I'll be honest-- the idea of fighting with a knife scares me.
I'm not talking about "knife fighting" that involves sparring with various techniques and styles against an opponent that is also armed with a knife. I'm talking about down and dirty fighting where a knife is in play and people are getting cut, stabbed, and covered in blood.
Ever see YouTube videos of fights involving knives? They're fast, they're ugly, and they turn my stomach.
The more I venture into the world of combatives the less confidence I have in defending myself with my current knife of choice-- a Spyderco Manix II. Now, I initially chose the Manix as a utility knife first, with the idea that it could be pressed into service as a weapon if needed. And as a utility blade its great.
But what if I am clinched up with some 300lb. dude and I need to run the blade into him several times? Am I sure I can deploy it? Will the lock really hold up? Will my hand slip once its blood-covered?
I have no formal or specific knife training. Thus far in combatives classes when I'm able to access the knife of my attacker I always end up running a "sewing machine" on them. It seems like my natural tendency.
Should I take the time to learn a knife-fighting system and ingrain new techniques into my muscle memory? Or should I stick with a knife design that works with my natural technique?
What has been your experience with such things?
Is there a knife design out there that is A) quick/simple to deploy, B) stabby, C) won't collapse on my hand (fixed blade), and D) won't allow my hand to slip once wet?
There are a couple designs that have me curious. Perhaps those with some knowledge can chime in.
What considerations am I missing?
I'm not talking about "knife fighting" that involves sparring with various techniques and styles against an opponent that is also armed with a knife. I'm talking about down and dirty fighting where a knife is in play and people are getting cut, stabbed, and covered in blood.
Ever see YouTube videos of fights involving knives? They're fast, they're ugly, and they turn my stomach.
The more I venture into the world of combatives the less confidence I have in defending myself with my current knife of choice-- a Spyderco Manix II. Now, I initially chose the Manix as a utility knife first, with the idea that it could be pressed into service as a weapon if needed. And as a utility blade its great.
But what if I am clinched up with some 300lb. dude and I need to run the blade into him several times? Am I sure I can deploy it? Will the lock really hold up? Will my hand slip once its blood-covered?
I have no formal or specific knife training. Thus far in combatives classes when I'm able to access the knife of my attacker I always end up running a "sewing machine" on them. It seems like my natural tendency.
Should I take the time to learn a knife-fighting system and ingrain new techniques into my muscle memory? Or should I stick with a knife design that works with my natural technique?
What has been your experience with such things?
Is there a knife design out there that is A) quick/simple to deploy, B) stabby, C) won't collapse on my hand (fixed blade), and D) won't allow my hand to slip once wet?
There are a couple designs that have me curious. Perhaps those with some knowledge can chime in.
- ClinchPik/Pikal
- SI/OST/TSD Grab 'n Stab
What considerations am I missing?