Matt_W said:
Which probably explains how come they are so effective for murder.
Many times when we debate 'Knife fights' we are actually referring to "knife attacks." Those are two very differing incidents.
You could be attacked and never have known it was coming.
Then again, James Keating and Jerry Vancook teach knife fighting.
I must admit, I'm sort of in a third category. For lack of a better explanation, let's call it a "preemptive tool."
My formative years of young adulthood were spent on a college campus in flames and in a bike club. You would be amazed at how alert you become when there is a very real chance everyone could be dangerous.
You watch everyone's hands, you sit with your back to the wall. Even at a campus' McDonalds.
But I have no training in edged fighting. To give myself a chance, I would often muse how I should react if fighting began. How would I make the best use of the only weapon I had.
Because of TV champion poker we call decisive nuances "tells." Is a hinkie guy predominately left or right handed. Does he have a long coat or an inappropriate package.
Have I seen him before.
(Did you know that in every serious SDS riot the same student with bright, long red hair was always in the front of the mob, egging everyone on.)
Was this important? I believe it was. I got caught with my guard down once. I was on State Street with another biker friend and we noticed things getting tense. But we stayed out of curiosity and "to finish our beers."
Instantly a large European style water cannon "strafed" State Street with the strongest, dense tear gas I have ever seen. Students
blocks away later complained that this gas seeped into their closed up apartment buildings.
I saw the signs. I sat on my butt. I paid the price. However, it did change my perspective.