The Knife as a Self Defense Weapon

Especially in the Filipino martial arts, many practitioners carry one or more knives for self defense purposes. In this FMATalk Poll, over 81% of respondents said they carried a blade regularly. There are discussion groups all over the web with members writing about the best knife for everyday carry, etc. There is no doubt a knife is a deadly weapon, or that it can be used in self defense. But, how good of a self defense weapon is it?

There are at least four or five serious problems with using a knife for self defense vs. alternative weapons: justifiable use, relative inability to adjust severity, lack of impact, required range, and nastiness!

Justifiable Use

One of the biggest problems with a knife is the severe damage it will likely cause and the perception of that damage. When is a person legally and morally justified in using a knife in self defense? Clearly you can't pull a knife against an unarmed attacker who is remotely similar in size. A knife would be justifiable if the attacker has a deadly weapon, but these days that's likely to be a gun. How effective is a knife against a gun threat? I'd say not very much. You need both hands free to be able to control the gun/limb in case one is not enough. Empty hands are faster and more adaptable in the case of dealing with a gun threat. If your attacker has a knife, then you're probably justified in pulling a knife of your own, IF you have the time. But, do you really want to get in a knife fight vs. the alternatives?

Inability to Adjust Severity

Let's say you're about to be attacked by 2 or 3 drunk teenagers. If you're cornered in this situation, maybe you are justified in using a knife to defend yourself. But, you're all but entirely unable to adjust the severity of your defense with a knife. Slashing clothing or a shallow cut is not going to have the impact necessary to stop an attacker. You could attempt to cut ligaments and tendons that would incapacitate a person, but it would be difficult to do this without also potentially killing them. With a blunt weapon you can injure to varying degrees, with a knife you cannot reliably do the same.

Lack of Impact

I know a number of people who have been stabbed or slashed with a knife. Not a single one of them even knew they were being attacked with a knife. They didn't feel it. I know others who have been hit with sticks, including myself, and every one of them felt it. Getting hit with a blunt object hurts! Not only does it hurt, but it can break bones. A good shot with a stick to the hand, knee, or shin can incapacitate someone without doing extreme damage. If necessary a blunt object can also be used to cause greater damage. The same is not true of a knife. You can incapacitate someone by killing them, or nothing. And, even in killing with a knife, it's likely to take some time. One good crack in the shin with a stick or expandable baton can drop a person instantly.

In a knife vs. knife encounter, even if you “win”, you're likely to take serious damage yourself. In a stick vs. knife encounter, with proper footwork, the stick wielder has a much greater chance of evading and taking out the knifer with little or no damage to himself.

(The same cannot be said of a machete or sword. Of course a machete vs. a knife is altogether different. However, very few people are willing to carry a machete for self defense! An expandable baton can be carried almost as easily as a knife and can function as a “stick”, or long blunt weapon.)

Required Range

A knife requires close range contact. If you're justified in using a knife, you're dealing with a serious threat. Wouldn't it be better to maintain your distance with pepper spray, a longer impact weapon, or a gun? If you're already in a clinch or on the ground, a knife will likely be more effective, IF you can get to it and IF you have the skill to hold on to it.

Nastiness

Although nastiness is not necessarily a serious concern, it is a concern nonetheless. Defending yourself with a knife will likely create a serious mess. You may be covered in your attacker's blood, and you'll certainly notice yourself stabbing or slashing your attacker open. I for one do not welcome nightmares of gutting someone, even if it is an attacker! I'd much prefer to smack someone in the limbs with a stick. I'd even prefer to hit someone in the head with a stick than carve them up with a knife. It's just plain nasty!

So what's the alternative? I'd think long and hard about carrying a knife for self defense. An expandable baton is a great alternative. You can access it just as quickly, it provides greater range, more impact, an adjustment of severity, more cases were it would be legally and morally justified, etc. Pepper spray is also a great alternative. And, if you think your life is really in danger, why not carry a gun instead? Yes, you can carry all of the above, but that seems to be overkill to me. Other than for utility, I see very little value in carrying a knife for self defense.