Knife Fighting 101: Fact vs Fiction

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 3/5/20 | K Sipmann

[w1n1]

Have you ever noticed how everyone seems to be an expert on something these days? Whether it be geopolitics, food, parenting, guns, knives, survival techniques, self-defense, basket weaving … you name it and someone can tell you all about it online in a two-minute YouTube video. Well, knife fighting is not immune to this. There are many untruths, myths and opinions about knife fighting, also known as edged-weapon defense. I can’t address them all in this short article, but let’s try to separate a few facts from fiction.

I am a knife enthusiast, and I openly admit that I am no expert in knife fighting. So, to help educate myself on the subject, I reached out to a professional instructor of edged weapons defense, Fred Matison of Force Options Tactical Training and Security, to research the topic further and learn from an industry expert.

Probably the most well-known thing about knife fighting is that you don’t want to bring a knife to a gun fight – you don't want to be that guy. Also, another thing that Fred Matison discussed in his class is that it’s important to know there really is no such thing as a knife fight. He feels this is something Hollywood has invented to sell action movies, and I basically would agree with him. As a martial arts instructor myself, I understand that actual street fights can last several minutes, where many techniques may be used to subdue an opponent. When a knife is deployed for self-protection, there is only one technique needed to end the aggression, and it very well may end up in a death.

Many of the YouTube experts and internet-forum gurus would argue that you need a large tacti-cool knife to defend yourself in "battle." First off, a large knife is not practical in most every day carry (EDC) situations. If you live out in the desert on a ranch, a large knife probably is okay, but it isn't going to work out well for you at the office. You do not need a big tactical knife to defend yourself; but you do want a quality knife, so do your research and find the blade that fits your need. Read the rest of knife fighting 101.

[onona]

eyes and hands first. Impaired vision and slippery hands.

I have too much free time

[discostu]

Biggest thing is that when you have the knife remember it’s not a sword. Waving it around in your forward hand you might as well just hand it to your opponent, cause they’re gonna get it anyway. Back hand, against the wrist. Think of it more like brass knuckles.

[Mathews]

Boker Kalshnikov auto. Relatively inexpensive and durable. Keeps an edge.

[dfwgator]

“The 16-ton weight is just one way of dealing with a raspberry killer. There are millions of others!”

[Mathews]

Boker Kalshnikov auto. Relatively inexpensive and durable. Keeps an edge.

[Seruzawa]

Pointed sticks!

[freefdny]

Bring a narwhal tusk. It worked.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50870309

[ETCM]

[isthisnickcool]

How many rounds do you have on you?

Me? 40 or so.

[Magnum44]

Yep, in a knife fight, two people are going to the hospital, and most likely one of them in a bag.

[Bratch]

21 Foot Rule

[Magnum44]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuTU-Gby46M

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

You WILL get cut.

[yarddog]

I have always liked knives of any kind. At the same time I would avoid a knife fight if at all possible.

I read an interesting article years ago about William Fairbairne, the co-inventor of the Sykes-Fairbairne knife. He was for years the head of the Shanghai Riot Police. He also trained the British Commandos in WWII, and is the author of “get tough”.

One thing I recall is a commando who was trained by him mentioned that Fairbairne’s body was covered in scars.

Even the toughest sometimes get cut.

Still I always carry a knife, mainly for general use but as a last resort for defense.

probably the easiest to use is the Ruger, CRKT Hollow Point designed by Onion. It was inexpensive and is made from an inexpensive but good Chinese steel. The best part is the opening is easy.

I also have a Spyderco, which has a slightly larger blade and is also easy to open.

BTW, there is nothing magical about Boker knives. They are good quality but not made of any better metal than most other good knives.

[yarddog]

BTW my Spyderco is the Resilience with the 4.25 inch blade. It is made with the same inexpensive but very good Chinese steel (when properly heat treated).

8CR13Mov.

[lgjhn23]

“...eyes and hands first. Impaired vision and slippery hands....”
After his stint in the USMC in the battle of Okinawa and China occupation, my father finished out his service as a hand-to-hand combat instructor at Great Lakes Naval Station.
As a kid growing up, he spent a lot of time showing me how to fight and defend myself because I was smaller than most boys my age. One of the first things he taught was what you said: blinded eyes, broken bones & slippery hands.
FWIW, many times, he tried to get me to actually slash & stab him with a knife....you could forget it....he would take it and mock kill ya with it so fast it would make your head swim. I guess practice makes perfect, and Uncle Sam’s USMC meant serious business back then: Kill or be killed.
:) After my first couple of schoolyard scraps, nobody messed with that “little kid” anymore. He taught me well, and I kept quietly to myself never starting trouble...and do so even to this day at the ripe old age of 69.

[wastoute]

I had a patient once whose FIL was a “Jeddite” or whatever they called themselves. The Fairbairn history is interesting. He was beaten badly and left for dead. He swore it would never happen again and studied at the world’s leading martial arts school in Tokyo before the war.

[voicereason]

Next they will branch out into fresh fruit.

Defending Yourself Against Fresh Fruit

[yarddog]

Hw sounds like a wonderful instructor and Father.

[GBA]

Purpose designed and built: Spyderco Yojimbo 2