I've already posted this in the General Forum but BRAM asked me to post it here as well:
I've been meaning to post this for some time, except my flame proof undies always seems to be in the wash. However with the advent of an MBC Forum here, it seemed timely. I've gotta say I cringe whenever someone posts here asking what knife they should use for self-defence. My students know that I'm into knives and often ask me the same question. My answer is always an unequivocal "<b>None </b> ". It seems to me that there are two possible outcomes for an <b>untrained </b> person pulling a knife in a fight. Either the knife will be taken from them and then used against them, or they will seriously injure their assailant, be deemed to have escalated the conflict and end up doing time for "committing grievous bodily harm". In the second scenario, the very things which encouraged them to carry a knife in the first place, i.e. physical weakness or inability to defend themselves with their fists, will ensure that they obtain an intimate understanding of the term "prison *****". Neither scenario is very conducive to long term health and prosperity.
My other major concern is that I doubt whether most peple have thought through the reality of using a knife on another human being. The only person I've seen to adequately address this is Thaddeus who is a moderator on Knifeforums.com. He wrote graphically of the large quantities of blood, raw flesh, gastric juices and stomache contents. I've been in a hotel when a bloke was literally disembowelled by a 4" folder. Not something I would ever wish to see again. Lt. Col. David Grossman says that we have an inbuilt mechanism which prevents us harming our own species. He quotes figures from the Civil War and WW1 which show how few men were able to look another human being in the face and shoot them. The FBI estimates that one third of all LEO who die in the course of duty never defend themselves. The military and police now recognise this and train so that firing becomes a reflex action. If it is this difficult to shoot someone, how much harder must it be for an <b>untrained </b> person to actually carve up another human with a knife. BTW don't say you could if you were angry enough, because Grossman demonstrates quite clearly that it is when you are angry that the mid-brain takes over and these inbuilt safeguards come into play. Oh, and don't tell me you only carry a knife as a deterrent, the one thing I've learnt from my years on the forums is that your assailant should feel your knife before he sees it.
So what I'm saying is, if you really believe that your personal safety requires you to carry a knife to protect yourself, then you better be prepared to put a lot of time and energy into getting the very best training you can, and then practice, practice, practice until you react instinctively. Otherwise you will only be a danger to yourself and those depending on you. Spyderco is to be applauded for introducing training classes at the same time as they started the MBC range. Other manufacturers, who promote their products as weapons, should take note.
Be happy,
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Knives for Self Defence
-
Clay Kesting
- Member
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Sydney Australia
Thanks Clay... I appreciate your willing to take thetime to repoost this over her..What you are saying is very important...and people need to hear it..
great post..
As i said before I don't like the idea of taking a persons knife away from them cause too many times it turns out the great disarm is a severe loss of ones fingers rather than the bad guy losing the knife..OR the good guy has the knife and the bad guy is very very unhappy with "i'll take that little toad sticker away from you and...."
But to the point...GREAT POST!
great post..
As i said before I don't like the idea of taking a persons knife away from them cause too many times it turns out the great disarm is a severe loss of ones fingers rather than the bad guy losing the knife..OR the good guy has the knife and the bad guy is very very unhappy with "i'll take that little toad sticker away from you and...."
But to the point...GREAT POST!
The other side of the coin..to the almighty question of what should I carry for self defense is what is in your pocket @ the time?
what do you normally carry?
and of course does one think that the plain old carry of said knife -edged tool is automatically going to make one an expert in selfdefense...
Michael DeBethencourt teaches what some consider to be a too simple class..BUT its based on SURVIVAL..not a "knifers way" as Mike calls it..
He shows how to save your life without training doing gross motor skills and really GROSS cutting to save your life..
and yes there's blood, guts, parts everywhere. No defensive or MBC work involoved..
Only thats not what most people perceive as they ask for or reach for that specific knife..theres the romantic thought of selfdefense, the clash of steel , the bad guy falling away...
Most have NEVER thought of the reprecussion in physical reality or psychological reality ...
I seem to be rephrasing Clay's posting...I guess he hit it right on!!!.
Thats why we have the MBC,,
knowledge is the start and training shows one how to utilize that knowledge in real time...
Edited by - BRAM on 4/17/2001 9:21:31 AM
what do you normally carry?
and of course does one think that the plain old carry of said knife -edged tool is automatically going to make one an expert in selfdefense...
Michael DeBethencourt teaches what some consider to be a too simple class..BUT its based on SURVIVAL..not a "knifers way" as Mike calls it..
He shows how to save your life without training doing gross motor skills and really GROSS cutting to save your life..
and yes there's blood, guts, parts everywhere. No defensive or MBC work involoved..
Only thats not what most people perceive as they ask for or reach for that specific knife..theres the romantic thought of selfdefense, the clash of steel , the bad guy falling away...
Most have NEVER thought of the reprecussion in physical reality or psychological reality ...
I seem to be rephrasing Clay's posting...I guess he hit it right on!!!.
Thats why we have the MBC,,
knowledge is the start and training shows one how to utilize that knowledge in real time...
Edited by - BRAM on 4/17/2001 9:21:31 AM
-
Allen E. Treat
To : ALL
Re : Knives for self defense
Clay Kesting makes a very good point ( no pun
intended ); I feel that a knife for self
defense does require some guts to use it as such, which is why I also carry ( in addition
to my "Cricket" C29BK ) pepper spray. It's
sort of like the dog repellent that mailmen
carry and often ends a bad situation before it starts. It's non lethal and it works (I've
used it once). Keep your Spydie for tasks
but keep it vigilly for self defense (last
ditch that is).
A.E.T.
Re : Knives for self defense
Clay Kesting makes a very good point ( no pun
intended ); I feel that a knife for self
defense does require some guts to use it as such, which is why I also carry ( in addition
to my "Cricket" C29BK ) pepper spray. It's
sort of like the dog repellent that mailmen
carry and often ends a bad situation before it starts. It's non lethal and it works (I've
used it once). Keep your Spydie for tasks
but keep it vigilly for self defense (last
ditch that is).
A.E.T.
I'm also copying my post from the General Forum,but editing some responses specific to there.
I've been on both ends of the blade & offer the following thoughts:
9 times out of 10 in a knife fight you are going to be cut.Accept & live with that.Your goal is to control WHERE you'll be cut & to survive.
Bringing a knife to a gunfight is not the silly idea it seems:see the'American Handgunner'2001 annual & the video'Surviving Edged Weapons'.
Hawkbills are intimidating to both attackers & the police(& the jury).Knives are not socially acceptable weapons:"Only punks & low-lifes carry knives".This & the knife used WILL weight with the cops,the D.A. & the jury.
Against the knife my weapon of choice is 3- foot of seasoned hickory.A cane or Mag-Light in the hand beats gun or knife on the belt or in the pocket.
Equipment does not make-up for mindset(attitude,alertness,awareness,training & tactics)."Your mind is your primary weapon".
IMHO a dedicated fighting knife(a double-edge blade) is nearly useless for general use(bet I open a can of worms with THAT statement!*G*).OTOH a general-purpose knife can be used quite well as a weapon.
BRAM:?Where can I find info on Michael DeBethencourt's classes?Soundum heap good.
Allen<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>epper spray is indeed effective but,like a gun,must be used at a distance.Note the Truller(?sp?)Rule:a person with a knife within 30'(yes I said thirty feet)can close on & cut you before you can draw & fire from an unconcealed duty rig.(The Truller Rule is not only a training tool but is admitted into case law.)
Now let the fun begin!This promises to be an interesting forum:Thank You Very Much Spyderco for it!
I've been on both ends of the blade & offer the following thoughts:
9 times out of 10 in a knife fight you are going to be cut.Accept & live with that.Your goal is to control WHERE you'll be cut & to survive.
Bringing a knife to a gunfight is not the silly idea it seems:see the'American Handgunner'2001 annual & the video'Surviving Edged Weapons'.
Hawkbills are intimidating to both attackers & the police(& the jury).Knives are not socially acceptable weapons:"Only punks & low-lifes carry knives".This & the knife used WILL weight with the cops,the D.A. & the jury.
Against the knife my weapon of choice is 3- foot of seasoned hickory.A cane or Mag-Light in the hand beats gun or knife on the belt or in the pocket.
Equipment does not make-up for mindset(attitude,alertness,awareness,training & tactics)."Your mind is your primary weapon".
IMHO a dedicated fighting knife(a double-edge blade) is nearly useless for general use(bet I open a can of worms with THAT statement!*G*).OTOH a general-purpose knife can be used quite well as a weapon.
BRAM:?Where can I find info on Michael DeBethencourt's classes?Soundum heap good.
Allen<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>epper spray is indeed effective but,like a gun,must be used at a distance.Note the Truller(?sp?)Rule:a person with a knife within 30'(yes I said thirty feet)can close on & cut you before you can draw & fire from an unconcealed duty rig.(The Truller Rule is not only a training tool but is admitted into case law.)
Now let the fun begin!This promises to be an interesting forum:Thank You Very Much Spyderco for it!
Earthworm:
I suspect the smiley face came from your attempt to state "Allen: pepper spray..." without putting a space between the colon {:} and the "p" beginning "pepper," thus placing them next to each other like this - :p
student the pedantic.
Sigh...more training....
You know, before I edited it, putting the colon and "p" togther made a smily face....
Edited by - student on 4/17/2001 6:30:06 PM
I suspect the smiley face came from your attempt to state "Allen: pepper spray..." without putting a space between the colon {:} and the "p" beginning "pepper," thus placing them next to each other like this - :p
student the pedantic.
Sigh...more training....
You know, before I edited it, putting the colon and "p" togther made a smily face....
Edited by - student on 4/17/2001 6:30:06 PM
Clay -- by and large, I believe you are correct in your assessment of the stomach power of most people. But, I believe there are a couple groups of citizens who don't fit your opinion, as well as the "bad guys."
I believe that people who have been involved in armed conflict know whether or not they are able and willing to kill others, should the perceived need arise. Although the family farm is essentially a thing of the past, I believe that old time "typical farm kids" might prove to be an exception. Such people grew up with the death of animals -- chicken, cows, sheep, etc -- plus their butchering, making little parts of big parts. People who've killed their 4-H pets, are up to their elbows in their blood, then enjoy them as food, just aren't as squeamish as most. I think at least some hunters, maybe even fishermen, might also prove different than the average citizen.
Of course, sociopaths have little difficulty killing. They perceive other people simply as objects to be manipulated, and the extent of that manipulation isn't particularly important. Those are many of our BGs.
Anyhow, my point is that some people, armed with a knife, even with little or no training, can and will successfully defend themselves. One of your unstated points is that the decision as to when it is appropriate to draw and use a knife is correct. But, if people in the groups I mentioned make that decision appropriately, I believe they will likely fare fairly well.
Stare
I believe that people who have been involved in armed conflict know whether or not they are able and willing to kill others, should the perceived need arise. Although the family farm is essentially a thing of the past, I believe that old time "typical farm kids" might prove to be an exception. Such people grew up with the death of animals -- chicken, cows, sheep, etc -- plus their butchering, making little parts of big parts. People who've killed their 4-H pets, are up to their elbows in their blood, then enjoy them as food, just aren't as squeamish as most. I think at least some hunters, maybe even fishermen, might also prove different than the average citizen.
Of course, sociopaths have little difficulty killing. They perceive other people simply as objects to be manipulated, and the extent of that manipulation isn't particularly important. Those are many of our BGs.
Anyhow, my point is that some people, armed with a knife, even with little or no training, can and will successfully defend themselves. One of your unstated points is that the decision as to when it is appropriate to draw and use a knife is correct. But, if people in the groups I mentioned make that decision appropriately, I believe they will likely fare fairly well.
Stare
-
Clay Kesting
- Member
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Sydney Australia
Stare,
I'm not sure that your point about farmers and hunters reacting differently in these situations is necessarily true. David Grossman's thesis is that during intense stress the mid-brain takes over. He calls this the mammalian brain, saying that it is indistinguishable from a dog's, and it is here that, in common with other animals, there is an innate resistance to harming our own species. He demonstrates this with a number of examples where animals will fight their own kind in such a way as not to cause serious harm, even during territorial battles, whereas they will use completely different tactics against other species. The problem we face is that, once the heart rate gets above 175, the fore-brain, which would have allowed rational thought, shuts down and this mid-brain takes over. When you consider that sustained heart rates of over 200 have been measured during conflict, with spikes of 300, you can see why it is important to train so that reactions become automatic. One final point is that there is evidence from the Civil War that many soldiers found it difficult to pull the trigger and yet one would imagine that they would have had a much greater experience of life and death than we do today.
Take care,
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
I'm not sure that your point about farmers and hunters reacting differently in these situations is necessarily true. David Grossman's thesis is that during intense stress the mid-brain takes over. He calls this the mammalian brain, saying that it is indistinguishable from a dog's, and it is here that, in common with other animals, there is an innate resistance to harming our own species. He demonstrates this with a number of examples where animals will fight their own kind in such a way as not to cause serious harm, even during territorial battles, whereas they will use completely different tactics against other species. The problem we face is that, once the heart rate gets above 175, the fore-brain, which would have allowed rational thought, shuts down and this mid-brain takes over. When you consider that sustained heart rates of over 200 have been measured during conflict, with spikes of 300, you can see why it is important to train so that reactions become automatic. One final point is that there is evidence from the Civil War that many soldiers found it difficult to pull the trigger and yet one would imagine that they would have had a much greater experience of life and death than we do today.
Take care,
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
I have to agree with Clay. Once fear and adrenaline kick in, its tough to think the same way. Thats whay Marines drill so much, to work the man out and get the machine in. Its all about reacting to a situation in a trained, unnatural way. Skinning a dear is worlds apart then fighting for your life, and unfortuantly, skinning a dear is a whole lot easier due to the thought and clamness of the situation.
I also have to agree that knife fighting is a buisness i never want to get into. A few years ago I had the misfortune to slpin an endura into my arm about an inch deep and 4 inches across. Thats a deep wound on a forarm for a guy my size, going down into the muscle. Luckly i didn't hit anything major, and it just requitred stiches and a whole lot of time. But that was a zeor pressure, zero drag cut made with no perceived effort. Fortuantly i had medical training myself and was able to handle the situation. Most of the guys i was with froze and had a hard time reacting. i found out later several ended up throwing up and or getting lightheaded, some of whom were hunters.
I can't imagine how horrible a paniced flail with a serrated cicilian to midsection would to.
If your going to carry to protect yourself, get the training.
I also have to agree that knife fighting is a buisness i never want to get into. A few years ago I had the misfortune to slpin an endura into my arm about an inch deep and 4 inches across. Thats a deep wound on a forarm for a guy my size, going down into the muscle. Luckly i didn't hit anything major, and it just requitred stiches and a whole lot of time. But that was a zeor pressure, zero drag cut made with no perceived effort. Fortuantly i had medical training myself and was able to handle the situation. Most of the guys i was with froze and had a hard time reacting. i found out later several ended up throwing up and or getting lightheaded, some of whom were hunters.
I can't imagine how horrible a paniced flail with a serrated cicilian to midsection would to.
If your going to carry to protect yourself, get the training.
Thank you for your well thought out thoughts on knives for self defence.
I have never used a knife for self defence, and I hope I never have to. If I had to use a tool such as a knife for self defence my goal would be to get away.
One of the things I respect about the whole idea of MBC is the ability to make a choice.
A trainer has no sharp edge. It is easily carried in a purse, car. or on your person.
If a situation is escalating, a small person, can with a trainer,offer a defence mechanisum to degrade a situation. The thought of a small woman to be able to separate two 160lb. High school kids from a fist fight is a good thing. No one goes to get Dad's gun.
Teachers, parents, law officers, and just plain old citizens want to live, work, and play with out fear.
The goal of MBC and our trainers is to teach
an alternative to deadly force.
Gail
Gail
I have never used a knife for self defence, and I hope I never have to. If I had to use a tool such as a knife for self defence my goal would be to get away.
One of the things I respect about the whole idea of MBC is the ability to make a choice.
A trainer has no sharp edge. It is easily carried in a purse, car. or on your person.
If a situation is escalating, a small person, can with a trainer,offer a defence mechanisum to degrade a situation. The thought of a small woman to be able to separate two 160lb. High school kids from a fist fight is a good thing. No one goes to get Dad's gun.
Teachers, parents, law officers, and just plain old citizens want to live, work, and play with out fear.
The goal of MBC and our trainers is to teach
an alternative to deadly force.
Gail
Gail
-
Clay Kesting
- Member
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Sydney Australia
Gail,
Bram was kind enough to email me thanking me for starting this thread. In my reply to his email I made a comment which he suggested I should post here. In light of what you have just said I think it is worth while doing so.
My email: "Thanks for the kind words. It is an area which has concerned me for some time. As an outsider it seems to me that there is too much emphasis on carrying a weapon, as if it will automatically make you safe. I would like to see more emphasis on avoiding conflict by awareness and verbal judo, with weapons used as a last resort. The Gunting is a step in the right direction."
In his reply Bram mentioned that the Gunting has already saved several lives, and in each case it remained closed. As I said in my initial post, Spyderco is once again showing leadership in the industry with the production of the Gunting range and trainers, and also by offering MBC training. I read a comment somewhere on a forum which has stuck with me ever since. It went, "The winner of the knife fight died the next day in hospital."
I hope I get the chance to meet you when you come to Oz.
Be happy,
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 4/18/2001 3:02:11 PM
Bram was kind enough to email me thanking me for starting this thread. In my reply to his email I made a comment which he suggested I should post here. In light of what you have just said I think it is worth while doing so.
My email: "Thanks for the kind words. It is an area which has concerned me for some time. As an outsider it seems to me that there is too much emphasis on carrying a weapon, as if it will automatically make you safe. I would like to see more emphasis on avoiding conflict by awareness and verbal judo, with weapons used as a last resort. The Gunting is a step in the right direction."
In his reply Bram mentioned that the Gunting has already saved several lives, and in each case it remained closed. As I said in my initial post, Spyderco is once again showing leadership in the industry with the production of the Gunting range and trainers, and also by offering MBC training. I read a comment somewhere on a forum which has stuck with me ever since. It went, "The winner of the knife fight died the next day in hospital."
I hope I get the chance to meet you when you come to Oz.
Be happy,
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 4/18/2001 3:02:11 PM
-
Scorpius711
- Member
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: South Bend, Indiana USA
Clay,
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.
-
Scorpius711
- Member
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: South Bend, Indiana USA
Clay,
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.
-
Scorpius711
- Member
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: South Bend, Indiana USA
Clay,
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.
-
Scorpius711
- Member
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: South Bend, Indiana USA
Clay,
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.
for me personally the use of knife in a self defense situation and my determination to use it or not. Would depend the seriousness of the threat, (bar fight would be low level and I have never been in one yet. Or some dangerous looking street thug, high level) and if I felt I was in the right. Consquently my perception of being in the right is serious bodily injury or death and no other way out, and I did not provoke the situation, just minding my own business.
In this situation FEAR might be my stronger emotion than anger.
As I have been mugged once by three individual's, don't want to go there again (punched in side of head and kicked in jaw causing me to bite thru my own lip)plus a $400.00 outpatient bill, covered by insurance, thankfully.
While I hope there is never a next time, if there is and a high level of awareness,and throwing my money one way & me going the other fails.
I will do what I have to get the **** out of there, and will deal with the emotional baggage later.
I think it comes down to "how bad do you want to live". But that is just my 2cents worth, thanks for posting a great topic and presenting it in a logical way. Overall I would agree with your insights, and you really never know how you will perform untill you've been there and done that.