KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE
by
Sammy Franco

Anyone holding a knife has a tremendous advantage over you, assuming you are not armed. But there are strategic knife attack defense guidelines that can help your chances of surviving a knife attack. There is a lot of misinformation on the subject of knife defense training. Sound knife defense skills first require a basic understanding of how you get wounded by a knife attack.

First, there are various ways a criminal can launch a knife attack. For example, there is a stabbing motion that punctures human tissue and is more likely to be fatal. Stab knife wounds produce internal damage and bleeding. The other type of knife attack wound is the slash. Unless the cut severs a major artery, it is not as immediately threatening as a stab knife wound. Stabbing and slashing motions can be executed from a variety of knife grips, stances and postures.

Authors note: Please see both my dvds, Control and Conquer (Vol.1): Unarmed Against The Knife and Control and Conquer (Vol.2): Advanced Knife Defense Training for more information of knife defense skills and other knife attack defense techniques. If you are more of a bookworm, my book When Seconds Count: Everyone's Guide to Self Defense , also provides lots of knife attack defense skills and tactics.

- KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE TIPS -

What follows are several knife attack defense tips that can help reduce your chances of being the victim.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: REMEMBER - KNIVES ARE UBIQUITOUS.  Look out!  Street criminals can hide knives or edged weapons anywhere.  Here are just a few possible locations:  In newspapers, magazines, shopping bags, briefcases, pockets, tote bags, wallets, purses, hats, sleeves, shoes, socks, belts, automobiles, motorcycles, under their arms, behind their forearms or in books. 

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDGED WEAPONS.  Familiarize yourself with the different types of knives that are used by street criminals.  There are seven different classifications of knives.  They include the following:  (1) Gravity Blades; (2) Spring Blades; (3) Lock Blades; (4) Folding Blades; (5) Fixed Blades; (6) Ballistic Blades; (7) Makeshift/Improvised Blades.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: KNOW WHY CRIMINALS PREFER KNIVES.  It behooves you to know the various reasons why street criminals prefer to use knives to commit crimes.  Here are some reasons: (1) Knives are silent; (2) Knives don’t misfire or jam; (3) Knives do not require reloading; (4) Knives are easier to conceal; (5) Knives are easy to dispose; (6) Knives are symbolic to psychopaths; (7) Knives leave no ballistic clues; (8) Courts tend to be more lenient with knives than guns; (9) Knives are ubiquitous; (10) Knives are inexpensive; (11) Makeshift knives are easy to create. (12) Street criminals know that it is very difficult to defend against a knife attack.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: TRY TO ESCAPE IF POSSIBLE.  If you have the possibility to run and escape during the course of a knife fight, do it immediately!  Try to quickly scan your environment for possible escape routes.  Look for doors, windows, stairwells, or other avenues of safe escape.  Under no circumstances should you engage in a knife fight unless it is absolutely necessary.   Don’t let your ego or pride trap you into believing that it’s cowardly to run.  WARNING: If you attempt to outrun your adversary, be certain that you have the athletic ability to really move - and don’t offer him target opportunities in your flight.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: CREATE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE KNIFE.  When unarmed and defending against an edged weapon attack, try to create as much distance as you can between you and the knife.  Distance is critical because it enhances your defensive reaction time and allows you to control your options. Obviously, running away is a great way to put distance between you and the blade, but you can also use different types of objects in the environment to create barriers between you and your adversary.  Cars, trucks, couches, large chairs, tall fences, park benches, and large tables are only a few examples.  Remember, though, that these objects are only buying you a little precious time.  They don’t negate the threat.  The bottom line rule is to stay as far away from the knife as possible.  Keep in mind that the only time you want to be close to a knife is for disarming purposes and then only if this situation is absolutely unavoidable.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: DON’T PANIC.  When unarmed and faced with an edged weapon attack, do not panic and lose your cool.  This may seem difficult, but with proper training and crisis rehearsal, it can be done.  People naturally freeze up when they are faced with a knife attack. This only makes it easier for your assailant to accomplish his nefarious mission.  You must rise to the occasion and conjure all of spirit and courage to ward off the deleterious effects of fear, anxiety, and stress.  You must be determined to fight your adversary to the death if necessary.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: RESPECT THE KNIFE.  Always respect a knife or any other edged weapon.   Few too many people realize how deadly knives are.  Even a child becomes dangerous with a knife in hand.  The entertainment industry has done us a great disservice by making everyone believe that a knife-wielding assailant can be neutralized easily with one swift kick, shoulder throw, or punch.  It is not like that in the real world.  Knife attack defenses are not easy. In fact, the odds are strongly stacked against your survival if you are unarmed and attacked by an assailant with a knife.  Never underestimate the danger of a knife; it could cost you your life.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: NEVER KICK AT A KNIFE. Never attempt to kick a knife out of your assailant's hand.  This is asinine and hazardous for the following reasons:  (1) The speed of your kick is no match for the speed of a knife attack; (2) To successfully hit your assailant’s knife hand, you will be required to execute a high-line kick which is suicide in any type of physical street fight confrontation; (3) You run the risk of losing your balance and falling on the ground; (4) It unnecessarily exposes your vital targets to the knife-wielding assailant; (5) It temporarily inhibits your ability to execute quick and evasive knife defense footwork; (6) Your assailant can cut your ankle, foot or calf when you deliver the kick.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: USE MAKESHIFT WEAPONS.  Makeshift weapons should be a significant component of your knife attack defense. When unarmed and confronted by a knife-wielding assailant, scan your environment for any makeshift weapon,  especially for ones that can safely shield against stabs and slashes.  A strong briefcase is a great shield.  So are metal trash can lids, sofa and chair cushions, and even small chairs and tables.  Also look for makeshift weapons with which you can strike your assailant.  If you can get hold of striking weapon, use it to strike quickly at your adversary’s hand - the one holding the knife.  Effective striking weapons are hardwood limbs, metal pipe, a long stick, etc.

• KNIFE ATTACK DEFENSE: DETERMINE THE ASSAILANT’S  INTENT.  It’s critical to make an accurate threat assessment when confronted by a knife-wielding assailant.  Use split - second judgment to determine exactly what your adversary wants to accomplish.  Some might not want to harm you if they can avoid it.  Others may be dead set on cutting you from limb to limb.  If you have determined that your assailant plans to harm you, you must immediately resort to aggressive knife attack defensive tactics.

Train Hard and be Safe!

- Sammy Franco (CFA Founder)

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