I'd like to comment on a topic I'm seeing on this forum. I fear, however, that my comments may upset some folks..but here I go anyway.
The idea of using a knife for self defense is not a wrong idea but one which requires some real careful analysis. Life threatening situations do not occur according to one's fears or expectations. Rather their potential suddenly appears, hopefully on a well developed sort of "radar" well before they grow into full fledged combat. Once the potential for violence looms in our awareness of what's going on around us, what we need are options. Can we avoid the escalation into violence by taking some sort of evasive action? THAT'S THE BEST OPTION. What tools (ie...weapons) do we have at our disposal? For this we need the most potent weapon at our disposal and that, although now a cliche, is our mind. Preparation, of course is absolutely necessary and that means having the foresight to pack a "force multiplier" such as a knife or a firearm or maybe something else. Such preparations are problematic. In the first place are we skilled enough in the weapon's employment to use it effectively? Where knives and fighting are concerned, training and practice are absolutely essential otherwise we are flailing around hoping less damage is done to us than to the other guy. What are the legal risks of carrying such weapons? Are the potential benefits worth the risk? I began studying martial arts 30 years ago. I've practiced with hands, feet, knives, nunchucks, the wooden staff and a few other weapons. I've owned and practiced with firearms for longer than that and absolutely DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF INVINCIBLE. Once again the use of a firearm or any deadly weapon requires lots of skill obtained through practice..not to mention really good judgement and the ability to distinguish between a real threat and an imagined one. In fact, the older and slower I become, the more I realize how vulnerable I really am to those who would do me harm.
A gun, a knife, a cannon or any other weapon does not guarantee our safety. All we can do is stack the odds in our favor by being aware of personal behaviors or signals given by others which could indicate impending violence. We can try to avoid locations and situations where violence is likely. That said, sometimes all I carry is a knife as a fall back weapon but against a knife I might choose not to employ it because it limits my options. Defensive postures which force the knife wielder to commit himself offer a greater number of offensive openings as a counter. I have a 3 foot piece of wood, very stout. It's called a cane. Sometimes I carry that with me. I would choose it over a blade to defend against a knife attack in almost any circumstance.
You've heard the one about the guy who brought a knife to a gunfight, I'm sure. Most badguys are going to select the most intimidating technology (ie; firearms) possible to force their will upon their intended victims. Having been heldup at gunpoint several times in retail stores I've managed supports this supposition. Folks I am a realist. If I really think violence is unavoidable, which means beating feet is not an option, I hope I've got some 20th century firearms technology in my hand rather than the latest flavor of knife steel.
I realize we are talking in the vacuum of a knife forum about violence we hope never occurs, for which our only option is the knife, but let's not forget that these discussions don't necessarily reflect reality.
OK. I'm ready to get hammered.
ptn
The idea of using a knife for self defense is not a wrong idea but one which requires some real careful analysis. Life threatening situations do not occur according to one's fears or expectations. Rather their potential suddenly appears, hopefully on a well developed sort of "radar" well before they grow into full fledged combat. Once the potential for violence looms in our awareness of what's going on around us, what we need are options. Can we avoid the escalation into violence by taking some sort of evasive action? THAT'S THE BEST OPTION. What tools (ie...weapons) do we have at our disposal? For this we need the most potent weapon at our disposal and that, although now a cliche, is our mind. Preparation, of course is absolutely necessary and that means having the foresight to pack a "force multiplier" such as a knife or a firearm or maybe something else. Such preparations are problematic. In the first place are we skilled enough in the weapon's employment to use it effectively? Where knives and fighting are concerned, training and practice are absolutely essential otherwise we are flailing around hoping less damage is done to us than to the other guy. What are the legal risks of carrying such weapons? Are the potential benefits worth the risk? I began studying martial arts 30 years ago. I've practiced with hands, feet, knives, nunchucks, the wooden staff and a few other weapons. I've owned and practiced with firearms for longer than that and absolutely DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF INVINCIBLE. Once again the use of a firearm or any deadly weapon requires lots of skill obtained through practice..not to mention really good judgement and the ability to distinguish between a real threat and an imagined one. In fact, the older and slower I become, the more I realize how vulnerable I really am to those who would do me harm.
A gun, a knife, a cannon or any other weapon does not guarantee our safety. All we can do is stack the odds in our favor by being aware of personal behaviors or signals given by others which could indicate impending violence. We can try to avoid locations and situations where violence is likely. That said, sometimes all I carry is a knife as a fall back weapon but against a knife I might choose not to employ it because it limits my options. Defensive postures which force the knife wielder to commit himself offer a greater number of offensive openings as a counter. I have a 3 foot piece of wood, very stout. It's called a cane. Sometimes I carry that with me. I would choose it over a blade to defend against a knife attack in almost any circumstance.
You've heard the one about the guy who brought a knife to a gunfight, I'm sure. Most badguys are going to select the most intimidating technology (ie; firearms) possible to force their will upon their intended victims. Having been heldup at gunpoint several times in retail stores I've managed supports this supposition. Folks I am a realist. If I really think violence is unavoidable, which means beating feet is not an option, I hope I've got some 20th century firearms technology in my hand rather than the latest flavor of knife steel.
I realize we are talking in the vacuum of a knife forum about violence we hope never occurs, for which our only option is the knife, but let's not forget that these discussions don't necessarily reflect reality.
OK. I'm ready to get hammered.
ptn
