Does a gimmick breed devotion?

[tombogan03884]

I agree with all points made on some level. Obviously I understand the concept of KISS and agree with it on all fronts. I just feel that there is a gap in training when it comes to pocket knives. I have a lot of respect for someone who puts in the time to learn a system that is not so easy and I feel that while modern knives are great but the use-ability breeds a lax attitude. I guess I am alone in this thought.

Not really.
Edged weapons are a "martial art", to become skilled in the proper use, whether, sword, or knife, requires a great deal of training and practice.
Most people just aren't that interested and rely on muddling through .

[r_w]

A knife is to fight your way to your handgun.
A handgun is to fight your way to your rifle.
A rifle is to fight your way to air support.

[mkm]

I agree with all points made on some level. Obviously I understand the concept of KISS and agree with it on all fronts. I just feel that there is a gap in training when it comes to pocket knives. I have a lot of respect for someone who puts in the time to learn a system that is not so easy and I feel that while modern knives are great but the use-ability breeds a lax attitude. I guess I am alone in this thought.

Not really.
Edged weapons are a "martial art", to become skilled in the proper use, whether, sword, or knife, requires a great deal of training and practice.
Most people just aren't that interested and rely on muddling through .

I pretty much agree with Tom here.  I don't lack respect for those that put a lot of time into learning to be efficient with a specialty knife or most anything useful for that matter.  I, however, feel that time spent learning to operate a complicated instrument could be spent to farther advance your skills with a simpler one that, in my opinion, is often more versatile and reliable.  There's usually less to go wrong with simpler.

[Solus]

Michael Janich has given good instruction here on defensive use of a pocket knife.

The techniques are not to difficult and aren't intended to kill but rather disable by slashing critical muscles and tendons.

His demonstrations appeared in the Best Defense/Survival series and would be on the DVDs.

I did not believe a pocket knife would be able to be an effective fighting weapon, but in the defensive slashing role that he presents, it is very viable.

[ellis4538]

In my case, no.  I cannot open a knife one handed without some kind of auto assist.  Prefer not getting caught with a switchblade.

Richard

PS:  I like being able to get a knife open when one hand is occupied.  Probably would not try to use a knife as a defensive tool because I do not have proper training and can't afford it (just found out what Medicare and etc. is going to cost me!).

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

In my opinion a cane is more effective in SD than a knife, first off, the cane gives you a longer reach to keep your attacker further away.
Second, no practical knife will give you the ability to immediately disable an attacker, with the length restrictions most states place on knives this is magnified, a cane on the other hand gives you the leverage to break bones, thereby interfering with the attackers physical support structure, and his ability to attack or pursue.
So if I were going to invest time, money and commitment into SD training I would go with the cane and leave the knife for eating and opening packages.

[mauler]

The balisong can fairly be said to require a greater degree of practice and training than a "regular" knife (although many would argue that one should also train with the "regular" kind).  Of course, I am talking about the opening on the draw.  After you get it open the balisong is a very conventional knife.  I do know people that can draw it and open it very quickly, much quicker than most folks can do with their regular folder.  I don't see the kerambit as requiring any sort of special training.  I practice Kali-Silat, and the knife skills learned in this art translate well to any type of blade.  The biggest benefit I see of the kerambit is how easy it is to conceal in the hand while holding it ready for use. 

[kmitch200]

In my opinion a cane is more effective in SD than a knife, first off, the cane gives you a longer reach to keep your attacker further away.
Second, no practical knife will give you the ability to immediately disable an attacker, with the length restrictions most states place on knives this is magnified, a cane on the other hand gives you the leverage to break bones, thereby interfering with the attackers physical support structure, and his ability to attack or pursue.
So if I were going to invest time, money and commitment into SD training I would go with the cane and leave the knife for eating and opening packages.

A cane is a lot harder to conceal. Granted, it is looked at in a different light by most people and won't be concealed.
While a cane can "break bones" even a smallish knife can make those bones unuseable.

A slash to the deltoid will make it impossible to raise your arm.
A slash to the inner aspect of your wrist flexors will make it impossible to hold a weapon in that hand.
A cut across your quads will make that leg quite useless for mobility. (the mobility "kill")

All these have been addressed by MJ in TBD shows.
The cane is indeed a valuable weapon but why carry a cane I don't need when I carry a Benchmade auto EVERYWHERE. Yes, I know there are certain states that I can't carry my favorite auto knife. I then carry my favorite non-auto Benchmade. (along with my favorite CCW auto)

[mauler]

I must admit that before I started training Kali-Silat I was unaware how quickly a person skilled with a knife can finish a self defense situation. 

[seeker_two]

When I look at a carry knife, I try to look past the gimmick and find out if it's a practical design that can be used for multiple tasks. I just don't see a karambit being very practical for a EDC knife due to the curved blade. Butterfly knives are a little better in this regard, but they don't have any advantage to a good folder.....and both are inferior to a fixed-blade knife.

I thought the Ka-Bar TDI knife was a gimmick knife like the karambit when I first saw it. Then, after I handled one, I found it to be extremely practical and ergonomic for SD and EDC uses. The TDI plain-blade is now my EDC knife, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good knife.

http://www.reactgear.com/KA-BAR-TDI-Law-Enforcement-p/kb148-p.htm