In the area of self-defense, one question that comes up a lot is how to mount a reasonable and safe defense against knife attacks.

Generally speaking, it is impossible to stop a determined opponent from getting into close range! Of course, if the attacker is armed with a blade, this can be fatal, since maintaining distance is the only sure way to avoid getting cut or stabbed.

Our experience in the security arena as well as observations in "Live stick" stick-fighting tournaments have shown that hits to the limbs or body of an opponent do not have sufficient stopping power, i.e. will not impress or stop a determined opponent. Any belief to the contrary is a colossal mistake!

Even though years of training may have resulted in the development of real power-strikes, in reality it always feels as though one were trying to win a gunfight with precise shots The only option that remains is the pre-emptive strike - meaning the chance, if there actually is one, to eliminate an attacker with one or two powerful strikes to the head (there will hardly be time for more), from the long range and while he is still in the process of threatening harm. Even then it remains very hard to predict how successful one will be in fully landing a strike on a rapidly advancing target. Failure to do so will result in being cut or stabbed! For the defender, this adds an additional legal problem to the situation (body blows show hardly any effect, while strikes to the head may result in severe fractures of the skull). For a law-abiding citizen, this mental obstacle may result in the fatal hesitation to fully execute a powerful strike in the actual situation.

Another problem: A truly determined blade fighter will not threaten, but will act without warning, possibly without even displaying the blade. Statistically speaking, this tactic of surprise leads to success in 75% of edged weapons attacks. Victims often think that they have been struck or pushed and do not realize the seriousness of the situation until it is much too late. *(1)

Through optimizing and correcting basic defensive reflexes, our Escapo concept can only achieve what we term as the "unarmed 5 percent" (5% improvement of your chances in defending against surprise attacks). In view of the deadly threat, this result, which can only be achieved due to our comprehensive experience and ability with weapons, is certainly worth training for.

Now who still thinks that a stick, due to it's supposedly longer range, is a better weapon than a knife?

Does this mean that the decision of a law-enforcement officer or security guard who decides to deal with a knife attacker using his baton or (as in some cities) nunchakus, is tantamount to suicide?

Basically: Yes.

While this course of action may sometimes be successful and even though unarmed Jitsu or Judo techniques may sometimes lead to the successful elimination of an edged-weapon threat, this is probably due more to a lack of determination on part of the knife-wielding tough guy than superior martial-arts training on part of the defender.

Once having realized this, one can hardly muster the nerve to count on an opponent's lack of ability and determination in a life and death encounter.