My jiu-jitsu teacher also told me he would rather fight unarmed. The thing is, that a guy well versed in grappling would rather have both his hands free to use. If you pull a weapon at all, it shouild just be a handgun, if it is available.
I've heard the argument that you can escalate and de-escalate a fight easier if you pull a knife. I disagree with this concept. Once you pull a knife, your opponent has the right to shoot you, period. This is obviously a problem. I have pulled a gun twice in confrontations. Both times the fight stopped right there, with nothing further coming out of it. And it stopped very fast. Once was against two guys; once was against about 10 guys. If you are facing these odds, pull a gun. If you pull a knife, God help you.
I've debated the riddle in my head about how to best carry and use a weapon. I tend to agree with the concept that you want both hands free... until you pull a gun. The only blade that would enable me to grapple and at the same time hang onto the blade is perhaps a kerambit. I'm thinking about buying one just for the hell of it. But the problem again lies with the fact that, if I am grappling with a knife- any knife- in my hand, my opponent, and his buddies, have the green light to kill me, whether it be by gun, numbers, whatever.
So if you have to pull a weapon, make it a gun. Until then, keep both hands free.
I've heard the argument that you can escalate and de-escalate a fight easier if you pull a knife. I disagree with this concept. Once you pull a knife, your opponent has the right to shoot you, period. This is obviously a problem. I have pulled a gun twice in confrontations. Both times the fight stopped right there, with nothing further coming out of it. And it stopped very fast. Once was against two guys; once was against about 10 guys. If you are facing these odds, pull a gun. If you pull a knife, God help you.
I've debated the riddle in my head about how to best carry and use a weapon. I tend to agree with the concept that you want both hands free... until you pull a gun. The only blade that would enable me to grapple and at the same time hang onto the blade is perhaps a kerambit. I'm thinking about buying one just for the hell of it. But the problem again lies with the fact that, if I am grappling with a knife- any knife- in my hand, my opponent, and his buddies, have the green light to kill me, whether it be by gun, numbers, whatever.
So if you have to pull a weapon, make it a gun. Until then, keep both hands free.