How to Read a Knife Attack

There is no "bluffing" in a knife fight!

When the knife comes out, you have to assume that it's "go" time.

But how your attacker HOLDS his knife can give you insight into his mind...and how to plan your attack!

First, understand that this is NOT a "be all - end all" assumption of how an edged weapon attack goes down. There's no such thing as a scientific response to any attack and especially so when it comes to defending against a knife.

But after reviewing hours of real street fight edged weapon attacks, I've discovered some common characteristics in HOW men attack based simply upon how they're holding the knife.

I break these down into 3 different categories:

1. The "Show-er" - This knife grip, where it's held with the point up or facing out with the thumb forward, is the common grip of the street punk who wants to "show" the weapon and threated, but typically isn't looking for blood.

The hope is that just by showing you the knife, you'll comply with his wishes and hand over your wallet. Do so and keep your distance.

2. The "Hider" - This grip can either be with the point up or down but is most often held close to the body as a way of hiding the weapon, both from you (maybe) or bystanders (definitely).

This is a more dangerous position because this most often reveals that he's ready to attack if needed, but it's more of a "wait and see" mode. Your reaction may determine whether or not he attacks.

Diffuse the situation as best as possible and be even more ready to defend yourself should he attack and not accept your apology or submission.

Finall, there's the most dangerous...

3. The "Psycho" - This is the grip where the point of the knife is facing down as the hand is held out in front...the typical overhead stab position!

The only reason for this grip is to draw blood and as humans, we instinctively know this yields us the most force and hits the most vital targets: the head and neck.

If someone is holding the knife like this, be fully prepared to not be able to talk your way out of it.

Look for an "equalizer" such as a chair, branch, etc. that will allow you to keep them at bay and plan your escape!

More from Jeff at:
- www.CloseQuartersCombat.com
- www.AdvancedMassBuilding.com
- www.OptimumAnabolics.com
- www.CombatTheFat.com

Jeff Anderson is a 10 year veteran of the U.S. Army, a Master Fitness Trainer, and Master Instructor of Close Quarters Combat self defense. A full time fitness and self defense author, Jeff has trained thousands of men and women in the practical application of advanced military fitness methods as well as close combat tactics for "real life" self defense.

Comments

[#1 Posted by: Liz]

Excellent info!! Fantastic! Thanks for posting.

[#2 Posted by: Joe LittleBear (retired Military )]

My experience tells me that the third type who holds the knife iun a downward stabbing position is limited to that attack....whereas the first position can lunge forward,.....slash up, down right or left, or stab downward simply by turning the wrist....also, by holding the blade horizontal, the attacker is aware that the blade will penetrate between the victims ribs without becoming wedged between the ribs as it might if the blade were perphendicular to the ribs...and allows a horizontal slash between the ribs after the knife has penetrated...

[#3 Posted by: Joe LittleBear (retired Military )]

The third type,,,A.K.A. " the woman's grip" might be easier to disarm, since it is mostly limited to the downward stab...martial arts teach several countermoves to this type of attack

[#4 Posted by: Joe LittleBear (retired Military )]

The third type ( psycho ) is A.K.A. " the woman's grip " should be easier to disarm since it is limited or committed to the downward stab...many martial arts teach countermoves to block and disarm this type of maneuver....The first position....blade forward, held horizontal, thumb on the side or top of the blade.... indicates that the attacker is "street wise" enough to know that the blade will penetrate between the ribs of the victim without getting wedged between the ribs as it would if the blade were perphendicular to the ribs....also it allows a forward thrust, to slash up ,down, or sideways, and a downward stab simply by turning the wrist....also allows a horizontal slash after the knife has penetrated....

[#5 Posted by: FMA Guy]

Joe LittleBear...

wrong on both counts. the first position(thumb grip) is easiest to defend against because the knife thrust or swipe from this grip is easiest to see and to counter.

the 'woman's grip (incorrect and terribly sexist terminology which i found to be callous and ignorant -- why do you say this stuff?) is the worst to defend against because the blade is typically coming straight down on you with force greater than what the thumb grip can generate. if you use this grip to penetrate into floating rib area, for example, it WILL go in because of the weight of the force and because your hand will not slip into the bladed area.

the thumb grip hitting bone can cause the stabber to lose the knife or worse,slip the grip and cut the hand.

this is why killers who are good with knife wrap something around their hands when using thumb grip -- it keeps their grips from slipping.

how do i know all this? i've been teaching Filipino martial arts for over 20 years and know how to defend and attack with any edge weapon. knife violence has also occurred to me at various times in my life and know the type of action you must do to protect yourself. the video is very good at depicting certain types of knife handling prior to an attack. it's a good place to start if you want to be aware of your situation at the onset of a knife attack.

[#6 Posted by: GrouchyOldSoldier]

In Ref. knives:
ANY stab attack can leave your knife caught in a non-vital part of the other guy.

Then there are the guys who have seen too many movies and think throwing a knife is cool (As in throw away your weapon in a life or death situation!)

Slashing, OTOH, opens all sort of possibilities.

There are three ways to slash--deep, wide, and often.

[#7 Posted by: insaneblackninja]

FMA Guy is correct. Personally, I would much rather defend against the first position than the third. You can generate far more force with a downward strike then with a straight stab, in my experience. Additionally, if you have someone with even a little knife training and a knife with a sharpened edge, they can use the 3rd position for far more than stabbing. I have some training with knives, and you can still cut and slash and stab with the knife in the third position, you just have to position your body a little differently. I've watched a lot of training knife fights and videos of combat troops and special forces training with knives, and the third position seems to be the holding position of choice.