Basic Level

Introduction

The material presented in this book is in what I hope to be a logical progression, assuming that you have no training, advancing from empty-hand to a knife-in-hand defense. This progression implies an escalation of violence and legal liability. This book was not written for those who are interested in becoming a proficient knife fighter. Although some of the techniques in the advanced section will help you become proficient using a knife they are still intended to be used defensively not offensively. I do not advocate problem-solving through the application of edged weapons! The techniques described herein, which deal with knife-on-knife encounters, are not meant to encourage or romanticize dueling. They are to be used in a purely defensive, last ditch manner or as a deterrent to violence.

The Elements of Conflict

Every conflict contains certain elements within it. I have listed them as they came to mind and not in any special order. Every person reacts differently under the stress of conflict. Some people may easily control some of these elements, while they may be totally beyond the control of other people. In the following pages we will consider various ways of facing these elements of conflict, adapting to them, and using them to our advantage whenever possible, minimizing the effects of those we can’t overcome.

Basic Elements of Conflict

· Fear / Anger / Surprise
· Adrenaline
· Armed / Un-armed
· Physical parity
· Speed
· Fortitude
· Environment
· Timing
· Training
· Stamina
· Distance
· Rhythm

Knife-Fighting Misconceptions

There are a few misconceptions about knives, and knife fighting, that I want to address early in the book.
· One: Defending yourself against a knife is not just another collection of flashy martial arts techniques, or a leisure sporting activity.
· Two: There are no sure defenses against a knife attack.
· Three: At close range a knife is far more dangerous than a firearm. Wm. Fairbairn, in his obscure text on fighting with the Cobra knife, concluded by saying that, “There is no defense against an opponent attacking with a knife.”[1]

Awareness & Focus

Now, think about it, the only reason for even needing the information in this book is because you have gotten into a situation, that with some forethought, you might have avoided.
Awareness is the primary component of any self-defense!

Inattentiveness will allow you to take a wrong turn into “the bad part of town”, walk lackadaisically down a poorly lit street, park your car in a remote or unprotected area, or unexpectedly take a knife in the stomach. These are the bottom lines. Pay attention to your surroundings, not only now, but thinking ahead to when you may be walking alone to your parked car after dark. Pay equal attention to your “gut feelings” about places and situations. Places that are marginally safe in the light of day become the dominion of murderers, muggers, and rapists when night falls. Think ahead!

The effects clothing can have on self defense

Most of the techniques in this book were developed and tested in our dojo[2], either in sneakers or barefoot. Admittedly this does not simulate reality-based training. It is a quirk typical of the martial arts to work barefoot. The transition in techniques from barefoot to sneakers or street shoes is a small one. The transition from barefoot to high-heeled pumps is going to be substantial!

The ability to defend yourself is seriously diminished if you are accosted while wearing narrow heels over one to two inches high. Your situation is even more precarious if the shoes do not tie, or if they lack some form of ankle strap. In the action movie “Romancing the Stone©” the hero, Jack, streamlines Joan’s stiletto heeled footwear by whacking the offending heels off with his machete.[3] That is great script writing, assuming you happen to have a machete handy, but in reality the shoes would then be unusable. (If you should be lucky enough to have a machete you would not need to worry about what shoes you’re wearing anyway!) Obviously, the taller and more spiked the heels are, the more of a liability they become in a life threatening situation.
heeled, soft soled shoes, with some form of straps or ties. These should be worn when traveling to and from work, or to the parking garage. I know that this is not a convenient solution but neither is a trip to the morgue or the rape crisis center. This second option would obviously require carrying a small shoe bag in addition to your usual handbag. On the bright side this solution would keep your dress shoes from getting scuffed up and driving would be much easier and safer in low heel shoes. Choose your shoe bag wisely, preferably one with a stout carrying strap, so that it can double as a striking weapon in an emergency.

One method of concealed self-defense is this diminutive key ring knife by Gray Bradburn of Wichita, KS would be an excellent choice. This tiny knife provides you with a weapon and your keys all in one hand. I liked these so much that I bought one for myself and one for my daughter.

The Effects of Adrenaline and Fear

In situations like that discussed in the earlier Awareness and Focus sections, your adrenaline will be flowing as you assess your situation and the possible consequences of your inattentiveness. In this instance your adrenaline-saturated fear can be an enemy or an ally.

“Fear is your friend, it makes you quick and sharpens your responses. The man who is not afraid is a fool, a scared man is cautious….if he knows what to do beforehand he is prepared.”[4] ~Vince

I do not think I can improve upon Vince’s advice. There are seminars and schools[5] that claim to teach you how to deal with the effects of “adrenal dump[6]” through simulated verbal and physical assault. I do not know whether this type of training can help you overcome your natural responses to fear. The effects of adrenaline are very real and can give you tremendous strength and courage, or leave you shaking and completely paralyzed.

Scared Bear or Predator?

There are four basic types of attackers. How do we intend to deal with these types? There are generally only two options. These “solutions” were offered by another good friend who teaches Fencing, Saber, Rapier, and Dagger, and many other forms of European sword work. He shared this bit of wisdom that he, in turn, inherited from his teacher. “In a duel there are only two choices. The other person attacks and you kill them. Or you attack and you kill them.”[7] Read this a couple of times until it sinks in. Is this realistic, fatalistic, or just plain morbid? There really are no other choices, not if you want to survive. This is the resolute mindset that you will need to deal with possibly serious injuries and wounds and still walk away victorious.
Now that you’ve roughly determined what sub-species of humanity you are facing, and they have produced a weapon, a number of things radically change. First, now you are morally and perhaps legally justified in using whatever force is necessary to protect your life. Secondly, now you can begin to determine your attacker’s skill level, and quite reasonably predict how he will launch his attack. I know that all of this is happening in a few seconds time! This is why you need to be focused and aware.

The direction and manner of an impending attack can often be deduced just by the way an attacker stands or by how he is gripping his knife, stick etc.

Introduction to the four knife grips

There are four natural ways in which a knife can be held. Every knife-fighting book ever written has covered this topic, for the edification of the knife-fighter. What makes this book different is that you will learn in the coming pages why this information is vitally important to you the intended victim. Later I will describe these grips in more detail, beginning with the one considered the most common and unskilled, progressing to the most advanced. This is not to imply that any of them are less dangerous! The four most common grips to watch for are the “Ice Pick”, “Hammer”, “Fencer’s”, and “Reverse” grip.

It is very important to remember that there is no such thing as a simple “touch” with a knife. When you begin your paired training do not become complacent about a hit from your partner’s rubber or wooden knife. In real life this could be a devastating cut! You must learn to gauge the angle of attack and how to parry, deflect, or block that attack because you can not hope to stop steel with flesh and bone.

Any and all contact with a knife, even accidental, may cause serious, even permanent, INJURY or DEATH!

Three Ranges of Defense

There are three basic ranges in fighting whether you are fighting empty-handed or using weapons. The terms can be simple or complex, depending upon the particular school or culture. I have chosen to use Close-in, In-range, and Long-range. Simply put, Close-in means that you and your opponent can strike each other without any stepping. In-range means that you and your opponent can reach each other by taking only one step. Long-range requires that either or both of you take several steps before contact can be made. This section is very short because it can only be learned through training and not by reading.

Three Levels Of Parrying/Deflecting/Blocking

What are the differences between these three terms? Are there substantial differences? I consider parrying and deflecting to be synonymous, as well as the term “slipping a punch.” Here are what I consider to be the three levels (8).

· Upper level: for attacks to the head coming from high overhead either from a high slash, ice pick style stab, or a “round-house” punch.
· Middle level: for attacks targeted at the area lying between your solar plexus and groin.
· Lower level: for attacks from the groin down to the lower extremities of the legs and feet.

Two Simple Kicks

There are two simple kicks that you should learn. They are both low-level kicks and require no great athletic ability or formal martial arts training. They are a forty-five degree pushing sidekick and a straight in stop kick. These kicks are best described by referring to the illustrations. The forty-five degree kick works best when you use an outside line. The stop kick is for when you stay centered or move to the inside line. The hoped for result in each case is to sprain or break the attacker’s knee.

Caution: Any kick may place your leg in a position to be trapped, cut, or stabbed! You may need to distract the attacker’s attention with a high level feint, a cut, or other distraction before kicking.

Joint Folding

Over the years it may have come to your attention that some of the joints in your body only bend in one direction, the elbows, fingers and knees being the primary ones we are interested in. A martial artist uses this knowledge to his advantage in many different ways. “Folding” is simply applying sufficient pressure to cause these extremities to bend as they would naturally.

Joint Breaking

Joint breaking is simply using the reverse action of the prior techniques and forcing the joint in an unnatural direction attempting to fold it sideways or backwards. Three of these techniques were mentioned in previous sections.
· A straight kick to front of the knee
· 45 degree kick to the side of the knee
· Breaking the elbow
Obviously breaking anyone’s joints or bones leaves you open to litigation so make sure that your actions are justifiable.

Kubotan a non-Lethal defense?

This chapter takes on a whole new perspective since the September 11, 2001 sky-jackings. Now there is a tremendous awareness of the lethality of knives and they have been immediately banned from carry-on luggage or your person for air travel world-wide. This tragedy only strengthens my argument for carrying, and knowing how to use a kubotan. There are many ways in which weapons can be smuggled on board an airplane and that means that we must have some method at hand for defending ourselves and others, should the need arise. Terrorism is no longer “over there,” it has taken on a new face right here in America and we must never let our guard down again!


[1] Fairbairn, William Ewart. Fairbairn Manual of Knife Fighting. 1955. Introduction William L. Cassidy. Internet, 1999.
[2] Dojo literally means “the place of the way”, a martial arts training hall.
[3] A machete is a long knife used for chopping brush and moving through jungle terrain.
[4] Vince: A Vietnam Veteran.
[5] RMCAT®: Rocky Mountain Combat Applications Training.
[6] The flood of adrenaline that occurs during moments of high stress.
[7] Steve Wilson: Sword Master.

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