knives for self defense? is it mental?

[jill jackson]

I carry a knife and a pistol. I like both and feel good about having both.
I've bought pepper-spray, but the cans tend to get stopped up and not work after while, so now that i'm old enough to have a CCDW permit, that allows me to carry a concealed pistol and any knife I've gave up the pepper-spray. But, it will turn a attacking dog very fast. I use to carry it when I rode bicycles on the road and used it many times on big aggressive dogs. They left as fast as they came, too!

 

[J_Curd]

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.

This thread is about self-defense, not me. Feel free to disagree with me, but don't presume to know me.

Your psychological analysis, in context of your opinion of my knowledge or experience, is pure irony.

 

[jill jackson]

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.

That's true a knife is a very hard weapon to defend against barehanded.
That deal about the defender being better off with nothing because of the attacker taking away the knife/pistol is merely sheeple propaganda.

 

[superduty truck]

If you're jumped and the only way getting out of there is use of a knife, then use it. Just remember it not going to be easy or pretty. Odds you will be cut and be in pain. I have been there, being followed or a group looking for it next target. Your actions before any confliction may be key. Acting as if you are not afraid or look as if you know what is going on, deters some. Confidence is a strong weapon. Learn a self defense art or if you can, purchase a firearm. Learn to keep your eyes open and stay alert without looking like you are ready to jump to action. I am always in condition yellow when in public. I watch people and their action. Most LEO learn this. Do not relay on just your sefl defense weapon alone. There are other things you need to think about. Your actions, your ability to talk and not provoke or descalate a situration are also key. Do I carry a knife? Yes. Would I use it? Yes, but as last resort tool, when all else fails.

 

[stabman]

That's true a knife is a very hard weapon to defend against barehanded.
That deal about the defender being better off with nothing because of the attacker taking away the knife/pistol is merely sheeple propaganda.

Absolutely.
I just wonder why so many people buy into the propaganda.
Maybe they should try some unarmed disarming techniques against knife and gun. It's a real eye-opener!
I remember this guy Matt who worked for OGS at Windsor Regional Hospital. He always thought he could just take a knife away from someone, which was quite funny, as he had no martial arts training, had only had a couple of fights in his entire life, and never tried any disarming techniques. I think he'd have changed his mind(and his survival options) if he tried it even a little bit.

 

[superduty truck]

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.

True, knife or firearm you must be willing to use it and be ready to face the actions following. Disarming someone who does not want to use the weapon is easier, than if they are willing to use it.

 

[Greyeagle]

I would never plan on using a knife as a main line of self defense but have gone over scenarios in my mind of using one. I think one of the most important things is to have the where-with-all to use it and the proper mindset.
KC

 

[Toyz]

I carry a knife because I have had one on me so long I miss it tremendously when it is not there, just like a watch.

I'm old enough to know that the best way to defend yourself is to not put yourself in harms way. The brain is the best weapon.

There are too many people who are harm doers that have no regard for life.

I would only use a knife if I knew it would make the difference between mine or my familys life and death.

 

[elkins45]

A knife is a horrible choice for self-defense. A $25 flashlight and a $10 can of pepper spray would suit you better.

I don't think it's an either/or choice. Why not have all three, just in case the first two don't work?

 

[udtjim]

Now a days I never give a thought to a knife as a weapon, I too have a Concealed carry permit, like other though, as a last resort, of course.

 

[Sep]

A knife is horrible as a weapon, but in many cases (not all) it beats bare fist. However, criminals always look for the softest and easiest target, and having a knife might put you above his "soft and easy" treshold. Remember the saying "you don't have to outrun the bear, just the slowest guy"?

A lot of people here will drag that old tired "don't bring a knife to a gun fight" thing. The truth is gun, pepper spray, taser, flashlight and knife all have their own applications. That's why cops don't carry just guns, they carry all of the above. That way they can cover all eventualities with appropriate amount of force, without always resorting to guns.

Anyway, I always have a knife with me at all times, so I don't feel it's reassuring anymore. I simply feel "naked" or "incomplete" without it.

 

[jill jackson]

Only if your knife is bigger than his or your Steven Segal (sp?)

How about if I have a Steven Seagal knife?

Or Steven with a bigger knife?

 

[James Y]

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.

Actually, any determined person armed with a knife is dangerous. It doesn't matter if someone has 30 years of martial arts experience, is a 5th-degree black belt, is a collegiate wrestler or a bodybuilder. An untrained but determined 13-year-old kid armed with a blade will have the advantage. Now imagine that kid trapped in a corner; good luck trying to disarm him and still emerge unscathed.

Not to say that training to use a blade isn't worthwhile, anything that can help you certainly is. But people are killed by blades weilded by untrained people all the time.

About 20 years ago, I knew a guy who was at the time a 3rd-degree MA instructor. He handed me one of those hard-rubber self-defense training knives and asked me to try and "cut" him with it so he could practice his 'knife defenses'. He would also try to disarm me. The only rules were that I was to act like I really wanted to get him/avoid him and not cooperate with him; and for safety, I was not to attack his neck/face (he wasn't wearing any eye/face protection). I had over a decade of MA training of my own at the time, but no knife training at all, and he was larger than me and had about the same speed. So basically I wasn't overly different from an untrained person with a knife.

Well, in the space of about 5 or more minutes, I "killed" him several times. I had stabbed him many times and gave him countless slashes. He ended up with bumps and scratches and some slight cuts all over his arms, chest, torso, and backs of his hands, because though rubber, that knife was stiff and not floppy. In fact, it wasn't difficult at all to 'cut' him, but he was never able to effectively get his hands on me, strike or kick at me without getting 'cut'.

Of course, this wasn't the same thing as a random attack and self-defense, but it does show that any determined knife-wielding person is most definitely not easy to disarm. I would imagine if he'd asked to do the drill with someone else it wouldn't have turned out much different.

It's always a great idea to be able to run away, but that isn't always an option. Besides the earlier-mentioned scenario where a wife or child is with you, also consider if a person is much older, or has some injury or physical condition that prevents him/her from outrunning the attacker(s). Many young criminals are in far better physical condition than those they prey on.
Jim

 

[rookie4real]

I am not an expert in self defense, but in my opinion using a knife for self defense can have an outcome hugely depending on a particular situation.

First, let’s make it clear that self defense means. It is protecting against direct threat to your life, not your property. If you are being rubbed and asked for your wallet, car, etc, it’s always better to give it away rather than get into confrontation.

Second, you must know that knife by Law is considered to be a LETHAL WEAPON and you can’t legally use it for self defense in a fist fight. You are allowed to protect yourself with a lethal weapon only against other lethal weapon. Just do extensive research on federal and your state laws.

One must remember that knife can be taken away from you by your attacker and used against you. If you are not very strong/quick and have no special training/skills you can bring more troubles on your head. I knew a guy who stubbed the attacker with his own knife.

Can knife be used for a self defense? Sure it can. Is it the best choice? Probably not, a firearm or even a baseball bat will work much better.

But the best self defense is to have a clear judgment, know your limits and think step ahead to avoid possible scenarios of self defense by not going to places where it may become necessary.

 

[rookie4real]

Actually, any determined person armed with a knife is dangerous. It doesn't matter if someone has 30 years of martial arts experience, is a 5th-degree black belt, is a collegiate wrestler or a bodybuilder. An untrained but determined 13-year-old kid armed with a blade will have the advantage. Now imagine that kid trapped in a corner; good luck trying to disarm him and still emerge unscathed.

James, what a 13 year old kid with a knife can do against 200+ pound gang member, who knows what his doing, that is on his track to commit a crime and has done it many times in the past? The chances will be very slim.
Of course, if no choice is left then choosing is not an option. Do it and see what happens.

 

[Nikokurausu]

While I view the majority of the knives that I own as tools, all of my main/most used knives and most of my knives in general are assessed on how well I feel they would perform in an altercation. This is why I've grown to favor small fixed blades with guards that are large enough to protect my fingers well from sliding on to the blade.

I can't carry my pistol with me everywhere I go but I can pretty much carry a knife always. It's not my first, second, or even third choice but, I do not feel that using a knife for self defense is only mental. I do have some instruction on doing so and I do train with my knives. I recommend that anyone thinking of using a knife in self defense take some type of course or class in the subject and then follow that up with semi regular training at the very least.

 

[Roger999]

5'11 205lb here and I've never had anyone approach me and starting trouble, at day time or at night, when I'm walking at night I'm usually using a flashlight and I guess people might be deterred or something. A pistol is better for self defence like most people said but people in other countries don't have the right to carry a firearm legally. I don't carry a knife for SD though, I sometimes only carry a slipjoint, but if I have a locking folder, I will use it if it is necessary(as in situations where I'm out numbered), but my main concern is stupid neighbours who don't know how to keep a dog inside a gate .

There is a kid at my school who is always looking for trouble, but I always ignore his useless comments and insults and walk away.

 

[offroadcmpr]

Granted I have no martial arts experience, but I may have an idea why people think that it is easy for a trained person to take a knife away from you. Look at the movies. How many action movies can you think of where the "hero" is in a fight against a man with a knife. He never gets cut, and he is always able to quickly take the knife from his enemy. I think that people buy into the movies too much, and don't quite figure out what is possible, and what is not. They think that martial arts is really how they show it in the movies, and assume that everything that the hero can do in the movie is possible in real life.

For me the biggest wake up call between movie fights and real martial arts fighting was when I watched MMA fights. The fights are so much different then it appears to be in the movies. I think that it carries over to knife fighting also.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

 

[rookie4real]

Granted I have no martial arts experience, but I may have an idea why people think that it is easy for a trained person to take a knife away from you. Look at the movies. How many action movies can you think of where the "hero" is in a fight against a man with a knife.

Actually it’s the opposite. In the movies that you brought up the good guy disarms the bad guy, by using some means of fighting techniques, so he is not your average Joe.
However, in a real life the victim of an assault is usually weaker than his attacker(s).
I'm not saying it's impossible to fight off someone with a knife, or discourage you from trying in the event of a life danger. We just need to be aware of possible outcomes

 

[jbombelli]

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.

You can't bank on running away. If I was the bad guy, I'd catch you. Especially if I was all tweaked up.