Would Historical Martial Arts be Useful in Modern Self-Defense?

[@TheTOXICpineapple]

There's a guy where I live who walks around with a staff. My friends and I have affectionately nick named him Gandalf, and believe he is the divine protector of the village.

[@aldor9357]

I just assume that you and your friends are all hobbits

[@TheTOXICpineapple]

maybe one day he'll take me on an adventure and see dragons and orcs and dwarves

[@mrmoth26]

I do that too (serious).

[@trentneel5829]

Support your local druids

[@xernax1841]

I would like to be such a man once.

[@Kragatar]

My karate teacher used to say... If you're in a knife fight, you *will* get cut. Your training just determines how badly.

[@cvbpo]

Kragatar this is true all blade fight end up in u getting cut in same or another

[@Bloodless101]

I learned it as "You will get cut. Don't get stabbed."

[@six2make4]

Wise man...

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

if i ever get into a knife fight, my jacket is coming off and being used as a protection cover/something to wrap around the blade.

[@darkestkhan]

Keyword here is untrained - as long as individual is untrained you can deal with him. But if he has even the most basic training then you most likely will get some sort of cut.

[@ABaumstumpf]

Short answer: Yes. Long answers: Yes, to varying degrees.

[@austinmiller6837]

Medium answer: yes , depending

[@mrmoth26]

No answer: ...

[@sponsje]

thanks for the tl;dw

[@Dragnfly_mynamewastaken]

A stranger was walking past me one day and just grabbed my shoulder out of nowhere. I kind of shoulder-shoved him away and that's when I noticed he had a knife out. I'm disabled so running away wasn't going to work. Luckily, it was raining earlier so I had a folded umbrella and he happened to have totally messed up threat sense. I hit the button, my umbrella extended... and he ran. My mind was in chaos after that but when I calmed down I just thanked my lucky stars that my not-planned-at-all plan worked. He was likely just as scared as I was and wasn't thinking clearly. The umbrella is power.

[@Edgewalker001]

He probably assumed it was loaded with poison gas, Batman always does. =p

[@nickkiller-0710]

he feared you would unscrew the umbrellas pommel, and we know how lethal that is

[@thelegendaryklobb2879]

Indiana Jones's father would agree

[@JohnDoe-on6ru]

Put a pommel on the umbrella handle.

[@MeatPlanet]

glad you're ok.

[@GophersVids]

Those sort of questions always annoy me to be honest. Any activity that trains your body would be useful in modern self defence. Bloody tap dancing twice a week would make you a better fighter than if you never got off the sofa :)

[@spencerburkhart555]

This better be the the real gopher

[@nyesis4287]

Spencer BURKHART He's got the check thing, its him.

[@xDizzyBx]

Hello Mr. Gopher, didn't expect to see you here :)

[@mr.pissshivers]

People love to aspire to be something, but always hesitate in achieving it

[@SaftonYT]

I mean that's sort of a given, no? But there are varying degrees of usefulness and most people who ask this question are interested in specific information and scenarios, such as what's featured in this video.

[@viorp6982]

any martialart > no martialart Something is always better than nothing.

[@jort93z]

Wouldn't say that. It could give you a false sense of security. If you feel like you are prepared, but you are not, you might make the wrong decision.

[@JonatasAdoM]

If you think you cannot outmatch your opponent that might save your life.

[@jort93z]

exactly jonatas.

[@InSanic13]

+Joe Morrell What, are you saying that the Kamehameha wave isn't practical for self-defense?

[@tracywu5702]

Karate yes safe. Karate no safe. Karate so-so squish like grape. Mr. Miagi

[@diggernick01]

*Life experience about knife "fighting" here* I saw a very disgusting example of using knives in a street fight. There were two guys arguing outside a bar. One of them put his hand behind his back and opened a folder there. Once their argument really heated up, he began to stab the other dude. He just pulled his arm from behind very quickly, stabbed his opponent in some random place and hid it again. So he repeated over and over, stabbed the poor fool about 10 times in several seconds. Since the victim couldn't see the arm moves, he was pretty helpless, threw a couple of punches, tried to grapple, but that was it. He soon fell over and the stabber just ran away. From what I've learned, the stabbed guy bled out in the ambulance and died, not sure if the cops ever managed to find the stabber. The whole fight (or murder) took mere moments. Moral of the story: if you can run away from a fight, do. If you can talk yourself out of a fight, do it please. You never know what does your opponent have in their pockets, what's going on in their heads and what are their abilities. Several seconds and you are dead, no questions asked. And if you cannot avoid the fight, then don't scruple when fighting, your life is very likely to be at risk. It's not DEFINITELY at risk, but I'd rather not take the chances.

[@KorithStoneheart]

Evidently the guy with the knife thought the same. That being said, if I'm arguing with a man and he reaches behind his back I'm going to be instantly wary.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I get asked this a lot as well and I think you covered a lot of the main points really well :-)

[@aldor9357]

Hi Matt

[@scholagladiatoria]

Hey

[@facina3390]

Hi Matt! I wish I had the opportunity to participate in your HEMA classes. I live in Alaska and HEMA hasn't made its way here yet. Any thoughts to moving to the other side of the world and opening a class here?☺

[@gerrystreet1745]

HI FOLKS, MATT EASTON HERE

[@kevinlobos5519]

scholagladiatoria if you made a video about this your short answer would be "context" right?

[@Billie_The_Trash_Witch]

Well in Texas you can now open carry blades of any size. So I believe that HEMA would be very useful in self defense.

[@forgottenredemption4970]

The Pissed off Marshmellow You can't carry ANY blade. There are still restrictions. A switchblade is still illegal for example. Just a thing I felt worth mentioning.

[@MarginalSC]

How about a Switchsword?

[@AaronMinerRunicfire]

Alas, I also hear that in Texas you can open carry guns of any size, thus rendering the whole point moot.

[@CreeperKiller666]

Carry both. If you are rushed by someone who is closer than 20 feet, you are better off drawing the blade than the gun, because they will get into stabbing range before you had a chance to aim and shoot with any degree of accuracy.... also, most people aren't going to attack you if you have a pistol on one hip and a machete on the other. There are easier targets, and most criminals aren't suicidal.

[@Mortablunt]

Can't wait to jsut see people walking around with tulwars! ROFL!

[@RayRaven]

The one thing a lot of people forget is that most self defense classes/manuals teach you as if you're fighting someone using a technique that has its own holes. The problem is, if someone is going to mug you on the street, they aren't going to use a technique. They'll do whatever they have to no matter how absurd it may seem.

[@glens2019]

Thus, in certain cases, assuming the mugger is untrained, has way more holes in comparison.

[@RayRaven]

True, there's positives and negatives. There's also the fact that he would be unpredictable.

[@ravoln2457]

Personally, I think more people forget the fact that just being healthy is the most important thing when it comes to any of these situation. Every defensive technique and every weapons besides a gun have certain fitness requirements.

[@Odood19]

If you are fighting your friends at practice, then all you know is how those specific people fight in a controlled setting. There is familiarity, and that makes skill, hopefully, a better determinant of wins/losses than chance. You can never defend against an ambush. The finest Japanese swordsmen were trained to take this knowledge to heart before they could pick up their first sword. React fast, plan ahead, lose sleep contemplating your counter attacks, it doesn't matter to the ambush attacker. Hell, they could throw sand at your face and take your shoes, and no technique or schtyle would help you.

[@baronvonbeans9887]

LaHeretic I remember seeing video of an attempted store robbery like that, mighta been Britain or Australia

[@CazadorSlayer]

Guys, I have the ultimate Self-Defense Technique to avoid these dangerous situations on the street... *Never Go Outside.*

[@TheKiroshi]

*attacker comes to your home* *and patiently knocks on your door for a duel.*

[@CazadorSlayer]

*Stop living with Serial Killers.*

[@vgman94]

Jolly Jester Been practicing this technique for over 20 years (I’m 23) and it works 100%. It’s also ridiculously boring and isolating...

[@claromujitahid7373]

TheKiroshi patiently knocks? Is the attacker British or Canadian? LOL

[@jobdylan5782]

@@vgman94 That's why pornography and psychotropic drugs exist.

[@Edgewalker001]

The way I've understood it, most modern knife combat essentially revolves around "Get close to opponent when his guard is down, stab lots until movement stops." =p

[@radmanpedram3214]

Edgewalker001 unless the oponant is strong and pushes you away and stabs you or doesn’t know what it is doing.

[@punchdrunkatheist]

That's pretty much how it actually goes. If you watch real training videos, that's basically what the knife fight is about. A real instructor will admit to you that in a knife fight, you're both going to get hurt, you just want to hurt them first.

[@zaodedong9935]

That is an attack, not combat.

[@renookami4651]

@@zaodedong9935 Muggers arn't here to "combat" you, yes.

[@Jrlomay]

When I'm in a self defence situation Me: "Desperate times call for desperate measures, POCKET P O M M E L" *proceeds to throw pocket pommel at the attackers face/nose

[@ajusino2324]

they explode into viscera and gore

[@SaiTaX_the_Chile_boi]

Dude, that’s just lethal weaponry, the army is now looking for you

[@rushyahr7767]

I would think that someone involved in HEMA would be exceptional with improvised weapons, like chairs or pool sticks, or maybe even a trash can lid. Thats also not something most grapplers and boxers expect or train to deal with. A HEMA practitioner would have the advantage so long as they could find a stick or something to use as a weapon.

[@duchessskye4072]

To be fair anyone that can would grab something long to use as a weapon, however practitioners would have an advantage in that department yes.

[@nicholaslornadek8234]

i doubt that even an expert hema pratictioner could outgrapple a collegiate wrestler or even a blue belt in bjj, to be fair, just because those two arts practice only that, especially bjj

[@sweetrumman6496]

@@nicholaslornadek8234 It depends on strength and how much they grappling they have practiced in HEMA school. Grappling was pretty common in the old days and often people's lives depended on those techniques. Also bjj , krav maga etc are a set of older techniques. If you don't practice grappling enough and lose to a blue belt, it's your fault for not being capable enough not HEMA's.

[@NDOhioan]

@@nicholaslornadek8234 Not disagreeing with you, but I think you misinterpreted what the OP said. He was saying that a HEMA practitioner *with some form of improvised weapon* would have an advantage over a grappler in a fight. Like a solid hickory cane or a lead pipe or something.

[@IIDASHII]

@@sweetrumman6496 A beginner in BJJ, maybe. A collegiate wrestler. NO. They are some of the most dangerous unarmed people there are. Not only have they spent their life learning how to grapple, they've also spent it getting ridiculously strong to tangle with others of the same bent. They eat, live, and breath unarmed combat. I was a collegiate defender in lacrosse (so on par with a wrestler in terms of strength and fitness, and very good with a pole-arm ;) ) with martial arts experience. I generally steered clear of fights, but when it came to wrestlers, I avoided them at all cost. I find it incredibly unlikely that any HEMA practioner, save for MAYBE a master who does it as a job, would have a chance against a run-of-the-mill collegiate wrestler, on even ground, with no weapons involved. I once watched a guy I knew who basically had his way with people in fights get absolutely humiliated by my friend, who was a college wrestler. He didn't even land a hit. It was over before it began. Just messing around with my wrestler friend made me nervous, and I was in incredible shape, with martial arts training of my own. The things that they do to each other on a daily basis in practice would break anyone who doesn't lift weights routinely in half. That is not hyperbole. Spine = broken.

[@GREGORGE0US]

a rule i've been thought since i was a child is "you never pull out a gun, knife or weapon if you are not going to use it" so i think that the answer for the question "would HEMA work?" would be: yes it would work if you are willing to kill the threat with the weapon you have expertise with.

[@CDKohmy]

Scottish fencing master Archibald McGregor says to use anything like a broadsword whether it’s a cane, umbrella, unarmed, etc.

[@extreme_bruh5956]

how do u use unarmed as a broadsword

[@CDKohmy]

Matěj Crowe Punches, footwork, grapples

[@techpriest8965]

Matěj Crowe That is only for the manliest of men.

[@baronvonbeans9887]

If you pretend to swing a broadsword for long enough, it becomes real

[@bastiaan0741]

Pretend you're the Green Lantern :p

[@cbr600rrturbo]

after all these years your one of the few channels I still like, high 5 playa

[@F_lippy]

Pocket Sand.

[@leterrierdinari2861]

Pip IV well, most of the time you want to distract or stun the threat and run away quickly so it would be a legit technique (if you have enough pocket sand though), but most people prefer pepper spray.

[@jiabaixiong]

Pip IV LMAO! Love it!

[@olivermorin3303]

Sunflower seeds. No, seriously. Chew some sunflower seed shells long enough, they become splinters. Then you can spit them in somebody's eyes. Plus, sunflower seeds are high in protein.

[@subatomiccc300]

that's pussy shit, pocket anthrax or nothing

[@szabolcskis9812]

Even if the enemy is Anakin Skywalker.

[@hariwulf3003]

I have the feeling that often, with HEMA people tend to become so "nerdy"and over-cynical that discussions have the tendency to lose common sense. Take Ringen: We learn to disarm, to wrestle, lock joints and break bones. Unarmed HEMA is not that different from other unarmed arts, simply because there are only so many ways to manipulate effectively a human body. And even if many martial arts focus on punches, HEMA still teaches you how to lock the incoming punch, break the elbow and ground the opponent keeping an advantageous position; which in my opinion is just as effective as any other technique. That said, in a real-life scenario, I still think that the best defense is to keep your eyes and ears open in way to increases your chances of avoiding perilous situations altogether. If forced to defend yourself, run away as soon as possible. We live only once.

[@ViroVV]

The ancient art of gunkata, of course.

[@neutralfellow9736]

Not. Without. Incident.

[@TheHornedOne81]

Gun Fu. Rule 1, keep one in the chamber. Rule 2, if it's a SA pistol, keep it cocked while carrying. Seen So many people that believe that they will have time to react, rack the slide on draw, and still have time to shoot. Having done simunition training while in LE, you ain't got time to do anything but draw and pew pew. Practice it.

[@Hsaelt]

Having a cocked sa revolver may end up in you shooting your stupid ass or hurting somebody else... this isn't wild west, lol, this is against any rules. Your main resposibility is to assure the safety of those around you. In a lot of situation even simply drawing a gun is enough to scare off an attacker = gives you more time to react. And if its a sudden melee ambush you will not be able to react *ANYWAY* be it with cocked sa gun or with "uncocked" one. Peace.

[@strikesubmit]

agreed 100% with the comments above. there are lots of videos on here illustrating the Teuller Drill, or the 21 foot rule. its really important to know, especially if you think simply carrying a sidearm will work all the time.

[@TheHornedOne81]

It's called training and drills. You're as likely to "shoot your stupid ass" with a striker fired pistol as with a cocked SA pistol. So, should I not carry my Glock with a round chambered? Same situation. No, it isn't the Wild West. They carried revolvers, on empty chambers, but they also didn't have anything like the issues with crime that we do. Mostly because the majority of those who traveled were armed, usually with at least one pistol and a rifle, and those walking around towns were carrying pistols. Not everyone, mind you, but more than enough. If you have a mechanically functional weapon, that doesn't have overly worn parts, the potential for the weapon to fire without the trigger being pulled is extremely low. Again, Training and Drill will reduce the chances of you being your own worst enemy. I carried a gun professionally for a decade, so I have some small amount of experience, training, and understanding of what is involved.

[@hellequingentlemanbastard9497]

Having learned to fight with blades did actually safe my Life.22 years ago. One of my 2 opponents even had a pistol, luckily for me not cocked and far to close.

[@13buthead]

so you just walk everyday with blades with you?

[@hellequingentlemanbastard9497]

Yes, especially when I walk my Dogs through the Orchards, Mountains or Bush, or walk a Female friend home at Night. I carry my old Hunting knife and depending on where we wander a Tomahawk or Cane-sword. Getting a Firearm license has gotten very difficult and a carrying license almost impossible. I live in South Africa by the way.

[@13buthead]

South Africa. Yea i guess there are zones where that makes sense. You got training with the blades?

[@hellequingentlemanbastard9497]

Started as a Child like we all did at playing Knight, Viking, Musketeer, Pirate and Zorro. Got into Reenactment through a Uncle at 10 and started to learn to use different kind of Blades for real so that you don't injure yourself or opponent.

[@hellequingentlemanbastard9497]

I trained with European Swords, Rapier, Saber, Axe and Dagger. All "Bladed" Weapons, but in that case I had only my my Hunting-knife with me and that is also a "Bladed" Weapon.

[@MultiMediaXL]

The best self defense ever is not be there. the second is to run away.

[@MultiMediaXL]

+Tane Sorby If running away is not available, but the perpetrator just want's your wallet, give him your wallet. If he want's your life, I recommend you don't listen to what I'm saying.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

MultiMedia XL but before that, there's the precautionary nuclear bombardment from low orbit ;)

[@MultiMediaXL]

+SonsOfLorgar glass the planets surface. let new life develop, then nuke it. better be safe then sorry ;)

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Minetoutong If you carry a firearm for self defence you carry it loaded, cocked and with a round in the chamber ready to fire with no more than two finger movements after draw to flip the safety off and pulling the trigger.

[@Peagaporto]

That's a big assumption to bet your life on, where I live muggers actually prefer to kill than leave a witness. I agree that avoiding conflict is always best but don't think it's a blanket solution

[@42astrutsen]

I've actually used HEMA-techniques in my former work as a security guard. The grappling techniques for fighting in armour are really good for less lethal takedowns and control. :) I've studied the unarmed techniques of Filippo Vadi, I-66, Gladiatoria among others. The rondel-dagger teqniques has been useful for some uses of the baton, when it comes to using it as a lever etc.

[@counterblast3885]

You can apply this stuff in texas since they legalized open sword carrying

[@christopheresquire947]

Counter Blast Really? Is it just a sort of loophole in the laws?

[@gracebrooks31]

Counter Blast what

[@CyranofromBergerac]

Edward of Wales it was made to allow carry of machetes, but it applies for swords as well. I don't know if it's all of Texas or just one area.

[@rolandmalone5431]

Yes, i carry a 15 inch bowie knife on my hip

[@counterblast3885]

No joke

[@aneesh2115]

The HEMA of pommel quick draw is very essential in modern self defence End them rightly

[@pictishwarrior1055]

Jason Rasmussen or go godfather on them and send bombs in the casket to finish the rest of his family off.

[@airtylerb]

Best advice in self defense; the best way to protect yourself is to avoid the dangerous situation to begin with. With that said grapple training works wonders, I’ve studied muy thai, wrestling, ju jitsu, some judo, and taekwondo. Personally in any fight that I can’t run from, I don’t like to play the striking game, I prefer to close the gap and go straight into a grappling situation. Most of the time in that situation I can land a choke or a joint lock and use choking or starting to break their bones to end the fight quickly without someone getting seriously hurt. Word of the wise, if you have to use striking, use your knees, elbows, and don’t throw punches. Your hand has a bunch of tiny bones that can break easily, use your palm. Hold your hand out palm forward, curl your fingers in with the palm still opened, and you will throw it like a punch, but you want the strike to land on the base of your palm. When you do that your striking with a solid bone, your hits will deal more damage, and you’ll spare yourself from a broken fist.

[@curtislevey7639]

I trained to be a police office (Special) in the UK and was reminded of a couple things this video, the first is that in a knife fight you WILL get cut. Most stabbings are a series of quick and short stabs rather than deep/precise cuts. Secondly, I really liked that you mentioned everyone's reaction to be different. I saw a video of one of the local officers trying to subdue a man with a knife. He struck his wrist with a baton and actually broke it but the man held onto the knife and kept fighting. So be wary of self defense instructors who say you can easily disarm someone by striking at the wrist! Best advice we got is if your life is at stake then (get away if it's an option) pull no punches. They literally said if you have a car, use that.

[@curtislevey7639]

Adding more to this, at the end Skal mentions how you're likely to be jumped rather than it be a movie style confrontation. In most cases an attacker will keep their knife hidden until they're in striking distance. So you likely won't know they have a knife until they're trying to stab you with it. Yes, you might see them with their hand in their pocket, but it's a lot to assume. The motto in my training for every scenario was "time and distance are your friend", unfortunately, we can't always be afforded them.

[@DeathssynProductions]

Can I say as life long martial artist and watcher of your channel for 5+ years, I greatly appreciate the improvements in your technique. You look so fluid and comfortable and graceful compared to when I first started watching you. Well done overcoming your shoulder separation for the most part and well done for ameliorated constantly as one must. Keep on swinging, Skallagrim.

[@TheAtomicCross]

When someone tried to stab me with a sharpened screwdriver, the only thing I had handy was a large, heavy door. Extremely handy, I recommend carrying a solid wall or building with a sturdy door with you at all times.

[@sergeanttibs6345]

Reach really counts. When we were kids a bunch of us got accosted by guys with machetes while we were playing ball hockey. They regretted it immediately.

[@KorithStoneheart]

🤣

[@crucifyrobinhood]

I owe my life to a Schrade Sharpfinger. Nobody intentionally brings a knife to a gunfight but I'm damned glad I had one.

[@mr.kittysavestheworld695]

That's a story I'd like to hear.

[@Edgewalker001]

And yet the knife is supposed to win as long as you can negate distance advantage.

[@crucifyrobinhood]

Short version: Working security for legal cannabis grow. Walking patrol with my rifle slung. Suddenly face to muzzle w/revolver and screaming man. Instinctively jump left and hear a gunshot. -I go completely "black out" blank-. "Come to" kneeling over man punching his head w/knife in hand and counting 7,8,9,10...then snap fully back to reality and stop punching. Man's gun hand thumb nearly severed, pistol nowhere in sight, rifle still on my back, powder burns on my neck. Cops show up, find the pistol, take my knife for evidence and arrest the dude in the hospital.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

CrucifyRobinHood now that's what I call an awesome story

[@alteye1]

Were you on acid or why did you black out completely?

[@lukediehl1210]

Best point I heard, "Not everyone reacts the same way." You can't rely on injury or intimidation to deter an attacker. The human body is surprisingly resilient, and adrenaline is a hell of a thing. That's how I was able to walk into an ER on a broken leg once. I had so much adrenaline in my system that I barely noticed it. You add other drugs into the mix, and you could basically be fighting the Hulk. If your life is on the line, you HAVE to go for all out incapacitation.

[@alexsanti2153]

That intro was so sick

[@michaelzajicek3194]

"Hey Eric" "What?" *slam* Best way to show people how to fuck up other people, 10/10

[@aldor9357]

Sure they're useful. I wouldn't be carrying the whole sack of unscrewed pommels otherwise. Right?

[@notatruck2640]

Aldor no, always carry your sack of pommels

[@chickensandwich1589]

U errrREEE wur cuh. :3

[@zaodedong9935]

Always keep a pommel handy.

[@HugoOfAstora]

"HEY ERIK! What!?"

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

1:05 damn, those guys are quite jacked! :D

[@blasttyrant3228]

AFCA - World Bodybuilding Archive Username checks out

[@nikkothegoblin]

I carry a pommel on me at all times. I’m set my dude

[@reggieazem4143]

oooh shit... neever mind then

[@Zurgo-fl1kx]

END HIM RIGHTLY

[@renookami4651]

"If you can't afford a pommel, a rock is fine too" -A wise peasant

[@lv26Phoenix]

If you wrap that in a monkey's fist with some slack to swing it, that becomes a slungshot - an improvised flail (which is illegal in some US states).

[@nikkothegoblin]

@@lv26Phoenix I'd like to see those pommel-less police fools try and stop me

[@gallendugall8913]

"Would Historical Martial Arts be Useful in Futuristic Self-Defense?" No because your opponent would just activate their personal self-destruct nuke; Predator style.

[@renookami4651]

"No because they'll use a gun-carrying drone out of your range"

[@JohnDoe-on6ru]

Also, carry a super bright pocket flashlight. And a Messer.

[@shibe5198]

Moral of story: Just don't get in a fight.

[@r.huffman1091]

If you are lucky enough to be in the States at least ^^^^ but good advice. Run if you can, shoot if you can't and absolutely have to. And if you do shoot, shoot to end the threat!

[@r.huffman1091]

Unfortunately too true. Train, train, train, and hope to God you never need to use those skills.

[@isaacrushing8007]

Grammar Nazi Definitely the best option. Lol

[@NMahon]

Henrique well yes actually, 9/10 times most fights can be avoided by just keeping your head down and not saying anything and running if you need to

[@meatsweatmundungus6415]

If you shoot to kill someone who starts on you you're going to prison 4 times out of 5 sorry gun nuts

[@eliasbischoff176]

I agree that sparring is very important. I train Jiu Jitsu (which I have already said in this channel, I know) and one of our trainers allows us to sparr if we feel like it and he doesn't have something especially important to teach us. I only did this twice because I only recently found two training partners who I trusted enough and who were up for it. If you know the person well enough and you respect each other, the risk of getting Hurt is pretty small. I mean in my last match I was taken down with a neck lever by my training partner and was completely fine. This also ties into your point about people saying their martial arts are too deadly for sparring. Yeah if you fight dirty to win, they are, but if you fight to learn, watch out for one another and know, how much you can take, you should be fine. Also having a fight supervisor is an extra precausion I would encourage you to take. So in short -know and trust your Partner, -know what they can take, -know what you can take, -fight fair, -have a fight supervisor, Then you should be fine

[@patheddles4004]

On the question of dealing with a knife-wielding opponent: Back in college I was friends with a guy who had a black belt in taekwondo (though at the time his focus was more on wing chun kung fu). He showed me a front kick that's designed for if someone's standing in front of you with a knife or similar, but he also told me the real way to deal with that sort of situation: hands up, slow movements, and just give them your damn wallet. He was a huge fighting nerd, he knew a lot, he absolutely would have kicked my arse in a fight despite being like half my size, and yet he was very clear that he would never go up against a knife.

[@LoveofTech]

If they want your money, give it to them. If they want you to go somewhere, die before you do

[@magnum567134]

Interesting topic. My boxing/Muay Thai instructor tends to include a lot of footwork from his Kali background into our training. Martial Arts tend to have a lot of crossection in the mechanics

[@glenndiddy]

My Taekwondo instructor was always intent on having us practice grappling/takedowns in addition to the regular Taekwondo stuff. We had several sparring sessions in which you were allowed to take down your opponent and force them to the ground. It was not unlike a less intense version of MMA.

[@fallonfireblade4404]

Just wanted to quickly say thanks, Skall! Your videos are helping me so much with the research I'm doing right now.

[@handmade3681]

As a teen, if I went out, I took s staff that was about armpit height. I learned some great-sword techniques that involved keeping the weapon moving to keep the opponent at a distance, as well as some spear bassed techniques for confined spaces, and then a bit of Normal staff. As luck would have it, nobody tries to attack the guy who always has a weapon.

[@Sombrecoeur...]

Recently round tour Channel. Very interresting and you explain things on a clear and understeable way, no fancy or tactical wannabe BS. Thanks for ur work. A fan from France

[@TheBreuster]

Now I want a walking stick.

[@rockyblacksmith]

Why did those fall out of fashion anyways? They're cool!

[@SonsOfLorgar]

I got the hat, I got the trench coat, as soon as I get hold of an anvil I'm forging myself an iron walking stick and electro-coating the grip with brass.

[@dandelion_fritters]

Ditto

[@Skiamakhos]

I have a couple of red Japanese oak jo staves which I've converted to walking canes. Rubber ferrule on one end, paracord wrap on the "handle" end, good to go.

[@runefaustblack]

TheBreuster: With a removable pommel.

[@bretpetersen4942]

found this channel by accident and now I'm hooked. Interesting and well presented.

[@h3llisr3al]

Nice Mortal Kombat on thumbnail

[@CienCarasWC3]

Clicked on this vid just fer it!

[@typhoonic]

11:00 This hits the nail on the head about realistic self-defense practice just in general. You HAVE to spar! In fact, I recommend sparring be at least a bare minimum of 50% of the training. I can't tell you how many times I've walked into some kinda martial arts school and I immediately ask "when is sparring?" only to get a response like "at the end of class" or "we only do that on Tuesdays" or "it's too dangerous (so we don't -- at all)" .... and I just walk out once I hear that. If the martial art you're learning is nonsense, it'll show in sparring too. What people call their martial art doesn't really matter. It's what you do that matters. I mean, let's be real. There's only so many different ways someone can attack or counter an attack anyway. We all have only two legs, two arms, a body, and a head.

[@jannevellamo]

I actually routed a home invader with my antique Swedish backsword. When he saw me coming at him with a sword, he turned around and ran so fast his shoes literally fell off. I have no idea why some people think it looks tough to walk around with untied shoelaces.

[@stg-tf4ns]

I think sometimes the sheer intimidation of a blade so much bigger is enough to scare a lot of them

[@justmikec1327]

Great video. I teach an unarmed striking class. I tell my students that I’m showing them techniques for sport combat. Kickboxing, point sparring and sanda (kickboxing with clinches and throws). With regards to self defense, the best thing that they learn from my class is that they are more comfortable with hitting others and won’t panic when getting hit. Simply put, they have greater confidence in a violent situation, and will hopefully not panic and make the smart decision to disengage and flee. There are always questions, like what do I do if someone has a weapon..etc. well the scenarios for a self defense situation are literally too many to try and prepare for. Also the likelihood of getting attacked in public is slim...hopefully. So training martial arts is good for fitness, and conditioning which helps in fights...but also teaches you to appreciate and respect violence and work to avoid it

[@spatzsturm2375]

the 4 rules for "dificil situaciones" of my martial arts trainer: 1. Run 2. Cant run? are you stupid? find a hole and run! 3. Cant find a hole? yes. you are stupid! look again. and Run 4. make a hole and run

[@Eebens]

best advice^^ some people need to learn the difference between self defence and fighting with rules.

[@danielskrivan6921]

5:20 oh my goodness, I'm going to use that line when I'm trying to teach...um...hapkido throws, knife defense, back kicks or any other turning kick (tornado kicks, spinning hook kicks, etc). That's a great way to explain it.

[@Viech54]

For the actual fighting, it'd be illegal in many regions of the planet to actually carry Hema weapons (doing that where I live would be begging others to call the cops) and it'd be much better to run away and then sue the attackers. You are absolutely right, avoiding these kinds of situations should be the preferred way of handling things. If someone really wants to use Hema/medieval equipment for self-defense in this day and age, then consider a gambeson or other defensive equipment combined with the respective fighting techniques. Still, Hema is not useless. It gives people physical fitness and experience in combat.

[@Kamamura2]

You would be surprised, but here in Czech Republic, you can carry HEMA weapons all you want. When I was still practicing in the 90s, we walking around the city with sword hung across the back (I had a small backpack, so I just hung it between the straps). I was arrested only once, in the city of Ostrava, where I was visiting a HEMA friend and we went sparring to a park, but they released us once they found out we are not members of local skinhead group. Hell, you can even concealed-carry two firearms, if you have permit for them. It's a crazy country.

[@TheNetsrac]

Thank you for this. Your videos are always great infotainment. Having Erik in them is always a nice bonus though. He is awesome :-) Cheers

[@elserpo6167]

"this is the ultimate knife defense skill, we put our hands like this, we are gonna use our own legs, and then... WE HOTFOOT IT OUT OF HERE, SMOKEY!"

[@ShagShaggio]

I think it would be awesome if you could do some cane/walking stick tests in the future! I'm honestly considering getting a cane/walking stick to carry around for self defense. Seems like beside carrying a gun it would be the most practical self defense option with a good range and power advantage over a knife. And its always accessible as its always in your hands or in the open close by and I am not aware of many places with laws against them. People really underestimate how useful a cane can be in a last case self defense scenario. They are way too often overlooked for "tacticool" knives that you would never be able to draw in time and fancy hand to hand techniques that would never be viable for a average person that doesn't train them on an obsessive level.

[@TheLiamis]

That's why I study ameridote "restomp the groin" it's the most efficient martial art on earth.

[@Sage_Lucas]

TheLiamis This is sadly one of the easiest attacks to protect against. I would literally step back half a meter and u miss, and u are left in a horrible defending position if u just randomly try to kick someone in the groin.

[@waaagh3203]

+Lucas Yeah, but you couldn't avoid the killface or hurticane. By the way, we're referencing Ameridote, a fictional martial art on Enter the Dojo, a satircal web show about mcdojos :P It's a joke. Check it out, really hilarious.

[@radmanpedram3214]

TheLiamis or snap the oponants neck. Or give them brain damage to feel less guilty and for them not to call their friends and to attack you.

[@TheLiamis]

Radman Pedram nahh m8 watch macgruber man that's how you do it. Ripping throats.

[@renookami4651]

@@Sage_Lucas That is why a knee to the belly is more effective, and leave you in a slighly better defensive position if you know what you're doing. (and you actively deent your upper body, not just throw a kick bieng idle in all other departments xD)

[@michaelhansen2818]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video, you made a lot of good pointers on this subject

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

I wonder how life would be like if we all went back to the old days of bladed weapons for self defense. It would be pretty neat if we all carried swords for protection, since you require a fair amount of skill to properly wield one against someone else. And unlike with guns, there's arguably less collateral damage with a sword because it's easier to accidentally shoot a bystander who's standing a block away than it is to strike that same bystander at the same distance away.

[@baronvonbeans9887]

Colin Velius I don't know if you should get a melee weapon, particularly a knife or sword, there's alotta STDs in the world and getting blood everywhere's one way to get em

[@TheHornedOne81]

On collateral damage. Practice practice practice. Range time somewhere that allows you to practice movement and coming out of the holster. Work on your point blank double taps center mass from the hip. The majority of self defense gun use that involves actual shots fired is at

[@jlogan2228]

The point of firearms is that you dont need to be exceptionally skilled or capable to use them. Its what allows a 70 year old man to defend himself against a 20 year old twice his size and vastly stronger. Likewise it doesnt matter how skilled with a knife or sword or your hands you are if i have my gun chances are im going to win barring any sneak attacks which lets be honest NOBODY is going to walk away from.

[@Blitz1Blacktail1]

+Jacob Logan That's a matter of circumstances though. A gun is vastly inferior to a knife in every way when the knife wieldier is in close. 3 meters is already dangerous for the gun user vs a knife user. Closer than that and the knife is vastly superior based on how easy it is to defend yourself against a close-range gun, sneak attack or not. Then again, currently most people aren't really keen on having strangers or random people close to them, so in most situations, the gun reigns supreme, though there's a lot to consider. Afterall, trained people use both the gun and knife for a reason.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

+Blitz1Blacktail1 *[holds pistol and knife]* "Snake, try to remember the basics of CQC."

[@bigdrippa6945]

On the “basics of footwork” thing, I mostly agree. I started wrestling in high school this year, and my HEMA background definitely made it easier, except two main things: in wrestling your stance is much lower, and you have the other foot forward generally. I know that freestyle wrestling isn’t a perfect martial art, and is very “sportified”, but this is something I noticed. I personally think that wrestling carries over to martial arts a lot better than sport fencing, now that I have tried both along with HEMA.

[@The1Helleri]

I've never liked the term "Self-Defense". I think it's too evocative of an unrealistic and impractical ideal. That being the supposed ability for someone who is skilled enough to only defend themselves and allow an opponent to fail in a fight by way of merely turning against them their own aggression or tiring them out. The idea that at some point in one's progression they will be able to somehow win without really fighting. Seems like something a person can spend a life time in pursuit of and never achieve. I much prefer to substitute the term for "Self-Preservation". Because what one must do to preserve themselves... To keep themselves from harm (lasting or fleeting) may go far beyond just defense. It allows at least conceptually for the possibility of more proactive measures and going as far as one needs to (and hopefully no further) to stay safe. Not meaning to nitpick on your choice of words. Just something tangential yet pertinent that comes to mind watching this video... Mind set really. I think it matters a lot. And it may very well start with how we frame it with things like the terms we use to describe what we are preparing for.

[@Wavemaninawe]

Seconded. Also, its quite presumptious to think that you will necessarily be by yourSELF in a shit-hit-fan predicament.

[@The1Helleri]

Yeah, and preservation can be vicarious. As in protecting your offspring or mate. Even your friends. As it would be in your interest to preserve your way of life to do so.

[@Wavemaninawe]

Tane Sorby Highly questionable since they never adress the issues of weapons or multiple people. You can certainly get a lot of useful mileage and necessary out of studying them, considering how much more consistent they are about pressure testing than either (most) traditional martial arts, or (many) so called modern combatives. But the idea that a cage match accurately represents the reality of a live threat situation, is just as misguided as the idea that whatever Self Defense style is "too lethal" for the arena. IMO, its better to approach all of those fields with an open mind and try to pick up whatever seems useful along the way.

[@Wavemaninawe]

Tane Sorby This is a topic that can never be fully concluded since there are so many variables in live combat that its impossible to cover all of them. The reason why i dont believe MMA is the end-all-be-all, is that for all the pressure testing that style does (and it is a front runner in that aspect), it is still developed and intended for contact sports. Lots of those variables do not exist in a cage match and for very good reasons. If you step into that arena you know for certain that; you will only face one opponent, that (s)he is unarmed, that both of you are roughly the same size, that there wont be any uneven terrain to trip you up, you clothes will be comfortably non-obstructive or non-existent, the opponent wont be on drugs, you will both have the option to surrender, you will be rested and mentally prepared for the confrontation, you will know in advance what fighting style you will be facing and it will most likely be quite similar to your own... heck, nowadays you can even pre-watch recordings of the opponent and study their strategy. Not quite the same as having to throw hands at a moments notice against a complete unknown. You claim that the best solution against a knife is to throw a cross punch. I wouldnt favor it, but fair enough... if it works, then it works. But what if it doesnt work and you have never worked on a Plan B? Or if you do tag the knifer and get tagged in return? He might drop and wake up some minutes later to a painful concussion and missing teeth. You ”won” but, still bleed out and die on the way to the hospital. That is what my teacher refers to as a ”really bad trade”. I figure that if MMA was the final answer to hand-to-hand combat, then military forces would have developed it several millenia ago, when it was still the norm to kill each other with heavy or pointy objects, or with your bare hands. Except they didnt... they developed fighting styles that focused on weapons. Because humans are a race of tool using animals. I have yet to hear about any historical pitched battle of triangle chokes. That being said, i still think that MMA is a great addition to the skill tree, if you want to train for survival purposes. Its merely crucial to acknowledge its limitations, like with everything else.

[@Wavemaninawe]

My bad. You did say ”overhand right”, not ”cross”. I stick by my point though.

[@thomasbrown8917]

Good video. One input: You are quite right about how different people might react differently to being struck. This is why both COL Monstery and Hutton emphasize where to strike when discussing cane and baton. "Mind over matter" is only a figure of speech. If you shatter someone's wrist, the hand is mechanically disabled and cannot hold a weapon no matter how determined they are.

[@iraqigamer2407]

The knife Kano has in the thumbnail has a strange pommel.

[@aldor9357]

Every pommel is beautiful in it's own way

[@iraqigamer2407]

Aldor That's for sure.

[@austinhawkins3307]

IraqI GaMer perhaps it is used to end his foes rightly?

[@WhatsTheTakeaway]

It's for throwing.

[@PinkMawile]

You situational awareness comment is super true about any sort of self-defense. A gun is worthless for self-defense if you don't even know you're being attacked.

[@lerui2820]

If I ever get into a fight, I want to have a fight with umbrellas

[@oldmangerhard]

Towards the end is where he really gets into it. My concealed carry permit instructor stressed the same thing, "Tactical Awareness"! It's something I've kind of done since I was a kid because I didn't like being in crowds, but being aware of exits, keeping track of people near you. If you're leaving work late at night, being aware of where people might be and where your vehicle or safety spots are. Behind a building near a dumpster with little light is not as safe as say the bus stop on the corner of the road where cars will be driving by.

[@jackkniphe]

I always hate when people say "you can't defend yourself against the knife!" I hate this because I've defended against a knife twice. I am a master by no means, but I am a very large man, I have trained some so I know what I'm doing in a fight. I understand the sentiment, but it's just inaccurate.

[@RandomAllen]

I think that's pretty silly too. My main thought if I couldn't run away from the attacker is pick up a heavier longer object and defend myself at range.

[@Erowens98]

I believe these people say you can't do it so the people who seriously can't don't try and lose their lives. More of a warning against deciding not to run when you can.

[@volkerschmitz6623]

you can defend yourself , but you should expect to get cut , avoid getting stabbed , as some other ppl already said , coming out totaly fine out such a situation means either you are pretty good or your robber should´ve stayed at home in the first place if he can´t even handle a normal person while beeing armed , now imagine he had a gun , the situation changes no matter how wimpy and weak he is , let that sink in for a second .

[@ironhelix306]

Volker Schmitz Guns go both ways. Allows the untrained and/or weaker old/woman/man defend themselves against a younger and stronger and/or multiple attackers/intruder. Where in if everyone just had a knife and/or sword. They are screwed. They are an equalizer.

[@mysticonthehill]

Not at all true. Any one familiar with history knows that random people carrying weapons were no match for professionals. And when they were its a case of the professionals weren't really professionals.

[@othelloperrello6604]

This is great. I agree practical training is absolutely key. Even when practicing, one can imagine a rival doing specific counters, I used to do this practicing basketball all of the time, it is the next best thing to sparring.

[@cruelbanana441]

Simply carrying around a blunt blade would do a lot. Most attackers would freak out and run away.

[@makruldur]

Aldor that's scary and visually disturbing

[@Gege547]

And you will be arrested for violating public peace.

[@cruelbanana441]

And why? I'm not even carrying around a gun. More than that, it is purposely blunt, so practicaly it is not even a weapon.

[@cruelbanana441]

Wouldn't have the same effect, if guns aren't outlaweed in the country. In that case guns are typical, but a guy carrying a sword around would look like psycho.

[@cruelbanana441]

30 inch dildos always work.

[@10moonj]

Over all I agree with this video with one addition. Although hema may not prepair you perfectly for an unarmed fight it does give you this. The ability to stay calm and calculating in a physical confrentaion.

[@azuredominion837]

Can you tell next exactly how realistic the fighting styles used in Warframe are

[@SplitWasTaken]

Chris Dyer not realistic in any manner whatsoever?

[@azuredominion837]

Split Was Taken I was just wondering considering some of the weapons fighting styles use an actual martial art to an extent like the nikanas

[@SplitWasTaken]

Chris Dyer yeah maybe the nikanas. Still, there are no actual complex melee mechanics

[@HexCypherr]

If you could slide on the ground 20 feet and then jump in to a 10 yard flying jump kick sure they would be effective

[@SomeRandomDude821]

Watch his skyrim video but replace "Daedric Battle Axe" with "Scindo"

[@emceeunderdogrising]

I've been in straight up bar brawls with multiple friends fighting multiple strangers. None of the martial arts I've taken helped for shit. The best fighters in my town are good friends of mine. They've both been beaten pretty bad. One has a lot of training. Brawls are utter chaos. The best way to win those fights are to get lucky, avoid fighting to begin with, or stick to the corners and wait for easy hits. Stopping a fight from starting is the only sure way to win in my opinion.

[@ghiron781]

I've a question that's been giving me headaches for quite some time and I know it's not related to the topic, but how exactly would you defend from a peasant rushing you with a pitchfork? Considering that you've mastered for example the longsword and you have years upon years of training and discipline, is there a technique that is meant for defense against a crazed peasant with a pitchfork rushing you screaming "DIEEEEEEEEEEE"? I dunno, in my opinion it'd be kinda' hard to just move out of the way...

[@darkmantlestudios]

Gandalf's cousin Ghiron Same as fighting a spear wielding opponent

[@renanleandro5914]

Geralt Of Rivia would like to know

[@leohorishny9561]

Nice summary. Looking at your carrying a quarterstaff it struck[sic] me that, if one did walk around in a modern setting with one and were considering it to be a self defense tool, something like that draws attention to yourself, more so than a cane likely does, so that if you think of it as a self defense weapon, you’d better be VERY proficient at using it irl because it’s an advertisement that you are expecting to need to use it and the wrong sorts of people will see it and consider you a challenge to face. I understand that the first rule in self defense was to avoid needing to be in a self defense situation.🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Nazgul094]

This is just my own opinion, but I get the feeling people who really want to fight against an attacker have the thought "How dare this fucker mug me and try to steal the money earned through hard work?!", they get pissed off and insist on fighting aka. defending themselves against the mugger, instead of giving up their valuables and running away. They don't want to feel weak/impotent. Maybe I'll get a lot of backlash because of this, but it's what I honestly think.

[@ZackofSpades]

Nah, you got kind of a point. But, in the heat of the moment, the first response is always fear. Then adrenaline. Once fight or flight switches on, your brain isn't gonna be thinking about much else. What you're talking about, indignance, takes place after a fight is won, and it's usually what turns self-defense into manslaughter. Beating someone or killing them after you've subdued them, just out of sheer hatred for them having put your mind through that. Being confident in your ability to defend yourself is one thing, but putting yourself in risky spots with the mentality of "I wish someone would fuck with me" is psychotic. Those kind of people... honestly belong with the muggers. They're basically the same.

[@johngault7329]

LastNazgul666 ..... I saw two guys get into it. Than the smaller guy went to his car, they were arguing right by it. When the smaller guy stepped back, he thrust a rifle into the bigger guys face. The bigger guy got so pissed that he grabbed the barrel, wrestled the rifle away, and was fixing to beat dude with it. The crowd took that opportunity to stop the situation.. The point is. Instead of being scared, dude got really mad that an actual gun was pulled on him that he snapped.... So yes, I agree with you...

[@Nazgul094]

I mean, it's cool if you can defend yourself and have good reflexes and whatnot to do so. But please, just run away, suck up your pride and stay cool and don't turn it into something worse.

[@Soldierboy54b]

+LastNazgul....Maybe so. But I fail to see the problem with that line of thinking. Some might say, as you suggest, "How dare this POS try to steal my hard earned cash." Others might find Biblical precedent (e.g., Psalm 97, "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked"). And yet others might come to the same righteous indignation via alternate reasoning still. But in the end, who cares? As long as the badguy gets it in the ass, I'm happy with the result. Aren't you?

[@st.magnic8592]

LastNazgul666 Then same thing should apply to the robbers/muggers, why can't they just work their ass off instead of stealing someone's money?

[@judsongaiden9878]

Okinawan Kobudo is definitely translatable into modern-day street fighting since a lot of Okinawan hand-to-hand weapons are analogous to every-day items. And yes, I know they were professionally made as weapons, not repurposed farm tools. Still, an improvised weapon is better than no weapon. What I mean is that you can very easily turn a mop handle into a staff - or break it into two sections use those sections like a pair of hon-bo. Also, the police nightstick is based on the tonfa. 11:06 As a taekwondoga, I concur. My dochang taught the Jidokwan style of Taekwondo as well as Jukido, Aekido, and Kobudo. 11:49 In other words, "Be unpredictable and don't expect predictability." 11:58 Retroactive irony in 2020. 12:40 Also Kobudo.

[@eskrimadorchris]

Good vid and lots of info that resonates/validates/duplicates what I have been taught and also teach. With all altercations, another point to keep in mind is the skill level and determination of both parties. While not to be assumed, the skill level and determination of an assailant is another factor to consider. Sparring...ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! Without "live fire" exercises it's all just theory and dance moves. Preach it brother!

[@PDeRop]

The real question imho, is how much of this is going to remain entertaining to people as we alienate ourselves more from violence. I learned martial arts.. but kung fu films are just silly these days.. Steven Pinker is right, violence is decreasing fast. I needed my martial arts training 0 (zero) times.. it's fun, it's a good workout, but for me, that's where it ends.

[@TheLiamis]

GBatT big problem.is if people are becoming domesticated cattle that means they are being prepared for the slaughter. People need to be ready for violence and ready to be violent.

[@thomas.cloutier-guay]

if i remember correctly there was a "kung fu" style invented to look good on screen. wich works in my opinion, kung fu movie looks good with people flying and evrything.

[@Cin9999]

GBatT Its actually quite the opposite ...kung fu movies are trash because they are NOT as real and violent as MMA or combat/war movies nowadays

[@billyoldman9209]

GBatT is onto something. Destructive urges are becoming more internalized and privatized, turned against the self or close relatives, or vented in virtual spaces like the internet or identity politics. The ubiquitous sense of futility and depression are a clear sign of this repressed agression.

[@Cin9999]

Billy OldMan Then why is extremly violent bulling and gang crimes on a all time high in the US and UK? Sorry but it REALLY depends on culture MMA, +18 video games/ splatter movies are also more extreme & popular every day War is actually also MUCH less protested or even mentioned in the news even tho civillian deaths are 80%+

[@WhiteCavendish]

I've seen almost the exact technique you mentioned with the dagger - behind the neck, grab the point and pull down - taught for use with a collapsible baton. Works very well.

[@Mr_Maiq_The_Liar]

The old manuscripts thought of everything Even the future

[@amorfati4559]

I remember watching a Blood & Iron video about grappling with swords where they said something like: "you're not sword-fighting, you are fighting, with a sword" meaning of course that none of the punching, slamming, kicking, wrestling, etc. is somehow illegal. So there is probably a lot of truth in saying there is an unarmed aspect to HEMA.

[@avery-quinnmaddox5985]

One can easily defend themselves against a knife if the attacker is merely threatening them with the knife and not immediately striking at them. Speed, daft hands, and proper training and knowledge will partially determine whether or not you survive. When someone approaches you suddenly and attacks you outright without telegraphing their techniques, the only sane response is to escape the immediate area if you can and reassess your situation to see if you should defend yourself or just escape. You are not likely to survive against a knife attack like THAT if you don't keep away from the blade.

[@gordonlawrence4749]

Or just kick them in the nads and run away.

[@avery-quinnmaddox5985]

Gordon Lawrence May work, but you risk a leg grapple. Also, if your assailant doesn't have testicles, that'll be less effective.

[@WildBillCox13]

A fun video and thanks for posting. Musashi said it best, though I am paraphrasing here: "it's not the weapon that counts. It's the warrior." The reflexes, the muscle memory, the strength and coordination, the tactical terrain sense, and, best of all, the confidence, transfer very well, thank you. He also said: "choose a weapon that fits the space" . . . I've often considered that. Lately, I have come to the conclusion that he might've meant "there is only one weapon appropriate to any situation: the Mind."

[@Murtage33e]

This reminds me, Metatron has a really excellent video on knife defense (or rather the lack thereof) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqi7oYudbJ2Jh6M were he actually recommends wearing mail (something he does on a regular basis).

[@NMahon]

sharpieboss what a fuckin loser

[@alicestiener556]

+Niall Mahon my stepfather wears brigandine, my big brother wears aluminium lamellar (aluminium catches) i personally haven't worn armour in public often. But living in east nowra is a bit of a bitchface. (Australias worst shit hole)

[@moritamikamikara3879]

If I could afford to, I would wear armour around in the city. Although right now I am temporarily out of the city and don't need to wear ANY armour because not the city is actually safe. When I go back though... think im just not fixing to go out that much man...

[@ClipsFromMaine]

I study Brazilian jiu jitsu and Thai boxing, both of which, grappling in particular, have been around for centuries. And Eric’s knife defense was almost flawless, as long as you can run faster for longer than your attacker...

[@usquanigo]

"There's no way you can defend yourself against a knife unarmed. They've got a point" Yes, and a blade too. It's a knife. :-p ;-)

[@zerodyne5333]

Was going to comment about the knife defense but you covered it towards the end, around 13:30 re: reality of an attack. Decent FMA instructors always emphasize that a knife is meant to be felt, not seen, which means against someone who knows what they're doing with a knife (ie: its main use as an ambush weapon), it's virtually impossible to defend against. You could avoid a lethal hit with some instruction (which is what I pay attention to the most when I study) but it's likely impossible to avoid getting stabbed. At that point, the goal should be to survive more than anything imo. So yes, situational awareness and avoiding being in a bad situation trumps having to defend against such an attack in the first place. I had a coworker who had a gun put to the back of his head when he willingly followed a girl to the parking lot while he was out at a bar with his buddies. Turns out she had her own buddies waiting to rob him. He got overconfident due to his large size as a football player and didn't think about the situation at all.

[@LochNessHamster]

5:15 Tell me that wasn't your bad arm D:

[@guanjun1178]

So many martial arts practitioners are out of shape. They couldn't fight and couldn't even run away if they wanted to. So, first thing is to be in good shape.

[@nickhutchinson8789]

hi skall & everyone

[@aldor9357]

Sup m8

[@notatruck2640]

Oof

[@Vitorruy1]

Nick Hutchinson hi nick

[@makruldur]

Nick Hutchinson 👋

[@nickhutchinson8789]

Joe Morrell hello?

[@mattr2238]

+1 for the quarterstaff. The ideal tool for supporting yourself walking and self defense.

[@benedekkiss4571]

Wil you ever do a video about bajonetts, and their usage?

[@aldor9357]

Just stab a lot and use the butt when needed

[@kuribo1]

Not sure if true or not but the story went there was a SCA event in New York some time in the 90s and a woman was walking home in her garb and she had a wooden waster on her hip. She was assaulted by three guys trying to mug her they all had knives. She used her waster and what she knew from fighting in the SCA to defend herself. Did not hurt that in the story she had light armor as well as bracers on.

[@marebbpc]

short answer, random thug attacks you you got your sword/dagger/spear/axe with you and use it on him, so YES hema can be used for self defence today

[@lalinowl]

marebbpc Does wearing maille under your shirt counts as HEMA, would be pretty useful when they try to stab you in the back

[@Sage_Lucas]

That's still a problem. The law in some parts of the world says that you can only use enough force on your attacker to defend yourself and it also has other specifics if you know martial arts and he doesnt. Short example of a true case of a friend. He was in a club, someone comes up to him because he thinks he was eyeing his gf, he shoves him and then my friend punches him and knocks him out. Police comes and my friend geta into trouble and taken to the station. The logic behind is that if you know a martial art and the other person doesnt u should be able to defend yourself without harming the attacker unnecessarily. If you take someones dagger/knife or use it in any way against them, YOU will be in more problems than your attacker, especially if you know martial arts. They will say u should know how to protect urself without harming the other person as in just disarming them.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

those parts of the world are known as shitholes.

[@Sage_Lucas]

If you consider the UK and other countries which have this law shitholes, I guess so. *shrug*

[@freshcomic2006]

maybe not UK. or some others, but the US has those and I would consider it a shithole now

[@Beowulf_DW]

You remind me of my Aikido instructor, "Running away is a very effective means of self-defense."

[@JohnDoe-on6ru]

I'm a skinny dude with no formal fight training, so my theory is to just destroy the testicles like a savage, would that work? Kicks, grabs if they are too close, etc. Serious.

[@Itwalksinthesoup]

That would definetly take me out

[@JohnDoe-on6ru]

Brb wearing a cup everywhere I go

[@SrGundisalvus]

Be careful, the adrenaline in the person may make them stand easily the pain, it hapened to me in a fight where the guy kicked me and i just keep on going without much pain, (it hurts a lot after a few minutes jajajaja)

[@JohnDoe-on6ru]

Lol, yeah I guess, also the eyes I suppose. I always carry a spare house key in my pocket, not on a ring, but by itself. If I see a threat before it happens, I can get that...Imagine getting stabbed in the balls with a key. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't penetrate, but I imagine the pain would be ridiculous.

[@Itwalksinthesoup]

John Doe or just carry a nutcracker with you