A knife can be used for many purposes. A knife that is not designed for the intended purpose may be less useful. Your local laws, training, skills, and environment will all play a part in determining the best everyday carry (EDC), knife for personal defense. Let’s look at three of the top personal defense knives. The Amtac Blades Northman, SOG PentagonXR, and Spyderco Canis. We are certain one will suit your needs.

3 Knives for Personal Defense

Northman

The Amtac Blades Northman fixed-blade knife is designed for everyday carry ( EDC ). The Northman was born out of the personal needs of Bill Rapier, former U.S Navy SEAL and instructor of Amtac Shooting.

Bill retired from U.S. Navy after 20 years of service. After 20 years of service, Bill retired from the U.S. Navy. He served many years with SEAL team 3 and over 14 years with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Bill wanted an EDC concealed knife that was specifically made for the real world. In keeping with his ideas of integrated combatives, he wanted the benefits of a fixed blade knife.

The Northman, unlike most concealed fixed blades, is carried in the front pocket of the pants. This allows for quick deployment and easy access from a discreet hand position. This fixed-blade knife is carried like a folder.

The Northman’s distinctive, 3.5-inch drop point blade is made from cryogenically treated Bohler M390 stainless (60-62 HRC), with a durable stonewashed black DLC. Blade thickness is 0.15 inches. The Northman measures 6.9 inches in length and weighs 4.3 ounces.

Bohler M390 stainless is a premium, “super-steel” that is popular for high-end knives. It is a superb blade steel with exceptional hardness and resistance to corrosion. It can hold a fine edge and is very durable.

The Northman’s optimized design provides the best balance of tip strength and thrusting capability. Drop point blade profiles such as the Northman allow the spine to extend forward to the tip for maximum tip strength. However, the edge curves upward and the tip is in line with the user’s hand.

Use and Carry of the Northman

The Northman features an ergonomic grip made with black G10 scales and beveled edges. Every knife comes with a serial number. It is also available in serrated or unserrated versions. Both are available in “Sterile” versions, which do not have markings. The serrated version is available with partial serrations.

The Northman includes a Pocket Firesheath. You can also purchase a Belt Firesheath separately. The Kydex sheaths have a metal clip and an integrated ferrocerium rod to light fires. There is also a Velcro pocket. They can be worn inside the waistband (IWB), and are fully ambidextrous.

Recent upgrades have been made to the Northman. The spine has been squared to make it compatible with the ferrocerium rod. For a better draw stroke, the handle features a deeper punyo (the part of the handle that protrudes out). Jimping is found at the top and bottom of tangs, towards the rear of the handle. A small amount of material can be removed from the handle to lighten it by 0.4 ounce.

The Northman’s aluminum blue trainer blade is a replica of the Northman in terms of size and handling. A storage sheath is included with the Trainer that can be used to store your live blade while you use it. The Northman’s fit and finish are flawless.

The total package includes Northman, Firesheath and trainer. It costs $450.

Pentagon XR

Specialty Knives & Tools was established in 1986 by Spencer Frazer, a designer and toolmaker. The company was named after the elite Vietnam-era special forces military unit known as the Studies and Observations Group. Its first knife was a copy of the original SOG Bowie knife. The Pentagon XR folder is a new SOG product, designed for defense and fighting applications.

The Pentagon XR has a 3.66-inch cryogenically processed Carpenter CTS XHP stainless (59-60 HRC), broad spear point blade with a matte Black titanium nitride. The blade measures 0.12 inches thick. It measures 8.38 inches long open and 4.77 inches when closed. It is 4.9 ounces in weight.

Carpenter CTSXHP stainless steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium powder metallurgy steel. It can be described as either a high-hardness 440C or a high-corrosion resistance D2 tool metal. It is also considered one of the “supersteels”, and a premium stainless metal.

The Pentagon XR has three options for ambidextrous opening: thumb stud flipper and inertia. The knife opens smoothly thanks to the ball bearing system. The XR locking mechanism works well, is smooth, and is completely ambidextrous. Lockup is secure with no blade play.

Pentagon XR Lockup & Use

The XR lock uses a small, hardened steel spring-loaded round crossbar. This moves in a machined groove within the liners and engages a notch on the tang of your knife when it is opened. The hardened stainless steel liner keeps the bar in place. The blade is held in place by the stop pin for added strength and reliability. The blade is held closed by the detent provided by the lock mechanism.

The handle has a partially open back design. It features “ultragrip” G10 scales that have radiused edges. Available in black (Blackout), or OD Green. The handle is neutral in shape, with the exception of a large fingerchoil. The choil is used to index the knife as well as provide extra security in the hand. The Pentagon XR feels well balanced in the hand. The belt clip and wire pocket are heat-treated stainless steel. They can be used for tip-up carrying. Excellent workmanship is evident on the Pentagon XR.

The MSRP for the Pentagon XR is $175. (SOGKnives.com)

Canis

Spyderco Canis, a new folder design by former U.S. officials. For personal defense, Kelly McCann is a Marine Corps Special Missions Officer. His operational and training experience spans more than 35 years.

The Canis has a 3.43-inch CPM S30V stainless Steel blade that has been cryogenically treated. It is satin finished. PlainEdge’s blade is a combination of a straight Wharncliffe style with narrow bevels and a reinforced tip. It also features a weight-saving midblade swage. This provides optimal balance while also maximising strength and cutting power. The blade measures 0.118 inches thick.

The Wharncliffe-style blade’s spine meets the straight edge at an acute point. This gives the blade full cutting power for its entire length. This blade style has a weak tip. The reinforced tip of Canis addresses this problem.

CPM S30V was developed by Crucible Industries for knives. It has a better corrosion resistance than steel at 440C. It maintains a consistent, fine edge. It retains edges up to D2 and even 154CM with superior quality.

The Canis design is small and easy to carry. The overall length of the knife is 8.12 inches, and it has a closed length 4.73 inches. It weighs in at 4.1 ounces. It has a lightweight, open-backed design.

The ergonomic handle is made of carbon fiber/G-10 laminate and features a “peel-ply texture” carbon fiber/G-10 lamella scales for a secure grip. It also has radiused edges for added comfort. To reduce the handle’s thickness and support the knife’s Compression Lock, stainless steel liners are inserted into recesses in the knife’s weights.

Operation and Lockup of the Canis Lockup

The Compression Lock uses a leaf-like spring made from a split linedr in the handle to wedge laterally into the gap between the blade tang & the stop pin. It is an inverted liner lock. It is extremely strong and easy to use for defensive purposes. To operate, the lock must be placed on top of your spine. Lockup is secure and there is no blade play.

Spyderco’s trademark Round Hole, which Spyderco has patented, allows for blade deployment with one hand. Spyderco’s trademark Round Hole and smooth bushing pivot design, as well as phosphor bronze washers make it easy to deploy your blades quickly.

The Canis comes with a 4-position stainless steel streamlined hourglass-shaped pocketclip. This clip allows for ambidextrous tip up or tip down carry. The Canis’s build quality is exceptional.

The MSRP is $275. (Spyderco.com)

These are the top three EDC knives that you can use for personal protection. They will all serve you well. You have the freedom to choose.