New CBD article: How they hold the knife doesn't tell you if they know how to use it. "In the last few years, I've seen a lot of ink (electrons?) spilled over trying to gauge a person's skill based on how he holds the knife. Most of it revolves around looking at how a person holds the knife and trying to draw a conclusion about whether or not they have any training. " http://cbd.atspace.com/articles.html Peace favor your sword, Kirk
You'd be shocked at how prevalent this kind of nonsense is even among fairly high profile schools in some areas. It's more the rule than the exception IME.
Not only is it dangerously inaccurate. It also implies that you only need worry about the knife if the guy is a "trained knife fighter." Where the truth is that the knife has enjoyed its position of prominence since the dawn of humankind precisely because any idiot with an opposable thumb can do damage with one.
Have you been copying this bloke again? From 04:40. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk-EVLyIpts"]Vunak[/ame] How old is this clip?
I think the fact that your enemy is holding a knife would indicate that he needs to be treated as the highest possible threat. How he holds it, what size, colour or shape it is, and whether he's wearing a shirt saying "Knife Fighting Champion 2006" doesn't really factor into the equation. It's a knife.
You would think I had some sort of connection to him wouldn't you? The tapes came out around 1992 I think...so nearly 20 years ago!
Two best quotes I was given and still use to this day - Q: What's the best way to hold a knife? A: In your Hand Q: What's the best type of knife to carry? A: A sharp one
I think the one exception to this rule is if they have it firmly grasped by the blade. Even then the fact the he is coming at you with blood dripping down his forearm should give you pause.