Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

On Knives in Self-Defense

I observe things as a natural course of walking around in this world. It is not a matter of being hyper-vigilent toward danger although if something tweaks my spidey sense I do pay attention. I mean I am kind of hyperactive in that my eyes are always roaming. I suspect this comes from being an introvert who actually gets drained of energy in large doses being around other people. 

When I do my environmental watching thing I often see things like knives in pockets. I then try to imagine why and often it is when I see persons dressed in work clothes like electricians on the BART train taking care of said train or construction workers going to work. But, I do see folks that have them who I can’t tell if they use them for work or just like to carry a knife, for whatever reasons. 

I also follow SD training that use weapons such as knives and guns. I do this because sometimes I am asked what I think about them, all weapons, as carry items for self-defense (SD). 

Guy handling security at a hotel bar where I worked asked me one evening about something when I noticed in his top pocket martial art shuriken. I asked and when he told me he had them for work, working the door security on the bar I recommended he put them in his locker and lock them away. Why? Because as I explained to him using them in the job might be a bit difficult to explain to the police, especially if he actually used them.

Anyway, this post came about because while reading, the second go round, of the book, “In the Name of Self-Defense,” by Marc MacYoung I came across a short quote about knives, “knives are lethal force instruments. That means their use is limited by the same rules as a gun. You don’t use a knife unless you are in ‘Immediate danger of death or grievous bodily injury.’ This lethal force instrument designation also includes using a closed knife as a strike enhancer.” He goes on to state, “Bet your guru SD instructor didn’t teach you that.” (I added in SD instructor)

I bought a really nice quick open pocket knife a while back thinking I might need to carry it for SD. After it arrived I did some research before making the decision to either carry it or not starting with the California weapons and self-defense laws. Then I did more research at Marc MacYoung’s “No Nonsense Self-Defense” web site and finally all the books by Mr. MacYoung, Mr. Rory Miller and other professionals not to mention posts on knives at the “Animal List.” Simply put, I decided “NOT TO CARRY A KNIFE!”

Since that time I have watched a variety of knife training films and came to a feeling that they were missing some very important aspects. Assuming they didn’t cover the next outside the training observed. First, is this training for training sake or is it for self-defense? Second, are they explaining all this plus the force requirements of law, etc., in the area where the training is conducted? I would bet a lot on these training systems don’t discuss or teach any of that stuff simply because of economics. They are there to sell and earn money, not actually diligently teach all that encompasses self-defense. Actually, with my limited experiences in self-defense (what I called my MA until recent years) the only sources that actually push learning all that encompass self-defense, i.e., the before, during and after stuff, have been the groups associated with Marc MacYoung, Rory Miller and other professionals who participate in their profession. 


I know I am pushing hard to look to these guys and to change the way you think, believe and most importantly “teach” self-defense but as those guys keep saying over and over and over and over again, not knowing what you don’t know will get you and/or your students in a lot of trouble. I can’t take back the crap I once taught but I can express this and what is relevant in the hopes some come to the same conclusions I came to and do just one, simple, easy (ok not so easy)  thing - change.

Take a look at the following top search results at google images for self-defense folding knives and tell me honestly if you were sitting on a jury looking at this type of knife wouldn't you assume by it make and such that it is a combat fighting type knife or what?

Click for larger view

at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)