subject: The Best Method For Taking A Knife Away From A Slasher In A Knife Fight [print this page] You all know what a slasher in a knife fight is...he is the guy who whips the knife back and forth wildly. This motion is erratic and unpredictable, and it makes it hard to pass the knife. Blocks would get you cut, he's too fast to grab, and like as not he is coming in on you fast!
The first strategy that comes to mind is to wrap some sort of protection around your forearm. This will protect that limb and give you at least some sort of a shield. The problem with this fighting trick is that the time it takes to find something wrappable, or to remove your jacket and wind it around your arm, is time in which you are going to get cut to pieces.
So wrapping something around your arm, while it can be useful, isn't really the most workable tactic when if comes to knife self defenses. It is pretty much only a stop gap measure. You will probably still get sliced, and it segments your self defense strategy into predictable movements: the wrapped arm is going to be used for blocking, and probably only for blocking.
Interestingly, there is a concept that does work for this type of combat scene, and for figuring out knife fighting techniques. It is easy to play with without getting hurt if you use a training knife. You can also find yourself a red magic marker and wear white tee shirts if you really want to develop workability.
The concept is not to look at the knife, but to look at the shoulder of the arm holding the knife. This is hard to do, because the idea of taking your eyes off the weapon is difficult to do. There will also be people who hold that to take your eye off the weapon is the worst and stupidest thing a knife fighter can do.
The truth of the matter, however, is that you are not fighting an inanimate piece of steel, you are fighting a human being. That said, the best place to look would be the eyes, for 'The eyes are the windows to a man's soul. Thus, to look at the eyes would enable the fighter who has a clue to see the thought behind the action.
In the specific situation of a slasher, however, focusing your attention on the shoulder is actually superior strategy. As the hand whips back and forth, the shoulder moves in the same manner, but the shoulder is slower and bigger and easier to watch. Thus, by watching the shoulder you can actually predict the change of direction and motion offered by the slasher.
Now, the best strategy, to be sure,is to not get into a knife fight, or just bring a pistol. But, times being what they are, thugs being what they are, this strategy should help you live to fight another day. And that's the trick you use to survive a slasher in a knife fight.
