Firearms are superior to contact distance weapons, such as knives, in that the former can typically injure or kill from a greater distance than the latter. This fact can lead to officers underestimating the danger an edged weapon presents. You might have even heard an officer say, "I'll just shoot 'em" when considering the possibility of facing an attacker armed with an edged weapon.
Unfortunately many officers fail to comprehend that within five feet (the distance where most of us are killed) a knife or other edged weapon, such as a screwdriver or box cutter is just as deadly as a firearm. If you're attacked suddenly with an edged weapon, you better have a plan to negate the initial attack and create enough time and distance to draw your handgun. Standing your ground or back peddling while attempting to draw is an ill-advised response. If you don't believe me, I suggest you watch Surviving Edged Weapons by Calibre Press, Inc.
Most edged weapon defense currently being taught to law enforcement personnel is based on traditional martial arts. Martial arts-based techniques tend to be overly complex, requiring the officer to respond with the reflexes of a ninja and the precision of a surgeon at a moment when the officer's coordination is significantly diminished due to the body's physiological response to extreme stress often referred to as the fight or flight response.
To make matters worse, many systems teach a different technique for each type of attack. While these techniques may work well in a sterile training environment against a single, telegraphed thrust, they will likely fail against a realistic attack, involving repeated slashes and or stabs.
Although there is no foolproof technique for handling an edged weapon attack, the run through described below is about as simple and gross-motor based as you can get. The run through can be used against most types of stabs and slashes and is simple enough to employ under the heart pounding stress of a real unscripted edged weapon attack.
Step 1 - Intercept weapon-bearing limb
The run through can be used against any downward, upward, or horizontal attack originating from the left side of your body. This is very important when you consider than roughly 90% of the population is right handed. (A slight modification of the run through can be applied against horizontal attacks coming from the right side of your body).
When the weapon-bearing arm is in motion, generalize where the attack is coming from and intercept the arm with the exterior of your left forearm. Against a low level attack, such as a thrust to the abdomen, you can thrust your hips back to help maintain a gap between the weapon and your body.
Keep in mind that in the event of a stab to the abdomen, (a preferred target for knife attacks) you will likely be grabbed initially. This affords the attacker better control of your body and allows him to pull you into the stab to intensify the damage inflicted. Any valid stab defense technique must be effective regardless of whether or not the attacker grabs his intended victim prior to stabbing.
Step 2 - Take the attacker's balance (Occurs almost simultaneously to Step 1)
If you were hoping to be able to actually take the edged weapon from the bad guy I'm sorry to disappoint you. Attempting to disarm the attacker would almost certainly result in you sustaining grievous injury. As such, this type of response is better left to Hollywood action heroes. Rather than trying to control the weapon, your goal should be to control the attacker by taking his balance.
If after intercepting the weapon-bearing arm, you fail to immediately off-balance the attacker, he can simply re-direct the blade to cut your arm and then unleash a ferocious combination of stabs and slashes with devastating results.
As the name implies, the run through technique involves you literally running through the attacker. This is accomplished by placing the palm of your hand under the attacker's chin to tilt his head back. Remember that where the head goes, the body follows. With his head off axis, you will be able to drive the attacker back rather easily. At the risk of stating the obvious, after intercepting the weapon-bearing arm, it's a good idea to direct the weapon away from the body.
It's important to differentiate between tilting the attacker's head back and delivering a traditional strike. Striking and retracting your arm gives the attacker an opportunity to regain his balance, which is the last thing you want. Instead of striking, imagine tilting the attacker's head back like a Pez dispenser.
Step 3 - Disengage, draw, and move
After driving the attacker backward with several powerful strides, plant your lead foot and shove off to disengage, creating enough time and distance to draw your firearm and asses the situation.
If possible, move to a position of cover and order the attacker to drop the knife and assume a prone position. If the attacker charges, consider moving off line, since even accurate handgun rounds might not immediately incapacitate an emotionally disturbed, highly motivated or chemically altered attacker. Moving off line causes the attacker to have to re-orient to you, which could be the difference between emerging from the encounter unscathed and being severely injured or killed.
The Run through drill
To practice the run through, find a training partner and arm them with an inert training knife. Put on your duty belt, holster and inoperable training gun. Both you and your partner should wear appropriate eye protection. Stand close enough so that your partner can actually reach you if he were to extend the knife. Note-any technique works when the attacker isn't close enough to cut you!
The drill begins when your partner either grabs you or attempts to slash or stab you. At first, begin by having your partner stab downward, with an ice pick grip. Execute the run through, move off-line and draw. Repeat the drill against a high horizontal slash, low horizontal slash, upward stab, and a grab initiated stab. As you become more proficient, mix up the attacks and pick up the pace.
Always have a plan B and never give up!
