Would you ever draw your knife instead of your pistol?

[B yond]

Like many others here, I always carry a pocket knife in addition to my CCW. I've always thought of my knife as a tool and not a weapon, but lately I've been wondering if there are any realistic scenarios where it would be preferable to employ a knife over a pistol as a defensive weapon.

Just thinking out loud, and looking for some input from others. I'm not advocating ANYTHING here. I'm not a knife-fighter and I don't ever intend to be.

I doubt there's any speed benefit to drawing a knife over a gun, and there certainly isn't any range benefit. Can anyone see ANY realistic reason to choose a knife over a pistol for self-defense?

 

[B yond]

Come to think of it, this may tie in to a thread I started a while back about engaging a threat in a crowded area where over-penetrating rounds and/or rounds that missed the target would endanger bystanders.

 

[David E]

Yes, I'd draw my knife when I wanted to cut something that didn't need to be shot!

 

[Rain Dog]

Yes, I'd draw my knife when I wanted to cut something that didn't need to be shot!

Indeed; this is generally considered a good policy. I'm afraid it is quite difficult to open packages with a pistol. Not to mention messy, and unnecessarily loud in comparison to use of a knife.

 

[mljdeckard]

I carry a knife specifically for backup when I CAN'T use my gun, meaning, it's been dropped, disabled, or I can't reach it for some reason. I use a knife that can be opened with one hand. No, I wouldn't draw it first, but it could be good to have.

 

[catspa]

One time my old buddy John forgot his knife when we went hunting. He was too proud to ask for mine, so I was treated to the spectacle of a grown man trying to shoot off a piece of salami with a 30-30 rifle.

'Course, I didn't see it as clearly as I'd have liked, doubled over, and the tears of laughter blurred my vision somewhat...

Parker

 

[Jeff White]

If somehow you got involved in a hand to hand altercation you might be able to access and employ a knife easier then a hand gun. But I think a folder would be problematic. I knew a couple officers who carried a fixed blade concealed in their duty gear for just such a situation.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I know several guys who carry a fixed blade somewhere they can access it with their non-firing hand for use if/when their firing hand is engaged in weapons retention. I think it is a sound technique, though I don't know anyone who has had to put it into practice.

 

[Tim Burke]

If I should find myself grappling, I'd probably prefer a knife to a gun.

 

[fedlaw]

A knife carried weak-side can be deployed effectively for weapon retention. Like anything else, the key is proper training and practice.

 

[DHJenkins]

Only if my attacker was a parcel that needed to be taught a lesson.

To be serious, though, no, I wouldn't have the same level of confidence in my knife-wielding ability as my gun-wielding ability against a human attacker.

 

[Todd A]

any realistic scenarios where it would be preferable to employ a knife over a pistol as a defensive weapon.

Preferable? No.

If my knife is, for whatever reason, the only item I can reach in a hand-to-hand situation I will use it.

Other than that I can think of many better options.

I carry a fixed blade concealed everyday, but it is for cutting stuff.

 

[Grey_Mana]

Obviously, places where guns are prohibited and knives are allowed.
For example, Washington DC does not consider a folding knife with a blade less than 2.5 inches to be a dangerous weapon.

 

[Rainmaker870]

My edc utility knife is a swiss army knife.
My other knife - be it fixed (Clinch Pick or LaGriffe) or folder (AFCK or CQC-7B) serves as my anti-grappling tool.

1) The fixed blades are small enough as to cause little concern by most LEO.
2) Either folder, when closed, makes a fine impact weapon.
3) Defensively, I think blades have a limited but well-defined niche.

 

[Kwanger]

I absolutely would not. Knife fighting with a pocket knife...bad idea. Should the situation escalate and you have to use it (which, by drawing it, you always must be prepared to make good on), having a knife only means you'll have to get very up close and personal for it to be effective, rather than having the ability to create space, which a gun gives.

 

[El Hombre]

One time my old buddy John forgot his knife when we went hunting. He was too proud to ask for mine, so I was treated to the spectacle of a grown man trying to shoot off a piece of salami with a 30-30 rifle.

'Course, I didn't see it as clearly as I'd have liked, doubled over, and the tears of laughter blurred my vision somewhat...

Parker

THAT was funny!

Thanks for the laugh!


In answer to the question, No.
I think you must have confidence in your ability & in your weapon to carry it.
I don't have enough confidence in my knife fighting skills to even consider it.

 

[mcdonl]

I knew a couple officers who carried a fixed blade concealed in their duty gear for just such a situation.

Jeff, this leads me to believe they know HOW to use a knife in SD... Me... I cringe at the though of engaging in a knife fight. I would almost rather get in a gun fight... God forbid...

Maybe because we have all (Or most of us...) been cut by knives and know what it feels like. I have never been shot, but I would figure shock and other factors would dull the pain... not like a knife wound... ouch...

And, this follows the assumption that engaging in any kind of fight, fist, knife or gun... you are very likely to get punched, cut or shot even if you win. IF you think otherwise, dont carry a knife or gun.

Leroy

 

[Quilbilly]

"Yes" is almost always the answer to a question starting with the words "would you ever". I carry a knife because it is a tool I use every day. I do not consider it as much of a self-defense tool but it is still nice to have options.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

1.

where it would be preferable to employ a knife over a pistol as a defensive weapon.

Defending yourself from sharks when underwater. While diving I take a knife, I never even consider taking a pistol.

2. I suppose a knife might be better in a situation where you have to watch your backgroud. i.e. if a dog is mauling someone, and for whatever reason you cannot get a side angle.

3. Depending on what your carrying, I could see a knife making a bigger hole than a bullet.

4. How fine a line are you drawing between self-defense and self preservation? I'd much rather have a knife if I need to cut away a seat belt or make some bandages.

 

[tju1973]

No.

If its good enough to use a knife on, I will use my gun. Both are considered use of dealy force.

Plus, the object in a fight is to win-- I prefer to do this at a range longer than my arm...

Unless I was in a place where I could not carry a gun (ie hospitals) and I could not avoid or run from the fight...

 

[tactikel]

One self defense guru has stated that inside of 10 feet a knife is much faster to gring to bear, and almost as lethal as a firearm. Unless you can separate from your attacker he will likely get steel into you before you can draw, aim, and fire- I like the idea of a knife as backup (esp for the off hand)-it must be fixed blade or assist opening-a pocket knife is useless.

 

[Prophet]

I work construction and usually carry two knives, a Leatherman Skeletool and a Kobalt utility knife. They'd be last ditch options. The flashlight/other nearby blunt object would come out first (ie, a shovel or broom). It takes too long for the average joe to inflict an immediately debilitating strike or wound with a knife for me to consider it an ideal self defense weapon.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Desperation

Only in a desperate last-ditch situation.

Generally there will be other stuff around that doesn't make you get all huggy-bear with your assailant. Brooms/mops, stuff to throw, anything that creates distance.

If things are so desperate that I have to resort to a knife -- and a knife, mind you, that was never designed to be a weapon -- I would very likely be at the edge of "nothing to lose" and pulling at knife at that point would at least not make anything worse.

I pucker just at the thought of what kind of scenario would require engaging a bad guy with only three inches of steel, with a grip having no finger guard to keep my fingers off the blade.

That's a seriously "bad karma" day.

 

[wyocarp]

Well, I've heard that it's a bad idea to take a knife to a gunfight. I'll go with that.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Yes if needed and I do carry a fixed blade IWB for such problems I have a stockman in my pocket for the more gentlemanly duties. I have a swedish army Mora.