Self-defense with a Knife!

[Beiruty]

What is the general attitude when someone defend himself with a Knife? I mean do DA look at it such use of weapon differently then the use of firearm?
I will give an example, say an intruder broken in at night, you were aware about the break in, ambushed the intruder and delivered a deadly strike with a large size knife (say at the neck area).

[74novaman]

I think a few stabs would look better than, say, 57. If you were going to use a knife, you better go for a critical area, fast. Waiting for someone to bleed out from a knife cut can give them an awfully long time to hurt you in return.

Though the question begs: Why use a knife when you can use a stand off defensive weapon like a gun?

[Beiruty]

I think a few stabs would look better than, say, 57. If you were going to use a knife, you better go for a critical area, fast. Waiting for someone to bleed out from a knife cut can give them an awfully long time to hurt you in return.

Though the question begs: Why use a knife when you can use a stand off defensive weapon like a gun?

Lucky me, I own a gun for self defense. There are times where you can't be in procession of firearms, e.g. in posted 30.06 building. Still one has to defend himself somehow, this is why I asked.

[snorri]

There's no legal difference but there may be an emotional difference, especially for people who associate knives with minority groups they dislike.

[74novaman]

I think a few stabs would look better than, say, 57. If you were going to use a knife, you better go for a critical area, fast. Waiting for someone to bleed out from a knife cut can give them an awfully long time to hurt you in return.

Though the question begs: Why use a knife when you can use a stand off defensive weapon like a gun?

Lucky me, I own a gun for self defense. There are times where you can't be in procession of firearms, e.g. in posted 30.06 building. Still one has to defend himself somehow, this is why I asked.

Gotcha. Well if you were planning to defend yourself with a knife, I'd recommend you study anatomy and figure out the most crippling places to use it. Perhaps looking to a stick fighting class as well? We train with guns, maybe some knife training would be beneficial as well.

[Excaliber]

I think a few stabs would look better than, say, 57. If you were going to use a knife, you better go for a critical area, fast. Waiting for someone to bleed out from a knife cut can give them an awfully long time to hurt you in return.

Though the question begs: Why use a knife when you can use a stand off defensive weapon like a gun?

Unless the knife used is an awfully little one, the above is not a true statement. In fact, knife wounds are pretty ghastly and the bleeding from them is profuse.

In some high activity neighborhoods, the folks are more afraid of a knife (if they're within striking range) than they are of a gun. They've seen lots of guys shot and live. Then they've seen the results of those knife wounds....

For a better understanding of this, Google "Knife Wounds" and use the image search function. I didn't include a link here because those pictures aren't for weak stomachs and I wouldn't want anyone who didn't know what to expect to click on it and have nightmares.

You've been warned.

[74novaman]

As always, I'm glad we have people with actual experience on this board. Guess I shouldn't dispense advice from second hand knowledge...listened to a few people who claimed to know about "knife fighting". Sorry for giving the incorrect idea. All that being said, I'd still rather use a gun than a knife.

[longtooth]

This is true. At contact distance I would rather face a gun as a knife.
The old saying about never bring a knife to a gun fight is true if the gun is drawn & the distance is 20ft.

Truth is dont bring a gun to a knife fight either. Contact distance.

[74novaman]

After googling some of those knife wound images, I've changed my rule.

Never bring anything to a knife fight, run like heck away from one.

Some of those look insanely painful.

[ghostrider]

I thought I remember reading somewhere that statistically a person is more like to recover from gunshot wounds (handguns) than knife wounds.

In any case, I think its easier to hit a major artery with a knife than a bullet.

[2up1down]

As very well stated before,, knife wounds are more ghastly and create a different emotional response from all involved including Prosecutors, Judges and Juries. Where I grew up most 10 year old boys would have a Buck 110 or an Old Timer on them at all times. "Man needs a claw" for many utilitarian purposes. With the belief that knives are tools and weapons, your carry choice is very important. If you legally defend your self with a double edged dirk or stiletto, it may bring harsher review then a legal folding knife. Texas penal code 46 (6) "Illegal knife" means a:

(A) knife with a blade over five and one-half inches;

(B) hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;

(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;

(D) bowie knife;

(E) sword; or

(F) spear.

It takes an average of 4" blade to hit the heart for an immediate drop if you can pass through or around ribs.
so even a 'legal' blade can be most effective. Their are only several knife wounds that will immediately incapacitate or kill an attacker. Heart, Sub Clavicle, or Jugular. All are extremely nasty ways to kill someone.

So you better study up and practice if you are going to defend yourself with an edged weapon. Fairbairn-Sykes were the 'original' modern military masters, pre WWII, the Book "Get Tough" 1942 contained one of the first modern knife fighting systems. (Amazon now has many current Military titles) I would suggest you study several, because the imminent danger requiring you to defend yourself with lethal force, in such close quarter combat, means that either the attacker already has an extreme physical advantage over you (you are being choked out) or he has a weapon himself.

Very dangerous business for the untrained. So in those situations where legal firearm carry is not allowed, remember that your situational awareness and gut instinct is your BEST and actually only tactic that most will be able to employ effectively.
But an additional layer of defense is always Better. Clint Smith "one gun is none, two guns is one, three probably better"...

So, Stay heads up working in condition orange, and no matter where you are have multiple options that you have actually studied and practiced repeatedly... Your life and your loved ones depend on you. God Bless and Protect.

[srothstein]

I agree with almost everything that has been said here about use of a knife. It is really a bad idea and the photos will look bad to any jury.

But, I thought I would also give you the legal answer. In Texas, the laws on use of force do not mention the weapon or type of force used, except in one respect. The only mention that I can think of without research is the use of a firearm. By definition, firearms are deadly weapons, which means deadly force must be justified to use one. While a knife can be a deadly weapon, it is not automatically presumed to be one.

So, just as you can use your fists, baseball bat, or a brick, you can use your knife when force is legally justified. And you can use it in a fashion which meets the law on deadly force when deadly force is justified. The law should look at the justification and not the weapon.

Of course, as everyone knows, the police and DA are people and will have an emotional response also. My personal opinion, not substantiated by any studies or facts, is that they will see use of a knife as more of an unjustified attack than a firearm in the same situation.

[Excaliber]

I agree with almost everything that has been said here about use of a knife. It is really a bad idea and the photos will look bad to any jury.

But, I thought I would also give you the legal answer. In Texas, the laws on use of force do not mention the weapon or type of force used, except in one respect. The only mention that I can think of without research is the use of a firearm. By definition, firearms are deadly weapons, which means deadly force must be justified to use one. While a knife can be a deadly weapon, it is not automatically presumed to be one.

So, just as you can use your fists, baseball bat, or a brick, you can use your knife when force is legally justified. And you can use it in a fashion which meets the law on deadly force when deadly force is justified. The law should look at the justification and not the weapon.

Of course, as everyone knows, the police and DA are people and will have an emotional response also. My personal opinion, not substantiated by any studies or facts, is that they will see use of a knife as more of an unjustified attack than a firearm in the same situation.

I agree, and I think that's because of the truth of one of AndyC's observations:

Very rarely is there any such thing (2 people with knives facing off against one another) - an attack with a knife is typically either coercion (eg mugging) or an assassination (a direct, no-warning attempt on your life).

There's an unstated presumption of bad intent that accompanies use of a knife because of the reality of how knives usually come into play in injury producing incidents today.

That shouldn't influence the perception of a truly justified use of a knife in self defense - but it will, and substantial explaining will be required to convince the important folks (police and prosecutor) that this time things were different.

[The Annoyed Man]

When you've seen a knife wound that left someone's neck half sawed through, or a disembowelment - as I have - you get a healthy respect for knives real fast. The thought of being shot causes me fear. The thought of being badly cut up causes me terror.