Blade vs. (fill in the blank)

[Tom Yum]

I'm starting this thread to collect ideas on how the blade stacks up against various weapons, assuming that the attacker (non-blade carrier) is in mid attack or is getting ready for an attack.

Both Boar and KOTF have stated CIA statistics that mention a certain distance where the blade is more effective than a pistol (assuming the pistol isn't drawn and has at least one level of safety). Taking this further and assuming you are carrying a foldable type blade of legal state length, how does a blade compare...

vs. A drawn and loaded pistol (assume the gunman is using a 9mm pistol and is below 'sharpshooter' qualified - someone who might be familiar with the pistol, but is average or lower shot)?

vs. A blunt object (brick, bottle, poolcue)?

vs. several individuals, some w/ blunt weapons, some empty handed?

vs. an akward position (say in a car jacking scenario)?

[darrianation]

Deleted Deleted

[Shoot]

Pistol beats blade if drawn and distant. Blade beats pistol if not drawn and close range.

I've thought a lot about club vs. blade. I think blade probably wins against a untrained opponent--in that you can deflect a club blow--you can sacrifice your nondominant forearm to get inside to make the kill. If the "club" is powerful enough though this might not be the case. An aluminum bat to the arm and then knee and then head is pretty powerful. So--depends on the clubbing weapon. Pool cue vs. blade--blade. Billy club vs. blade--blade. Tire iron vs. blade--blade. Bat v. blade--??

Of course the bladed weapon is so effective because of its ease of carry and use. Unfortunately, in most jurisdictions "clubs" are illegal--it's unbelievable in this day and age, but true that in many states it's a freak'n felony to cary a "club." I can carry a four inch bladed weapon--I can get a license to carry a pistol, but I can't carry a telescopic billy club.

I will say this about clubbing weapons--I believe these to be the most intuitive and natural feeling weapons. It's what we instinctively reach for in danger.

[Guest]

Interesting thread. Further to Mike's post, I don't believe its a case of the weapon, but the person holding it. However, I can offer a few thoughts from experience...

One of my students fought off an attacker with stanley knife, using his motorbike helmet as a shield. However what I'd say is the student is ex military, has great attributes, and is used to reacting under stress. Back to the human factor there I think.

A friend of mine in the States came back from training and found a burglar in his living room with a knife. He grabbed the two sticks poking out of his training bag, and that worked like a charm.

I recently trained a group of Police Officers. I did the usual 21 yard drill where you ask the officer to holster the sidearm and I stand 21 yards away, when someone shouts go I run at them and try to cut them before they can get off a clean shot. I must have done this demo 100 times and I always get there. I didn't know that the guy I picked was a Firearms Instructor, he had the gun on me before I even got halfway there. Once again, back to the individual.......or maybe I'm getting old!

[Garland]

Ok...I get it- "be good at everything".

[A-Zo]

I am a believer that each person will have a different chance. Just as most of you guys have addressed. But, I also feel that the situation plays a large part. If one of the guys has a knife, and is a highly trained fighter. He would more than likely have an advantage over a guy who has a gun, and doesn't know much about shooting, other than which end is dangerous. However, if the man with the knife happens to slip, or miss on his first attempt. The man with the gun immediately has the advantage. There are so many unforeseen forces in play, that it is hard to speculate who or what is the best.

[Tant01]

Old and slow...

Interesting thread. Further to Mike's post, I don't believe its a case of the weapon, but the person holding it. However, I can offer a few thoughts from experience...

One of my students fought off an attacker with stanley knife, using his motorbike helmet as a shield. However what I'd say is the student is ex military, has great attributes, and is used to reacting under stress. Back to the human factor there I think.

A friend of mine in the States came back from training and found a burglar in his living room with a knife. He grabbed the two sticks poking out of his training bag, and that worked like a charm.

I recently trained a group of Police Officers. I did the usual 21 yard drill where you ask the officer to holster the sidearm and I stand 21 yards away, when someone shouts go I run at them and try to cut them before they can get off a clean shot. I must have done this demo 100 times and I always get there. I didn't know that the guy I picked was a Firearms Instructor, he had the gun on me before I even got halfway there. Once again, back to the individual.......or maybe I'm getting old!

LOL welcome to the club!

[Knuckles&Knees]

Both Boar and KOTF have stated CIA statistics that mention a certain distance where the blade is more effective than a pistol (assuming the pistol isn't drawn and has at least one level of safety). Taking this further and assuming you are carrying a foldable type blade of legal state length, how does a blade compare...

I was always trained in the military that if a person is basically at arms length or closer and has a knife, and you a pistol, you are not going to win. Head or heart shot aside... chances are even if you shoot the person they will still stab and slash you many times.

Hence, even with a drawn weapon (pistol) we keep distance.

[Tant01]

Who has what weapon again?

I was always trained in the military that if a person is basically at arms length or closer and has a knife, and you a pistol, you are not going to win. Head or heart shot aside... chances are even if you shoot the person they will still stab and slash you many times.

Hence, even with a drawn weapon (pistol) we keep distance.

Distance is definately your friend in a knife encounter but I would just repeat the previous commentary that the individual holding the weapon is the thing to consider.

Let me put it this way, a gun is a damn fine little "stick" and I would not hesitate to defang that blade if he were in range (to HIT with that pistol)

Nothing like a good pistol whoopin...

[gregimotis]

In a way, we can't even have a discussion about martial arts without putting away the 'human factor' at least a little bit. If we all concede that the most important factors in fighting revolve around the attributes of the fighters (commitment, training, athleticism, etc) then we can move on to other questions:


In the hands of two men both fairly committed to the fight and both with some training and some experience with combat stress, then how do different weapons stack up in different conditions?

[gregimotis]

As a bit of trivia;

When the sword was the king of personal weapons, possesion of swords was often restricted just as the pistol is restricted now.

[Tant01]

As a bit of trivia;

When the sword was the king of personal weapons, possesion of swords was often restricted just as the pistol is restricted now.

* See signature below...

LOL