14Apr06

Knife Penetration:

Last weekend, as we cheerfully shot various handgun bullets into Mike Shove l' s gelatin blocks, some of us decided to also experiment with knife-blade penetration and cutting ability, especially when heavy clothing and leather

jackets are involved. I'm still far from persuaded that gelatin is particu larly useful for any purpose, nor am I convinced that penetration results from shooting such a unrealistically homogenous medium mirror reality to any spe cific degree. Conversely, I'm not sure we currently have anything better that is

readily available, is as easy to use, and is as transparent so as to genera te effective, visual results. We can probably describe ballistic gelatin as: " the best of the worst."

I "stabbed" the gelatin with two of my Cold Steel blades, a Ti-Lite and a Vaquero Grande. In bare gelatin (the "Nudist-Colony Test") both, of course, penetrated easily, requiring only a few pounds of insertive pressure in ord er to slide in to the hilt. When the same test was done where the blade had t o first penetrate the leather jacket and then four layers of denim before reaching the gelatin, results were largely the same! Both knives effortles sly penetrated to the hilt. Even leather and heavy clothing provided scant shielding.

However, when we did the same test with differently-shaped blades, results changed radically. On student had a folder with a "bulb" po int. The knife was reasonably sharp, but, when he stabbed the clothed gelatin, even with a

great deal of strength, the blade refused to penetrate leather. He enthusiastically attempted several times, all with the same result. =9CTanto" blades faired slightly better, but still not nearly as well as the stabbing point found on the Ti-Lite.

When we slashed the gelatin, we learned that "reasonably sharp =9D produces poor results! Leather effectively shielded the gelatin from even enthusias tic slashes from several utility blades, including the bulb-pointed one. Once again, however, both the Ti-Lite and the Vaquero sliced through leather and

denim handily, delivering deep cuts to the gelatin beneath. The serrated Vaquero was particularly effective, slashing through both leather and fabri c with ease.

My conclusions: Heavy leather is an underrated form of armor, frustrating both pistol bullet performance and knife attacks alike! Not long ago, it actually was used as armor. Even today, some folks routinely wear leather g auntlets around their wrists. I often see my good friend, Mas Ayoob, in a substantial, leather jacket. I now know why!

To be effective fighting tools, knives need to be (1) strong, (2) appropriately shaped, and (3) razor sharp!

Weak, flimsy knives (of which there are too many) lack the strength and structural integrity to get one through a fight. In order to "cut strongly," one needs a strong knife, not an anaemic toy that will break the first time it is put to heavy use!

I have become persuaded that the shape of a knife blade is important. Blades designed for skinning and utility cutting are poor for fighting. In order to stab deeply, the knife tip must be able to penetrate, and the blade behind it must be appropriately shaped so that you'll be able to cut ruinou sly as the knife is withdrawn. Otherwise, as we discovered, the entire knife is little more than an impact weapon!

Dull knives are basically impact weapons too! I've always marveled at the

extreme degree of sharpness with which every Cold Steel knife comes from th e factory. Now, I see why! In a fight, you're going to desperately need eve ry bit of that sharpness in order to cut through clothing and penetrate deeply

into flesh. Don't carry a dull knife and naively think you'll be able to u se it as an effective weapon!

Finally, I'm going to follow Mas' lead and get a leather jacket!

/John

14Apr06

Feedback on Blackhawk's Gladius flashlight, from a friend and stude nt:

"Can A Flashlight be worth $200.00? I just returned from Amsterdam, and I have pertinent thoughts on this subject.

Like you, I carry my Gladius when traveling by air. TSA has no problem wit h it, nor does their equivalent in foreign countries. It stays with me on th e aircraft. I experienced two episodes in which my Gladius came in handy:

The first was at JFK in NYC. As I was proceeding to my gate, all power in the terminal went down! Of course, emergency lighting came right on, but i t was marginal. I found myself walking in what amounted to a darkened cavern , among hundreds of confused grasseaters. I retrieved my Gladius, turned it on, and continued forward, trying to find my gate. I quickly discovered, in a dark airport, possession of a flashlight is seen by many as a symbol of authority! People started coming up to me and asking what was going on. I

disengaged with, 'I'm just trying to find my gate, Bud.'

I was looking for Gate Five. A couple indicated they were looking for Gate

Six, so we set off together. Before long, I looked like the Pied Piper! I n this environment, having the ability the dial down the intensity of the lig ht turned out to be an extremely valuable feature. I was able to 'red uce the volume' and subsequently divest myself of some unwanted attention. Truly a versatile tool!

While in Amsterdam, I stayed in a hotel two blocks from their famous Red-Light District, and I had to walk through part of it every day in order to get to the train station. I was approached numerous times by young men with their hands in their pockets. It quickly became obvious that they were sel ling drugs. When they closed to within four meters, I learned to hold up a hand and shake my head. It almost always worked. They would disengage and abruptly

veer off, looking for more promising pickings.

However, one afternoon things took a sinister turn. I was approached by a disheveled man in his forties. I performed my now-customary disengagement routine, but it didn't work. He kept coming toward me, saying (in English) that he was trying to find the train station. I replied that I couldn't help an d tried to flank him. He again stepped in my path, this time saying that he needed money and that he was really a 'good guy,' to my min d, confirming the opposite!

I already had my Gladius in my hand. I set it to 'strobe,' and aimed it directly at his face. The results were instant and startling! He immediat ely became disoriented and started teetering in place. He then covered his fac e and rapidly turned away, immediately walking right into a wall, knocking himself backward. He fell to the ground, flailing, altogether befogged. I

quickly walked around him and continued on my way. I never saw him again.

So, to return to the question, can a flashlight be worth $200.00? It surely

was that day!"

Comment: Like my friend, I carry a Gladius also. The strobe feature makes

it an effective, non-lethal weapon, a weapon you can take with you on commercial aircraft!

Blackhawk has confirmed that some early Gladius flashlights were produced with defective endcaps. Current production is fine. If you suspect you ha ve a defective unit, get hold of them, and they will fix it promptly. Blackhawk ' s customer service is excellent.

/John