The Benchmade SOCP is a defensive dagger-type knife. It can be used in a downward motion if you’re in close quarters. It can also be drawn in a more traditional grip and used as a forward point coming up into a close-quarters attack while in contact, or driving out, or even slashing and cutting.
SOCP as Backup to a Firearm Carried Centerline
The Benchmade SOCP also makes a great backup defensive tool to a firearm. You can transition from the SOCP to a firearm when you have the opportunity without dropping or resheathing the knife. This video shows how to do that, first with a handgun carried centerline (appendix carry) and the knife in a side or back pocket on the strong side. If an attacker grabs you around the middle and prevents you from accessing your handgun, draw the SOCP and affect him from the outside. With this method of knife defense, by stabbing or slashing the attacker in the midsection, arm or underarm, the goals are to make him release his grip and create space between you.
If the attacker still presents a lethal threat, without dropping the Benchmade SOCP, you can transition to the handgun, either in a contact position or driving out into a shooting position, if there is enough distance.
Firearm Carried Strong-Side Hip
If you carry this way, the Benchmade SOCP will most likely be carried on your weak side. If your dominant hand is encumbered, draw the SOCP with your weak hand and affect the bad guy with it, again in order to create space.
The SOCP is available in a training version so you can do these moves without risk of injury during self-defense training and practice. Ingrain these moves so you’ll be ready to deploy the Benchmade SOCP if you need it.
I seem to agree that a regular sheaf knife could do everything the SOCP can do with the exception of perhaps the retaining (finger loop) feature. But that loop is what bothers me. I can imagine scenarios where an attacker could manipulate my hand or the knife to break a finger or at least create enough pain to cause a problem.
I carry a knife with me always, except for a very few places such as on planes or the court house. Concealed carry is forbidden at my job, so I come home with just my knife. I still carry my knife, regardless of concealed carry. Now you have shown a specific manner in which it maybe used. But it seems like any assisted knife could be used, as long as one has practiced retrieving it rapidly and effectively.
I like the idea of carrying centerline, but when I sit down a knife or firearm jams uncomfortably into my belly. Is this possible for you, because clearly you don’t have much of a belly overhang? It still seems like it would push into anyones belly? Do you remove it when sitting? Please advise. Regards, Eric
Carrying centerline can be challenging but with the right gear and positioning can usually be pulled off comfortably. Comfortably and without needing to remove gear when seated is the goal. When it comes to the firearm using a holster that is specifically made for appendix carry will be cut to ride inside the natural crease created at the hip when sitting down. When in that position the “jabbing” you’re referring to is greatly reduced and a lot of times eliminated. Specific holsters that we have seen well for students who don’t have flat stomachs are the Keepers Concealment, Castle Bravo Valkyrie, Raven Concealment Eidolon. As for carrying a SOCP dagger in the Bench made sheath if you angle it so that it’s following that same hip crease on the other side will help prevent the “jabbing”. In instances where the included sheath doesn’t allow for the proper angle to be achieved you could contact a custom holster/sheath maker to do up something custom (a belt mounted horizontal sheath for example).