Scenario: You are attacked by an unarmed thug

[Hayabusa Rider]

Someone approaches quickly. You are "WTF what's going on?" Takes a second to figure out what's happening. He easily covers the ground before you can react. He cold cocks you. Tada!

You can't get your hand in and out of your pocket in the time it takes. Maybe you can back away enough to get it, but most people would be caught so off guard that they wouldn't be able to do much other than fight with their body or whatever they had in their hands.

BTW
Howard-big ass thumb

 

[yukichigai]

Depends on the full extent of the scenario. It is specifically for situations like the one you described that I always make sure to have several "non-lethal" weapons on my person at all times. First and foremost, I always wear steel-toed boots; in addition to the perk of stopping nasty injuries from accidentally dropping computers on my feet, you would not believe how fast someone will stop moving when you kick them VERY HARD in the shin with a steel toed boot. Short of an unexpected blood clot a broken leg won't kill anybody.

But anyway, to address your question, if the guy's just trying to beat the crap out of me, I'd probably brandish my knife long enough to make my escape. If the aforementioned thug pressed the issue I'd probably stab, but in non-lethal areas. Legs, mostly. Hard to catch a guy when you've got a bunch of holes in your running muscles.

 

[hiromizu]

I would put down the weapon (away from the assailant) and try to handle the situation diplomatically. There's absolutely no reason to further aggravate a situation by involving violent acts.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: hiromizu
I would put down the weapon (away from the assailant) and try to handle the situation diplomatically. There's absolutely no reason to further aggravate a situation by involving violent acts.

The key word is assailant. The average human can cover 25 feet in about 1.5 seconds. You have precisely that amount of time to negotiate.

How would that work in practice?

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider

Originally posted by: hiromizu
I would put down the weapon (away from the assailant) and try to handle the situation diplomatically. There's absolutely no reason to further aggravate a situation by involving violent acts.

The key word is assailant. The average human can cover 25 feet in about 1.5 seconds. You have precisely that amount of time to negotiate.

How would that work in practice?

I think I posed a fairly robust solution earlier in the thread. Granted it'll still be rather floppy (unless one was already aroused, of course), but I think the effect will be the same.

 

[DrPizza]

When I took tae kwon do, I had one heck of a back kick. We had to practice against people holding 6 or 8 inch thick pads to cushion the blow. Our drills: kick the person across the gym in one direction, switch, and then get kicked across the gym. If you didn't do you best to hold your ground, the teacher would kick you across the gym. Thus, everyone learned to knock a person 5 or 6 feet backwards when they were holding a big thick pad to cushion the blow. I was 140 pounds back then. I'm now over 200 with far more power in my legs.

1 unexpected kick, the end.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones
Run away, you don't gain anything from fighting if you don't have to. If your cornered or trapped, well, then anything it takes to get home safely.

Exactly.

But does anyone else doubt the usefulness of a 3.5" blade? If you're lucky, you'll scape him off, but unless you get some throat slashes or a lucky stab to the eye socket I think its going to take that guy a long time to bleed out. I remember reading that when they used to have knife duels that the fights lasted a really long time and stamina was what usually won the battle.

 

[TheNewbie]

Originally posted by: mrrman
I have martial arts training...so no knife

I just love retarded replies like this.
I bet you're like 140lbs. tough guy... lol people like you can get injured if someone farts on them a little too strong.
You lame fuck, it's people like you who'll be running to their mommy first.

 

[vi edit]

I'd have a better shot at throwing the knife at him as a distraction and then trying to flee. I'm not much for sprinting but I can certainly run a long ways...especially if some dude is chasing me. I'd just hope to make it to a high people traffic area before he got to me.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: mrrman
I have martial arts training...so no knife

I just love retarded replies like this.
I bet you're like 140lbs. tough guy... lol people like you can get injured if someone farts on them a little too strong.
You lame fuck, it's people like you who'll be running to their mommy first.

I think the only retarded reply involved here is the one from TheNewbie.

I've had martial arts training (omg maybe a fart can knock me down too) and we even had some classes on tanto use, but I would not feel comfortable at all in using a knife in a fight. I studied jujutsu and knife fighting is not a technique that is immediately applicable. It is not totally unreasonable, nor especially 'retarded,' for other people who studied martial arts to realize that they really don't know anything about fighting with a knife and therefore would be better off not using that knife.

 

[ForumMaster]

if i can run and get away, then I'd do it. call me a coward but i don't want to get into a fight i can avoid. assuming i can't, I'd take the knife out, and try to get him to back off. if that fails, only wounds that disable, then call the proper authorities.

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
Not enough of a scenario to give a correct response. Where am I? Why is this person coming at me? How do I know it's a thug? How do I know they're unarmed? Who's with me? Who's around me? What are my avenues of escape? What kind of size/shape is the person coming at me? How are they approaching (ie what physical and mental skills characteristics are they exhibiting)? What act of God took my gun away from me? How am I dressed. What else is around me? etc, etc, etc.

I would usually try to avoid a knife fight if at all possible...I'm more competent unarmed than with a short blade. However, if I was forced to I'd wield it weak hand, reverse grip, blade out (kind of like an edged tonfa) and use it primarily defensively, stabbing only for an assured kill.

Well this scenario was completely fictional but here are the details if it occurred while I was on my normal walk (which is what made me think of it)...

You are walking across a closed elementary school at dusk.

The person coming at you is in clothing that makes it obvious he isn't carrying a gun. (shorts and a tshirt or something, after all it is California He could have a small knife on him but isn't reaching for it. Nobody else is around. He is in shape and about your size.

At 25 feet away he yells something like "I am going to kick you ass!" and starts a full sprint toward you. Seems to have his wits about him and doesn't seem drugged up.

You could run but it would be at least 200-300 feet to an exit in the fence that surrounds the school. Nothing useful is around you and you are dressed similarly to the guy running at you.

Your knife isn't a cheap pocket knife. It is a Cold Steel Voyager VG-1 stainless locking knife with a quick open nub. I can pull this knife out of my pocket and have it open in less than a second.

After reading the responses I think I would try to make it the 200-300 feet to the fence exit. If he reached me before that I would try to get the knife out and use it without him seeing it.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: binister

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
Not enough of a scenario to give a correct response. Where am I? Why is this person coming at me? How do I know it's a thug? How do I know they're unarmed? Who's with me? Who's around me? What are my avenues of escape? What kind of size/shape is the person coming at me? How are they approaching (ie what physical and mental skills characteristics are they exhibiting)? What act of God took my gun away from me? How am I dressed. What else is around me? etc, etc, etc.

I would usually try to avoid a knife fight if at all possible...I'm more competent unarmed than with a short blade. However, if I was forced to I'd wield it weak hand, reverse grip, blade out (kind of like an edged tonfa) and use it primarily defensively, stabbing only for an assured kill.

Well this scenario was completely fictional but here are the details if it occurred while I was on my normal walk (which is what made me think of it)...

You are walking across a closed elementary school at dusk.

The person coming at you is in clothing that makes it obvious he isn't carrying a gun. (shorts and a tshirt or something, after all it is California He could have a small knife on it but isn't reaching for it. Nobody else is around. He is in shape and about your size.

At 25 feet away he yells something like "I am going to kick you ass!" and starts a full sprint toward you. Seems to have his wits about him and doesn't seem drugged up.

You could run but it would be at least 200-300 feet to an exit in the fence that surrounds the school. Nothing useful is around you and you are dressed similarly to the guy running at you.

Your knife isn't a cheap pocket knife. It is a Cold Steel Voyager VG-1 stainless locking knife with a quick open nub. I can pull this knife out of my pocket and have it open in less than a second.

After reading the responses I think I would try to make it the 200-300 feet to the fence exit. If he reached me before that I would try to get the knife out and use it without him seeing it.

Better...or at least more descriptive.

Ok, I'll ignore the fact that I wouldn't cross school grounds (because it would be illegal with my concealed weapon on me at all times), and I'll assume that God came to Earth and made all firearms non-functional so we'd quit killing each other (which is why I'm not carrying).

So, slowly back away in a ready stance while trying to talk him out of it, also trying to keep a large obstacle (building or some such) on 1-2 sides of me so that I still have an escape route but can't be approached from a blind side. Can't reach for a weapon legally unless my life is in obvious danger, and wouldn't want a knife anyway because I'm far better unarmed. Instead I'd reach for my cell phone and hit the emergency button, then drop it on the ground so that I could shout out my location and get help on the way.

If he keeps running straight at me it's going to be over very, very quickly because I'll reverse towards him suddenly and drop low for an ankle or knee shot, then come up to control his leading arm and put him down - pinning him until the police arrive from my phone call. If for some reason no help is coming then I'll move from the arm/wrist lock to a choke and put him out before placing the 911 call.

Regardless of the specifics I'd almost never go for a knife, unless I needed it for defense against a similar weapon or seriously bad odds (like 4 on 1 or more).

 

[huberm]

according to the Tueller Drill, an assailant can traverse 21' in 1.5 seconds. This would NOT be enough time to get a knife out.

In almost all situations, the best thing to do is run. A battle never fought is a battle that is won.

If you can't run, brace yourself and get ready for an attack. Learn how to deflect blows and to protect yourself. At this point, if the fight has become severely escalated and you begin fearing for your life, it is reasonable to use deadly force (ie knife or gun). The only problem with a knife is you have a huge risk of 1)it doesn't kill the assailant, only makes him more angry, or 2)he takes it from you and stabs you. Therefore my suggestion would be to have a concealed firearm available.

Keep in mind, if you use that knife too soon you'll be charged for murder most likely.

Back to the Tueller Drill. It takes a skilled person about 3 seconds to produce a handgun from a concealed holster. This means he/she would barely be able to get it out if the assailant started 50' away. Ideally, you should consider at least 75' a danger zone.....

 

[TheNewbie]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: mrrman
I have martial arts training...so no knife

I just love retarded replies like this.
I bet you're like 140lbs. tough guy... lol people like you can get injured if someone farts on them a little too strong.
You lame fuck, it's people like you who'll be running to their mommy first.

I think the only retarded reply involved here is the one from TheNewbie.

I've had martial arts training (omg maybe a fart can knock me down too) and we even had some classes on tanto use, but I would not feel comfortable at all in using a knife in a fight. I studied jujutsu and knife fighting is not a technique that is immediately applicable. It is not totally unreasonable, nor especially 'retarded,' for other people who studied martial arts to realize that they really don't know anything about fighting with a knife and therefore would be better off not using that knife.

I'd take you and any other ninja-wannabe with a knife and carve a nice "STFU" all over your face.
Are you aware, that retards oh sorry, I mean people who take martial arts classes usually end up hurting themselfs much more than people who didn't. Because martial arts takes what little you and the like had for brains out, and it tells you you're a certified ninja, so you end up getting yourself into situations most people with brains would avoid, thinking you'll pull a couple of ninja stunts and stun your victim.

The only martial arts a man ever needs can be found on this page

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: mrrman
I have martial arts training...so no knife

I just love retarded replies like this.
I bet you're like 140lbs. tough guy... lol people like you can get injured if someone farts on them a little too strong.
You lame fuck, it's people like you who'll be running to their mommy first.

I think the only retarded reply involved here is the one from TheNewbie.

I've had martial arts training (omg maybe a fart can knock me down too) and we even had some classes on tanto use, but I would not feel comfortable at all in using a knife in a fight. I studied jujutsu and knife fighting is not a technique that is immediately applicable. It is not totally unreasonable, nor especially 'retarded,' for other people who studied martial arts to realize that they really don't know anything about fighting with a knife and therefore would be better off not using that knife.

I'd take you and any other ninja-wannabe with a knife and carve a nice "STFU" all over your face.
Are you aware, that retards oh sorry, I mean people who take martial arts classes usually end up hurting themselfs much more than people who didn't. Because martial arts takes what little you and the like had for brains out, and it tells you you're a certified ninja, so you end up getting yourself into situations most people with brains would avoid, thinking you'll pull a couple of ninja stunts and stun your victim.

The only martial arts a man ever needs can be found on this page

Wow. . . quoted for posterity sake; this is a good candidate for "Stupid Post of the Week" award.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: binister
Assailant is approaching quickly from about 25 feet away.

You have a 3.5" folding pocket knife in your pocket you always carry with you.

Do you run the other direction or do you stand and fight.

If you choose to fight, do you involve the knife?

If you involve the knife, do you go for piercing damage which will likely cause mortal wounds or do you go for slicing wounds that will most likely disable?

Do you hold the knife in your dominant hand or keep your dominant hand available for punching?

I have no knife fighting experience but was wondering this on my daily walk today.

Discuss.

Am I alone or with my family?
Do I have a pulled hamstring (like I do now) or can I run like normal?
Am I close to something that I can reasonably get to before I am caught?
How do you know assailant doesn't have a knife or a gun?

25 feet is a lot and I am pretty fast when I don't have a pulled hamstring.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Hmmmm, I wonder if you are certified as a Black Belt in Karate and you kill someone in self defense, who does not possess the same skills, if you would be convicted of murder?

When I was teaching martial arts, all the teachers discussed this and we really came to no conclusion other than it would be prudent to not advertise the MA training.

 

[Kirby]

Stab him in teh jugular.

 

[MagicConch]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
This happened to a Harvard student several years ago. He was attacked by two punks and pulled out a knife and killed one of them. He was convicted for murder and is currently appealing.

This is why I would run and if I couldn't just hand over the wallet. I wouldn't even want a minute chance I could end up in prison.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: mrrman
I have martial arts training...so no knife

I just love retarded replies like this.
I bet you're like 140lbs. tough guy... lol people like you can get injured if someone farts on them a little too strong.
You lame fuck, it's people like you who'll be running to their mommy first.

I think the only retarded reply involved here is the one from TheNewbie.

I've had martial arts training (omg maybe a fart can knock me down too) and we even had some classes on tanto use, but I would not feel comfortable at all in using a knife in a fight. I studied jujutsu and knife fighting is not a technique that is immediately applicable. It is not totally unreasonable, nor especially 'retarded,' for other people who studied martial arts to realize that they really don't know anything about fighting with a knife and therefore would be better off not using that knife.

I'd take you and any other ninja-wannabe with a knife and carve a nice "STFU" all over your face.
Are you aware, that retards oh sorry, I mean people who take martial arts classes usually end up hurting themselfs much more than people who didn't. Because martial arts takes what little you and the like had for brains out, and it tells you you're a certified ninja, so you end up getting yourself into situations most people with brains would avoid, thinking you'll pull a couple of ninja stunts and stun your victim.

The only martial arts a man ever needs can be found on this page

With the exception of the last line you very well might be the dumbest ass still posting on atot. Congratulations.

 

[Squisher]

I like the answers from PrinceofWands and huberm best, but there is a voice inside me that says to use every tool you have to ensure your safety and your assailants incapacity with as little effort on your part. Keep It Simple Stupid. I have to think the knife would be part of the equation and deploying it early and often might save my ass. Maybe, this will only allow me to live my life from inside a jail cell, but living is what it's all about.

 

[IEC]

8-ball in a sock is a perfect non-lethal weapon.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: mrrman
I have martial arts training...so no knife

I just love retarded replies like this.
I bet you're like 140lbs. tough guy... lol people like you can get injured if someone farts on them a little too strong.
You lame fuck, it's people like you who'll be running to their mommy first.

I think the only retarded reply involved here is the one from TheNewbie.

I've had martial arts training (omg maybe a fart can knock me down too) and we even had some classes on tanto use, but I would not feel comfortable at all in using a knife in a fight. I studied jujutsu and knife fighting is not a technique that is immediately applicable. It is not totally unreasonable, nor especially 'retarded,' for other people who studied martial arts to realize that they really don't know anything about fighting with a knife and therefore would be better off not using that knife.

I'd take you and any other ninja-wannabe with a knife and carve a nice "STFU" all over your face.
Are you aware, that retards oh sorry, I mean people who take martial arts classes usually end up hurting themselfs much more than people who didn't. Because martial arts takes what little you and the like had for brains out, and it tells you you're a certified ninja, so you end up getting yourself into situations most people with brains would avoid, thinking you'll pull a couple of ninja stunts and stun your victim.

The only martial arts a man ever needs can be found on this page

LMAO!!!!!! Dumbest Post of the Year Candidate!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Hmmmm, I wonder if you are certified as a Black Belt in Karate and you kill someone in self defense, who does not possess the same skills, if you would be convicted of murder?

When I was teaching martial arts, all the teachers discussed this and we really came to no conclusion other than it would be prudent to not advertise the MA training.

I believe it varies by state/city but in Boston, you need to register yourself with the Police if you're certified as a Black Belt.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: TheNewbie

Originally posted by: mrrman
I have martial arts training...so no knife

I just love retarded replies like this.
I bet you're like 140lbs. tough guy... lol people like you can get injured if someone farts on them a little too strong.
You lame fuck, it's people like you who'll be running to their mommy first.

I think the only retarded reply involved here is the one from TheNewbie.

I've had martial arts training (omg maybe a fart can knock me down too) and we even had some classes on tanto use, but I would not feel comfortable at all in using a knife in a fight. I studied jujutsu and knife fighting is not a technique that is immediately applicable. It is not totally unreasonable, nor especially 'retarded,' for other people who studied martial arts to realize that they really don't know anything about fighting with a knife and therefore would be better off not using that knife.

I'd take you and any other ninja-wannabe with a knife and carve a nice "STFU" all over your face.
Are you aware, that retards oh sorry, I mean people who take martial arts classes usually end up hurting themselfs much more than people who didn't. Because martial arts takes what little you and the like had for brains out, and it tells you you're a certified ninja, so you end up getting yourself into situations most people with brains would avoid, thinking you'll pull a couple of ninja stunts and stun your victim.

The only martial arts a man ever needs can be found on this page

You can't draw a gun on me, disengage safety, and fire at me in <1.5 seconds. I'd knock you out cold before that happened.