The biggest mistake is people carrying weapon and NOT having the training to use it.Nearly all training will teach you to be aware of your surroundings and to understand and honor any threats. The quickest way to end a confrontation is not to get into it in the first place.There was a study done in the late 80's in the UK that proved that most people carrying knives for defense ended up with it being used on themselves.I would take situational awareness over a knife or gun every time. Cheers
Using any tool for self defense should be a last resort. Knife fights are usually over in less than 10 seconds. You may be the lucky one that walks away but you have to live with the results the rest of your life. The best defense is to retreat as fast as possible.
knives are not defense weapons.
Quote from: nervium on July 07, 2014, 05:24:56 PMknives are not defense weapons.Agree 100%
I would take situational awareness over a knife or gun every time. Cheers
Knife > nothing.
I just don't understand the mindset of some. You think just because you have situational awareness you can avoid every situation that might lead you to be a victim. That is just pure denial in my opinion. Sure you can avoid some situations, but anything can happen and some of those things are unavoidable. Wouldn't you rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it
Quote from: captain spaulding on July 14, 2014, 10:20:07 AMI just don't understand the mindset of some. You think just because you have situational awareness you can avoid every situation that might lead you to be a victim. That is just pure denial in my opinion. Sure you can avoid some situations, but anything can happen and some of those things are unavoidable. Wouldn't you rather have it and not need it then need it and not have itI see your point here Cap'n, but I would argue (in the nicest way, of course) that the majority of average folks, and that includes me, are best served by the mentality of avoiding trouble wherever possible. I see a rescue knife as a tool to help in event of accidents, first aid etc (usually on others as often a victim is in need of external help). Obviously, as you rightly say, it is impossible to avoid every situation, and yes, I guess in those circumstances there is place for rescue knives.I have trouble visualising a situation where I might use a knife for defence, certainly in any form of civil disorder (such as a fight or assault) I honestly think I would come off worse, by a large margin. I did, however, look into dog attacks, and can see your point although I'm not too sure I'd want to make a dog even more angry with me by sticking a sharp into it
Specifically a knife is something that requires skill to be used properly at self defense. One reason is that a cut or a stab wont stop the other person inmediatly unless you really know what you are doing, it will just make it more angry and you would most likely lose your knife in the first attack. Second if you do effectively wound the other person to make it stop, there is a high chance of inflicting fatal wounds with a knife and even though you are defending yourself is not easy to have a potential dead in your conscience. Third do you know how you will react if you land a cut and see blood splashing everywhere like a face cut for example? if you dont have experience with that kinds of situations you will most likely lose awareness and risk giving the attacker room to reach you. For all those reasons i think that anything with an edge is not a good idea for the inexperienced with those kind of weapons. Now blunt weapons like a closed multitool, a baton, etc. is a far better choice for the person who doesnt have weapons training.
Quote from: greenbear on July 14, 2014, 12:13:04 PMQuote from: captain spaulding on July 14, 2014, 10:20:07 AMI just don't understand the mindset of some. You think just because you have situational awareness you can avoid every situation that might lead you to be a victim. That is just pure denial in my opinion. Sure you can avoid some situations, but anything can happen and some of those things are unavoidable. Wouldn't you rather have it and not need it then need it and not have itI see your point here Cap'n, but I would argue (in the nicest way, of course) that the majority of average folks, and that includes me, are best served by the mentality of avoiding trouble wherever possible. I see a rescue knife as a tool to help in event of accidents, first aid etc (usually on others as often a victim is in need of external help). Obviously, as you rightly say, it is impossible to avoid every situation, and yes, I guess in those circumstances there is place for rescue knives.I have trouble visualising a situation where I might use a knife for defence, certainly in any form of civil disorder (such as a fight or assault) I honestly think I would come off worse, by a large margin. I did, however, look into dog attacks, and can see your point although I'm not too sure I'd want to make a dog even more angry with me by sticking a sharp into it I know this thread is about a rescue knife, but in my post I was referring more to your standard "defensive" knife. A rescue knife is just about the last thing I would choose for a "defensive" option. Pertaining to using it in a defensive manner. I would never suggest using it to kill anybody, but purely as a option to stop the attack long enough to retreat. If the attacker perishes from the attack then so be it. Say you get pinned against a wall and are very close to the attacker. If you can get off a slicing attack to the back of the arm, The area just above the knee cap, neck, or face you will hopefully have time to retreat. As for the dog attacks. I feel this is much more of a worry and probability and you have no worry of the knife being used against yourself. If a dog is latched onto you and not letting go a knife attack (in my opinion) would be a very viable option. Either across the throat or a stabbing attack to the chest and/or lung area. If he doesn't let go he will most likely die in a minute or so. I know it sounds cruel, but honestly if your life is on the line then nothing is off limits. Do what you have to do. These are just my opinions on the matter. I respect everyone right to their own opinion as well.
I myself believe that any tool can prove to be a self defence utility but you have to see that they are used in a right context. But knives is the best option for the self defence.
If you're in an area or a profession that necessitates you carrying something for self defense, a gun, baton or a good weighty flashlight are substantially more effective. With proper training, of course.