The key here is to close the distance, which is the opposite of what we think when we have a fire arm. In a situation where you cannot have one... this "close the distance" is crucial to survival when your only defense is a knife. I would like to ask Michael what brand of knife he routinely carries? Well done guys!
He’s using a Spyderco Yojimbo trainer in this clip. He designed the Wharncliff style blade. Though not original, he helped launch the “tactical” version of that blade style for its extreme effectiveness as a slashing/thrusting blade.
In my opinion this is a very dangerous technique. If i would be the person with the crowbar i would support my atack with a covered knife in my week Hand. A working defence against the crowbar but the knife would kill. The full concentration is on the Arm with the crowbar even the whole Body is turned in direction crowbar you open your back for a atack and get killed!
I like that mike conceals via context the fact that yes your damaging nerves/tendons and muscle but you’re also, puncturing/cutting arteries. Brachial, femoral. As well as covering any arterial spray from the armpit by covering it with the opponent’s arm. He won’t say it. But it’s there.
The problem I have with many of these knife-based self defense maneuvers is that, so far, I never see them done in full force at full speed. Even the "put it all together" speed was slow and choreographed in addition to the attacker just standing there and not wildly failing around like he's in a fight for his life. I understand you don't want to hurt the other person you're training with, but I find it difficult to believe this could work in real life without seeing it done in full force/speed with the "attacker" free to do what he wants. Also, that's a lot of motion to get the attacker to lose his grip on a weapon. Wouldn't it be easier to block the crowbar and severe the trunks of the brachial plexus with a single inferior and anterior stabbing motion behind the clavicle (along the mid-clavicular line) and in front of the trapezius? The brachial plexus trunks are relatively unprotected and and severing the trunks would paralyze the attacker's entire arm in a single move. If anyone knows an instructor who teaches with these points in mind please post a link or contact info in a reply. Disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing of knife fighting (and have a working understanding of human anatomy) so I admit I could easily be wrong about nearly everything I said.
Regarding your comment about practicing at speed, you watched a demonstration of a tactic. It has to be done at much slower speed for the cameras to pick it up. When practiced at speed, this tactic can be performed in under a second. This is because knife fighting movements are usually small and don't require much power. This makes them very fast. Knives are also very precise, which means they require significant levels of training to use properly in this manner. Regarding your comment about the brachial plexus, that is a target that is talked about, but how Micheal Janich was holding his knife in this scenario made it an impractical target. It is also a relatively precise target and is close to large arteries and veins. This means it needs to be trained. This target's proximity to those arteries and veins also goes against Janich's preferred defensive philosophy which is more focused on disabling attackers as apposed to killing them. He tends to avoid targets that have a higher probability of killing as apposed to disabling. "Defanging the snake" is what it is often called.
@@VTdarkangel Wow, excellent response. I see what you're saying on all counts. Does the type of knife matter? Is there a general consensus on what is best or does it come down to personal preference?
@@magnanimus9692 Type of knife is as personal as type of gun you want to carry. It is all a personal decision based on trained tactics and as well as other factors such as what you want people to see and if you intend it you use as a general purpose tool or a more specialized weapon. I personally carry a relatively mundane folding knife that I can open one handed. Reasons are I wanted a knife that is quite utilitarian in its presence because I don't to want appear as a "tacticool" individual but still be able to use it defensively if necessary. I also use it as a general purpose cutting tool, so that affected my choice as well.
@@VTdarkangel Those are good reasons to pick a knife IMO. Last thing anyone wants is tacticool knife being help up as evidence to a jury. Thanks for your input :)
As for the best knife to carry, it is the one you are most proficient with. I carry a knife as a tool not necessarily as a weapon for self defense. The more important thing to worry about is keeping it nice and sharp. I collect knives and usually go for one of my cold steel knives for most everyday carry. They are incredibly durable, relatively inexpensive and most of their fold out pocket knives feature a quick deploy pocket tab. They are the fastest deploying pocket knives I've ever handled. I have yet to see a design that is quicker!
Problem is, most of these techniques aren’t taking into account the fact he has 2 legs, and another arm to grab, punch, strike etc.. I carry a pocket knife for self defense because I live in a rather undesirable neighborhood mike you have created a great base foundation martial art specializing in edged weapons regardless.
My first discovery when in a knife fight, lots of blood. Each attack has the potential of cutting a vain or artery. Any time you strike a major blood source, your attacker is likely to back off.
Most gun fights are within 3 feet! In an attack you want to get out of the danger zone, not go at it with your Kershaw! Situational awareness, and move+shoot practice is way more valuable than knife fighting skills. This is some movie, or karate dojo bull-shiitake. If it takes more time to bring a pistol to bear than it does to take out and open a pocket knife and close the distance you need to rethink your methods. Being proficient at edged weapon combat takes a lot more practice, and presents a much greater chance of personal injury than making distance and shooting. I would take moving away whilst firing a pistol over getting closer and trying to cut someone with a damned pocket knife. Knife fighting skills? Okay Napoleon Dynamite!
Exception to every rule, of course. If it is all you have (for some reason) do what you can. I honestly would take pepperspray over a pocket knife in a fight.
You do whatever you want man. I'll I am saying is that the skill and training needed to defend yourself with a knife is a lot more involved than using a pistol, or even OC. If someone has something they are swinging at you, getting closer is a bad idea for 99% of us. This whole, if he does this, you do that is nonsense. Especially in a life and death situation. The training, skill, strength, mental fitness, dexterity, and speed needed to not die in this instance takes a long time, and a lot of effort to develop. You go to block this guy swinging that and find he's 10 times stronger than you and stoned out of his mind you're screwed. This scenario requires you to be able to predict and counter a lot of stuff happening and real street fights are not like that.
@Bill Randleman 3 knife fights? Dang. I just don't really think knife fighting is realistic from most people. Like I said, I would personally rather try my luck with OC before a knife. I am not a fast person, nor am I overly strong. Of course the best fight is the one you don't have, but if I am swinging my pocket knife at someone then a lot of other things have already gone wrong.
Basically what you're saying is people need to get some training. Even if just rudimentary so they have an idea of what to do if all they have is a knife. For me this doesn't work since I am left-handed. Left on left would be easily transferable from what you showed. But left on right or right on left takes yet another perspective. The real bottom line is knowing how to disable with a knife. Stabbing is great for killing. Slicing works for disabling. In this instance as soon as his forearm muscles were severed he would lose grip on the weapon. For me I would move on to the final step of removing his leg from the equation as long as a weapon was the equation. In my thinking way too many steps on trying to disable the rest of the arm before crippling him while in the meantime the other arm is still a threat. If perchance he had a firearm and a human arm to operate it with, he just might shoot you if you try to run away. Just some random thoughts from old dude. Thank you guys for your videos.
Beware any technique that requires your opponent to stand perfectly still while you execute 2, 3, or more counters against them (and launch an initial attack at an angle that wouldn't contact the defender, even if they completely missed their initial block). "Cut - check" becomes "Cut - crowbar to the defender's head - check - straight left to the defender's jaw" here. Not realistic training.
Rick the statue like quality of the " opponent" is for traing purpose es and to allow the viewers to observe. Rest assured Mr. JANICH. can move and will a addapt to any movement or reaction , this is some of the most practical and digestable training ive seen. I have followed this man for years he is the real deal.
live4wild - your place of work is irrelevant. What does the LAW state? Is it legal to use a knife in self-defence and which state are you referring to? If you are influenced by weapons policies UNSUPPORTED BY STATE LAW by private establishments you need to consider ignoring them if you truly respect your life. I find it highly unlikely your state allows knife carry but not Pistol carry.
@@sqwk2559 It has a lot of grey area and I am not a Lawyer. Michigan - Carrying firearm or dangerous weapon with unlawful intent-Any person who, with intent to use the same unlawfully against the person of another, goes armed with a pistol or other firearm or dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than 2,500 dollars.
Checking a swinging arm AFTER cutting it is unrealistic. In combatives we teach to get inside so as to take the crow bar out of the equation then lock up the arm and do your damage with the knife.
That's a much better approach for most people, given the scenario he laid out about not having many movement options. He actually didn't get inside far or fast enough in my humble opinion. He needs to be in kissing range with a knife versus that crowbar and unable to expand the gap.
That was just for the sake of the camera and drill. The hand check would come much faster and closer to the original knife strike. He's slowing it down on purpose.
@@thaynealexander that's fine, he can go in slow motion if he wants but actually record it in fast motion. The chances of you having an attacker swing wide and slow enough to actually do a check are so unlikely, you would be better off just kicking him in the inside of the closest knee and running.
The key here is to close the distance, which is the opposite of what we think when we have a fire arm. In a situation where you cannot have one... this "close the distance" is crucial to survival when your only defense is a knife. I would like to ask Michael what brand of knife he routinely carries? Well done guys!
Spyderco,it's all I ever see him use
Yea spiderco seems too be his go too.
Research Spyderco Yojimbo 2 or Ronin 2. He designed them and very interesting and logical design.
He’s using a Spyderco Yojimbo trainer in this clip. He designed the Wharncliff style blade. Though not original, he helped launch the “tactical” version of that blade style for its extreme effectiveness as a slashing/thrusting blade.
👍 Perfect!
In my opinion this is a very dangerous technique. If i would be the person with the crowbar i would support my atack with a covered knife in my week Hand. A working defence against the crowbar but the knife would kill. The full concentration is on the Arm with the crowbar even the whole Body is turned in direction crowbar you open your back for a atack and get killed!
I like that mike conceals via context the fact that yes your damaging nerves/tendons and muscle but you’re also, puncturing/cutting arteries. Brachial, femoral. As well as covering any arterial spray from the armpit by covering it with the opponent’s arm. He won’t say it. But it’s there.
Extremely difficult to do if he is coming at you very aggressively and quickly.
The problem I have with many of these knife-based self defense maneuvers is that, so far, I never see them done in full force at full speed. Even the "put it all together" speed was slow and choreographed in addition to the attacker just standing there and not wildly failing around like he's in a fight for his life.
I understand you don't want to hurt the other person you're training with, but I find it difficult to believe this could work in real life without seeing it done in full force/speed with the "attacker" free to do what he wants.
Also, that's a lot of motion to get the attacker to lose his grip on a weapon. Wouldn't it be easier to block the crowbar and severe the trunks of the brachial plexus with a single inferior and anterior stabbing motion behind the clavicle (along the mid-clavicular line) and in front of the trapezius? The brachial plexus trunks are relatively unprotected and and severing the trunks would paralyze the attacker's entire arm in a single move.
If anyone knows an instructor who teaches with these points in mind please post a link or contact info in a reply.
Disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing of knife fighting (and have a working understanding of human anatomy) so I admit I could easily be wrong about nearly everything I said.
Regarding your comment about practicing at speed, you watched a demonstration of a tactic. It has to be done at much slower speed for the cameras to pick it up. When practiced at speed, this tactic can be performed in under a second. This is because knife fighting movements are usually small and don't require much power. This makes them very fast. Knives are also very precise, which means they require significant levels of training to use properly in this manner.
Regarding your comment about the brachial plexus, that is a target that is talked about, but how Micheal Janich was holding his knife in this scenario made it an impractical target. It is also a relatively precise target and is close to large arteries and veins. This means it needs to be trained. This target's proximity to those arteries and veins also goes against Janich's preferred defensive philosophy which is more focused on disabling attackers as apposed to killing them. He tends to avoid targets that have a higher probability of killing as apposed to disabling. "Defanging the snake" is what it is often called.
@@VTdarkangel Wow, excellent response. I see what you're saying on all counts.
Does the type of knife matter? Is there a general consensus on what is best or does it come down to personal preference?
@@magnanimus9692 Type of knife is as personal as type of gun you want to carry. It is all a personal decision based on trained tactics and as well as other factors such as what you want people to see and if you intend it you use as a general purpose tool or a more specialized weapon. I personally carry a relatively mundane folding knife that I can open one handed. Reasons are I wanted a knife that is quite utilitarian in its presence because I don't to want appear as a "tacticool" individual but still be able to use it defensively if necessary. I also use it as a general purpose cutting tool, so that affected my choice as well.
@@VTdarkangel Those are good reasons to pick a knife IMO. Last thing anyone wants is tacticool knife being help up as evidence to a jury. Thanks for your input :)
As for the best knife to carry, it is the one you are most proficient with. I carry a knife as a tool not necessarily as a weapon for self defense. The more important thing to worry about is keeping it nice and sharp. I collect knives and usually go for one of my cold steel knives for most everyday carry. They are incredibly durable, relatively inexpensive and most of their fold out pocket knives feature a quick deploy pocket tab. They are the fastest deploying pocket knives I've ever handled. I have yet to see a design that is quicker!
I’d love to see more like this.
Thank you for your feedback, Anthony! :)
That was awesome, what a great video....thank you, definitely something to practice on, great information.
Problem is, most of these techniques aren’t taking into account the fact he has 2 legs, and another arm to grab, punch, strike etc.. I carry a pocket knife for self defense because I live in a rather undesirable neighborhood mike you have created a great base foundation martial art specializing in edged weapons regardless.
One sharp knife cutting through material, skin and muscle to the bone
How would you deal with the same attack for left handers?
This is covered in one of his TH-cam videos; forgot which one.
Thank you your time.
I get it.
My first discovery when in a knife fight, lots of blood. Each attack has the potential of cutting a vain or artery. Any time you strike a major blood source, your attacker is likely to back off.
Have a gun, have a gun, have a gun gun gun!
Most gun fights are within 3 feet! In an attack you want to get out of the danger zone, not go at it with your Kershaw! Situational awareness, and move+shoot practice is way more valuable than knife fighting skills. This is some movie, or karate dojo bull-shiitake. If it takes more time to bring a pistol to bear than it does to take out and open a pocket knife and close the distance you need to rethink your methods. Being proficient at edged weapon combat takes a lot more practice, and presents a much greater chance of personal injury than making distance and shooting. I would take moving away whilst firing a pistol over getting closer and trying to cut someone with a damned pocket knife. Knife fighting skills? Okay Napoleon Dynamite!
Exception to every rule, of course. If it is all you have (for some reason) do what you can. I honestly would take pepperspray over a pocket knife in a fight.
You do whatever you want man. I'll I am saying is that the skill and training needed to defend yourself with a knife is a lot more involved than using a pistol, or even OC. If someone has something they are swinging at you, getting closer is a bad idea for 99% of us. This whole, if he does this, you do that is nonsense. Especially in a life and death situation. The training, skill, strength, mental fitness, dexterity, and speed needed to not die in this instance takes a long time, and a lot of effort to develop. You go to block this guy swinging that and find he's 10 times stronger than you and stoned out of his mind you're screwed. This scenario requires you to be able to predict and counter a lot of stuff happening and real street fights are not like that.
@Bill Randleman 3 knife fights? Dang. I just don't really think knife fighting is realistic from most people. Like I said, I would personally rather try my luck with OC before a knife. I am not a fast person, nor am I overly strong. Of course the best fight is the one you don't have, but if I am swinging my pocket knife at someone then a lot of other things have already gone wrong.
@Bill Randleman I see. Do you have some martial arts training? Military?
So awesome! Thank you so much for these videos the give me the confidence to practice and not just rely on my firearm.
Brutal and messy but effective.
Holy crap. This guy has thought WAY too much about skewering people.
Somebody has to. The only way to teach all of us to stay alive.
What about the left hand/arm. I prefer a baton over a knife, but I know not everybody can carry a baton.
what's the check for
Basically what you're saying is people need to get some training. Even if just rudimentary so they have an idea of what to do if all they have is a knife.
For me this doesn't work since I am left-handed. Left on left would be easily transferable from what you showed. But left on right or right on left takes yet another perspective. The real bottom line is knowing how to disable with a knife. Stabbing is great for killing. Slicing works for disabling. In this instance as soon as his forearm muscles were severed he would lose grip on the weapon. For me I would move on to the final step of removing his leg from the equation as long as a weapon was the equation. In my thinking way too many steps on trying to disable the rest of the arm before crippling him while in the meantime the other arm is still a threat. If perchance he had a firearm and a human arm to operate it with, he just might shoot you if you try to run away. Just some random thoughts from old dude. Thank you guys for your videos.
Part of my EDC...go info
The old adage, just use what you got. Bowie, or Swiss Army, but use it to your advantage. There are no rules in a fight.
Yeah, that would be pretty bad if it went according to plan but it rarely does in these situations.
Especially if they have a jacket on!
Beware any technique that requires your opponent to stand perfectly still while you execute 2, 3, or more counters against them (and launch an initial attack at an angle that wouldn't contact the defender, even if they completely missed their initial block). "Cut - check" becomes "Cut - crowbar to the defender's head - check - straight left to the defender's jaw" here. Not realistic training.
Easy to criticize, Stephen. What is"realistic"? Thank you Michael for educating us.
Rick Klawitter - if this ‘educates’ you then you are an idiot.
@@sqwk2559 Thanks for elevating the discussion by name calling.
Rick the statue like quality of the " opponent" is for traing purpose es and to allow the viewers to observe. Rest assured Mr. JANICH. can move and will a addapt to any movement or reaction , this is some of the most practical and digestable training ive seen. I have followed this man for years he is the real deal.
Pratical & easy to rem.
Thank you, I have places where I can't carry a firearm by Law.
live4wild - but you think the same place allows legally held knifes? Lol.
@@sqwk2559 Yes - most of the time you can carry knives. I also can't carry a firearm at work, but I carry a knife at work.
live4wild - your place of work is irrelevant. What does the LAW state? Is it legal to use a knife in self-defence and which state are you referring to? If you are influenced by weapons policies UNSUPPORTED BY STATE LAW by private establishments you need to consider ignoring them if you truly respect your life. I find it highly unlikely your state allows knife carry but not Pistol carry.
@@sqwk2559 It has a lot of grey area and I am not a Lawyer. Michigan - Carrying firearm or dangerous weapon with unlawful intent-Any person who, with intent to use the same unlawfully against the person of another, goes armed with a pistol or other firearm or dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than 2,500 dollars.
@@sqwk2559 Thanks for the comment. This is something I need to read more on. I always carry a pocket knife or folder on me.
No one can not do that in real fight. People not moving like zombie.
Damn this is aikido
Next week Kevin is going to demonstrate how you defend yourself with mad bo staff skills?
There’s absolutely zero point in showing this to the everyday inexperienced person. It’s great if you are a seasoned fighter. That’s it.
There is a big difference between sparing in a room and fighting someone in a dark alley too.
Checking a swinging arm AFTER cutting it is unrealistic. In combatives we teach to get inside so as to take the crow bar out of the equation then lock up the arm and do your damage with the knife.
That's a much better approach for most people, given the scenario he laid out about not having many movement options. He actually didn't get inside far or fast enough in my humble opinion. He needs to be in kissing range with a knife versus that crowbar and unable to expand the gap.
That was just for the sake of the camera and drill. The hand check would come much faster and closer to the original knife strike. He's slowing it down on purpose.
@@thaynealexander that's fine, he can go in slow motion if he wants but actually record it in fast motion. The chances of you having an attacker swing wide and slow enough to actually do a check are so unlikely, you would be better off just kicking him in the inside of the closest knee and running.
I call BullSh!te on this type of USCCA training!!!!!
For God's sake...
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂