Real Street Fighting Moves

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Here master Andy Curtiss shows a counter and escape from a knife lunge.

Here is a very revealing interview that I had with Andy Curtiss on the secrets of knife self protection.

Charles Prosper: Andy, how are you tonight?  Now, in this interview, you are going to take us into the world of knife self defense.  And I think you’re going to give us 5 secrets of knife self defense.  So, take it away, Andy.

Andy Curtiss: Yeah, basically what I have for you are the 5 Principles of Knife Combat.

Charles Prosper: Okay.

Andy Curtiss:

Principle Number 1 – Expect To Get Cut - Basically, whenever you’re encountering anybody with an edged weapon, you have to expect to get cut. That will help you gain the mental edge in the event that you do get cut because you will, and it also takes the mental edge away from your opponent.

I like to bring up the term “shock” because the first time you get cut, the first time people see blood, they go into a state of shock.  And you know, in trauma, we always that shock kills.  When you’re hard-wiring yourself to expect the worst, you kind of take that shock factor out.

Charles Prosper: Wow.

Andy Curtiss:

Principle Number 2 – De-fang The Serpent - When I talk about de-fanging the serpent, what I’m talking about is actually is about disarming your opponent.  Everyone knows that the knife is nothing more than an extension of the hand – the empty hand.  And basically, I like to look at the limb or the arm as that of kind of a snake, and the knife being kind of like the fang.  So, once you expect to get cut, then right away the first thing you should be looking for is a way to either escape or de-fang that serpent.

Principle Number 3 – Time Is Of The Essence - Whenever you’re dealing with edged-weapon combat, the longer that your are in the situation, the more chances your have of being cut open and being bled out.  So, time is of the essence.  You have to act quickly.

Principle Number 4 – Control - You have to control yourself.  You have to control the situation.  You have to control the attacker.  Or any one of those in any order, but you got to have control.

Principle Number 5 – It All Boils Down To Survival - It doesn’t have to look pretty.  It hasn’t got to be fancy.  The bottom line is that at the end of the day, you’re coming home for dinner and you’re breathing because you did your job.

Charles Prosper: Wow.  So, that really takes it down to basics, and we can really see exactly how to do the five principles of knife self defense.  Thank you again, Andy.

Andy Curtiss: Thank you.