[quote]devildog_jim wrote:
First on defensive movement:
I thought I had pretty good footwork. Then I fought an NCAA division 1 wrestler. Holy. Fuck. I spent about 4:30 of the first 6 minutes flat on my back. All the takedown avoidance and distance control I practiced for months didn’t work, he was just able to shoot faster and from much further out than I was used to, and he took me down at will. It’s nice to talk about having great evasion, but all my punch and kick avoidance skills (which actually are pretty good) didn’t do jack monkey squat to keep me out of range of attacks I wasn’t used to.
Second, on knives:
As a fighting knife, I prefer the Applegate-Fairbairn to the K-Bar. Thrusting is far superior to slashing as far as lethality and effectiveness in a knife fight, and most of my training is centered on thrusting attacks. The K-bar is a better tool knife, and a better slashing knife, but as a thrusting weapon there is very little that does the job like a stiletto bladed double edge diamond cross section knife.
My personal favorite is the Mercworx Sniper Chili. Big fixed blade, durable, good grip and good steel. Get you some: http://www.mercworx.com/products/Sniper-Chili.html[/quote]
Devildog_jim,
Great post. You indicated you are/were military, thank you for your service.
I completely agree on footwork, although my experience was in training not a fight, and I had trouble for more than 6 minutes. Exceptional athletes can do things that are, well, exceptional and your too far away shot is an example. If I had a dollar for every time I though “That isnâ??t supposed to work.” As it was being done to me, I could buy more/or better whiskey.
On knives, this may be semantics, but I wouldnâ??t consider the Applegate-Fairburn to be a stiletto. It has too broad a blade, thus it can take usable edges that allow it to cut and slash as well as pierce. It is a very well thought out dagger. The Fairburn-Sykes on the other hand is a stiletto and pretty much a pure stabber, and I donâ??t care for it at all. It is basically a properly balanced sharpened screw-driver and I think trading the ability to use edges, even if only to parry or counter, for better puncture wounds is a poor trade. The broader blade of the Applegate also means it will cut/damage more per stab. The knife you posted looks to be an even better way of achieving this and may be going on my list of weapons I donâ??t have any use for but want along with a good cutlass and an axe (francisca or norse).
My preference for a general use knife over a weapon likely comes from my Low Speed High Drag standing. I have never served in the military and am not LEO. So, tools get more use. As a civilian I also look for things I can just carry and not be breaking any laws or freaking out day to day people, so shorter/smaller is usually better. You indicated you are currently in law enforcement and have military training. If you are looking for a somewhat decent folder ,that allows for better thrusting, you may want to consider the Cold Steel Ti-lite. The company gets plenty of well-deserved shit for their over the top marketing, but they are generally very well made at a good price point. The design is single edged, but sharp, and can be opened similar to a Waved folder by hooking on a pocket. Your LEO status would probably let you carry the 6 inch model.
http://www.coldsteel.com/tilite.html
