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?

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