I've done that before, emptiness

Smelled pretty fruity after
Overall, she did better than I would have thought. 4/6 times (front approach) she would have cut me up pretty well, even swinging wildly (marks on hands, forearms, shoulders, back, face, and neck). But 2/6 I disarmed her with 0 marks or 1 shallow mark. One of those 2 ended up going to ground, with me mounted with possession of knife (and that was round 5 when she already was adapting and refining her own strategy). Neither of us have formal training of any kind.
For me, that 1/3 chance that the attacker disarms and may (as I did) get control of the knife is unacceptable. In addition, it was a marker, so I don't really know how deep the cuts/thrusts actually would have been and if it would have been enough to stop a dedicated attacker, crazy/drugged out attacker, or pissed off attacker. I don't think I would have stuck around or persisted, but who knows.
And these test runs didn't take into account actually drawing a folder (had her keep marker cap on, she had to remove it before/while being attacked so she could use the pen, maybe it's somewhat similar?) or approach from the back or side (tried a couple with rear approach, got hammerfist stabbed in the quad in one, and the other she couldn't get the pen cap off before I made her drop the pen. She did however, immediately kick the pen away :thumbup:

) or strikes by the assailant (obviously, I was only grabbing her). I don't know how many guys/girls can actually draw and open a folder into a firm grip quickly under stress; I'm not entirely confident I'd do so 100% of the time. I keep trying to drill it so when I need to actually draw it under stress...the chances I fumble the knife are at least lower.
I'm not an expert or instructor, I don't KNOW what the best defense tool is. I only vote for the knife if you are prepared and are able to effectively use it. I've been doing research myself trying to find better options than a knife for my gf (until she really learns how to use one from a professional instructor). So far the safest i've come up with
in my opinion is impact weapons like kubatons and OC spray (stream, not fogger, decreases chance of blowback and more suitable for use in confined spaces). Safety in this context, means safe in the sense that if the tool got taken from her, her attacker couldn't use it against her lethally because she pissed him/her off (though i guess an argument could be made for the lethality of kubaton). Right now, I'm thinking the best option might be OC spray while retreating (if you have room to retreat); if attacker deflects or she misses and he closes in, then ditch the spray and kubaton the crap out of him until she can get away. But I'm still learning, so that might change.
I just don't want to take that chance with my gf by giving her a knife and consequently a false sense of security and a more fatal backfire risk (until she really learns how to use one from an instructor). Hell, I don't even know how to use a knife expertly (and would love to do a formal training...when i have the time and money

), so whatever I get for her, I'm getting one for myself too; and the knife is only going to come out if I perceive myself to be in mortal danger.
On a lighter note, I was forced to stand next to this dude on the train the other day that absolutely reeked. I think perhaps I'll just start showering once a week to keep would-be assailants at bay.

Don't know if my lady would take to that idea though..... Perhaps I could convince her to lift weights like Esav's sister, that way she can just punch people out and be MY bodyguard