Surreptitious Carry

[MikeBjerum]

Michael Janich,

I was watching TBD this evening and enjoyed it very much.  Your discussion on knife choice and carry was very informational.  However I do have one concern.  Your demonstration and recommendation of the surreptitious carry with your arms crossed.  Have you considered the proximity of the knife point to the axillary artery?

I don't know how familiar you are with anatomy in detail, but I know from regular experience how close your knife point appears to the artery and vein.  These two vessels and their branches are very superficial in the upper arm and arm pit, and they are only three to four inches from the aortic arch.  And unlike many other major vessels in our body, these two are not surrounded by a bundle of muscle.  Even the carotid and jugular have more muscle covering them than the axillary.

I am assuming that the concern of the assailant pushing the blade into the artery or vein is addressed in the plan being to actually present the blade.  However, a simple trip, stumble, fall or even bump by a bystander that does not know what you are readying for or a bump into another object could send that blade into some items you don't want it in.  I can appreciate the thought that we can't protect against everything, but I classify this practice along with covering yourself with a gun muzzle on the ready with the safety off.

I will be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

Mike

[Michael Janich]

Michael Janich,

I was watching TBD this evening and enjoyed it very much.  Your discussion on knife choice and carry was very informational.  However I do have one concern.  Your demonstration and recommendation of the surreptitious carry with your arms crossed.  Have you considered the proximity of the knife point to the axillary artery?

I don't know how familiar you are with anatomy in detail, but I know from regular experience how close your knife point appears to the artery and vein.  These two vessels and their branches are very superficial in the upper arm and arm pit, and they are only three to four inches from the aortic arch.  And unlike many other major vessels in our body, these two are not surrounded by a bundle of muscle.  Even the carotid and jugular have more muscle covering them than the axillary.

I am assuming that the concern of the assailant pushing the blade into the artery or vein is addressed in the plan being to actually present the blade.  However, a simple trip, stumble, fall or even bump by a bystander that does not know what you are readying for or a bump into another object could send that blade into some items you don't want it in.  I can appreciate the thought that we can't protect against everything, but I classify this practice along with covering yourself with a gun muzzle on the ready with the safety off.

I will be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

Mike

Dear Mike:

Thank you for your post and your question.

Yes, I am familiar with anatomy and it plays a huge part in the Martial Blade Concepts curriculum. I also acknowledge that concealing the knife as I showed in this episode does place the point close to the armpit and, consequently, the axillary artery (the transitional section between the subclavian and the brachial). Like any advanced weapon-handling skill, the goal is to balance the advantages offered by the tactic (speed of presentation) with any inherent dangers of the tactic itself. To use a gun analogy, appendix carry offers a faster, less telegraphed draw than carrying behind the hip; however, it also means that your muzzle points at your groin and opposite femoral artery. Training not to shoot yourself is exactly like training not to stab yourself.

When I use the folded-arms position, I index my knife hand position under and slightly below my left elbow. That gives me a proper “stand off” for the blade and serves as a stop to keep the point from drifting too high. Again, the key is to de-program the traditional crossed-arms position, which entwines the arms and places the hands deep under the armpits. Do that empty handed first until it feels comfortable; then work on incorporating the knife and practice diligently with a blunt trainer before attempting it with a live blade.

If you like the position, but still feel it’s too risky, only use it when you have the additional protection of a significantly thick jacket or cover garment.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[bonte34]

i thought that it was a great video, I also understand both points. But I did notice in some of the clips Mike keep his thumb on the top of the blade, dont know if you held it like that with crossed arms.  If you fell while having the knife open, theres no muscle that would be able to protect you from a puncture. Thats why we practice before using any type of self defense. But i would like to thank TBD and Mike for presenting methods other than just firearms. My wife really like the episodes for women in season one.

I would really like to see some videos, with close courters with a blade, let the clips that rob has been doing. I know you covered it before.

I would like to say thanks to everyone that works on TBD. I hope the show continues to be a success.