knives for self defense? is it mental?

D

deermaster

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i usually have always carried a knife, but just recently, i have began buying and really learning about knives, and it is yet another hobby i love. ive been thinking about the knives for self defence thing, and cat figure out why haveing a knife makes me feel "safer". if it comes down to me stabbing or running, i will always run. i cant thing of a messier or "to close for comfort" fight than a knife fight, and i will 100% avoid it at every cost. but just the other day, in a parking lot, i was walking back to my car, and a carload of...interesting...looking guys was heeling me, all glaring at me, running up to me, slamming on brakes, and at one point, drove a circle around me. they were just waiting for me to do something, so they could gank me, but i ignored em, and they finally left. but the first thought through my mind was did i remember to carry a knife? a had one in my pocket, and one between the seats of my truck, and man, ill tell ya, i felt a whole lot better. once again, if it ever comes down to me pulling a knife, you can bet i wont have any other options, and ill say ill never be in a situation where i need to get that drastic, and if its going to be a bare knuckle brawl (an actual self defense fight, not an anoying buddy that needs knocked), ill keep my knives outta it and slug it out. it would have to really be a life or death thing for me to pull a blade, but i feel alot safer with one. what are your thoughts on this?
 
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don't bring a knife to a gun fight.


I live is a state where concealed carry is legal and I have a permit. IMO the only time I would have to defend my life is if someone pulls a gun on me. If they pull a knife then I just run away. Knowbody usually comes out of a knife fight unscathed. Usually when you are targeted, it is by a group, as it was in your scenario,.. and not just one person.
 
I don't know if I feel safer with a knife per se. I'm almost 6'8", 280ish lbs, and carry it fairly well although I could lose the belly some. I think its safe to say I've avoided many fights just due to my size. If someone is gonna rob or harass someone, chances are they will pick on someone smaller. Like you, the best response is to run/avoid a fight. I carry a knife for EDC tasks. Cutting rope, twine, tape, packages, etc. I dont pick a knife based on SD claims. I tend to stick with blades under 3 inches, since here in MI, a knife can be considered a dangerous weapon at 3 inches+ (although they have to prove intent). I guess its nice to know that any knife can be pressed into a SD role if absolutely necessary.
 
gazz98 said:
I don't know if I feel safer with a knife per se. I'm almost 6'8", 280ish lbs, and carry it fairly well although I could lose the belly some. I think its safe to say I've avoided many fights just due to my size. If someone is gonna rob or harass someone, chances are they will pick on someone smaller. Like you, the best response is to run/avoid a fight. I carry a knife for EDC tasks. Cutting rope, twine, tape, packages, etc. I dont pick a knife based on SD claims. I tend to stick with blades under 3 inches, since here in MI, a knife can be considered a dangerous weapon at 3 inches+ (although they have to prove intent). I guess its nice to know that any knife can be pressed into a SD role if absolutely necessary.
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i thought i was big...6'4" 210 lbs....i think i would avoid a fight with you as well:eek::eek:
thanks for the responses, i fell the same way and both of you, avoid it at all costs, and use it only if my life truly depends on it.
 
In a matter of life or death a knife could make the difference between living and dying.
It's certainly not pleasant to use on a human or animal intent on doing grave harm to your person. But, I have to say if I'm attacked and that's what I have and I feel it's my only option, I'm gonna do my best to deliver my blade as fast and accurately as possible. Maybe I won't prevail, but at least I didn't just give up like a sheeple.
 
I too have a concealed pistol license, and carry a knife for everyday tasks. I don't usually buy a knife solely for self defense. If threatened with a knife I'm not sure I would just run away, it would depend on the circumstances. If my wife was with me running wouldn't be an option, and what if the bad guy is faster than you? I don't really want to find out by getting stabbed in the back, that said I'd use my pistol only if I truely feared for my or a loved ones life. If I was without gun, than I'd fight with whatever I have on my person, flashlight, pen, fists, folding knife. To me the blade is definitely a last ditch weapon.
 
If you don't know how to use a knife, pulling it in a dangerous situation could result in the knife being used against you, with fearsome results. If you are even thinking of using a blade in self-defence, take courses so you know what you are doing.
 
A knife is a horrible choice for self-defense. A $25 flashlight and a $10 can of pepper spray would suit you better.
 
J_Curd said:
A knife is a horrible choice for self-defense. A $25 flashlight and a $10 can of pepper spray would suit you better.
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I have to disagree.

Flashlights and peppers pray for the most part rely on pain. I am not a fan of relying on pain for self defense. Especially when your opponent is on drugs or his adrenaline is pumping.

Go on youtube and look at some videos of Navy officer training with pepper spray and see if it is something you would want to rely on.
 
As I get older I tend to see knives as predominantly tools rather then weapons. I prefer a good revolver to defend myself with. I have khukuris that are well up to the task though.
 
I've been maced and peppered, I know exactly what happens. The point of pepper spray and a flashlight are confusion and distraction so you can ESCAPE...a knife relies on engaging which exponentially increases your likelihood of getting seriously injured.

People who want to walk away unharmed try to escape, as fast as possible.

A knife IS a horrible choice for self-defense. If you want a self-defense weapon, go to the lengths to get a concealed handgun and the training to use it properly.

Knives make good weapons...when the other party is unarmed. :D
 
J_Curd said:
A knife is a horrible choice for self-defense. A $25 flashlight and a $10 can of pepper spray would suit you better.
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I cannot understand why one would make this statement in any situation. And for you to make a blanket statement like this makes me worry about your frame of mind and your obvious lack of self defence training in general.

~ ~ ~ ><> ~ ~ ~

In my experience any knife(or any weapon) can be a real asset in a self defence situation. But let us all remember that in this instance, self defense = self preservation. As I understand the OP's question and the thread discussion he has posed to us here, we are not trying to instigate a fight,, rather we are trying to avoid being harmed.


Anthony
 
My "frame of mind"? What does that have to do with this conversation? You know nothing of my training, so drop the hyperbole and mud flinging.

I believe I explained it reasonably well in the post above yours.
 
I have been carrying knives for so long that I feel naked without one. It is not a SD thing. For me it is comforting to be prepared. I usually have more than a few pounds of various tools in my pocket and on my belt. I have backup tools if the truck or at work if I should forget any of my usual EDC. When not at work I fully utilize my carry permit.
Some of the best exercise you can get is exercising your rights.
 
J_Curd said:
My "frame of mind"? What does that have to do with this conversation? You know nothing of my training, so drop the hyperbole and mud flinging.

I believe I explained it reasonably well in the post above yours.
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It does appear the portion of your this post that I have highlighted here is correct and that our two posts were being typed at nearly the same time.

However, the rest of your post that I have underlined, that you stated is made on pure adolescent emotion and therefore I rest my case on your self defence training, or more appropriately, the lack thereof. You see anyone that has the limited mental discipline that you possess mentally is obviously seriously deficient in his physical discipline capabilities as well and cannot possibly be adept and have achieved any real level of self defence training and implementation.

Anthony
 
A knife is not a good choice for self-defence, a pistol is much better.
Pepper spray in the higher percent sprays can be incapacitating to many animals and humans most of the time.
What I feel a knife does is allow anyone with the speed and desire to defend against an attacker as a last resort. It's not fool-proof, but it can mean the difference in living or dying. A heck of a lot better than fingernails or nothing at all. A knife makes a human much more formidable and there's been countless cases of knives used against attacking humans and animals with deadly effect. They may not be the best choice, but at times it may be all you have. Guns can fail to fire, you may not be allowed to carry where you are, pepper spray can blow back into your face, it may not work when you need it.
A knife is a tool and a weapon, I like both aspects. When I buy a knife I admit I think about how it feels in my hand and moves. It's just part of the allure of the blade. I probably will live my life and never use a knife to defend it. But, I know if somebody was choking the life out of me, or an animal mauling me I certainly would, if that was the only option I had left.
 
jill jackson said:
I probably will live my life and never use a knife to defend it. But, I know if somebody was choking the life out of me, or an animal mauling me I certainly would, if that was the only option I had left.
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Good way of putting it.:thumbup:
 
Only if your knife is bigger than his or your Steven Segal (sp?) ;) In all seriousness theres more of a chance that the knife will get used against you. If you are able I would really suggest pursuing a CCW permit and a good gun. Say the attackers pull a gun on you... They see you pull a knife, they laugh, then shoot you... Say the attackers have a knife themselves now your both screwed and if they have a pathogen disease it will most likely be yours soon if you live... now say in any of these situations you had a gun, you allready have the upper hand unless they have a a gun in which case its probably 30/70 since their weapon is already out.

In any case what you did was right and just try to avoid any confrontation as much as possible.
 
ricehaterboi said:
In all seriousness theres more of a chance that the knife will get used against you.
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No, there isn't.
That tired old lie bugs me more than most of the other tired old lies out there.
The ONLY way it's easy to take a knife from someone is if they're only threatening/bluffing.
 
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