Knife Defense Won't Work Against A Skilled Attacker

There are many self-defense videos that demonstrate knife defense drills. However, it is important to remember that these drills are meant to train attributes and can be enjoyable. In reality, the scenario against a skilled knife attacker is very different. GM Oliver explains some simple concepts of a skilled attacker and what makes them so dangerous.

[zeichofreed]

My martial art teacher is a master against short range weapon, such as knife. He teach a move called the thousand step, in case you are facing someone with weapon the first step you do is rotate your whole body 180° facing back to the potential attacker then put your strong leg in front of the other and then followed by the other in quick succession. It's very effective and it saves me from many trouble in downtown London in the night

[mixflipextra]

Jocko said the same thing. He said I’m a Navy Seal and have killed many enemies but if some crazy guy on the street tries to fight me….I’m running away. Why bother fighting when my feet still work? Why?

Now if he grabs me that’s a different story. But if I can run….then simply run away.

That’s coming from a combat tested navy seal.

Good to see an FMA master say the same thing.

[every_username_is_taken]

I'll never forget a line said in an old WW2 instructional video about knife defense, "A man with a knife is a boxer, only he's playing for keeps" .

[braveheroanimator]

No matter how good you are at combat never expect to leave from a fight unscathed. Best lesson ive learned from this video.

[hariman]

The advice I got in a self-defense class, by my sensei in martial arts was, regarding knives, was:
1: "Unless you're in very specific situations, and especially if the person with a knife is skilled, RUN. You cannot defend against a skilled attacker, and even an unskilled attacker can cut you to ribbons."
2: "if someone has you in a hold with knife to your throat, comply. A defensive disarm from this position is possible, but not recommended for anybody who is not very skilled in the first place."
3: "under very specific circumstances where you are threatened with a knife, a defensive disarm is possible."

But the biggest lesson I take from that is that defending against a knife is extremely dangerous, at best.

[andreasmerkel]

In Germany there were a few knife attacks in crowded places. Some of them ended fatally, in some the attacker could be overpowered, but only because the defenders threw suitcases, chairs or something like that at the attacker. Keeping your distance and attacking from a distance is the only chance to counterattack. You can also wrap a jacket or similar around your arms to protect your arms. Even a sharp knife will not easily cut through several layers of solid fabric or leather. But one must note that the torso remains unprotected.

[PaulyMcPRock]

The number 1 rule I've been taught about knife fighting (knife vs knife) is "Don't get into a knife fight". If you do, you're both going to the hospital afterwards; one goes to the icu and the other goes to the morgue.

[renzangelotagudin]

The level of realism in his knife skills is truly impressive. His precision and technique are on point, making it seem effortless.

[Nfunshow]

Having a weapon always gives you an advantage. That’s the point.

[charmmaeonineza]

A couple of senseis have taught me that it's better to run when facing a person with a knife, especially if that person is handy and familiar with their weapon. In our locale, the most brutal knife handlers were the slaughterhouse workers and butchers, followed by those working in ice plants, and third are tailors. One of my senseis happen to be a tailor himself. So yeah, it's better to run and if you can't, make sure you got something to shield yourself with. If it's a robbery, might as well give up your cash and phone... or do something to give yourself a window of opportunity to escape or, if you're confident with your skills, counterattack.

[johnathangonzo]

As a guy who's been involved in this real life scenario. The only way is distance, keep the distance, once it gets close. Dominate both hands, and know you made your mind to give everything you got or run . Because you will get stabbed once the distance closes. And most use the hands to deflect your defenses. It's very tough, but make sure you work on your cardio for the day you have to fight for your life . lucky for me the person didn't stab and left.

[vieuxacadian]

I wear numerous scars from several knife wielding criminals during My life . Each time an assailant was never static and the fortitude to continue fight while being wounded is difficult . My only advantage was they each were over confident in having a knife . I survived so in that was enough, no win no loss . GM Pintados, thanks for Your video !

[smokejaguar]

In a knife fight there are no winners because the loser dies in the street, the winner dies in the ambulance. I was told this by a an SAS man back in the day

[TheHumanSynthesisProject]

I appreciate the masters long pauses to allow ones imagination to take over. Really gets the point across 😀

[krisvictor]

I’ve complied when a guy had a knife to my throat. Not that I couldn’t defend myself because I can, but from behind it’s almost impossible to disarm or anything. I was always taught to simply keep the knife away from your body at least if your facing your attacker. Plus throat punches are really effective.

[yurishmelev]

Great video, I've heard this advice many times: "Do not try to fight against a knife", and this video is one more proof of that simple thought. I can only ask other people to pay attention: in this video master do not involve his left hand at all. Its other simple thing that you may forget about in real fight - even if you catch "knife-holding" arm, next second you will get a left hook straight in your face, which will at least disorient you and most probably let you receive a knife stab in next 3 seconds. Be careful and take care.

[Maverickib]

Was always told to just run from a knife when I did private security. One rule of a knife fight, whether you're the one with the blade or not, you will get cut. I was trained to "give" the attacker an arm by keeping it out in front of me. People instinctually attack the part of you closest to them, so if you have an arm out in front of you, they'll go for that. It's gonna get stabbed/cut, but you can at least vaguely choose to keep all the damage localized to one body part while you try to get the blade out of their hands.

[Akash]

Man finally someone making a video how to deal with those knife defenders, man I get so mad every time ppl block my knife like that ..

[hellfrozen]

Instead of trying to grab it you should either run or atack with a punch or kick, in which chase you should use your reflexes to miss it, because if you try to block it, it's like trying to block a spiky ball, you can't touch it, but you can atack the thing behind it

[jasonashley]

I've been into kali since I was almost murdered by a guy with a knife, two blood transfusions and a few surgeries later I came out scarred up but still kickin, I only survived because I was able to run away, I don't think boxing or kung-fu would've done me any good.