BORELLI CONSULTING: Recommended Reading

Edged Weapon Awareness
By: Al Garcia, 26 May 2003

Threats involving an edged weapon must be handled with extreme caution. Usually when we think of an edged weapon we think of a knife. But it's important to remember that the variety of edged weapons is limited only by our imagination.

Here is a partial list of potentially deadly edged weapons:
o Knives, razors, box cutters
o Garden rakes, shovels
o Screwdrivers, ice picks
o Swords, daggers, machetes
o Claw Hammers, wood chisels
o Hypodermic needles

And then we have makeshift weapons such as:
Broken glass (bottles, windows) sharpened keys, tooth brushes, even eyeglass frames.

The list is endless, but I'm sure you get the point (no pun intended)

What makes edged weapons so dangerous?

They are easy to conceal, make no noise, never run out of ammunition, are difficult to trace, and are deadly. They can be used to stab and/or slash the victim. And keep this in mind: About 90% of your vital arteries are within an inch of the skin. So even the smallest pen knife has a lethal capability.

Defending against the blade

Control is the key. You must learn to control time and distance; control the person, or the weapon's delivery system.

If you control the distance and maintain a reactionary gap, you cannot be hurt. For someone to stab or slash you, they must enter your personal space to reach you. If you maintain this gap, obviously no one can injure you. This gap affords you time to execute evasive of defensive maneuvers.

Police trainers have studied the relationship between time, distance, and the ability to defeat an armed attacker. In facing and edged weapons threat, you must widen the reactionary gap and, if possible, use cover or obstacles to slow down and attacker.

Distance and cover give you the needed time to either disengage or access your weapon and use it to control the assailant.

Controlling the person

This means if you have a weapon and the suspect has means, opportunity and expresses intent to harm you, you shoot. If you're not armed, or aren't ready to shoot, control the person by attacking his vision, wind, and limbs. Striking his eyes can disable an attacker. It also redirects his attention away from attacking you to protecting his eyes. That moment of distraction can save your life.

Striking his throat can cause excruciating pain and reduce his ability to fight, giving you a chance to escape or continue your counterattack.

Striking his knees can disable your attacker, cause him to drop his weapon and, maybe even change his attitude for the better.

Control the delivery system

A knife wielding assailant needs what we calla delivery system. In simple terms it means an arm.

It is unwise to try to gain control over a knife. What you want to control is the person's arm. If you have a baton, club or any other blunt weapon, use it to hit the meaty part of the forearm.

By striking the nerve center in the forearm, you disable the arm and cause the person to drop the weapon. Never grab the weapon itself, never fight the weapon - always fight the delivery system.

Things to keep in mind

Accept the idea that you will get cut. No matter how good you are, no matter how much you train, in a knife fight you will probably get cut.

Protect you upper chest, upper abdominal area, face and neck. These are the most obvious vital areas. Approach every threat as though a weapon is present. Until you can see hands - and empty palms - assume a knife attack is possible.

Never face an assailant squarely. Continually sidestep the attacker and step in a 45 degree angle away from the trajectory of the blade. This way he always has to turn his body toward you. Keep moving, use obstacles, gain distance and attack his eyes and throat.

Speed, aggression and surprise

If threatened by someone with a knife, whatever you are going to do, do it fast. Act before your assailant has time to attack, if your reacting to his attack, you are probably going to lose. If he is reacting to you, you are more likely to survive.

Once you counterattack, don't stop until he's out of the fight, completely and forever. Strike his eyes, repeatedly. Once he is distracted and/or can't see, attack his throat, repeatedly and viciously.

He has threatened you with a knife, show no mercy. Do the unexpected. Pick up a chair. Wrap a jacket around your blocking arm. Shout verbal commands: "Freeze, Stop, Get Down" Maintain an escape route. And stay alert to the possiblitly of an edged weapons assault. If you are armed, create distance and draw your weapon..

Edged weapon danger cues:

1. Visible weapons
2. Weapons indicators (sheath, bulges under jacket, or pants legs)
3. Hidden hands
4. Hands in palming position (hands visible but palms held away)
5. Any hand movement toward danger zones
6. Resistance to verbal commands

Any edged weapon is a major threat to your life, treat it accordingly. Be alert. Always assume a weapon is present until your satisfied you are safe. Be prepared to take decisive action and win.

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