Poll - Are you proficient with a knife?

[Zodiark1593]

I have some familiarity with the anatomy, and where the major arteries and organs are, and carry around a 3 1/2 inch fixed (used as a tool as opposed to self-defense), but until the day I get into it with a mugger, or some other violent crook, there's no way I can tell you how good I would be able to handle such a situation.

I do know enough that a random mugging is quite different from a planned fight or duel, in both mindset and execution. Most martial arts dojos I've been to seem content have students spar face-to-face on relatively even ground. I don't think a mugger is gonna walk up from front and demand money. God forbid you are outnumbered in a melee-based mugging.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Love that story, although it's contested that there was actual defeat. Some records indicate a stalemate, at which point Muso thanked him and quit the field because he knew his newly developed jo technique was effective against Musashi's nitokenjutsu techniques. It never would have happened had Mushashi not spared his life after their first duel, which speaks to Musashi's character as by all accounts Gonnosuke was a pretty arrogant bastard, pre-beat down anyway.

Sticks are sweet weapons, and most basic hanbo or jo techniques are even better with a cane. Alllll kinds of fun things to do with that hook! I prefer them to knives too.



To answer the Op, yes. I've dabbled.

I own a copy of Gordon Warners "Japanese Swordmanship" and it's a good read about history as well as technique. I'd recommend reading it if you've not.

 

[Nintendesert]

I own a knife to chop veggies.

 

[Agent11]

Why stabbing (blade end pointing down) instead of slashing (blade up- tennis grip?) for self-defense? I've heard a slashing motion is more versatile (plus a stab can be dug into clothing or flesh, with the other guy counterattacking)- possibly more range of motion when slashing too. Just guessing now, haven't got into any knife fight nor care to.

If you are in a knife fight to the death you want to sever an artery or puncture the heart/deflate a lung. Most people aren't going to let you slit their throat so that means stabbing downward at the collar bone, stabbing upward into the ribcage, or stabbing between ribs.

Any slashing that isn't at the neck is wasted effort that could get you killed.

 

[exdeath]

If you are in a knife fight to the death you want to sever an artery or puncture the heart/deflate a lung. Most people aren't going to let you slit their throat so that means stabbing downward at the collar bone, stabbing upward into the ribcage, or stabbing between ribs.

Any slashing that isn't at the neck is wasted effort that could get you killed.

Or go for muscles and disable their offensive capabilities if you can't get to their vitals. A 6 inch blade through the bicep and they won't be using that arm anymore.

Bonus points when they try and the half of the muscle just bunches up into a ball and they freak out and the fight ends right there.

Any situation like this and I'm always thinking of worst case: myself as an opponent. Which means mind over matter, which means nothing short of catastrophic structural damage is going to stop the target. Mind over matter doesn't mean shit when the matter is destroyed.

When they stick their arm out at you, aim to go THROUGH the bone and attack sharply as though using a knife as an axe on a piece of wood to make sure you slash as deep as possible.

Much more effective than stabbing, especially if you have a shorter blade like a folder under 6"

Also arteries slashed lengthwise are worse than ones cut cleanly perpendicular.

 

[Brigandier]

IIRC, knife fighters keep their blades low, so they can have more offensive opportunities; upwards and inwards, so to speak.

Also, wounds, even those not fatal cause immediate stress and may stop aggressors.

 

[kage69]

I own a copy of Gordon Warners "Japanese Swordmanship" and it's a good read about history as well as technique. I'd recommend reading it if you've not.

Have it, although it's been some time since I've picked it up. I'm a big fan of Warners and Draegar both, incredible men both with great stories. Their books are required reading, I'll have to refresh soon. I think it's cool that Gordon's family has a sword that was used at Sekigahara. His story should be made into a movie.

A one legged 80yr old kendoka? Amazing. Wish I could have been a student.

I won't derail into history stuff anymore, but I will say if you like the hanbo/jo scene for self-defense check out (if you haven't already) Stick Fighting: Techniques of Self Defense by Hatsumi and Chambers, Kodansha International 1981.

Short and sweet, but tons of goodies. My father now uses a cane and surprise surprise Mr. Six Shooter is interested in stick techniques. So proud of him!

 

[kage69]

IIRC, knife fighters keep their blades low, so they can have more offensive opportunities; upwards and inwards, so to speak.

Also, wounds, even those not fatal cause immediate stress and may stop aggressors.

Hard to argue with any of that, but I will add that the best knife fighters are good runners.