ProforceFolding Lock Blade Training Knife

10 out of 10, it’s perfect and better than I expected!

My 4 year old grandson loves hunting and the outdoors. Got him his own knife that feels like a real knife but not sharp. It’s well made.

I teach self protection/combatives on the side as I love practicing my skills, and am passionate about teaching others how to realistically protect themselves on the streets - not in the dojo. Our curriculum encompasses multiple reality based scenarios, from hand versus hand, hand versus knife, knife versus hand, hand versus gun, gun versus gun, violence prevention, de-escalation, etc... I am a pocket knife aficianado and own several, from cheap flea-market knives, to top of the line folders from Spyderco to CRKT, and so on. Not an expert, but I am steeped in knowledge and know what I know. So, as far as this practice folding knife goes, I can say I have used it (I have owned three and currently just this one) far more than most folks probably would, unless they also teach self protection and use theirs frequently. As for functionality, the easy open thumb bolt works well and the knife deploys easily and consistently with a flick of the wrist. The metal blade is thick and has a flat unsharpened edge (as it should) and the tip is rounded (as it should be). The only issue is durability, as the knife will start coming apart and getting wobbly - the handle will get loose as well as the blade. The very simple solution is use/ buy a hex wrench to frequently tighten the knife (I have one but don't remember the size). Even though it is a trainer you must be smart and use PPE, specifically safety glasses and some kind of chest/torso protection - knife training drills can be intense and it's not to hard to poke someone pretty hard, and any contact with the eyes could be very bad. This knife is definitely a good investment and well worth the price. If you are using them to train with others I suggest you buy at least two of them, and maybe more depending on class size. Practice with some intensity, and stay safe.

My 4yo is obsessed with camping, pocket knives, always asking if he can use my knife to cut things. We have given him plastic pocket knives, plastic Swiss army knife, he asked me if he could have a real pocket knife (one of mine), I told him no, but I would look for something that would be safe for him to learn with.This trainer knife is a bit big for his 4yo hands, but we have been practicing with it for the last couple of weeks and he has has already mastered the operation of flipping it open, closing it, putting it in his pocket, etc.... with no worry of him being cut or cutting somebody or something else.He carries it everywhere he goes, any time I use pine, he pulls his out to help. He knows it is dull, but understands it will stay that way until he's a bit older and has had more practice.If I had to complain about one thing, it would be that the blade is much heavier than the handle. Other than that, I have no complaints!

This is an excellent substitute for use to practice defensive moves to be prepared in the event I need to use the knife I carry daily. Although it is not spring assisted as is my carry weapon, it opens very easily and only requires a slight wrist action to mimic it. This practice knife was very reasonably priced and a must for defensive preparedness!

Much like the real thing. Good for training.

I use this tool during my Decision Making Drills training with armed church security personnel, it is a very effective tool and helps students develop situation awareness, and they come away from the training with much more appreciation for how deadly a "little knife" can be and how it can be concealed anywhere.If you search for "Gentle Response Training" on Youtube, you'll find short promo videos of the training seminars my team and I have done.

Sturdy for knife instructions and disarmament practice.