Non-Firearm Defensive Tools

Edge of Reality: Knife Attacks Suck

March 2, 2022 By Ryan Hoover & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

Anyone who has spent much time with me knows that when it comes to interpersonal violence, I find knife attacks and threats the most frightening to deal with, and I spend a lot of time looking to avoid them. But if avoidance is not an option, there are a few things I believe everyone should know -- about the weapon, the user, and the defensive response.

Why the Knife for Self Defense?

May 24, 2017 By Chris Fry & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

I was recently asked why I’m so quick to recommend a knife, not a gun, as a primary personal-protection tool. For the purposes of this article, what I mean by a “knife” is one of the very commonplace folding knives found in almost any sporting goods store, or a small fixed-blade knife. Both of these…

Less-Lethal Defensive Tools – Exploring Non-Lethal Weapons

August 16, 2016 By Jarrod Needs & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

From time to time, I get a student who openly admits they would have a problem shooting someone.

Emotional Components of Knife Defense, Part 3

May 23, 2016 By Alessandro Padovani & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

Now we are going to discuss some psychological concepts and principles that can help students diminish their innate reluctance to use violence.

EMOTIONAL COMPONENTS OF KNIFE DEFENSE AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM THROUGH TRAINING, PART 2

May 9, 2016 By Alessandro Padovani & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

In the first part of this article, we explored some of the factors that help form our attitude toward knife use and knife defense and how they may negatively influence our ability to protect ourselves.

Emotional Components of Knife Defense, Part 1

April 25, 2016 By Alessandro Padovani & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

When I teach my defensive knife courses, at least one student always says, “I’d rather defend against a handgun than a knife. Knives scare me more than guns!”

Conventional and Unconventional Knife Grips

February 18, 2015 By Chris Fry & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

Understanding and utilizing a final fighting grip for a knife in a personal protection situation may be dictated by the urgency of the situation or the advanced preparation of the knife carrier.

Principles of the Clinch

July 31, 2013 By Justin White & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

Whether you’re a serious student of combative arts or just a casual fan of the combat sports, you’ve probably heard the term “clinch.” There seems to be an endless stream of variations, most named for the part of the world they come from (e.g., the Thai clinch or the Greco-Roman clinch) or the way they…

Pride and Glory, Life and Limb, Part II: Bridging the Gap Between Competition and Combat

June 20, 2012 By Justin White & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

In Part I of this series, we discussed some of the differences between training for sport MMA and training for real-world violence. Now that the differences, including some of the advantages and disadvantages of each, have been dealt with, let’s look at how to bridge the gap between the two sides. Here are some suggestions…

Pride and Glory, Life and Limb Part I: Differences Between Competition and Combat

June 7, 2012 By Justin White & filed under All Articles, Non-Firearm Defensive Tools.

Opinions on training for competition, such as sport Jujitsu or Mixed Martial Arts, versus training for real-world conflict fall over a wide spectrum. On one end is a crowd that advocates “If it won’t work in the cage, it won’t work anywhere,” and at the other extreme is an equally large group insisting “There are…