Learn The Truth About Knife Fighting – The Self Defense Company | Video Classes

The Truth About Knife Fighting

The Truth About Knife Fighting

September 9, 2013, by Damian (Instructor)

This is what you should know about edged weapons….

The actual field studies regarding knife wounds and the effects of attacks on different target areas were pioneered by WWII commandos.

Dull vs Sharp.

The sharper the blade, the cleaner the cut. The cleaner the cut, the harder it is to clot and heal. Jagged edges form a mesh and will create a seal. Remember, the skin is elastic and will go back to position. Keep your blades sharp.

Stabbing vs Slashing

What really causes knife wound trauma is penetration. The best and most efficient way of doing this is a stab. The best type of weapon is a thin, pointed, double edged, longer blade. Is has less chance of  getting obstructed by bone and will reach all the “hard to get” spots.

Most styles of knife fighting feature fluid, slashing movements. Unfortunately slashing will only cause superficial damage and has NO STOPPING POWER. You may cut a guy several times and he will never even notice it and still fight as hard as ever – but if you stab him deep the clock is ticking until he bleeds out. Refer to the “Time Table of Death”.

The Grip

This is where the SDTS parts ways with the WWII crowd. The fencing grip puts too much pressure on the thumb  and forefinger creating a weak grip. We (SDTS) prefer either the Hammer Grip or the Ice Pick Grip (this depends on how you happen to grab the knife). You will notice the problem with the Fencing grip the second you stab something…it hurts. Add to that the fact that blood and tissue make things slippery and your weapon could get stuck in bone and you will have no choice but to grip the weapon as hard as possible.

NOTE: The knife will “tell you” how to hold it. In the SDTS we like straight knives with hilts, T Handles and “Finger Knives” with a hole for the finger.

Power

Ditch the fancy stuff. Like everything else it looks cool but has no place or usefulness is  real fight. At the end of the day you need to GRIP IT AND RIP IT. Repeat as needed. The quick and flashy moves have no real usefulness other than to distract. In the SDTS we use strikes and other tactics while we keep the knife protected and only use it for the “kill shot.”

Always protect the weapon. If you’re properly trained with a knife the ONLY way someone will be able to “take it away from you” is if they incapacitate you. Or “pry is from your cold dead hand.”

Edged weapons are universal and can be found in any kitchen on the planet. The problem is that people believe that if the knife cuts you, the fights over. This is clearly not the case. Most times people suffer knife wounds and don’t even know it. So you need to cause serious trauma through penetration and power. This is a combination of power, technique and the weapon used.

Fairbairn’s Timetable of Death

 

 

Until Next Time…

See you on the Inside,

Damian 

Get Instant, Lifetime Access to Our Most Popular and lethal Programs

Operation Phoenix: The Science of Killing

This “KILL BY NUMBERS” Program Will Give You the EXACT Science, Tactics and Method Behind Lethal Combatives…
OPERATION PHOENIX, the “Assassin’s Handbook,” will ONLY available for a limited time.

The Operation Phoenix Syllabus:

  • Target Area Analysis: Discover the science behind the most lethal target areas on the human body and how to exploit them.
  • ​Central Nervous System Attacks: These methods SHOCK the brain, causing it to short circuit and cut out.
  • ​Ocular Shock Techniques: “Fight enders” that overload the central nervous system.
  • Spine Assaults:​Tactics to compress, crush and dislocate the neck and spine.
  • ​Symmetry Attacks: A series of core combat techniques that can be used from both the front and the rear.
  • ​Methods of Asphyxiation: Combative attacks to the target’s airway.
  • ​Blood Organ Disruption: Techniques that rupture blood saturated organs causing severe drop in blood pressure, internal bleeding and death.
  • ​Concealed Impact Weapons: Flat Sap, Black Jack, Palm Sap methods that completely surprise the enemy.
  • ​Quick Kill Knife Fighting: Lethal edged weapon tactics that will terminate the target in seconds.
  • Course Completion Certificate
Unlock The Science of Killing

The Elite Training Membership

Unleash Your “Inner Bad Ass” with the Most Comprehensive Combatives Training Program Ever Created.

  • All 12 SDTS Modules
  • Basic, Advanced and Black Ops Modules
  • A.W.A.R.E Course
  • 60 Minute Self Defense Program
  • Family Safe Program
  • Guardian Weapon Retention System
  • Reality Check Program
  • Guardian Police Combatives (full course)
  • Combat AR
  • Vintage Archive Video Collection
  • Library
  • 24-7 Support
  • Course Completion Certificate
Start Elite for $1

60 Minute Self Defense

You don’t need a Black Belt. Discover hot to protect and defense in 60 minutes or less using this proven, scientific system. Learn it now and use it tonight.

  • Discover how to exploit the 3 things EVERY attacker FEARS.
  • Turn the tables on your assailant by CONTROLLING the pillars of self defense.
  • How to ground fight without knowing how to grapple.
  • Maximize your body’s natural weapons to deliver crippling blows.
  • Instantly incapacitate larger and stronger attackers by destroying their central nervous system.
  • Self Defense Company Library
  • 24-7 Certified Instructor Support
  • Course Completion Certificate
  • Plus, You’ll Get 3 Free Bonuses for acting now.
Unlock 60 Minute Self Defense

Published by Damian (Instructor)

Founder, The Self Defense Company

Join the Conversation

66 Comments

  4. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all
    of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content in your case?
    I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write in relation to here.
    Again, awesome web log!

  6. I tend not to comment, but I looked through some remarks on Knife Fighting 101
    Damian Ross, The Self Defense Company – SDC Insider Training.
    I do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright. Could it be
    just me or does it look like like some of these remarks
    appear like they are left by brain dead individuals? :-P And,
    if you are posting on other social sites, I would like to keep up with everything fresh you have to post.
    Would you make a list of the complete urls
    of your social community sites like your Facebook page,
    twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

  9. I’m not sure this type of information should be publically published to an unvetted audience although I’m sure you can find all kinds of “efficient killing” information on the net if you look hard enough.

      1. EXACTLY!!!! I unfortunately have a extremely long track record of people trying to shoot and stab me,
        ( I`ve always wonder why, my mother has always said , I`m such a nice person) LOL!!!!! At the end of the day ALL OF THE ATTACKERS wound up having a really bad day! Why? Level of training!!

        I`ve been connected with you guys for years, i`ve once again have recently started to pay attention to the emails. GOOD STUFF!!!!!!!

  11. Thanks Damien my weapon of choice is a knife I’m the only fool that will take a knife to a gunfight

    1. LOL – but there’s some truth in what you’re saying.

      At close range a firearm becomes limited and even if you get every round in your target, chances are he’ll still keep coming.

      With an an edged weapon at close range you have somewhat of an advantage because you don’t run out of ammo…but…

      You can run out of grip – either get tired, the weapon get’s stuck in your target or the blood and body fluids make it impossible to grab…it’s usually a combination of all three.

      This is why it’s a common practice in prisons to secure the shank in your hand with torn, wet bed sheets. This way you not only keep your grip, but you have a blunt force weapon. Because unlike a gun, there is little blunt force trauma with a knife, and unless you hit one of the sweet spots, you’re in for a prolonged fight.

  13. “At close range a firearm becomes limited and even if you get every round in your target, chances are he’ll still keep coming. With an an edged weapon at close range you have somewhat of an advantage because you don’t run out of ammo”

    This is absolutely preposterous. Under no circumstances does a guy with a knife have “somewhat of an advantage” over a guy who is shooting him with a gun. “Hah, you just shot me six times, but now I can stab you and I won’t run out of ammo” is the sort of thing that only makes sense when you are dying from blood loss.

    1. Hardly preposterous Kev – I think we can agree that you could shoot your target multiple times and he still will be dangerous…ask this cop here: https://youtu.be/23c7ovuSd2U

      Cop unloaded in the subject and he didn’t slow down a bit. Shot or stabbed you basically die due to blood loss.

      That being said in extreme close quarter and grappling situations, the advantage goes to the edged weapon.

      1. I agree, my EDC is an Emerson CQC Tanto folder and my 1st go to is a Fox Knives Dart, invented by Doug Marcaida, has the finger ring and the Emerson Wave so that is the fastest deploying knife you can get…I quit carrying the equivalent Karambit because that is considered specifically a fighting knife and can get you hammered in court if you need to use it…and the knockout after a trap with a forward slice across the forearm followed by a downward thrust into a shoulder, followed by the forefinger in the ring with a punch into the cheekbone or or nose area is a good stopper…Always refer back to the 21 foot rule too…

        1. Arnie, ur a scary dude!! I like the nuance between the two knives. Kevin, respectfully your experience and training for the fire is limited. Advise, ANY TIME a warrior or trainer says something you disagree with or dont understand. Rather than telling on yourself, say ” Why do you say that?” I would also like to contribute to the 21` rule and add that; It takes 9 sec for the body to realize that its dead. Within that period of time, A LOT of life ending damage can be deployed.

          My foot chain of lethal weapons are; Hands, knife, firearm.

    2. Standard training in every police academy in the world warns the prospective officers that a man with a knife, if located within 20 feet of the officer, can reach the cop and even kill him before his gun clears its holster. I’m not saying that a defender with a gun in hand can’t hit and possibly kill a knife wielding assailant, I saying that the man with the knife has the potential to deliver deadly force before he drops dead.

  14. Reply to Preposterous Kev: I am Bernie McPherson, former Army Ranger, and deployed 5 times. I have had both buddies and bad guys shot in the chest multiple times and they kept charging. It depends in part on the caliber, in part on the angle of the bullet, and I will admit: the anger and determination of the fighter. I’ve been shot twice: once in the chest, once in the upper abdomen. I killed the assailant in combat. I have had Ranger buddies who were shot, and continued on to eliminate their target.
    And, at close range, I’ll choose a knife: Damian is right: no reloading, and I guarantee that bloody knife will slip out of the hand. It happened to me and many others. I’m talking combat experience here.
    I just love martial arts: I have a 5th degree Black Belt in Shotokan karate; but a knife is the equivalent of 10 years of martial arts training when it comes to doing physical damage. If you don’t carry a gun, carry a knife. Train honestly!

      1. Awesome reply, thank you. I am a black belt in Kenpo Karate and a police defence instructor.

          1. Thank you, William and Red Chief. I like Red Chief’s progression: hands are almost always available (LOL), keep them out of your pockets when you are in a yellow condition. Red Chief is right again: the knife is usually readily deployable, and has fewer legal complications than a firearm if in court. Yes, a firearm will deliver impact power like no other – shucks, I thought I could punch hard! But a .22 won’t hit like a .357, etc. If I am far enough that his knife won’t reach me, I’ll be running! Bernie

      1. Right on Bernie…and remember, in Maryland it is a felony to carry any fixed blade knife, you can carry a 3′ long folder though, my preference has always been folders for the street…The Fox Knives Dart invented by Doug Marcaida is definitely a great choice when knowing how and when to use it properly…

        1. Thank you, Greg! I will have a look at the Fox Knives Dart. One of the best benefits of STDS membership is gaining insights like this from fellow STDS contributors! As a community, we are very strong, very well informed. Thanks to all of you who are making my life safer! Bernie.

    1. Barry,

      Finger hole knives go from the WW I trench knife with “Knucks” for the hilt and the “Finger Skinner,” little one-hole skinner that will work you to death skinning a deer or a hog. The trench knife is making a small comeback in the urban area due to gangs and is illegal in many states, including Texas, because of the brass knuckles. The finger skinner is small with a short blade. These are what I see the most. The only others I see are made in High School shop and welding class.

      Hope this helps, Train honestly

      Shine

      1. Shine,

        Trench knife is a good knife. Impractical for me unless my life changes and I live in the woods or wear a trench coat all the time.

        Skinners I have. Short fixed blades also. Looking to carry a longer blade for the reasons Damien mentions.

  17. Damien,
    I like the TOPS CUT 4.0. Great if small hands. Wish it was 4.9 inch blade.

    Also, like the CRKT Dragon 4.5 inch fixed blade. Inexpensive and maybe the best modern replacement for the FS knife.

    My state has a 5 inch blade length limit.

    I carry the SOCP fixed blade finger hole knife. Not long enough. Wearing business clothes makes a longe fixed blade difficult to carry. No, I do not wear a jacket most of the day so a shoulder holster is out. SOCP has never drawn a comment.

  18. How can we prevent the bloody knife from slipping out of our hands ??. otherwise the assailant can use the knife against us.

  19. Marvin the SDTS is based on empty hand combat to start with. That being said, the training teaches us to handle situations effectively without weapons if I dropped my knife I’d finish the job empty handed. Check out the many choices of The SDTS, for me choosing to be an Elite member has been a game changer.
    I hold several black belts the highest being 9th degree. Do yourself a favor check it out!

  21. Nice little bit of history and a good bit of information to think on. How do you feel about karambits as a daily carry option?

  22. Craig,
    I like karambits. I have one I carry on a somewhat regular basis, although lately I’ve been carrying my OTF more, really for ease of deployment versus my karambit. When it comes to shape and feel, I definitely give the edge to karambit. But at the end of the day, it really comes down to what you’re personally comfortable with and what you train with.

  23. This much I know, you never come out unscathed in a knife fight. If you are defending yourself or someone else. Knives are tough to defend against and are an awesome equalizer in a tough situation. Have many good knives and daggers. Very effective when need be!
    .

    1. True. However, if you attack the man and not the knife, as we teach, you have a better chance of success with less injury. L-5

  24. a tangent to consider if you will… a $4 Walmart knife is just as deadly as a $400 custom super blade. I really enjoy, and have on my list to pick up a Fairbairn-sykes fighting knife someday. but in the range of about $150, I don’t see it as an EDC blade. Maybe EDC in a SHTF post apocalyptic world, sure, but in a day to day life in an area that has societal structure, emergency services, law enforcement, etc….I personally look at economic options. I saw karambits mentioned, and that is an item that can be found relatively cheap. another search term I’ve had success with is “toothpicks” for small, easily concealable, affordable boot/shoulder sheath knives. I personally enjoy my United Cutlery M48 series Combat Toothpick. and at $23.00 on Amazon, if I deploy it, and it breaks or post fight becomes “lost”, I’m not really to worried about it.

    for elite members, check out the stay out of jail blueprint. it is some advice provided in that article that encourages cheap and economical blades over high end top dollar blades.

    ~Nate the Norseman – Level 3 SDTS Instructor

    https://selfdefenseco.samcart.com/referral/qAfPd3GT/DoYDsd4EhhB4ia6Y

  26. Fantastic website. Lots of useful info here.
    I’m sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
    And obviously, thanks in your sweat!

  29. Thank you so much for giving everyone an extremely wonderful chance to discover important secrets from here.
    It can be so kind and also full of a good time for me and my office colleagues to visit your blog at the least 3 times
    weekly to find out the latest things you will have.

    And indeed, I’m also at all times contented with your staggering creative concepts
    you give. Selected 3 tips in this article are without a
    doubt the most effective we have all ever had.

  30. If I have my pants on I’m carrying a knife. Particularly useful when I cant carry a firearm (such as on the Army base or places where it’s prohibited). Ironically I dont have a Fairbairn/Sykes knife in my collection. Right now my knife of choice is the Jim Wagner knife. It is single edge but I like the way it fits in my hand.

  33. I’ve been stabbed, didn’t know it till i felt the blood running down my leg. Two surgeries later and 8 months of recovery,after that I attended every knife seminar within 200 miles and what i learned was total bullshit. The guy that stabbed me didn’t have any training except jail,so that’s why this article is spot on. Train honestly

  34. I used to carry a titanium 2 inch fixed blade. Looked like a letter opener when opened. Closed you could carry it in your shirt pocket because it was flat. Looked like a pen. Double edged sticker. Handy. $20 Now my 18 year old daughter carries it to school. She loves it. Something to think about.

    Excellent article. I enjoyed the knowledgeable comments. Knife guys/bad guys know what to look for on a person – it is a deterrent.

    My brother was a prison guard. My brother told me how a prisoner murdered a prostitute by stabbing her over 40 times. The woman fought back hard and got the knife from the murderer three times. She stabbed the murderer several times with his own knife before she died. Real life is not like the movies.

  37. This is one of my EDC I usually carry four but this is my go to first. It is not cheap however; those that depend on me probably want to keep me around. Now don’t get me wrong the price of the weapon doesn’t get the job done but the action of this baby is smooth as silk and it will last a lifetime and is a comfortable carry.

  38. Once again I must comment. The one main reason the SDTS attracted me is simply, I look to demystify the Martial Arts and Self Defense in general. What your posts bring out more than anything Damien is the reality of combat. Rarely is what is discussed taught in any dojo. Tactics, deception, reality in the moment usually fly out the window and traditional viewpoints step in to try to prove truth.
    Evolution is key in all subject’s. If the teaching does not take into consideration how things have changed then the teaching is outdated and archaic. What you present is facts and in the moment situations with evidence to back up what is presented. It’s refreshing and inspirational. Now that I’ve stroked your ego lol, let me simply say, thank you once again for helping to demystify the Martial Arts and Self Defense. You truly don’t need a black belt to defend yourself. All you need is what we teach and an attitude of indignation. Period. 🐅🐉🐕sheepdog

  39. I’ve been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web
    owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will
    be a lot more useful than ever before.

    P.S. If you have a minute, would love your feedback on my
    new website
    re-design. You can find it by searching for «royal cbd» — no sweat if you can’t.

    Keep up the good work!

  40. Loved the article, and agree that knowing how to use a knife properly is as important as having the knife itself. Train in Australia at Eden Iron Arm Weaponry where we are taught to use many things from our hands, knifes, swords, single and double sticks etc.
    Always nice to get good knowledge from others in similar fields.

  41. I totally agree. I also think that anybody who doesn’t “arm” themselves in some way, is nuts in today’s environment. Obviously a good fixed blade is the best but a good quality tactical folder is easier to carry/conceal.

  42. I BELIEVE what I’m about to say is true. During the Renaissance times in Europe, swords, and accompanying knives, were commonly carried. When Europeans started Colonizing America, they brought their swords with them. Gradually, swords were outlawed as were guns – dueling was bad. So, the famous Jim Bowie made a short sword or a big knife, if you prefer. But, the same methods used for swords were used with the Bowie knife – slashes and lunges. Over time in America, they gradually outlawed any self-defense weapons and criminalized their use. So, now we can only carry pocket knives. I would think that fencing training would still be effective especially in their ability to move forward and backwards with blinding speed. Other knife fighting arts like from the Philippines seem to stay closer to their opponent and learn to move from side to side by moving their feet in a triangle pattern. That worries me since I’m not that fast. I’d prefer to move outside of an opponent’s range to have a second to evaluate what to do next. An opponent faster than me is going to poke holes all over my body which will distract me from thinking about what to do next.

  44. Наша бригада искусных исполнителей проштудирована подать вам перспективные средства, которые не только гарантируют долговечную протекцию от мороза, но и подарят вашему домашнему пространству оригинальный вид.
    Мы функционируем с последними строительными материалами, сертифицируя постоянный термин работы и великолепные выходы. Теплоизоляция внешнего слоя – это не только экономия энергии на отоплении, но и забота о природной среде. Экологичные технологические решения, какие мы внедряем, способствуют не только дому, но и сохранению экосистемы.
    Самое основное: [url=https://ppu-prof.ru/]Утепление и штукатурка дома снаружи цена[/url] у нас составляет всего от 1250 рублей за метр квадратный! Это доступное решение, которое преобразит ваш жилище в фактический приятный локал с минимальными затратами.
    Наши труды – это не только утепление, это постройка пространства, в котором каждый компонент преломляет ваш персональный образ действия. Мы учтем все твои просьбы, чтобы воплотить ваш дом еще еще больше приятным и привлекательным.
    Подробнее на [url=https://ppu-prof.ru/]http://ppu-prof.ru/[/url]
    Не откладывайте заботу о своем корпусе на потом! Обращайтесь к спецам, и мы сделаем ваш жилище не только согретым, но и стильнее. Заинтересовались? Подробнее о наших работах вы можете узнать на интернет-портале. Добро пожаловать в универсум комфорта и качества.

Leave a comment