When it comes to self defense by yourself using a knife, you have to broaden your scope. It’s not just 2 humans fighting with knives, this isn’t as simple as that. This can be fatal with a killing intent behind each thrust the opponent has at you, your life is in danger. You need to address this like a lethal threat. Knives are small edge weapons, best suited for very close combat. Knives are short blades that, from the beginning have been very popular with assassins and mercenaries for getting rid of their targets and also for soldiers and warriors who need to defend themselves in a one-on-one combat.

Knives are small edge weapons, meaning they have a very small but sharp edge that can be used to cut through and penetrate your opponent or target. Most warriors underestimate the effectiveness of knives in short range combat weapons. With the proper technique, knives in the right hands, or should I say the wrong hands, can be lethal to the point of death. The most commonly used weapon for knife self defense by yourself would be the thumb ramp. Sharp thumb ramps like the ones offered by Gladiator’s Guild from the Damascus folding knives collection care some of the deadliest short range combat weapons ever. The technique and the method of self defense by yourself varies according to the situation –

The “Meet”

An opponent with a long weapon has an advantage since his range of attack is now larger than yours and he can reach you quicker that you can reach him. The best option for you to be able to self defense by yourself is to somehow disable his ability to hold on to and grip his weapon. For that you need to somehow get your knife to reach his flexor tendons and sever them so that he can’t grip on his weapon anymore. But that is difficult to do since his long weapon has an advantage in range. Therefore, we employ the technique used in martial arts defense called the “meet”. This technique basically allows you to enter the radius of the attack range of your opponent and enter a safe position. Then in the safe position you can cut the flexor tendons and use your other arm to stop the motion of the opponents arm completely thus completely defending yourself.

This also allows you room to do further damage if you assess that the opponent is a bit feisty and more durable and agile than perceived. For following up with the next attack phase, you need to cut and move your cutting hand till it reaches your body and then aim for the opponent’s armpit and get your knife in there. Close his arm and bring out the knife all the while cutting through the opponent’s arm rendering it completely docile.

This technique is pretty effective against any weapon provided you have enough practice and this technique is 2nd nature to you. Removing the grip of the opponent on his weapon is a sure-fire way to self defense by yourself in a close combat scenario.