Knife; an excellent addition to your CCW arsenal, also baton
Does it make sense to carry a knife if you carry a gun, eventhough I have no training with a knife and not any real use for one everyday?[/QUOTE]
Yes, Jeff, it makes excellent sense. A firearm is a "distance weapon" - it is best used when the shooter is beyond arm's reach, and the way to make it ineffective is to close the distance and knock it aside. A knife is a "close weapon" and the way to make it ineffective is get out of range. Negate a distance weapon by closing in, negate a close weapon by moving away.
Actually, this forum is for discussion of "less lethal weapons", but, when used effectively and within it's range, a knife is MORE lethal than a firearm. A knife can do a LOT more tissue damage, and can create a LOT more, and faster, blood loss, resulting in death much quicker than a gunshot to any body part that is not instantly fatal. And for a "fight in a phonebooth" close-quarters battle, a knife is WAY more dangerous than a gun.
I always carry a knife, and usually 2-3 of them. In CCW, I usually carry a CRKT CK Dragon, or a Cold Steel Roach Belly (fixed blade belt knives). I'd actually rather carry a Cold Steel Trailmaster or similar (big-ass bowie), but they are difficult to conceal and still access quickly. I almost always have a folder or 2 on me, also, but they are my daily "user" knives, not for combat. I modified the belt knife sheaths so that I carry them "reverse draw" (blade forward on my right side, like carrying a left-hand sheath on the right). That way, I can draw in one motion, with the blade coming out the bottom of my fist, and can immediately both strike with my fist and also slash with the knife, as part of the drawing motion. I can stab with the point as I withdraw my fist. For VERY close quarters, speed is essential, and this is the fastest method.
Just FYI, because of the legal implications, a possible better close-up weapon might be a telescoping steel baton, like an ASP. It's lethal when used on the neck or head (and courts will hold that you intended to kill if you strike for the head or neck), but breaks an attack and disables the attacker when striking elsewhere. It's easy to knock away weapons and break bones when up close with a baton, and you can do a lot of damage to an attacker without killing him. You can also use the baton in Hanbo (cane) strikes and to aid in joint-locks. When not extended, the baton can be used as a Kubotan or Yawara stick, also. Plus, most cops will pat you on the back for carrying a baton instead of a knife. And, slamming one out and getting in "ready" position (held vertically, guarding your collarbone, on your dominant side), serves as a clear deterrent and threat, to end fights before they begin, whereas you'll get arrested if you brandish a gun that way. The only downside to a baton is that a 26-incher (which I recommend) is heavy, long, and hard to find a way to carry that is both concealable and fast to draw. Don't cheap out and buy the cheap ones though, except for practice and training - they bend and break. Cough up the cash and buy an ASP. Hang a rug over a clothesline and practice striking on it. There are plenty of YouTube videos on basic baton training.