This week at NC SYSTEMA, we slide back into the study of knife defense.
Knife defense videos are a popular target for Internet trolls, 'keyboard warriors', and so-called 'reality martial arts' enthusiasts.
"I would just shoot the guy"
"You should just run away"
"Great way to get cut"
These are all popular refrains on comment threads relating to knife videos. In some cases, these are valid criticisms. When faced with a knife-wielding attacker, deploying a firearm or running as fast and hard as you can are both perfectly valid responses.
Then again, they can also be pointless cop-outs that beg the following questions:
- What if you're not armed 24/7?
- What if your weapon jams?
- What if the attacker is too close, and stabs you before you can deploy it?
- What if you're injured, and you can't run?
- What if the attacker stands between you and the exit?
- What if you're carrying or defending a child?
I have yet to see a convincing answer to any of these questions from the would-be warriors and critics online.
Yes, you'll probably get cut. In all likelihood, you'll be hospitalized after the attempt. But in the situations above, that *might* just be preferable to shelling up, grappling ineffectively, or leaving your kids to die.
With that in mind, here we offer three basic principles of knife survival
1) if you can run, don't hesitate
2) fight the attacker, not the weapon
3) use leverage and/or your enivironment to your advantage
Comments and questions welcomed.