Hot topic...for ALL martial artists....knife defence, worthwhile or not so much?

Question

My martial art teaches 'some' methods to defend against knife attack and i do practice them, however, i have never been in a knife fight! Or had to defend against a determinded attacker with a knife.

Assuming you COULDN'T just run away...whats the plan?

I have seen news documentaries and saw pictures of 'youths' with rahter large kitch knives and i am not sure i would be that keen to get into a scrap with them..

whats your thoughts?

Answer 1

You always run away from a fight with or without a weapon being used against you.

If and only if it becomes totally impossible to runaway (and leave your wife, girlfriend, children behind?) do you resort to unarmed self-defense.

If you never encounter a knife fight or mugging in your life, good-for-you.  But as a practicing martial artist you MUST be capable of defending against any weapon used against you.

So practice your knife defenses as realistically as humanly possible in case you encounter that bad knife situation.

But your instructor is supposed to emphasize walking or running away from all potential fights (if possible).  You defend yourself as a last resort.

Answer 2

In most asian countries the gun ownership rate is much less than here.  Knife attacks are more common.  Many of the same techniques can be used to disarm any weapon.

Answer 3

Running isn't always an option. It's better to have an idea of what to do than to have no game plan at all.

Answer 4

the amount of stabbings that happen where i live that dont even make the news its best to know as much knife defence as you can if you cant run away but its best to leave if they bring out a large knife as they could easily kill you

Answer 5

i nthink that escape is the first option. second option, talk them down, if you ask yourself why would any sane person carry a knife,would you be able to ,or have the luxury of time.third option,give them your money/valuables.fourth option fight hard and dirty,you could be fighting to save your life,no rules.

Answer 6

My brother (who has various belts in various disciplines) was talking about this, and concluded that the defensive techniques are great provided that the attacker attacks you in teh exact same manner you were taught to defend against. Which is pretty unlikely.

Probably better than no training at all, though, on balance...

Answer 7

If like you say you come across a group of 'youths' wielding large kitchen knives, there's not really any art or form of defence that can protect you from a gang with numerous knives other than to run.

Having said that too many attackers can get in one anothers way which can work in your favour. If you can distance yourself and position yourself where the attackers can't all flail their weapons around without catching one another then, you may have a better chance of opening up an opportunity to escape and flee.

In aikido, we learn not just how to disarm but how to position yourself so if you do have to deal with more than one attacker you can make it a difficult as possible for them to attack you and allow an opening to escape.

Answer 8

Better to have it than not to have it. We also train against knives in aikido. It was quite a shock at first to see how it changes your focus, even if the knife is made of plastic, so you can imagine how your mind would react if it was a real, actual knife and you knew the person wielding it had bad intentions.

With practice, I managed to do the disarming technique 4 times out of 5. Whatever money I carry in my wallet is not worth a 20 percent chance at getting cut or stabbed. Notwistanding the pain, possible disability or even death, it won't even begin to cover medical expenses and lost wages. And that 20 percent rate is admitting I could function as well as in the dojo against a guy who has done this before, and in an adrenal state.

So while knife-fighting is a cool thing to learn, it's not something I would try at home.

Now admitting I couldn't run away is a special premice, and I have to assume I'm facing a psychopath who just wants to attack me. In which case I can only hope for the best. My first worry is to disarm him. In the dojo, we stop short of this, but I would then push the pin a bit further and attempt to break his arm. I want somebody that determined to have a reason to stop. Then recover the weapon, run like h**l and get help.

But this is the absolute no choice scenario. (Which implies either mental illness, or your involvement with organized crime, which is not a problem for me). Otherwise, I wouldn't argue with someone who's determined to use a knife.

Answer 9

If your teacher whats to learn the class those techniques learn them. I had to learn them for one of my gradings, I believe that it was worth while and I had a lot of fun actually learning them.

Answer 10

i train too, but if i came across some1 with a knife, and had to fight...chances are, no matter how much you know, you just still might get slashed!....RUN!! lol

Answer 11

Extremely worthwhile learning and re-learning your knife defence techniques.  If you do have to defend against it, chances are you will be cut.  But better a superficial cut to your arms then a deep puncture to your stomach or throat.  If possible control the weapon hand (easier said than done). When you get the chance to counter attack, go like your life depends on it (because it probably does), and when the opportunity arises get the h**l out of there.  Why not try some of the workshops from other styles dealing with knife attacks only, just to see how others deal with it?

Answer 12

If you have time to square up with the attacker, use a coat, a hat, a pocket full of change, take your shirt off, throw a shoe, anything to tangle and tie up the knife hand for at least a few seconds...

If running is absolutely NOT an option, then use their disarming techniques within the 2-3 second window when the knife hand is tangled up in your coat.

Otherwise, run your as* off because no matter how good you are, closing the distance in a knife fight is a no no.

Answer 13

A 9 mm bullet travels faster than a knife and has a longer range, thereby displaying a distinct advantage.  I prefer it to a knife and as the saying goes, "Never go to a gun fight armed with only a knife".  Most criminals use firearms and to be armed only with a knife will make you a dead loser.

Answer 14

now, im not sure which country  ure from and but im assuming either England or USA. in England, because possesion of firearms is illegal, most lethal attacks are going to be from a knife, and it would be useful to know some techniques. the problem with running is that if they are faster than you and catch u, they are much more likely to use the knife on you. however, in the US, as guns are legal (gimme a good reason why and ill give u a medal!!! :p ) and so many attacks are with guns.

Answer 15

Practice it until you hate it. As well as gun defense. And when you hate it, practice it more and more.

I disarmed a guy who had a large kitchen knife during a confrontation between him and someone I knew. I had to put myself between them because I knew the person would not be able to defend against the knife.

The distance between them made it riskier for me because I could not choose my distance. I had to act fast because it was during a block party and there were many children who I've known since birth.

In a class with John Painter, I learned that I had to know the anatomy of knives. I realized that a knife can be as bad or worst than a gun, depending on whether or not the shooter is a professional.

Even worst is a box cutter or razor.

Practice using EVERY scenario possible.