Knife for Self Defense?

How ideal is the knife as a self defense weapon? Although most Filipino martial artists, according to internet polls such as this one from FMATalk, carry a knife, I have my doubts. Here’s the short version of a more detailed write up on carrying a knife for self defense:

-Justifiable Use: There are a very limited number of situations when knife use is legally and morally justifiable. In these cases there are better suited weapons.

-Inability to Adjust Severity: You can’t really decide how much damage you do with a knife. It’s always potentially deadly.

-Lack of Impact: When people get stabbed or slashed they don’t feel it. Wouldn’t an impact weapon be a better deterrent?

-Required Range: You need to get close with a knife. An expandable baton, pepper spray, or even a gun gives you more options.

-Nastiness: Attacking someone with a knife is nasty! There’s going to be blood all over the place.

If you’re going to carry a weapon for self defense, choose a better one. The knife has too many disadvantages…unless you’re going to carry a machete that is.