Preparing For And Surviving a Violent Attack Part 1: Don’t Bring A Gun To A Knife Fight
Yes, the title is somewhat "clickbait." But there is also truth to it. We have all heard the saying, "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight." The obvious indication is a gun is a superior weapon to a knife. I do not necessarily believe that. I think that a gun is a different weapon than a knife. Both are effective, lethal weapons for self-defense. They both have their place, and the scenario will dictate the most applicable one.
As a cop, I carried a gun every day for over thirty years. I was always a person who also carried a knife. But, until around five years ago or so, it was mainly as a tool. Not as much as a weapon. That was until I was introduced to using a knife as a secondary weapon at a defensive tactics re-trainer. The owner of Strategic Self-Defense and Gun-Fighting Tactics, Johnny Smith, brought someone in to do a class on using knives as a secondary weapon. That man was retired Green Beret Jack Nevils. Jack is a fantastic firearms instructor but also excellent with a knife.
His knife of choice was a Kershaw/Emerson. It is made by Kershaw but featured the "wave" that was patented by Ernest Emerson. It's a folding knife clip for your pocket. It allows the knife to be opened immediately upon its removal from your pocket. From that day forward, I was hooked. I now own several Kershaw/Emerson (which are very affordable) and a dozen or so "true Emerson's" (not as reasonable).
Knives as a weapon became a passion of mine. I attended seminars and studied every instructional video I thought was relevant. SSGT also put together a formal user and instructor course. Several other instructors and I went through their first class. We incorporated knives as a secondary weapon for our Deputies. We were one of the first in our state to do so. I can't imagine any cop not having this training and option.
As I progressed with training, it became evident that a knife isn't just a "backup" or secondary weapon. As a weapon for civilian self-defense, it could be your primary weapon. This will cause some debate, but let's look at a few things:
Do you always have your firearm on you?
How proficient are you with your firearm, and how much do you train with it? What type of training do you do? Are you a "gun-shooter" or a "gun-fighter"
Do you have any weapon retention training in and out of the holster?
Do you have any combatives training or "force on force" training that incorporates your firearm
Have you considered this? Some scenarios prompt you to carry a firearm, and a firearm may not be feasible.
I will cover most of these in depth in the next few weeks. I will dive deep into different types of firearms for different scenarios (personal defense, home defense, what to carry in your vehicle, etc.). I will also cover less lethal options and things I carry every day. (EDC). I will give suggestions on types of training and individuals or companies to seek out for it.
I will cover number one now. I know I don't always have a gun on me. I carry more than I used to, but not always. But I always have a knife on me (or two or three). The only time you will catch me without a knife on me is when I'm sleeping. That's only so I don't have a bad dream and stab my wife or myself. But it's not that far away from me. A lot of time, my knife is my primary weapon because that's all I have. I practice my knife and gun-fighting skills with training weapons several times a week. In the coming weeks, I will also cover training equipment and tips to help you become a better combatant and defender of yourself and your family.
To answer the question of whether you should carry a knife or a gun, the answer is simple: carry both. If you carry regularly and don't carry a knife, order a Kershaw/Emerson 4XL today (Amazon has them for around $40). Getting the "trainer" version isn't a bad idea. It will be less dangerous until you get the opening down. You can also keep training with it forever. If you don't carry either but are worried about self-defense, I'd start with a knife. I am a knife fanatic; I have every type and size you can get. I have folders, fixed blades, neck knives, you name it! But, you will likely catch me with a knife with the Emerson wave feature. I swear by these, and several people I respect and have trained under do as well.
Knives are a great tool, a self-defense weapon, and a must for everyday carry. Everyone I love has a Kershaw/Emerson. That's what I give as presents. As General Mattis says, always carry a knife, they might have cheesecake, or there might be a throat that needs to be slit!