Self Defense Series #3 - Bringing a Knife to a Gun Fight

As a long time student of the Filipino Martial Arts I have studied fighting with both long and short blades for many years.  I have heard the "don't bring a knife to a gun fight" line so many times just writing it makes my stomach turn.  So, in this post I'm going to try to cover why that line is obsolete and misleading.

When I started studying in the art of Sayoc Kali, the head of the system, Pamana Tuhon (Inheriting Master) told me that a knife fighter was someone who ran out of bullets.  I thought that was an odd saying coming from a guy who's system tag line is "All Blade, All The Time".  What Pamana Tuhon was trying to get across to me, which after a few years and several other examples I finally understood, was that there is no such thing as a knife fight!  Or a Gun fight, Or a fist fight!  There is only fighting, sometimes you have a gun, sometimes you have a blade, sometimes you use the corner of the table or your empty hands, but fighting is fighting.  Sure, each have unique tactics, etc. but during the altercation one may find oneself using all variations of weapons and empty hands!  To think of a fight as a knife fight or a gun fight or a fist fight limits the possibilities your mind is open to.  It limits not only your options but limits the scenarios you can predict and prepare for.  So, first and foremost, we must stop thinking of broken down terms of conflict.  Projectiles such as rocks, beer bottles, kittens and knives are all possible.  Firearms, blades, icepicks, belt buckles, bar stools, and cars are all commonly used weapons in physical altercations.  So training for them, with them and being open minded enough to recognize those options and possibilities is a necessary and intelligent way to prepare for violence.

Lastly is ALL weapons have a place in combat.  Each weapons catagory has it's strengths and weaknesess.  Since most weapons can be broken down into catagories such as firearms, long blade, short blade, impact weapons, flexible weapons, thrown weapons, etc. it makes sense to study and become at least proficient with each of those basic catagories.  You don't have to master them, just know how to use them effectively and understand each one's strengths and limitations.  Then during an altercation or possible altercation, you can choose which one is going to be the most appropriate tool for the job.  If you only understand one weapon, perhaps it's not appropriate or you don't have it on hand at the time.  Then what?  Understanding and being effective with many weapons, both conventional (weapons by design) and improvised (things not designed as weapons but that can be used as one) is a simple way to make sure that you will always have options to help you through a physical altercation. 

So, will a knife beat a gun.  Will a gun keep you safe against all attackers?  I'll end with a quote from the legendary Rickson Gracie "It's the man that makes the art, not the other way around." If you train hard and have the right mindset, you'll be able to use any tool when the time comes.  If not, no weapon will keep you or your family safe from the fangs of the wolf.


Guro Harley