Folding knives for self-defense

[Burton]

One plus to the knife, if it is needed, is that you can physically stop the connection between the biceps and the forearm by slashing the biceps tendons. If you get a good cut, the person cannot use his arm, regardless of his determination. Getting that good cut is another thing all together!
Biceps destructions hurt in the absence of emotion and movement. Old time boxers would punch the biceps with those little gloves they used to wear, hoping to have an effect a few rounds later. Very difficult and unlikely to have any effect during battle. (Darn!)

[Jim McRae]

I am glad Burton brought up the slash to the biceps tendon. Coupled with slashes to the inner wrist to sever the flexor tendons (and vasculature!) in the forearm, one can inflict devastating damage to one's opponent that will incapacitate him regardless of his drug habits.

It is amazing to look at the historical development of the Filipino martial arts and note the way that empty-hand guntings developed from blade techniques. Largely ineffective empty-hand guntings with the knuckles to the inside of the wrist and biceps are highly destructive when one uses a blade. This is just my speculation, but I think that the FMA's attitude of "any technique you can do with a blade/stick, you can do empty-hand" has led to some less-than-effective adaptations of certain weapons techniques.

Take care and train hard,
Jim

[WTG]

Ya know what guys?

hits to the arm, may not work when the juice is flowin'
but neither does hits to the head, or body or leg!

They take REPEATED blows to get an effect. I have used the ninpo version of the backhand gunting in real fights and it worked well, evade and SLAM with power coming from shoulder and follow up with a hammer fist to the same spot.

First time, nothing, second time, nothing, third time a reaction, fourth time he was afraid to throw the right hand and I moved in!

Same with the thai kick, same with hitting the head etc...

The only techniques I have seen work the first time are eye shots (if he is not on drugs, they work well), groin kick foot stomp, shin kick (both with shoes) and of course choke!

Any blunt weapon takes repeated blows for effect.

So, I try to train with my natural weapons of teeth, fingers etc... And always aim for natural weak points, liver, solar plexus, eyes, groin, shin, top of foot neck etc...

Oh, and evasion skills! And most important, trying to live my life in such a way, that the fight never happens.

One thing I think we should not forget, is that most people we will fight, could be avoided, if not, then they most likely won't be on crank.

I think that training to respond with full on assult might limit or possible options. If I had it to do over again, that fight I had with the guy at my apartment, after that first hit, he moved back, at THAT point, I had a choice, I chose to follow him and attack, Now, I would have chose
to move back, lock the door call the cops, and sit on the couch with the 357 my dad gave me!

My ninpo grandmaster says, a human can never be as strong as a tiger, yet, humans keep tigers in cages!
The one thing that I don't 100% agree with in NHB type training is we train to be more of a tiger than the tiger, there is always someone bigger, faster and stronger or with more or better weapons, instead, we should train to take advantage of where these people are naturally weak.

Just my opinion from my experience...

-Rick