knife bought for hiking personal protection

You can play dead if you can understand defence behavior from predation.

Mom with cubs, playing dead will probably work.
Startled animal,playing dead should work.
Old animal with bad teeth looking for an easy meal, you're out of luck.

You can't decide to fight back effectively without the proper tools.
With a gun or decent sized knife you have the option.
 
Back when I was in the Army there was an article on the wall of one of the duty stations about an Engineer that was taking a bath in a river in Alaska and was attacked by a griz. It described in detail how this butt naked US Army Engineer fought with this grizzly bear and it finally had enough and left.
I think I will fight back if attacked.
 
InfidelShootist nailed it best. Griz will charge you because you are viewed as a threat to their cubs, or they view you as competition for food. The exceptions are old or starving griz. they may attack you as a source of food.

Never go by press accounts. You might hear one account, repeated 1,000 times because of circulation.

Led4them, one article about an army engineer who fought a griz off is not a good reference. The media tends to cover more unique stories because they are a "scoop." They heavily publicize the least-likely event because THAT is newsworthy.

Please, please understand that I am not trying to disrespect your view. My only intention is to offer alternatives so we may all learn.

I'll address the various behaviors of griz v. blackbears after a few hours sleep! I have had extensive multiple encounters with both bears. And, I am alive to talk about it!
 
I think situational awareness should be at the top of any list of self defense for any environment. Doing a complete 360 degree turn every few minutes is a good practice for both animal and human threats. A big cat will stalk you from behind and if you are unaware will have its teeth on the back of your neck before you can react. A knife, gun or staff will probably not save you if you allow this too happen. Be aware and you can avoid danger. That being said a good fixed blade and firearm are highly recommended.
 
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