How To Use a Knife in a Combative Situation

Knife combat....it is one of the most scary and brutal things that anyone should ever have to encounter. This "How to" was written in order to teach the basics and fundamentals of using a knife in a combative situation. The overall theme of this article is to survive above all else.

Step 1  

Learn the imperatives. The imperatives are simply 5 basic and fundamental principles that should always be adhered to in an engagement with and edged weapon. The five principles are as follows:  

• Expect to get cut.
• Defang the serpent.
• Control
• Time is of the essence.
• Survival. Survival is the most important imperative.

Step 2  

Learn how to stand. Stance is very important in knife combat; your stance is the foundation of which you are able to maneuver and engage. The forward fighting stance is a great stance for maneuvering. The weight should be more even between feet. The weight should be rested on the balls of the foot. The front knee is slightly bent and the elbows are in at the sides. and the hands are up for protection. The lead hand or "Checking hand is always in front. The checking hand is the hand that assists the cutting hand in combat by controling the enemy's weapon hand, and or setting up an attack. The chin is tucked in as to protect the throat. Remember that this stance is a mobile stance. In knife combat mobility is important. Never pass up the opportunity for escape!

Step 3  

Entering. Entering is nothing more than closing the distance between you and the weapon or you and the enemy. Stepping in is key in entering. often times instructors tell their trainees to side step and block. In this method of instruction we will do away with this idea of blocking and side stepping. The main point of entering is to close the distance and terminate the engagement quickly, not to narrowly evade and then re counter. Therefore stepping deeply and directly in is imperative. Remember, that the knife is simply an extension of the empty hand.

Step 4  

Covering

Step 5  

Close the distance

Step 6  

Clear the weapon arm
In this method we will utilize covering versus blocking. The term blocking often refers to deflection by pushing away. That is why we will not use the term block, but cover. Covering in this case the higher and lower gate is executed by taking the checking hand and covering across your upper gate with your palm facing out. The checking hand moves across the body in an arching motion and stops past the ear of the non checking side. The knife hand covers the lower gate, in an arching motion across the legs and groin. Once the lower gate hand reaches the opposite hip it continues the circle upwards till it is directly in front of your face. The act of stepping in and simultaneously covering is essential in setting your enemy up for the next technique in the series.

Step 7  

Defanging the serpent. Feed the attackers weapon hand by using both your knife and checking hand (preparing to attack the wrist tendons).  

• Attack the weapon hand 
• Attack the arm 
• Destroy the arm and punture the artery 
• Now that you have successfully closed the distance and covered, you can now focus on defanging the serpent. The knife is an extension of the empty hand, and the knife weilding arm itself can be likened to a snake or serpent. Snakes have fangs that bite and often times are deadly. If you defang the serpent it can not penetrate your flesh with its fangs, and therefore the advantage is taken from the enemy. Stepping and covering is a very important part of defanging the serpent, but you must also know how to control the weapon and how to attack the weapon hand / arm in order to make the attacker release the weapon.
• Where to attack the weapon arm: Joints ( Tendons and Ligaments)I.E. Above the elbow and the wrist. If the attacker can not physically hold the weapon; or utilize his arm because his tendons and ligaments have been slashed and render his weapon arm useless, he can not do much to cause harm with the weapon.
• Veins and arteries If you begin to slash into his veins and arteries located on the inner portion of his arm, he will begin to lose large amounts of blood. Losing large quantities of blood is demoralizing as well as it can make one pass out quickly and move them one step closer to expiration. The Brachial artery on the inside of the Biceps and the Axhillary artery in the armpit are excellent targets to cause rapid blood loss and death.
• Just because you have defanged the serpent and are in control does not mean you are home safe. You must maintain control. Remember this attacker had a knife! If he had a knife that means he is bent on killing you. You must neutralize the situation by prventing him from any other further attacks. If you control the head the body will follow. Inorder to keep control you must be deep inside the grappling zone. Once you gain control of the attackers head by thrusting your blade into the hollow cavity below the jaw, take him to the ground. DO NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE ARM!!!
• Thrust 

Step 8  

Remove the blade

Step 9  

Trap and control  

•  
• Where the head goes the body must follow 

Step 10  

Step deep

Step 11  

Take down

Step 12  

Following through  

• Following through means to maintain control and neutralize the situation. Whenever given the opportunity, it is recommended to escape, however there are some situations ehere that may not be possible. For instruction sake we will cover finishing the enemy. This technique may be useful for soldiers in combat. For example a detainee or prisoner of war who may have to engage the enemy in order for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape. The soldier has just engaged an enemy sentry and can not allow him to survive. This is not recommended for a street encounter however, it is important to mention that this guy just intended on killing you with a knife,and he may have friends nearby waiting to attack you. You may be able to justify this next course of action legally if you are convincing that you were in fear of your life and there was a possibility of further danger after neutralizing the first attacker.

Step 13  

Maintain Control  

Step 14  

Finish

Step 15  

Escape  

• Here is an example of a similar series of techniques where the defender is unarmed and the attacker is armed with a knife.

Tips

•  
• Gripping is an important factor when engaging in knife combat. The recommended grip is a saber grip. The saber grip is the grip with the most tactical advantage. It gives reach and is the most maneuverable grip.
• When in a fighting stance engaging a knife it is important to keep the inner parts of the arms and legs from being exposed to slashing by your attacker. The inner arms and legs covet the veins and arteries.
•  
• X - T - C -8; These are the different slashes you can use in an edged weapon engagement.
• - X - The diaganal slash
• - T - Vertical and Horizontal slashes
• - C - Circular slashes
• - 8 - Figure 8 slashes
• The lunge or straight thrust is also an excellent attack; however thrusts are generally to the body and the body is not the best or most efficient target.
• Targets
• When engaged in edged weapon combat it is important to target parts of the enemy's body that increase the efficiency of your attack. Example: The body is not the most efficient target, because there is a lot of muscle and other for armor, as well as bone and rib cage. Clothing often covers this area as does body armor. It is possible for the knife to become wedged in the bones of the chest or ribs. Also there are many targets in the torso that just are not fatal. When choosing targets stick to, tendons, ligaments, veins and arteries. These are the targets that affect the function of the body. Remember this for targets, "If a man can't see, he cant fight. If a man can't breathe he can't fight. If a man can't stand he can't fight. Tendons and ligaments affect mobility. Veins and arteries affect blood loss and large quantities of blood loss affect the enemy's ability to do anything. The eyes are also excellent targets.
• Choose principle over technique
• Although in this "How to" We have learned a specific series of techniques to counter an enemy in edged weapon combat. It is important to remember the basic and fundamental principles behind the technique. It is best for you to practice and examine this teachnique and apply the principles to the way you fight.

Warnings

• Remember there is no such thing as a technique that works 100 percent of the time. Expect To Get Cut!
• Whenever you make the decision to engage another person in edged weapon combat, with the exception of Military combat; there are and will be legal ramifications. Remember it is always suggested to escape over anything else, but survival is paramount.
• The techniques demonstrated above were executed by trained professionals. When attempting this at home it is recommended that you are supervised by a professional.
• When training it is recommended that you practice with rubber knives. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE REAL KNIVES IN THIS TRAINING!!!
• Extreme control is advised, especially when attempting the head stomp and manipulating the head, neck or joints.
• Due to the lethality and brutality of these techniques parental advisory is advised

Things You'll Need

• A training partner
• Rubber knives
• Rugged and durable clothing