Is knife defense a waste of time?

[BlackMaskX]

Hello all,

Do you think that teaching knife defense in unarmed fighting arts is a waste of time? I know that many TKD and karate instructors teach unarmed knife defense techniques by having one student stab or slash predictably and robotically. The defending student then intercepts the knife and disarms the attacker.

I could see how someone who specializes in Filipino or Indonesian weapons-oriented arts might have some chance -- some chance -- of disarming an attacker, but I really cannot see how a TKD or karate practitioner would benefit from dabbling in knife defense, especially when it's as poorly taught as I've seen it. Do you think that practitioners of unarmed MAs benefit from knife defense, or do you think their time would be better spent elsewhere?

[Thai Bri]

I don't think its a waste of time at all, as long as you know what you are doing. Unfortunately, I don't!

But some of the rubbish I've seen over the years will definately get you killed.

[fullcircle]

I just took an outstanding knife defense/fighting seminar, I don't think it's a waste of time either, once you realize that the crap you see in movies is bs, the fancier the defense the less chance it will work, and you're going to get cut, it's just better to be cut in certain places.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Who taught it?

[fullcircle]

Mike Crump. He's taught and still teaches most of the law enforcement agencies here in CO, and has taught the military.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Ever get down to Castle Rock?

[fullcircle]

I used to quite a bit, not so much lately. It's about 45 minutes, easy drive, what's there?

[Szczepankiewicz]

A knife fighting type instructor I've heard a little about. Just thought maybe you'd crossed paths possbily.

[fullcircle]

What's his name, maybe I'll take a road trip

[Szczepankiewicz]

https://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com

[fullcircle]

Interesting website, I'll make a trip and let you know what I see.

[Szczepankiewicz]

If you talk to the man tell 'em Spanky sentcha.


Then duck.

[sercuerdas]

i don't think it's awaste of time . the only downside is instling to much confidence it the student. a point to remeber is that well trained knife people"usually" won't even let you see the blade, so if the flash you the knife their skill"might" not be great.

[Thai Bri]

Like I said before, I don't know alot in this area. But that puts me ahead of 99% of those who think they do.....

But theres one school of thought that says just attack him in the most brutal way possible. The sooner you take him out the better, and putting him on the back foot will do more to protect you than any silly hand grabbing technique.

[William]

I could see how someone who specializes in Filipino or Indonesian weapons-oriented arts might have some chance -- some chance -- of disarming an attacker, but I really cannot see how a TKD or karate practitioner would benefit from dabbling in knife defense, especially when it's as poorly taught as I've seen it.

The first post that I started the "Knife" thread about touches on this very subject.

http://www.defend.net/deluxeforums/showthread.php?threadid=5500&pagenumber=1

There are too many people out there that "teach" knife techniques that have no business doing so. Dealing with a knife is nasty business. There are no certainties, you just have to train as realistically as possible to better your chances of successfully dealing with an edged weapon attack. Most of the stuff I've seen outside of the FMA's is pure crap. Nowadays, even within the FMA's you have to watch out for bogus training....too many seminar trained people out there claiming to teach knife.


William