Why do people say "Don't carry a knife"?

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Boberama

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"If you carry a knife you are more likely to become involved in a violent situation and get injured yourself."
It's a common warning, and I've heard it in novels, movies, on THR and other pro-cary websies, from martial artists, etc.

What? I wouldn't want to fight a guy with a knife, especially if I didn't have one myself. And why is it "less dangerous" to carry nothing, or a kubaton or pen?

Clear this up, please.

By the way my current carry is a 4" Pakistani Langioule knife with a corkscrew on the end. Picked it up for $5 at the Swap 'n' Shop. It says "Fighter Plus" on the blade.
c1vHSsvZrWmGpuA.jpg
No, I'm not joking.
I lost my Puma 4".:uhoh:
 
Go to Big Five sporting goods. There is usually a selection of good to decent folders for under $30.00.Save that one as a good tackle box/picnic lunch box knife with a handy corkskrew.If you're going to be wanting your knife quickly, which in an emergency of any kind [a rescue, a fight, what ever....] you may need to do, you'll probably want to be able to open it with a thumb stud.
 
Why does the ad below say "Dial 911 and Die"?
Not a great message to send. Dial 911 if you can.
 
I've always felt it was because if one is not proficient in the art of knife fighting, one could very easily become disarmed and the knife used against you. Although I carry a knife as a tool for everyday use, I would be loathe to use it as a weapon.

Also, it seems that knife law, state by state, is even more arcane and vague than firearms law. It's perfectly legal for me to carry my .44 magnum to the grocery store, but not my 3 1/2 inch assisted opener. Go figure.
 
Everyone has an opinion but a knife is better than nothing. I ordered and gave the women that walked on this dirt road "Harold Stainless Steel Covered Ice Picks" I ordered them from Amazon . com. I ride my motorcycle and run my dogs on this road before they walk. I've ran several people out of this neighborhood that had no business here.
 
"If you carry a knife you are more likely to become involved in a violent situation and get injured yourself."
It's a common warning, and I've heard it in novels, movies, on THR and other pro-cary websies, from martial artists, etc.
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those are also the same people that say.... " gun owners are more likely to have their gun taken away and used against them"........its complete and utter bull crap

as for not being skilled enough to use one........unless you are fighting a world knife fighting grand master.....chances are pretty darn good that the other guy doesnt have any training either.

the fact is, theres really no reason NOT to carry a knife with you at all times.
 
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Clear this up, please.
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There's no way to do that other than to say they're wrong. They're the same folks that tell women not to resist a rape to avoid being beaten. They believe resistance to violence only leads to worse injuries or death.

Knives or guns or sticks don't cause people to use them. People make a decision to or not.

It's very difficult to take a knife away from someone without getting cut so the argument that using a knife to defend yourself will only end up with the knife being taken away and used on you is absurd if you're willing to fight. The problem is when you're only willing to bluff.
 
It's a huge mistake to think that if you have a knife, that you have to be skilled in some art called "knife fighting." Huge mistake.

Yes - there are specific knife-combat systems like kali and silat and others, and you can train and practice for that. However, the simplest way to use a knife for fighting is to simply hold it in your hand and make a fist and then fight normally, punching, kicking, etc. The only difference is that you're just holding a knife in your hand while you do it.

It is generally not a good idea to hold the knife out in front of you, as if it is the defensive device - it's not. You are the weapon and the knife is just along for the ride. Extra bonus points if you have some idea about what to do with it.
 
One of my brothers took Karate classes and they had him convinced that he could win against someone with a knife. Like you said I kelp the knife folded and in my fist an eat him alive. He learned a lessen that day. He was marked up, I told him to show that to his teacher.
 
the knife being taken away and used on you is absurd if you're willing to fight. The problem is when you're only willing to bluff
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It's a huge mistake to think that if you have a knife, that you have to be skilled in some art called "knife fighting." Huge mistake.
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Two things I agree with completely. I am not a knife fighting supporter, in large part because I think a great many of the people that are are either vastly over-estimating their ability to fight with a knife and/or have illusions of grandeur as to the deadliness or scariness of that knife.

Shockwave is right. If you can't sort of figure out "stab" and "slash" on your own, don't carry a knife. Advanced training is certainly useful, but what it really boils down to is mindset and the willingness to act, which is what HSO was referring to talking about bluffing.

Look man, if you fight like a crazy person and don't mind getting covered in blood (your and your attackers, most likely) you will probably come out on top. People have this strange thing where they don't like getting cut once, let alone several times, and certainly not in the face or heart or genitals. If you take a trip through the winter of your soul, you are likely find that you simply cannot see yourself doing those things. I have skinned and butchered a lot of animals, and I personally am repulsed by the thought of opening a person up like that. I will do it if it is my absolute last resort, because I know for a fact that my "Them or Me" gene decidedly leans towards "Me", but I really, really never want to have to do that.

As such, I have never really carried or bought a knife specifically because of it's defensive qualities. As it turns out, many of my knives are capable in that regard, but it isn't a consideration for me.
 
One of the main problems with fighting with a knife is the fact that when "slashed" most don't even know they are injured if they are in a hand to hand "conflict". Stabbed is a different thing but around 70% of knife fighting has to do with "slash" movements since "stabbing" motions tend to leave your weapon exposed and you in a vulnerable position if up against an opponent that has any knowledge about knife usage. Granted it is better than nothing in some instances but it is better to have at least some training with one or it could go against you. Most anyone with some martial arts background has been at least somewhat trained in defending against knives and while it can be used effectively, it is not a great choice for a weapon. I'll take a flip out baton any day over a knife. More range and when used properly, your attacker will have no question that he is in a fight. Not to mention you can disarm them easily with one. Broken bones tend to register more than a cut. Especially in the hand and wrist area.
 
Thanks for mentioning that "flip out baton". I didn't know what they were called, Cheaper Than Dirt has them. I tackled a thief in 1964 and held him for the Police, I remember, that was like having a Tiger by the tail.
 
why no knife

To me the problem is applicability in a legal sense. There are so many situations that do not justify lethal force, but scare the bejeezus out of you anyway. In the relatively rare remaining instances where lethal force is justified, so few lend themselves to what people think of as "knife fighting" that I just don't see it as worth the incremental risk and effort involved. Much of my opinion on the subject has been formed, codified, or confirmed by the content at http://nononsenseselfdefense.com which I highly recommend. It isn't what you think it is (technique or training) it is a very dense and informative website that focuses on the legal, ethical, and psychological issues of self defense. Many sacred cows are sacrificed there, be advised!

--RobW
 
Thanks Jim, that's what I thought. I guess it is a state to state situation.

As for the OP, I have a knife on me everyday, (with a clip.... Jim.... haha) 1 small one on my keys, and 1 that stays in the stuff-tray in my cherokee...

I don't like being without a knife, for more than just defense...
 
Quote:
"If you carry a knife you are more likely to become involved in a violent situation and get injured yourself."
It's a common warning, and I've heard it in novels, movies, on THR and other pro-cary websies, from martial artists, etc.

those are also the same people that say.... " gun owners are more likely to have their gun taken away and used against them"........its complete and utter bull crap

as for not being skilled enough to use one........unless you are fighting a world knife fighting grand master.....chances are pretty darn good that the other guy doesnt have any training either.

the fact is, theres really no reason NOT to carry a knife with you at all times.
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M and HSO said it the best ----- NO ONE that I personally know thinks it is a bad idea to carry somekind of knife on a daily basis. What kind of knife to carry is another story ---- just like hammers , there are sledgehammers , frameing , tack , claw etc. etc. ---- while you can use a 20lb. sledge to put a tack in drywall -- it is NOT the best "tool" for the job. Same thing with "knifes" ---- big , small , double edged , folding , etc. etc. --- there are hundreds of "styles" for bladed weapons ---- and some people will tell you NOT to carry a knife that says " Fighter Plus" etc. on it ---- they seem to think the DA will have a easy case against you because the jury will think you are "kill crazy" --------- I don't let that "stuff" bother me or influance what I carry.

You are either justified or not justified in useing ANY weapon for self-defense.
 
fancy lookin knife, but is it legal to carry a 4" blade?
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I don't think there are any laws about knives here. Just no butterflies or automatics. Or punch daggers.

It's pretty much up to the individual officer to decide what to do.

But-oh yeah-you can't carry one for self defense.

Mine's for [insert purpose here], and this thread is for informational purposes only.

British Columbia! Bah.
 
I have skinned and butchered a lot of animals, and I personally am repulsed by the thought of opening a person up like that.
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Try as I might, I can't bring myself to feel anything. As for the bluffing thing, I don't think I would bring it out unless I actually needed it. For cutting boxes, of course.

Is this a problem some of you have? I've never done anything like that, but I don't really have very much empathy, I guess.

Any thoughts?
 
I have never heard anyone advocate not carrying knives. Sounds like something you'd hear in a gun shop. Especially if they wanted to sell you a gun.

Knives are an invaluable tool. I can't imagine being without one.

In my (unpleasant) dreams I occasionally have to fend some bad guy off. I seem to have no problem stabbing bad people. But when it came down to it I'd probably be to stunned to deploy a knife quickly enough.

As always, if you can run, run.
 
This is nothing really new. The Victorians were bitching about people carrying knives and daggers around with them so we got the invention of flatware, because so one may use that nasty knife. They probably blamed it on spicy food encouraging masturbation that led to the inevitable murder. Victorians were really weird like that.
 
Well first off... I don't carry a knife because I plan on using it to defend myself. A knife is a tool, and that is why I carry one.


Could they be used in such a way? Of course... a knife is a knife.
Would it be the best choice if something else is available? I don't think so.
 
Limeyfellow said:
This is nothing really new. The Victorians were bitching about people carrying knives and daggers around with them so we got the invention of flatware, because so one may use that nasty knife. They probably blamed it on spicy food encouraging masturbation that led to the inevitable murder. Victorians were really weird like that.
Click to expand...
I like spicy food ...
 
I'm Sorry but when I think of "knife combat" I instantly think of that scene in Saving Private Ryan where that big burly German plunges that combat knife into the American GI's throat. No thanks.

Sure my Flash I rides in my pocket all day... but it's just there as a useful tool. I probably wouldn't even think to use it in a fight. Too small anyways.
 
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