We may have met at some seminar or other. Possibly you came down to our training hut or you emailed me about getting in some “CQC” training time. You’ve done the de-rigeur “combative seminars” but now you’re looking for something more.

 

Weapons maybe?

 

Over the years I’ve had scores of people approach me about various types of weapons training, usually edged weapons…blades…knives. Most I never let get a foot over the training hall door. I can usually sniff out a wrong ‘un that may have nefarious motives, inclinations or hidden agendas (Is it your “spidey” sense – no its my common sense!).

 

For those that we do accept we tailor a training package that suits their individual needs and requirements. This can cover a whole range of subject matters related to situational knife combatives use. However, sooner or later the question is usually posed “I’m thinking of buying a knife for personal defence. What is the best type of tactical knife for defensive use? 

 

Well that’s a big, big question. But first, some humour…

 

Guy walks into a knife convention and stops at one of the stalls. “How much is that fixed blade” he asks.

 

“$150” replies the salesman.

 

“Wow that’s good value for money….ummm….but it doesn’t cater for my tactical/personal defensive use? How much for the tactical black version

 

$375 replies the salesman

 

WOW - That’s some expensive paint!!!

 

Now its meant to be a joke (no honestly) but like all good jokes there is always an element of truth and fact behind the humour. The scary thing is people fall for the sales patter all the time and buy something at full price because its painted black!! It must be a ninja thing.

 

For the majority of the combative and martial arts/self protection milieu it should be all about where will we ever apply our skills? In what real time scenario? And honestly how far would you be willing to take it to keep breathing.? Its all about perspective!

 

Think about where you might be when you need a dedicated weapon with you, but are unable to carry your personal weapon for whatever reason – a restaurant, a public building, sometimes, depending on your job, in an office environment. This lack of carry may be due to legal reasons, practical reasons or (heresy of heresies) you simply forgot!!! And despite what is propagated on-line it is simply not always practical from a legal and operational view to carry 24/7. I’ve been on jobs where I have desperately wanted to carry something for my personal protection, but the legal and operational ramifications would have ended up blowing the entire operation out of the water!!

 

Now if something kicks off and the level of threat is serious enough that it warrants the use of lethal force with a knife, well, you can’t exactly say “Hang on a minute chum, don’t happen to have my best tactical folder with me (for whatever reason), can you hang fire for a moment whilst I pop out and fetch it.”

 

No, you will pick your most expedient weapon (edged or otherwise) and go for it. In a restaurant this maybe the steak knife/cutlery, at home it maybe the bread knife from the kitchen drawer, in the factory it may be a box cutter, or as I have told a good friend of mine on many occasions to illustrate a point “If some head-case is busting his way into the house to hurt my family, I’ll MAKE that blunt potato-peeler work for me if I have too!

 

And very much like the subtle differences between an improvised weapon and an expedient weapon, the same is true regarding tactical knives. As the old saying goes the ultimate “tactical” knife is the one that you have with you at that given moment…..it could be the razor sharp commercially bought folder or it could be the tactical potato peeler.

 

So what is the constant in any of the above scenarios? Well its YOU isn’t it.

 

You’re the one that will make it work…or not. Your skills, your mindset, your actions and your intensity. In short its about the man (or woman). The tool is a compliment to the skills of the individual, but very rarely does a quality blade make an individual an exceptionally better knife combatant.

 

It could be a $250.00 custom job or an £8 filleting knife from Asda, regardless as long as you know how to apply the principles and techniques, in reality the tool is very much secondary.

 

One of the first things I do when running our knife combatives program is to gather everyone around and show them a selection of edged weapons. This is everything from production made folders and fixed blades, kitchen knives, homemade shanks, etc. You get lots of “ahhs” and “ooohh’s” as the people get to handle the sexy tools.

 

I then spoil their fun by telling them not to get too hung up on the hardware, after all its only a piece of equipment that does a task specific job. Less ogling the knife catalogues and more practising accessing and using are the order of the day.

 

But it’s the nature of the beast that people get drawn more to the “exotic” looking material and relegate the practical stuff that will perhaps save their lives. Basic poor knife handling skills and “movie” style flicky-wristy opening moves might seem fantastic on the on-line forums and youtube. But really they are just for show and should be relegated to trying to impress the secretaries at the office Christmas party. Concise application of skill set is paramount.

 

 

So does a custom made or commercially made “tactical” weapon have no value to the knife combative exponent. Of course it does, but only if the weapon is kept in a practical and realistic context.

 

Let me explain. The knife is a tool, a weapon, that, lets not flim-flam, is designed to kill and/or wound. That’s serious stuff in anyone’s book. You pick it up and grab and stab or slash away like a garden mower. Its dumbbell simple!!

 

Realistically your end result and skill level SHOULD prejudice your decision as to which edged weapon you pick. You need to be biased rather than going for the latest fashion accessory or what some internet guru endorses, because with the best will in the world they’re final outcome may be radically different from yours.

 

Again, its the right tool for the right job and if you don’t have the necessary combative skills to support the weapon then you could be in for a big – and costly – shock, both financially and in terms of your liberty. Its like the old movie line “ The only person who could miss with this rifle is the sucker with enough money to buy it!!

 

 

 

When picking out a practical personal protection weapon we need to consider several points before we take the plunge.

 

Firstly, the environment you will be carrying it in? Is it legal or are you walking on the wild side of that countries laws. This should be a prerequisite before any other and I can’t stress the need for definitive research on this point with the local authorities.

 

Secondly, the type of lifestyle that you lead will dictate the size of the blade length and carry mode that you use. In a rural environment the carrying of large, unconcealed knives can be the norm – they are seen as a working tool. However carrying an 8inch blade in an urban environment – such as a city or whilst flitting from office to office is guaranteed to freak out your co-workers and draw more attention to you than you could possibly want.

 

Also don’t be lulled into the goofy looking space age type knives with jaunty angles and “Aliens Vs Predator” styled blades. If you are determined to carry a knife for your personal protection then keep it as “mainstream” as you possibly can.

 

Another point to consider is the amount that you carry and where you carry them. I’m a minimalist and prefer to keep the amount of equipment that is carried on my person concise, with the maximum of one primary knife and perhaps a back-up knife which can be transferred to and from a vehicle knife as the situation dictates.

 

A truism I’ve found with edged weapons/tools is that you can buy a first rate knife that covers all the bases, but it can sometimes come with a sheath/carry system that absolutely SUCKS!! They either don’t fit in with a realistic carry method or they are of poor manufacture. Admittedly the quality is getting better all the time, but if you have specific carry requirements – say as part of your occupation or for a covert draw – then it may be worth it to spend a little more and have a sheath made by a qualified maker.

 

A final point to consider, regardless of what type of hardware you choose, is the advantage of a good training knife. It is vital I would say and can reap benefits in relation to your edged weapon and counter edged weapon training. Over the years our tame “trainer-maker” Roy has provided both myself and the MCG training days with a fantastic range of wooden trainers that are sturdy, durable and reflect the type of tool we are working with. They don’t have to cost a fortune – just keep it simple.

 

Over recent years I myself have nearly succumbed to the custom made knife hype, potentially paying out lots, and lots of hard earned money for what boils down to a piece of sharpened steel. Thankfully, common sense kicked in just in the nick of time.

 

Now before people start taking offense I will state that for those who are committed knife collectors and appreciate them for their aesthetic, artistic or utility purposes then that is all fine and well. I have no issues with that whatsoever. I deal with the practical realities of modern personal security, not the aesthetic, artistic or the work tool for hunting or craft.

 

In contrast for the general modern day self protection practitioner there is almost TOO much choice out there now regarding effective edged weapons carry. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a good thing!

 

Most of the big name knife manufacturers these days can provide an excellent range of quality fixed blades or folders that will more than cover you personal carry needs. And more to the point they are all – with one or two minor exceptions – at a reasonable and affordable price, with no need to spend the price of a foreign vacation on a design.

 

 

 

By contrast, if we turn our attention to the criminal class that use a knife on a regular basis as part of their “tools of the trade” I can guarantee that you won’t find a whole host of premier league edged weapons from custom knife makers. 

 

What you will find is a range of screwdrivers, homemade shanks, Stanley knives, kitchen knives and scissors. Now while they might not look as pretty as your bespoke tactical blade, police reports will bear out that they are just as effective. If you don’t believe me on this, well, I’d be more than happy to introduce you to a couple of fellas that have lots of first hand experience.

 

The argument is usually thrown back that a good quality blade will last and last and last…..

 

That is definitely true and a high quality tool is an exceptional piece of kit. But for the street criminal or attacker he doesn’t care if his “discount brand” kitchen knife snaps in two after being used only once……at these prices he can get dozens and dozens. We call them OTTA’s which stands for – One Time Throw Away!

 

The use of a blade in application is a very serious business, and at times has been often trivialised by some into almost just another “Horse and Pony show” with expensive and sexy knives as almost a fashion accessory.

 

At the end of the day its your choice! You’re a fully functioning adult who is able to make his own choices. But I would rather work with someone who spends his time putting the training hours in, rather than burning up the Ethernet in search of the next bauble to dangle from the tactical beltbuckle!

 

 

 

Copyright – Modern Combatives Group - 2010