool you have is a hammer, then every problem is treated like a nail ....

Lannis

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Benchmade - best I have ever owned. But alas, made in the US of A, not Italy.

Benchmade makes a hell of a knife, that's what I carried before the Kershaw..  It dissapeared after I left it laying in the cooler at work.. I'm pretty sure I know who palmed it, he was fired a week later for stuff unrelated.


As far as a knife for self defense..  I never think of it. I consider a knife a tool, not a weapon.. than again I have a CCW and if I were in that sort of situation I would NOT be reaching for my little apple cutter.

[Mad Mac]

There is also Fox Cutlery in Maniago founded by Oreste Frati in 1977 and their subsidiary, Euro Knives Italia founded in 2008 specializing in high-tech folding knives.  They have collaborated with Spyderco before.  The Mini Spy below is one of the results.

[Travman]

I have been researching this very matter. I live in rural Aridzona and spend as much time as possible in the sticks. I walk and bicycle and am  getting the final bits of camping gear: bike and bike (I hope) together. A good knife is a wonderful thing to have for so many outdoor purposes, as well as opening blister packs an stuff in boxes. I want a decent knife and have been considering legal blade length, blade steel, blade shape - like can I sharpen that curve with a stone? and the like. I don't want to spend a hell of a lot of lira on such a thing,  but regard a good knife as a thing to last years. I kinda like this: USA made, clean design, 3" strong point, easily sharpened: The Kershaw Camber. Gonna try to post a link now. These are available for about 70 clams.

http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/camber

That is a nice knife. I don't think I've ever seen a 3 inch folder with S30V steel at that low of a price. 

I like S30V steel. I have it on my Benchmade Buscrafter.  I can cut down small trees and prepare firewood kindling and it will still shave hair off my arm. 

[fotoguzzi]

X-ACTO

[beetle]

Leatherman. It makes you feel like Batman.

[Mad Mac]

Ooh, ooh.  Ooh, ooh! 

The iconic Italian knife would have to be a stiletto.
Although a push button, switch blade may prove, uh... awkward.

[jcctx]

Have to be a Beretta (yes they make knives, or perhaps just brand them?). Bought my son one a few years back!! Italian, ya know!!!

[lorazepam]

the best utility knife hands down for the price is the Mora. Light weight, and holds a edge pretty well. That said, it is a sheath knife, but will live in a tank bag just fine.
My EDC is usually a Kershaw Leek, by Ken Onion. US made, scary sharp, and spring assist opening. One flick of the finger, and it is open. Depending on what I am doing, I will carry the half serrated, or non serrated 14c28n steel. I also have a US made Gerber ultralite assist opening. It is even lighter than the Leek, 440A stainless blade. For heavy work, I have a US made Buck 722 Spitfire. 420HC steel, and 35 bucks. It is a workhorse.
All are made in the US, and have lifetime warranties.

[Mad Mac]

The iconic Italian knife would have to be a stiletto.
Although a push button, switch blade may prove, uh... awkward.

In Texas, switchblades up to 5.5 inches long are legal.  Check the law in your state here.
http://weaponlaws.wikidot.com/us-switchblade-laws

[HardAspie]

Hey Travman! Thanks for personal info on the S30V steel, that is another thing I like about it. I plan 1 knife: everything a knife does as a tool, take everywhere. That Camber looks good to me.

[Steph]

It's got nothing to do with watching knife fight movies it has to do with reality.I was attacked by a schizophrenic who fell on me from behind and outweighed me by 100 lbs in the middle of the day.He was trying to break my neck with his forearm while pinning me to the ground.I was able to free my arm and open my folding knife and jab him hard in the thigh.He immediately jumped up screaming and ran off and was caught and hog- tied by police latter in the day.There are many personal defense schools that specialize in defending yourself with a knife.As far as it getting taken away from you then why have a firearm ,it might get taken too.I wasn't interested in squaring off with him and fighting on equal ground that day.I just wanted to get home alive to see my kids.

Wouldn't a Bic pen have done the same job?
& probably would have got a well done from the police.

[sib]

Swiss Army multi-tool knife thing goes with me everywhere, and has saved my ass lots. 

If it doesn't have a corkscrew, it's effectively useless.

[Orange Guzzi]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-4PC-FlatWare-Box-End-Wrench-Inspired-Stainless-Steel-Flatware-Set-/252017930225?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aad706ff1

This looks like a Guzzi Owners set  of knives here. 

[toaster404]

Interesting so far.  Oddly, I have and often take a Mora and an Opinel - they're among my favorites!  My Mora sheath broke, or I'd carry it all the time.  Well worn wood handle.

I have much nicer knives in the violin workshop, but they are specialty things that stay there. 

I should probably have a black and white scabbard made for the windshield mount and put something sharp, nice, and Italian in it!

[Guzzistajohn]

I carry one of these
https://www.etsy.com/listing/228532488/1995-camillus-military-issue-demo?ref=related-1

[Offcamber1]

Wouldn't a Bic pen have done the same job?
& probably would have got a well done from the police.

What are you trying to do, autograph your attacker?

All joking aside, my dog and I were attacked a couple of years ago by a pit bull.  I emptied a 6 ounce can of pepper spray on it and all it did is piss him off and slow him down a bit so my dog could break out of his collar and run.  Since then I still carry the pepper spray as the first line of defense.  Plan B is below:



The thought of trying to take down a pit bull with a bic pen is a bit daunting.

YMMV

[HardAspie]

Looks like a great Plan B.

[LowRyter]

If it doesn't have a corkscrew, it's effectively useless.

it's a got bottle opener which is more practical.......... ..   

[DucatiSSsp]

Always liked my Tim Wegner designed Spyderco....nice solid heft to it, but not too heavy.  Bought three of them on ebay for about $65 each(listed for $160 in late 90's) when they were disco'd due to Wegner starting his own knife co.  Lost one...probably while motorcycle riding!

[Mad Mac]

The Dan Wesson I can read.  Is that a Diamondback DB380?  Tactical loading of silver tip hollow points backed up with hard ball.  A beautiful piece. 

[canuck750]

A small, say 1 ~ 2" utility blade may come in handy for cutting zip ties, bungee chords etc.

I can't imagine having to use a knife in a self defense scenario here in the great white north or my travels in Europe, Mexico or even the USA. I have never once felt threatened in any way in my +55 years that I can recall ever thinking that I wish I had a weapon of any kind (other than the one time a black bear was batting the tent I was sleeping in).

I believe it comes down to perspective, I have spoken to many motorcyclists who only ride major highways, only stay in name brand hotels, always chain up their bikes at night. Sadly I think these folks are basing their actions on irrational fears. Violent crime gas been falling across North America for decades. Most people are decent, well meaning and friendly to strangers.

Just my 2 cents.

[Kev m]

I'm not going to get into self defense, that's a whole other thread.

But when it comes to a knife/multi-tool, some 12 years ago now I bought my groomsman each a Leatherman for being in the wedding.

The Juice

http://www.leatherman.com/juice-cs4-364.html#gclid=CjwKEAjwzuisBRClgJnI4_a96zwSJACAEZKeI_rXOaQhyGzObAyxAr8LUjrbkWB9z2PKn3d-HRwh1hoCexfw_wcB&start=22

Picked one up for myself too and I tend to keep it on me.

The screwdrivers and pliers are amazing from a precision standpoint, the bottle and wine openers are handy, like the scissors, knife, saw, and other bits.

[DucatiSSsp]

The Dan Wesson I can read.  Is that a Diamondback DB380?  Tactical loading of silver tip hollow points backed up with hard ball.  A beautiful piece.

Guardian .45(alloy frame)
Not tactical....only had some old rounds lying around and wanted to take a picture when I first got it home a couple weeks ago.   However Mr. UPS man just dropped off 1050 rounds. ;-)

[DucatiSSsp]

I'm not going to get into self defense, that's a whole other thread.

But when it comes to a knife/multi-tool, some 12 years ago now I bought my groomsman each a Leatherman for being in the wedding.

The Juice

http://www.leatherman.com/juice-cs4-364.html#gclid=CjwKEAjwzuisBRClgJnI4_a96zwSJACAEZKeI_rXOaQhyGzObAyxAr8LUjrbkWB9z2PKn3d-HRwh1hoCexfw_wcB&start=22

Picked one up for myself too and I tend to keep it on me.

The screwdrivers and pliers are amazing from a precision standpoint, the bottle and wine openers are handy, like the scissors, knife, saw, and other bits.

Keep one of the original leatherman w/ me on my job.  Been meaning to buy the one you have pictured for quite some time.... Kinda pricey tho!   

[oldbike54]

I'm not going to get into self defense, that's a whole other thread.

But when it comes to a knife/multi-tool, some 12 years ago now I bought my groomsman each a Leatherman for being in the wedding.

The Juice

http://www.leatherman.com/juice-cs4-364.html#gclid=CjwKEAjwzuisBRClgJnI4_a96zwSJACAEZKeI_rXOaQhyGzObAyxAr8LUjrbkWB9z2PKn3d-HRwh1hoCexfw_wcB&start=22

Picked one up for myself too and I tend to keep it on me.


The screwdrivers and pliers are amazing from a precision
 standpoint, the bottle and wine openers are handy, like the scissors, knife, saw, and other bits.

 Where are the feeler gauges and timing light ?

  Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

How 'bout a V42 fighting knife? It worked for the First Special Service Force when they liberated Italy. I'll darn sure slice up you're salami now