Spurred by some recent threads, I thought a thread on knife fighting might be in order.
Now, I believe the term "knife fighting" is a misnomer. I believe the chances of two individuals, both armed solely with knives, finding themselves in a serious social disagreement with an identically armed foe virtually nil. What is more likely, one may find themselves in a position where a knife may be the only defensive tool one has immediate access to. An example could be, someone assaulted, and taken to the ground, with a pocket blade being the only tool within reach to avoid serious injury or death.
Is it more accurate for us to realize we must practice emergency knifing than knife fighting, as well as practicing responses to attempts at knifing us. Using a knife means one has to close with the opponent. Especially as a defensive user, our tendency should usually be toward the opposite, a tendency to disengage.
There are schools of thought that make much of the "intimidation factor" of certain blades. This is not only ridiculous, it is criminally negligent, especially from those who should know better. Using a knife constitutes lethal force. It should be done only in the gravest extreme, and if one is in immediate fear for one's life, one does not have leisure to wave one's weapon around as though it were a talisman (anymore than one has reason to wave a firearm). IF one only has a knife, or can only use a knife for some reason, it must be used unhesitatingly. To draw a knife without immediate followup is suicide.
If we are facing a knife, and do not have the benefit of firearms, and cannot run for some reason, improvised weapons giving us reach over our attacker should be employed, if possible. Sticks, chairs, belts, projectiles from salt shakers to toaster ovens, anything to dissuade or injure the attacker while keeping us outside of his envelope will work. Going knive vs knife is pretty close to the last thing one actually wants, followed only by no weapon at all, or standing and being punctured without resistance.
Knives are useful tools, as there some tasks that only a sharp blade can perform. If we are placed in a situation where we have no other options, a blade may be more useful than bare hands, but it should be a near-last resort, and if used, should be committed to the fray with all the force one can muster.
Safe Training,
John
Now, I believe the term "knife fighting" is a misnomer. I believe the chances of two individuals, both armed solely with knives, finding themselves in a serious social disagreement with an identically armed foe virtually nil. What is more likely, one may find themselves in a position where a knife may be the only defensive tool one has immediate access to. An example could be, someone assaulted, and taken to the ground, with a pocket blade being the only tool within reach to avoid serious injury or death.
Is it more accurate for us to realize we must practice emergency knifing than knife fighting, as well as practicing responses to attempts at knifing us. Using a knife means one has to close with the opponent. Especially as a defensive user, our tendency should usually be toward the opposite, a tendency to disengage.
There are schools of thought that make much of the "intimidation factor" of certain blades. This is not only ridiculous, it is criminally negligent, especially from those who should know better. Using a knife constitutes lethal force. It should be done only in the gravest extreme, and if one is in immediate fear for one's life, one does not have leisure to wave one's weapon around as though it were a talisman (anymore than one has reason to wave a firearm). IF one only has a knife, or can only use a knife for some reason, it must be used unhesitatingly. To draw a knife without immediate followup is suicide.
If we are facing a knife, and do not have the benefit of firearms, and cannot run for some reason, improvised weapons giving us reach over our attacker should be employed, if possible. Sticks, chairs, belts, projectiles from salt shakers to toaster ovens, anything to dissuade or injure the attacker while keeping us outside of his envelope will work. Going knive vs knife is pretty close to the last thing one actually wants, followed only by no weapon at all, or standing and being punctured without resistance.
Knives are useful tools, as there some tasks that only a sharp blade can perform. If we are placed in a situation where we have no other options, a blade may be more useful than bare hands, but it should be a near-last resort, and if used, should be committed to the fray with all the force one can muster.
Safe Training,
John