Cool project!
Testing is a good idea, if only to gain a healthy respect of edged weapons. I think it’s vastly more likely that law abiding citizens like us will face a knife threat than have to deploy a knife in defense of our life. I’ve been attacked once already.
Taking @
SouthNarc’s EWO is a better investment in time and resources. Highly recommend!
Be careful. All sorts of weird stuff can happen when you cut or stab something.
You need a LOT less force than you might think.
I’m personally not a fan of the Karambit or knives with finger holes. These are legitimate for their intended purposes, but are limiting in ways I don’t like.
Defanging techniques are legitimate, but are only a small part of a well rounded defensive edged weapons toolbox.
If a knife can’t also be used tip driven, and edge in (tip down or up), that’s a dealbreaker for me. So that leads me toward more symmetrical grips and blades.
I like waved knives, but also practice with non-waved because I don’t want to be limited by that.
P’Kal or Yojimbo (with Pickpocket wave) are some of my favorites. And OTFs if legal.