Real Knife Defense

[@dtoscano74]

Finally reality! This is one of the most realistic, most effective knife defense technique. If someone don't agree with me, that someone probably has never been attacked by a real knife in a real fight. Good Job.

[@jamesburris5639]

shock knife. a new level of training. i love how they are laughing. training should be fun.

[@BurtonRichardson]

+James Burris Exactly!

[@BurtonRichardson]

Have fun while training realistically.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Train with resistance and the truth is revealed!

[@regiyah]

Soo good! I love the fact that you didnt edit the part where you got shocked (cut). Very realistic and very educational.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Great question. The stronger the attacker the more difficult the defense. The technique is to drop all your weight on his one arm so that he carries that weight and restricts his mobility. The head is in a place where he probably can't knock you out. We assume that we will be hit, but keeping the head close to his body diminishes his power. Biting- he probably can't stop you with a bite, as your vital neck areas are protected. If you can't disarm, YOU start biting his arm to weaken his grip.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thank you for your comment. This scenario is if you have someone to protect and cannot run. We do a lot of work against repetitive strikes. As you noted, they are most common. Thankfully, they are a little easier (no knife attack is easy to defend against) than the type seen in the clip where my partner changed angles. Thanks again for your input. I am always looking to improve the method.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thank you. It is all about training with real resistance. That way, you honestly know what you can and cannot do. Enjoy your training.

[@TheRoeliskoel]

No problem. Nice to see an instructor who just talks to you and doesn't feel offended by the simplest questions.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Good question. Due to all this type of pressure testing, I do not like to strike at the same time because the priority is to get control of the weapon arm. There is no guarantee that the strike lands, and if it does, it may not have an effect. In the meantime, that knife is thrusting and slashing. So, crash and get control of the arm first, then you can strike (knees, head, feet) if you need.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Great question. It is possible to go for a throw, and it happens sometimes. We prioritize the disarm, but if that isn't working, you can try the throw. Just be sure to maintain the grip on the arm after the throw if you can't run away.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thanks for the link- Yes, that is how we often practice. After A LOT of training, it is actually a little easier to get in on that type because he is moving straight forward. Still not easy at all, but when the opponent is more tactical, it is that much more difficult. I will post another video showing that kind of attack. Thanks.

[@hondafo50]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm so sick of these instructors attempting to teach knife defense with simple deflects, and reassuring their students that they will maintain control with one hand, and attack with the other. Kind of makes me sick. I was invited to a self defense seminar that a Krav Maga instructor was hosting, at no point did he ever instruct to pull out the keys and wallet. Even sadder was to see how superior our tsd and aikido techniques were - even our judo knife defenses that focused on deflecting were superior. Anyways this video is exactly how we were taught in our dojo. Maintain control of the knife at all costs, knee and foot stomps, shin scrapes, and knees to the groin. Always two hands on the knife, don't get stabbed. Thank you for this video.

[@ricodsanchez6792]

Ur soo right thank u u have spoken my mind

[@BurtonRichardson]

+Edward Tomes Anyone who actually tries it out will know.

[@nHautamaki]

Very cool; I have trained with rubber/toy knives dipped in paint. In the heat of the moment, you really may not be aware of whether you have actually been stabbed by one of these toys and think you did a great job defending yourself, but the paint tells the tale. It amazes me how so many people doing/watching self-defense courses are confident they can disarm a knife attacker when they have never actually ever done so against a fully resisting attacker in their lives.

[@Las_Vegas_Combat_Academy]

@Burton Richardson- I totally agree with you and that is exactly why we I don't teach that traditional Krav Maga technique against the knife. I will shoot a video of the way I teach it and post for your review and comment! Thanks again for the correspondence. I enjoy learning from all true pros like you.

[@BurtonRichardson]

If they are available we do so with some control, but when you have that arm and he is doing everything he can to get it back or change the knife to the other hand, you'll find that concentrating on the disarm is the priority. If you can't that is when biting comes into play. Thanks for the good question.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@TheRoeliskoel This is a big concern, which is why I keep my head in a position where he can't hit me hard. Being hit isn't a problem, being damaged by strikes is. Thanks for the good comment.

[@yerrtlew]

Great Clip... Shows the reality of a knife disarm, you would have cut your hand but you still completed your objective with the great training behind you.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@RhadeConstantine Thank you- it has taken 20 years of learning and high intensity experimentation to get to this point. My sincere gratitude to all my instructors and sparring partners.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@temmy9 Thank you for your comment. I love studying those texts. Just last week I quoted Fillipo Vadi in class- "How many persons died because they did not like the art, and so they closed their doors of life...

[@BurtonRichardson]

Max, good comment. It shows that you've actually tried the technique with resistance! Switching is 1 of the 4 elements essential to account for. In the vid, my partner ( VERY good at switching) was trying to switch the knife in the beginning, but I extended his arm and used my forearm to block his hand from getting to the handle. Once he gives that up, I keep my back to him to protect the knife from being switched to the other hand. Try getting deep and turning your back to stop the switch.

[@JkdjeetkunedoBlogspot]

This training was great ! its practical...and it really do happen in real knife fights..wherein you have to sacrifice being cut to save your life...This was awesome...Mr Richardson was a great instructor / writer / director / fight choreographer

[@BurtonRichardson]

@ThomasMin1988 Thanks for the comment. Oc spray is a great tool. Some of our law enforcement officers use a small, travel size deodorant spray can to simulate oc spray during sparring.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@MayAllMyDelusions Thanks for your comment. The whole idea of entering so hard is to smother and avoid letting him get repeated jabs in. If you stay in a range where he can "jab like crazy", yes, you don't stand a chance. That is why you have to have the courage to enter very hard.

[@jcvillanueva5761]

this is the real deal

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thank you. Test everything under pressure!

[@BurtonRichardson]

@gcbarone Great question. During the footage shot for this video, the knife was arcing while on the mat and I didn't see any damage. Other students have gotten to the same position without damaging the mats. So far so good!

[@BurtonRichardson]

I appreciate your observation. If you don't move in immediately, you lose the element of surprise. An attacker will probably expect you to back up, move to the side, etc. If you show skill doing this, he will be more ready to deal with a skilled defense. Best to go in and take charge of the encounter. Attack the attacker.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@CorporalNim A cut on the hand usually does not induce shock. A deep cut, especially to blood vessels or a thrust into organs, causes shock. A friend of mine took a knife away from an assailant, and was cut in the hand during the process. No shock, just bleeding. But the point is, this is an effective method to handle an aggressive knife attacker.

[@ATACXGYM]

Thank you for yet another excellent video and aid in our training,Burton!

[@shniddles]

@BurtonRichardson FYI. I respect your work greatly. Worked with this method way back in the 80s with prison guards,, ex cons, bouncers, and that's why I have come to this conclusion.What I meant by disrupting his balance wasn't to try and knock them out, but to throw the intention of an attack(an eyejab/throat strike might land, but don't count on it)before you go for the knife. Really messes with nervous system & makes it much easier/safer when securing the arm.Happy Holidays.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@SuperOwni Still the same principle. When he moved in close enough I moved first, then he started slashing and I deflected his arm then grabbed it. Same when someone is slashing to begin with- deflect the arm first then grab. But it is very difficult, which is why we first try to use something as a weapon or shield instead of going bare handed. If you must go empty handed, deflect very hard, enter close to smother, and grab the 2 on 1.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@Whammer79 That is correct- no fail safe techniques. The knife wielding attacker has a huge advantage.

[@InkoIning]

This is so far the best realistic approach to knife defense training I have ever seen. Just a thought. Maybe you can design a competition on knife disarming techniques, some sort of a Knife MMA (of course using none lethal material) and maybe it can bring more ideas as the sport evolve.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Excellent question. You cannot take the knife totally away when they have a wrist band, but you can still take it out of his hand so he can't cut you. It makes it all a lot more difficult. Wrist band or not, this is still your best bet for controlling the knife attacker.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@godawar Thank you for the kind words.

[@BurtonRichardson]

It takes very specific training, with resistance, using good safety equipment so you can go hard. A few months of training will get your level to a considerable level, but against a real knife, it is NEVER easy. The knife attacker always has a huge advantage.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@reyedk Thank you. Glad you appreciate testing everything with true resistance.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@Churchx77 Exactly. Thank you for your comment.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Correct. Thanks for the sensible comment.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@mild7p Correct. If you spar it you find quickly that you MUST have forward pressure, as the "attacker' is not going to be stationary.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@PeidoLord The idea is to minimize the amount of damage. The knife attacker has such a great advantage that the main concept is to survive the attack. This method works very well in doing that, but expect to get cut and more than once.

[@BurtonRichardson]

I appreciate your comments. My view is that as long as the knife is secured striking is definitely recommended. Securing the knife is the priority. The rest is a fight. Thanks

[@BurtonRichardson]

@carnivalwrestler Thank you for the comment. Yes, that is the idea exactly- to give us a fighting chance if we can't run. Well put.

[@BurtonRichardson]

That is the truth! It forces you to take action in the face of fear. In other words, it develops your courage.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thanks for your post. I used to think the same thing, until I actually started sparring hard against an uncooperative partner. This is all sound in theory, but what actually happens while I am trying to poke him in the eye? He is stabbing me. If you are close enough to knee the groin, he is stabbing. So, please put on safety equipment try taking a training knife away from a partner who is trying 100% to get you. It is very enlightening!

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thanks for your comment. If you only grip his arm with one hand, most people will be able to break the grip and then then knife is moving again. The priority is to control his knife arm, and that takes two hands. If you can't get a disarm, then you start biting the arm, head-butting, etc. But don't let go of the 2 on 1 grip!

[@BurtonRichardson]

I am glad it worked out for you. This maneuver, albeit imperfect, is about the best bet against someone who is coming at you with a knife when you can't get away.

[@carnivalwrestler]

Good, workable, basic techniques to give you a fighting chance in situations where there is no escape (i.e., you can't run away). Thanks for tackling a difficult subject with useable techniques and street-applicable concepts. To me, this means a chance to survive with a few stitches, as opposed to becoming a cold piece of meat with a toe tag in a coroner's vault.

[@ojibwe69]

Watched this thing several times and I see many opportunities for you to attack his control center before you go for grabbing his arm. It makes it easier(IMO) to control the knife arm once you've disrupted his attack/balance. Most real assaults involve such rapid slashing/stabbing moves at various, unpredictable angles, that it's really hard to just go straight for the knife hand without an attack of your own.

[@Anubisspeicial]

Thanks for answering. In my experience&opinion, it's very important to have the attacker and the defender geared up and going in as if it was for real. I haven't seen a knife attack to date that would have the attacker cautious if they have a knife and the person attacked doesn't have a knife. The link isn't full because KZbin doesn't allow posting links in the comments. So it's a partial link. Just paste it at the end of .com

[@Martial-Mat]

I can't help but think that you start from an unrealistic premise. If I ever get attacked by a knife, I hope that the attacker shows me the knife for 10 seconds, stands 4 feet away and attacks half-heartedly with a straight arm whilst I'm wearing protective gloves too. It reminds me of the famous Jim Carey sketch. That said, respect to you for using a shock knife. Damned sure I wouldn't train with that. I quite liked what you did once you had his arm. My impossible search for dependable knife defence continues.

[@ricodsanchez6792]

This has been proven what more do u need

[@Phospion]

+Mat Broomfield This is a good as it gets I'm afraid pal, Blocking one arm, get the two on one, and immediatly put the point on the ground. As most dependable as it can get in such a dangerous position

[@BurtonRichardson]

+Mat Broomfield This is to train the entry and control if you are "lucky" enough to see the knife. Very difficult situation.

[@Las_Vegas_Combat_Academy]

The bottom line here is that there are no fullproof methods against an attacker who is armed and wants to kill you. We must train and adapt constantly. I believe that in a circumstance like this you have to hit the attacker. You have to strike sensitive areas groin, eyes, nose and throat. Grappling by itself will get you killed vs a knife. The video is very good and again the use of the shocknife clearly shows that Mr. Richardson is dealing in reality not fancy techniques.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@Whammer79 I understand where you are coming from, but striking rarely stops a person right away. If you strike and miss, you are indeed a human pin cushion. In all the full power pressure testing, it becomes clear that the most effective way to handle the knife attacker (although still very difficult) is to get to the 2 on 1. If the person stays outside and doesn't commit, then you may be able to strike. That's why I wore grappling gloves; just in case that scenario occurred, I could hit.

[@Las_Vegas_Combat_Academy]

Burton, I want to first say thank you for putting the video up. I want to recognize you for your accomplishments in the field of combative systems! I love the fact that you use a shocknife in the demo as I truly believe that the aparatus provides a level of reality that most instructors will not want to use in their training. There are some technical questions that I have regarding the methodology behind your defense. Is taking him to the ground part of the defense as you teach it?

[@BurtonRichardson]

@kravmaga4life Thank you for the kind words. Going to the ground is the last option, used when the first methods of disarm fail or are not available. Since my partner Scott Ishihara knows the disarms, he defended them so my only option was to turn my back and go to the ground. The disarm is very secure in that position, but you risk having others run up and kick you in the head! Still, it works very well.

[@357mrplayer]

This is one of the best ive seen .

[@reyedk]

Really great ! Now this is as realistic as you can get without risks of actually getting cut ! that electric knife looks a bit painful though. Thanx for the upload, great inspiration.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Good question. Since you are hanging on his arm with all your body weight, you can make it hard for most people to move their arm well. Breaking the grip is the tough part with someone much stronger. If he is that much stronger, we still get to the same position, but if you can't dislodge the knife, it is time to start biting his arm to weaken him. We don't like to bite if we can avoid it, due to disease, but this is a time to do it.

[@brasucasoul]

@BurtonRichardson you are right.

[@Sharkman3472]

Knife attacks are nasty and bloody! good video! A lot of martial artists who have never dealt with a real knife attack are in for a rude awakening.

[@oliwood7246]

electric badass knife ... love it

[@BurtonRichardson]

@Linkfanoftheyear Thank you for your comment. It is true that the fighter who fakes and changes angles is even more difficult to subdue, but these tactics are factored in. In this video, I thought he was coming with an angle 1, but adjusted to the lower slash. Through lots of sparring you can make the adjustment. It's not easy, but training gives you a much better chance.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Yes, very difficult. And yes, we should be questioning everything! That is why it is so important to spar it. If a technique is functional on a consistent basis, it shouldn't be hard to catch it live on video.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@SuperSeonghoon That is part of the curriculum. I call it the running attack. Main thing is to sidestep the initial rush, then deal with the subsequent attack. Of course, if someone sneaks up and shanks it is another story. Awareness first.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Two important points- you said "I think", which means you haven't actually tried it. You must try for real to understand what works and what doesn't. Second, "You have to work hard at training.". Of course. You cannot deal with a knife attack unless you have worked VERY hard at training.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@ojibwe69 Thanks for the good comment. I understand what you are saying, but trying to knock out a guy who is stabbing and slashing is very dangerous. We have tried that too and it just doesn't work very well, as you take many cuts/stabs. The priority is to control the knife arm. Through practice, you can step in and deflect the first attack, giving you a small opening to secure the arm. Try it at full speed and power and you will see what I mean.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@kravmaga4life Thank you for your comment. I think you should try sparring at 100% to see what happens when you grab with only one hand while striking. You can't assume that a strike is going to finish the opponent, or even daze him. If he is on drugs, it will do nothing to him. Securing the knife is the first priority.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Good question. The one danger of being in that position with the opponent behind is that he may be able to choke you. But it is very difficult for him to do so as long as I keep my chin tucked down to my chest. If I throw backwards headbutts, I expose my neck. In this case, the risk is not worth the reward.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thank you for your comments. I suggest you put the gear on and go all out regularly over the next couple years. We cannot assume that striking will stop an attacker, and if you are in striking range with your hands punching, there is nothing to stop the knife from reaching you. This is the result of decades of trying it out. Definitely not optimal- not being there is optimal!

[@BurtonRichardson]

@kravmaga4life Thank you. I look forward to seeing the video. Please include some sparring against a fully resisting partner so that we see what it looks like in action.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@NicaKrnKid Google shocknife for their website. Some people say that they are expensive, but I believe that they are an essential tool.

[@BurtonRichardson]

We always try to run first. If you have someone to protect, you must fight. Count on getting cut, but train to win.

[@saintfather]

Interesting. I've made pretty the same thing. I pulled an attackers arm down and crushed fingers on the asphalt. Buy the way you can't really escape knife encounter, cause an attacker always can throw it in your back. So your tactics look very natural. However it is risky as hell.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@pikassproductions Thanks for the question. How in the world do you get them to drop the knife without controlling it first? When someone rushes you, the chance of landing a knockout blow (punch, kick to the groin, eye strike, etc.) is very, very low. If you spar hard you will see that the best solution is to control the knife arm. Teachers who don't spar will rely on theory that is not sound. I hope this helps you.

[@ABmusicbiz]

i think thats where in a real confrontation striking, poking the eyes, kneeing or kicking the groin and breaking the limb if possible is probably ideal to distract and soften up the enemy before he realizes any of his options.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@PoppinCheese If you are close enough to land a punch, he is close enough to run the knife through your throat. It is very dangerous to try to strike unless you can throw one strike and run.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@gottaLOVEBrazJJ That is correct. Honor over safety.

[@pikassproductions]

@BurtonRichardson Thank you for the advice and I completely agree about techniques which work in theory but don't work in realy life. However by watching your video it looks to me as if he could have cut you. The reason why I believe his teaching works is that he has tried to use standard martial arts training during fights before and they have not worked so he has adapted his own system (which includes dacayana). I will take your advice though and try and use them during sparring, thanks!

[@BurtonRichardson]

Good idea. That would be very interesting to watch!

[@BurtonRichardson]

@dtoscano74 Thank you for your comment. Realistic testing with 100% resistance leads to realistic techniques. Pretty simple, but most people will not spar at this intensity to find out what really works.

[@shantanou]

very nice work Guru!

[@SuperSeonghoon]

Can you please post a video showing how to defend against a prison yard rush?

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@Orthrus: My martial arts instructor, an army combat veteran and high-level blackbelt in his art, taught us that a knife attack is very difficult to defend against - even in the hands of an unskilled attacker, a knife is capable of inflicting tremendous damage. Your best bet is to back off and run if possible. The thing even skilled hand-to-hand fighters fear is that a knife can be concealed so well - right up until the attacker is ready to use it. If you fight, you're gonna get cut.

[@temmy9]

The medieval fechbuchs, which were often written by men who actually used daggers and knives in deadly combat (and trained men to do the same) emphasize the importance of isolating the knife arm. As Fiore Dei Liberi wrote in Flos Duelletorum concerning the dagger: "and I shall do these five things always: Namely I take the dagger and strike, i break the arms and I bind them and I force him to the ground"

[@HughSlaman]

Burton: lots of people here keep saying that when an opponent has a knife, one should run away from it. Here is a suggestion for a game to test this. Have two players, A and B, stand at a normal conversational distance (say one arms length away). At some point, person A pulls out a knife. As soon as B sees the knife, B tries to leave the mat area as fast as he can, and A tries to catch and cut B as fast as he can. I don't think it will be as easy for B to run away as people think!

[@BurtonRichardson]

@shniddles Yes, disruption is great, but while you are moving into range to land a punch, eye gouge, etc. you have put yourself in range to be stabbed. It is possible, of course, but against an aggressive attacker, while you hit, he is stabbing or slashing. Again, the main goal is to secure the knife arm. Thanks.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Hard to get much more realistic than a shocknife without looking at severe injury. Enjoy your training!

[@Linkfanoftheyear]

The problem with training for a situation like this is not every one goes full weight force into a stab, the second someone tries a different tactict youre pretty much screwed.

[@BurtonRichardson]

Your link is not complete, please send again. My partner was coming in quite hard, just not recklessly. We do train to have one person come in with no regard for their own safety as well.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@SignorFOX Thanks for the comment- remember though, the key is SPARRING IT! It is one thing to know the principles, another thing altogether to be able to APPLY the principles. The ability to apply your knowledge (skill) is developed through resistance training, like shown in the video.

[@BadgerBJJ]

nice vid. love to see all of this tested.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@skunkapotamus He was pretty committed! Once I got in, he know that there was a danger of having the knife turned back on him, which is why he always kept an exit route ready.

[@jkdmantis]

Excellent!!!

[@BurtonRichardson]

You said, "there is no way hosea you can stick both arms out and grab the attackers knife arm like that." You just saw me do it in the video, and he did change angles.

[@BurtonRichardson]

@Thieflyfe Actually, absolutely incorrect. The attacker is highly trained, and made a very quick sidestep after the initial slash. I was able to keep enough pressure that I stayed close. If a guy is just straight arming you and keeping the knife in the rear, you can run away.

[@Sheik06]

Why didn't you use backwards headbutts while controlling the knife? that would be a good distraction

[@BurtonRichardson]

Thank you.

[@BurtonRichardson]

I agree that you won't necessarily get cut. That is fact. But many people train without resistance and believe that they could never be cut. So, the "you will get cut" line may be good psychology, so if you do see your own blood you won't panic. Just a thought. Thanks for posting.

[@BurtonRichardson]

That is called the Shocknife. Google that name and you will find their website. Great tool!

[@BigHossHackworth]

Aliveness!!!!! Good show!!!!