Knife in a Gun Fight

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BarryLee

New member
I generally carry a knife in or clipped to my right front pocket. Yesterday a friend told me I should carry my knife on the opposite side of my body from my handgun. His reasoning being that if someone attempts to grab your handgun you would instinctively grab their arm with your right hand. If your knife is in your right pocket it would be difficult to access. However, if it were on the opposite side you could use your left hand to access your knife and potentially use it for defensive purposes.

Does anyone utilize this weak side carry method for defensive purposes when carrying a handgun? Any other comments/observations?
 
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Sharkbite

New member
I generally carry one on each side. My Kali training emphasized mtpl blades so i may be in the minority here but i always have a blade accessible to my support hand
 
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TxManx

New member
I suppose if you have any ability with your left hand, it might make sense.

From a defensive standpoint - if you're carrying right side, are right handed - my martial arts trained me to step back into a left foot forward stance - increasing my stability, increasing the distance between my attacker and my gun / knife / primary striking arm... And allowing for a more powerful kick if required...

Grabbing the attacker as he continued forward would theoretically pull them off balance...

Too many followup options to list - but none would include drawing, opening and using a knife from my non-dominant side...

Old habits and muscle memory would be too much for me to overcome I guess, even theoretically.

My 2c...
 
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ClydeFrog

Moderator
Balance....

I prefer to level out my everyday carry items when I can(depending on conditions & workload). Id have my sidearm on one side with a white-light, knife, handcuffs(if required for the detail), OC spray(mk III size), wallet/badge, spare magazine(s).
I like to balance out the weight too. As for knife carry/deployment, it's not a bad idea to store the folder or blade in a way it could be used to deflect a gun grab. The TDI KaBar knife line is good for security officers or sworn LE who work in uniform. If a violent subject lunges for your firearm, you can slash or cut them with a TDI.
I tend to keep most folder knives or pocket knives in upper pockets(shirts).
I've found when you clip a knife to a side pocket is scuffs & nicks a lot of stuff. :mad:
It's also sometimes hard to access quickly while seated.

CF
 
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zincwarrior

New member
I carry a tactical fruit insertion blade (Swiss army knife) in my pocket in case I am attacked by apples. If someone is attempting to grab my gun hand I've invested heavily in a tactical backup and inventory management unit (aka "the Wife") to beat them about the head and face with her purse after she's unloaded about 45 rounds into them. :eek:

Otherwise unless you surprise me in the elevator at work (in which case please kill me - when does thehurting stop?!?) I will be escorted by ferocious attack wiener dogs and a rather ferocious blond bear barely disguised as a mountain dog. Its not me my attackers have to worry about - its being licked to death.
 
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giaquir

New member
I read somewhere that if a well trained
guy with a knife gets within (I can't remember)
16 or 26 feet of you and your gun-you have troubles.
 
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FireForged

New member
From a weapon retention stand point where I am locked down on my strong side trying to keep a firearm holstered.... yes, I would want my knife on the other side where I could get to it.
 
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9ballbilly

New member
I always carry my CC gun OWB on my (left) strong side and my knife clipped in my front right pocket. Done it this way for many years and it seems so natural now that if I ever made a conscious decision to do it this way I've long forgotten making it.
 
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colbad

New member
For me a fixed blade might be an option on the weak side. However, I do not have the weak hand dexterity to open a folder fast enough to be effective in CQB. I personally would opt for immediate open hand techniques that would free up my strong hand draw weather it be for a FA or knife.

In AF I carried a K-Bar suspended from my IBA in a blade up position on my left chest side. I could draw the fixed blade from most any position (standing /sitting) with either hand in that configuration. However the blade I needed most, being my Swiss Army knife was in my pocket. :D Probably not too many want to run around with a giant knife strapped to their chest. :)
 
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Blue Duck

New member
This may seem a little over the top, but I often carry a 6.5 inch long Puma Bowie Knife in a custom made leather (inside the pants) scabbard on my off hand side, in a reverse cavalry draw, or a smaller mouse gun on that side, but I like the knife, because for one thing it's legal in my state, (the blade length laws were repealed a few years ago) and there is not a mandate to carry it concealed so if I accidentally flash it, I am not necessarily in trouble. But the other reason is it's so very fast to deploy and if surprised into a grapple it just might save the day.
 
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North East Redneck

New member
I'm strong side right with my hands and strong side left with feet. Punch with right, write with right, shoot with right hand on the trigger. I kick strong side left and play hockey lefty. Swing a bat righty. Gun sits on the right and belt/pocket blades on the left. When I carry it, the fixed blade knife is on the right. Why? Because I'm comfortable with it. That's how it works for me. Practice, learn what works for you without having to think. Your actions should happen without thought when it comes to self defense.
 
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Ricebrnr

New member
Carry a NAA Mini 22 mag in support side pocket. Plus I have fists, elbows or knives on that side also. Options are good.
 
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BlackFeather

New member
Well, I prefer a knife accessible to both hands. Most of my day is spent without my gun. I go to lunch, and don't bother grabbing my gun. I keep a SOCP dagger on me. I'm a firm believer in knives, and instructor on the use of them. A folding knife needs training to deploy, fixed blades are easier. Understanding where to cut is important. Not all areas are best for physical harm, not all are best for retention. Depending on how you carry, what you carry, and what training you have, you may need to look at things differently than all of us.
 
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leadcounsel

Moderator
It's good logic to have a weapon available on your off hand, but really IMO for when/if your primary hand/weapon is disabled.

If someone is 'going for your' gun, you'd better be able to focus 100% of your effort to securing your gun. Going for a 3" folder means you may lose if the person secures your gun. A 3" folder, while dangerous, is not typically immediately lethal and sacrificing your gun in favor of your folder with your off hand might be a costly mistake.

So, first, you should have enough situational awareness to not have someone 'go for your gun.' Concealed guns should be concealed. Open carry, well, you must increase your situational awareness even greater.

Next, if someone is grabbing for it, you need to fight, elbow, and roll away and wrestle. For instance, a throat punch or elbow to your assailants face or eye gouges NOW is likely more effective than a stab/slash a second or two later with a puny folder Kershaw... and after he has your gun. However... I will say that if you are the type who can instantly draw and flick open a knife, then putting that in someone's throat or chest might end the assault too...

If you are standing, learning some simple judo hip throws or leg sweeps will effectively drop non-trained people. And a fall for an untrained person can easily end a fight because falls onto concrete tend to break/dislocate bones and joints.

So personally, if your space is invaded, strike hard and fast to his throat/face and while rolling away and defending your sidearm.
 
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kraigwy

New member
I read somewhere that if a well trained
guy with a knife gets within (I can't remember)
16 or 26 feet of you and your gun-you have troubles
Click to expand...

Its called the "21 foot rule" which is the biggest myth since the internet came out.
I demonstrate this (with rubber knives and blue training guns) in my ladies firearms SD class.

Starting at 21 feet the knife guy charges the lady with a gun. Even the slowest lady could beat the knife guy.

Draw, shoot and sidestep = gunman wins.

It takes years and years of training and a bit of physical ability to be good with a knife.

Not so much with a firearm at normal SD distance, or the distance a knife would be a threat. They don't call the gun the "equalizer' for nothing.
 
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skoro

New member
For years, I've carried a knife in my change pocket, which is always on the right side of my jeans.

Might have to rethink that habit. It makes sense to have a knife readily available for the off hand.
 
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