Krav Maga Knife Defense
Teaching a real world self defence system it is important that we are able to look at what the current trends are in crime in the UK.
Many martial art systems and combat sports profess to teach self defence, when in fact they have many holes in their game. No ground game? Then its not complete. No stand up? Good luck with that. No weapons? Well, in the UK a huge 25% of all street fights, attacks and assaults involve a weapon! So this is definitely an area that needs to be trained in any complete self defence, street mma or combat system.
Knife Crime in the UK 
In 2019 there were 43,516 knife crime offences in the UK. Not including Manchester (they had a data recording issue). Of course there would be many more non recorded incidents. These knife offence figures are the ones provided by the Home Office and the ONS.
The current trend not only shows that injuries are increasing, but that they are becoming more severe, the victims are getting younger and there is a marked increase in the number of young girls involved.
In these latest figures for the UK about half of the offences were assaults (21,700) and the others were mainly robbery with the weapon used as a threat (20,172)
25% of attacks in the UK involve the use of a weapon 
These are broken down into 4 main groups:
- Knives/stabbing implements
- Impact weapons
- Glasses/bottles
- Other
The most common types of violence of course tend to be punching, kicking, pushing or slapping someone. From a self defence perspective, we need to attribute a fair amount of time into the hand to hand combat side of things, how to strike, grapple, wrestle and so on. However we need to train for that 25% of weapon based attacks and also to take into account that the damage done by a weapon can also be much more severe than that done by a punch or kick alone.
In 2019, 22,041 people were cautioned, reprimanded or convicted of carry a knife. Most of these were adults, but one in five were under the age of 18.
A City Problem
Knife crime is certainly more prevalent in large cities. London has by far the biggest knife crime problem largely attributed to gang violence, budget cuts and disputes amongst drug dealers.
These matters are to a large degree out of our hands, we can get involved with youth work, we can donate to charities, we can vote and we can prepare ourselves.
Essential for Your Safety
Edged weapons self-defense training is critical for individuals who want to be prepared for real-life situations where a knife may be used as a weapon. Knowing how to defend against a knife is essential for your safety and the safety of others.
Situational Awareness
One of the most important aspects of edged weapons self-defense training is situational awareness. Being aware of your surroundings can help you to identify potential threats and avoid dangerous situations. If you find yourself in a situation where someone is wielding a knife, it’s essential to remain calm and assess the situation.
Knife Defense
When it comes to defending against a knife, the first rule is to avoid getting cut. This can be achieved by keeping a safe distance from the attacker and using footwork to move away from their attacks. It’s also crucial to use your arms to defend against the knife, by creating a barrier between yourself and the attacker. Your goal is to prevent the knife from making contact with your body.
Another effective technique for defending against a knife is to use redirection and disarming techniques. This involves redirecting the knife away from your body and disarming the attacker. This can be achieved through a variety of techniques, such as trapping the attacker’s hand and twisting their wrist, or striking vulnerable points on the attacker’s body to create an opening for disarmament.
Overall, edged weapons self-defense training is crucial for anyone who wants to be prepared for real-life situations. The key is to remain calm, keep a safe distance, use your arms to create a barrier, and employ redirection and disarming techniques when possible. With proper training, you can increase your chances of survival in a knife attack scenario.
Here are five things you can do to improved your edged weapons self-defense training:
- Learn how to identify and react to potential threats: Understanding the different types of knives and other edged weapons, as well as the different ways they can be used in an attack, is critical to being able to identify and react to potential threats. Individuals should be taught how to recognize the signs of a potential attack, such as an attacker approaching from behind or exhibiting aggressive behavior.
- Learn how to defend against an attack: Knowing how to use one’s body to defend against an attacker armed with a knife is essential in self-defense situations. This includes learning how to block and deflect attacks, as well as how to use improvised weapons in the environment. The training should also cover how to disarm an attacker and how to escape from a dangerous situation.
- Stay aware of one’s surroundings: Situational awareness is an important part of self-defense. Individuals should be taught how to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid dangerous areas, and stay alert for potential threats.
- Carry personal defense items: Carrying personal defense items, such as a personal alarm, can help deter attackers or alert others to the situation. Individuals should be taught how to properly use these items and when to use them.
- Practice regularly: Edged weapons self-defense techniques require practice to become proficient. Regular training and practice are essential for retaining the skills and techniques necessary for effective self-defense.
Edged weapons self-defense training is an essential part of personal safety. Knowing how to defend against attackers armed with knives or other edged weapons can provide individuals with the confidence and skills needed to protect themselves in a dangerous situation. Key aspects of training include learning to identify and react to potential threats, practicing defensive techniques, staying aware of one’s surroundings, carrying personal defense items, and regularly practicing and honing skills.
Always remember that in any eventuality that you are your own first responder.
Jim
Sources: https://www.ons.gov.uk/, https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice, https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office
