Knife Fighting

In his book All-In Fighting, W.E. Fairbairn wrote: "The knife in close-quarter fighting is the most deadly weapon to have to contend with. It is admitted by recognized authorities that for an entirely unarmed man there is no certain defense against a knife." The knife, in trained hands, can be a very effective and deadly means of personal protection. In the hands of a criminal it can also be a very deadly means of assault. While any knife may be used for personal protection, a knife specifically designed for fighting is the best choice for the person who chooses to carry a knife for protection. Rex Applegate wrote in Kill or Get Killed: "When a man has a weapon which he knows is designed for fighting alone and has been trained in its use, he immediately develops a sense of confidence in it that he will never feel toward the utility knife. His fighting knife takes on a definite personal characteristic. He carries it with him at all times, he sharpens it often, and he will regard it as a very necessary part of his personal equipment." If you need a knife for utility purposes then carry a utility knife or a multi-tool, but let your personal protection knife be a dedicated fighting knife.

So what knife should you carry for close-quarter fighting? The Fairbairn Fighting Knife is an excellent choice, as is an updated version of this knife, the Gerber Mark II Knife. These are fixed blade fighting knives, and will likely be deemed "illegal" in places with oppressive governments. In such case, be sure that you keep your knife concealed, or carry a smaller folding knife such as the Gerber Applegate Combat Folding Knife. 

To learn knife fighting, it is of course best to find an expert to teach you to use your knife effectively. Still, it may be possible to learn a few basic techniques from books and videos, and even these basic techniques can save your life once you are confident with your knife.

Into the Fray Episode 168: Basic Knife-Fighting Techniques 

Military Training with a Knife (Russian)