The Reality of Fighting an Armed Individual

Knives. Probably the most common weapon out there. Kids carry them, as do police officers, EMS, and soccer moms. They come in all different shapes, colors, sizes, and carry options (from clips to bra attachments!).

Likelihood is that if you get into a fight a knife will be presented. An Anne Arundel county man found that out yesterday when he and his girlfriend were attacked at a gas station: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/crime_checker/anne_arundel_crime/man-stabbed-in-road-rage-incident.

Just as real as the threat is itself, so is the fact that if the knife is presented you will get hurt. Regardless of your training and experience, fighting someone who has an edged weapon means that you will most likely end with lacerations on your body.

So here are a few tips on how to address an attack with an edged weapon:

First, it is important to understand that addressing an edged weapon needs to be approached in terms of "Damage Control." Since the reality is that we will get hurt, we will try to minimize how many times we make contact with the blade, and where on our body the blade touches us. As a general rule, exceptions do apply, a stab will be more dangerous than a slash due to the risk of damage to internal organs, some of the vital, and blood vessels. Again, exceptions, such as a slash to the femoral artery or the neck area, do exist.

In addition, we must realize that more often than not, the attack with the knife will be a surprise attack and likelihood is that you will never even see the blade. After watching interviews and talking to many victims of knife attacks, the most common comment was that "we didn't even know there was a knife involved until after the fight was over!" Therefore, if you train in a self-defense system that teaches a different defense for a knife than for an empty hand, seek better training. Reality is you won't have the time to differentiate between the attacks.

Space is your best friend. When attacked, whether with a knife or without, but most definitely if you recognize the edged weapon, strike to distract and run. Space means better response option, possible assistance from others, and the possibility that the attacker will seek another target which will not pose such high resistance.

Do not worry about disarming an assailant armed with a knife. Once the focus shifts from the suspect to the weapon, you will lose control of the attacker which may leave you open to other attacks. Remember, people who carry one knife typically carry two!

When countering any knife attack don't think of what is the best possible strike or target, but rather what will cause the most damage at the point in time. Even though you may want to strike an assailant with a strike to the throat, stepping hard on their shin causing severe pain may be a better option.

And most importantly, always maintain a reactionary gap between you and any unknown individual. A reactionary gap is between 4-8 feet. At such a distance you can recognize an attack and react to it more effectively.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical, LLC

www.MasadaTactical.com